Chapter 5

Catherine

“The mafia…” I am stunned into silence about his revelation. I study his appearance and now I can finally grasp where I have seen him before. There have been news articles on both TV and in newspapers lately about the handsome bachelor billionaire who owns several businesses and has a new model on his arm every other week. There is also the hushed gossip going around that he might be more dangerous than people previously thought. Of course there is no evidence.

“Yes. The mafia. I’m sure you must have read about me in the paper or seen me on the news. I’ve been a hot subject the past few months. Of course my real occupation is a bit secretive.” I nod absentmindedly as my eyes run over his face. He must be around forty years old and he is gorgeous. One of the most handsome men I have ever seen. Golden brown eyes with thick black brows and a clean shaven jaw. His face is all sharp angles but with soft and full lips. His skin has a beautiful golden tan color that fits extremely well with his otherwise dark colors. And he’s tall. I am tall but he is easily 6’3. If anyone would look up the definition of tall, dark and handsome they would find pictures of him.

He takes a slow step towards me and then another until he is standing right in front of me. He lifts his hand and gently brushes a strand of hair away from my face and puts it behind my ear.

“You will be a good girl and do what you’re told, right?” I swallow hard past the lump of fear and uncomfort in my throat and then nod. “You will stay here at my mansion and be my family's doctor.” I nod again. Tears are threatening to fall but I fight my hardest to keep them back. He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger to keep my face still and eyes focused on his.

“Good.” His voice is low and deep and I have to put all my focus on him to hear what he says. “There are a few rules for you to follow. You do not leave the mansion grounds without my permission. You do not harm anyone no matter who they are. You always have a guard with you or waiting for you. You will eat your meal in the dining hall together with the family. Breakfast is at seven, lunch at twelve and dinner at eight. A snack or tea in between you can eat wherever you want. I despise tardiness.” I nod, or at least try as much as his firm hold on my chin allowes.

“If there is something you don’t know if you are allowed to do, you ask for permission. The one in charge and the one that always has the last word is me. There might come more rules later on. You will call me Mr. Peccati. Understood?” Once again I nod but a tear manages to escape. Mr. Peccati’s eyes follow its path down my cheek before he dries it off with his thumb.

“Good girl.” The expression feels so condescending that despite my fear I open my mouth to speak when the anger gets the best of me.

“I am not a fucking dog or a child!” I spit out at him with disgust and anger lacing my voice. His expression goes from mildly threatening to furious in a second. The hand that so gently strokes my cheek suddenly grabs the back of my neck in a vise grip and the other grabs my waist. He presses my body up against his and stares down into my eyes.

“You will watch your language, Dr. Ross. I do not approve of being cursed at or disrespected.” I whimper as he clenches his fingers harder into my skin. And what is that pressing into my stomach? It can’t be his penis, right? He is hard. And big! “A maid will come by with dinner for tonight, but from tomorrow on you’ll eat in the dining hall.” He pushes me away like I’m something disgusting and I move my hand to my neck to rub my sore skin. No. It must have been another weapon. Not his dick.

“Good night, Dr. Ross.” Then he abruptly leaves the room. As soon as the door closes a sob escapes my throat and soon I am full out sobbing. I fall to my knees and sit on the floor crying until a light knock sounds from the door.

With great effort I manage to stand up and dry my wet cheeks. Behind the door stands a young woman dressed in an inconspicuous black dress and a sweet smile. In front of her she drags a small cart with a covered plate of food. The smell it gives off is mouthwatering.

“Hi, Dr. Ross. I am Elena. I have brought you some dinner. May I come in?” I nod and step away from the door to let her in. Once she is inside I sweep my eyes along the wall opposite of my door and my eyes catch those of Pierto. He gives me a grim look full of warning of not trying anything fishy. I quickly close the door and turn to the maid. She has rolled the cart over to a small table with room for two and is now placing the plate, a glass, utensils and a carafe of water upon it.

“Only water?” I ask and frown at the carafe.

“Yes. Mr. Peccati has forbidden any of us to serve you alcohol.” She gives me an apologizing smile. “Today's dinner is minced beef meat with feta and rosemary, roasted root fruits and asparagus. I hope you will enjoy the food. Tomorrow, when you eat in the dining hall, you will be able to choose between two different meals. When you are done you can either call the servant quarters on number six.” She points at an old fashion telephone on the bedside table. “Or you can put everything on the cart and place it in the corridor and someone will pick it up. Is there something else you need?”

