Page 14 of Innocence
Apparently, the door was right there. It just looked like the wall. If I’d taken the time to search, I would’ve seen the handle.
I might’ve taken the time to chastise myself, if I wasn’t too busy trying to shrink away from the hazel eyes glittering at us.
“Got yourself a treat, did you Enzo?”
Though this guy had lighter hair, closer to a golden honey than the deep chocolate brown of my abductor–whom I assumed was Enzo–I could see the similarities in their features.
Same sharp jawline and thick lips. This guy was dressed more casually though. Jeans and a button up black shirt. He might’ve come off as the nice one, with his pretty boy charm, if it wasn’t for the emptiness in his stare.
Enzo sneered over his shoulder at the newcomer. “I’m busy, Carmine.”
“I can see that.” Carmine smiled at me. “Can I have her when you’re done?”
I’d only been scared of a smile once before.
I was five, and there was this clown at the fair who kept staring at me. Six years later, I saw him on the news. They found the bodies of ten dismembered women buried in his basement. I never forgot that creepy grin.
I ducked down, tucking my face into Enzo’s chest to hide from Carmine. I definitely didn’t want to be given to him.
Almost immediately, Enzo’s fingers threaded through my hair, holding me tightly to him. I didn’t fight it. Between the two of them, he was the lesser of two evils.
I’d take the protection of a demon, if it let me avoid the devil.
Carmine chuckled and said, “Jackson wants to talk to you.”
Who was Jackson? How many of these guys were there? Was I up against a house full of maniacs?
“Of course he does,” Enzo sighed. “Be good, Pet. We’ll continue our conversation when I get back.”
My abductor had back up in the room. Back up that I was using him to hide from. I didn’t know what possessed me to talk back.
But my mouth spat out, “My name isn’t Pet,” before I could stop myself.
The last word left my lips, as Enzo yanked my head roughly back. “I’ll call you whatever the fuck I want.”
I cried out at the burn tearing across my scalp and wriggled my legs. There wasn’t really much else I could do.
“Watch yourself,Pet. My brother isn’t the one you should be afraid of.” Enzo’s blue eyes burned down at me, as his breath washed over my face. “You wouldn’t be the first pretty little thing I disposed of.”
With that, he released me and walked out with Carmine. Leaving me alone to listen to my heart beat and pray, it wouldn’t be the last time.
“You’re harder on the slaves.”
“She’s new.” I pressed my thumb against the fingerprint scanner, locking my bedroom door, while glancing sideways at Carmine, “And not a slave.”
Whatever my pet was, it wasn’t smart. Choosing me to play the role of protector? My intentions weren’t any less nefarious than Carmine’s. Yet, one press of her delicate nose to my chest and I was momentarily stunned.
Perhaps it was intrigue that had me allowing her to hide?
Either way, Carmine didn’t like it. He may have chuckled, but the look he gave me was the only reason I cradled the back of her head. I looked him square in the eyes, held my pet close, and smiled.
“Right.” My brother rolled his eyes, “Your vacation. I forgot.”
He didn’t like that I had something for myself. Something he couldn’t touch or taint. Jackson made excuses. “Carmine is just acting out,” or “He’s only trying to keep things even.”
Unlike our eldest brother, my vision wasn’t clouded by guilt. I knew exactly what Carmine was, and he wasn’t acting out. He just enjoyed punishing us.
Jackson should’ve seen that when he took Maryanne away from Tobias. He’d said it was to teach him a lesson. Our father used to teach us lessons, and if Carmine wasn’t careful, he’d end up in the same place.
