Chapter 10- Slut

I feel like shit this morning.

Lusso didn't leave till late last night, almost 1:00 AM, and as a result I'm sleep deprived. To make matters even worse, I was assigned a new patient this morning. The patient's name is Torah, she's 24 and was suffering from an asthma attack after her morning run.

I gave her a better inhaler and am currently monitoring her. She's a very likable women, and I can't imagine someone like her being mixed up with the mafia.

She has thick, curly hair, and dark, flawless skin. A small scar runs down the inside of her neck, and her light brown eyes dazzle.

"Yeah, I finished high school and got bored. College didn't seem right for me, so I ended up here," she shrugs. I expected her response to be more like me- through force. But she actually came willingly, walked right into a damn mafia because she was "bored". Goals.

"Soon after I got here, I met my boyfriend and wouldn't leave now for the world," she continues with a blush.

"Who's the lucky guy?" I wink.

"I think he knows you. His names Neil..." she smiles at his name.

Hell yeah he knows me.

Picturing them together, they really would make a beautiful couple. I nod my head. "I can see that."

We talk through the afternoon, and when I'm sure she's in the clear I send her on her way. I check in on Jacob, then head to Cidney's room.

"How was work?" she asks, welcoming me in.

"Oh, the usual. I met Torah today."

"Ah, yes," she nods. "Looks like Beyoncé, doesn't she?"

"Yeah. Count me jealous," I grumble, then hop on to her bed. "Why doesn't she have meals with us?"

"Lusso's fully in charge of who comes to meals. Took me years here to be allowed, and even then it was hard to get his approval," she frowns.

"So, why am I there then?"

At this Cidney turns on the bed to fully face me. "That's kinda the thing. No one knows. It's extremely odd, and everyone around the compound is talking about it. Some think Lusso's getting sloppy. Letting the new stranger sit with the immediate family. It's very out of character for him."

My face tenses, and I realize she's right. Why am I the only staff that eats with them?

"But you know what's even weirder?" she continues, her expression twisting into one of suspicion, "He let you sleep in his bed. Hell, he let Neil and I in his room as well, all to help you. That's the first time I've ever even seen the inside of his bedroom, and I've lived down the hall for years. He slept on the couch for two nights while you slept on his sheets just so you could recover. He didn't move you to the medical ward, he let you stay there. He doesn't just do that. He's a selfish bastard who would kill anyone with no qualms if they tried to get in the way of him and a good night sleep. So I guess my question is, Anna, who the hell are you?"

The undertone in her usual cheerful voice is harsh, cold and questioning. This feels like an interrogation. "Uh, I-" I stutter. "I d-don't now. I don't k-know him."

She looks my over, critically studying every feature of my face. I pray to god I'm not blushing, but hearing that Lusso treats me special has me all flustered. I shouldn't feel that why, but my heart doesn't agree with my head.

"Okay, I believe you," she finally affirms, and I sigh in relief. "Whatcha wanna watch?" She flops down next to me, and the awkwardness soon fades.

*****

Hours dissolve, and soon Cidney and I head off to dinner. We take our seats, and conversation carries on as the food is set in front of us.

After maybe five minutes of dining, Mr. King suddenly speaks up in English, the intent of me understanding clear. "So, Lusso, I noticed you heading into Annabella's room last night," he says with a side eye in my direction. My heart races, and I look up at Lusso for and answer.

He locks his cold eyes with mine, then shrugs. "She's a decent fuck."

My jaw drops, and I quickly cover it up. The room bursts into deep laughter, all except for Cidney. I take a breath to try and swallow up my tears, but with everyone's eyes on my humiliated face I don't think I can do it for much longer.

Maybe I'm just weak, but I thought... I didn't think he'd say something like that about me. But also, why would he lie about why he was really there? Was it just to sound like the Macho male? Like oh, he's the man if he can bed the new staff member he stole from her home?

I shouldn't be, but I'm so incredibly hurt by what just came out of his mouth that I take a risk. "May I be excused, please?" I say, staring at the smooth wood of the table.

"Hm," Mr. King hums, "Look at me dear." I cringe at the way he addresses me, but look at him like he asks.

Amusement twinkles in his dead eyes, and I think for a moment he won't let me leave. "Yes, I suppose you may go."

Relieved, I rush out. Tears start to fall, and the halls becomes a grey blur. I find myself in the medicine room, sitting on the table Lusso and I sat on.

I watch tear drops splatter down onto my legs as I let my head hang, hating that I feel like this. I'm disgusted with myself, sickened by what all those men think of me.

But I'm utterly torn apart by what Lusso said to me. He looked me right in the eyes as he made me into some slut. I can't believe I let myself think he had any decent side. He really just needed medical help last night, that childish hug meant nothing, and I'm a fool for ever thinking it meant anything.

I lift my head at the sound of the door closing, someone entering the room. Through my teary eyes I make out the silhouette of Lusso. Blinking back tears I see the finger he has help to his lips, and the serious set of his face.

Rage fills me, and I'm certain what ever he has to say won't make up for his actions at the table.

"Bella, I'm so sorry. I can explain," he rushes.

"No," I choke out, "Get out."

He crosses the room, standing right in front of me. "Please. You have to understand. There's eyes and ears everywhere. I couldn't put a target on your back."

"What are you talking about, Lusso? Your not making any sense. I don't want to hear some bullshit excuse about you trying to help me," I cry harder.

"Listen to me," he covers the side of my face with his hand, then forces me to look up at him. "There's people that you can't see pulling the strings. I can't risk them thinking there's anything between us."

"Well, then its a good thing there isn't anything at all," I spit, jerking my face away from him.

He's frustrated by my answer, and pushes himself to stand between my knees, hands on the table either side of me. His mouth moves closer to my ear. "Tell me about your first kiss, Bella."

His topic change gives me whiplash. I flush, flustered. "N-no," I stutter quickly, shaking my head.

"Tell me," he growls.

I submit. "I don't know. It doesn't even really count. I was like, eight? I don't know."

He hums in my ear. "I remember mine. A girl with flaming red hair," he coos, twirling a bit of my coppery brown hair. He moves his face back to right in front of mine. "Tell me if this one's better."

And then Lusso King's lip are on mine.