Page 24 of Hostage of the Bratva

Skyler started giggling, “Isn’t it pretty,” she said.

“Pretty,” I exclaimed. “No, Skyler, this is not; what did you do?”

Chapter 16 - Skyler

I heard footsteps on the deck and knew. Luder had returned. I waited for him to enter. I wanted to see his reaction to the pretty picture I designed.

Stepping inside, he didn’t look pleased. His sunny smile evaporated, and his eyes grew large as I asked him about his day.

Slamming the door, he spoke in a serious tone, wanting to know what I had done. Couldn’t he see what happened, I thought.

I couldn’t help myself as the laugh escaped my mouth, which appeared to have worsened the situation. “Isn’t it pretty,” I asked, trying to ease the mood.

His reaction was less than charming and made me slightly angry. Rising, I placed the book down on the bed. “I gave the place some color. Plus, your wardrobe. It was way too plain. It was boring.” I exclaimed.

He stormed closer, grabbed my arm, and raised his voice as he continued. “No, this is not something you do.” Luder pulled me toward the table and pulled the chair out. After forcing me down, he tied my hands and feet.

“Luder,” I protested. “Come on, it was a joke.”

Leaning closer, he looked into my eyes, “This is no joke.”

He grabbed a big black gym bag and started shoving his clothing into it. As he moved from pile to pile, he grumbled.

“Are you leaving?” I asked, feeling a tang of panic entering my mind. I wanted him to let me go not the other way round.

Straiting out, he glared at me. “No, but these will now all have to be washed,” he uttered holding the bag out toward me. “You better hope this color comes out.” He added as he shoved the bag out the door.

Pacing up to me, he grabbed hold of the chair and leaned in as he spoke. “I thought you would behave and not try to destroy my things, but this is unacceptable. If you want to be treated like a child, I will treat you like one.”

Luder stormed out, and after a while, he returned with a bucket and cloth. As he walked drops of water and foam sprinkled over the sides, dropping to the floor. He appeared slightly less angry as he stood in the middle of the room, looking around. I wasn’t sure if I should say anything or just let it be.

“Look at this, the walls, windows, cupboards, even the books and shelves are all covered in lines.” He said, dropping the bucket and cloth as he folded his hands across his chest.

He took a deep breath and lifted his head back. “No,” he breathed out, glancing my way.

I could see the anger had only been hiding as he stared at me. Trying to shift on the chair, I turned my gaze down to the floor. “Sorry,” I whispered. This may not have been one of my bright ideas.

“Look, Skyler, look at the mess, even the ceiling has lines across it.” Hearing him coming closer, I looked up just as he grabbed hold of the chair again. I flinched as he pulled me and the chair toward him. “How on earth do you think I must get those lines off?” he screamed, narrowing his eyes.

He took hold of my hair and pulled my head back. I blinked as fear settled within me, making me flinch. Luder’s expression changed as he stared at me. I knew I deserved everything I got. I only hoped his anger wouldn’t drive him to do something extreme.

Letting go, he surveyed the room again. “Now I have to get the cleaners in,” he spat as he walked back to the bucket. Turning to me, I noticed his face had softened and so did his tone. “Skyler, what were you thinking hun?”

He took the damp cloth and started wiping down the books and bookshelf. I didn’t respond. At that time, it had made a lot of sense to me, but now, I saw the error in my ways. Once the bookshelf was reasonable and the books clean, he wiped down the cupboards and closets. By the time he was done, it was lunchtime.

“Have you eaten this morning?” he asked softly, looking at me. I couldn’t get a word out and only nodded my head.

As he moved to the side of the bed, he noticed the half-eaten container on the floor. “Is that all you ate?” he inquired, picking it up. I tried to turn away as he came closer. “Are you hungry?” he asked again, but louder this time.

I turned my head away. “I take that as a no,” he said, placing the container on the table. “Well, let me know when you are,” he mumbled.

I sat watching him continue to clean as best he could. After changing the bedding, he moved to the kitchen. He wiped down the fridge, cupboard, stove, and counter.

“The ceiling, windows, and floor would have to wait,” he said, stepping back outside with the bucket and cloth.

I heard him chucking the water out, and then he spoke to someone called Zoba. I felt sure he was on the phone as I didn’t hear anyone else talking. “Only tomorrow,” he said, and then there was a pause. “Okay, that will have to do then, we will spend the night with the place as it is. Thank you.”

I was wiggling within my constraints as the door slammed shut, and I realized he had returned. “This is not right,” I uttered as I calmed down in the chair. “I am hungry, can you untie me so I can eat something?”

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