Chapter Twelve

Ten minutes, ten minutes had passed since we last spoke and he hasn't said a word. He just left and I followed. I couldn't tell if he was pissed or thoughtful, but either way, the silence scares me more than his threatening words ever could. Now, I'm in some fancy limo sitting across from him as he stares out the window. "Where are we going?" No reply. I squirm around in my seat, hands folding and unfolding, my thumbs twiddling nervously. "Are you rich or something?" You think I would have gotten the hint to shut up, but the silence is unnerving and awkward. After a few minutes of no response, I content myself with just looking out the window, watching scenery and people pass by in a flash.

My mind begins to wonder, I start thinking about everything I lost and will never have again. My mother, my home, my friends, Ben. Everything I know and love has been ripped away from me. Now I've been thrust into a game where the rules are ever changing and I'm always one step behind. "Jack," I jump at the sound of a voice interrupting my inner monologue.

"What?" I raise my brow, wondering if I zoned out while he was talking.

"My name is Jack." The man repeats, an annoyed look flashing across his eyes. "I figured I'd answer at least one of your questions. If I don't mio caro amico might threaten my manhood again."

"I didn't ask for your name." I comment, my tone clipped and short, still not happy about being given the silent treatment. "Plus, it's hard for her to threaten what you don't have." Jack's eyes flash from their delicate silver to their dangerous black. I'm quickly learning that when the colors change I should hold my tongue, but around that domineering jerk it's impossible. In an instant he reaches across the seat and grips my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"Listen up, gattina," Jack sneers, his eyes a coal black. I suck in a harsh breath and try to cower back, but he refuses to let me move. "I don't have to be as generous or as nice as I have. I've been letting things slide, but be certain once we reach the palace things will change. I will not be lenient. I will not be kind. Learn to hold your tongue, slave."

"Palace?" I question, my eyes frozen on his. A smirk spreads across his face as he draws me closer, his harsh eyes travelling to my lips then back to my eyes.

"Yes, palace. Don't you know who you've been talking to?" His smirk grows to a full fledged smile, a wicked gleam glowing in his eyes. "Prince Jack, future king of this kingdom." My eyes widen in shock as Jack releases me. No, Prince Jack. I assaulted, threatened, even insulted a prince. A future king, a person that has the power to change the law for my people. A person that won't. All it takes is one word from him and we could be free. Instead he goes to slave auctions and ruins people's lives.

My hands balled into fists, my face no doubt contorting into a look of anger and hatred. His people are the reason I'm here! He is the reason my family is dead! My village was slaughtered. I watched my mother die because of him. Yet, all this time, he could have sent me to prison, had me publicly executed. He saved my life in the alley. He knew I was running from guards, he knew something was off about me, that's why he chased me. Why did he save me?

"Why?" I whisper. Jack has his arms folded across his chest. His eyes, now a clear silver, watching my every move. It's almost as if he expected something, but that wasn't it.

"Why what?" Jack leans back, his arms stretched across the seat as if he has no clue of the inner turmoil he's started inside of me.

"Why save me, in the alley?" I question, scooting to the edge of my seat, staring him down as if I am staring down a snake and the first to look away is dead. Jack seems to ponder for a moment, rubbing his chin where his five o'clock shadow is taking place.

"That's my business. All you need to know is I have my reasons." Jack turns away from me and looks out the window, as if signaling end of discussion, but it wasn't, not for me.

"That's it, that's all you have to say for yourself? You save my life just to, what, damn me in a slave auction? Buy me and throw me into a life of servitude?" Jack scoffs and shakes his head, scooting to the edge of the seat, his face positioned directly in front of mine. Round two of the staring contest commences.

"Damned, you think I damned you?" A smile spreads over his face and I shirk back, my eyes glancing away from him.

"Of course, what would you call this?" I mumble under my breath.

"I call it saving your life, again." My eyes snap up to him, a feeling of hot lava building up in my chest which I can only explain as boiling rage. Save me, that's a joke. Thanks to him I'm having to hide who I am, thanks to him I've been thrown into a life of work with little chance of escape. "You think that's a joke?"

"I know it's a joke, this isn't life saving, this is life threatening. At the palace I'm going to work till I die. Aren't I?" Jack nods and I look out the window, watching all the scenery go by. At least he's honest.

"I won't lie. Life at the palace will be hard, but you've been a slave your whole life so you shouldn't be too incompetent. There will be more expected of you, demanding people and hours. Instead of one person you serve everyone at the palace. Unless someone likes you enough they claim you as their personal schiavo. Even then, what I've done for you is a blessing." Jack takes the spot next to me and grips my chin gently with his thumb and forefinger. Tilting my head back, he forces me to look him in the eyes which are shining with some unrecognizable emotion. "A pretty lady like you would have been sold to an old pervert that would love to use you then just throw you away."

His thumb gently rubs my chin, my heart beating violently against my chest as he draws me closer. I close my eyes tightly, not wanting to see the horrendous act that is about to transpire. "Thanks to me, that may not happen." He releases me and I squirm away, my back pressed against the far end of the door. I let my eyes open, now Jack isn't even looking at me, his eyes are closed and he's slouching against the seat. "The least I could get from you is a thank you." My teeth grind together as I stare at him, confusion, anger, and fear spin my head around violently, making my whole body feel like lead. "Sleep, you have a long day tomorrow and we have a stop to make in the morning."