Chapter 7 - Cindy

I could hear them screaming at each other but couldn't make out what they were saying. Scanning the room he locked me in, I noticed it was an actual spare room. There was a single bed, cupboards, shelves, a small oak desk with a chair, and a couch by the window. It had an unfamiliar feel, like it had never been lived in.

On the shelves were a couple of books, some ornaments, and pictures. The bedding was light blue and green, and on the pillow was a teddy bear. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn it was a child's room by the looks of it. But none of the people in this mansion seemed to have kids. Even though I had only briefly met the others, I felt sure no children were living here.

The woman, Mila, had a firm, perfectly proportioned body that surely had not seen the birth of a child yet. Her curly strawberry-blond hair, almost touching her ass with her alabaster smooth skin, made her a rare beauty.

I was sure that they all had anger issues and no child would survive such a life. Maybe the room was made up to make others feel comfortable, but it didn't provide me with any comfort. I had seen what Leon could do and Mila wasn't a friendly woman.

Coming in, I noticed the mansion had three floors. The garage was large enough for at least six cars, even though I only saw three and two motorbikes. The outside also seemed extensive. From the gate, we drove through a grove of trees to the side of the mansion. It appeared to spread quite far to one side with big white pillars on the corners.

Some windows seemed to run from the top to the bottom, and I felt sure those didn't open. As we pulled in, I noticed a fountain in the distance with a cobblestone path leading to it.

The place was surely something out of a fairytale, and I wondered how these people could afford such a mansion. Maybe killing and torture was a lucrative business. Hearing the argument moving closer, I placed my ear up against the door. They were surely moving closer as I could now make out parts of what they were saying.

"I still don't understand why you would bring her here?" I heard one of the men saying.

"Maybe he thinks that the Morozov Bratva will take her in exchange for him killing the other guy." I heard the woman Leon called Mila add.

Stepping back, my mind whirled a million miles an hour. Bratva? What have I gotten into?

Turning, I briskly moved to the window. The room was on the second floor, and I didn't expect to find a way down, but I hoped. Opening the window, I felt the hot breeze blowing in. The air had a musty odor. Yet, I couldn't see any factories or other kinds of businesses in the area. There was nothing but trees as far as I could see. And, as expected, there was no way down.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I let out a deep sigh. I was never getting out of here. Thinking back to Mike's vague replies when I asked him about the lab, I wondered if there was some connection to the Mafia there.

Shaking my head, I resolved that it was just a fluke, a big misunderstanding. The company wasn't hiding anything. Mike could have been working for someone else. Yes, that was it. I felt a grin forming on my lips as I made up my mind.

The door flung open, causing me to jump slightly and let out a small scream. Leon came in quickly and closed the door behind him. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He said.

He looked upset as he stood for a moment against the door. Considering everything, I knew that I now owed him for saving me from Mike. It made my blood boil, but there was no changing the facts. "It's okay," I replied softly.

Leon walked past me to the window and stood staring out. "When are you going to let me go?" I inquired, looking at the floor. I felt his gaze on me as he turned and sat beside me.

His voice was calm as he replied. "You know I can't do that now."

I felt irritated that he was so calm with all that had happened. "So what, now you're just going to keep me locked up for the rest of my life?" I asked, turning so I could look at him.

Leon met my gaze as he took my hand. The sudden touch was unexpected and made my stomach turn. "Look, I know it is hard for you now, but in time, you will adjust."

"What?" I spat at him, pulling my hand out of his. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Did he really think I would stay? "You have no right to keep me. There will be people looking for me, you know."

I knew it would likely be weeks or months before people started looking. Yet, I hoped it would scare him into letting me go.

Leon leaned forward, taking my hand again. His touch was tender and warm. "Please calm down," he said softly.

"Calm down? I am calm, Leon, but you have no right to keep me here."

"It's just for a while, I promise, just until the job is done." He added.

Staring into his dark eyes, I felt my heart skipping a beat. ‘No,' I thought, ‘I couldn't be falling for this man.' I was pulled from my thoughts as I felt him caressing my hand.

"Cindy," Leon said as I looked from our hands into his eyes. "Please bear with me. Once the mission is completed, we could maybe…" His words trailed off as he lowered his gaze to our hands.

Feeling my stomach knotting, I stood and walked back to the window. "I will need clean clothes if I am to be kept hostage here," I said, looking at the tree line.

"Sure, I will get some," Leon spoke behind me.

"Do you need my address? Are you going to my house for it?" I questioned without turning.

"I don't think so. I'll go buy some if that will do?" he answered softly.

Turning, I saw him just standing by the bed, staring at me. "Sure, no problem, whatever works for you."

Leon nodded, turned, and left the room. I heard the door locking as it closed. I felt tired. So much had happened in such a short period, and my mind was still trying to catch up.

Walking to the door, I tried listening, but all was quiet.