Heartless Soul Book 2 of the Heartless Series

Chapter 22 - Abandonment

Romeo's POV

With Timo's and Carmela's descriptions it all started to click into place. As I waited for Melanie to be brought to the office I stood by the window and looked at my usual view of the tree just outside, I considered the first day I met Melanie.

Thinking back to the day Melanie was brought to my attention by Gino Landaro was the day she came to the estate to be one of the many maids that worked here. She was a broken, shabby looking girl that cried all day long. Gino had told me no one wanted her because that is all she did. When I asked him why she was crying, he just dismissively remarked that her younger brother was killed, stating it was a shame as he would have made an addition to his men.

She was shackled to the floor of her cell, the room was cold and dank and smelled like shit. Clearly Gino didn't care for his merchandise much before he sold them on. Her black jeans were ripped in various places and the bruises to her arms and face told me that she was mishandled, probably because she wouldn't stop crying when she was told too, but who knows. Her shirt was originally blue, but it was hard to tell with all the dirt that was encrusted to it.

I took her face in my hand loosely, as I crouched in front of her, careful not to step in anything on this disgusting floor. She felt like she hadn't eaten properly in days, her skin lacked hydration and her cheeks were sunken in. "Look at me." I instructed of her. Tears dropped onto my hand, but she never looked up at me. "Do as your told." Gino snapped behind me and she flinched at his words, further proof he beat her. She was shaking in my hold but finally looked up at me. Her eyes were red and swollen but a nice shade of blue. Her red hair could do with a good wash and cut but overall, she was pretty. "Can you stand?" My tone lacked emotion as I was getting bored with the situation, and took a sideways glance at Gino.

"No." Her whisper was so faint that I had to look at her again, to see if she had said anything at all. "No." She repeated. I sighed reluctantly and let go of her chin. "I'll give you 25, no more." Gino just snorted. "Come on she's worth at least 75." I walked up to Gino, who gulped before looking at the floor. "Do not test my patience. I've indulged you in your incompetence long enough." I didn't give him time to reply before I walked out the basement of the warehouse. "Lorenzo, get the girl out the cell and into the van. Timo give him 20 for his defiance." He nodded. "But we agreed 25." Gino tried to reason. "15, I dare you to say more."

I smirked at Gino's cowardice and left the premises to wait in the van. I saw Melanie cringe as daylight hit her eyes, I don't know how long she's been down there, but my guess was a long enough. Lorenzo propped her up as he led her to the back of the van and helped her in. She seemed to relax once we set off back to the estate. It seemed odd to me that she was relaxed, she had no idea what I was taking her to. It could have been far worse than the situation she was already in, maybe she didn't care.

Lorenzo unscrewed a bottle of water and she eyed it longingly and licked her lips. I watched her through the vanity mirror trying to weigh her up before I set her to work in my house. Lorenzo side eyed her watching him drink and unscrewed another before handing it to her, she took it greedily and savoured every drop she drank. "Thank you." Her voice was croaky but at least more auditable than last she spoke.

Once we pulled up to the estate, I hopped out slamming the door behind me. "Put a guard on her, get her cleaned up and take her to my office. Get Imelda to meet us there in half an hour." Lorenzo nods and carries out my orders. I go directly to the security room with Timo, I needed a background check on her. "Get me everything you can on Melanie Hart. I want it in my office in 15 minutes." Jamie jumps at my voice as it booms around the room. His frantic nodding is the only image I see as I leave and head up to my office.

I stand at the window thinking about the transaction I just made. Buying and selling people wasn't really my thing, but I knew what would most likely become of her if I didn't take her with me. At least here, she could have some sort of life, she will have her own room, a hot shower and food and it's somewhat safer than where she were. My thoughts turn to Gino's face as I kept lowering the price for her. I smirked at his cowardice and wondered if he would continue to skim off the top of our deals or would he heed the warning I just gave him. I decided the former as he is a weasel.

Knocking at the door caught my attention. "Enter." I shouted as I walked to my desk. "The papers you asked for sir." I motioned with my fingers for the boy to give me what I asked for and then dismissed him with a nod. As I read over the file, I noticed that the information about her little brother's death was missing, probably because the way he died was sketchy and at the hands of Gino and his band of idiots. Apart from that she was an orphan, mother and father died in a car accident 4 years ago. No fixed abode just a list of rented apartments and motel rooms they stayed at. It continues to state she tried to get a few jobs, but nothing worked out. Maybe they had to do some nights on the streets, I'm not sure but that's most likely where Gino picked her up from. She has an older brother, but no real mention of him other than relationship. Where was he?

"Sir, the girl like you asked." I don't look up at Lorenzo as I continue reading, I just motion to the chairs in front of me. "Sit." Once she's seated, I finally close the file and look at her. She looks better now she's washed and dressed in clean clothing at least. "Do you know why you're here?" She visibly gulped. "To work." Her voice was faint and lacked any conviction. A humourless laugh left my lips as I walked around my desk and leant against it. "You will be a maid to be exact. You will do your work and anything that is asked of you. You will not backchat, you will not complain, and you will not show anyone any disrespect. Are we clear?" She nods slowly not making any attempt at eye contact with me. "Where is your older brother?" Risking a quick glance she looks up to me, the surprise in her face says a lot. "I don't know?" Her voice was thick with sadness as she answers me. "Why did he leave you and your little brother, Thomas was it?" Sobs erupt from her chest and tears stream down her face. "He... He joined a g-gang and just s-stopped coming h-home, 8 y-years ago." She stuttered, so it was before her parents died. Interesting. Enzo walked in flanked by Imelda. She was one of the first maids that was employed at the estate, so she's like the head maid around here. "You wanted to see me sir?" I nodded. "This is Melanie, get her a room and show her the ropes she has the rest of the day to settle in. She starts work tomorrow." Imelda walks closer and stands at the side of Melanie. "This way dear." Melanie just looks at me and nods, leaving with Imelda quickly.

"Who's the new girl?" Enzo asks as he stuffs a bag of chips in his mouth. "New maid. It seems Gino killed her little brother and wondered why she wouldn't stop crying." He snorted at Gino's clear incompetence. "She's pretty hot though." I rolled my eyes. "Your always thinking with your dick, leave the girl alone."

"Romeo, what's this about? Cant she just relax tonight she's been through enough." Enzo was clearly annoyed with me, but I dismissed him. "Take a seat Mel." I motioned to the chairs in front of my desk and lent against it, just like the first day she came here. "Has your brother made contact with you." She was shocked at my abrupt question, but I didn't miss the look of fear that crossed her face first. "N-No sir." She was clearly hiding something, and I would find out what it was. "Are you sure about that?" Her frantic nodding was her reply. "But you knew the man 'stalking' you were your brother, Leo?" She nodded again only slower this time. "What?" Enzo shouted from his position on the sofa and leant forward.

She turned to him frantic. "I didn't know at first, until the night of our date. That was the first proper look I got of him when I left the bathroom." Enzo just put his head in his hair thinking about everything. "Okay, I believe you. But why not say anything until now?" A tear escaped her eyes at upsetting him. "I don't know."

"Enough with this mushy bullshit. You will be bait. You will lure him too you, where he will be captured and dealt with." I seethed. "Romeo." Carmela shouted from behind me. I looked angrily over my shoulder at her. "It's okay Camy. I know what I have to do. I took an oath."

"Fuck that, she will not be a pawn so u can get to her grandfather." He stabs a finger in the direction of Carmela as he puts a reassuring hand on Melanie's shoulder. She shrugged him off and stands tall in front of me. "I'll do it."