Chaptet-8

JANE

My body jolted forward from a sudden jerk and I was snapped out of my sleep. My gaze landed outside and found the runway passing by. The flight had landed.

Far away from family and friends, in a different country, all alone and knowing there was no way to contact anyone, could anything be worse than this feeling? What made it even worse was the betrayal by Dominic. 

It was a miracle that I hadn't shattered into pieces after all this. All hopes were lost, yet there was a determination to face everything life would throw at me. 

A sob rose from my chest, and I shut my eyes, taking a shaky breath to stop the tears, when I felt a presence beside me.

My body tensed up and I slowly opened my eyes, looking sideways. My heart hammered as I found Rosario, looking at me from head to toe with his lusty gaze.

Feeling exposed under his gaze, my body involuntarily shrunk into the leather seat and I wrapped my hands around me.

"This outfit suits you. Your whole new wardrobe is waiting for you at home," he said with a playful yet evil smirk.

I glared at him, gritting my teeth with barely restrained anger.

"I don't like such clothes. I want my old old ones back," I spat.

He let out an evil laugh, sounding like the devil and a shiver ran down my spine.

"You'll wear whatever I'll get for you from now on. Understood? You've become sexier, by the way." He winked before standing up and holding his hand out for me.

"Get up."

I looked at his hand but didn't move from my spot. The flight came to a halt and I let out a nervous breath.

"Don't make me force you. Come with me," he growled.

I quietly got up and walked away, without taking a single glance at his hand. I heard him curse under his breath before his heavy footsteps got closer and closer. 

In a few seconds, he was beside me as he grabbed my waist before pulling me against him. I was about to push him away when he growled slowly in my ear.

"Don't. Or you'll regret it. Don't forget you are under my mercy here." 

He squeezed my exposed waist and I squirmed, anger and disgust bubbling just beneath the surface.

The outfit I was wearing was bought by him which he asked, or rather ordered me to wear earlier during the flight. 

I knew I wouldn't be able to fight him over everything. I needed to choose my battle and this was one thing I chose to lose. I needed energy for the right time.

It was a light maroon slip top that covered only my breasts, showing too much cleavage than necessary and leaving everything else bare, paired with a black mini skirt with a small slit on one side. 

As soon as I stepped on the first set of stairs outside the aircraft, the icy cold air of Chicago hit me with full force, making my teeth clatter.

This was exactly what I was wondering when he gave me these clothes to wear. It was November and I knew the temperature would be too cold for these clothes.

I turned to him with a glare while my teeth kept clattering and my body shivered terribly.

He looked at me, cocking an eyebrow while a small smirk played on his lips. He kept dragging me with him as we stepped down the stairs. It was hard to match his pace with my shivering and unstable legs, combined with the high heels, but he didn't seem to care.

By the time my feet touched the ground, my insides were freezing and my skin felt numb. Under the curious and lustful gazes of his soldiers, I felt timid.

Remembering the night with Dominic on the yacht, when not a single one of his men dared look at me, not even for a second, my eyes burned with unshed tears.

"How's your first punishment? Having fun, darling?" he whispered and I had to fight a battle with myself to keep the damn tears from breaking free.

I wanted to scream and cry out loud, but instead, I kept my face neutral.

The high heels kept clicking as I walked, feeling like a slut, in an equally slutty outfit, having her walk of shame under the lecherous gazes of Rosario's soldiers.

Be brave, Jane. Be brave. You can do it.

I spoke to myself, keeping my head down and walking wherever he took me until I was shoved inside a car. The warmth enveloped me like a cosy blanket and I let out a relieved breath. Wrapping my hands around myself, I rubbed away the goosebumps from my skin. 

I was badly craving a blanket wrapped around me, a glass of hot chocolate in my hand and a seat beside a fireplace, but there was no one to understand what I wanted. I was alone, on my own.

My lips quivered, my vision blurred and I bit my lip hard to keep myself from crying. I would never cry in front of this man. Never.

Before I could stabilize my emotions, he pulled me towards him with a jerk. A gasp left my lips as I ended up half straddling him, with my hands on his chest and my leg trapped between his.

"What are you doing? Just leave me, Rosario," I tried to growl, but my voice came out squeaky because of the tears I was trying to suppress.

"Why babes? Are you going to disobey me again?" he whispered near my ear.

"What do you want?"

"You." His lips curled into a smirk and my stomach churned.

I couldn't afford to anger him anymore today but there was no way I could stop him without disobeying him. 

Oh, Jesus. Help me, please. If I have ever done something good in my life, then don't let him touch me.

Closing my eyes, I prayed with everything I had while his hands skimmed down my back, caressing my skin and resting under my butt.

I stopped the urge to squirm and move away. My heart was racing so loud that I was sure he could hear it.

And then, sudden dizziness made me open my eyes, and the world spun around me; my hands and legs felt light as feather. Before I could register anything, my head fell to the side and my eyes fluttered as everything went blank. 

The last thing I heard was the distant voice of Rosario cursing.

"Fuck."

.....

I woke up with a start and my eyes squeezed shut because of the blinding white light. I raised my hands to cover my eyes before opening them slowly.

The first thing I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling with spotlights lining the edges. I could feel the soft mattress under me and a warmth enveloping me. 

I slowly removed my hands, letting my eyes adjust to the light. A long glass door stood opposite me that led to a balcony and the blinds were swept aside, making the sunlight glaring directly at me.

I slowly sat up with the support of my hands and looked around the luxurious bedroom. Dragging the blanket up, I wrapped it around myself, feeling its warmth seeping into me.

The door creaked open, startling me and I turned my head in a snap. A beautiful and kind-looking young woman entered the room and smiled widely at me, making my body relax.

"Hello, Ms Collins. I am Dr Adessa Moore. Good morning, or should I say good afternoon?" she let out a small chuckle.

"Good morning. What time is it?" I asked her politely.

"Its 12:30. You fainted on the way because of the extreme cold. How are you feeling right now?" Walking up to me, she pressed an alarm on the nightstand.

I sighed in relief inwardly.

Thank you, Jesus.

"I am fine. Thanks. Where is Rosario?" 

"Oh, Mr Salvatore is out for some business." Relief washed over me as she spoke the words. 

"But he'll be back soon." And there goes my momentary peace.

"Okay," I spoke almost inaudibly.

Just then, the door opened again, and an older woman in a white shirt & black knee-length skirt walked in with a steaming cup in a tray. The fragrance of cinnamon and honey wafted around me as she stood beside the bed.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. It's for you, please have it. You'll feel better."

I took the cup gratefully and took a sip. The warm liquid soothed my throat and my stomach.

"Thank you," I said with a smile.

"Mention not, ma'am. Please tell me what you would like to have for lunch." The kind smile playing on her lips made me relax on the enemy's turf.

"Will he join me for lunch?"

She beamed even more at my question. She'd think I was eager to have lunch with him but it was actually the opposite. I was hoping he'd not come back at all.

"He may. But if not, he will surely join you for dinner." My heart dropped to my stomach and my appetite was gone completely.

"I am not hungry. You can cook anything you want. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure, ma'am?"

I nodded and as soon as she left, my heart skipped a beat as something struck my mind.

Where is my ring?

The blanket dropped from my hand, and I looked down to find myself in the same dress I was wearing earlier. 

"What happened, Miss Collins? Do you need anything?" The doctor asked in a concerned voice.

I just shook my head while skimming my hands over the pockets of my skirt, and breathed a sigh of relief when something poked my fingers.