Captive (2)

It was dinner time when Leon finally returned. Alessia was still sitting at the dining table where he had left her in the morning. She didn’t utter a single word as he prepared food in front of her. When he placed the plates on the table, he simply said, “Eat.”

She didn’t even glance up at him. All day, she had been stuck in that same spot, too afraid to move because every time she tried, Lucifer would bark and scare her back into submission. He had used her fear of dogs against her and she knew she would never forgive him for that.

“Hold your beast—your dog. I want to go back to my room,” she said, her voice laced with frustration.

Leon responded casually, “Sure.”

He then looked at Lucifer. “Lucifer, come here. She is your mom. Don’t trouble her inside the house. Your only job is to keep her safe,” Leon instructed, as though having a conversation with the dog. Lucifer barked in protest as if reminding Leon that she had insulted him earlier.

“I apologize on her behalf for calling you