His Little Wife

Chapter 11

I wake to a dark room vividly remembering all the blood. I let out a bellowing scream, not knowing where I am or what happened after everything went blank.

'Anna?' Lucian calls from next to me and he flicks the light on, lighting up the bedroom to show I'm back at home in bed.

'You... you killed him' I stutter out, pulling the sheet up over my body.

'He hurt you?' Lucian tells me as if that made it OK.

'So you just killed him?'

'Anna, he wasn't a good person. I did the world a favour.' He defends himself.

'That doesn't give you the right... you murdered him. You're a murderer.' I accuse, feeling my chest tighten.

'It wasn't the first time and I very much doubt it'll be the last.' He tells me flippantly.

'How can you act like that? Like it doesn't even bother you?' I spit at him.

'Because it doesn't.' He shrugs. 'It's part of my job.'

'You're a monster.' I shout.

'Don't forget who you're talking to.' He warns me.

'I want to leave. I don't want to be here. I can't be here'

'You know where the door is. But remember what will happen to your dad.' He warns.

'I hate you.' I shout at him, feeling myself welling up.

'You hate me?' He shouts, pulling me along the bed, pinning me under his body. 'I save you from being raped? I take care of you. I give you everything you want.' He shouts 'What do I have to do?'

'Get off me.' I try to push him off.

He doesn't budge even an inch when I push him, like he's an unmovable mountain.

'Tell me. Tell me what I have to do?' He asks, looking into my eyes.

I still try to wriggle out until he grips my jaw in his hand like he did the first time I met him. He forces me to look at him as he lowers his lips down to mine, planting a kiss on my lips.

I'm taken aback by his sudden show of emotion. He's usually so closed off and reserved. But his kiss is anything but. It's filled with need as he slides his tongue into my mouth, invading my personal space. His hands move over my body, tracing over every inch in a speed that matches his kiss.

My arms wrap around his neck of their own accord and I feel myself giving into his vulnerability before becoming very aware we're both naked.

'No, stop.' I utter against his mouth.

His hands still and he pulls back looking at the tears rolling down my face.

'I...' he starts to say, before I push him off me.

This time when I push him he moves with my hands, falling back against the bed as I jump up and run into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.

I grab a towel draped over a hand rail and wrap myself before sitting on the floor as I cry to myself.

'Anna?' There's a light tap at the door.

'Go away.' I shout between sobs.

'I'm sorry, okay? I'm not good at this sort of thing.'

'Being a decent human?'

'Just come back to bed? It's late.'

'No, leave me alone.'

But he doesn't. He pushes the door open gently and edges in.

I bury my face in my hands, not wanting to look at him as he stands next to me. He doesn't say anything as he lifts me from the cold tile floor into his arms as he walks us back to the bed, tucking me in on my side with the towel still covering my body.

He lays down in the bed next to me, turns the light off and pulls me against his chest, holding me while I cry myself to sleep.

The next morning when I wake up the bed is empty. I sit up a little and listen for any sound, but I'm alone. Lucian has left me alone.

I climb out the bed and throw on the first outfit I come across, just a pair of jeans and a camisole.
I move to the stairs and walk down, curious as to where he would have gone as it's the first time I had woken without him there.

He's nowhere on the main floor and one of his security guards say he might be in the gym, so I head that way and for some reason feel relieved when I see him using a punching bag.

'Lucian?'

He stops, but doesn't turn as I enter the room.

'You weren't in bed when I woke up?'

'I didn't think you'd want to see me.' He says, still facing away from me.

I don't reply as I edge in the room. 

'I'm sorry.' I say, not sure why I was apologising.

'Don't.'

'Don't apologise?' I ask, confused.

'Not if you don't mean it. I deserved it anyways. Why wouldn't you hate me?'

'I do mean it, Lucian. I shouldn't have said it. It was just... a very stressful night.'

He turns to me with a look on his face that I've never seen on him.

'I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have done what I did. I promise you from this point on I will not touch you without your permission.'

His statement gives me mixed emotions. For the most part I'm pleased. I'm happy knowing that I'll be safe from him. There will be no temptation, not that I would be tempted.

'Can we start again?' He asks, pulling me back from my thoughts.

'Are you going to let me go?'

'No.'

What is he expecting? What does he actually want from me? I really didn't know what any of this way about. He was a good looking guy. Why couldn't he just get a girlfriend the normal way? I'm sure there must be someone out there who would love the chance to be with Lucian. Someone who isn't me.

'Why am I even here?'

'Because your dad owed me.'

'No, I mean why can't you just get a girlfriend the normal way? You're not bad looking?'

'Wow, thanks.' He chuckles.

'You know what I mean...'

'It's hard meeting people doing what I do. They never last long and they bore me.'

'So I don't bore you?' I ask, feeling brave. Wanting to know what he meant.

'Go and get dressed and I'll take you to see your dad.' He tells me, ignoring my question.

Excited by his promise I drop the question, looking forward to seeing my father for the first time in what felt like ages. I practically run from the room, eager to find a way to be free of this nightmare and to see the one person I have in this world.