Chapter 11 #2
“With what,” Elena shouted back, uncaring of who heard her shrill cries of his many faults.
Let them know how he planned to use his Omega now.
“None of my things are here, and you made very clear that I cannot return to the hotel to retrieve them. What am I to dress in exactly? Shall I go about in your shirts like some cheap—”
“Don’t you dare finish that,” Leon said, crouching before her.
He slapped away her hands as he felt around her shoulder, grunting as she whimpered and flinched away from his probing fingers.
“Your things were brought here, delivered to my men by your beloved guard. They should have made their way to my room.”
“No one came in there,” Elena murmured, cradling her abused arm against her chest.
Leon heaved a sigh, disgruntled and furious even as he eased his arm behind Elena to pull her up to her feet with some care. Gentle with her now as he kept an arm at her back, lending his other arm to steady her as she limped along the long hall.
“Stay here,” he said after depositing her back into the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind him.
He returned just a few moments later, her suitcase and overnight bag in hand.
If she didn’t know the man better, she’d swear he was blushing as he settled both on the long bench at the footboard.
His color was just high from shouting at her so much, from being so angry, she reasoned as she inched her way closer to pry the zipper open on her bags.
She trusted Jamie to have remembered to pack everything. He had even tucked the little jewelry box containing the pieces they’d yet to sell in there. Jamie was a good man and a steadfast guard, no matter what Leon said.
“Well,” Leon said, reminding her of his presence as she picked at her clothing.
“What?” Elena glanced at him sideways, edging further away from his menacing presence as he stood straight and took a single step towards her.
“Are you going to dress for dinner, or do I have to, what was it you said? Parade you in front of my people like this?”
“All right,” Elena murmured, plucking a fresh blouse and a pair of pants free of her suitcase, only to have both snatched out of her hands.
Leon muttered something to himself, dragging her bag closer to him to inspect its contents. His lips flattened into a thin line as he surveyed her meager possessions, but he finally decided on a slim fitted skirt and airy blouse and held them out to her.
“You’ll wear these.”
“That’s hardly dinner attire.”
“It’s better than that,” he said with a nod at her choice where he’d balled them up on the bed.
Taking a steadying breath, Elena took the clothes from Leon and started towards the two doors. One had to be a bathroom and would give her a modicum of privacy.
“You will change where you stand, Omega,” Leon said, voice turned dangerous and dark.
Elena crashed to a halt, shoulders hunching against that tone. A shiver of fear worked down her spine, goosebumps breaking out all along her arms. She felt his heat long before his presence engulfed her, his arm coming around her to tug at the placket of her top.
Giving a single nod of understanding, Elena knew she couldn’t waylay him forever. He’d take what he wanted at some point. She could wish he’d let her heal some, but it seemed that wasn’t to be. There’d be no dinner, either. It’d all been a ruse to get her in this precarious position.
Setting aside the bundle of clothing, trembling fingers undid the buttons with mechanical practice. She didn’t put on a show for him as her hands went to the waist of her long skirt, undoing the buttons there before letting it fall free of her hips.
He dragged a breath in through his nose as he saw her lower half. Elena shrugged free of her blouse but didn’t have the courage to turn back to him. Crouching low, she gathered the items and held them tight to her chest as he made a vicious sound low in his throat.
“I, um… Where should I put…?” Elena remained in her defensive huddle, too afraid to rise. Too disgusted with herself for not fighting back. It would only make it worse though.
“Why didn’t you tell me,” Leon said, voice a hoarse croak as he came at her in a rush. His hand shook as he ghosted his fingers over the deep welts and bruises littering her back.
Elena shook her head. Brows drawing low, she wondered what he’d expected. He’d put them there, after all. He should know what he’d done to her. She cringed as he traced the length of her spine, falling forward to her knees with her head bowed low enough she almost kissed the thick rug beneath her.
Gods, he’d do it here on the floor like an animal.
“Put on something comfortable,” he said, awkward as he stepped away from her. “I’m calling a doctor.”
“What for,” Elena asked as she dared to look over her shoulder at him.
“For that,” Leon said, loud and incensed as his hand took in the mottled damage of her back and arms.
“There’s nothing they can do about that,” she murmured. Suddenly she was self-conscious, arms wrapping around her chest and sex to shield them from his view despite the underwear she still wore.
