Skyscrapers Fall |18+|

Part XIV

| DAISY |

"Good morning, gattina." I hear the deep rumble of Vito's voice from behind me. His fingers graze along my side, gently caressing my hip.

I flush when I remember the events of last night, how he tied me up and used a knife on me.

Glancing down at my leg, I study the fresh wound. It's scabbed over now but the surrounding skin is red and irritated, dried blood sticking to my skin.

It still burns slightly.

"We should probably clean that," I say, my eyes still glued to the sticky, scabbed flesh.

I don't know at what point Vito and I became a "we" but word tastes funny on my tongue, and I instantly regret saying it.

"Mmm," Vito murmurs against me, "I hope it scars."

His voice is raspy and rough, and sends a cold shiver down my spine. Sometimes I forget how unhinged he is, how he needs psychiatric help.

His obsession with me is unhealthy, and I'm sure we both know it.

Yet a part of me enjoys the constant attention. There's something comforting about knowing someone wants you when you can't seem to want yourself. It makes me feel something.

I suppose that's how people end up in situations like mine; they take any form of 'love' and attention they can get to fill a void inside them left by years of callousness and neglect.

It takes having a man's name carved into your own flesh to realise that sometimes that void is unfillable.

No amount of care or love or attention can heal someone as damaged as me.

I should leave.

The thought whirs around my head while I lie there in Vitos arms. I know I should leave but I don't feel in danger with him, I feel safe.

I know it's probably an unhealthy sort of safe, but it's safe nonetheless.

Besides, if I find a way a to run, he'll probably catch me, and who knows what he'll do then.

"I have an important meeting today," Vito says out of nowhere, "I need you to come along."

His comment caught me off guard and ripped me away from my thoughts in an instant.

A business meeting?

Why would I need to come to that?

"I'm not really a businessy person..." I say, my voice trailing off. I can't fathom why he'd want me at a meeting, other than to keep an eye on me. I don't think I'd run away even if he did but I can't think of another reason.

"I want you to meet my men," Vito answers, "properly this time."

Ah. His men. That makes more sense.

I had met a few of his men when we attended that ball a while back, but the only one that really stuck in my mind was Pigeon. I'm not sure I had a formal introduction to anyone else there. I suppose, at least, they'd all be familiar faces, even if I don't know who exactly they are.