His Mafia Protector

Chapter 14: Freshening Up

Chapter 14: Freshening Up

The sun was setting when I woke up. Disoriented, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. When they adjusted to the darkness, I saw that I was lying in a same hotel as before. The shades were drawn, but there were some gap where light was peeking through. It wasn't anything fancy.

I looked around my breath hitched when I saw Victoria lying next to me, still sleeping. Her hair were fanned out on the pillow and she wasn't using the cover. Her small face looked almost cute. I noticed her long lashes as well as her skull tattoo on her forearm. I looked at her for a second more when I realized, this was my chance to escape! I can leave and I can never look back! I can change my name, find Cam and travel to another country! I can just leave!

However as soon as I got up, the spring beneath my bed shifted and suddenly her grey eyes were focused on my every move. There was no other movement from her, it was as if she was waiting for me to start. Her calm sleeping expression was gone, now her face was stoic, guarded. I gulped slightly when her little finger twitched, a noticeable move when a person was so still.

Holding her gaze, I got up, making her sit up on the bed as well. Carefully I moved towards the table kept opposite to the bed and turned around to pour myself some water. I could feel her stare on my back, which made me dribble some water out of my mouth to my shirt. Keeping the glass back on the table I took a deep breath to calm my nerves before turning back around again.

I gulped when I saw her sitting cross legged, twirling one of her various guns casually with her forefinger. She was wide awake, alert and was ready for me to bolt. The gun was a clear warning to me. I shifted my eyes down to my bare feet, flipping my toes together, briefly wondering where my shoes were. I didn't know what to do, what to say. Should I be the one to start the conversation?

"You should go and freshen up." Her firm voice reached my ears. I looked up in wonder. I will get to do that? She pointed to the door beside another door, which I assumed was the main door, with her gun for me to go in. I rushed to it, happy to just not be with a killer/smuggler in the same room and to have a little bit of privacy. Without my permission, my mind started to think of escape routes. Maybe there was a small window in the bathroom through which I could wiggle out.

But when is luck ever at my side? The correct answer is never. This was the kind of a hotel where there wasn't even a single ventilation source in all the bathroom. A one of a kind hotel indeed.

Taking a huge breath and releasing it forcefully, I saw the silver lining in the dark cloud. I was getting to freshen up and that was a big thing as compared to the last couple of days. So, making the best of it, I took my time and did everything at a very leisurely pace. I found a couple of packed toothbrushes under the sink and took one to use, using the same time to relieve myself. All my bodily functions were overpowering me now that the adrenaline and survival stress had worn out.

After flushing, I jumped into the small showering area. Even though the hotel seemed not so good, at least they had hot water. I didn't come out of the bathroom until the entire area was fogged up. Unfortunately, I had to wear the same clothes I was in, yet again as there was no other alternative. Cringing all the way while putting on my pants I shuddered, as the effect of the hot water was almost nullified by my dirt covered pants.

Using a hand to clear up the mirror, I stared at myself in it, wondering who the person was who was staring back at me. I looked as if I had aged almost five years with my stubble growing out, there was sorrow in my eyes, there was a cut on my forehead, and there was an unhealed bullet wound scar on my arm. This isn't who Derek Jordan is. Derrick Jordan is just a simple guy with a simple life. So, who was this person?

I was broken out of my reverie by a muted knock on the door.

"Are you almost done in there?" I opened the door to find Victoria waiting for me, with her arms crossed. She blinked a couple of times as the steam escaped out with me and went directly in her face. Her face lost the fierceness as she tried to escape the steam, her comical expressions almost making me crack a smile.

"Did you use all the hot water? Dude I paid for it." She asked, slightly pushing me to the side to peek inside. Her hand was on my shirt covered chest and it was very cold. The heat radiating from my body and her cold hand made us shudder simultaneously.

"Sorry." For some reason my voice was hoarse. I cleared my throat when she looked up at me. I realized then that I was definitely at least half a foot taller than her. But what did height matter in front of guns? She pulled her hand away and thrust her thumb in the direction of the bed, where I saw was a bag. I looked back at her and saw she had one like it, in her hand as well.

"I took the liberty to order you some clothes. I am sure you want to get out of those rags you are wearing." She gestured to me. I kept quiet.

"We will be going out tonight." She continued when she got no answer from me. I nodded. She was about to step into the humid bathroom when I grabbed her wrist, making her turn back to face me.

"Please...I have no idea what all this is...I need answers." I requested her, hot tears burning behind my eyes as flashbacks of my parents, Cam and all the killing came back. Victoria nodded, and started closing the door to the bathroom.

"You need to stay here if you need answers. And of course, this remains unsaid, that if you try to run, it will take one call to Andre to snap your little brother's neck."