He held both of his hands up as if to signal his surrender then put both hands behind his head and sighed up at the sky before piercing me with his regret filled green eyes.
“I’m sorry. Chloe I’m just so, so sorry.”
I shrugged as if his apologies were useless to me.
“I’m sorry you were ever mixed up in…that.” He said glancing towards the villa behind him. “I’m sorry for anything and everything that bastard put you through. But most of all I’m sorry I di
dn’t tell you how I feel. I should never have spoken about you like that in front of my men. It was…thoughtless. What can I say? I’m an idiot. A bloody idiot. But I won’t let you just walk away from me Chloe, not ever. I might be an idiot but I’m your idiot, if you’ll still have me. I love you Chloe.”
His eyes looked desperate now, as if he’d shatter if I turned away and even though my heart jolted at his words I still couldn’t get the whole ‘dirty little fuck’ comment out of my mind. I needed more than a weak apology, I wanted action, something more real.
“I’m done.” I stated clearly, “I don’t want to be your little woman, I deserve better than that. I don’t need anyone else, I can cope just fine on my own.”
I saw his heart break for a second behind those eyes before the shutters went up and he dropped his head. He was giving up already. I knew I’d made the right decision, any guy who gave up that easily wasn’t worth my time. I started a war with myself in my mind then, cursing myself for playing games and not telling him I felt the same, then reminding myself how crappy he’d treated me over the years. I was all over the place and my mind was like a fucking kaleidoscope of feelings, bright then dark, positive and negative. I couldn’t make my mind up what the hell I wanted, but I knew I needed to be taken more seriously, by everyone.
Suddenly a dark SUV pulled up beside us as we stood silently staring at each other in some weird standoff of power and wills. The blacked out window wound down and Freddie’s concerned face looked between Luca and I.
“Get in you two, I’ll take you to a hotel. You won’t get far by foot we’re miles away from anywhere.”
Luca walked forward to jump in the front seat but I stood firm.
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I turned and started to walk as Freddie put the car into gear and rolled along next to me.
“Cut the stubborn bullshit Chloe and get in. You don’t have to talk to us, but at least let us take you somewhere safe before some other trafficking mother fucker drives along and steals you a second time.”
“Fuck you!” I snapped back then I stopped, huffed…and pulled open the back door with such force Freddie yelled for me not to take it out on his ride.
“If anyone speaks to me I’ll jump out of the car… even if it’s moving.” I folded my arms over my chest grimacing at how the leather was starting to cut into my skin. “When we get to a hotel I’m checking in then checking out of your fucked up lives for good, understand?”
“Yep!” Freddie grinned as if he knew something I didn’t, then we were off. I had to admit, the blow of the air conditioning and the feel of the fabric seat and flooring was heaven to me right now.
I reached underneath the shirt and went about peeling the grotesque leather bonds from my body and flinging them out the window. The freedom from its tight restraints felt amazing and the soft cotton of the shirt was the only thing to touch my skin now. I couldn’t help smiling then a quiet laugh escaped my lips.
“You know Freddie it’s becoming a bit of a habit, you rescuing me in my underwear.” I joked. “Shame that fucker had such gross taste in lingerie this time.” I added.
Freddie smiled and looked at me in the rear view mirror.
“You want me to turn the air con off? Only you look kinda…cold.”
He smiled as I looked down at my bullet like nipples protruding from the cotton shirt. I crossed my arms over as Luca spat out. “You might be gay but I can still kick your ass for looking. Keep your fucking eyes on the road brother.”
“I’m glad your mirror only catches the top view.” I smiled leaning forward between the two seats. “You don’t want to see the view down below.” I sat back again. I was sure I heard Luca growl as Freddie threw his head back and laughed.
“Maybe you two should get into your underwear, make me feel more comfortable.” I went on.
“I haven’t got any on.” Luca replied and I had to hold my tongue as I looked in the driver’s rear view mirror and saw Freddie raising his eye brows at me.
The sooner we got to this damn hotel the better. I couldn’t trust myself in a car with these two. Two minutes in and I’d already broken my no talking rule. Now I was taunting them and enjoying it. They knew me too well, I needed to get away before I started forgiving and forgetting. I had to stay true to myself.
Chapter 35
An hour or so later we were pulling up in front of an exclusive looking Spanish hacienda style hotel with terracotta walls and rustic looking marble pillars leading to a sumptuous courtyard style lobby with staff dressed in cool cream cotton outfits ready to wait on their clientele’s every whim. I took a seat behind some tropical looking plants, my scantily clad frame stood out in this place and I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself. The soothing trickle of the water in the central water feature stood in stark contrast to the last building I’d entered, all peace and tranquillity as opposed to violence and torture.
Luca approached the desk to book our rooms as Freddie fussed around me telling me he’d sort out everything I needed and not to worry about a thing. I wasn’t worried, I just wanted a hot shower, food and a flight back home.
“You know you can talk to me…about…anything.” He ventured as if he expected me to burst into tears at any moment.
“Thanks,” I replied trying to make myself sound bored, “I’ll bear that in mind.”