Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
BLAIR
My eyes open and I'm assaulted by the bright lights shining through the window. I wince and squeeze them back shut, attempting to ward off the light of yet another day. If the rising and setting sun are any indication, it's been two days. Two days of no food or water. My mouth is dry and it hurts to blink.
I had woken up with my hands and feet no longer cuffed to the bed. I was able to stretch my legs and look for a way out of this hellhole. The bedroom door has remained locked, but being freed was a step in the right direction.
I’ve only gotten up twice to use the bathroom, each time I was accompanied. I would stick my head under the faucet and greedily drink down the water. It tasted awful, but it was better than dying of dehydration.
Being able to move around gave me a fake sense of normalcy, of freedom. That is, until I spotted the bloodied trail I lef t behind. The constant reminder of my loss, my heartache, and my impending doom.
Lorenzo hasn’t bothered me since the first day I arrived and woke up cuffed to the bed. I don’t know whether to be thankful for his lack of presence or fearful of what that could mean.
The smell of eggs clouds my senses before the heavy thud of footsteps reaches my ears. My body tenses, my primal instincts kicking in, alerting me to the danger that’s close by. Since my last trip to the bathroom, I’ve remained curled up on the leather chaise, unmoving while my eyes stayed glued to the door. The click of locks disengaging and the doorknob turning causes my heart to race.
I can't recall the last time I had an actual meal that didn’t consist of my own spit and five fingers to the face. Clearly , it's been a while judging by the thunderous rumbling of my stomach that’s loud enough to let my company know I'm awake. Lorenzo barges in, trailed by a waiter holding a covered tray. The waiter sets down the meal on the bedside table and exits promptly, sparing me a quick glance.
“ Good . You’re awake,” Lorenzo remarks, his voice carrying a mixture of authority and possessiveness. “ Eat , baby girl. Once you’re done, I've arranged for you to freshen up for me.” The mere thought of Lorenzo seeing me unclothed and touching my skin makes me nauseous. Any hint of hunger I might have felt vanishes instantly.
I clench my jaw tightly, struggling to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over the surface. I give him a subtle shake of my head. I refuse to give him a response. He’ll probably take a lot from m e, but he can't take my voice. I won't let him touch my mind, either. My hunger might be gnawing at me, but if I can delay the inevitable of him touching me, I will. I'd rather allow my insides to devour themselves before I accept his offered food and have to suffer the consequences that follow.
“ It wasn’t a fucking option!” He roars, picking up the food, the plate of eggs shakes in his hand. His knuckles turn white with the intensity of his grip on the plate, and before I can even blink, he's launching it at me. The glass plate shatters against my skull, causing me to see spots. The pain doesn't register as quickly, delaying the feeling of my skin being sliced by the plate and burned from the scalding food.
I clamp down my jaw, biting my tongue as hard as I can to keep my sobbing at bay. I refrain from wiping the food from my face, in fear of what Lorenzo could do next. Peering at him through the splattered eggs, his eyes harden on mine. “ Now you get no food, and your need for a bath is immediate. Such a foolish little girl you are,” he hisses. No amount of pressure on my tongue could keep the tears from spilling over my eyelashes, refusing to be held in any longer.
Why is this happening to me? I don't know what I did to deserve this. My vision grows hazy as dizziness sets in. I can't determine whether it's from the blow to my head, the scalding food smeared on my face, or the lack of sustenance and hydration.
My throat tightens as the anger bubbles beneath the surface, and tears of anger flow freely down my cheeks. Anger that I am physically powerless to fight back right now. Anger that, within my first ten minutes of knowing about my pregnancy, I had already lost my baby. Anger that these assholes only care ab out my life when they can make a pretty penny off of it.
I lock eyes with him, narrowing my own, I pray it conveys the level of hatred I have towards him. “ You’re lucky the blood between your thighs has dried, I was willing to pretend that I was taking you for the first time. It's a shame you’re all used up.” He shrugs. “ Eat your food. Hurry up. Someone will arrive shortly to bathe you.” Lorenzo barks. Without another word, he’s leaving the room, the click of the lock causing my heart to ache once more.
Bringing my trembling fingers to my face, I grip the hot food and bring it to my mouth. I don’t care how gross it is. I’m fucking starving. After one bite, my shaking hands quickly begin scooping at the eggs splattered on my face and body, shoveling them into my mouth.
Ten minutes pass by and my heart begins to race, praying that Lorenzo has sent a female staff member instead of attending to me himself. Maybe I’ll have some extra strength from the food and I can manage to escape. My hopes are short-lived because the second I hear the footsteps in the hall, I know it’s him. The click-clack of his dress shoes is a dead giveaway that he’s coming for me.
Lorenzo bursts through the door, making it swing and hit the wall as he strides past me into the bathroom, not uttering a word. I hear the sound of the faucet turning on and water beginning to run.
My heart hammers in my chest, and a rush of adrenaline courses through me. That fickle feeling of hope flutters in me, praying I’m able to clean my own body. The gurgle of water ceases and the squeak of the faucet tells me the tub is filled .
He is coming for me.
