by Aria Ford
Sliding into the passenger seat of Sylvi’s sleek, nondescript vehicle, I sunk in my seat and spread my legs wide. Taking up the entire space, my body relaxed slightly at the rumble and hum of the car beneath me. A divider separated Sylvi and Georgio from the driver and I, and my lungs finally deflated fully.
I hate that perverted, sick fucking bastard.
Even as a young man, not even into my own, I knew that Georgio was one crazy fucker. Never once had he disappointed me in the lengths he was willing to go for money or what he wanted. It was disgusting- the rumors I’d heard growing up in his Italy home.
That wisp of a memory had my hands clenched into fists against my thighs as it brought up a more recent scum I’d dealt with.
Trevor was a piece of shit, no doubt, but I had never expected him to hold a woman captive. He wasn’t charming or handsome enough to pick up a girl, and he hated working hard enough to kidnap one.
But Aya had been handed to him on a silver platter. A low rumbling sounded in my chest at the thought, and my nails bit into my palms. I almost hadn’t noticed her back in that shitty cesspool someone dared to call an apartment. She blended in with everything else- a dingy, gross brown coating her, bare skin or not. Turning to stare out the window through tinted glass, I let her puzzle fill my mind.
Aya’s parents had overdosed- I had been able to understand that much. They’d probably gotten their drugs from Trevor, too. It’d obviously been a long time since then.
Scowling at my faint reflection, I reached into the door to pull out a near full pack of cigarettes. Cracking the window, my hands knew what to do as my mind went back to my current problem.
There was plenty of evidence that Trevor was running for the Russians, but never once had any of Sylvi’s spies caught a whiff of a girl. Which means either no one knew about her, or she’s important to those ass fuckers somehow.
Sucking on the butt of my cigarette, I took the toxins deep into my lungs and held it. The taint seeped eagerly into my body, and I ashed my burden in the tray before blowing the smoke towards the window.
“Fuck it.” Grumbling lowly, I gnashed my teeth as smoke seeped from my nostrils to cloud my vision. Across the center console the driver shuffled, and my eye rolled in its socket to watch him. He was new, young, but if Sylvi was to be believed could drive like a maniac. Taking another drag, my lips upturned as the boy frowned before parting in an exhale.
The more uncomfortable the better; it was always fun to watch people squirm.
By the time the car rolled to a complete stop my window was all the way down, my arm flung out to hang against the door. The courtyard of Sylvi’s rather modest mansion was absent of all life aside from Lilli. Casting my gaze on her curvy, buxom form, I couldn’t help the irritation that clogged my throat. Of course she would be waiting with that power hungry glint in her eye.
Tossing my half burned cigarette onto the cobbled pavement, I popped open my door to climb out with a grunt. Instantly Lilli’s gaze was on me, and a small, innocent smile picked up the corners of her thick, plump lips. Rolling my eyes at the display, I left the door open just as Sylvi opened his. The woman had big dreams and even bigger tits no matter the thin, black turtleneck that kept them at bay. Sylvi really knew Georgio’s tastes.
“-ll admit, I didn’t expect you to live in such a… humble place.” Georgio fixed his suit jacket as he spoke, ogling the place his underling called home. Sylvi’s was a fraction of the size of the mansion we’d grown up in, but it was still more than enough. Baby blue siding covered the entire exterior; it looked like an abnormally large house from the front.
“You know I don’t like the pompous fanfare, Georgio. Anyway, let me introduce you to Lilli. She will be your hostess for your stay. Anything you need, just ask her.” Glancing back at the brunette, I almost felt bad for her as she played herself up. Her pale cheeks filled with red as Georgio gave her a once over, and she even did a small curtsy.
I wonder what Sylvi told you about Italy… Behind Georgio my friend caught my eye, and he let a small, sinister smirk peek through his businessman facade. I didn’t react; torturing women wasn’t my fancy, after all. Whether it was him or someone else, Sylvi got off on beating poor, defenseless women to death. There was no doubt in my mind Sylvi had put Georgio in a room he could monitor just for that purpose.
