Chapter 43 in the Cage of Arius

Elena Davis,

His green pair of emeralds were glancing in my eyes as he wanted to peep in my soul. They were calm as a smiling sea but who was going to know it more than me; it was just on the verge that calm sea brings the tsunami of anger which wants me to flow in them just to save me again to gain control over my body because he knew he already had control over the heart of that body.

He held me closer to his heart as he wanted to keep me warm with his body temperature, but it was a sugar coated treat for me and a reminder to not do this again. I closed my eyes and let him carry me wherever he wanted; I didn’t have an ounce of energy to run anymore. Why isn’t he asking anything? Why was he so calm when nothing happened?

“Open your eyes; I haven’t finished looking at them yet.”  He ordered while tightening his hold over me. My eyes opened in shock at hearing his demand. He smirked and kept walking towards the mansion.

“Are you afraid of me?” He questioned casually, keeping his stare in my eyes.

“What do you expect from me? When I find out you are in the mafia.” I responded in my hoarse voice, turning my head away from him. My throat was dry and burning a lot.

“New leader of Italian Mafia, to be precise.” He added as it was all just a part of prank but his tone was hinting something else.

“Arius, please let me go.” I begged again, but he ignored me completely as he didn’t hear at all.

“Don’t do this again or consequences will be worse for your loved ones.”  He threatened in his deep voice smelling me and turned his head again towards the way. Tears started flowing from my eyes. Hearing his words, I understood the situation has already gone beyond my control and I have stuck with the mafia leader. I leaned my head over his chest hearing his heartbeat closing my eyes, trying to forget what happened that night.

Rustling sound of leaves had stopped long ago; he must have crossed the forest and headed towards the garden. I need to distance myself from him; he is going to marry someone else, and my heart has to understand the situation very well even though it will bleed for him, but I have to do it.

“Put me down Mr. Accardo.” I requested, glancing up at him. His eyes were not ready to do it, but he put me down when he saw the determination flashed in my eyes. I turned and took a step away from him, but he held my wrist and pulled me towards him.

“Why did you try to run? When I told you to be good and wait for me.” He questioned calmly, but it didn’t stop shivering to pass my spine. He is a mafia leader. Of course I feared him.

“I ran because I don’t want to be your mistress.” I answered boldly, standing straight to him. My eyes were fearless, but the ache in my heart couldn’t stop the flow in them. He dipped his left hand behind my head through my hairs, holding softly, but his face was far, far away from the softness.

“You can have ownership of me, the right to spend each and every night of my life with you. I promise to shower you with unending wealth and pleasure, but you have to be beside me.” He promised, every word he said was sincere and filled with passion, but they sounded a curse to me, a maze where I was trapped brutally.

“I just want to be free from you, Arius.” I reminded him calmly, does he think that he could buy me over any materialistic thing?

“Free from me?” I mimicked my words in a taunting way, holding my chin in his fingers accompanied with his sinister smirk lingering over his lips. His eyes shone with unknown enlightenment, surprising me once again. I gulped down trying to move my head from his hand, but my efforts went vain.

“Do you think you can be free from me, even if I let you go? Send you back to Miami? Back to your normal life far away from me?” He questioned even though his eyes showed he already knew the answers. He pulled me closer, wrapping his both hands around me, locking me over his body and nuzzling his head in my neck, searching his sanity somewhere, making me melt, forcing me to accept his every touch on my skin as if it was the drop of water I was begging for.

“No, you won’t be free from me.” He added, kissing my neck while arching my head up to gain more access to me.

“Because you love me. Your eyes scream. Your heart belongs to me.” He reasoned, nibbling lightly on my neck. I was frozen entirely by his words, but he kept biting and sucking my neck as nothing happened. My heart rate escalated. I put my hands over his chest and pushed him with all my effort. He backed a step but his eyes were flashing amusement, not any sign of offending. He knew all this time? I haven’t told him then?

“Prove it.” I challenged him, holding my head high composing myself instantly without showing any sign of affection in my eyes for him.

“I will.” He flashed his confident smile, standing tall, arrogantly thinking as he knew my heart more than me.

“But if you fail, you will never show your face to me again.” I added, to ensure my escape through this.

“And if I win, you have to be beside me.” He conditioned, taking huge air in, crossing his hands over his chest.

“You are not going to force me to have sex with you.” I responded immediately, trying to negotiate his conditions.

“I can see you, is more than anything for me.” He asserted, shocking me with his confession. What is actually going on in his mind? Why can’t he talk to me freely? He bent down and picked me up again, kissing my forehead. He started approaching the main door of the mansion. I was staring at his face nonstop, trying to contemplate his words, but I wasn’t finding anything from his calm yet dangerous face.

He glanced at me with his admiring look, as I never tried to run away from him. His behavior made me concerned with the challenge we set a while ago. At least I have a chance to escape from him. Bodyguards bowed as he entered the main door of the mansion, holding me in his hands. He nodded and walked towards the stairs. He glanced at the maid standing beside the staircase and she bowed deeply and left immediately.

He was silent the entire time until we reached his bedroom. He made me sit over the sofa and that maid rushed holding a first aid box in her hands. He took it and walked towards the coffee table to pick up the glass of water, bring it over my lip. He made me drink with his hands.

“Next time, don’t shut that loud when you hear the sound of a gun. You have to be familiar with it.” He ordered causally while opening the first aid box. I couldn’t believe this man could even order something bizarre. I preferred to keep my mouth shut instead.

“What do you know about the mafia?” He questioned and took my feet over his knees, scooting in front of me. I tried to retreat my leg as it was uncomfortable to watch a mafia leader kneeling in front of me to treat my feet, but he held my feet in his hand, glancing up at me. I was shocked that I knew he was a mafia, but I was just afraid of the name mafia instead of the mafia leader himself. I couldn’t force myself to hate him or cringe at him at all. The moment my eyes landed on him in the forest, my heart felt peace, not fear. Yes, I was scared, but not of him, but of his designation. Should I blame my heart for not being afraid of him, still feeling the connection between us, still wanting to spill myself in his arms? I think I should be blamed. Why is it hard to turn my head away from him knowing the truth of his? Is it alright to compromise my morals and values for my love? Just to be with him? Leaving self respect for love?

“Snowflake, I asked what you know about the mafia?” He asked, cupping my face in his hand caressing my lip with his thumb.

“It’s bad and illegal, that’s it.” I answered immediately, coming out from my trance created by him. He was stunned hearing my answer but burst into laughter the next moment. God, I almost forgot how pleasing his laugh was to my ears. He laughed for me back and it was as heart melting as it is now. I wasn’t even feeling the burn of antiseptic liquid he was applying over my wounds.

“You need to learn a lot.” He mentioned subconsciously while bandaging my leg. Shit!! What is this man planning?