I walked over to the bed and sat on it, bouncing a little. The silky comforter was soft under my hands and all I wanted to do was sleep.
My body felt feeble and tiredness clouded my vision. When I yawned, I slowly stretched out on the bed, then snuggled deeper into the soft mattress and comforter until my body went limp. Feeling warm and cozy, my eyes slowly drifted shut.
Just for a few minutes, I thought.
***
I woke up with a start when the door banged open. It slammed against the wall hard, and I jumped off the bed, shaking violently. Swaying to the side slightly, my body felt sluggish.
My eyes were blurry with sleep, and I had to blink a few times to get myself accustomed to the lights. When I could finally see, I gulped hard. Nikolay was standing there, looking dangerously angry.
“You were supposed to get clean,” he said through gritted teeth. Nikolay walked inside the room, his steps hard against the wood. “Listen, Boss gives orders and you follow them. Without any problems. Got it?”
I nodded only because I couldn’t bring myself to form any words.
Nikolay scared me. He looked like someone who didn’t take any nonsense from anyone. Most importantly, he was also a killer. If I wasn’t wrong, a brutal one at that. Everyone was a killer here. There was no innocence in this life.
Without any other words, he pointed to the door at my left. I walked toward it nervously, my body hyperaware of his presence.
I opened the white door, and at the sight of a bathtub, shower, shampoo, and soaps, I felt tears prickling my eyes. When I ran away from home, I thought that I would be living on the streets, trying to fend for myself, desperate for basic necessities.
But I stood in front of a fabulous bathroom, I had a big bedroom with a cozy bed. I had a job and food. Even though it was not my ideal situation, gratefulness filled my body.
As I closed the door behind me, I noticed there were no female accessories. I shrugged and whispered, “Cleaning is all that matters.”
I glanced at the mirror and my eyes widened in shock.
I was dirty. Grimy. My face was red with bruises and some parts were already green. My white dress was filthy and shredded. All I wanted to do was soak in the tub but I could only take a quick shower.
I winced as I quickly removed my dress. I looked back at the mirror and noticed scratches on my arms.
I looked horrible. Was I really standing in front of Alessio, looking like this? Why wasn’t he disgusted? Most importantly, why did he even keep me? I was frightened just by looking at my reflection in the mirror.
Shaking my head, I stepped into the shower. The moment the warm water hit me, sliding down my bare body, warming the numbness, I felt my tense muscles loosening. At first my bruises itched and were aching under the warm water, but after a few minutes, all I felt was warmth.
I sucked in a deep breath as my body went limp. Lifting my face up into the spray, I let the water cascade around me. A feeling of happiness consumed me as I reached up, squeezed out some shampoo in my palm and started to massage it through my dirty hair.
I let the water sluice through my hair. Brown water, leaves, and small twigs swirled through the drain. When the water finally ran clear, I started to wash my body. After I was done, I stayed under the water for a few more minutes, letting the heat penetrate my body.
I stepped out of the shower on wobbling legs, and when the cool air hit my body, I shivered. Grabbing a towel from a nearby rack, I started to dry my hair and then my body. I wrapped the towel around me and went to stand in front of the mirror.
I looked much better. My bruises didn’t appear as horrible as they were before. My face was no longer pale. My cheeks were red from the warm water and my green eyes shone brightly. Giving my reflection a smile, I opened the door and peeked outside.
When I saw that Nikolay was not there, I stepped out and walked over to the bed, where a black dress was waiting for me with a pair of underwear.
The cotton dress was simple, and when I put it on, it came down to mid-thigh. It flowed from the hips and fit me perfectly, showing my curves. Putting on the black flats I found beside the bench, I walked back into the bathroom.
I opened several drawers, looking for a hairbrush. When I finally found one, I combed my messy, tangled hair until it was smooth and shiny.
After giving myself a pinch on each cheek and biting down my lips, reddening them further, I was ready. I walked toward the door, my steps confident and my shoulders straight. Opening it, I saw Nikolay waiting for me, leaning against the wall.
When he looked at me, his eyes flared for a moment, his expression one of surprise.
“C’mon,” he said after masking his emotions again. His face was hard and he glared at me. It’s probably the only thing he knows. Glaring, growling, and anger.
Without waiting for my response, he started to walk toward the stairs. I followed him, my steps close behind his.
I was ready for this. Whatever would be thrown at me, I was ready. Because this time, I was going to fight for my freedom.
Chapter 5
Alessio
I was leaning back on my sofa chair, head tilted toward the ceiling, my eyes closed when the door opened. I knew who it was without opening my eyes. Only one person would dare come into my room without permission.
Opening my eyes, I caught sight of Viktor strolling in. He closed the door behind him, leaned against it, and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“Seriously?” he asked as he stared at me, his face expressionless.
“I need a full background check on Ayla Blinov,” I fired back without answering his question. I knew what he was talking about, but I had no desire to discuss that matter. It was none of his business who I decided to keep or not.
I stood up and walked over to the small bar. “I’m sure her last name is not Blinov, but I still want a check, in case you find something.”
After I poured some whiskey in two glasses, Viktor took one from my hand and sipped slowly.
We both stared at each other, the air tense around us. When his glass was empty, he placed it on the bar and turned back toward me.
“What are you planning, Alessio?” he asked, giving me a strange look.
I shrugged. “Why do you think I’m planning something?”
Viktor scoffed and shook his head. “Because you never do anything without a plan. The girl trespassed and you are keeping her. Sounds like a plan to me.” He paused for a second and then asked slowly, “Is she a rat? Is that why you are keeping her? To know who she’s working with?”
Shaking my head, I glared at him. If it was someone else questioning my decision, they would be on the ground writhing in pain. But Viktor was my second in command.
We were born two weeks apart. His father was my father’s second in command. When I took over, it was never a question that he would be my second. He was my brother.
“Do you really think I would keep her if she was a rat?” I asked through gritted teeth. He got on my nerves sometimes.