And Georgio was the type of man that could only get off watching pitiful creatures piss themselves in fear of him. It didn’t matter if he was inside them or simply pummeling them with his weapon of choice.
Taking the small, short step that led to the front porch, I shook my head free of the past three hours. Striding through the foyer and the living room, I shouldered my way into the kitchen. Chrome and stainless steel surrounded me instantly, the metal standing out against the dark orange that coated the walls and swirled into the marble counter tops. Easing my way around a wide, long island, my legs automatically carried me to the refrigerator.
Already the meals for this week were prepped, waiting for skilled hands. I pushed past it all, ignoring everything but the container of leftover chicken and pasta. Tomatoes squished against the side of the clear tub, and I shut the refrigerator door to grab a fork.
The house was quiet; only a few staff worked here after six P.M., and it was only Sylvi, a few trusted men, and I. As I shuffled up the stairs to the second floor there were no pictures on the wall to distract me. Instead, there was just a monotone eggshell color that was slowly but surely fading.
“Luciano, you’re back. How’d it go?” Glancing at Tyler, I only grunted in response as he swiveled in his chair. My gaze went straight to the wall of monitors he watched constantly, and he didn’t waste any time opening his mouth again. “I’ve been watching her like Sylvi wanted. I gotta say, Luciano- she’s a weird one even for me.”
Aya was on the main screen, her body prone as it sprawled across the floor face down. Her nakedness was flawless, but a frown still dragged my lips at how skinny she was. Jerking my head, I set down my burden and leaned against the desk before Tyler continued.
“I have no idea why she was with Trevor, but I really doubt the Russian’s know about her. She spent ten minutes just feeling the carpet with her feet. I could say she’s extremely sheltered, but the way she’s acting doesn’t add up. It’s odd. With the carpet, she acted like she never touched one before, but she could use the shower knobs fine. Even then… it was like she didn’t know what hot water felt like. She was in there for two hours, and a good chunk of that wasn’t even in the shower. She just let the water run along her hand and stared.”
Tearing my eyes from the monitor, I clenched my teeth as Tyler leaned back in his seat.
“I guess she’s really just a gutter girl, Luciano. Lots of suffering, lots of pain, lots of things she doesn’t understand about almost everything. And anything she does know are things she’s retained but rarely used. The Russians would have no use for her. She wouldn’t even be good for sex.” Tyler must’ve been seeing something I wasn’t, and I rolled my shoulders in the ensuing silence. Still watching the short, stocky man, I rolled what he said around inside my skull as he perched his glasses higher up his nose.
“So she’s not good for anything.” Those smart, inquisitive, brown eyes met mine at my statement, and Tyler lifted his arm behind his head. Heaving a sigh, he kept my gaze for only a moment before nodding.
“Pretty much. She acts like an abused animal. Everything she does is based on preconceived notions, and if she hasn’t encountered it before it takes her a long time to get over it. That being said, I’m sure she’ll make a nice slave for someone that likes that kind of new innocence.” Tyler didn’t sound convinced with his own suggestion, and I narrowed my eyes on him.
“And Sylvi?” Glancing back at the screen, I bit out the question as my eyelid twitched. Aya had to be useful somehow; there wasn’t a person on this Earth that couldn’t do anything.
“I’ll tell him the same thing I told you, Luciano. The fact of the matte
r is that even if she became more aware, she won’t do us any good. I doubt even Georgio could get any satisfaction from killing her. In my professional opinion you should just put her down.”
CHAPTER FOUR
AYA
Luciano’s approach woke me through the floorboards beneath the carpet; his steps were so heavy they rattled the entire house. Anchoring my hands against the softness pressed against my front, I blinked hard as my muscles strained to push me up. The door flung open, and I shook my head while my grogginess worked to suppress my fears. Twisting to peer at the gargantuan form looming over me, my body felt like thin instant mashed potatoes.
