Ten

 

 

Aria

“Thank you so much for helping me shower and get dressed.” The woman Giovanni brought in, Natalie, has been such a godsend. She helped me shower, shave my legs and arm pits, wash my hair, and blow dried it so it’s not soaking wet. I can’t even remember the last time my body and hair felt so clean… Oh wait. Yes, I do. Nine fucking months ago! I take a deep calming breath before I work myself up.

Natalie is holding out Victoria’s Secret sweatpants for me to step into. The bleeding has finally reduced to light spotting, the clotting all behind me, and it feels good to be able to put on a panty liner and regular panties instead of living in Giovanni’s boxers.

I pull the pants up, then reach for the matching tank top. My ribs are still sore but at least now I can walk a bit more and reach over my head when necessary. Natalie helps me put on my tank top.

“Do you work for Giovanni?” I ask making conversation. It’s been a long time since I have had anyone to converse with. She gives me a nervous look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I was just trying to make conversation. I’ve been stuck in a basement with no social interaction for almost a year.”

Natalie’s eyes bug out and I make note not to start off my conversations like that in the future.

“Yes, I work for Mr. Valentino.”

“What do you do, here?” I remember she said something about going on her first date… Could that be work related?

“I think you should probably ask Mr. Valentino that.”

“Ask me, what?” Giovanni walks in looking like the powerhouse business man I first met. I haven’t seen him in a suit since I arrived here, making me forget how sexy that man looks when he’s dressed to impress. I really need to tame down these thoughts. This is the same guy who handcuffed me to the damn headboard earlier trying to make a claim on me like it’s the 1800’s. He is not someone I need to be attracted to, especially if my suspicions are correct and he’s in the mob.

“Sir, Aria was just wondering what I do for you… for work.”

“You look beautiful all cleaned up, Aria.” It doesn’t go over my head that he just changed the subject. “The clothes fit well. Very… pink.” He points to the bright pink Victoria’s Secret sweats I’m sporting with an equally pink tank top. “Do you need anything else from Natalie before she heads back downstairs?” he adds.

“Nope. Thank you, Natalie.” I shoot her a grateful smile.

“My pleasure. If you end up staying around. Come find me, ok? We can hang out.”

She exits the bathroom, leaving Giovanni and me alone. “So…”

“So, what?” He tilts his head to the side, confused.

“What does Natalie do as your employee?”

Giovanni frowns, taking my arm in his helping me back to bed. There’s a tray of food waiting on the end table for us. Helping me sit up in bed, he pulls the fresh sheets up and places the tray of food on my lap before sitting down in his usual chair with his food. “I run a high-class gentleman’s club. Natalie works for me entertaining the men.” The words come out carefully like he’s trying to gauge my reaction.

“Gentleman’s club like with old fat men sitting around smoking cigars and chilling together in a sauna?”

Giovanni laughs heartily, the sound making me smile. “Well, they range in age and body type, and while many do smoke cigars, there is no sauna. However, we do have a bar, several hot tubs, and an indoor pool.”

“So… she hangs out with them? Waitresses?” Why is he making me practically beg for answers?

“Natalie as well as several other women who work for me, hang out with the men, yes. But no, she’s not a waitress.”

“Ok… so what do they do with them? I don’t get it.” Geez! It’s like pulling teeth with this guy. Then it hits me…Holy shit! A gentleman’s club! A sex club!! No way!

Giovanni rubs the stubble on his chin. He looks frustrated so I try a different approach, needing to know if my suspicions are correct. “Are we at your house?”

“I live here, yes.”

“But is it your house?”

“Usually we refer to it as the club.”

“Ok, is the club where you live?”

“Yes.”

Now I’m desperate to know if I’m living in a damn sex club. Taking the tray that’s on my lap, I set it aside and pull back the blankets. “What are you doing?” He stands up looking perplexed.

“You obviously aren’t going to answer me, so I’m going to go check this place out myself. I was stuck in a basement for almost a year. I would like to know where I’m being forced to stay.” Standing up slowly, I use the edge of the bed to help me.

“Sit down please, or I’m going to be forced to handcuff you again,” Giovanni says in a demanding tone, which only makes me want to leave that much more. I have spent the last year being held down. Nobody is ever going to tell me what to do again, if I have anything to say.

“No, thank you.” I walk as fast as my broken body can go toward the door. Giovanni beats me there, putting his hand over the handle. My body tenses, suddenly feeling claustrophobic.

“Move. Now.” My heart begins to beat faster.

“Calm down.” Giovanni puts his hands out and palms up in a placating motion when he sees me starting to freak out. “If I have to lock you up in here, I will. You need to understand your place in this.”

