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"His word means nothing to me," I hiss.
"But it means something to me," he replies. "And given that you're my property, that should be the only thing that matters to you."
I cower as he gets up and paces the room, muttering, "You need to just let me go."
"And why would I do that, bambina?"
"Because we can never end up together," I tell him. "I'll fight it every step of the way. I'll never be yours willingly."
He laughs as if I've just told him a joke. "I'd like to see how long you stick to those promises, Marzia. But more importantly, did you like my gift?"
Guiltily, I remember the painting supplies. He had done something for me. He'd gone out of his way to make me more comfortable. Then I betrayed him like this. But I was fighting back for my independence. And I'd never be able to forgive myself if I let him touch me again... especially not when it made me feel so many confusing things.
"I did, thank you," I finally reply, my tone stiff.
"Did you do your homework like a good girl?"
My lips form a thin line and I fight every instinct in my body so he won't notice his words are making me aroused. "If you're asking me whether I completed the two sketches and one canvas as per your request, I did." I shiver involuntarily, remembering I never got to paint Eleanora instead of the canvas I'd made of Adrian. And where is my maid? Did her plan to get me out of here just fail? Is it all my fault?
"Tell me where they are and I'll collect them for you," he says with a stern glare. "The doctor for your ankle is on the way. I think you sprained it."
The fact that he hasn't brought up my unsuccessful escape worries me, and I bite my lips, wondering when my punishment will come. I'm certain he won't let me get away with it that easily. I point to the sketches and painting with shaky fingers.
He opens the sketchbook and stares in wonder at the sketch of nature and the other of Eleanora I've created. "These are good," he tells me, but his voice is cold. "Now for the canvas." He places it in front of me and pulls off the fabric covering it with a flourish. He stares back at his own likeness with curiosity.
My heart pounds with fear. Despite everything, I still crave his approval. His next words will mean everything to me, whether they're good or negative.
"You think I look like that?" he wonders.
I narrow my eyes at him. "Yes," I answer tentatively. "You don't like it?"
"I..." He seems at a loss for words. "I didn't know I looked so..."
I’ve never seen him so lost before. "What?"
"Strict. Angry."
"Aren't you?"
He snaps his head to me. "Perhaps I am. I certainly was when I found out what you did. But it's no use punishing you for this mistake. You'll just keep doing it until I teach you a lesson. So I'm about to give you one right now."
The doors to my quarters open and I look up to find a man with a briefcase entering first.
"Your doctor," Adrian explains. "The problem is her ankle, doctor. She tripped and fell."
"You have to help me," I say with desperation. "You have to help me get out of here, doctor."
13
Adrian
The doctor doesn't pay Marzia's cries any mind. He ignores her.
She glances between us in desperation, realizing her attempts to escape are futile. No one is going to help her here. I enjoy seeing the realization dawn on her, her pretty face losing color as she stares me down.
Doctor Romano checks her ankle and deducts it's only sprained. With a few days of rest, she'll be as good as new.
This suits me just right, since I have my own punishment in store for Marzia and she needs to be well enough to endure it.
But before I can take my anger out on the pretty brunette, I have to show her what happens to other people when she disobeys me.
Eleanora is brought into the room by two guards. She struggles, trying to fight them off until she sees her ward. Then, her efforts to break free falter and she gives into her fate.
Marzia's eyes are wide with fear as they meet her maid's gaze. "What are you going to do to her?" she asks me shakily, and I grin at her.
"I'm going to show you what happens when you disobey me so insolently."
"Don't take it out on her," she whispers. "Please, Adrian. She's done nothing wrong, I did."
She's so fast to beg when it comes to other people. I laugh out loud. "It's too late for that, don't you think, bambina? You should've thought about that before you tried to run away from me."
