Ruthless Obsession

Chapter 5— The Beginning Of The Unknown

Chapter 5— The Beginning Of The Unknown

There was something about being right back where you vowed not to return. And without a choice for that matter. I know it wasn't my father's sterile palace but still being in Cain Marchesi’s mansion, his vicinity, under his mercy, in his domain didn't seem that different at all.

Well, that was until a woman not so older than us stormed out from the front doors a furious expression on. Marching toward Cain like she would crush him.

“Are you insane Lorenzo? Why would you bring her here?”(In Italian)

She was asking why he brought me here. I understood because in all of my father's sins forcing me to learn thirteen languages was probably one of the best things he did asides from fertilizing me.

“Why bring a murderer’s daughter to our sanctuary?”(In Italian)

The first language on the list being Italian.

“As much as that is true you're just being rude.” (In Italian)

All heads whipped to me. Cain’s eyes flickered with surprise as did the woman's in a similar way. Right eyebrow raised and arched, left eyebrow furrowed facing the middle of their foreheads.

They were siblings. Actual, biological siblings. Great I may just have gotten one more person on a long list of people that hate me and this time I made the call.

The surprise disappeared from her eyes and a frown replaced them.

“Maybe you need reminding once in a while.”

“Calling me a murderer's daughter would not make your hatred any less.” I tell her keeping my hands folded into fists by my side.

She stepped closer to me. My words igniting a fire filled hatred in her eyes as she neared. The ferocity had me nearly stumbling back.

“It will only remind me that the child of a murderer is a murderer.”

I refused to blink, refused to let my eyes water, refused to let this Marchesi woman think she had gotten to me.

Cain nodded at a man, the man that had caught me at the back of the alley. He stepped forward and held onto her shoulders in a cradling way, a gentle way I couldn't believe since he hadn't been gentle with me earlier.

I mean I knew being the daughter of a murderer was tough but this people were just rubbing it in more and more.

She leaned into him and he led her back into the mansion. As I took my eyes away from the door after they disappeared from my line of sight, I found Cain’s eyes on me.

His eyes obscured by the darkness was anything but helpful. But I knew from experience with my father that he was observing me. Assessing. For weaknesses, strengths. And I knew I couldn't give him any satisfaction by being weak.

So instead I glared. “Do you have anyone else who wants to tell me how they really feel about me?”

He assessed my face and body posture again. Before he stepped closer. Very close to my face. “You'd do well to keep that attitude in check. You're my prisoner and prisoners take whatever is being given to them.”

I blinked at a loss for words while he nodded to the men behind me. They grabbed my arms and began leading me into the house through a different door.

I turned back to find him watching us and I hoped my last glance didn't give him the impression that I was helpless.

Because I was and nobody needed to know that.

____

The men led up the stairs to a wing of the house I supposed no one really came to and they left me there. I didn't see or hear anyone. All I knew was that food and a change of clothes was dropped by my door at specific times of the day. And that three days had passed since I'd been here.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It startled me because no one had knocked since I'd been here.

Evening was fast falling and I didn't know who was behind the door and what they wanted.

Helpless without a weapon, I turned the key and opened the door. Standing before me was the man that had caught me at the alley, I still didn't know his name and I didn't want to.

“Madame Marchesi requests your presence in the kitchen with her.” He said in the same tone he had used in the alley. “I am to escort you.”

I hesitated but followed him down the short hallway and into what I think was the main house.

Watching him walk in front of me like he didn't see me as threatening.

“Aren't you scared I'll do something from behind?”

“If you wanted to do something Ms Delacroix I believe you would already have since the first day you were locked in that room.” He turned to face me now. “For some reason you believe Cain that your father will find you and that you are safer here for now.”

He motioned to an open door way where I could already perceive the delicious, sizzling aroma of cooking food.

“And for that decision Ms Delacroix, you are wise.”

I stepped in before him and an elderly woman who with no mistaking was Cain’s mother. The same eyes, same dark brown hair that he and his sister shared, same nose structure and as she turned with a beautiful, friendly smile I knew if I ever got the chance to see Cain smile I will just be as swept away.

“Ah, she's more beautiful than the pictures. Thank you Marco.” She moved closer to me and pulled me into an awkward but short hug—at least awkward on my side. If she noticed she didn't say anything.

“But Rosa—”

“No buts Marco. If you want to do any protecting, do it far from my kitchen. We need a girls time.” She said with a soft smile at him. A very soft smile.

After an intense eye contact on his side, he nodded and left.

“Men. Am I right?” She chuckled. I said nothing. I couldn't relate.

“I've heard a lot about you Ava,” She started.

“From your son or daughter?” I couldn't help but sass.

She turned to me with another kind smile as she picked up a spatula. “From your mother actually.”