A Treacherous King- Dark Mafia Romance

eight

Maeve

I have a splitting headache. I groan as I turn away from the blaring sun streaming in through the window. I wipe at my crust filled eyes and wrap myself tighter in the comforter. I had cried myself to sleep last night. My body finally gave in to exhaustion in the wee early morning hours.

The confrontation with Caine had rocked me to my core. What he had said, promised, filled me with crippling terror. Every time I thought of his iron grip on my chin, the way he had immobilized me, my stomach clenched.

The incessant sound of a phone vibrating buried somewhere in the covers, causes my head to pound. I rifle through the blankets searching for it only for me to flip the comforter over, sending the phone flying across the room. It lands with a loud thud by the window still vibrating. I groan again and lug myself out of bed, going over and retrieving it. The caller ID reads Nadia. I quickly hit the answer call button.

"Maeve? Maeve, are you there?" Nadia's worried voice sounds from the other end.

"Yes, I'm here." I say breathless.

"I've been trying to call you since last night but you weren't answering. Is everything okay?"

I pinch my lower lip between my fingers and pace the room. I contemplate telling Nadia what happened last night, but I don't want her to feel guilty about leaving me alone. She's been so nice to me, taking me under her wing. She would be livid if I were to tell her how Caine manhandled me in the library. That thought alone almost makes my lips loose, but I just can't do that to her. I'm not like him. I don't get satisfaction out of seeing people suffer.

"Everything's fine." I try to sound as convincing as possible.

"Thank goodness. I was worried about you. I got caught up in something and couldn't leave. I tired calling you to tell you, but you weren't answering. Caine wasn't picking up either. I thought...something had happened."

"No, nothing happened. I'm fine. I just fell asleep is all." The mention of his name sends a shiver down my spine. I wonder why he didn't tell Nadia about our altercation. It seems like something he would have good fun recanting. Watching my tears stream down my face, feeling my body shiver in response to his cruel words.

"I will be back this afternoon before dinner. I am just finishing up things here." Nadia reassures me. I wonder what kinds of things Nadia has going on, but I don't want to pry.

After I end the call with Nadia, I release a breath, and walk over to the window, looking out over the garden. It's midafternoon and I have been locked up in this fucking room since last night. I was starving, having not eaten anything since last night's meal.

The cook, I still hadn't learned her name, had knocked on my door twice. Once, bringing breakfast and then again bringing lunch. I hadn't opened the door either time although guilt had gnawed at me. She hadn't done anything wrong, it's just that this room was the only thin layer of security I had without Nadia here. Plus I didn't fancy the idea of being backed into a corner again.

I had tried to busy myself with various tasks around the room. I fixed the bed, took a bath, reorganized the already organized closet and had tried to take a nap, but my mind just kept going in circles.

Just as the sun was setting, someone lightly rapped on the door.

"Maeve, it's me." Nadia's light voice sounds from the other side of the wood. I practically sprint to jerk the door open. Nadia is wearing her warm smile and embraces me as soon she walks in. I hug her back, taking in her floral scent.

"I missed you." She says holding me at arms length. Her admission comforts me. It's weird missing someone you've only known for two days, but I feel the same way about her.