Page 33 of Unrestricted
"Well, I still have family here.” My parents moved to Sardinia after my brother died, but I have aunts, uncles, cousins who still live in Rome. “It might be nice to let them know I'm back."
"That would be nice," Adriano agrees amiably. "But you're not doing it."
"Why not?"
"Green silk charmeuse ring a bell?"
"Ah. The dress."
He smiles tightly. "Yes the dress you destroyed."
"The dress you replaced."
He nods. "As I told you I want to rip it off your body. For trying to deny me that pleasure I think you'll agree a punishment is required."
He watches me closely for a reaction.
Though I have to admit I do agree my behavior warrants a consequence I will not admit to needing to be punished. I hold my tongue.
"You will spend some time in your room, reflecting on what you did. Rosa will bring you meals."
"Will you come to me later?" I feel pathetic for asking but I can't help wanting to know.
"No. You will remain in your room until Friday evening when we will attend the gala together. That is your first consequence. You'll find out on Friday what the second one is."
I feel the color drain from my face. “Gala's not a euphemism for auction is it?"
"What?" The word fires out of Adriano's mouth. He looks at me as if I’ve just told him the sky is green.
"You're not going to sell me or something?"
He shakes his head and looks at me as if he doesn't know where I'd get such an idea, but I know that there are people who operate in the same shadows he does who sell human beings.
"I'm not going to sell you,cara. With the mouth on you I doubt I'd get much."
"Gee, thanks. With this figure and my sparkling personality I think I'd fetch a fortune. Millions, maybe."
"Are you trying to persuade me to sell you?"
"Uh, no."
He gives me a long-suffering look.
"The consequence will be of a more personal nature. Who knows, if you approach it with the right mindset you might even enjoy it."
With that, he gets up and puts his phone in his pocket. He puts on the jacket that was draped over the back of his chair and fastens the button.
"Finish your eggs, then straight to your room, Eliza.” He addresses me as if speaking to a naughty child. I guess I did behave like one. “I'll know if you disobey and you do not want to rack up further punishment."
He leaves the room. I should be worrying about consequences and punishments and whether I can believe him when he says he won't sell me.
Instead all I can think is that he didn't kiss me goodbye. What the hell is wrong with me?
ELEVEN
Eliza
Being locked in my bedroom like I'm a menace to society and not a wronged woman who tore a dress takes me close to the limits of what I can endure.
