Mariana
The car ride to Manhattan had been a silent one. Ion and I had hardly said a word to each other, but what was I supposed to say? I didn’t know where, to begin, with all my questions, and I had been trying to find the right words. I thought I probably owed him a thank you, but I also had Bianca on my mind. I was lost without her by my side. Maybe that was why I was at such a loss for words, even as I saw where I was going to be living now.
Nothing could hold a candle to the ritzy high-rise that Ion called home. It towered into the sky in the richest part of the city, overlooking everything like a king. It was a bit laughable, though I didn’t dare even let out a giggle. The pain was still there, even though I had been cleared to go home and rest.
Ion had warned me we would be in the penthouse, but as long as there was an elevator, it wouldn’t be so bad. I had gotten used to living in that dump with Jonas. I could get used to a nice place, even if being up so high did feel like a bit of a trap when I thought about it.
Ion opened my car door for me, and I worked my way out slowly, headed for the steps that led up to the lobby entrance. Just as my foot landed on the bottom step, I felt an arm come around me and instantly jumped. I guess somewhere inside of me; I was still expecting Jonas to show up and hurt me again. It was hard to think about anyone touching me again just yet.
“Relax, Ana. It’s just me. I’m just helping you get inside; I know you’re still hurting,” Ion assured me in that silky-smooth voice of his. It made me calm but also cautious at the same time. Trusting was going to be hard, even if this was the man my father had chosen for me to be with. I don’t believe I’d ever trust another man again, how could I after enduring so much for so long? Granted, I know that not all men are like Jonas Masterson, but please, tell that to the girl with the emotional and physical scars.
I let him help me, trying to remain calm at his touch. His hand never wandered, though, and he let go the moment we were in the elevator and headed up to his apartment. As we rode up several floors, I finally turned to him, feeling the emotional pain much stronger than the physical.
“I need you to find my daughter,” I said simply, my eyes begging him as his green ones turned towards me. “I know she isn’t yours, but without her, my life is nothing. I have no reason to live without her. Please. She is the only family I have left now.” I watched, assessing his features for something, anything that would give me a clue what he’s thinking, but he didn’t speak.
Not a peep from him.
The elevator stopped with an incessant ding, letting me know that we were now on the right floor. Ion nodded and gently led me to his door. It was an ugly burnt orange. All that money and he couldn’t even choose an appealing paint color.
“I can see she means a lot to you, and she is a Vasile regardless. Why don’t we sit down, and you recount what happened before we arrived and found you at Jonas’ place? Perhaps there might be an indication of where Jonas has taken your daughter,” Ion offered. It was a better answer than I thought I would get from him, but I didn’t think there would be any signs of where Jonas went from what I had to tell. The one thing Ion had already relayed to me is that they had been looking for me the whole time and found not even a clue as to my whereabouts or who had me, even as Jonas continued to show up randomly at the meetings of the clans. Jonas knew what he was doing.
I went through every single gory detail anyway. I didn’t leave anything out; the insults, his hesitation, or that evil laughter which was the last thing I heard. Ion informed me that I had been somehow taken back up the stairs and left in the back of the building.
Once Ion realized there was nothing to glean from what I could remember, the conversation took a turn. “What is Bianca like?” Ion asked, sounding like he might be trying to get to know me. I was taken aback by it but happy for the subject. I missed her so much.
“Bianca is a miniature version of myself other than the dark, dark eyes which look more like Jonas’. But she is beautiful already, even at four. Growing up the way she has, I was afraid she would be a scared little weakling, but she is spirited and feisty. She finds a way to have fun, even in the worst of situations, she has such a strong spirit” I couldn’t help but have a smile on my face at the mention of my precious little girl. I couldn’t wait to have her back in my arms.
“She sounded a lot like you when you were a child,” Ion commented, sipping at the glass of brandy he had poured for himself. I looked him over for a moment, feeling strange at his interest. I didn’t exactly understand why he still wanted anything to do with me. In theory, I was still the key to his throne, but I was no longer the pure young woman Ion had been promised.
Every summer since I had turned eight, my mother had pulled out the marriage contract and gone over it with me for understanding and told me one fact about the man I would marry. Sometimes, it was as simple as his name or the color of his hair. Other times, it was about his favorite toy or his favorite sport. One thing I knew for certain, from pouring over it so many times, was that the arrangement was supposed to mean I had never been touched by another man. I was to be pure and a virgin for Ion. That was not the case. I had been taken, used, and abused in every way possible. Why would Ion even still want me after Jonas had his way with me for eight years?