Thick, strong fingers tangled in my hair, still damp from my shower, to hold taut. My brain snapped into action, tightening my muscles and causing whimpers to fly from between my teeth. Dragging me up, Luciano set me on weak feet while his eyes scanned my body. A dark expression crossed his face, and my knees wobbled dangerously when he took the space between us.
“Tell me how long you were with Trevor.” My breath came in short gasps, and I squeezed my eyelids shut as Luciano’s demand rushed across my face. With a harsh grunt he released me, my body tumbling to the floor with a soft thud. Pain shot up from my elbow, forcing a cry from my thick throat before his voice rained down on me again. “Tell me now, Aya.”
“Sev- seven-n-n… seven… se- sev-” Groaning softly, I fought the burning in my lungs as the air around me shifted. That hand that had treated me so roughly touched my face with care, pushing away the hair that clung to my cheek. Forcing open my eyes, I watched through blurred vision as Luciano’s lips thinned out, his nostrils flaring and a crease appearing between his brows.
“Stop panicking.” Crouching down fully, the beast of a man clamped his hand over my eyes, his thumb and middle finger digging into my hairline. “Stop. Focus.”
There were no cracks between Luciano’s thick fingers that light could seep through. Flopping onto my back, I blinked hard at the deep, unending darkness before me. My chest burned, each breath I took irritating swollen pipes and muscle. Digging my fingers into the carpet, even my nails tingled as the strands slipped between them and my skin.
“Good. Now tell me how long you were with him, Aya.” My lips parted, but nothing came out as I inhaled a deep, shaky breath. Sinking into the carpet, I nearly groaned as the soft, cloud-like expanse cushioned me in welcome. Holding handfuls of it, my fingers rolled the strands along my palms.
It was such a peaceful feeling. In such calm, such serenity, I felt weightless.
“S-seventeen months.” Slurring slightly, my mumble didn’t stutter or start. Slowly Luciano loosened his grip, his hand sliding down my face. His face was in shadows, body bent to block the glistening, golden sun that streamed through the windows. Dragging his palm over my chest and down my midsection, he stopped just short of the neat, trimmed thatch of hair on my mound.
“Tell me.” Luciano’s gaze burned down on me like brimstone, and I licked my lips even as my head tilted from side to side.
“He-… he hit me… a lot… but-” Confusion clouded Luciano’s black orbs, and I took another breath as my stomach sank to my feet. “He didn’t hurt me.”
For so long the silence was all encompassing; I was lost in my mind as Luciano pondered over my admission.
Trevor might not have touched me, but he wasn’t celibate. Behind my eyes reels played, depicting the wretched acts he’d done to women and had done to him. Money always exchanged hands afterwards. Trevor made me watch, and if I looked away he would stop what he was doing to force me back. When he didn’t feel like paying a woman, he would grope me and complain that I wasn’t his type.
“Eat this.” Snapped back into reality, I fixated my eyes on Luciano as his muscles rippled under his bare shoulders. His hand left me, replaced by a cold box before he pushed himself up straight. His gaze lingered, razing my face for a long second until he turned to leave.
Once the door had slammed shut and Luciano’s footfalls had faded I glanced down. The tub was short and wide, and beyond the see-through plastic was a large piece of flat chicken sitting on top of spaghetti. A fork was propped on the lid, and I watched the light penetrating the windows glint off its pristine spokes.
Slowly sitting up, my body wound tightly while saliva pooled in my mouth. Taking the fork in one hand, I carefully popped the lid with trembling fingers. It looked so fresh, as if it’d just been cooked less than a day before. The smell of butter and herbs hit me hard from the tiny crack in the tub’s top, and a loud groan flew from my lips. My stomach twisted painfully, desperate to be filled, and I peeled back the lid and gulped down the liquid that seeped from my inner cheeks.
Holding a single, long noodle on my fork, I watched it wiggle for a moment before taking one end between my lips. Pleasure exploded from my taste buds, and another groan burst from my throat. Slurping, my cheeks caved as I struggled to pull the entire noodle into my mouth.
One by one I savored each individual strand, and I pushed the tomatoes around. Saving the bright red, slightly squished balls, I licked my lips as my memory supplied what real tomatoes tasted like.
