Page 9 of Until It Ends

As I lift my leg to adjust myself in the tub, the porcelain soap dish slips from its place and crashes onto the tiled floor, shattering into pieces. The noise reverberates through the room, ruining the brief moment of peace I had found.

Before I can process what has happened, the mute guard bursts through the bathroom door, concern etched on his face.

"What the fuck!" I bellow out.

"What the hell just happened in here?" he hollers. Really? I thought he couldn't. All he's ever done is look at me.

"I'm dropped a soap dish. Get the fuck out!" I sank down further into the water and gather up lots of bubbles and try to hide my cleavage and anything else.

"Are you alright then?" he asks without making any moves to leave.

Frustration boils within me. "I said, get out!" I shout, the words filled with a mix of anger and desperation.

"Something else is going on in here." The guard remains unfazed, his gaze unwavering. I realize then that his loyalty lies with those who hold me captive, and my attempts to assert myself are met with resistance.

My heart sinks as I realize the extent of my powerlessness in this situation. Every attempt at defiance seems to be met with an equal or greater force pushing back. But I refuse to surrender to despair. I will not let them break my spirit or rob me of my hope for escape.

"Leave. You're invading my privacy." Though my words are met with silence, a flicker of defiance ignites within me.

Instead of leaving, the guard seemingly goes mute again by shaking his head and closing the door. He walks slowly toward the tub.

Fear overwhelms me as I quickly realize his intentions. His tight grip on my leg slowly pulls me toward the edge of the tub. I frantically kick him with all of my might, but he's too strong for me. He tries to drag me from the water, but I won't let him take me or have his way with me.

"You fucking bastard! I'll kill you," I scream. I desperately search for something I can use to help me. To my dismay, there is nothing in sight.

I'm not sure why, but I think of Dante in that moment. If he was here, he would help me. Why isn't he here? Why did he send me away?

It's too late now, because I'd rather die than let this stranger rape me.

A crackling electricity fills the air as someone storms into the bathroom, seething with rage and disbelief. It's Enzo Cipriano. I'm not expecting him and wonder what will unfold next. My heart hammers against my ribcage like a caged bird trying to escape as he violently grabs the guard by his hair.

"I said to watch her. Not try to fuck her," Enzo screams.

Adrenaline seeps through my veins while I remain partly submerged in the water, unable to look away from the scene before me.

Enzo and the security guard grapple with each other in a violent, desperate fight. Fear grips me like a vice, and my composure slips away as I watch helplessly.

Enzo looms over the guard and unleashes a devastating flurry of blows, sending him crashing to the other side of the bathroom. His head bounces off the tiles with a sickening crack. The room is silent, and I know the guard is dead.

With a flick of his hand, Enzo throws a towel in my direction. "Get dressed."

I was sick and tired of men giving me orders. The audacity of his command sends a surge of anger coursing through me. I refuse to comply without an explanation as to what kind of shit situation he's got me in.

"Why the heck should I listen to you?" I retort, my voice dripping with defiance.

Enzo straightens up his ten-thousand dollar suit and readjusts his tie, and then says, "Because I have answers to the questions I know you'll ask.

His lips curl into a sly grin as he leans against the bathroom doorframe.

"You're just stringing me along. You're just trying to get back at Dante."

He bits his lips and says, "Well, that too. But you're family to me, Valeria. Remember that."

"I've only met you once or twice in my life and I was very young, so what do you want from me?"

"We're leaving this hotel. My business here is done. Just get dressed."

With that, he disappears from the room without answering my question, leaving me dumbfounded and overwhelmed.

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