After a light lunch, Ion led me through his home, showing me where everything was. It was a large and very nice place. Once Bianca was with me, I would have no trouble getting comfortable with all the expensive furniture and endless food that was available in the kitchen or through delivery. The building had a concierge for goodness sake. Ion definitely had the means to care for the two of us. But I sort of wondered what he had in store for me emotionally. I had been on a roller coaster of hell for eight years with an old, dirty snake. I didn’t want history repeating itself, even if Ion was so much younger and more attractive.
Ion was so attractive; I can’t help but wonder what we would’ve been like if everything worked out the way it was supposed to. If my parents were still alive, if we had been married when I was eighteen, if I would be madly in love with him, or if he would drive me insane through constant banter. I was stupid for even letting my thoughts get the best of me – me wondering would do no good, life worked out the way it did, and we’d both have to deal with what I’d gone through in our own ways, even if I was a disappointment, a failure even at what he was promised.
The last place he showed me was the large master bedroom. “This is my room, and this is where you will be sleeping,” he told me, his voice turning stern as it had been with the Romanian man at the hospital. He was dominant, a true clan leader. I didn’t expect much less than that, but I didn’t know what to think about his statement considering what he had just rescued me from.
I glared up at him, my jaw set in frustration. After knowing what Jonas had done, I was appalled he would bring any of this up now. “So, I am nothing more than your personal slave? So much for respecting the last of my bloodline or my father’s wishes to care for me.”
Ion was silent for a moment, blocking me into the doorway and trying to tower over me with his height in a move of intimidation. “I guess it won’t be much different than your time with Jonas.”
Mariana
It had been three days now since I had been taken to live with Ion and his house full of men in the same way that Jonas always had his seedy associates around. I did have to give these guys credit; they didn’t try to harm or insult me. They did not play games with me or ask if they could have me too since I was so damn easy. They were just big, silent men, watching me like a hawk when Ion could not be around to do so. It was a bit exhausting, though, after what I had been through, to be rescued from a situation where I was little more than a slave only to find myself still not free, and it pissed me off. If my daughter was not out there somewhere, waiting to see me again and be saved from Jonas, then I would have ended my life already. It wouldn’t be too hard since I was not fully recovered.
It was hard to think, as I sat up in the bed which I had not been sharing with Ion since he knew I needed space with my injury, that the sun still rose and set like always when my child was not with me. Bianca was my sun, and yet there was daylight, streaming in through the window of Ion’s bedroom. I still called it that, not seeing it as mine yet. I didn’t know if I ever would, especially with the threat that as soon as I healed, I would be ordered to sleep next to Ion and offer him a good fuck whenever he wanted. I was so sick of men using my body that way. When was it going to be my choice to share that part of me? It would never be my choice, that was the thing. One thing has changed, I’m not with Jonas Masterson. I’m with Ion Petran, and I will demand respect, my name gives me that, and I will have it.
I refuse to be his toy.
I was agitated as I slid out of bed and looked around me. I had nothing to keep me going, and it was going to drive me insane. I remembered the gym I had seen during the little tour of the house that had ended terribly. I knew I wasn’t supposed to do anything physical yet, but I didn’t feel too bad. I was apparently a fast healer, or maybe it was my determination to help assist in any way that I could to find my daughter. I knew I couldn’t do that without being healed. I had no issues with my side yet, so I thought I could run for a while and clear my head.
I went to the closet that had since been stocked with clothes for me. Most of the clothes were dresses, meant for special events. There were also nice clothes that were more casual, meant to be worn when I was seen in public with Ion. I dug through it in frustration, hoping to find something comfortable before I had to resort to wearing my pajamas. That’s when I saw two designer outfits for working out. They were sweat wicking material and the kind of thing I would imagine one of those housewives on television wearing on their morning run or at their exercise classes. It wasn’t me, but it would work.
I snatched one of them down and quickly got dressed. I didn’t know if Ion was around that morning to catch me or not. I hoped I would get to the gym unseen, at least by him, so that I could run in peace before I had to hear his next lecture or scathing insult.
Luckily, I did not run into him on my way upstairs to the gym. A couple of his men were hanging around, trying not to look like they were watching me, but that was all. The gym was happily empty, and the treadmill looked like a solace I had not had in too long. I got on it, starting slowly at first as I pictured I was walking towards my daughter. I was a mother on a mission, and suddenly the pain was gone.
All I knew or could hear was the sound of my feet pounding down on the treadmill, and it drowned out all the sorrow and anger, even if just for a few moments. I was no longer the useless woman that wasn’t worth any more than the power my blood gave to a man.
I tried to ignore him as Ion came into the room, but I doubted he would allow that for long. He immediately came up to me, pressing the button to stop the treadmill. I grasped the sides quickly so I wouldn’t be disoriented and fall off. He said nothing to me immediately, only glared like his eyes could burn right through me. Here’s the thing: I didn’t care. I had enough to think about, to ponder and run through my mind. I couldn’t give a damn if he was upset with me, but I had the feeling all hell was about to break loose, but I was in no mood. I would stand my ground, injury or not.
