Dark Embrace

7

ENZO

"How is the production of C-4?" I turned to Sam, glancing down at the cigarette glowing faintly in my right hand. "One of the workers died, and there was a bit of a commotion among the others, but it's been taken care of. Aside from that, everything's been smooth." I nodded. "Keep me posted and attend the meetings I'm supposed to chair. I'll be busy for the next few days. If you need to speak with me later, we will meet during dinner on Saturday. You're dismissed."

I put the cigarette back between my lips and took a drag. Smoke escaped my parted lips as I slowly opened the door to the room where the lady who had been on my mind since I first laid eyes on her was staying.

She was sleeping on the floor. The floor was cold, and I wondered how she could bear it. I moved closer, noticing she was shivering. As I gazed down at her, I saw her fragile form, her slender body curled up on the cold floor. Her slow, shallow breaths fluttered her lips, and her eyelids twitched slightly as if she was chasing something in her dreams. Her small hands were clenched into fists as if trying to grasp something.

Her dark hair spilled around her, and her pale lips were whispering a silent plea. I felt a sudden surge of protectiveness that I couldn't quite explain. If I carried her now, she might wake up and not be able to sleep again. Should I just cover her with my jacket and let her sleep a bit more? But the floor was too cold, and I couldn't just leave her there.

I knew she couldn't sleep all night, I'd seen her on the camera I had hidden in my room. Normally, I didn't have security cameras in most parts of the house since I was the only one staying here. But I had one installed in my room after some traitors tried to steal my plans for C-4. Luckily, I caught them before they could escape. They probably regretted going against me since they are six feet under now.

To put her on the bed, I had to be extra careful, like I was when I used to sneak out of the house without Father knowing. I gently removed my shoes to avoid making a sound and walked towards her. Even with socks on, I could feel the cold floor. I quickened my pace.

I knelt beside her and slowly put my hands under her, but I got distracted by how surreal she looked. I couldn't explain why I wanted to keep staring at her. I gently lifted her, cradling her in my arms, and slowly stood up. As I turned towards the bed, her head nestled into the crook of my neck. She stirred, and I froze, holding my breath, hoping she wouldn't wake up. But she remained still, her soft breathing a gentle caress against my skin.

I took slow steps towards the bed and carefully laid her down. Just as I was about to cover her with blankets, she yelled, "No!" and woke up. She was breathing hard, like she'd just run a mile. Her hair was all over her face, so she didn't see me standing there.

"Nightmare?" I asked.

Her head snapped up, and she grabbed the lamp beside her, holding it like a gun. She stood on the bed, shaking like a leaf. I almost laughed at the absurdity of her trying to protect herself with a lamp, but her scared expression made me pause. I stood there, looking at her, waiting to see what she'd do next.

"Stay away from me!" she yelled. She was yelling so much for someone who looked weak, she'd probably faint soon. "I thought about it all night. You are no thief, judging by this eerie room, its surroundings, and YOU," she scoffed. "You are a human trafficker, you brought me here by lying and kidnapping me. I'm sure I'm not the first and I will make sure to be the last." Her grip on the lamp tightened.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her accusations. "Human trafficker?" I repeated, my voice low.

Human trafficker? Negative, I don't do that. My brother, Luca, was the one who was involved in that. I had been trying to find a way to put an end to the trafficking ring but it led to me getting shot and ending up at her doorstep. Trafficking people went against everything I stood for, even though my father was involved. I would never go down that path.

"That's not my style." I paused, studying her reaction. She looked like she was about to pass out, but she was still clutching that lamp like it was a lifeline. "Then why did you bring me here? That's the only explanation."

How should I put it? Let me use American English. "I brought you here because I fancy you."

She looked at me like I was crazy which I wouldn't deny that I am. "Fancy me?" she repeated, her voice full of disgust. "Fancy me?" She laughed, a cold, hard sound. "You kidnapped me, locked me in this room, and now you're telling me it's because you fancy me?"

"Maybe. But it's the truth. I saw you, and I wanted you. So I took you."

Her eyes narrowed, her grip on the lamp tightening. "You are sick."

I didn't deny it. "Maybe. But I'm not apologizing for it. You're here now, might as well make the best of it because you're not going anywhere."

She tried to retort but her eyes closed and the lamp fell from her hand to the bed. Luckily, I was quick, I caught her before she hit the bed or the lamp, her body limp in my arms.

I positioned her under the blanket, her dark hair spilling on the pillow.

She was mine now, and I'd do whatever it took to keep her. I'd lock her up, chain her down, and never let her go. She was my captive, my prisoner, and my... obsession.