Slave Girl

Raphael stared at his father. “I’m not going to kill you but you will put right all the wrongs Gino did. You will announce your immediate retirement and I’ll be your successor.”

“Consider it done.”

“I hate to invade this private moment. Her wounds need to be taken care of, and I need a hospital. Your uncle decided to crush my hand. I may never be able to do surgery again,” Timothy said.

“We need to get them to safety,” Antonio said. “Before the rest of the men arrive. We’ve got a whole lot of a mess to clean up.”

“You’re right, and we will.”

He held his woman as he walked her out of the house. She couldn’t walk properly as his uncle had hurt her foot. It looked like it had been broken, but he hoped it hadn’t.

His uncle was dead. His life free.

Now, he just needed to bring the Family together, show that his father didn’t have their best interests at heart, and take over.

It sounded simple.

****

One month later

“And you’re expected to make a full recovery?” Elenore asked.

Timothy turned his bandaged hand over and back. “I don’t know. Time will tell. The best bone doctors reset the breaks. I can only hope they didn’t fuck it up.”

She touched his hand. “I hope they didn’t.” Her back was finally healing. Timothy helped her put ointment on her wounds daily. The welts had lessened. She’d still have scars but she had plenty of them already. She still couldn’t wear a bra. The first week she couldn’t even wear a shirt to cover herself. Anything that touched her back caused her immense pain. Now, though, she was able to wear a shirt. Her ankle wasn’t broken, just badly sprained. From the beating from Gino Giavanni, she did sustain two broken ribs, which did make moving uncomfortable.

“Have you heard from him?” she asked.

“Not since the last time.”

“He’s still alive?”

“He is. He misses you. I know that.”

They were empty words. Ever since Raphael had gotten her and Timothy to safety, she hadn’t seen him. He hadn’t even come to visit. He told her he loved her, but in the next breath, she didn’t know what to believe. He wasn’t around.

He was just gone. Completely disappeared as if he wasn’t even there.

“I’m going to head outside.”

“He’s got a lot to deal with, Elenore. I know if he could be here for you, he would be. No doubt about it.”

“Thank you, Timothy.”

They’d been able to build a friendship together. It was an odd one, but they were happy together.

Stepping outside, she tilted her head back to bask in the glorious sunshine. She never allowed herself to be cooped up indoors for too long. She liked being outside more than she did inside. This provided her some peace away from the harsh reality of her life.

She took off her pumps and stepped onto the flawless grass. It was cold against her feet. She smiled. These were one of the few pleasures she had left in her life.

Tucking some hair behind her ear, she stepped further into the garden, moving toward the roses. She took her time as her ribs still gave her pain if she tried to do anything too strenuous.

She found the bench she’d unearthed a couple of weeks ago and sat down, perching on the end. The sound of birds filled the air. A stillness filled her.

“You look beautiful,” Raphael said.

She turned to see him behind her.

He wore a dark-gray suit and a crisp white shirt, and his hair was impeccable.

“Raphael,” she said. She stood as he came toward her.

A few steps from her, he stopped.

Her heart raced.

He didn’t rush to have her in his arms.

She waited.

“You look good,” she said.

“There was a vote today,” he said. “A vital one.”

“You’re taking your father’s place?”

“Yes.”

“Did it really require a vote?”

“I needed to remove those who will not show loyalty to me. I killed them, and I took my rightful place. My father is stepping down and dealing with all the problems Gino caused.”

“It sounds dangerous.”

“It always is. This world is a scary one, Elenore. It’s dangerous.”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a brown envelope.

“What is this?”

“Elenore, you have experienced only the cruelty of life. Of knowing how bad it can be. Born as no one, given no name. Just passed around until you ended up in my father’s care, suffering my uncle’s abuse. I never wanted that for you. From the first moment I saw you, all I could think about was protecting you. Loving you. Taking care of you.”

“Raphael?”

“In here is the most selfless thing I’ve ever done. It’s your life. A passport, driver’s license. Even a job and a teacher to help you study. There’s money, a house, a car. Everything to get you started in this new life.” He was letting her go. “It can all be yours. I will never darken your doorstep. You will live free, clear, away from all the pain and suffering people have to offer.”