These ones would be even better.
“Mm-mm-mm…” Tracing the lip of the tub with my thumbs, I stared at the small pile of noodles, tomatoes, and piece of chicken that was left. My stomach was bloated, bulging out slightly as I sat on my ankles on the floor. Mesmerizing, the food called to me to eat the rest as my body gurgled and rumbled in agreement. Pursing my lips together, I gently covered the tub with its lid and clamped it down.
The snap that echoed around the room made me frown, but I shook my head hard to get rid of the thoughts. Clamoring to my feet, I clutched the container to my chest as my feet carried me to the bathroom. Slipping through the cracked door, I instantly spied the sink before rolling my bottom lip between my teeth.
I can’t just keep this out… Inching towards the vanity, my bare feet were silent on the thick tiles that lined the floor. The walls were coated in marble swirled with a deep, dark orange, and the counters the same in a lighter shade. Setting the tub down, I pulled the stopper up before my fingers hovered over the faucet knob. But what if Luciano finds out?
A violent shudder prickled down my spine at the worrisome thought, and I sucked in air through my teeth. If he found out, Luciano would kill me; he didn’t seem like the kind of man to prolong death. Trevor deserved much worse than he got. There was no doubt in my mind I’d suffer the same fate.
My heart beat wildly in my chest, my mind too busy tearing to regulate the muscle properly.
“What do I do…?” In the silence my murmur was loud, and I winced as my eyes flew to the door. This is bad. Tears filled the thin space between my orb and my eyelids, and I ground my teeth together.
Pacing the length of the wide bathroom, I squeezed my head between my palms as anger threatened to choke me. Never before had a decision torn me apart, and a harsh sound ripped from my throat. One half of my brain egged me on to preserve this little taste of happiness I had obtained. The other half threatened me with Luciano’s image- of the things that would happen to me if he found out. My gasps were ragged, struggling to get through my clogged throat as my chest heaved in great jerks. Crouching into a tight ball, my body rocked on the balls of my feet, and my brain pounded against my skull.
A hard, sharp crash knocked me off balance, and a squeal breached my lips as I fell backwards. Frozen, my legs in the air and my hands on my face, I held my breath as the world spun. Staring through hazy eyes at the ceiling, I tried to stop my thoughts from tumbling and banging against my skull. Needle like pain punctured my brain, but even that fell to the wayside as more sound crept up on my awareness.
Screams- they were shrill, blood curdling screams that weren’t muffled by even the thickest of walls. My pupils tightened at the high pitched, agonized noise, and my abdomen twisted painfully. The wails cascaded on each other, and I couldn’t tell where one stopped and another started. They were unlike any screa
m I had ever heard before, and my heart skipped a beat as they grew louder, higher, more intense.
My sluggish limbs dragged to bring me to my hands and knees, and the shrieking made the thin, fine hairs on my back stand up. Leaving my food tub on the counter, forgotten, I scrambled for the nearest, light cherry stained cabinet. Inside the box were towels, and I reached with trembling fingers to push them around. Climbing into the small closet, I pulled a thick, white sheet over my head, but just like the walls around me it did nothing to block out the sound.
“-ey, wake up.” Gruff, the call caused the aching in my head to flare to life, and a whimper wormed from my throat. The screaming… It had lasted too long, growing and morphing into gurgles and gags that kept me awake into the deepest, darkest part of the night. Tangling in my hair, my fingers shook as a large, warm palm enclosed them to tug.
Cracking my eyes open, I flinched even though no light invaded my vision. Pulling me out of the cabinet, Luciano grunted absently before I caught his gaze. His head glimmered slightly in the dark, his eyes shining like freshly polished onyx.
“Put this on.” Shoving fabric at me, Luciano let me go to stand, and for a moment I clutched it tightly. The fabric was soft, like everything else I had touched since coming here. Carefully my fingers inched along the seams and hems, searching for the bottom.
All the while Luciano continued to stare, and I knew that even though I couldn’t see him through the darkness he could see me.