Page 18 of Stolen By the Enemy

“I don’t live here. This house is just for when I want to escape from things.”

“It’s a great place to escape to.” It’s ironic that she’s saying that, since she was wanting to escape from it just a few hours ago.

“It is,” I say softly, deciding not to discuss it any deeper.

We walk along the water line, chatting about the beach and the stars and our parents.

This is exactly how things between us felt when she came to Mexico the first time.

We had an instant connection due to losing our parents and becoming young orphans, but there was so much between us on a deeper level too.

The only difference between us, is that Grazia is a mafia princess, well taken care of and hidden from the ugliness and violence that makes her lifestyle possible.

I, on the other hand, embody all of the ugliness and violence of that life. Honestly, I’m not good enough for her, and for some reason that thought bothers me.

After what feels like a full hour of walking, Grazia yawns, and I take that as a sign to head back.

I tug at her hand slightly and make us turn back. She follows me easily, and we make our way back to the house.

Once inside, she turns to me.

“Thanks. That was nice. Just what my brain needed. But can I ask for one more thing?”

She smiles up at me and I know she’s trying to look as innocent as possible.

I frown. The deal was not that she get a whole laundry list of wishes granted to her, but I say nothing, allowing her to finish her thought.

“Could I get something to draw with? Just some paper and a few pencils?”

“Draw?”

“Yeah.” She smiles again.

“I need to keep busy or I’m going to go insane.” Grazia mimics an insane person and I can’t help but laugh.

“Okay. But that’s the end of your wish list.”

She needs to know there isn’t an unlimited amount of things that she can ask me for.

Her smile fades, and she gives me a thumbs-up. “Understood.”

I leave her to get to bed and go back to my own home.

Still no reply from the Baldinis about my demands.

Tomorrow I might need to escalate things, because Grazia is getting a little too comfortable with being in my hands.

Chapter Six

Grazia

The morning light assaults me through the glass doors, and I turn my head quickly.

I was so tired last night that I forgot to close the curtains, leaving the daylight to flood into the room way too early.

Last night was so weird, first seeing Marco here, and then him bossing me around.

Somehow being the stubborn brat and him demanding I obey was keeping me excited, helping me forget that I’m not here by choice.

---