Chapter 74
The next morning, I wake up feeling refreshed. Rested.
I stretch my arms above my head, letting out a groan as my joints crack.
I roll over on the bed, my eyes opening in surprise.
Lorenzo is staring down at me, his blue eyes piercing through mine.
“How did you get in here?” I ask quietly.
His brow furrows. “I always come in here when you’re sleeping.”
My eyes widen in shock. “What? Why?”
“Because I like it,” he answers, shrugging.
I don’t reply.
“Elena.” Lorenzo’s voice is softer than I’ve ever heard it before. “I need to ask you something.”
My pulse quickens in my neck, my heart starting to pound. “Okay,” I whisper.
He trails a finger over my jawline, his touch making my skin shiver. “Do you like me touching you?”
My throat closes up, my lungs seizing. “Yes,” I choke out.
A slow smile spreads across his lips. “Good.” He leans forward, his mouth brushing against mine. “Because I like touching you,” he whispers back. “More than you’ll ever know.”
My heart skips a beat as he pushes me back into the mattress.
“Can I kiss you?” His question is innocent, naive. As if he doesn’t know exactly how much he affects me.
I nod silently, swallowing thickly.
He presses his lips to mine gently, letting out a soft groan. “Fuck,” he whispers. “Just like that.”
His tongue sweeps into my mouth and I open for him easily.
I let him control the kiss, let him take what he wants from me.
Because for the first time since I got here, I feel alive.
I feel free.
Even if it’s just for a moment, I feel free of the chains binding me. Free of the thoughts swirling in my head.
And even though I know it’s not really freedom, it feels like it.
* * *
A few days pass in silence.
I see Lorenzo only when he comes in at night, only when he pulls my blanket back and takes what he wants from me. And as much as I hate him, as much as I don’t want to fall for his tricks, I can’t help but feel something for him.
Something that feels like affection. Like care.
It’s all so confusing, and I wish I knew the truth. Wish I knew what his plan was, or what he was hoping to get from me.
But every time I ask him a question, he just smirks and kisses me again.
I’m starting to feel like he doesn’t care about anything except this game we’re playing. This cat and mouse chase that’s getting out of control.
And then one day, he stops coming into my room.
For three days, I don’t see him at all. Don’t even hear his footsteps outside my door.
And even though it should be a good thing, I find myself missing him. Missing the feel of his hand on my thigh, the taste of his lips against mine.
Missing him.
It’s the first time I’ve really thought about it. Really considered the fact that maybe I do want to stay with him. Maybe I do want him to touch me. To kiss me.
Maybe I do want him.
And it scares the fuck out of me.
The next morning when my food comes, there’s also a note attached to the tray.
Come to my office at 5pm. – Lorenzo.
I stare down at it for a moment, wondering what he wants me for. Wondering if this is the moment I’ve been waiting for.
If this is the day he’ll finally tell me why I’m here. Why he took me.
Why he’s doing this to me.
* * *
My heart pounds in my chest as the guard leads me down the hallway.
He stops in front of a door, unlocking it and shoving me inside.
I stumble forward, letting out a small cry as I fall to my knees. My hands catch me, the carpet feeling rough against my skin.
I look around, my eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room slowly.
I’m in some kind of office, a desk sitting in the middle of the room. A large leather chair sits behind it, a couch pushed against the wall.
A figure stands at the window, their back facing me. My throat dries, my heart speeding up even more.
“Elena,” Lorenzo says, his voice deep and dark. He turns around, facing me fully. “I see you’re early.”
My gaze drags down him, taking in his black suit and tie. “I-” I don’t know what to say.
Lorenzo takes a step forward, his hand reaching out. “Here,” he says, helping me to my feet. “Sit.” His hand trails over my shoulder, pushing me towards the couch.
I sit down on the edge, my hands fisting into my lap.
He walks over to the desk and leans against it. “I’ve been busy,” he says softly. “That’s why I haven’t been in your room for the last few days.” He crosses his arms over his chest, watching me closely. “There was something I had to take care of. Something I couldn’t ignore.”
My hands fist tighter into my lap, my heart pounding in my ears.
I wish he would just get to it. Just tell me why I’m really here.
Tell me what he wants from me.
“I’ve been talking with someone.” He pauses for a second, letting that sink in. “Someone from your past.”
My stomach drops into the floor. “What?” I whisper.
Lorenzo tilts his head to the side. “Does that surprise you?”
“I-” No one should be talking to anyone about me. No one should know about Lorenzo taking me.
His smirk grows wider. “They had some very interesting things to tell me.”
My blood runs cold at the sound of his voice. “Who?” I choke out. “Who have you been talking to?”
He shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you know I have the power to do what I want. To take what I want.”
I shake my head wildly, my mind racing. “No. I don’t believe you.”
His eyes narrow, his face darkening. “I don’t lie,” he says coldly. “And if you think otherwise, then maybe you need a reminder of who I am.”
Fear trickles through my stomach as he steps towards me, pushing me back down on the couch. His hands reach for the top of my shirt, ripping the buttons off of it.
My scream echoes through the office, tears running down my face.
Lorenzo doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t stop.
He rips the clothes from my body, leaving me lying on the couch in just my panties.
His fingers trail over my body, making me shiver with desire and hate.
I hate him so much, hate what he’s turned me into. Hate him for doing this to me. For taking me from my life. For turning me into a game to be played.
For changing me.
* * *