Victoria Greene

Puppy Love

It had three days since Mr. Luciano had put his hands on me. Angela, May, and June had tried to convince me to go to the police but I refused. Besides he had the entire department in his back pocket and no one would really care about a n***o woman being beaten by her white lover. I had asked to take a sick leave from work. Luckily Mr. Stone was away on business in France and he had left our assistant manager, Mr. Rodgers, in charge, unlike Mr. Stone he was a compassionate employer. I told him I fell down a flight of stairs and he replied by giving me the number of a close friend of his who worked in the police department. He also said his wife assisted in an organization that assisted domestic violence victims and that I could talk to her anytime. He clearly didn't believe my story and he thought I was in an abusive relationship. I had not spoken to Mr. Luciano in three days and I was still recovering from my injuries although the swelling on my eye was starting to decrease. I could not sleep at night and the doctor gave me tablets to help calm my nerves. My cousins were at work and I was alone in my apartment reading Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility when a knock came from the door. I winced in pain as I got up from the couch and slowly made my way to the door. I opened the door and I was shocked by the sight before me.

"He has nowhere to go ya wanna look after him". Mr. Luciano said as he looked at the puppy in his arms. His gaze shifted to me and I saw the shock on his face.

"Oh, sh*t". He gasped.

"I'm so sorry". He said moving close to me and I flinched moving back.

"Fair enough". He said with a look of hurt before putting the puppy on the floor.

"Please leave". I said moving back, making sure I had a weapon nearby if he tried anything.

"I ain't gonna hurt ya". He said moving towards me and trapping me against a wall. I flinched when I saw him lift his hand up and gently touch my face.

"I'm sorry. It will never happen again". He whispered as he gently kissed my tears.

"Please forgive me". He said pulling me into a hug and I broke down in his arms as he comforted me and just like that I was under his spell again.

We were cuddling on the couch after he gave me a full body massage to ease the pain. One of his favorite opera records was playing softly in the background.

"What are we going to name him". I said petting the golden retriever puppy he got for me.

"I was thinkin' Pluto". He said.

"As in Mickey Mouse's dog". I said raising a brow.

"Yeah". He replied.

"I didn't know you liked Disney pictures". I joked, laughing at his love for children's pictures.

"Hey, we all have our secrets". He joked and I laughed.

"How do ya feel 'bout me spending a few days here?". He said and I felt excitement course through my body.

"Really?". I asked giddily.

"Yes I want to look after ya, I care 'bout ya angel". He said looking into my eyes and I hugged him.

"I love you so much". I said kissing him.

"Let me make supper for ya". He said getting up from the couch and I felt a pang in my chest by his lack of response but I decided to hide it with a smile.

"Since when do you cook?". I laughed.

"I've been living on my own since I was fourteen. I'm a brilliant cook". He said and I smiled.

"I want to see this brilliant chef at work". I said walking behind him as he gently took my hand leading me into the kitchen. It was obvious from that night Mr. Luciano had a stronghold on me.