CHAPTER NINETEEN: WINTER
I don't have much memory of reentering the club. I know I felt spaced out as I'd passed by faceless strangers. I know I'd ignored the weird look Enzo had given me and the way Vito had tilted his head as he studied me. Fortunately, Giovanni hadn't even bothered to spare me a look, continuing his conversation with Brutus.
After a long wait, we finally left the club. I found myself sandwiched between Vito and Giovanni, feeling crowded. Giovanni had continued to ignore me while Vito wouldn't stop staring at me. Enzo remained silent from the driver's seat and I remained thankful that Maximo had seemed to completely disappear.
Now as I stand in the middle of the bathroom I don't dare look at my reflection. I took a shower last night, pulling the ruined, cum soaked panties from my vagina and tossing them in the trash. I'd almost thrown the dress in there right after them but I knew it'd bring much more attention if a dress was found in a waste bin versus a pair of panties that could be hidden easily enough by toilet paper.
I'd showered in water hot enough that I thought I was going to burn my skin right off. I'd scrubbed and scrubbed, trying to get the filth of the alley and Maximo off of me. I hadn't even realized I'd been in the shower for almost an hour until Enzo's firm knock had banged against the door. I'd let out one last, small whimper before shutting the water off and quickly getting dressed in the nightclothes that had been laid out for me. When I came out of the bathroom, Enzo had asked me if everything was alright and I could tell the question had been a surprise even to him.
Despite the break in his usual character, I didn't dare tell him what happened. The memory of what happened last time was still fresh in my mind. Instead I'd asked the one question on my mind.
"Is it Christmas?"
A crease formed at the corner of his eyes before he nodded. "Yes."
The confirmation had only made me feel sicker to my stomach for more reasons than one. Not even a week into my contract and time was already starting to blur together. I hadn't even realized it was Christmas, and no one had acted as if it was. The only one who thought to acknowledge the holiday was Maximo and that was so he could present what he did as a gift.
My legs swayed and when Enzo asked if I was alright again, I only gave him a nod and made my way to my room.
When the lock on the door had clicked into place, trapping me in the room, I couldn't even feel sad. If anything I felt relieved because I had a feeling Maximo didn't have a key to my room. Something about the way Vito had been quick to get him out the first time. Plus any time he came for me in private, it was outside of the mansion.
In the back of my mind, I knew such a monster couldn't be dissuaded by something as humane and fragile as a locked door. Still I allowed myself to slide into the delusion of feeling safe.
Now I let myself fall under the heat of the water once again, hoping it washes off any of the remnants of left over from last night. But I know better than to take too long this time. Not only do I not want Enzo barging in, but I'm also due for breakfast with Giovanni and he's made it clear he isn't a man to be left waiting or disobeyed.
I'm thankful that the outfit picked out for me today isn't a dress. Instead it's a pair of skinny jeans so little I'm unsure they'll pull over my thick thighs. By some miracle, they fit. The purple top is made of silk and it hugs my breast before giving away to a softer, more flared bottom. The baby doll flats I find waiting by them are a blessing and I quickly slide them onto my feet.
I pull the bathroom door open and Enzo's lips pull into a thin line. His eyes run over me, pausing on my legs briefly. He lifts his gaze and nods. Wordlessly, he leads me to the staircase.
Halfway to the dining hall, Enzo clears his throat. "Did something happen to your knee?' he asks.
My head whips to the side. "What?" I ask, my heart beating quickly in my chest.
What does he know and how does he know? Did Maximo tell him? Is he going to threaten me into silence again?
He waves his hand, making a vague gesture in the direction of my knee. "I can recognize the signs of an injured person," there seems to be a deeper, hidden meaning to his words, "and you have been limping since you came back into the club last night."
I noticed my knees felt a little raw but not that I'd been limping.
My shoulders tense up and for a brief moment I think about telling him, but again, the reaction from last time pops into my head. He's firmly on Maximo's side.
We want the same thing, Maximo had even said to him.
The best thing for me to do is to just remain quiet and forget that last night even happened.
Until it happens again.
Pushing bad things out of my mind is a skill I mastered a long time ago. I've even managed to not think about what happened in the stockroom, other than when Maximo is standing right in front of me. And I'll do the same thing with what happened in the alleyway.
"I'm fine, just twisted my knee the wrong way," I lie.
It's a good thing they didn't deliver me a short dress this morning or else the scrapes on my knees would be visible. The one I had on last night was just long enough to keep them covered.
A sick thought enters my mind and I tense up. "Who picked out my outfit for today?" I hate to ask it, but I know that Gio has been picking my outfits to this point and not once has he chosen for me to wear anything other than dresses and hooker heels.
The pants and flats are...
Odd.