I didn’t know what to say, though, as his laser eyes continued up and down my body like I might be something he could easily throw in the trash. It wasn’t the first time I had been made to feel that way; I should be used to it by now.
“What are you doing?” he snarled at me, sounding more animal than human. What the fuck did it look like I was doing? I waited, hoping it was a rhetorical question, but as he crossed his arms over his body, I knew he expected a response. So, I gave him the worst one possible, hoping he choked on my words.
“Staying fit and pretty for when you decide it’s time to spread my legs,” I said back, not caring about what might happen next. If he wanted his position heading the clans, he couldn’t exactly kill me. Besides, if Bianca never came back to me, I was as good as dead anyway.
. It was something I had seen my own father do. However, he did not respond to me at all. I thought maybe he was holding his tongue because he had nothing to refute what I was saying. Maybe I had finally won one. So,
Ion had lifted me off the treadmill in a split second like I weighed nothing and pinned me to the wall. I could still hear the sound of the treadmill belt spinning fast behind him. he began.
“Ana. Do. Not. Test. Me.”
Great, we were both furious. Things were about to get interesting.
“I told you that you would follow all doctor’s orders. That means you will not touch that treadmill or any other piece of equipment in this room until you are fully healed. This room is absolutely off limits to you.”
“So I guess you were telling the fucking truth then,” I snapped in anguish and frustration. “You said my time here wouldn’t be too different from what I had with Jonas. So, what is going to happen next? What is my punishment? Are you going to cut me with a knife, or is burning more your thing?” I stared him dead in the eyes, waiting for a response. I waited and waited until I realized that something about what I said shocked him into some kind of silence. Nothing about his stature softened, but he said nothing. At least, not until he grabbed my hip and placed his mouth right up to my ear. I was so stunned that I was unsure how to react to what was happening.
“I will NEVER hurt you,” he whispered clearly, “you are far too precious to me.” My knees went weak at his statement and his closeness. Despite all of the horrors I had seen, I could not deny the man was strong, young, and hot. And now, he was professing some kind of intent to care for me. I couldn’t let it be so simple as that. I couldn’t just give in, just in case he was going to be a copycat of Jonas. I didn’t think he would but I…..I have no idea who the man is standing in front of me.
“You cannot promise me that everything will be okay; that nothing will ever happen to me here that will hurt in some way,” I whispered, testing the waters.
“The hell I can’t,” he said, a little louder this time but still close to my ear. “I will promise you the fucking world.”
“Ion…,” I mumbled, looking up into his deep emerald green eyes.
“Ana.” He responded. I knew he would argue with me. I’ve known him since I was a child, but I have no clue of the man he’s become. One thing I’m sure of is that he’s as stubborn as an ox.
“Trust me” Those two words would mean nothing to most, but to me, they were terrifying.
***
Ion
I had spent 26 years so far on this planet and never in my life had I been this turned on by a woman. They came easy, sometimes too easy, in my line of business. Not that I had my sights set on anyone other than Mariana in the long run, but that didn’t mean I expected to be so attracted to her. My reaction to her body was intoxicating, and the way she challenged me was so different from other women I had known. Women had always just fallen at my feet, ready to serve.
There’s something so different about Ana; she doesn’t even come close to comparing to the rest. She’s an entirely different caliber.
I felt like I’ve been thrown on my ass by this woman. She shouldn’t be so intoxicating after the way she had been broken down by that snake, Jonas. And yet, here Mariana was, firing back at me and defending herself, regardless of the consequences. I should have been pissed, and I still was, but there was something else there too.
I remembered how her fiery spirit had wrapped me around her finger when we were children and realized she had not lost it, even in her captivity.
I could feel her nipples hardening against my chest through the soft fabric of her sweatshirt. She was aroused too, even if she wasn’t going to admit it. So, I did what any man would do. I leaned down, taking the back of her neck in my hand, and I put my lips to hers. I smiled at the way I caught her off guard, how she jumped at first and eventually gave in – like I knew she would. I let my tongue explore her mouth, pretending as if I might not be allowed to do it again. But maybe I wasn’t pretending. With the way, she stood up to me; it might have very well been the truth.
She kissed me back softly, exploring me just as I was her. I’ve told myself she’s just a means to an end, she’s my shot at being the leader of the mob, what I’ve been promised. I’ll be honest with myself and admit she’s more than that. She always has been more, even if I put on a front like she doesn’t mean it. I’m a dick; I treat her like shit – I know that. But dammit, what she’s been through makes me furious. She’s shaking at my mere hands on her, my hands, I would never hurt her, ever.