Elena shouldn’t care what he thought of her, but the curl of his lip was her undoing. Whether in disgust, hatred, or regret she didn’t know, but she didn’t want him to look at her that way at all.
Rushing through the process, she donned the clothes he’d chosen.
Wincing as she jerked stiff joints, the tight band of the skirt digging deep into her bruised waist. Riffling through her overnight, she unearthed her brush and wrenched it through her thick waves with crackling viciousness.
Tearing the strands free with her impatience to appear normal despite everything to the contrary.
“I’m just hungry, please,” she stammered out, blinking back the stinging tears as she kept her back to him. “You said I could eat if I dressed, and I am now.”
“All right,” Leon said, catching hold of her wrist and prying the brush from her clenched fingers. Hands gentle as she could have ever wished, he smoothed her hair back over her shoulders and caressed her jaw before holding his arm out to her. “Let’s go eat.”
He held her steady as he guided her through the hall. Leon adjusted his grip, holding her around the waist with care this time as he led her down the staircase. Through the echoing foyer and a set of double doors to a formal dining room.
Elena made a disgruntled sound in the back of her throat as she saw the fine china place settings and tall candlesticks. He’d expected her to dress for dinner, and here she was in little better than a casual outfit.
“I can go change,” she whispered, not quite daring to defy him by stopping, though she slowed her steps.
“It’s fine,” Leon said, handing her down into a broad chair that swallowed her whole.
Her legs kicked beneath the table as she squirmed into position, grimacing at the spectacle she must be making of herself. Leon took the chair at the head of the table, totally at home and comfortable in his space.
Her humiliation doubled down as Mrs. Jacobs entered with another woman, this one young and fresh faced, both bearing wide trays of food.
“I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble, Mrs. Jacobs,” Elena said as the housekeeper came close to set the tray down on Elena’s side of the table.
“Not a bit, deary,” Mrs. Jacobs said with a cheery smile. “It’ll be nice cooking for two for a change.”
“A change?” Elena glanced at Leon, brow furrowed as she twisted her napkin in her lap. “I thought you and Marjory…”
“I ended our engagement.” Leon was stiff backed and cold as he waited for the other maid to serve him a plate of salmon and rice pilaf with some sort of rich cream sauce.
Elena was served something else entirely, a thick slab of roast beef with creamed potatoes and roasted vegetables. She couldn’t believe Mrs. Jacobs had gone through the trouble of cooking her a different dinner.
“Oh,” Elena said, feeling stupid as she poked at her food. Waiting for him to begin eating before she could take the neat, small bites dictated by propriety when she wanted to grab the juicy meat with both hands and gnaw upon it.
“Do you not like roast beef,” Leon asked, utensils held aloft over his meal. “I thought you didn’t like fish, but if you would prefer the salmon…”
Elena’s lips parted as she looked up at him without thinking, meeting the dark umber of his eyes head on as shock zinged through her veins. How he’d known she didn’t like fish in the first place was surprising enough, but to offer his meal in exchange was astounding.
Who was this man and what had he done with the Alpha who had just terrorized her mere moments ago?
“It’s fine,” Elena mumbled, ducking her head to hide her confusion. Apparently he didn’t stand on ceremony, so she cut off a small bite of meat. It melted against her tongue, juicy and rich.
Ignoring him in favor of her meal, Elena’s bites became larger and larger until she pushed huge chunks of meat and vegetables into her waiting mouth.
Starved beyond reason, she’d never heal, and she figured that was the only cause he had to feed her such delicious, rich foods.
Despite that thought, she was too hungry to care.
“Have enough?” He was lazing at the other end of the table, his food gone untouched as he leaned upon one elbow. Watching her every move, the predator tracking his prey. “I’m sure Mrs. Jacobs could whip something up.”
“I’m fine.” Elena swallowed hard, wiping at her mouth with a napkin that was still as clean as when the meal started. Her cheeks warmed, sure that a deep blush had settled there. She’d acted like a pig in front of him.
“Are you sure,” Mrs. Jacobs asked as she came back into the room, brows high as she smiled at Elena. “I can have a dessert ready in no time. Mr. Marchetti doesn’t much care for sweets, but I’m sure—”
“No, no,” Elena said, giving a stilted wave of her hand. “I’ve been enough trouble for you already. Really, I’m full.”