“My place?” I bite out.

“For now, and until further notice, you will be staying here. You will go nowhere without one of my men or me.”

“And if I run?” I challenge.

“I will find you and bring you back here and you will regret it.” Giovanni’s voice is cold, detached. It reminds me of the night he showed up wanting to talk to Weston. “And if I don’t find you, which I will, Weston will be after you. Would you rather go back to the basement?” His brow quirks up in a challenging manner.

Oh, hell no! “Don’t you dare threaten me with going back there!” I jab my finger into his chest to emphasize my point and he looks down at it in shock then back up at me.

“Ok, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” he concedes.

“Thank you. Don’t let it happen again.” He grants me a lopsided grin but I remain serious. “So why don’t you want me knowing what you do for a living?” I come back around to my initial question not letting him off the hook.

“It’s not that I don’t want you knowing…” Giovanni runs his hands over his face in frustration. “I will explain it to you and then I will show you.”

With my hands on my hips, I raise my eyebrows. “Ok, tell me. But move away from the door.”

Giovanni moves out of the line of my exit. Smart move, buddy. “Rome is outside the door anyway,” he smirks. Fucker. “This type of gentleman’s club allows sex.” I knew it!

“Like a whorehouse?”

“I prefer the term bordello.”

“What’s a bordello?”

“I suppose in Italian it means whorehouse, but these women aren’t whores. They are escorts.”

“Do they get paid to have sex?”

“Yes, extremely well.”

“So, they are high-class prostitutes?”

“Escorts.”

“Are they here by choice?”

“Of course! Did Natalie look like she’s being held here against her will?” I blanch at his words.

“No, I didn’t mean to insinuate you are forcing them into sex but you are holding me here against my will…”

Giovanni sighs. “Why don’t we sit down and eat lunch? We can talk and afterward, I can give you a tour of the place.”

“Ok.” Instead of sitting on the bed, I take my soup and sandwich to the sitting room to eat at the table. “I feel like I’ve been in that bed for months,” I say as way of explanation.

Giovanni sits across from me with his food. After a few minutes of eating in silence, he starts talking. “Have you thought anymore about why Weston had you locked up?”

I swallow a bite of my delicious turkey sandwich. “I’ve thought about it but I have no idea. He just kept saying once I turned twenty- two he could get rid of me.”

“When your mom died, did she leave you any money?” Where is he going with this?

“She had a life insurance policy but it was only a couple million. I had the money from it in my bank account but one day I went to pay for groceries and I was declined. I looked at my account and it showed every cent had been withdrawn. Before I could investigate it, I was taken from my dorm by a masked man who delivered me to Weston. He drugged me and put me down in the basement, where you found me nine months later. Are you thinking he took the money? And if so, why would he take me? The money was taken before I was.”

Giovanni takes a large bite of his sandwich, then washes it down with a sip of his water. “Your mom’s husband is in a lot of financial trouble.”

“Please don’t call him that.” The thought of that evil man being linked to my mom or me in any way including marriage makes my skin crawl. “I don’t know why he would take me, though. Like I said, if he’s the one who emptied my bank account, he already got every cent in my name. The house was put in his name before my mom died. I have nothing!”

“There has got to be something else. You said the magic number is twenty-two, right? When is your birthday, again?”

“I turn twenty-one in April.”

“All right. My men are looking into all this. If you think of anything else you need to let me know. Your step—Weston, has gone under the radar. He ran scared after I took you because he owes me a lot of money but he will come out of hiding. He made it clear when I spoke to him, he wants you back. I’m going to have my men search your house. Anywhere in particular he might keep important documents?”

“There’s a safe in his office and another one in the master bedroom. I don’t know the combinations, though.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it. What were you doing when he took you? You said you were in your dorm?”

“I was in my sophomore year of college, majoring in photography.” Thinking about my life before I was taken makes me smile. Then I think about everything I’ve lost. Everything Weston has taken from me.

“I know you don’t understand why I have to keep you here but the truth is, it’s for your own good until we figure out what Weston wants from you. If he was willing to hold you captive, I imagine he’s desperate. I can keep you safe here.”

“I understand that, I do. But I’m so sick of having my choices taken away from me. It should be my choice whether I stay here or leave.”

“Aria, you need to come to terms with the fact that you are staying here for the foreseeable future. The moment I told Weston I was taking you as payment, your fate was sealed.”

“Life doesn’t work like that!” I start to get worked up. “Before I was taken, I had a boyfriend and a best friend. I really need to contact them and let them know I’m ok. And I’m broke. I need to find a job. I need to earn money so I can go back to school. You can’t hold me here against my will!” I stand up and get in Giovanni’s face.

