His Princess; The Devils Daughter - Book 2

Chapter 9

Adriano

Adriano paced the hospital floor in the waiting room.  He and Roach were waiting for the doctor to give them an update on Krista.  Kace rushed her to the emergency room after finding her at the party he was dumb enough to agree in letting them go.  

“I’m looking for the family for Krista-” a doctor started to say as Roach rushed up to him.

“Us..me.. How is she?  Hows my daughter?” he was on the brink of tears.

“Sir.. your daughter is resting comfortably.  However there is a slight problem.”

“What's wrong?”  Roach asked immediately assuming the worst.

“She doesn't want any visitors until she talks to someone named Adriano.”  He gave Roach a sympathetic look. “She won't explain why. Just that it has to do with her sister, do you know who this person is that she is requesting?”

“Yes, I’m that person.”  Adriano said stepping forward.  He shot Roach a supportive glance.  

“Doctor, wait… Is she okay?  Why won't she see me?” Roach asked as the doctor turned around.  “I’m her father, you can't keep me from seeing her!”

“Sir, your daughter is not a minor so she is legally old enough to make that choice.  She said she wants to see you...just not yet.” He tried to give Roach a comforting look before gesturing for Adriano to follow him.  

After a short walk Adriano made it to Krista’s room and knocked lightly on the door before entering.  “Hey, how are you feeling?” He pulled a chair up to the side of her hospital bed.

“Adriano, I’m so sorry.”  she sobbed. “If I wasn't so selfish, this wouldn't have happened.”  Adriano remained silent not showing any emotion as he listened. “She wanted to go home.  She didn't even want to go to the stupid party. Where is she? I have to apologize to her.”

Adriano immediately tensed.  She didn't know that Mayah was missing.  Trying to avoid the question, he cleared his throat.  “Krista, what do you remember?”

She took a deep breath, trying to recall the events from the party.  “Dancing. I told her to sit .. then I remember looking for her.. Jason said he couldn't find her.”  Closing her eyes again, she tried to concentrate. She hissed in pain trying to sit up. “Oh my god! That room...She was in that room...her clothes were torn up.  Jackson wanted to-” she couldn't finish her sentence but the way she was crying, Adriano didn't have to use his imagination to know Jackson's intentions.

“Krista...did he?” he held his breath waiting for an answer but the one he got was just as sickening.

“No...I took her place.”  she looked away as a tear slid down her cheek.  “This is all my fault. Where is she so I can apologize?”

He opened his mouth to respond when a nurse came in.  “Sir, I need to ask you to step out. Just for a moment.  She needs to take her medicine.” He nodded standing up to leave as Krista called out.

“Wait..I want him to stay.  Please.” she pleaded with the nurse.

“Only if you're sure,” she said.  Seeing Krista nod, she motioned for Adriano to take his seat again.  She needed him here, especially in Mayah’s absence. “Here are the pills that we discussed.  This one is the morning after pill,” she said handing her the first one. “These are antivirals...just in case.”  She patted Krista’s hand sympathetically as her voice trailed off before leaving.

Adriano tried not to watch as Krista took the assortment of pills the nurse handed her.  A wave of guilt came over Adriano. Guilt because down he was secretly relieved that it wasn't Mayah taking the medicine.  He had no idea how he was going to tell her that after what she did to save her, Mayah was gone. Taking a deep breath he began, “Krista, listen...there’s something I have to tell you..”  

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Mayah groaned squinting as she opened her eyes.  Her head was throbbing. I’m going to kill Krista she thought as she sat up waiting for her eyes to adjust.  After a few moments, she looked around at the large room and began to panic. She had no idea where she was. She flew out of the bed and ran to the door.  Seeing it was locked, she ran to the window to see if she could get a view of the surrounding area. Realizing that nothing looked familiar to her she slid down the wall trying to recall the events from last night.  She remembered the party, the juice...the man with the nasty water. Then it hit her. He was trying to kiss her before she blacked out. She had no idea what if anything happened. Refusing to think the worse, she got back to her feet and ran back to the door banging.  “Hello? Let me out!” Hello!” She pressed her ear to the door to see if she heard anything.  

“I hear she’s awake...let them know.” she heard someone instruct.

A few moments later Mayah heard the sound of keys jingling on the door.  Backing away from the door she leaned to the side to see the face or faces of whoever it was that kept her locked up. 

“Carino, did you miss me?”  Marco said strolling in the room with Jackson arrogantly smiling as he followed him in.

Mayah stumbled back in shock shaking her head in fear and disbelief.  She couldn't believe her eyes. She thought if she didn testify, Marco and Jackson would leave her and Krista alone.  They thought it had worked too. Once they made it clear they were not testifying, it was almost as if Jackson disappeared.  

“Surprised?” smirked Jackson.  “Krista sure as hell was.”

The mention of Krista’s name snapped her out of her trance.  “Is she okay? Where is she?”  

“She wasn't able to make it.”  Kace grinned. “She really loves you like a real sister.  She will do anything for you...and I mean anything,” he said winking at her sending a chill up her spine. 

“What do you mean?” she whispered.  

As Jackson opened his mouth to answer, Marco cut in.  “Enough about that, we can talk about that later.” interrupted Marco.  “Carino...come. Give your fiance a hug. It's the least you could do since you betrayed me.”  His words were cold. He plastered a fake smile on his face as he extended his hand to her. “Carino, I won't ask again.”

Mayah looked at Marco’s hand as if it would bite her.  She never knew him to be this calm. Was he being nice because she didn't testify?  Knowing she couldn't trust him, she decided it would be in her best interest to appear to behave until she came up with an escape plan.  She slowly inched forward towards her captors.  

“That’s a good girl,” he cooed as he pulled her rigid body into a hug, inhaling her scent.  “We have so much to talk about. Are you hungry?”  

Mayah pulled away.  She didn't know what to think of his weird behavior.  She nodded her head, not trusting herself enough to speak.  He led her down a long hall to a flight of stairs. She looked around carefully, trying to look for clues to where the exit was.  After finally making it to the dining hall, she followed him to her seat.

“Carino, you seem tense.”  he said with the same smile plastered on his face.  “Are you worried?”

His question caught her off guard.  She nodded drinking down the cup of water that was placed in front of her.

“Carino, I’m sorry you feel worried.”  he almost sounded sincere. “That's just the guilt you feel for betraying me.”

Mayah took another nervous drink of her water.  Sensing something was off, she pushed her chair back only to feel a sting in her neck. She whirled around to see Jackson behind her with a needle before her knees gave out from under her, causing her to collapse on the floor.

“Carino...whats wrong?”  He stood up over her with a wicked grin as she attempted to crawl away.  “Where are you going?” He bent down and pulled her head up by her hair. “You thought you could run from me?  You will never run again when I'm through with you.” He stood up leaving her in the room. “Bring her upstairs.  We have a lot to talk about.”

Mayah felt herself being carried as she tried to flail against the arms around her.  She knew that once the adrenaline was gone, whatever was in the needle would start to kick in.  She was already feeling drowsy. She gave one final kick to the man carrying her but it was no use.  She hung her head as she gave in to the overwhelming exhaustion.