A Touch of Sin

Chapter Seven

 I came back to my senses with a worried Leonardo looking down at me. Tears warmed my face, and I looked around the room, the men had all put their guns away and had begun leaving the room. My breathing was heavy but slowed as I realized where I was, maybe I did still have some PTSD.

After everyone had filed out from the area, Leonardo had guided me towards a chair, and helped me sit down. Renzo had come back with a glass of water and set it down in front of me. "How do you feel, sweetheart?" He questioned moving to rub my arm, but Leo got there first.

Renzo glanced up at Leo from his chair and sneered. With my free arm I began wiping the tears off my cheeks; grabbing the water glass I took a long gulp. "Yes, I'm sorry. I was just a little surprised, that's all." I stated after regaining my composure to shut down further questioning.

Even if they both had some redeeming qualities, I was still being held against my will, and didn't wish to elaborate on my past. "Just a little?" Leonardo scoffed, removing his hand from my arm, and leaning down towards my face. I inhaled sharply in surprise as he stared deeply into my eyes.

My cheeks felt warm, and I knew they were probably bright pink. It's been such a long time since someone has stared so intensely into my eyes. A smirk found its way onto his lips from my reaction, after he had his fill, he got back up and reached for his phone, which was lying face down on the table.

I felt vulnerable; what had he seen? People always say your eyes are like a gateway to your soul, so just how much of myself had been exposed? I brushed off the encounter, simply because I couldn't allow it to distract me from my goal to escape.

"How do I pay off my brother's debt to you?" I question bluntly, turning my body in the chair towards Leonardo who was scrolling on his phone; speaking of, where did mine go, and my backpack, and all my stuff? He looked back up at me and responded, "Don't worry about that right now.".

"Excuse me?" I continued, "What do you mean don't worry about it? I want to go home, I want to finish school, I don't want to be trapped here forever!" I finished, raising my voice as I spoke.

I heard a chuckle escape Renzo's mouth, before he got up saying he'd give us some space. Leonardo had sighed, taking the seat next to me. He ran his large hands through his dark hair, which would've been more sensual to me if I wasn't so pissed.

I understand why I'm here; I gave my brother another chance, but he's not really giving me options to pay him back. "I can clean." I state bluntly looking around the room, after the gathering of men there were dishes, alcohol bottles, and the floor was dirty in comparison to the rest of the house I'd seen.

"What?" Leo questions, almost taken back by my enthusiasm to repay my debt. "I can clean, do dishes or laundry; hell, if you ask nicely, I can make a mean Negroni to wash away those worry lines." I say trying to lighten the mood, but I watch Leonardo's eyebrows furrow at my answer. Obviously, he didn't appreciate my humor.

"I understand that you want reparations for my brother's actions, but I can't do much when you don't give me any options" I say wanting to pout, but kept a straight face given the circumstances. I glance toward the door that Renzo had escaped through to avoid this awkward conversion. I guess Leonardo got the memo when I sighed, my eyes still fixed on the door.

"Well, I suppose it gets tiring having to bring in outside help to keep this place tidy." He resigns, sounding like music to my ears. "Given the amount of debt you could probably work it off in 3 years." He continues smirking down at me.

His smirk set me off, " I could pay that back in 6 months at the restaurant, what do you mean 3 years?! That would be like a fourth of a housekeeper's salary on the low end!" I seethed.

"Interest" Leonardo said moving closer. "You're trying to tell me you plan to charge 300% interest?!" I say moving my face closer to where he is. "1 year, that's the most I'll work to pay it off." I state, now inches from his face.

With that I can take 2 semesters off, since I doubt, I'd be allowed to attend classes while working for this devil. "If you don't accept these terms then you might as well kill me now, no way in hell am I going to be held hostage for a debt that isn't even mine for 3 years." I finish, glaring deep into his eyes. Not realizing how close we became I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, but I tried my best to ignore it.

He must have realized that I was not going to give in on this point and with a sigh agreed to my demands. "Fine, 1 year." He says bluntly, once again making his way towards me, cornering me against a wall. "I'll have to go into deeper detail what your responsibilities will be later." Leo continues glancing down towards my lips and leans in even closer.

I'm sure at this point I was a strawberry color all over, but I tried my best to hold my ground against what could be considered a final boss. Leo had a dark, almost lustful look in his eyes, which was frightening considering the situation.

Bringing a finger up to my lips he caressed them, and I jumped at the gentle notion. My action seemed to bring him back from whatever haze he'd been in. "Unfortunately, that has to wait as something has come up." He said smirking, then pulling out his phone once more.

"Feel free to explore, or do whatever for now, other than leave obviously." He said as he moved away, opening the front door, which I could now see was only on the other side of the stairwell "Be good, gattina" He finished pulling out a set of keys and shutting the door with a loud thud.

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Finally able to upload this part, sorry I've not been updating this story recently I had a bit of writer's block with school taking my free time.

I hope to update more and continue writing this, thank you for your patience!

BwinaRose <3