Lorenzo's muscular build fills the doorway and he leans on the frame, his hungry eyes scanning every inch of my body. “ Aren't you lucky? I’ve decided to do it myself.” He flashes his demonic smile and a wave of disgust washes over me. I try to disguise the cringe that racks through my body as I realize I'm still wearing the blood-soaked shorts I've had on since my arrival.
“ Strip ,” he demands, his voice harsh and laced with authority. I hesitate, but the thought of disobeying him and meeting his wrath sends a chill down my spine. Reluctantly , I slowly pull off the shorts, hoping to delay the inevitable.
Lorenzo’s eyes narrow as he snarls his next warning, “ The next time you don’t follow an order after it’s given, you will be punished. Consider this a grace period. Disobey me again and you will regret it, but I’ll have so much fun hurting you.” A sinister smile spreads onto his face making my heart drop to my feet, his eyes growing darker, a look I’ve never seen before.
Standing , I slowly pad over to Lorenzo and pause once I’m face-to-face with him. He gestures for me to enter the bathroom and I follow his silent command to avoid another punishment.
The white tub inside the bathroom is large, and I’m sure at least three people would fit comfortably. It’s filled with water and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the least bit excited to wash off the filth and grime of the past week. Sitting down in the tub, I look over my shoulder to find Lorenzo still in the doorframe, but facing inside of the bathroom now, watching me.
The clack of his shoes against the tile echoes throughout the bathroom as he steps closer to the tub. He shrugs off his suit jacket and tosses it onto the nearby counter. Lorenzo strips naked and climbs into the bathtub alongside me. If I thought him bathing me would make my stomach twist, having him naked, inches away from me causes an overwhelming pressure to make a home in my chest.
My whole body stiffens and I feel like a mannequin as he maneuvers my body in order to slide in next to me. The feeling of his skin on mine twists my stomach. I don’t move. I don’t speak. I don’t do anything.
I'm frozen.
Lorenzo reaches for my arm and begins scrubbing me with a cloth soaked in soap. The floral scent of the soap fills my nostrils, and the sensation of his touch leaves my skin feeling raw. I can't help but wince as his fingers scrub against my skin.
As I try to maintain my composure, my thoughts wander to my family. I hope my mother is strong enough to survive another loss if I don't make it out of here. I think about my dad and the chance that I’ll be reunited with him again, should my captor choose to send me to meet my maker. Just as I begin to think about Emmett , Lorenzo's hand slides down my chest and towards my pussy.
Before I can react, his hand is cupping my pussy and he whispers in my ear. The panic coursing through my veins and the thumping of my heart in my ears makes it impossible for me to hear his words. My fight-or-flight instincts take over, and before I can think twice, I turn my head and bite down on his arm.
I clamp my teeth together as hard as my weakened body will allow m e, sinking my teeth into the arm that's reaching over my shoulder.
He growls as his hand releases me and tangy metallic liquid fills my mouth. “ You little fucking bitch!” He yells. I keep my teeth embedded in his skin until he's shoving me underwater. I’m forced to release his flesh so I don’t drown and immediately I’m gulping down water. My lungs seize as they fight for air, but quickly I'm being yanked by my hair, back above the water.
I cough and sputter out the swallowed liquid, my lungs burning with the effort. Lorenzo’s face is contorted in anger as he pulls my face closer to his, “ So fucking stupid.” He spits into my face. The sting on my scalp is nothing compared to the pain in my heart but fuck, does it hurt. I grit my teeth while hissing, reaching up to grab his hands and try to give the hold he has on me some slack. “ I warned you, you stupid fucking bitch. You will regret every moment you have disobeyed me. You’re going to beg for me to kill you because it’ll be the only way for you to access any kind of freedom.” He continues cursing and insulting me as he yanks me from the tub.
The cold air bites at my wet skin and I wish I could cover up. I'm still struggling against his hold on my hair as he drags me across the floor and I feel strands of my hair being ripped from my scalp. Despite my lack of nutrition and hydration, I refuse to give up. He may think the tears on my face stem from fear and sadness, they do, but behind that is rage. A fury so dark and deep, I've yet to experience it myself. I dig my feet into the floor and yank on his arms as he continues to pull me.
With his tight grip on my hair, he takes my head and smashes it i nto the bathroom doorway. “ Fuck !” I cry out, trying to regain my balance as he throws me to the ground. I can’t tell if the noise I heard was my skull cracking open or just the impact against the door. He moves to the other side of the room but I can't focus on what he’s doing. I pull myself up to my hands and knees as I try to suck in air.
The multiple blows to my head can't be good. I lay on the floor while trying to stop the dizziness that invades my senses. I need to gather my strength and get back up off this fucking floor so I can protect myself. I'm fighting the pull of unconsciousness when Lorenzo stomps towards me once again. It isn't until the sharp woosh of air and the burning pain racing down my spine, that my adrenaline rockets, making my heart pump hard and my body jolt A sob breaks free of my throat and this time I can't fight it.
My body loses its ability to hold me up and I drop to the ground.
“ This is what you get for fucking biting me, you stupid, useless, cunt,” he snarls as he strikes me again. Whack . The crack of the leather sounds through the air, and a searing pain spreads across my back.
