The Mafia's Secret

Chapter 19 ✔️

SCARLETT

        I felt disgusting as dirty water and blood fell from my body. It felt as if I would never find my original skin color under all of the grime. Even the cloth I slowly dragged across my body was now covered in filth despite wringing it out. The smell leeching off of my body was revolting but the more I scrubbed into my skin, the more the smell went away.  
        Leaning against the wall, I let the hot water run down my back since I was unable to reach. I refused to let it bother me as it burned my skin. Tears ran down my cheeks as my legs burned not only from the water but from the weakness that consumed them. It was impossible to ignore it any longer so I slowly collapsed to my knees. The door suddenly opened, despite me having locked it. I refused to look up as I heard him walk towards the shower. Within seconds, he slid open the shower door.
        "Get the fuck out." I whispered, not wanting to waste my energy by shouting at him.
        "No." He replied casually as he stepped in. I had no time to object before he grabbed the cloth from my hand. Grabbing my arm, he pulled me to my feet. Groaning from the pain returning to my legs, I pulled away from Xavier. He didn't wait for me to object before he moved his index finger in a circular motion. "Turn around. I'll get the spots you missed." His tone was full of mischievousness but there was a hint of something else I couldn't quite identify.
        I was hesitant at first. I didn't want him to feel up my body while I was naked and vulnerable. He had already seen my body as I was sure he was the one constantly changing my clothes while I was at the gang house. It was disturbing to think about.
       Finally turning around, l leaned against the wall like before. It took all I had to stay standing despite my legs being on fire. Xavier leaned in close. His warm breath caused my neck hairs to rise as shivers ran down my spine. He grabbed my long hair, gently brushing my hair over my shoulders where he proceeded to run the cloth down my back. He kept his other arm around my waist, keeping me on my feet. He said nothing as he dropped the cloth. I expected him to back away from me but instead, he leaned in. He grazed his lips against my ear, moving down to my neck, trailing kisses down to the base of my neck. Shivers rundown my spine. My legs felt weaker, shaking slightly as he moved his hand down so it rested just above my lady parts. My entire body shook in uncontrollable fear as I waited for his next move.
        Xavier suddenly stepped back, turning my body so that I was facing him. Putting his arm back around my waist, he used his free hand to caress my chin. His eyes lightened as he stared into my own. There was a gentleness to his expression as he observed the tears running down my cheeks. He sighed, frowning.
        "What did they do to you, Scar?" He asked in a low but soft tone.
        Pulling away from his grip, I slowly slid to the floor, unable to stop the shaking as unwanted memories filled my mind. All the events of what my father and Nathaniel did to me came crashing down like a tidal wave. Every part of my body that had been touched by them in some way, was burning with pain like the muscles remembered what had been done.
        Xavier turned off the water. As he opened the glass door, a cold draft entered, increasing the shaking of my body. Within seconds, Xavier wrapped a dry towel around my body before slowly pulling me back to my feet. Keeping my gaze down, I let Xavier guide me out of the shower and into the cold air. He still had the towel around his waist but it was barely hanging onto his body now.
       He left me standing for a moment as he put his clothes back on. Keeping my eyes to the floor, I waited for him to be fully clothed before I looked up again. His eyes were full of concern as grabbed my wrist, pulling me into the room I was staying in. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I expected him to leave and let me be but he didn't. Instead he stood in front of me, caressing my face. I quickly pulled away from his grasp, looking away. My cowardice was short lived before he repeated his action, gently forcing me to look up at him.
        "Where is that overconfident woman I had in my possession just days ago?"
       "Gone." I said simply.
        "No one can make you feel inferior unless you let them. Now tell me what they did to you."
        "It doesn't matter what they did to me. You can't change what happened."
        "No, but I can prevent it from happening again."
        "You don't know my father then. He kills anyone who gets in his way."
        "You're afraid of him? I never thought the famous Scarlett was afraid of anything."
        "Like I said. You don't know my father."
        I looked away from him once again, dropping the towel. Part of me wanted to pick it right back up and cover myself but he wanted to see what they had done. He stayed silent as he ran his fingers across my skin and over every little bruise and cut. His fingers were grazing my skin in a way that left my skin tingling. My entire body tensed up as the small hairs around my body rose.
        "That monster will never touch you again and I vow to never hurt you. You have my word."
        "Don't make promises you can't keep."
        He grabbed my chin with his index finger and thumb, lifting my head to meet his eyes. His eyes softened in a way I hadn't seen before. It was like the angry tempered man I once knew was completely gone. His touch was gentle, his posture was relaxed and the darkness in his eyes was gone.
        "You're mine, Scar. Anyone who touches what I have, doesn't live to see the next day."
        Before I could even blink or object, he pressed his lips into mine. The pain throughout my body quickly ceased to exist as moved his hands to my cheeks. Heat rose within them as I instinctively kissed back. My stomach churned with excitement. The taste and smell of cigarettes filled my mouth but I didn't care. Before it could get too far, he pulled back.
        "Now get dressed. I want to show you something."
        Without another word, he left the room, closing the door behind him. I was left there, rubbing the leftover saliva from my lips, trying to process what had just happened. All I knew was that I liked it. Realization dawned on me once I realized what this meant for everyone. Including Zayn.
        "Shit."