I tried to hide my wincing as Stephano dragged me down the halls.
“Hurry up, piccolo!”
I tried moving faster but my rib and thigh screamed in pain. We finally made it to a door and he stopped abruptly. He turned me to face him. He had a giddy expression on his face.
“You're a disgusting man,” I said, lowly.
“Watch what you say, piccolo, or else I'll tell the man who purchases you to make sure you feel nothing but pain.”
I grimaced at his words. He pulled the silk robe from my shoulders and opened the door. He hooked his arm through mine and pulled me along side him. I grimaced as his elbow jabbed my rib.
Bright lights blinded me as we walked out onto a stage. I wanted to cover myself but I knew if I tried, Stephano would make sure I regretted it later.
“Good evening, gentiluomini,” He boomed at the crowd. (Italian: gentlemen)
As my eyes adjusted to the lights, I looked out and gulped. There were about 60 men sitting at tables, sipping scotch and whiskey. All eyes were on me, evaluating.
“Consider this my first step into the sex trafficking world.” Stephano chuckled beside me. “I think I did quite well, no?”
The men in the crowd chuckled.
“Let's get started, lo facciamo?” (Italian: shall we)
“$5,000,” a dark hair man said.
“$10,000.”
The bidding continued and I couldn't keep up with who was voting. I felt bile rise in my throat. This is really happening.
It was up to $25,000 and I was on the brink of tears.
“$50,000!” A young man stood and yelled. I looked at him and recognized a familiarity but could not place it.
Stephano faltered beside me and everyone fell silent. “Going once,” Stephano growled, glaring at the young man.
“Twice.” No one objected.
“Sold.” Stephano jerked me off stage and I cried out in pain.
Stephano muttered words in Italian angrily as we walked. He stomped toward the back area of the room toward the young man. He practically threw me at the man at which point the young man caught me with ease.
“You stupid Figlio di puttana!” He grumbled.
“Boss sent me to get her,” the man smirked.
“You're a traitor,” Stephano growled.
“Maybe so, but the girl is mine now.”
“I don't give a fuck. She was just the final step I needed to get into the sex trafficking ring. Now I'm in. Take her.”
I looked at the man next to me. His green eyes bore holes into Stephano and his long black hair was slicked back. He can't be much older than I am. He resembled Stephano in lots of ways.
Are they related?
Stephano huffed and stomped away quickly.
The man turned to look at me. “Let's get you out of here, yeah?”
“Are you going to hurt me?”
His eyes softened. “I wouldn't dream of it.”
He placed his hand on the small of my back and began to lead me out of the building. Every step I took made me whimper. The man turned to look at me.
“Your rib, I'm assuming?”
“Yeah, he did a number on me.”
“How about I carry you?”
“That's really not necessary.”
“Come on. Let me help you.”
The man picked me up bridal style and I groaned in pain as my rib came in contact with his hard stomach. As he began walking, the pain subsided and became bearable.
“Thank you,” I muttered.
My body was still hardly covered as we stepped outside. Rain pelted my body and chills immediately emerged.
“I'm going to get some clothes on you as soon as we get to the car. Okay?”
I nodded. A black SUV pulled up and someone opened the door for the man as he laid me in the seat. I carefully pulled myself up. The man handed me a bottle of pain pills and a water. I quickly downed pills. He then handed me sweatpants and a button-up shirt.
“Thank you,” I whispered as I buttoned the shirt. “You saved me.”
He smiled at me and nodded.
The ride was quiet and soon enough, I was beginning to fall asleep. Right before I fell into a deep slumber, someone shook me.
“We have to get on the plane now.”
I nodded and began to get out of the car. The man stopped me and got out before me. He turned around and wrapped his arms around me. He began walking toward a private jet.
“Wow.”
He chuckled as we made our way onto the plane. He set me in one of the seats and covered me with a blanket after buckling me in.
“We'll be there shortly. Get some rest. I'll wake you up when we get home.” Home. Oh how I missed home.
Why do I trust this man so much? My subconscious questioned.
Maybe its because he feels so familiar. Like I've known him for years.
With that thought, my eyes fluttered closed and darkness took over once again.
•••••••••
A soft voice woke me from my slumber.
“Hey, we're here.”
“Where?” I yawned.
“Home.”
One of his men opened the door and I gasped. “Holy shit.”
A white mansion stood out amongst a mass of green. Rolling hills could be seen for miles behind the mansion. There was a garden off the side with a massive greenhouse. To the right was another building.
“What is that?”
“The gym and indoor pool.”
“You're loaded,” I muttered in awe.
“Not me,” he said, laughing.
“Who then?”
“You'll find out soon.”
He pulled me out of the car and picked me up as we walked toward the building. I admired the French doors on the top floors. I looked up at the massive staircase leading to the front door.
“I can walk now,” I said to the man.
“Nonsense, I can carry you.”
He made his way inside and up another set of stairs.
“You won't need that gym for at least a week with the workout you're getting today.” I said. He laughed loudly.
“You barely weigh anything,” he retorted.
I rolled my eyes.
A few moments later, he opened a door and walked in. I gasped at the sight before me as he set me on my feet. French doors stood out in the middle of the back wall. There stood a king size bed positioned in the middle of the room with silk sheets and fluffy pillows. The white walls contrasting with the dark plum sheets.
“I get to stay here?”
“This is your room.”
“Wow,” I whispered.
“I'll leave you to it.”
“Wait,” I rushed out. “Where are you going?”
“I'll be two rooms down from you to the right. Get a shower and relax for a while, okay? Don't worry, you're safe here.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you, again, for saving my life. I wish that I could repay you but I personally don't have that kind of money. If I could get in touch with my father-”
“Lyla, it's no big deal.”
How does he know my name? Was that mentioned at the auction?
I shook off my thoughts and shook my head at him.
“Well, thank you.”
He smiled. “That's what family is for, right?” He winked and walked out of the room before I had a chance to ask what he meant.
>>>>
The Bodyguard of the Mafia boss's daughter (part 18/32)