Chapter 7 7

CORA.

I jolted awake with a gasp, my heart racing.

I just had the most terrifying dream.

Sitting up on the bed- wait a minute.

A bed–a soft one at that.

When was the last time I lay on a comfy bed?

Never.

Nervously, my eyes glanced around the room.

Memories from yesterday flooded my mind like a heavy waterfall.

It wasn't a dream.

It was real.

I was now living a nightmare.

"Curse you, Dante," I whispered, heatedly, my jaw clenched so tight, I could feel my teeth protesting.

I blinked back the tears that were threatening to come out.

I had to be strong.

Being weak won't get me out of here.

Amity needed me.

My poor sister.

She must be worried sick.

Who was going to cater for her now that I wasn't around?

There was no way in hell I could rely on our junkie of a mother.

And what about the deal I made with that slimy snake?

Will he still fulfil his promise about paying for her chemotherapy treatment?

So many questions, and I had no fucking answer to them.

I bit my lips, my anxiety going through the roof.

I darted my gaze once more around the room, like a portal would magically appear so I could escape from this hell.

I need to speak with The Baron.

We had to come to a compromise.

He couldn't possibly keep me here.

I had a life, responsibilities.

I wanted no part in whatever he had with Dante.

But what if I never leave this place?

What if he never let me go?

A terrifying chill went through my spine at that devastating thought.

No!

I shook my head.

Stay positive, Cora.

Amity's life was at stake here.

She was depending on me.

I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my emotions.

A cool head was how I would be able to get The Baron to listen to me and possibly adhere to my request about letting me go.

I dragged myself out of bed, heading to the bathroom, hoping to wash away the anxiety of the previous day.

The bathroom was a dream, a far cry from what I was used to.

I would have taken my time to admire it if I weren't going through an emotional crisis.

And so I ignored its luxury and stood under the shower.

I nearly wept in relief when I saw there was a heater.

The warm water was doing a good job of soothing my fragile spirit.

I let out a contented sigh.

It was amazing how poverty and lack of funds made the simplest of things look like you were experiencing the wonders of life.

I took my time, washing away the dirt on my skin.

Standing naked here, my mind wandered as I thought about how The Baron had stroked his manhood in my presence.

I swallowed as I recalled how thick and hard he had been.

And of course, he had to be packing in that area.

My down area clenched at my dirty thoughts, while my nipples pebbled.

What the fuck!

It was alarming how much my body always reacted whenever he was concerned.

He was a vile, despicable creature in my mind. A cold-hearted murderer, but my traitorous body didn't get the memo.

Shaking my head to expel every erotic thought from my mind, I stepped out of the shower.

Luckily, there was a towel in the bathroom.

Not caring who had used it before me, I wrapped myself and left the bathroom.

I almost jumped out of my skin at who I found in the bedroom, sitting comfortably at the vanity.

"I didn't hear you come in," I mumbled, my hand on my chest as I tried to calm down my beating heart.

While the other held the towel that was my only source of clothing right now, tightly.

He sat there, staring at me like he was trying to figure me out.

His face was a blank mask.

I shifted nervously under his gaze as I cleared my throat. "Anyway...... I'm glad that you are here. I was hoping...... we could agree on some deal," I continued, my tone shaky, even though I was trying to sound brave.

He still said nothing, his gaze making me feel naked.

"I need to go home. My being here makes no sense. Dante is the one you have issues with, so I don't know why I'm the one paying for his sins. If you want me to work for you, I'm willing to, just as long as it gets me out of here. My sister can't possibly stay on her own. She-"

"I know for a fact that you both live with your mother?" He finally spoke, his gaze still intense.

"So I'm sure your sister won't be alone."

"Well, mummy dearest is nothing but a druggie that only cares about herself and how she's going to get her next fix," I retorted, my tone harsher than I intended. "The same drugs that you are responsible for."

He raised his eyebrows. "I don't see why you are judging her. You aren't a righteous one either. You almost gave your virginity to Dante if I hadn't walked in yesterday."

"You know nothing about me and why I had to do that, so don't sit there and use that condescending tone with me," I spat.

"Oh, really," he said, standing up. "Enlighten me then, what reason could justify you selling yourself like a cheap slut to that filthy bastard?" His tone was filled with mockery.

Asshole.

"It's none of your business. I owe you no explanation for the choices I make," I spat.

His eyes widened a bit at my tone.

Other than that, there was no other reaction from him.

"The only thing you need to know is that I'm not supposed to be here, you are holding me against my will, suffering for a crime that isn't mine, and it isn't fair," I added, frustrated.

He turned his head slightly, his voice calm but edged. "Nothing about life is fair, Cora."

The sound of my name from his mouth caught me off guard, and also the heat that bloomed in my stomach.

It wasn't the first time a man had called my name, so why did I feel tingles in my stomach?

"I'm heading out," he continued before I could respond. "Don't do anything dumb like trying to escape because I assure you I will find you, and I promise you won't like that side of me when I do." He warned, in that same cool but sharp tone.

No more words were said as he strolled out of the room.

Well, I did my best in reasoning with him.

So what happens next won't be my fault.