He gives me a soothing smile and takes my hand in his. “Breathe, Aria. We will take it one step at a time, ok? Finish up your lunch and then I’ll show you around.” I pull my hand out of his. How can he be so damn calm? He’s holding me fucking prisoner here while acting like I’m a house guest on an extended vacation. I sit back down and for the rest of lunch, we eat in silence.

Once we are done eating, Giovanni is true to his word. He starts with his living quarters. He shows me the living room, the library, and the kitchen then takes me outside onto the balcony to show me the Jacuzzi.

After he has shown me the entire floor, we go down the stairs to the second floor. Giovanni tells me it’s split into two wings: The East and the West. Apparently, this place is so huge, it needs to be labeled like a compass.

He walks me through the west wing where he tells me his staff sleeps. Staff such as his chefs, bodyguards, and housekeepers. Apparently, even his bartenders have rooms here.

“Emilio can make any drink you want,” he jokes. “Shit, you aren’t old enough to drink.”

I roll my eyes. “You do realize I was in college, right? Drinking might as well be a college student’s major their first couple years.”

His breath escapes him on a laugh making him look a hundred times sexier than he looks mad and worked up. Giovanni Valentino laughing should be illegal. My insides tingle and I feel my nipples poking through my tank top reminding me I need to ask him to buy me a bra. “I’ll have to take your word on that. I didn’t go to college so I wouldn’t know. Just don’t get too drunk.” He attempts to give me a stern look that only makes me laugh.

We cross over to the other side as he explains the east wing is where all the women stay. I wonder if he will ask me to move to this area. I imagine I am overstaying my welcome taking up his bed. Then I take that thought back. His ass is forcing me here. He deserves to be on the uncomfortable couch.

As we make our way through the floor, he introduces me to several women. Some are dressed up, others look like they are about to go to bed, but all of them are beyond stunning and none of them appear to be nervous in the presence of their boss.

“How did you come across owning a bordello?” I’m curious how a man who didn’t even go to college became so successful. I haven’t seen the entire place yet, but it’s obvious this club is worth millions, and when I was looking out his bedroom window this morning, I could see it’s on hundreds of acres. It looks more like a mansion than a club. Outside in the back, I spotted the most beautiful gardens and plan to explore them soon whether he likes it or not. Rome or Caesar will just have to join me.

“My parents moved us here from Italy when my youngest brother was born. My mom and dad used to run this place until I took it over about ten years ago. We also own a few hotels and casinos.”

His mention of Italy gets me excited. Traveling to Italy is number one on my list of things to do and see. “Wow! Italy? My dream is to go to Italy one day to study art there. I bet it’s beautiful in person! Have you ever been to any of the art museums there? Like the Uffizi Gallery? I have a list of places I want to explore all over Italy, places I want to take pictures of. Ugh! Have you ever visited Cinque Terre? The photos are amazing! I can’t even imagine what it looks like in person. Oh! And the Piazzale Michelangelo…. And the Frascati in Rome! If I ever make it there, I’m going to take a million pictures.” Giovanni just stands there not saying anything, smirking at me. “What?”

“Nothing. I was just listening to you.” His smile is amused.

“Were you planning to contribute to this conversation?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “And interrupt your excitement?”

“Whatever. Have you been to Italy?” I ask.

“Sì, e hai ragione. È più bella di persona.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said, ‘Yes, and you are right. It is more beautiful in person.’ If you plan to visit Italy one day, you should start learning Italian.” Giovanni taps me on my nose and winks. I don’t bother telling him I have taken several classes of Italian. I just can’t understand it when spoken so quickly.

“Or I can just drag you with me. You can be my personal tour guide,” I joke and it shocks me that I just insinuated I would welcome this man to join me on a trip to Italy.

“Your own personal tour guide to where?” I turn to see where the feminine voice is coming from, to see the most exquisite woman gliding up the stairs from the first floor. From her ivory white dress that shows her perfect curves to the high heels with the signature red sole, she screams class. She reaches us on the landing and up close, she is even prettier. She has midnight black hair that’s pin straight, not a single hair out of place, and her makeup is done to perfection. She smiles at Giovanni, ignoring my presence. Her lips are full and plump, but look natural. The Kardashians have nothing on this woman’s lips.

She and Giovanni seem to be having a silent conversation, and the longer they stare, the more fake her smile seems to get, like it’s being forced.

“Hi! I’m Aria… you are?” I put my hand out to shake hers, trying to be polite and break the tension that seems to be building by the second. She looks down at my hand, not taking it, then slowly assesses me. I can feel the judgement pouring off this woman. Okay then….

