His Queen (18+)

Chapter XIX

THE VULNERABILITY

I put you on top, I put you on top.
I claimed you so proud and openly, babe.
But when times were rough, when times were rough,
I made sure I held you close to me.
So call out my name.

***

CHAPTER XIX

*****

THE CLOSER WE got to Daniel's house, the more I began to dread what I was about to do. I knew Diego wasn't going to last any longer than a couple days in his hands. That was the least of my worries. Looking Diego in the eye would be like staring right at my trauma, facing it head on.

I had gotten better over the last two years. I was no longer having panic attacks in the middle of crowded spaces and the nightmares had eased up in the last six months, but I didn't know how I was going to react in front of Diego. Things like this weren't predictable and I wasn't ready to break down in front of everybody because that would make me vulnerable and I hated being vulnerable.

The car pulled up into gates of the house and with a small sigh, I stepped out into the cool breeze. Jorge came out from the driver's seat and slammed the door close for me as if I couldn't do it myself. I gave him a small, confused smile before going to the other side of the car and opening the door.

With gentle hands, I reached in and brought Mateo out of his car seat, rubbing his back so he wouldn't wake up. Jorge helped me close that door too before running ahead of me to the front door and knocking on it.

By the time I had reached, it had already been swung open, revealing Anna's familiar face. “Is everything alright?” she asked as I walked past her into the house. “Pablo told me I should open the door for you. What's the problem?”

“Nothing, Anna,” I muttered, making my way towards Daniel's room before stopping and turning to her. “Actually, can you put Mateo in bed? Take him to Daniel's room?”

She stared at me for a couple seconds, her eyes analysing my dishevelled appearance before nodding her head and taking Teo from my arms. He whimpered in his sleep from the constant disruptions, but thankfully stayed unconscious as Anna began walking in the direction of Daniel's room.

I willed myself to begin walking in the direction of the basement where they were most likely holding Diego. I knew the longer I stood there, the lower the chances of me sticking through with my plan became.

The journey to the basement wasn't as long as I would have hoped it would be, and much too soon the sounds of groans and grunts of pains rang louder and louder in my ear. It bounced of the walls as if taunting me with the bitter memories of the man who had played a part in ruining my life two years ago.

I knew I wasn't particularly happy back then, but at least I wasn't suffering on a cargo ship with no hopes of a future.

I gulped, pushing the troubling thoughts to the back of my mind as I came face to face with a large metal door. The door that kept me away from one of the man that haunted my dreams for the longest time. I couldn't let my irrational fear get in the way of what was going to happen, but my heart felt like it was about to beat out of my chest and I had no control over it.

I decided then that it didn't matter. With a shaky hand, I exerted all of my power into pushing the door open and allowing myself into the room.

The first thing my eyes lay on was a single figure tied to a chair which was nailed to the ground. The man was beaten and bruised with dried blood smeared all over his face and soaked into his clothes. He was hunched over himself, the grunts and groans I was hearing previously now much louder and accompanied by little whimpers.