Yes! I want to scream at her. Can you please help me escape! But I choose to shake my head and give her a forced smile. I don’t know if I can trust anyone to help me escape. I have no idea if their situation is like mine or if they are here willingly. Until I know more I have to stay put and behave.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Bon appetit and good night, Dr. Ross.” She leaves but I remain standing, staring down at the delicious meal. It looks perfect and smells delicious and I am sure it tastes fantastic. I sit down and take a small bite. The consistency is perfect, the juicy meat and crunchy root fruits are perfectly cooked. But it all tastes like sawdust and it grows in my mouth until it feels like I have to spit it out or suffocate, so I spit.

I try another bite, this one much smaller and I manage to swallow it down with the water. When I have gotten five bites down I am saved from my torture by another knock on the door. My brow is sweaty and my fingers shake as I open the door. This time it is the man that was kneeling with Nino when he was shot. I guess he is about the same age as Mr. Peccati, with light brown skin and black curly hair. His dark brown eyes look kind and inviting as he smiles at me. He is carrying a large duffel bag and beside him stands a suitcase.

“Good evening, Dr. Ross.” I look cautiously back at him and notice more men standing in the corridor with bags and boxes. “We have all your stuff. May we come in?” I take a confused step to the side and he walks in with the other men following.

“What stuff?” I ask as I watch all the boxes and bags being placed along the wall. The first man comes over to me by the door to watch the others place down the last boxes.

“All your clothes, books, nick knacks and things from your apartment.” My eyes go round with shock and my gaze travels to the boxes again.

“Wh-why?”

“We figured that you would want to keep them. Is there any furniture that you want to keep?”

“What?” I turn to him with unbelief written all over my face.

“Any furniture? Is there anything special that you want to keep?”

“Why would I need to choose? I want to keep everything.” He sighs and looks up at the ceiling.

“You can not keep everything. It won’t fit in your room.” I stare at him and realization suddenly hits me. I cross my arms over my chest and raise my chin. His eyes immediately darts down to my cleavage and I inwardly curse the dress, again.

“They fit perfectly in my apartment!” He smirks at me like he is amused by my act of defiance.

“You won’t have that apartment for long. You are selling it as soon as possible.” My jaw hits the floor from the force of the shock.

“No! I’m not selling my apartment. Where will I live? It is my home!”

“Your home is here now. You have no need for your apartment, It will be put up for sale tomorrow. If there is any furniture you want to keep I advise you to speak up now.” I blink in confusion at him before finally finding my voice.

“A-a vanity in the bedroom!” He picks up his phone and makes a video call.

“Yes?” A gruff voice answers on the other side. I see my couch in the background of the rugged man.

“A vanity in the bedroom.” The man turns the view from himself and walks into my bedroom. I feel sick to my stomach that unknown men are in my apartment, in my home.

“This?” He focuses on the vanity that is an inheritance from my great grandmother on my father's side.

“Yes.” My voice is full of tears and I realize my cheeks are wet. “And my pillows and comforter.” 

“Why would you need those?” The man beside me asks. “You have pillows and a comforter here.”

“They are not mine!” I growl at him.

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes in annoyance but the amused smile on his lips tells me he’s enjoying himself. “Take her pillows and comforter as well. Anything else you want, princess?”

“My life back?” I snap. He sighs and ends the call without another word to the man on the other side.

“You should be happy we are letting you live. There is next to no one coming through the doors of this mansion that leaves without being family or in a coffin.” I glare back at him before I turn away and walk over to my boxes. “I am Franco by the way. Nino is my little brother and I will be forever thankful that you saved his life.”

“You guys have a strange way of showing gratitude!” He chuckles behind me.

“The gratification is shown in letting you live.” I ignore him. “Your vanity and pillows will be here in an hour and a half. Eat up your dinner and take a relaxing bath or whatever you women do to have a good time.” I hear the door close as he leaves the room and I let my tears fall again. It must be alright for me to mourn at least one night, right? I’ll be strong tomorrow again.

Her whole life is packed into a few boxes and bags. Of course she should be allowed a moment of mourning!