CHAPTER SIX

"What the fuck are you doing, Carlos?!" Matteo's voice boomed. 

He let go of my hair, causing me to fall to the ground. "She attacked me, and then tried to run!"

I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering, panicking, trying to push away the horrors.

"I told you not to hurt her!" Matteo yelled, his tone icy. "Why the fuck would you grab her like some doll?!"

"My head feels like shit, and I'm the one bleeding!" He protested.

He hurried to my side, and I immediately flinched at his touch. "It's okay." He soothed, his voice a total contrast of what it was a second ago. "I'm not going to hurt you, Gabriella."

I whimpered, tightening my arm around myself. I curled up into a ball, my hands clutching at my head, as if I could physically hold back the painful memories that were flooding my mind.

Suddenly a warm weight settled around my shoulders. Matteo's suit jacket, I realized, as the scent of the cologne enveloped me. His hands closed around my wrists, gentle but firm, and he pulled me into a sitting position. 

"Gabriella, breathe." He said, his voice low and steady. "You're safe. I've got you."

I tried to respond, but my voice was caught in my throat, and all that came out was a strangled sob.

His hands moved to my face, and slowly, he gave me cheeks a gentle rub. "You're safe." He repeated, his voice more gentle than the last. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

"You left me." I managed to whisper, my sobs slowly subsiding. 

"I'm sorry." He said, and moved closer. "I shouldn't have done that."

As I calmed down, his hands dropped to my shoulders, his fingers wrapping around me in a gentle grip. "Better?" 

I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. The panic attack had left me drained and shaky. 

"Let's get you out of here." He said and helped me to my feet. 

"Carlos..."

"is gone." He said quickly. I could sense his rage building up. "What he did to you won't go forgiven."

"I did hit him with a vase." I said softly. "I'm sorry about that."

We reached the door, and he pushed it open. "Let's get you to my car. Ready?"

I nodded, still feeling a bit drained from earlier. The atmosphere outside my room felt different, lighter somehow.

"Why is it so quiet?" I asked.

"It's a private hospital." He replied, wrapping his hands tighter around me when my steps became wobbly. "Easy. I've got you."

With his help, we reached his car, and he pulled the door open, carefully guiding me as I settled into the soft leather seat. A wave of exhaustion suddenly washed over me. He got in beside me, and the engine started, pulling away from the curb.

"You okay?" He asked, his voice low.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Who's.. who's driving?"

"My driver."

I turned my head towards him, trying to read his tone. "Why did you send someone else to get me?" I tried to keep my voice steady, but it came out more like a whimper. 

There was a pause before he responded. "I had some business to attend to. I didn't think Carlos would be a complete fool." 

I sniffled, wiping the tears off my cheeks. "Who is Carlos?"

Matteo's voice was smooth. "Carlos is someone who works for me. He's...not always the most subtle person."

I scoffed. "That's an understatement." 

We remained silent for a few more minutes, the only sound was the soft low music coming from the radio.

"Where are we headed? I asked, breaking the silence.

"Los Angeles." It sounded more like a declaration than a reply. 

"What's in Los Angeles?"

He adjusted the collar of his jacket on me. "Everything, Gabriella. It's where you are going to be safe, no one is going to hurt you there."

I let out a sigh, and didn't push it any further. I was too tired, too drained. As the car continued to move, I felt my eyelids grow heavy. I leaned against the seat, and let out another sigh. 

"You should sleep." He said gently. 

"Yeah." I whispered weakly. "Thank you, Matteo. I mean it."

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt Matteo's hand on my shoulder, holding me in place. Oddly, I felt safe, protected. I shouldn't trust him, but he was so far the only one who wasn't trying to kill me. 

I didn't know how long I slept, but Matteo's hands gently nudged me awake. The car had come to a stop.

"We are at the airport." He said softly. "We're about to board a flight."

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Flight?" 

"Los Angeles, remember?" 

"Right." I replied with a nod. 

He led me out of the car, and towards the supposed plane. I obviously couldn't see a thing, so I let Matteo hold my hand to guide me. His grip was firm, yet protective. Even without words it felt like he was assuring me that no one would get close enough to hurt me again. 

As we boarded the plane, he guided me to our seats. 

"This is definitely not economy." I joked as I sank into the plush leather. 

He settled down beside me. "There are less people on first class. I'm trying to avoid anyone recognizing you."

After the flight attendants talked more and more on protocols and safety demonstrations, the plane finally took off. My mind raced with nothing but questions, Was this really it? Was I really leaving what was left of my family behind? What did Los Angeles hold for me? I didn't know anyone or anything. All I had was Matteo, and even though he has proved himself not to be the enemy, I still couldn't fully trust him.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice low.

I shrugged. "Just thinking about how this is my reality now, and how everything I had known is either dead, or far away."

"The things we do for survival." He said, a sign for resignation in his voice