AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I looked at the time—it was only 1.26 a.m. Fuck, I thought as I lay back down, pounding my pillow back into shape. I tried to relax but nothing eased the strange feeling inside of me.
I sighed as I shut my eyes, willing sleep to come to me, but knowing that it would elude me.
CHAPTER 15
JULIANA
When I woke in the morning, Marco’s side of the bed was rumpled but empty.
He was gone again already. I’m not sure how he managed to sneak out so quietly, but I was glad I was alone. During the night I had tried to free myself from his strong embrace but as soon as I had tried to move, he would be awake and dragging me back into his firm hold.
This was my third day here. If he was going to kill me, he probably would have done it by now—he didn’t strike me as the patient kind. Maybe I had been wrong in thinking that was his ultimate plan for me?
As I lay against the pillows, I noticed that the sheets held a hint of his masculine scent. I couldn’t get away from him even when he wasn’t here.
I decided to get up and I walked over to the dresser where I saw that my breakfast tray had already been left. I was trapped here, with no way out, so I decided to eat breakfast and keep my strength up in case another opportunity to escape arose. I spooned some natural yogurt and berry compote into the bowl of muesli and poured myself a cup of coffee. I carried these over to the armchair and sat down to eat my breakfast.
I would have to be smarter about making an escape plan, and I also needed to be able to get a sense of the layout of the house and grounds if I was really going to make it out of here—I wasn’t going to let yesterday’s failed attempt deter me.
After I had finished my breakfast and coffee, I saw that Marco had left another one of my bags by the bedroom door. I eagerly tore through it, hoping, no praying, that it held my laptop or phone, but it just held more of my clothes and toiletries, including my favorite shampoo. I sighed and carried some of the things through to the bathroom and took a shower. I wanted to be showered and dressed before Marco came back.
I dressed in some yoga pants and a top and then spent the morning gazing out of the window.
When it must have been around lunchtime, I heard the lock turn in the door. The door opened and Marco walked in.
I saw his expression and I felt my insides go cold. He was going to punish me now for my attempted escape yesterday.
I stood up from the bed as he walked into the room. That way he would tower over me slightly less than if I remained sitting on the bed.
He was wearing pale gray jeans, dark boots, and a black t-shirt which emphasized his powerful muscles and strength, making me shiver.
“Come,” he instructed, holding out his hand.
I looked at it dumbfounded. Was he going to let me out of this room? Was he going to take me to a torture room or a dark basement for my punishment? He was a Made Man, and I knew for sure that he would have somewhere like that nearby.
Perhaps I should refuse to leave this room?
But, deep down, I knew second guessing him was futile—I had to take the risk if I was going to get a look around this house and find a way to escape. Everything I learned about him, his family, and this house would be useful in formulating an escape plan.
I had to stop letting my fear get in the way if I was going to find a way out of here and away from him.
I moved forward, but I didn’t take his hand.
As I passed him, he firmly grabbed my wrist as if to show who was in control. His grip was inescapable, conveying how he felt right now. Fuck, I really shouldn’t have tried that escape yesterday.
He led me out of the room and down the hallway. This was my first proper look at the house. On that first night we had arrived late and exhausted, so everything had been a bit of a blur. He took me down the staircase and into what appeared to be a large living area. He was walking fast with his long strides, not giving me much time to take in my surroundings while I tried to keep up with him.
The room we walked into had a huge sitting room which was open-plan to a dining room and spacious kitchen. I guessed that this must be their main living area. He carried on tugging me along with him until he came to an abrupt halt and pulled me to a standstill too.
“Explain.” His tone was a clear order.
“What do you mean?” I frowned with confusion.
“That.” He nodded toward the couches. His anger seemed to mean that he could only utter one-word commands today.
I frowned at his tone, wondering what was going on and what it had to do with me.
I could see his younger sister, Debi, and his brother, Danio, sitting on the floor, partly hidden from view by the couches, and then I heard a familiar bark.
