CIARA
My eyes pop open, and I desperately pat the bed until the paper crinkles beneath my fingers. Relief fills me, and I turn the page, looking at Grace and the baby.
I haven’t spoken to her in a very long time, and just the thought of the call is enough to make anxiety tighten a grip on my heart.
The sun shines through the windows, telling me it’s already late in the morning. I sit up and gently fold the page until it’s a little square. Holding it, I climb out of bed and walk to the bathroom.
While I relieve my bladder, my chest tightens with panic as memories of Nolan wiping me threaten to overwhelm me. My hand trembles as I reach for the toilet paper, and I quickly wipe before standing up and fixing my clothes.
Doing things for myself again is taking a lot of getting used to. It keeps feeling like I’m going to get in trouble at any second, and I’ll be beaten.
Santiago said he wants me to do things on my own.
Pulling the new toothbrush from the cup, I put some toothpaste on it, and while I brush my teeth, my thoughts turn to the man who’s been nothing but kind and patient with me.
I rinse my mouth and use a hand towel to pat it dry.
Can I trust him?
He doesn’t keep me chained.
He’s only touched me a handful of times, and it was always just to hold me while I was struggling through my turbulent emotions.
Yesterday, I attacked him, and he didn’t punish me at all. Instead, he gave me a photo of Grace.
He kneeled before me.
The sprout of hope grows a little bigger as I walk to the dressing table. I sit down, and picking up the brush, I pull the bristles through my hair.
Santiago doesn’t force me to do anything. He asks me politely.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, and not having really looked at myself in a very long time, my movements still. I’m not as skinny anymore.
The food is so much better here than the crap Nolan used to make me eat.
A knock at the door rips me out of my thoughts, and I quickly set the brush down. The door opens, and Santiago takes a step inside.
When his eyes lock on me, he asks, “Did you get any sleep?”
I nod. “I woke up a few minutes ago.”
His gaze sweeps over me, then he says, “Do you want to change your clothes, or are you ready to eat?”
I glance down at the rumpled sweater. “Uhm… I’ll change quickly.”
“Great. We’re having brunch out on the veranda.” He pulls the door shut again.
I chew the inside of my cheek, then walk to the closet. When I see all the clothes, my eyes widen, and I let out a surprised gasp. There’s everything from loungewear to jeans to formal items.
Is this all for me?
Lifting my hand, I brush my fingers over the jeans, and when I see a dress, I yank it out and shove it behind the rows of shoes. Feeling rattled, I grab a pair of jeans and another sweater, then quickly change. I also pick out a pair of sneakers and even find socks.
I quickly tuck the photo into my pocket, and when I’m ready, I walk to the door and slowly pull it open. Peeking out into the hallway, I don’t see anyone, and I quickly hurry to the stairs. Just as I reach the large foyer, a guard comes from my right, and I’m struck with an intense wave of panic and fear.
Not thinking, I break out into a run, and when I burst through the doors and out onto the veranda, my foot snags on something. Before I can fall, an arm catches me, and my head snaps up. The instant I see Santiago, the relief is so intense I cower against his chest. My breaths rush over my lips, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
“Hey, what happened?” he asks, his tone filled with concern.
“G-guard,” I stammer, trying to move closer to him because, so far, he’s kept me safe and been really kind.
Santiago’s arms wrap around me. “My guards won’t hurt you.”
That’s what Dad thought when he employed Nolan.
God, that’s what I thought as well. I trusted all of them to keep me safe.
I shake my head, and lifting my hand, I grip the silk shirt Santiago’s wearing. “Nolan was a guard.”
“I’ll tell all the guards to stay out of the house. Pedro is my second-in-command, and he’s happily married. He’s the only one I’ll allow to come inside. Okay?”
I nod quickly, then silence falls between us, and I become aware of the fact that when I got scared, I ran to get to Santiago. Not the trunk.
The thought shocks the hell out of me, and I quickly pull away from him.
“Let’s sit down,” he says.
I follow him to the table we sat at yesterday, and as I take a seat, I glance around the area. I’m once again struck by how beautiful the villa is, while my racing heart starts to calm down.
“Pedro, have all the guards clear out of the house. Only you are allowed to come inside until Ciara feels more comfortable,” Santiago says, and when I look at him, it’s to see he’s speaking into a two-way radio.
“I’ll take care of it,” I hear Pedro reply.
Santiago’s eyes meet mine, then he adds, “When you’re done, come to the veranda so I can introduce you to Ciara.”
“Okay.”
He places the radio on the table. “I think it will help if you meet Pedro. It will only be for a minute, and I’ll be here the whole time.” His expression relaxes, and his eyes drift over the clothes I’m wearing. “Oh. Dominik sent more photos.” He pulls his phone out of the pocket of the light brown slacks he’s wearing. Unlocking the device, he enters the gallery before holding it out to me. “Have a look.”
My eyes dart between his face and the device before I take it from him. When I see all the photos, I can’t look at them fast enough.
