Page 35 of From My Past
We walked out of the room and I could have sworn Talia felt lighter. Her shoulders weren’t as tense and she had a confident look in her eyes. We walked hand-in-hand towards the elevator and I pressed the number for our floor, I needed to get her sorted for the evening; maybe order some food and get her comfortable clothes and then I would leave. It’s been a long fucking day, even for me.
“Will you come over for a bit? I have questions.” She asked after a few moments of silence.
“Yeah, of course. I’d be surprised if you didn’t.” I said with a chuckle.
When the elevator doors opened, she led the way to her apartment door. I still needed to get her a copy of my apartment key. I hoped that it would make her feel safer here, but I also, selfishly, wanted to pretend that we were in a relationship.
Pulling her key from my jacket pocket, I handed it to her and let the cool metal drop in her hand. It had a small keychain on it made of cheap plastic, but it said number 15 for her apartment number here.
“Are you sure?” She asked.
“Without a doubt.”
“We barely know each other now.”
“True. But there is plenty of time for that.” I said with a smile and waited for her to turn the key and accept that this was her home now. If she wanted it.
“That is true.” She replied and turned the key, accepting the shelter.
“Home sweet home.” She whispered.
* * *
“I’m going to run next door and get you some clothes and tomorrow we can go get you some new ones. Also, I was thinking of getting pizza for dinner. Do you like a certain kind?” I asked her after she settled in on the couch. I showed her how to work the remote for cable so she could watch some TV and unwind.
Today had been taxing.
“Whatever you want is fine.” She said softly. But I remembered what she had told me about how Luca controlled her food and I wanted to be sure that she knew that wouldn’t happen with me, ever. I walked back towards the couch where she sat nervously, picking at her nails and eyes flitting around.
Kneeling in front of her, I put one hand on her knee and one under her chin, forcing her to look at me.
“What doyoulike? It can be anything. Pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, sausage, plain cheese, any of the combinations, hell I’ll even get you pineapple if you want it. But please, Talia, know that here, with me, you will have access to any and all food you want. You will never go hungry or wonder if I’m going to allow you to eat. I want you to. I want you to be healthy and be happy.” I said earnestly. She was a beautiful girl, but she was skinny, almost too skinny. Her curves that I remembered and lusted over were gone and her skin, even bruised and swollen as it was, looked pale. Luca had used food as a training weapon and the thought of what he put her through made me sick.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, baby. I’m 100% sure. So, what pizza do you like?” I said with an encouraging smile.
“Pepperoni.” She said in a small voice, but I could see the smile on her lips start to form with the prospect of getting a food I’m guessing she hadn’t gotten in a long time. My heart warmed with the realization that she trusted me just a little more.
“You got it. I’ll be back in five minutes.” I said, standing and cupping her chin.
“Please,” She said, the smile disappearing from her face and she jolted up. “Be quick.”
“I will. Promise.” I winked and walked towards the door.
Chapter Twelve
Talia
“He said he would only be five minutes, he said he would only be five minutes, he said he would only be five minutes,” I whispered over and over to try and keep myself calm. Truthfully, I was so thankful that Kieron had offered more comfortable clothes and food. I was starving after not eating all day and barely anything last night. Plus, I was still in my black jeans and standard-issue ‘Electrodes’ polo from the store I worked at.
Did I work there anymore? Was I going to have to quit? Luca knew exactly where I worked, when I worked and who I worked with. Were they safe?
“He said he would only be five minutes,” I started whispering and pacing the length of the apartment again. Would Kieron expect something from me for his kindness? Would he expect me to put out or work for his father? Oh god, would he pass me around to the guys in his gang? I started to feel nauseous.
Had I traded one jailor for another?
“That’s not him,” I argued out loud against my inner thoughts.
