Page 10 of Mine to Love
“Mommy?” Hearing Delilah wake, I return to her. As I walk across the room and sit on the side of the bed closest to her, I catch myself smiling. It almost doesn’t feel natural.
“I’m here, sweetie. Good morning.” I brush her hair from her sleepy face. The tangles in her hair let me know our next shower will be a long one and perhaps a bit painful. Although, with our packs abandoned on the street next to the shelter, I’m not sure when that will be. We have nothing to wear and what point would a shower be if we’re forced to re-wear these filthy clothes? Honestly, the first chance I get I’m burning this dress. Once my favorite, now the dingy cream-colored fabric is a harbor of tragedy and torment.
“Where are we?” she asks as she sits up in bed. Her blue eyes widen just as mine did as she takes in the room. I smile as I see the awe in her expression. It reminds me of how she looked at the paintings at Broussard’s and the massive macaroni and cheese Gio ordered for her.
So, maybe I don’t know him. But, since meeting him, we’re smiling again. And that’s something, isn’t it? It’s then that I notice a handwritten note on the bedside table.
Good morning, Darcy,
I hope you slept comfortably and find yourself rested this morning. I left some shirts for you in the armoire. I thought you and Delilah might beable to make them work until we get you set up with a few more things. The bathroom is the door on your farthest right. You’ll find basic toiletries in the vanity to get you through the morning. Come downstairs whenever you’re ready for breakfast. That is, if I haven’t burned the house down by then.
- G
Gio’s words tug at my lips. Looks like we’ll get that shower after all. It’s then that I look at Delilah and say, a bit reluctantly, but still, “We’re home.” The truth is, I don’t know how long this arrangement with Gio will last. I know he’s up to something shady. He has to be. And, while I have enough of my own problems to worry about his, if his problems threaten Delilah’s safety, then we’ll have no choice but to leave. That is, if he’ll let us. He killed three people last night, and I witnessed it. What if—?No. I won’t let myself think of this place as another prison. For my own sanity and after everything I did to escape Clive, I can’t. But I suppose only time will tell. Are we home? Or have we traded one master for another?
10
After guzzlingdown my second cup of coffee, Ru, my recently acquired Rottweiler, follows me to the kitchen where I attempt to make breakfast. To be honest, I gave up on cooking a long time ago and can’t remember the last time I bought adequate groceries. With the milk and eggs spoiled and no fresh meats available, the only things remotely edible from the fridge, at least as breakfast is concerned, is a white onion, some sliced turkey, and half a bag of shredded cheese.Great.I pull the items out and place them on the small wooden prep table in the middle of the U-shaped kitchen, and then continue my search in the pantry. As I do, I stifle a yawn. Last night was long for us all.
Despite skipping my morning workout and sleeping in, I’m exhausted. Perhaps because I didn’t sleep, at least not a lot. Every time I dosed off, images of Darcy played behind my closed eyelids. I woke worried for herandworried that she might regret her decision to accompany me and try to leave without me knowing. Not that she would’ve succeeded. While the main house is over one-hundred-years-old and relies more on manpower than technology to defend it, my home—hidden amongst the trees on the Amato estate—is newer and equippedwith the very best security system courtesy of our ally Cassio Castellani.
Hidden cameras, motion sensors and the like—including the sensors and cameras set up around the estate— send updates to my phone and alert me to any suspicious movement. Additionally, there’s an anti-fire sprinkler system installed outside. The windows are all made of bullet-proof glass. And all the exterior doors have additional hidden locks that go into effect at midnight or when the system is armed. They make the doors unopenable without a registered thumbprint. Similarly, the main gates are impenetrable without approved entry, which requires both a code and facial recognition.
Still, my mind could not rest until I was sure she was okay, that they both were. What happened last night… Well, it has a way of leaving a mark, like the one I’ve yet to make sense of on Darcy’s back.