Oh my gosh. Grace.
My nose begins to tingle, and happiness washes through me, making my vision blur. I blink quickly so I can see clearly.
There’s one of Grace standing on a boat, the wind blowing her blonde hair, and it looks like she’s laughing.
Forgetting where I am, I lean over the phone and obsessively look at all the photos.
I miss you so much.
A tear lands on the screen, and I use my sleeve to wipe it away.
Even though I know I might get in trouble, I don’t care. I give Santiago a pleading look, my voice is hoarse as I beg, “Please, can I talk to her now?”
“Of course, mi sol,” he murmurs. He doesn’t take the phone from me, but instead, he just taps on the screen. He brings up Dominik’s number and presses dial.
“Hey, are we doing this now?” Dominik answers, but I don’t recognize his voice. Then again, I didn’t know him for long before I was taken.
“Yes,” Santiago replies. “I have the call on speakerphone.”
“Okay.” There’s a moment where I don’t hear anything, then Dominik says, “Miláčik, Ciara is on the phone.”
“What?” I hear Grace gasp, and my breathing instantly turns choppy, and my vision blurs again. “Take Kristian.” I hear a lot of moments, then Grace says, “Ciara! Are you there?”
My lips part, but instead of words, a sob bursts from me.
“Oh my God,” Grace cries. “Ciara?”
“Hi,” I manage to squeeze out.
“Hi.” I hear more sobs from Grace, and it only makes me cry harder.
Suddenly, I feel Santiago’s hand on my back. It’s actually comforting and doesn’t fill me with disgust like Nolan’s touches did. I take a deep breath, then say, “I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, sweetheart.” Grace sniffles. “God, it’s so good to hear your voice. How are you?”
I close my eyes and try to think of an answer to give her.
Everything I’ve been through hits me in dark flashes, and my gaze darts to Santiago.
“Tell her about the photos,” he encourages me.
Yes!
I quickly dig the paper out of my pocket and say, “Santiago gave me a photo of you. You have a baby?”
“Yes. He’s just over two weeks old. We named him Kristian.”
“A boy? I have a nephew?”
“Yes, and I can’t wait for you to meet him,” Grace answers.
“He’s beautiful,” I whisper. My mind races, and when I’m stuck again, I look to Santiago for help.
“You can do it, mi sol,” he encourages me. “Tell her how you feel or what you think of my home.”
I nod and clear my throat. “I’ve picked up weight. The food here is really nice, and I have a closet full of clothes.” My eyes dart around. “It’s really pretty here.”
Grace makes a strangled noise, and her voice is thick when she says, “I’m happy to hear you’ve picked up weight.”
I lower my head, then whisper, “I miss you, Grace.”
My body begins to shudder as I struggle to keep the sob back, and Santiago pulls his chair closer to mine before giving me a hug. With his mouth by my ear, he whispers, “Tell her you slept well and that you’re learning to do things on your own, and you’re doing so well.”
I clear my throat again. “I slept in the bed and woke up late. I…I…” I struggle to focus and close my eyes. The woodsy scent of Santiago’s cologne gets through to me, and I whisper, “I have to learn to do everything on my own again, and it’s hard.”
“You can do it, Ciara. I believe in you,” Grace says. A few seconds later, she sobs, “I’m sorry I didn’t look for you.”
It all becomes too much, and I push the phone into Santiago’s hand while darting up. My chest feels like something is gripping it tightly, and I walk to the other side of the pool while trying to get air into my lungs. I turn around and take a breath, but it slams into my throat, making panic burn hot through me.
Santiago hurries closer, and framing my face with both his hands, he leans down and says, “Breathe, Ciara. That’s all you have to do right now. Just focus hard and take a deep breath.”
I try but only make a horrible choking sound.
He takes hold of my hand and presses it to his chest. “Breathe with me.”
My eyes latch onto his lips while I feel his chest expand as he takes a breath, and slowly the panic recedes enough for me to suck in some much-needed air.
“There you go,” he says, a smile spreading over his face. “Just keep breathing with me.”
Inching forward, I curl my arms against my chest and press close to Santiago. He wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to my temple.
Again, it feels soothing rather than filling me with revulsion. I pull my arms free and wrap them around his waist, then there’s no stopping the tears as I break down.
I cry for the horror I had to endure at Nolan’s hands.
“I’ve got you, mi sol. You’re safe with me,” Santiago murmurs.
I nod against his chest, holding him as tightly as I can, then the words sputter from me, “T-t-thank you.”
It sounds like a promise when he says, “I’ll do anything for you.” He kisses my temple again. “Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
I only want to feel safe, and right now, I actually do.
“I just want you to hold me,” I admit while taking deep breaths of his scent.
Standing in Santiago’s arms, it finally sinks in that I’m safe. I’ve escaped Nolan, and there’s an entire ocean between us. He can’t get to me.
I’m safe with Santiago.
