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I washed my face, the action making me feel slightly more human again. The thought of walking all the way back to my bed made me dizzy. My body hurt with every breath I took, with every move I made.
With a defeated sigh, I pulled two fluffy towels off the rack and dropped them into the bathtub. Then I sank into my makeshift bed and fell asleep immediately.
I felt myself being lifted. The arms were familiar, wrapping around me carefully as if I were precious. I snuggled into a hard chest and inhaled a soapy clean smell I craved. A deep voice murmured something into my hair. A soft mattress encased my body, and then blankets covered my body.
The arms keeping me safe disappeared, and I was once again ensconced in a cocoon of warmth.
Sunlight streamed through the windows when I opened my eyes next. I was sore all over. I rolled to the side but was met with resistance. I was lying underneath heavy down blankets again. “Too many fucking blankets,” I mumbled into the silent room.
“Clearly feeling better,” a voice grumbled to my right.
I turned my head and saw Santino sitting on a chair by the window. He looked like he’d recently found out that a person couldn’t live off protein bars and whiskey. Since it was nice to see a familiar face, I ignored his thunderous expression.
The only part of my body that didn’t hurt was my thumb. The rest of my fingers were stiff, and a closer inspection revealed more bruising and scabs.
My hopeless situation hit me with a force that knocked the air out of me. Even though I was covered with more blankets than I had ever owned in my life, shivers wracked my body. My teeth began clacking together, and my whole body trembled. My stomach was replaced by a big gaping hole that threatened to consume me. The signs of an oncoming panic attack were now sadly familiar, settling themselves firmly into my body and holding on like a parasite, sucking the life out of me.
“¡Mierda!” Santino cursed and jumped out of his chair, reading the situation correctly. He also knew to recognize the signs by now.
Breathing became a chore, and I was gasping for air. Santino leaned over me, studying my face. He didn’t seem to like what he saw, because his lips were two thin lines and his eyes narrowed.
Maybe passing out wouldn’t be so bad. At least the panic attack would go away. My face heated up and my body tightened, revolting against the cruel punishment my mind liked to dish out.
Santino held on to my shoulders and shook me. “Breathe,” he yelled in my face.
It was safe to say I’d had enough. Enough of being held captive. Of everyone else deciding for me. Of telling me what to do. Of keeping me prisoner. I wanted to sink back into blissful oblivion. And it seemed I’d get my wish sooner rather than later.
Santino’s face twisted in a grimace to rival the Grim Reaper, his hands on my shoulders. “Breathe, damn it.”
As if repeating his command would make a difference.
There was a commotion outside my door. Someone called out, and then the door burst open. I couldn’t see much over all the blankets still piled on top of me. Why was I still conscious?
Santino released me and stepped back, revealing a red-faced and half-dressed Lucius. My eyes went wide at his appearance. His usual suit was gone, replaced with sweatpants. His delectable upper body was on display, but my vision was finally getting blurry, and I couldn’t fully appreciate what was in front of me.
His eyes were bloodshot, and he had dark circles underneath. He kneeled on my bed and leaned over me. “Breathe.”
Why is everyone telling me to breathe?
He reached a shaky hand out, lightly tracing my jaw.
If I blinked, I might have missed it. “Please.” A whispered plea only for me to hear. His face was so close, I could make out the flecks of green in his golden eyes. His clean, soapy smell. The worry line between his brows.
Lucius cursed and lifted me out of the bed. Then he rushed me into the bathroom and put me in the shower.
Cold water hit me, and I shrieked in surprise while I gulped big breaths of air in. I tried to escape the onslaught of icy water, quickly getting soaked through to the bone.
His arms locked around me from behind, holding me tightly, the water encasing us. My whole body deflated, as if the strings holding me together suddenly released.
The action brought him even closer, his weight now pressing down on me. He put his forehead to the back of my head. “Don’t give up now,preciosa.”
Once I was steady again, he backed off slightly but didn’t release me. I was grateful for the connection. Needed it. I turned to face him, frowning. “Why does nobody around here use my name? It’s not that hard to remember.”
His lips twitched and a ghost of a smile appeared, replacing his worried expression. God, he was handsome. Even though there were dark smudges under his eyes and his hair was in a permanent state of disarray, he was still a sight to behold.
“I’m sorry,Everleigh,” he said, emphasizing my name. “Feeling better?”
I nodded. “Since I’m already in here, I might as well take a shower.”