I move my lips away from hers, so I’m touching her cheek. “You’re trembling.”
“I…I know” She whispers out softly, I wrap my arms around her, my lips staying against her cheek. She has nothing to fear with me, the exact opposite actually. Everyone should fear her, the power she holds over me is no joking matter, and she somehow doesn’t know she has it.
“Draga,” I tell her, calling her my darling in our native tongue. I may not have been born and raised in Romania like Ana, but I still knew our language. “You have nothing to fear with me. I will always be here to protect you, to keep you safe, to provide for you, and all the same for Bianca as well. I need you to for once, trust me. Even if you can’t believe in anything else, trust me that I’ll never harm either of you. You’re both my responsibility; I protect what’s mine, draga.”
She nods her head against me as I rub my arm in slow circles against her back. She’s been through enough. I need to stop fucking around and be here for her. She doesn’t need me being a royal dick all the time. I know that, but I just can’t help it.
“What did he do to you?” I didn’t mean to ask it so bluntly; it must seem insensitive.
“You mean to ask me, what didn’t he do to me,” She says, her voice cracking, her body trembling even more. I take her hand, holding it in mine, gently stroking her skin with my thumb when I notice her wrist. I hadn’t noticed it before, I turned her wrist towards me, looking at the thick scar there. “I wasn’t trying to kill myself.”
I look down and meet her eyes, the scar is thick, looking like it was deep. “Jonas cut me. He cut me all the time and when it wasn’t cutting it was burning. When it wasn’t burning, it was….” She trailed off. I didn’t hear much of it – all I needed to hear was that he hurt her tremendously, for years.
“He slit my wrists. He thought it would be fun to see if I bled out. That’s what he told me at first, later he told me he only cut within an inch of my life.”
“Where are the rest?” I asked her, staying as silent as possible, waiting for her response.
“Everywhere.”
“Show me” I ordered
“No, I’m not – no.”
“Ana, show me what he did to you.” I wasn’t coming from a demanding place; I needed to see for myself the pain that he inflicted on her. She didn’t move an inch; her eyes were locked on mine. She was silently begging me not to make her do this.
I couldn’t.
“Ana. Strip.”
“Io-“
“STRIP.” I snapped at her.
Ana did as I directed, she took off her shirt and slid off those constricting pants that showed off her ass perfectly. She was left in just a sports bra and pair of panties in front of me. I took a step closer to her; she shook violently “Ssssh draga, all is okay. I’m only looking” I tell her, I look at her body, her small, frail, malnourished body. My first order of business will be making sure she’s eating enough now. She’s underweight by probably twenty pounds. I’d get forty pounds on her if it was up to me.
I glanced at her, assessing every mark on her body that was inflicted during her stay with Jonas. “What’s this?” I ask her, pointing to a scar the size of a golf ball on her stomach.
“He……he burned me with the bottom of his metal cane.” She told me, her voice not shaking as I thought it would.
“And this one, it looks new.” I point to her leg, where the scar looks fresh like it’s not completely healed.
“He cut me the day before you found me” She doesn’t look at me when she speaks, she doesn’t waver either.
“There will be no more pain. No more cuts, burns, nothing.” I tell her, she nods, still not looking at me. “Don’t mistake my calm demeanor, Ana, I am furious. I will hang him in front of all the clans as an example. Anyone even thinks about harming you is signing their death wish. I will slaughter him, love.”
“No.” She says, her eyes meet mine. “You won’t take that away from me.” Even with everything she’s been through she’s still the strong willed little girl I knew, only now she’s grown into a spirited woman. “Tell me you won’t?” She asks of me.
“I can’t make that promise to you,” I tell her. The truth is I could make that promise to her, but I won’t. I know if I’m given the opportunity I will kill Jonas, I won’t think twice about it. She’s been through enough, and if I promise her this, I would be letting her down – which I couldn’t do.
She grabs my shirt, bunching her hand in a fist. “Yes, you will. You won’t take that from me. He took everything from me, Ion, everything.” She takes in a deep breath before she looks back up to me. “He slaughtered my parents in front of my eyes, but not before raping my mother in front of my father and me. I watched as he took his belt and wrapped it around my father’s throat, tightening it until he was on the verge of death. Jonas would stop, and do it over and over again.”
At this point, tears are streaming down her face. “You weren’t the one who had to watch as he destroyed everything that was my life. You weren’t the one who he used and abused every day for the last eight fucking years. So no, you will not be the one to take him from this world. I deserve that. I need that. And I will.” I notice the fire burning in her eyes backing up her words. She was right; I had no idea what she’d gone through. This is the first she’s really opened up to me about what happened with Jonas. I may grant her what she asks; I must make that decision.
Somehow, I believe I’ll do anything for her.