Chapter 20 Claimed
❦ Rosalind ❦
“È ora di alzarsi, Rosa mia.”
Mama’s voice filtered into my mind, telling me to wake up. Her fingers brushed against my cheek, and I sank deeper into the mist of her sweet perfume.
“Alzati!”
My eyes snapped open, and I grabbed a throw pillow to defend myself with before halting my attack at the last second.
Enza stood over me, her tight bun accentuating her scowl. I matched it with a more irritated one of my own.
“That’s a rude way to wake a person, don’t you think?”
“You weren't waking. You go down for breakfast.” She spun and walked out as she spoke.
And to think that just earlier I’d braved the house just so I wouldn’t inconvenience her cause I was hungry.
“I’d like to have breakfast here.”
She stopped at the door, threw me a glance like I was crazy to suggest otherwise, and said in a slow and patronizing tone like I was hearing impaired,
“You go down for breakfast. Master said.”
She slammed the door, and with a sigh, I left the bed for the bathroom.
I showered and put on another plain white T-shirt, already feeling like a prisoner in my new single-tone choice of outfits. I missed my routine, my room, and I couldn’t wait to leave this gloomy house. But I couldn’t leave until the last attempt on my life was resolved.
Speaking of leaving, Marcus, Claudia, and Dante must be pulling their hair out in worry. I had to get to a phone and put a call through.
The dining area was spotless, evidence of Enza’s hard work. I was tempted to compliment the orderliness but changed my mind when she passed by me with a humph. How I offended the woman, I didn’t know.
I sat at the table, confused about the eating tradition here. Would I have to wait for “Master,” as she called him? Or maybe they had to dance around a cauldron before eating. I didn’t have to wonder for long, because ‘Master’ walked in.
A light black T-shirt hugged his biceps, so thin I could make out the ridges of his toned midriff. Grey pants hugged his thighs, and I thought it was unfair how sexy it made him look. He looked so formal and moved with a tight coil, his jaw clenched, and a dark air to him.
Even a five-year-old would know something was wrong.
“Good morning,” I offered, the memory of him standing over me in the night sending my heart into a scattered beat.
At first, I thought he wouldn’t respond, but then he raised his gaze to mine as if he hated my very presence. My audacity to exist. Okaaay.
He took a deep breath as if calming himself, his face relaxing into a neutral expression. But the poison was still beneath the surface. Maybe he didn’t like me exploring his house on my own? Welp. Too late. I didn’t even see anything!
“Did you sleep tight?”
The question threw me off. His volatile expressions gave me whiplash. It was hard to keep up, but I knew not to tick him off like this.
“Yes. Thank you. The room was cozy.” I mumbled, pushing poached eggs around on my plate.
“Mmhm.”
He picked a tiny piece of tomato from the dish with his finger and sucked it into his mouth.
The silence stretched, and I wished for another presence, even Enza, to dilute the tension.
I inhaled and shifted in my seat, my gaze down on the food. Pulling the T-shirt down to cover my exposed thigh, I felt his gaze on me.
“You’re not eating. Do you think it’s poisoned?”
I looked up at him. “Huh?”
“Poison is usually a woman’s method. But you surprised me.” An edge crept into his voice, strained as though it took him a lot to control it.
I looked at him like he had two heads.
Confused, I asked, “What are you talking about?”
The dishes on the table rattled as his fist slammed into it. I jumped in my seat, my heart in my throat. Maybe one of the bullets at Tribeca pierced his skull…
I knew we should have gone to the hospital.
“It took him losing an arm and a leg, but eventually your man, Marco, confessed.”
“Confessed? Wh-what?”
“You put on this act of a clueless, scared heiress. I have to give it to you. You nailed the act. I fell for it, hard.” He grinned.
His eyes darkened. “And last night? If the door hadn’t opened, would you have fucked me then?”
Finally understanding, I snorted in disbelief.
“You really think I tried to kill you?”
“I have the transaction receipt, Rosa. Don’t insult me.” He hissed, standing up slowly. He towered over me, regardless of the fact he was on the opposite end of the rectangular table.
“You wanted to make me pay for your papa’s death.”
“I didn’t do anything!” I screamed at him. “If I wanted you dead, Viktor, you’d be dead.” I sneered, throwing his words back at him. Let him see how it feels.
“You failed…” His lips pulled back in a frighteningly soulless smile. “You tried to avenge your sweet papa, but you failed.”
“Viktor, whatever anyone told you, I don’t know anything about anything. I was a victim. I got kidnapped, for God’s sake!”
“Yes. And conveniently, they were paid to just ‘scare’ you. And conveniently, I took all the hits even though you were standing between me and the fucking shooter!”
His angry face, his angry growl, the bulging veins in his neck, my body vibrated uncontrollably. He looked so much like Orlov right before he hit me. I hated him so much at that moment.
“Don’t yell at me.” I snapped.
How could he be so convinced of my guilt? What happened to banding together? What happened to the damned truce?
“Fuck this, I’m leaving.” I stood up, adjusting my shirt and turning around the table.
He laughed, his eyes glinting savagely.
“Oh no, Heiress. The party’s just getting started.”
I bolted.
Running barefoot, my heart slamming against my ribs, I turned the corner to the foyer and froze.
Walter was there. A gun slung across his chest. When I stepped forward, he slowly aimed it at me.
“No.” I whispered. I turned back to see Viktor at the other end, stalking toward me with his head cocked.
“Leaving so soon?”
“I swear I don’t know anything!” My voice cracked. “Please, just… listen to me!”
Someone was framing me. Someone who wasn’t happy with our truce, if he would just listen and believe me.
But he didn’t. His voice was low and cruel.
“If it’s any consolation… your guy was loyal. Right to the end. He only broke after I showed him a video of my men in his house. His wife on her knees.”
Tears streamed down my face. “They’re lying…”
He grabbed my arm and yanked me against his chest. His gaze dragged down my body.
“You’re such a tease. Is this how you got what you wanted in Boston?”
He leaned in, his breath hot against my cheek. “A little thigh, and all the boys come running?”
I shoved him. Hard. “Let me go!”
I hit his chest with both fists, but he didn’t even flinch.
“Still playing innocent,” he murmured. “Even now. Pretending you don’t know what the hotel really is…”
“I don’t know,” I cried. “Please. I swear… I don’t!”
He smiled. But there was no humor in it.
“Too bad, Rosa. Because now?… you’re mine.”