Chapter Ten: The Mafia Doctor
ANABETH COLLINS
I lost count of how many times I tried to escape this hell I was forced to live in. I tried running away when I thought no one was around, but one of Uriah's men appeared out of thin air. I tried playing sick, thinking they would take me to the hospital, but they called a doctor instead.
I tried everything I could but nothing was working and all my hopes of escaping this place crumbled to the ground.
My first night in the mansion was full of anxiety. I don't even know how I slept knowing I was captured against my will. Maybe because my body was just really tired, but my mind never stopped working.
I thought of Uriah and those eyes of his. How he uttered the words 'You're mine now' as if it was a warning.
The next morning, a knock on the door woke me up. The door slowly opened and a man with a buzz cut with sharp eyes entered. His steps were confident and not hesitant, making me think he wasn't just anyone.
"Good morning, Doc. My name is Killian. The boss's right hand." He introduced himself while chewing on a gum.
I sat up, not taking my eyes from him and nodded. "What do you want?"
"The boss wants you to see the mansion and meet everyone you'll be working with from now on."
Killian showed me around the huge mansion. It has a lot of hallways and rooms that are much bigger than our apartment. There are paintings hanging on the walls and I could tell it must have cost millions. The walls must have all the secrets in this house.
"This is the war room," Killian said. Showing me a room that has a big map painted on the wall, tables full of papers, laptops and big TV screens. There are four men sitting inside and they are all wearing all-black tactical gear.
"This is Enzo, Rocco, Levi and Miguel," Killian introduced them to me one by one. "They are the Mafia's elite. They are the ones in-charge with the special missions."
They nodded in greeting but did not say anything. Their gazes were sharp, alert and full of distrust. It's obvious they are used to killing people. The thought of them not even thinking for a second before pulling the trigger scares me.
"I heard someone's injured?" I asked skeptically.
"Yes, it's Rocco. He was hit in the shoulder last night."
We went to where Rocco was. He was currently in the clinic they have in the lower part of the mansion. Before I could approach him, Enzo suddenly spoke from behind me.
"Can we trust her? What if she's dangerous or worse, a spy?" He whispered to Killian, but I heard it anyway. I just chose not to react and picked up a pair of gloves so I can check Rocco's condition.
"Don't you want me to treat you?" I asked calmly.
"It's not that, I'm sorry." Rocco apologized, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Relax. I won't kill you." I told him and smiled.
I inspected his wound and started cleaning it. While I was doing it, I felt a different yet familiar set of eyes watching me and I glanced at the doorway, seeing another man standing there.
It was Uriah.
He was silent and he was just staring at me like usual. I couldn't look at him directly. I could feel the heat of his stare at the back of my head. That kind of look that will run through your skin – straight to your soul.
"You're good," he finally said while approaching us. "It won't be a waste to pay you."
At his words that I didn't like, I glared at him. "Did you buy me or did you buy my freedom?"
"Both." He answered without a hint of a smile on his face.
The man didn't let me respond and walked away without another word. I wanted to follow him and punch his stupid face. But I also feel some sort of curiosity about him. What is it about him? And why me? Why can't he get out of my presence?
Night came and while I was eating in the room they put me in, the door suddenly opened and revealed Killian for the second time that day.
"Come with me, doc. The boss is on the rooftop and wants to talk to you."
Rooftop? What does that man want this time?
I followed him in order to not get lost and when we reached the rooftop, I enjoyed the feeling of the cold air hitting my skin. The view was spectacular and it made my breath hitch a little. You can see the city lights from afar with a mountain behind it. And there was Urian, standing with his back to me and I saw him holding a glass of alcohol.
"Why am I here?"
"I just want to make sure you're alright." He replied without turning to look at me.
"If I'm okay being held captive against my will?" I asked sarcastically.
He finally turned to my direction and moved to where I was. He was wearing a black long-sleeves with the first two buttons undone. It's just annoying that even though I know how dangerous he was, I can't deny the fact that he's really attractive.
'But it's only because he has the same face as Irah.' I convinced myself.
"You know I am not forcing you. I'm just not letting you go. Is that so bad?"
"It depends. With a crazy man like you with a gun? Yes it is."
He grinned. "You still don't get the situation, do you?"
"How can I understand the man I saw with a dead man lying on his feet?"
He continued moving forward and I moved backward. "That man was a traitor. Do you prefer me dying in the hands of a man who betrayed me?"
"It's not my job to judge you. I am a nurse, not a judge, a cop or a lawyer. I treat patients, not kill them."
"Then do your job. Simple as that, Anabeth. Heal my injured men, stay out of trouble and do not put your nose where it doesn't belong."
"What if I want to leave?" I asked without looking away from him, as if I was challenging him.
He stopped and stared directly into my eyes. "Try it and I will bring you back. I will always find you. I will be able to find you even in hell. I will search for you even if I have to burn the whole city."
I gasped at his words and how much he meant them. I wanted to be scared, but at that moment, I felt a sense of thrill running through my body at the thought of a man doing everything for me. Who will search heaven and hell just to find me.
I hated how much I liked that thought.
He suddenly reached for my cheek. His touch was gentle, hesitant, unsure. For a man like him, his touch was surprisingly gentle.
"I don't like the fear I am seeing in your eyes, Anabeth. I only want to see them burning, sharp, feisty. Just like the first time I saw them."
"Get used to it because you will never be able to kill the fire in me. I am not one of your servants."
He grinned sheepishly. "Then burn me."
In just a snap, his lips were already capturing mine, eliciting a gasp from me. His kiss was not rough but controlling. As if he was urging me, taunting me how long I will last.
I don't know why I can't push him away, but I also didn't return his kiss. My hands remained on my side, and my lips were shut.
He stopped and stared at me. "This is just the beginning, bunny."
And he left, leaving me stunned, wondering what just happened. I don't know what's more dangerous. The guns, the killers in this house, or Uriah himself and the way he's making me feel.