Chapter 8 - Piotr

I lead Alyssa up to the third floor to my room at the very end. The one next to it, I had prepared for her. The room was adjoined to mine through a door. It also had a personal bathroom, so we wouldn’t have to share.

Opening the door, I allowed her to walk in first. “You will be staying in this room from now on. You can consider it as your own. I hope it is to your liking, though. If not, just let me know, and we can make changes.”

Alyssa surveyed the room before turning to me. Her smile was warm, and her tone soft. “Thank you, it is lovely. But you really didn’t have to…”

“No, no, it was no trouble at all,” I said, interrupting her. “I want you to be comfortable and feel welcome here.”

I noticed her cheeks turning a light red as she lowered her gaze to the floor. “Thank you, Piotr,” she said, turning back to the room.

“The door to the right is the bathroom. My room is through the door to the left. Should you need anything, you can just knock.” I added as I stepped back out of the room. “I have moved the clothing left by Cindy to these closets and will arrange to have your things brought here.”

Alyssa didn’t move as she replied. “Thanks.”

Leaving, I headed to my room and waited a while. Everything was quiet in her room, so after a quick shower, I went to bed. I would call Jones in the morning and make arrangements to collect her belongings.

I woke early with movement in the next room. Standing at the adjoining door, I listened. It sounded like Alyssa was talking to someone. Knocking lightly, I opened the door a sliver and peeked inside. She was still sleeping but seemingly having a dream.

Closing the door again, I got ready for the day. After having an early cup on the veranda, I joined Mila in the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Alyssa was in the bathroom when I went to call her for breakfast.

“Alyssa,” I said through the closed door. “Breakfast is ready.”

“Thank you, I’ll be down shortly.” She replied softly.

We were basically done when Alyssa joined us in the kitchen. She appeared slightly more reserved than the previous two days. Alyssa helped Mila clean up and headed back to her room. She only came down again at lunchtime and seemed to be keeping to herself. It felt like she was tiptoeing around us.

Alyssa was kind of adorable in the way she tried to avoid us. I imagined it was how she was living with Jones. Sitting on the bean bag in my room, I felt the start of a headache. Just thinking of all she has been through made my anger rise. Jones treated her so badly.

After she told me more about her life, I couldn’t help feeling a deeper need to protect her. All I wanted to do was go out and beat the crap out of Jones. No man had the right to treat a woman the way he did. He wasn’t a man; he was an animal. No, even animals were better than he was.

She was confined to a small room growing up. As she aged, he started using her for his evil bidding. I understood her need to flee from him. But even with all she told me, I couldn’t bring myself to let her go. Surely not to a foreign country all by herself. I wanted to protect her, and I would.

My instincts were screaming at me. I wouldn’t allow Jones to hurt her ever again. Rising from the bean bag, I walked to the window and stared at the world outside. Drawn in by my emotions, I was startled when my phone rang.

Glancing at the screen as I removed it from my pocket, I felt my blood boiling. It was Jones. My first instinct was to let it ring. But I needed to arrange for her things. Plus, I needed to know what he wanted. So, I decided to answer.

“Good afternoon, Jones. How can I help you?” I spoke into the phone after swiping up to accept the call. Thinking back to what Alyssa had said, I wondered if he intended to invite us over so he could try to convince me to fight.

His voice sounded a bit slurred as it boomed through the receiver. “Hi, I want to come see my daughter. I want to make sure she is doing okay, you understand.”

As he spoke, my grip tightened on the phone. How dare he say such things. Keeping my tone as calm as possible, I responded in a rush. “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible. But I can assure you she is fine. I would, however, like to send someone to collect her things.”

There was a slight pause, and then it sounded like something metal had fallen over. “No, no,” Jones breathed into the phone. “You don’t get to keep her from me. She is my daughter, and I will come see her. Do you understand?”

Shaking my head, I tried to keep my anger from taking control. “I’m sorry, but we are busy…”

Before I could complete my sentence, he interrupted, screaming at me over the phone. “She is my daughter, and I can come to see her when I want t0!” The frustration and demand were palpable in his voice.

“Jones,” I spat back. “Don’t try me. She is my wife, and what happens to her is no longer your concern. Do you understand? Don’t test my patience!”

A loud bang was on the other side of the line before it went dead. Letting out a sigh, I wondered if Alyssa had heard the conversation. Walking to the adjoining door, I wasn’t sure if I should mention the call to her.

She was already scared of him. Allowing him to come see her here may spook her. It could cause her to run again. I didn’t want to make life uncomfortable for her. I only wanted to protect her. I would ask Ashan if he can send some men to collect her clothes.

Knocking softly, I listened. I could hear her talking again. But it sounded more like she was moaning. Opening the door, I stuck my head in. Alyssa was sleeping, but she wasn’t peaceful. She was twisting and turning on the bed.

Stepping into the room, it sounded like she was choking or being choked. I walked over to the bed and noticed sweat on her brows. Her pretty face was pulled up as if she was in pain.

Gently, I placed my hand on her shoulder and tried to wake her. “Alyssa, Alyssa, wake up,” I whispered.

She brought her fist up, and I moved back just in time. She was definitely fighting with someone in her sleep. Leaning back in, I shook her a little harder as I spoke. “Alyssa, wake up. You’re dreaming.”

Her hand closed around my wrist, and I felt her pulling. I had not expected the sudden movement. My feet gave way under me, and I fell forward onto her. She was mumbling about some fight, a dead guy, and body parts. A part of her conversation sounded like she was selling someone an organ.

Trying to get back up was futile as she was struggling too much. We ended up being twisted and tangled together. The sheets were wrapped around us. I felt like I was being pinned.

Eventually freeing my one arm, I took hold of hers and secured it as I spoke louder. “Alyssa, wake up.”

Her other hand came at me with force and collided with the side of my face. I felt a tingling sensation radiate from my cheek to my ear. Pulling free of the sheets, I sat over her and grabbed hold of her free hand. I made sure she wouldn’t be able to do that again.

Leaning down, I spoke into her ear. “Alyssa, princess, you’re dreaming.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and she stared up at me as if she didn’t know who I was for a second. Her lips curled at the ends, opening slightly. She was beautiful even though there were tears in her eyes. I felt my heart aching for her.

Wiping the stragglers from her eyes, I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “You were dreaming, princess,” I whispered. I felt her arms relaxing in my hold and let them go. She didn’t protest or pull away.

Looking into her eyes, I felt like drowning in the ocean. There was so much emotion in them. Leaning closer, our lips brushed. I felt her hand snaking into my hair. Without hesitation, I kissed her.

She tasted like sweet melons with a hint of cinnamon. I couldn’t resist her luscious lips. As our kiss deepened, I felt my body sparking to life. Pulling back faintly, I felt her biting my lower lip. A fire burned through me as her lips parted, and I gained access to her mouth.

Pushing my tongue in, I wanted all of her. I felt her shift under me as I sat on top of her. I held her shoulders as we kissed. She was enchanting and I wanted to know all she was.