Make yourself at home

DARINA

I screamed until my voice was hoarse, not that it helped me. The beast that put me in this… cell, for want of another word, didn’t even bat an eye. He just threw me in. Was he going to sell me for the money my father owed him? Or worse? Trying to see beyond the bars, I pressed my face against them. What I noticed did nothing to ease my mind. It seemed like a torture chamber. What kind of monster was this man?

There was a small cot close to the wall of the cell and I sat down heavily on it. I dropped my head into my hands. What was I supposed to do? How do I escape this place? There were guards all around, armed guards. My emotions ranged from anger to rage to fear.

That man – Nico? He was so scary, intimidating. But at the same time… there was something about him. I can’t even name it. I felt drawn to him somehow. I know it sounds crazy right? I mean he was a bad man.

My parents were involved in shady business that much was clear to me. They never spoke to me about it, but I wasn’t blind. I saw my father moving stuff around. But how he ended up in owing Nico money, I have no clue. Maybe I could strike a deal with him, work off my father’s debt then he would let me go. Yes, I will try to reason with him.

“Darina, I hope you are comfortable.”

I looked up to see him standing outside the cell, hands in his pockets, leaning casually against the bars and watching me. Choking back my anger I stood up slowly and walked towards him. The smirk on his face made my toes curl.

“Mr. Lupei.” I tried a smile, but it was forced and cold.

“I prefer Master.” He said, his eyes roving over my body.

“How much does my father owe you?” I would rather die than call him master.

He uttered a low chuckle, “You want to bargain with me, fetita?” His hand moved so fast it was almost imperceptible. He grabbed my arm through the bars.

“Let me go!” I gasped. His hold on me tightened but not enough to hurt. He brought my hand up to his face and sniffed. What was he doing? He even closed his eyes! What the fuck?

“You have no idea how intoxicating your scent is.” His lips touched my skin, just lightly, and yet it felt like a bolt of electricity going through my bones.

“W…what do you mean?” He scared me and excited me at the same time and I felt ashamed.

He let go of my arm and I pulled it back, moving away from the bars.

“Don’t try and bargain with me, Darina. I own you now and nothing you do or say can change that.” His eyes locked with mine as he said that, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

“What do you want from me?” My voice sounded hollow in my ears. I retreated until I felt the cot behind my knees, and I sat down before my legs gave out.

I saw him take a key out of his jeans pocket and he unlocked the cell door. My heart jumped to my throat. The look on his face reminded me of a predator readying itself for the kill.

He strolled towards me slowly, casually. “What do I want from you?” he uttered a soft snorting laugh. “Darina…”

If he thought I would just give in to him so easily, he’s got another thing coming. I will fight him tooth and nail, even to the death if that was what it took.

“Don’t you dare…” I warned him although my whole body trembled as he drew nearer. I noticed his green eyes; they were the most vivid green I have ever seen. His arms were covered in tattoos which rippled across his muscles as he moved. They looked almost alive.

Lightning quick he had me in his arms. I shrieked, terrified. His face close to mine, I felt his breath fanning my cheek as I turned my head to the side. I dared not look into his eyes.

“What I want from you is obedience. Do as I say, and you will be fine.” He whispered into my ear, the roughness of his stubble against my skin sending shocks through to my core. I couldn’t move. He held my arms against my body. How would I be able to defend myself against this man, his strength was incredible.

“Obedience is for dogs! Do I look like a dog to you?” I snarled into his face, taking all the courage I could muster. He could easily snap me in half if he wanted to.

A lazy smile formed around his mouth. “Of course not. But soon you will understand what I mean by that, my little slave. And you will enjoy it, I promise.”

He was too near for comfort I couldn't look away from his mouth, his smile revealed perfect teeth. I felt the heat of his body through his thin T-shirt.  Trying to get away from his body, I squirmed in his grip, and he shifted his leg, pulling me in closer.

“I would rather die.” I hissed. His length was hard against my thigh.

His eyes were slightly slanted and his cheekbones high and prominent with a strong, dimpled chin. There was a narrow scar under his right eye that went down to his nostril.

His lips skimmed my cheek as I turned my face away again. I felt his teeth against my earlobe, nipping at it and to my horror I felt my nipples harden at the act.

“Let me go!” I yelped.

He chuckled low into my ear. “You can deny it all you want, Darina. I can feel how your body is reacting to mine.” His hand reached behind my neck, freeing my right arm.

I pushed against his hard chest. Like pushing against a brick wall for all the good it did. He had me caged against him. My breath was coming hard and fast as his lips went down the length of my neck, his tongue swirling against my skin.

No, no! I felt myself getting wet down there. No, this is not right.

“Don’t! Please…” What exactly was I begging for?

Just like that he left me, and I fell back on the cot, trying to catch my breath.

He stood there, smirking down at me, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes were undressing me, I felt it over every inch of my skin, and I struggled to sit up, hugging my arms to my chest.

“Get up!” His voice sounded like a whip, and I flinched involuntarily.

“I won’t repeat myself, fatita.” He lifted one ginger eyebrow at me.

Not wanting him to know how much he scared me, I got up, taking my time. I fixed my rumpled silk blouse and smoothed my pants, all the time staring him in the eyes.

The expression on his face was unreadable. He turned around and walked out of the cell. “Come.” He ordered.

Taking a deep breath, I followed the ginger-haired beast out of the cell.

***

I followed him up the stairs to a large entrance hall. I’ve only seen such places on television. He obviously had very expensive taste, the classical paintings on the walls, the marble flooring and the crystal chandeliers attested to that. But then I looked at him, and he seemed out of place, not that he was unkempt. Although dressed casually, he was neat but just something about him… Like a wild animal being in a domestic setting – that is how I saw him.

He stopped suddenly in front of the sprawling staircase, and I bumped into his back with a grunt. A girl dressed in a maid’s uniform came past us, smiling at him and looked disapprovingly at me.  I clicked my tongue at her and frowned. Who did she think she was?

He turned around and I took a step back.

“Maria has made your room ready for you. Let’s go.” He took my arm and dragged me with him up the stairs. “You’ll find your clothes and personal stuff are all there. I had Ricci fetch them from your parent’s home.”

Did he expect me to thank him? I stayed silent.

He walked us down a long corridor to a set of rooms at the far end of the house. Stopping at one of the rooms which I noticed had an electronic panel but no handle on the door. He pressed his hand against, it scanned his palm and the door opened. He pushed me inside.

“This is your room.” He said his voice sounded gruff. “Maria will bring you something to eat. Make yourself at home.”

He didn’t enter after me. The door closed in my face, leaving me staring at it blankly. I was truly trapped.