Chapter Five
Kirsty
I'm not sure why I told strangers who I was. Something told me I was safe with them. The closer the man called Sergio, held me, the more relaxed I felt. His touch surrounded me like a protective cloud, it was the safest and most comfortable I have ever felt. Words flowed, I couldn't and didn't want to, stop them.
One look at Sergio and I should have been terrified, he should have scared the shit out of me. He's big, muscular and towers over me. Every visible piece of skin is decorated with tattoos, his hair is dark, close cropped. He is an ominous figure. But then, I gazed into his eyes and the gentle caring within, took my breath away.
I wanted them to know who I was and was willing to tell them everything. Until Joey broke into my thoughts with his screaming at me. Shouting out, if I knew what was best for me, I would keep my mouth shut. A timely reminder that I know better than to open my mouth about anything.
I tried to be strong and not show these men any fear, but I was scared. What if these men only said I was safe to gain my trust. I don't know who they are, what if Bruno J or even Karen sent them here to test me? I don't know what to think anymore, I'm so confused.
When Sergio held me, wrapped his coat around me, I couldn't stop my body's reaction to him. I knew I could trust him from that moment on. If Bruno J had sent them, why was the guy called Antonio asking if another girl was with me? He would have known, but if Bruno J didn't send them, how did they know where we were?
I'm pulled from my thoughts when Sergio stops in front of an expensive looking black car. I shift my weight, readying to stand and pain explodes through me. I can't prevent the whimper and groan which escapes my lips.
"I've got you, Sugar, relax."
Sergio's hot breath wafts over my ear, but instead of making my skin crawl, I feel heat creep up my neck. I turn my face into his hard chest so he doesn't see the obvious redness. His heart is thumping hard and fast under my cheek and I feel him suck in a deep breath. It does something to me that I can't explain. Again, I wonder what the fuck is happening to me? At the first touch of kindness and it's like my body just decides to surrender itself to this man who I don't even know.
He shifts my weight in his arms and I prepare for him to put me down. Instead, he shifts me into one arm while he opens the car door with the other.
"You can put me down to make it easier." I speak quietly.
He shakes his head and gently lowers me into the backseat of the car. I moan as pain grips me and when I look up, his eyes are fixed on me. His eyes are troubled, like he has an internal war with himself happening. After a moment, he appears to shake it off and then closes the door.
I feel an overwhelming loss, being out of his arms. I have to fight the connection, there is no point trying to get close to this man, or any man for that matter. He may be nice now, but if experience has taught me anything, it's that feelings can change as quickly as they emerge.
You would think, after all these years, the thought of any man saving me would have become non-existent. I can't help but think this man is different and a feeling of hope washes through me. I should push it away, but I don't want to, I want to grip it with both hands and savor it.
I'm so lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realized Sergio had climbed into the car until I hear the engine tick over. The radio comes to life and the radio announcer's voice makes me jump. It's been forever since I've heard any type of music.
"We are at number five on our all-time favorite songs countdown," the man says before announcing the next song - Hero by Enrique Iglesias.
The first bars of the song play through the speakers, I glance into the rearview mirror and connect with eyes as dark as night which hold so much emotion. I try to relax into the soft black leather seats, but no matter which way I move, pain shoots through me. I take a few deep breaths, hoping it eases.
"I'll turn it off if you want," Sergio offers. "The radio I mean."
I shake my head before finding my voice. "No p-please leave it on"
He nods, keeping his eyes on me for a moment more before switching his gaze back to the road. I feel the loss of contact shoot through me and think, maybe it would have been best if he'd turned off the radio because as I listen to the words, I have all these crazy thoughts racing through my head telling me, maybe he could be my hero. Tears prick my eyes and I gaze out the window as the first one escapes. I quickly wipe it away so I don't look weak and desperate for any kind of connection.
I wrap Sergio's coat tighter around me, his calming scent surrounds me. Leaning my head against the window, I watch as cars zoom past. I rub my hand, remembering the jolt I'd felt when he first touched me and wonder if he felt it too. I attempt to focus on the scenery as we pass instead of the silly thoughts filling my head.
I'm not sure how long we've been on the road, my head is fuzzy and I feel nauseous. I jump at the sound of Sergio's voice and it takes me a moment to realize, he's on the phone. I don't want to seem rude, but I can't help overhearing part of the conversation. The words in English, that is. I try to pinpoint the other language he's speaking, but I'm becoming more and more lightheaded, the pain much worse. I wonder if now that the adrenaline is wearing off, I may be going into shock. It's a feeling which isn't unfamiliar, actually it's quite common. Sergio's voice sounds strange in the background, it's like I'm in a tunnel and no matter what I do, I can't quite bring myself out of it.
"Boss... I'm on my way back… Call Doc… Joey figlia di madre… Antonio … Si Boss, be there soon."
I glance up at the mirror again and see the worry in his midnight eyes. My head droops and a chill breaks out across my body causing me to shake uncontrollably. I welcome the feeling, because anything is better than the pain racing through me.
"Kirsty, stay with me, Sugar."
Sugar, such a special name for someone you care about. So, why does he insist on calling me, Sugar? I'm nothing special. Like I've been told thousands of times, I'm nothing, never have been and never will be. My head is spinning, my chest is thumping and I close my eyes needing to stop everything from moving so fast. It's no use, everything continues to spin behind my closed eyelids. I hear his deep husky voice, full of concern, but I can't respond.
"Tesoro mio, come on stay…" The last words I hear before everything goes black and those midnight eyes follow me under.