I hear him curse in Spanish and then he walks away. Water starts moments later. It runs for a while. I can feel the steam building up.
I stare down at the floor, listening to my rapid heartbeat. Feeling my dignity withering away.
He stole from me. Axe Man. He stole my confidence. My pride. He did something to me that I wanted to save for someone I trusted. My husband.
He…may have just ruined me.
The stronger, better parts of me.
The parts of me still willing to fight just to get out of this hell.
Gianna… Gianna… “Gianna!”
I whip my head up and look into Draco’s eyes.
Sorrow is there, a small trace. He looks me up and down, and when I look up I realize I’m now in an oval bathtub. It’s wide enough to fit three people.
The water is milky and hot enough to sear away the grime and blood…but not hot enough to make me forget.
“You…left, Draco,” I choke out.
His worry fades, and in an instant he snatches himself away, pacing the bathroom. This bathroom is much bigger. It’s nicer.
“I didn’t go far. I said I would be gone for most of the day but I only did it to see what Pico would do while I was away. I knew I couldn’t trust him. I was just hoping I wouldn’t have to kill two people in less than twenty-four hours.”
I stare down at my toes at the end of the tub. “You said I would be protected. That nothing would happen while I’m here, under your protection.”
“I know what the fuck I said.”
So why weren’t you here!?” I snap, and I don’t realize how loud I am until I hear my voice echoing off the walls. I stand up rapidly and the water drips down my bare body. “He raped me, Draco! He took from me, to hurt you! And Bain! God, Bain! He was in on it. And so was Francesca! But you leave him here as your eyes and ears while you’re away?”
He looks shocked to hear this, as if he didn’t know Bain and Francesca were a part of this. I shake my head from side to side. How can he be so fucking stupid? They were doing shit right up under his nose and he didn’t even notice.
“The very people that you claim loyal and respectful are your biggest fucking enemies. You have them roaming this house—Bain calls me names and threatens how he wants to fuck and then sell me! Francesca hates me because she loves you and I’m stealing the attention away! She wants to see me dead!”
I step out of the tub, storming towards him.
I’ve had enough of this life.
I’ve had enough of trying to please him and belittling myself just to make him feel better.
After what just happened, I’d much rather be fucking dead than bowing down to him.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me about Bain before?!” His voice is angry.
“I didn’t think there was anything to tell. You are their boss and they all think I’m just your play toy. You punish me, fuck me over, bully, and torture me. You claim you will protect me, but that’s bullshit. If you treat me like shit, why wouldn’t they do the same?”
He’s breathing raggedly through flared nostrils. I’m panting way too quickly, fire brewing in my veins.
“You knew my father,” I go on. “You knew him well, and that is probably the only reason I am still standing here. But if he was here right now, he would fucking murder you with his bare hands for what has been done to me. He would rip your fucking tongue out and feed it to his hounds. He would make sure that you are nothing and will never amount to anything again. He. Would. Fucking. Destroy. You.”
Draco’s eyes fill with ferocity. He takes the last step forward, and as his head cocks, he says, “But he isn’t here anymore…is he?”
My hearts drops.
“He can’t do any of that shit. So ask yourself who’s in charge now? Who is the only person you can rely on?” He cups the back of my neck, angling my head up so I can look at him. “It’s not Toni. It’s not Lion. It’s me, Gianna. Me. You know it. Lion knew it. Everyone knows it. I made a mistake by thinking I could leave you here without extra protection and I am admitting my faults. But don’t think I will take this lightly. Don’t think I will be gentle about this.”
“You’re right. You did make a mistake!” I shove him on the chest, furious now. “You say that you want to make me yours—that you want me to yourself. You tell them I’m off limits, but you don’t have the heart to prove it! You want me to be yours, then make me yours! That means you shouldn’t let anyone touch me! Don’t let anyone near me! You should be making me so sacred to them that they worship the fucking ground I walk on!”