I make note not to turn around so she can’t see the words Love Pink across the back. For some reason, I don’t think this woman has any pajamas with writing across the ass.

“Giovanni, where will you be guiding her?” Huh? Oh, right! The tour guide comment!

“To Italy,” I answer her since Giovanni has apparently gone mute. He sucks in his bottom lip and it looks like he’s attempting to hold back a smile.

“Cecilia, this is Aria. She is my guest. Aria, this is Cecilia—” Great! How nice of him to join in.

“His girlfriend,” Cecilia cuts him off. Oh shit! His girlfriend? I have been sleeping in his bed—mentally undressing him—and he has a girlfriend! I mean, it’s not like anything was going to happen. After what happened with Weston and all those assholes, I have no intention of having sex any time soon, plus there’s the fact that he’s holding me here against my will and I might still have a boyfriend, although it’s been nine months since I’ve seen him… but there’s no harm in looking, right? Especially when it’s looking at that sexy-as-sin man. Shit! I’m doing it again. I can’t be thinking about someone else’s boyfriend like that.

That reminds me… I need to call Antonio. I’m assuming after almost a year of me being gone, he is no longer my boyfriend, but I should still call him to let him know I’m ok. Him and Amber must be worried. I wonder what happened to my dorm room, my classes, did anyone report me missing?

“Hey, you ok?” Giovanni lifts my chin and rubs his thumb down my cheek. For a brief second, I allow my face to nuzzle his hand, then I remember he has a girlfriend and is holding me captive! Moving back too quickly, I bump into the railing, hitting my side on the wood. “Oww!” I grab my ribs closing my eyes, trying to will the pain to stop. The throbbing is so severe, I am nearly brought to my knees.

I feel a pair of hands holding me up and my eyes open. “I’m ok, you can let go of me. I got it.”

Giovanni looks at me confused but doesn’t let go of me. “I think you should lay down. I can show you downstairs once you have rested for a bit.”

I look at Cecilia and if looks could kill, I would be six feet under. “I know my way back to the room. I can go myself. I’m sure you have Rome or whoever else following me around anyway.” I wave my arms around. “Stay here with your girlfriend.”

“I’m sure you can, and you are right; they are around, but I would rather make sure you get there myself.” Without saying a single word to Cecilia, Giovanni takes my arms and helps me back up the stairs to his room.

“Does Cecilia live here?” I ask once I’m back in his bed.

“Yes.” Giovanni sits on the bed next to me. It’s the first time he hasn’t sat in the chair.

“I can sleep in one of the rooms on the second floor. I feel bad taking over your room. Your girlfriend doesn’t seem too thrilled about it, either. You can just have your guard stand at attention in front of one of those rooms.”

Giovanni lets out a large breath. “You aren’t sleeping anywhere else but right here, and Cecilia is not my girlfriend.”

Huh. “Does she know that?”

Giovanni chuckles. “Yes, she does. She just thinks if she tells enough people otherwise, my stance on the topic will change.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

Giovanni smirks at me. “Why? You want to apply for the position?”

“What? No! That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m just joking,” he says between fits of laughter. “Plus, you are like twelve years younger than me.”

“And I’m not even sure if I have a boyfriend,” I add. “Hey! Wait a second! It’s a proven fact, women mature ten years quicker than men. Technically, at thirty-one years old—”

“Thirty-two,” he cuts me off.

“Fine. At thirty-two…” I emphasize the two, rolling my eyes. “…you are only twenty-two, which means you are technically only a year older than me since I will be twenty-one soon.”

Giovanni’s entire body shakes with laughter. “Umm… if women mature ten years quicker, I think that means you are technically thirty-one, putting you at a year younger than me.”

“Either way, we are only a year apart.” I shrug.

“This supposed boyfriend of yours…”

“Antonio.”

“Antonio…Were you guys serious?”

“Yeah, I guess.... I don’t know. It was mostly just hanging out. It’s hard to take anything too seriously while in college. Do you think I could borrow your phone to call him? And to call my best friend, Amber.”

Giovanni thinks on this for a moment. “Ok, but don’t say anything stupid, Aria, or you won’t be making any more phone calls.” He hands me his phone from his pocket after typing in a code to unlock it.

I first dial Antonio’s number but it says it’s not a working number. Damn.

“Not in service,” I tell Giovanni.

Then I dial Amber’s number, and after several rings, I hear her voice. “Hello?”

“Amber?”

“Oh my god! Aria, is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me!” Tears race down my cheeks.