Page 35 of Blissful Devotion

His lips meet mine, and I can’t stop the sound that breaks past my lips, making me sound like a kicked puppy. I’m not sure if it encourages him or enrages him as he grips my face tighter and kisses me rougher before he pulls away, his eyes wide and full of lust that makes me wonder if maybe the dungeon would be better.

He makes a show of licking his lips before he releases me, turning and leaving without so much as a glance back. The second he’s gone, my legs give out, and I fall back into the chair as silent tears stream down my cheeks.

The day drags on, yet somehow it feels much too soon when Sofia comes to let me know dinner is ready. It would appear that if I’m out of the room, Sofia is with me, so as much as my room might feel like a prison, it’s also the only place I can be alone.

I’d spent the day in bed feeling disgusted with myself despite the multiple showers I’d taken and the numerous times I’d brushed my teeth.

I still feel his touch.

It feels like I’ve betrayed them.

Maybe I don’t deserve to be saved...

The door opens, and Sofia stands in the doorway, her eyes filling with pity that she doesn’t even attempt to hide.

I can only imagine what I look like.

After my third shower, I gave up and lay down, hoping to take a nap. Instead, I dissolved into tears, unable to stop the bone-tired feeling that crept over me, threatening to drown me.

Apparently sleep did come, though, just not at all the way I’d hoped. Crying like that means my eyes are sore and probably puffy, and despite the nap, I still feel tired. As if I had just run a mental marathon.

My hair is nearly dry now, which tells me I’ve been here far too long.

“Dinner is ready, Miss.” Sofia’s voice is quiet but impossible to miss in the silence of the room.

There are so many things I would rather do than go down to dinner with him.

Testing my luck by jumping out the window, being one of them, but they still don’t open; I checked earlier, just to be sure.

I close my eyes, breathing deeply a few times before I open my eyes and get up. Nothing will save me from this; all I can do is get through it. And while that might take everything in me, it’s all I have until they come for me.

They will come. I just need to make it until then, and something tells me telling him to get fucked won’t help me do that.

I follow Sofia without a word. She never talks much, only when she’s required to speak, but today something feels eerie about the silence. I’m not surprised Lorenzo is already at the table, but I am surprised when he stands when he sees me. Usually I seat myself, but today he comes to meet me, his fingers seeking out mine, intertwining and pulling me toward the table.

“I had the chef make your favorite.” He pushes my chair in, and I look to see that one of my favorite dishes is indeed on the table before me.

Creamy chicken gnocchi.

How did he know that, though?

It smells fantastic too, which is new. I can’t remember the last thing that sounded good, let alone smelled appealing.

“And after dinner, I have a surprise.” I pause mid-bite as my stomach sinks, worried about what kind of surprise it might be.

I swallow down the panic and take another bite, reminding myself that my little one needs food.

We eat in silence the rest of the time, and it’s so good I’m tempted to have another plate. I decide against it, though, worried that if I overdo it, I might end up sick again.

Besides, I’m not really hungry still; I’m just trying to waste time.

“Katherine.” His voice is harsh, and I’m sure this isn’t the first time he’d called to me, given the way he’s watching me.

“Are you ready?” he asks, offering me his hand. I stay silent, simply taking his hand and letting him pull me to my feet, afraid that if I open my mouth, I might scream.

We move through the dining room, back to the stairs, and toward my room. With every step, I feel as if my heart beats faster, fear threatening to choke me and freeze me in place. Somehow I manage to keep going, putting one foot in front of the other as I force myself to breathe as normally as I can.

The last thing I need is to alert Lorenzo to my inner freak-out.