The ECG wasn't exactly normal, my bloods still a little alarming, but that didn't stop my doctor from placing me onto a home treatment option.
His home.
If I was serious about running away, I'm too late.
My captor has me restrained, en route back to the place of imprisonment.
His big arms hold me close in the back seat of his car, my head rests heavy on his shoulder and I stare silently out the windshield while Valentina drives too fast in this big black Land Rover with heated leather seats. The weather is mild and all hints at last night storm has passed, save the odd fallen branch and mud puddle on the side of road, but the heated seats are much appreciated seeing Valentina seems to have a penchant for skimpy clothing.
My home town gives way to forest as we drive south, we take turns I've never had to turn before. We pass small town centres with boutique cafes and artisan bakeries. The unfamiliarity gives me a sense of unease.
I try to take note of town and street signs we pass, just as precaution.
Rome's big warm hand makes the trip from my shoulder to elbow over and over, a consistent and comforting loop and every so often he places a sweet kiss to the top of my head.
I know he must sense my nerves, but like me, he says nothing.
"Antonio's?" Rome murmurs quietly with only the quiet drum of the Diesel engine surrounding us.
Valentina nods her head, she's never been this silent.
"Antonio's?" I repeat with a mumble and keep my eyes straight ahead.
Valentina takes the next left.
"Linguine so fine and delicate it practically melts in your mouth" Rome whispers sultry into my ear like a promise of foreplay, goosebumps rise down each of my arms in response.
"Perfect" I sigh, and it is, nothing could be better right now than a soft bed and a big bowl of creamy pasta.
"I've got you, sweetheart. I promise you.... It's different this time" he continues to whisper and places another kiss on my temple, his arms draw me closer.
I swallow, but can't find any words to reassure him, reassure us both.
The car pulls up to a curb and Valentina cuts the engine, it leaves nothing but silence. Rome lifts my face with a single finger under my chin, he makes me look him in the eyes.
Dark eyes so sexy and beautiful it makes my stomach clench.
I nod, I know he's trying, I know he needs me to verbally agree to his terms.
"I promise" he vows and leans in to brush his lips over mine ever so gently, my hands lift to stroke the stubble built up on his jaw, the prickles black as night and deliciously rough.
"I know" I breathe but my voice carries the uncertainty I hold, I kiss him once more.
My heart doesn't seem to feel the same trepidation my sense of self preservation does.
He just feels too good.
In a swift move he flings back the door and exits the vehicle, even in lasts nights crumbled clothing he walks with powerful strides.
He has authority about him that comes from education and position, from wealth. Rome disappears inside a small glass door that has Antonio's name in cursive over the top, it's just a old brick facade with nothing noteworthy about it.
I turn to look around the interior of Rome's car instead. There's nothing personal in here to give away his personality, nothing dangling from from the rear view like the feathers in my old Prius. Every surface is clean and as new as it was the day it rolled off the showroom floor. I catch Valentina's eyes in the mirror, she studies me just as intently as I study the Land Rover.
"It's a company car, part of his salary" she explains and I realise my face is pinched showing the fact it's not exactly my taste in automobile.
"Nice perk, Myles never got a car" I try to smile but just saying his name has me shuddering.
Too easy I can recall the look of evil in his eyes, he honestly wanted me dead.
"Huh.... Ro has a timeshare upstate aswell. They are always sending him globe-trotting to take in the newest technologies" she moves the mirror as she speaks to check her flawless lip gloss.