Whack . Whack .
My shrieks and sobs echo through the room as he continues slicing open my back with the whip. The burning agony covering my spine mixed with the pounding in my skull keeps me from moving. I’m immobile. Fucking helpless.
Whack .
Whack .
Whack .
“ Yeah . Bleed for me, you little bitch. It turns me the fuck on. Yes , fuck.”
My throat burns and my cries have become hoarse from the stings lacerating my back. My eyes are growing heavy and my mind begins sinking me into the dark, pulling me under to preserve my brain and body from the overwhelming trauma. I jerk with every crack against my skin, wishing I could crawl away. The feeling of warm liquid seeps down my sides and pools underneath me.
Whack .
All it will take is one more strike. One more whoosh and crack of the whip and I’ll pass out, escaping this torment. I let my eyes close, seeking relief from the burning agony mutilating my spine. It isn't until I hear the tell-tale sign of a zipper, that my eyes snap open. Of course. Letting me pass out wouldn't have been enough for him.
Too weak to move or twist my head, I lay there while his grunts fill the room. “ Mhm . Now you look fucking hot, all bloody and sliced up. Shit . I'm gonna cum inside all of your fucking cuts.”
I clench my teeth as his repulsive cum splatters onto my back, stinging the sliced flesh. I fight and swallow down the bile rising in my throat. I'm hoping he's done, that he's satisfied with the pain he’s inflicted. Unfortunately , I'm not that lucky.
The thud of his knees hitting the floor reaches my ears at the same time that I feel him spreading my legs.
“ No . No , no, no! NO ! NO !” I shout until my throat feels like it's ripping with the effort, practically bleeding. With the little energy I have left, I attempt to kick him off of me. From my position , flat on my stomach, it's useless. I buck my hips up, making a scream ripple through my throat as the cuts on my back split. I become aware of the other bounds he must have grabbed when my ankles get tightly pulled together.
The rough rope cuts into the skin of my ankles as I struggle against its hold. “ No , stop! Please , stop! Please , please! Please , don't do this. You don't want to do this, I'm begging you, please.” I'm bargaining with him but I know it's no use. Sick people like him don't listen to reason. They don’t care.
“ Oh , I love to hear you beg, baby girl. Beg for mercy. Your cries and pleas, although pathetic and pointless, sound absolutely wonderful.” He sneers, leaning down to grab my hands, no doubt to tape those too. I'm squirming in his hold trying to break free, wincing when every movement sends a shock of pain up my spine. I continue to scream until he takes his hand and covers my mouth. “ Shut the fuck up!”
I use the opportunity to bite him again. Much like before, I feel the skin split open beneath my teeth, but I don't release my grip this time. I'm not in the tub where he can attempt to drown me, so instead, I watch as his other hand rears back and swings toward my face. I move but I'm not nearly as fast as the resounding slap of his hand against my cheek. The sting and shock of pain cause me to lose my grip on his palm.
“ You think this is bad, just you fucking wait, you stupid, fucking bitch!” He yells, sending another slap to my opposite cheek.
Before I can react, he's ripping a new piece of tape and wrapping it around my head and mouth, leaving no way for me to remove it or call for help. My hair gets tangled in the sticky adhes ive and my skin is stretched tightly under the binding. I try to scream behind the tape but only incomprehensible mumbles leave my covered mouth.
“ You are MY property. I paid a lot of fucking money for you, you bitch. I do what the fuck I please, so yes I want to, and no you can’t change my mind. I own you, you hear me?” He says, leaning in closer so he’s level with my ear.
“ I . Fucking . Own . You .” He growls.
A muffled cry bursts from my mouth the moment he forcefully shoves himself inside of me. I feel my soul shrivel up and die within me. I attempt to retreat to that safe corner inside my mind, a place where I can bury myself like a child hiding under the covers from a monster. Except my monster is real, and I have no cover to grasp onto.
I'm vaguely aware of the tears that trickle down my face and the burn of the hardwood floor rubbing against my body. My screams no longer leave my throat, it feels as if they've tangled up and died inside of me.
A whisper slips through my mind, the voice familiar and deep. It brings a wave of heartbreak. “ You are mine and I am yours, Blair , my little obsession. ”
But would he still want me?
Would I still be his?
A slap to my already bruised face drags me out of the numbing hole I had dug for myself, and that's when I realize he’s no longer inside of me. If it wasn't for the searing pain between my thighs and the shattered remnants of my essence, I would be grappling with the sensation of warm liquid hitting my raw, sliced-open flesh once more. I flinch as his release strikes my skin for a second time .
It fucking burns.
He groans above me as he empties himself onto my wounds. Another wave of bile rises in my throat, but I force it back down. It would be easier to let myself choke on it behind the tape than to endure this torture any longer, but I won’t. I know I can survive this, even if only a small percentage of me makes it out alive.
I feel betrayed by my body for keeping me conscious. I'm still hiding in my mind, trying to drown out and numb what's happening to me when another blow to my skull registers, shoving me into immediate blackness.
Finally , I can rest.