Page 19 of Pain and Possession

He grips my jaw, forcing me to face him, "Why would-" He stops mid-sentence narrowing his eyes at me. I feel like a specimen under a microscope as he tilts my head upwards towards the dim pendant light hanging above us.

"Olive, what did you take?" The sternness in his voice seeps straight into my bones. I jerk my face from his hand, my anger and this stupid man threatening my chance at a good night.Feeling like a scolded child.

"Nothing. Now leave."

He never looks away from me as he motions the waitress over, digging an obsidian black card from his wallet and slapping it down on the table. The poor girls' gray eyes go wide as she takes in the intimidating man in front of her.

God-like in his own way.

His black hair is messy as if he's been running his hands through it, the tattoo on his neck peeking out from below the collar of his tight shirt. Stubble growing in on a jawline you could cut sheet metal with. I can't help but wonder if my bite mark and scratches are still visible. His knuckles are inked with symbols I don't recognize, fingers adorned with bulky rings.

Looking every bit like the crime lord he is.

"Do you know what I do when one of my men lie to me Olive?" The words sound more like a warning than a question. I swallow hard, hoping he doesn't expect an actual answer. He leans in his lips brushing my ear as he speaks, "I hand feed them a bullet."

I clench my shaking hands together desperately wishing the waitress would hurry the fuck up so I can make a break for it. "It's just weed. Not that its any of your fucking business."He chuckles, the sound devoid of humor.

Why is he so worked up tonight? He wasn't this irritable the last time we were together.He wasn't this worked up, and he assaulted and humiliated you. Which means you should be scared Olive. Scared and careful.

His arm forms a vice like hold around my waist as he tugs me against him,my body threatening my resolve as I melt into his warmth. Rubbing my head against his chest like a stupid fucking cat.

"I tried not to care, tried not to make it my business but here we are. Now, everything you do is my business Olive Hayes. I suggest you make better decisions regarding your wellbeing, or do you require another example of the kind of man that I am? If you're a good girl for me, I'm willing to call tonight a learning curve.”

I bite down my lip, feeling myself yearning to give into his madness. Unable and unwilling to restrain my desire in my altered state.I want him and because of that I remain tucked into his chest and he remains holding me there possessively.

"Everything okay here?" A tall, burly looking guy towers over us. His arms are crossed before he hands the receipt and card back to Noè. I try to communicatenowith my eyes, but it doesn't work. As soon as I open my mouth Noè's grip tightens on me, his hold bruising. An effective enough warning to snap my mouth shut. I can already picture the deep purple hues that will grace the skin soon, I’ve always bruised easy.

Malnutrition will do that to you.

Another set to match my hips, arms and legs from the last time I saw him.As soon as Noè turns his attention to the man, he takes a small step backwards. Unconsciously distancing himself from the situation. I can already tell he isn't going to help me.

Do you even want to be helped, you’re literally cuddling him?

"Everything is fine, my girlfriend is feeling a little unwell, unfortunately. Thank you for your concern."

Girlfriend?

Why did that make my chest feel tight? What would being Noè Arcuri's girlfriend even look like? I shake the thought from my mind. He's a murderer, a mobster, exactly the type of person who took my parents from me before I ever really got to know them. With that thought my vindication pushes through the high. I peel myself from his hold and quickly climb off the table. My spineless knight in shining armor already retreating to the front of the restaurant.

Thanks for nothing.

I make my way around the tables and line of people, heading straight for the exit. Panic creeps up inside me as I step outside the safety of the crowded restaurant, now on a dimly lit sidewalk. Apart from some people stumbling around on the opposite side of the street, I'm on my own. I'm not sure which way my apartment is, I don't have time to check before I take off. My pulse spikes when I hear the bell on the door behind me, letting me know he's close.My footsteps pound against the sidewalk as quickly as my heart does in my chest.

I know he's behind me, some perverse dark part of my mind wants Noè to catch me. To force me onto the pavement, wrenching my legs apart all over again. I glance behind me and catch sight of him closing the distance, a scream leaves my throat and my legs tense about to bolt.

Please someone hear me.

A force jerks me backwards by my ponytail, sending pain shooting across my scalp. I start to careen backwards before he catches me, not letting me hit the ground. I try to kick, hit and bite anything I can but again it's completely ineffective.

"Olive you need to calm down, I won't hurt you." His voice is calm, but I know better. The way he acted in the restaurant was different, he's pissed.

I yelp as he tosses me over his shoulder and takes off back the way we came. I scoff as he positions his arm so that it covers my slightly exposed ass. "Let me go, Noè!"

"No way doll, we need to talk." I peek up from where my head has been buried in his back. I honestly thought I ran a lot further than that, but then again, I'm stoned and out of shape so I suppose I would.He sits me down by the passenger door of one of the ominous black SUVs from earlier.

What the fuck?

"You were here the whole time?" I whisper, scanning the street for the other SUV. When I don't find it a very sobering thought fills my scattered mind, all the pieces pulling together. He doesn't answer me as he opens the door all but shoving me inside. Tears fill my eyes as he gets into the driver's seat, locking the doors and subsequently sealing my fate.

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