Inhaling deeply, I rub the worry from my forehead and return my attention to the sparse offerings of the pantry. I say sparse, not because the space isn’t filled to the brim, but because most of it is either expired or I have no idea what to do with it. Glancing at the items on the prep table, I opt for the bag of Russet potatoes and grab some of the still-good tortillas. Breakfast burritos it is. That is, if I can remember where I threw the cast-iron skillet after my last failed culinary attempt.
As I finish dicingthe onions and chopping the potatoes into small cubes, Ru jumps from her relaxed position at my feet and turns toward the staircase. I follow her line of sight, and within moments, Darcy and Delilah appear. Ru lets out one bark ofexcitement and rushes from the kitchen, past the farmhouse-style dining table, to greet them. I stop my work to observe them.
Delilah giggles and throws her arms around Ru as she and her mom make their way from the stairs to the main floor. Ru licks her relentlessly as her tail wags faster than I’ve ever seen. The sight of her and the smile on Delilah’s face puts a smile on my own, which only grows as my attention shifts to Darcy.
Her long, blonde hair is still a bit damp from her shower, which makes her soft, natural wave even more obvious. And, while I didn’t think it was possible for her to become more beautiful, her face free of any makeup has proven me wrong. She has perfect skin—so perfect I wonder her age—and lips, plush and soft like pillows, and piercing blue eyes that shine even brighter as the morning sunlight hits her.
Making use of the clothes I left for them in the armoire, she somehow made a skirt out of my stretchy gray t-shirt. It hugs her hips and the soft outline of her stomach so perfectly, too perfectly. And, with my white dress-shirt effortlessly knotted beneath her breasts, I’m just thankful the threads are dense enough to conceal her nipples. For her sake, mine and everyone else’s.
As my mouth fills with saliva, I clear my throat. The sound draws Darcy’s attention to me just as Delilah takes off running toward the living room with Ru. Finding my gaze on her, she parts her lips and lowers her head. Giving Delilah one last glance and issuing her a soft warning, “Be careful with the furniture, sweetieandthe dog,” she makes her way toward me.
“Oh, she’s fine,” I tell her, rounding the prep table. “Furniture is replaceable, and Ru is used to a little roughhousing.”
“His name is Ru?” Delilah asks from the living room. It seems the open floor plan is coming in handy this morning.
“Yes, well,hername is.”
“Ooooo, so we can play princess together,” Delilah says, directing her attention back to Ru. I let out a soft laugh.
“I think she’d like that,” I say. It’s then that Darcy rests her hands on the edge of the white countertop, which segments the kitchen from the living room. Her eyes on me and a face full of curiosity, I ask, “Is something wrong?” She shakes her head without uttering a word. “Okay, well…”
I make my way across the kitchen, grab a mug from one of the wooden shelves, and fill her cup with what’s left from the pot. “How about some coffee? I hope black is okay. All the dairy products in the fridge are expired. Honestly, everything is. I’ll have to go to the grocery store soon.”
“You mean,I’llhave to go. I’m sure, as your maid, grocery shopping is my responsibility,” she says as she takes the cup from me. “As is cooking breakfast. So, why don’t you let me?—”
“Darcy,” I say, stepping in front of her as she moves toward the prep table. She quickly takes a step back. Noticing her hand shaking, she places the coffee mug on the countertop before she loses her grip. She squeezes her eyes closed for a brief moment and inhales deeply. Okay, noted—no sudden movements and no cornering, however unintentional.
I thought when she agreed to come with me, it was because she trusted me, at least on some level. Maybe that was naïve of me? Or perhaps the wounds of her past are so deeply ingrained in her, her body reacts with fear even if her mind knows I won’t hurt her? Either way, I need to be more mindful about triggering her.
Opening her eyes, she bites her lip to regain control. “Yes?” She asks, her voice strained.
“I was just going to say that I haven’t had a chance to draw up the paperwork yet, so technically, you’re my guest, not my employee. Given everything that happened last night, I thought you and Delilah could take the morning to rest and get yourbearings. We’ll eat breakfast. And then we’ll head back into town to get you everything you need to feel settled—clothes, shoes, toiletries, and maybe some things to keep Delilah entertained. I have a friend lined up to help us.”
