Page 19 of Little Deer
“Kida,” I admonish in exasperation.
“What? Look, I know you just pushed out a baby, but you can’t tell me that you don’t miss all the times with Joey.” She grins wickedly at me. “Or you think I don’t know all the kinky shit you two used to get up to?”
I refuse to be embarrassed. I’ve never been one to shy away from the fact that I’m a sexual creature. Or that I love to try new things. Joey and I met at a club back home, and in the end, we tried out some of the darker parts of the clubs that taught us both a few things that we really enjoyed.
“Of course I do, but it’s been almost a year since Joey died and since I got pregnant so sex is the farthest thing from my mind.” I give her a sly smile. “Maybe while you’re here you can get some good dick too. Zeno looks like he’d be fun.”
That gets a scowl. “He’s got a stick up his ass,” she sniffs, pulling away. “And I’m not going to be the one to fuck it outof him. Some other poor woman, or man, depending on his preference, can deal with that.”
I snicker, and she climbs off the bed. “Alright, then I guess we’re staying put for now.”
She nods. “Then I think it’s time that I start getting the lay of the land. I know Sofia brought up food, but we ate that and I’m still starving. I wonder if anyone will say anything if I want to leave to get something to eat.”
“They said we have access to the house. Though you might have a guard following you I guess.”
She nods thoughtfully. “Good way to see how they do things. I’m going to get us some food, and I’m going to try and keep a mental note of the way to get there. Maybe we can hide ourselves in a bin or something to get out of here when the time comes.” She takes a deep breath. “Wish me luck.”
I roll my eyes behind her back, but I’m also nervous. Will they stop her from leaving?
She reaches the door, opens it, and stops short. She widens the door slightly, and I see Massimo standing there, fist raised like he was about to knock on the door. He gives her a surprised look and then smiles. “Heard me coming, did you?” he jokes lightly. He glances over her shoulder at me before he looks back at her.
“No, but I’m hungry and want to get something to eat,” she says with a shrug. I can almost see her looking up at him defiantly even though I can’t see her expression. “Or am I not allowed to leave?”
“Of course you are,” he answers instantly with a calm smile. He turns slightly. “Zeno, will you show her down to the kitchen? This place is a maze,” he explains to her.
“Fine,” I hear Zeno say shortly, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing. I look at Kida, taking in her stiff shoulders. I guess she’s unhappy with the choice of escort, but smartly, she doesn’targue. She glances at me over her shoulder, and her expression says it all.
“They’re possibly going to kill each other,” I warn Massimo quietly as he steps in, the door still open. I glance at Soren and see he’s still sleeping. When I look back up, Massimo has made his way to stand by the bed and I see him smile down at Soren. I bite back the urge to grab Soren and hold him close. The thought that Massimo, or anyone else here, can grab my son from me and use him against me has me on edge.
“Zeno can handle himself, and I think your sister is the same,” Massimo replies quietly when he looks at me. He must sense my uneasiness because he casually shifts away from the bassinet. I hate that he can see my reaction, but I can feel my body relax slightly, and the moment he clocks it. He adjusts himself to be slightly farther away from Soren, and almost to the end of the bed. “How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Tired,” I admit. “Sore. Confused. A lot of things.”
He nods and glances at Soren again. “And your son?”
“He’s healthy, and was a bit dehydrated, but we got him to try some new formula that the doctor brought.” I watch him carefully. “Thank you, for stepping in with the other doctor and sending Dr. Foster instead.”
His expression darkens. “I’m sorry that we put you in that position in the first place. If I’d known, I’d have never let him in here. I know it probably doesn’t seem like it, all things considered, but the last thing we want is for you to feel uncomfortable here. As for Dr. Foster, she’s already been approved to come back and check on you. Sofia gave her a glowing review when I saw her downstairs. I really am sorry, Lucy, that he made you uncomfortable.”
Some might think he’s just giving me lip service to keep me complacent, but I believe him. There’s something about him thatjust screams sincerity to me. Which is exactly why I shouldn’t trust him, but on this, I will. “Thank you, and I realized that.”
He hesitates before he finally lowers himself to sit on the edge of the bed. “Did the doctor mention anything concerning?” he asks carefully.
I shake my head. “I’m going to be bruised and sore for a bit, but other than that I’m fine. The drugs will be out of my system in a few more hours.” I swallow hard and add, “And thank you. For getting me out of there.”
“I’m sorry we couldn’t get to you faster, Lucy.”
“Do you know them? The man who says he’s my father and my brothers?”
“Not personally, but I know enough about them to last a lifetime.”
“They were talking about selling me,” I tell him, shuddering at the memory. “Something about a buyer coming to get me. That they needed me to secure whatever plan they were creating.” He doesn’t look surprised by the news. “The thought of being sold like some sort of cattle or something was awful, and I couldn’t yell or scream at them to stop or that I wouldn’t do it.” Emotion tightens my throat. “Is that what this life is like? Buying and selling women? I know you said marriage, but this wasn’t that. Or if it was, it wasn’t going to be labelled as a marriage. It was meant to be slavery.”
“I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak to what I know. Marriage contracts are often made up for alliances. It’s power, and it’s not even a mafia tradition. It’s a fact as old as time. Strengthening positions, power, greed, all of it wrapped up in a white bow and vows. There are still families out there that will do this even now, and their daughter will have no choice, so I guess, yes, you could say that women are bought and sold. Where we are from, some of those old ways are still practiced, though they are becoming less and less now. Our family has never done sucha thing. My father married my mother because he fell in love with her and courted her until she gave in. They never had a daughter, but he’s already made it clear that marriage for each of us is our choice. If we’re offered an alliance with someone, and marriage is part of that, then it’s our choice if we accept. It’s also generally understood that the woman who would be coming into our family would be willing and know the reasons for the alliance.”
“So you don’t plan to marry for love?”
He shrugs. “Perhaps, if a woman comes along that piques my interest, but I also know that sometimes life isn’t fair and I’ll do whatever I have to do for my family. Still, I like to think I’m a catch,” he adds with a flirtatious smile and wink. “Who wouldn’t want all this?” He waves a hand in front of himself.
