Losing The Past

Part 17

"Please come and sit down." Viktor calls from his desk, it wasn't as much an invite as it was a straight up demand. Not feeling like angering the man I walk over to the chairs and sit down.

"Now speak from the beginning please, I also need to know what your side of things are with my nephew, Blade." I really don't feel like speaking about my whole life but I don't have any choice right now, taking a deep breath I start my sob story.

"Well I lived in a shit hole of an orphanage when Blade had taken an interest in me, I did not return those feelings. I was actually in love with another boy from the orphanage at that time. Eventually things became dangerous when the orphanage was set on fire, I was just 18 so I was able to leave, so I went into witness protection." I couldn't hold anyone's eyes, so I stared at a place on the large oak desk in front of me.

"I was under protection for seven years, until I was then kidnapped by Arthur Catelli for his sex trafficking." I shivered at the memory, "But it lead me back to my childhood lover who made a deal with Catelli to pay off some debit, he also bargained for my freedom to be with him. To do that I have to do Catelli's work to 'earn my keep' so to speak." I didn't feel proud of that fact, but I keep trying to tell myself that I needed to do this to survive. I take a deep, shuddering breath as everyone else in the office is still silent.

"Take her back to her quarters please Vincent. Antonio you stay here." with that I was dismissed, which kind of confused me. I mean I told the total truth but why would he believe me so easily, unless he doesn't believe me at all and he is going to kill me. I was brought out of my thoughts when Vincent took hold of my hand and pulls me up from my seat and leads me out of the office.

As we walked I questioned him, "Now what?" I whispered, almost scared of his response. He squeezed my hand but didn't answer me, so I stewed in my thoughts until we were back in the bedroom I woke up in. He let go of my hand and I walked over to the bed feeling completely lost and hopeless. He sat down beside me and wrapped me in his arms, his familiar cologne surrounding me in what felt like a protective cocoon.

"My dad believes you, my brother is more leery about it but I could tell he felt your pain as well. Not many know this, but my mom came from the sex trades of Arthur Catelli. My father disagrees with trafficking of women so we have broken up many of his trades, actually we thought he was done with that part of it until you confirmed he is not." he scrubbed his free hand down his face and back up until he ran it through his hair.

"I really can't say what is going to happen, but know this you will not be hurt. We refuse to hurt women. Our family believes women are key to a mans future and should be treated like the goddesses they were created after." he smiles kindly as he squeezes my hand, my heart beat stutters a little at the underlying compliment.

I took a good look at him and he had dropped his mask, he was as easy to read as the other night. His eyes held a passion and determination but also a warmth. Does that mean he likes me? I question myself as we sit staring at each other.

"I don't know what to tell you to be honest, your kind of stuck in the middle of the war and there is nothing that can be done about it. I can tell you have been through a lot already but you need to think about your future and what you want to happen. You may have a very hard decision to make soon because one way or another you are apart of the Mafia and once your in you never get out. Not even once your debt is paid off." he gives my hand a squeeze and he walks out of the room to let me think.

What does he mean by a decision, does he mean decide between Arthur and Viktor? I really couldn't decide, I mean I love Chuck. I want to be with him more than anything but I am NOT the kind of person who can handle the mafia and the death and kidnapping. I mean I am weak and sensitive, I can't handle the things they do on a regular basis.