Page 21 of Knot To Be
“Everything about me is fabricated. A perfect mafia doll, just like everyone?—”
“If you don’t answer this goddamned video request, I will be at your door with a priest to be married immediately, Rosa.”
“Ask again and I’ll drown the phone,” I growl.
Lifting my foot, I gaze at my wrinkled toes from the bath. I’m getting pruny, and my bush is still intact. Honestly, I groom myself just fine, my uncle is a bastard with too many opinions.
“I’ll send another. Rosa, answer the fucking video call.”
His bark comes through the phone just fine and I gasp as I find myself hitting accept.
Expletives explode in my mind, though I sag in relief when the camera only shows bubbles and my toes. Even then, I sink my foot back under the water because there’s bruising there as well.
“You weren’t clear,” I whisper. “Don’t use your bark on me again or I’ll slit your throat if I live to the wedding day.”
“Can you back that up,principessa?Exactly how many people have you killed? Also, why are there so many fucking bubbles in your bath? Doesn’t that mess with your ability to get clean?”
“You have a lot of questions, Nicolai. I’m not smart enough to keep up with them.”
That’s a lie. However, my pain levels are ramping up again. My short lived euphoria is over way too soon. Acetaminophen can’t touch this.
“People killed,” he says slowly.“How many?”
“I’ve lost track. I honestly try not to think about it very much.”
“Hmm.” I’m beginning to realize this is his form of a grunt.“Lift your leg up. I want to see it.”
“Are you being a perv? Just because I’m in the bath when you call, doesn’t mean you’re getting a show.”
“If I wanted to be a perv, I’d ask you to make yourself come while I talk you through it. I can reassure you that you’re not my type at all, and I’m merely asking to ensure my property is intact.”
Truths and lies. I’m very good at telling them apart. My father has me attend meetings simply to tap his hand when I hear the lies. My job is to immediately forget whatever I heard, and so I do because I used to value my life. Dropping the towel into the bath, I’m reminded that’s no longer true.
The cut isn’t bleeding and it shouldn’t even really scar. How lucky am I?
“Your property is tired of your bullshit.”
Nico can’t help me. In fact, his actions simply get me beaten even further than I already was.
“I did as you alpha barked. Now, get fucked.”
“Wait!”His scream makes me almost drop the phone and I have to catch it with both hands. When he gasps, I realize he’s getting a clear view of my face, though it’s upside down.
Quickly, I turn the phone back toward the faucet, my heart pounding as my lungs seize. God, I’m in so much goddamned trouble. Maybe my father will douse me in gasoline this time instead of liquor and actually light me on fire.
My wheezing becomes a sob as my mind betrays me. I can smell the gasoline, feel the heat of the flames, and hear my screams. Fuck, this is a panic attack.
“Rosa. Talk to me. Fuck. I’m getting in the car. Enough is enough.”
I don’t think any other words could force me to snap out of whatever hellscape my mind is trapping me in.
“No. Please. You’ll…make it worse,” I gasp. “The phone delivery is why my face looks like this. Nico…”
A low growl of anger makes me close my eyes again, and I sink myself under the water to scream. I make sure to keep my hand above it because I’m sure he’d just send another one if I kill the phone.
Rising up from the lukewarm water, I sigh, knowing I need to get out of the bathtub soon so I can shower. I’ll find anotherrazor to shave and ignore the song the blade sings to me. I’m quickly losing the will to live.
“I’d ask if you feel better now, but since my chest feels so tight I can barely breathe, I won’t insult you or me.”
