Chapter 72
“Excuse me?”
“You look disgusting.” My gaze drifts over her dirty clothes, her tangled hair. “I need you to shower before you call anyone.”
Elena narrows her eyes. I can practically see her mind working as she tries to come up with a solution. “How do I know you’ll actually let me call?” she finally asks.
“You don’t,” I reply easily. “But I suppose you’ll have to take the chance.” I hold the phone out again. “So? What do you say?”
She stares at the phone in my hand, her chest heaving with emotion.
Finally, she nods. “Okay.”
* * *
Elena:
I strip my dirty clothes off as soon as I enter the bathroom, letting them fall to the floor in a crumpled mess.
My body is filthy, covered in sweat and grime. My hair’s a tangled mess, my skin stinks of fear and anxiety.
I run the shower, letting the water heat up before stepping under the spray. It washes over me in rivulets, sluicing down my skin and carrying the dirt with it.
My fingers work through my hair, detangling the knots as I rinse the suds from my skin. I let out a breath as the hot water works over my muscles, relaxing them.
But as I turn to rinse my back, my gaze catches on a figure standing in the doorway.
Lorenzo’s leaning against the frame, his blue eyes on mine.
I freeze, my heart leaping in my chest.
“What are you doing?”
“Watching.” He smirks. “You didn’t think I’d let you take a bath by yourself, did you?”
I swallow, trying to keep my gaze off of him. “Get out,” I hiss.
“Oh no,” he murmurs, shaking his head. “You agreed to take a bath, so I’m staying until you’re done.”
“This is insane,” I whisper, my voice shaking with rage. “Get out.”
He chuckles. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I let out a low growl, turning my face to the wall and trying to block him out. But I know he’s still watching. He’s still here. He’s still waiting for me to give in.
He’s still waiting for me to break.
* * *
Elena:
“Come here.”
My hand pauses on the soap bar, my heart skipping a beat.
“What?” I whisper. I don’t dare turn around to look at him.
“Come here,” he repeats, his voice low and raspy.
I spin around, my eyes widening in shock.
Lorenzo is standing at the edge of the tub, his arms stretched out for me.
“What are you-”
“Come,” he murmurs again. “Let me help you wash.”
I shake my head. “No.”
He frowns. “Don’t make me come in there after you.” His voice drops to a growl. “Believe me, you don’t want that.”
Something in his tone makes my skin tingle. Makes my body shiver.
I swallow, forcing myself not to react to him.
But it’s hard. So hard. Especially when he reaches out and grabs my wrist, pulling me from the tub.
Water drips from my hair down my back as he leads me out of the bathroom, still naked.
I follow behind him, my hands crossed over my breasts.
Lorenzo stops at the foot of the bed, turning to look down at me.
His gaze trails down my body slowly, lingering on the curve of my hips and the swell of my breasts. When he reaches my eyes again, his are dark with something that makes my skin flush.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers.
My breath hitches. “Thanks.”
He smirks. “Did you like your bath?”
“I guess.”
His fingers trace up my spine, sending shivers through my body. “Why did you take it off?” he asks suddenly, nodding toward the necklace around my neck.
My hand reaches up to touch it. “I was in a bad place, I guess. I didn’t want anyone to know who I was.”
He hums. “It’s too late for that now.” His hands slide around my waist, pulling me against his chest. “Now I know exactly who you are.”
I don’t like how my heart reacts to those words. How my pulse speeds up, my chest fluttering with nervousness.
“You still haven’t told me why I’m here,” I say quietly.
Lorenzo leans closer, his nose brushing against the skin at my neck. “Soon,” he whispers. “You’ll find out soon.”
* * *
I wake to the sound of my door creaking open.
My gaze flicks to the clock on the bedside table, my breath catching as I realize I’ve slept the entire day away.
The sound of a tray being placed on the table startles me out of my haze.
Lorenzo stands next to the bed, his hands on his hips as he stares down at me. “You’ve been sleeping all day,” he says bluntly.
I sit up, rubbing my eyes. “I just-” I don’t finish my sentence. I don’t know how to explain this exhaustion that’s taken over me. This constant need to rest and sleep.
Lorenzo shrugs, turning his back to me. “It doesn’t matter,” he says. “As long as you don’t lose your appetite.”
“What-” My gaze falls to the tray and my words die. A slice of cake sits in the middle of the plate, melted ice cream pooling underneath. A glass of water is next to it, along with a steak and mashed potatoes.
Lorenzo turns around, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head, staring back down at the food. “I thought-”
“You thought I would starve you?” He smiles softly, his blue eyes crinkling at the sides. “Oh piccola,” he murmurs. “I want you to eat as much as you can.” His hand brushes against my hair, tucking a strand behind my ear. “I want to see you grow round.”
His words confuse me, send unease trickling through my stomach. I stare back at the tray, my eyes watering as I realize how much I want to devour this food.
“Piccola.” Lorenzo leans closer, his hand brushing against my jaw. “Eat.”
And for some reason, I do.
I shovel the food in my mouth, ignoring the way he watches me with satisfaction.
Ignoring the way my body wants to do anything he asks.
* * *