Page 67 of The Angel

I wait for instruction, and he says smoothly, “Remove your clothes and stand on the pedestal.”

I have done this so many times it’s no longer embarrassing and as he prowls around me staring at my naked body, I keep a blank expression on my face and act like the living doll he desires.

He makes me sit and brushes my hair one hundred times before applying moisturizer to my body and face. Then he slips a satin nightgown over my shoulders, followed by a matching robe. I step into satin pumps and as he takes my hand, he smiles happily. “Perfect. Just how I like it - for now, anyway.”

I am always conscious I have a shelf life and sense that day approaching like the grim reaper sniffing out another damned soul.

As the door to Frankie’s nursery closes behind our captor, I waste no time in rushing to his crib and staring hungrily into his angelic face. He is getting bigger every time I see him. As I watch him sleep peacefully, his long lashes brushing against his flawless skin, I physically ache to hold him. But he looks like an angel, and I would hate to disturb him and so am content with just inhaling the soft sweet smell of innocence in the middle of hell. Frankie is the lucky one. For now, anyway.

He has a full-time nurse and is cared for like a prince. No expense has been spared, and he has everything a baby could wish for except one thing. His parents. He exists in a gilded cage as yet another one of Massimo’s playthings, and there is so much hatred burning deep inside me for the stolen minutes of watching him grow.

He stirs in his sleep and a small cry escapes his lips and as quick as a flash, I reach for him and hold him close against me, loving how sweet he smells.

As he snuggles into my chest and I hold his delicate head against me, I weep tears of love and frustration that all we are allowed are these stolen moments.

We retreat to the nursing chair and I hold him carefully in my arms, while singing him a soft lullaby to send him off to sleep. I have never felt such pure love for anything before and I will use that love to give me the strength to see this nightmare through to the bitter end.

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