Page 59 of Enslaved

“I worked as a housekeeper on a yacht. One season, a group of men from another country came on…they used all the women as sex slaves. It’s what they did. Some of us were sold off…they were human traffickers too, I think. It was degrading, but they broke me, made me believe I wanted it. Maybe I did? My no’s turned to yeses. Maybe they drugged me, maybe I just…”

“Felt sexually liberated?” I chimed in.

She nodded her head. “Christos. Never touches a woman who’s been used like that. I was jealous when I heard how he made you scream. Part of me wanted it all back…everything I eventually escaped from. He hired me, took me in because he needs staff who understands his world and won’t report him.”

I nodded. “That’s exactly how he made me feel too. Don’t be ashamed Freya; if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

“Thank you.” A tear rolled down her cheek as she walked out. She was beautiful but haunted. Her eyes held shadows, she was nervous in her own skin, and I wondered how I could help her. But first, my Christos needed help. I need to find out what’s in those pills he’s on and what the side effects could be.

The tea forgotten, I grabbed my purse and cell with the pill I took from him. I dialed Andre. Reciting his number over and over again in my head, helped keep me sane.

“California?”

“Yes! It’s me! How are you?”

“Good. Good. I landed on my feet. I’m working on another mega-yacht for the next month. Where are you?”

“In Capri.”

“With him?”

I cringed. “…yes? I’m sorry I cost you your job.”

“Don’t be. It makes me sick that you’re with him. Really California?El Diablo?”

“I know, I know. I…I’m falling in love with him.”

He swore in Greek. “Listen to me, Jessie…there are rumors about him, about what he does with women. It’s no secret what happens on his yacht.”

“I know. He has his demons, but he’s a good man. Good to me.”

“If that ever changes. Come to me. Next time go somewhere he can’t find you.”

“I will, but that won’t happen. Andre—this is a strange thing to ask, but I need a favor. I found a pill. An illegal one, I think. I need to know what’s in it. Do you know anyone?”

“Is this about what happened to you?”

“Yes.” I lied.

“Sure. Fine. Be careful and go during daylight. I’ll text you the address. His name’s Paulo. He’s the dealer in Capri. Knows everyone and everything. His partner is a legit pharmacologist. I’ll have them look into it.”

“Thanks, Andre. I owe you one.” I smiled into the phone, Andre just has so many friends and connections from his years spent crewing on yachts.

“I’ll take you up on that when we dock back in port.”

“Can’t wait!” We hung up, and I hurried out of the house, walking down to town. I wanted to find answers for Christos…help him in any way I could. After I met Andre’s hook up and we exchanged numbers, I stopped in the local library, searching psychiatry book after psychiatry book for any information on alexithymia. I made notes, took screenshots, Googled universities…my heart dropping the more I dug.

His condition isn’t just rare—it often exists with others. Bi-polar disorder, narcissism, and depression. The more I read, the more it snapped into place like a jigsaw puzzle. My dark and gold lover. Two sides of a coin—I never knew which man he was going to be sometimes. His moods changed like the ocean wind.

He needed more than the white pills. He needed help, professional help, and possibly more medication.

I was determined to help him, love him through it all. I don’t always see things through, but I’m someone you can count on when it comes to things like this. I won’t abandon my dark lover, not when he’s so close to being the perfect man for me. But first I need to find out what’s in those pills, make some calls and broach this subject with him carefully. Very carefully. Tip-toeing aroundEl Diablois not an easy task to begin with.

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