I stood silently, breathing heavily but not saying a word. I breathed in and out until I felt myself calm down. I stepped toward him. He stood still. The bandage fell off in the shower, and the cut still looked fresh. I raised my arm to touch the wound, but he caught my wrist.
For the first time I felt the true strength of his hands. He had been showing restraint when dragged me to his car. And he had shown restraint when he massaged me on the balcony. His true grip was steel, totally unbreakable. I felt frozen on the outside, but my insides churned. Is this how his victims feel, once they realize there’s no escape?
I shuddered. Suddenly he jerked me forward, my head bounced on his chest. With his free hand he used his fingers to raise my chin, gently. He brought his face to mine and kissed me.
I never thought a man with such a strong grip could be so tender. His lips were soft and as he pulled away from my lips he left a series of butterfly kisses along my neck and shoulder. He let go of my wrist and I pulled his head back to mine. I forced my lips against his as hard as I could. I felt his tongue slip in my mouth as he slid his fingers inside the sweatpants and slipped a finger inside me.
Just as soon as we started he stopped.
“We can’t do this. It’s wrong.” He went to the dresser and threw on some shorts. He grabbed the box of donuts and went out onto the balcony.
Chapter Six
Branch
I didn’t say anything to Fara after stepping out on the balcony. I relaxed there in the chair until she had fallen asleep. I was up and down all night. I lost control last night, and there was no going back. All I could think was great, now I know she wants me as bad as I want her. Larz is so going to kill me.
I heard her tossing and turning all night. She was clearly upset. So I thought I’d order breakfast to cheer her up, maybe we could just have some coffee and pastries and forget anything happened.
Except on my way to pick up breakfast it was all I could think about. She was so sweet, yet mischievous. She could do some serious damage with that knife, but in my arms she was so soft and small. She didn’t seem like someone who needed protecting, but I would protect her nonetheless.
I was back in the building, about to bring breakfast up the stairs when I heard a familiar language.
Two men were speaking Polish near the stairwell. One spoke gruffly, and the other’s voice was squeaky. And familiar. Luckily I had learned Polish at Ruthless, among other languages. I set the takeout down and crept along the wall to listen in.
“Some asshole was with her the other day. But he’s not here now, it’s the perfect time.” It was the thug I should’ve killed the other day. God damnit, the little weasel.
“How do you know he’s not in there too? Our guy went up there with their donuts to scope the place out, he hovered over her. Why didn’t we think to just poison the donuts,” the other replied.
And suddenly my vision turned red. I whipped my gun out and stuck my ear closer.
“Don’t worry, this morning I saw him run out. She’s alone now,” the weasel responded.
“But you said that man crept up on you out of nowhere! He could be watching us this very min…”. He didn’t get a chance to finish. I ran up behind and brought the barrel down on the back of his head. He dropped to the ground. The man from yesterday froze.
“I gave you a chance, you pathetic little bitch!” I put the man down in a choke with my right hand and pointed the glock at the other with my left. The glock was loaded, and the man was frozen. I could see in his eyes, he knew I didn’t believe in three strikes you’re out. I tightened my grip around the other man’s throat. He’s gonna learn how foolish his pal was for going after her again.
Chapter Seven
Fara
I didn’t sleep well, and thought I’d just spend a lazy day in bed. I wasn’t interested in talking to Branch today. Not after last night. He pulled me in, made me think his guard was down. He kissed me, gently, then rough, and then passionate. I was ready for him. His fingers twisted inside me and he could hear the juices mixing like his finger was stirring a pot of mac n cheese.
And then he was done with me. Was it mind games? Did Larz piss him off, and he only agreed to take this job so he could take it out on me? He was supposed to be my savior, and instead he was torturing me.