Killing You Softly Read online

  She moves her hands away from my waist and I continue to whine my hips on my own the way she demonstrated. With the music still blasting, I’m starting to feel my groove and get into it. My hands start moving to the beat on their own, along with my legs and feet.

  “Yes! Yes! You dance.” Amazon Woman claps her hands in encouragement.

  I doubt I’m dancing like a dancehall queen, but it’s an improvement. That’s not saying I will be dancing in public any time soon.

  The song ends and she goes to shut the stereo off.

  “You my friend.” Comes out of her mouth next. Not as a question rather as a demand.

  I need an ally here if I’m going to be able to escape and she’s the perfect candidate. I walk over to her bed and plop down. “Okay. If we’re going to be friends, I need to know your name.”

  She comes over and sit on the chaise that’s at the foot of her bed. “Serafina.”

  “That’s pretty.” She smiles at my compliment. “Do you work for Lucius or are you…?”

  “I’m one of his women. The only one besides you that lives here. We special. I fight too.”

  Fight?

  The confusion must be written all over my face because she responds, “Underground fighter.”

  That must be how Lucius makes his millions. “Oh. How long have you been here?”

  “Came here to Lucius from Italy when I was eighteen.”

  “How old are you now?”

  “Twenty-nine.”

  Wow. “Do you…like it here, with Lucius?”

  Serafina looks down at her hands. “Yes…no.”

  Perfect!

  “Why don’t you like it here?”

  “You friend. I can be honest with you?” She asks, looking at me with her doe eyes.

  “Yes.”

  “Lucius not good man,” she shakes her head. “Makes me fight. I make him millions and I get very little. And he likes sex too rough.”

  The first part of what she said I get. The latter has me stumped. She’s built like a freaking Mack truck. Couldn’t she snap Lucius greasy fat ass in two?

  However, I can tell there’s a soft side to her character. She may be tough on the outside, inside she’s still a woman that wants to be cherished.

  I go for it, seeing that I’ve got nothing to lose. “Have you ever thought of leaving Lucius?”

  She nods her head immediately. “Many times. All the time. I want go back Italy. But…Lucius would bring me back here. Punish me when he catches me. He has punished me many times. When I no train hard enough. When I not wet enough for sex… I fight women in ring and win. But, I don’t know how fight to protect me from him. I never fight back.”

  I instantly feel the pain of my new friend Serafina. I don’t even question the sudden emotion I have to take on the big sister role. That prick has had her as his prisoner for many years and broke her will to fight for herself. For her freedom. My need to gut Lucius and escape this luxurious prison takes on a whole new meaning.

  “We will kill Lucius and escape together.” I speak my thoughts out loud. Serafina snaps her head towards me, searching my face for truth of my statement.

  “You help me go back to Italy?” Her face takes on a childlike appearance.

  “Yes!”

  A beautiful smile radiates her already gorgeous face. I smile back. If one good thing comes from me being here – it has to be helping Serafina to go back home to her country – her family.

  “Do you know where Lucius is now?”

  “In city. Not sure when he come back.”

  I nod. “Okay. I need you to tell me everything you know about the security here.”

  Time to map out our plans.

  Chapter 28

  CASS

  It’s day two of my being here in Lucius estate and I have yet to see the man since my arrival. I am by no means complaining about it, however. His time away has allowed Serafina and I to bond and to plan our escape.

  The perfect time, according to her, will be when Lucius requests one of us, or both, for sex. Serafina told me he only has one guard at the door of his soundproof bedroom whenever he’s intimate with her. I didn’t bother to ask why. So whatever.

  And the night guards are usually too preoccupied and or too lazy to be on full alert during the dark hours. She’d caught guards on numerous occasions nodding off when on night guard. Which also means the security cameras won’t be carefully monitored.

  The fact that there hasn’t been a security breech at the estate in years, also means the guards are very lax. Especially at night.

  I noticed there aren’t any telephones around during my tour of the estate yesterday. Otherwise I would have contacted Cage by now. I’m desperate to hear his voice. To see his handsome face. To let him know that I’m planning my escape to get back to him. I love that man so much I’ll do anything to be in his strong arms again. It’s almost unbelievable to me that I have such strong feelings for another human being. I thought my parents ruined me for giving and receiving love and affection. It’s an emotion I don’t even remember having as a child. So, I thank God for Cage. That man has allowed me to feel again. The darkness of my heart is starting to cleanse.

  “Do you have a cellphone?” I ask Serafina. We’re walking the grounds at the back of the estate and the day guards are watching us like hawks. My instinct is to do a G. I. Jane stunt and make a run for it, see if they can catch me either by hand or bullet first. But I don’t want to risk Serafina.

  Our reason for being out here is because I want to get a better gauge of the distance from the kitchen door, that doesn’t have a guard at post, to the beach. There are a few trees that can act as cover as we make our escape. And doing it at night will give us a greater chance of not being seen so easily.

  However, I do notice a few floodlights. Those darn things can light up the backyard and brighten it almost like the sun. That may be an issue. I may have to shoot them out if I get my hands on a gun. That would also alert the guards of our escape.

  Serafina shakes her head no. “No cellphone. No computer. No access to outside world.”

  This really is a prison.

  “Does he allow you to leave the estate on your own? Go shopping, to dinner, movies, anything?”

  “I only leave when I go to city for fights. My trainer comes here to prepare me for fights. All my clothes and toiletries are bought for me. I make a list of the things I want and they are brought here. I no have any friends here. Other than you. I no allowed to contact my family in Italy.”

  And this is what Vic traded me into? My hatred for him grows every second.

  We stop and take a seat on a bench near a small pond. I fleet my eyes towards the areas leading to the beach. I’m trying to memorize the path, so at night, when the perfect time presents itself for us to execute our escape, we’ll know our way in the dark.

  And the time has to be when Lucius summons me to his bedroom. There’s no way I’m going to allow him to put his filthy hands on me. And I won’t be tied or held down to be raped by him. I’ll rather die first than let him take my essence.

  “I can’t believe you lived like this for eleven years.” I have to bite my tongue. Because wasn’t I Vic’s personal assassin, unashamedly, for eleven years? Even though I had some semblance of freedom – I wasn’t free. My reason for being here proves that point significantly.

  Serafina and I both have been exploited. We’re both victims of being preyed upon by big powerful men. Time for that to end.

  I can see tears welling in her eyes. “I no choice. He take me from my family at eighteen. Train me to fight. I make him millions, now he no wants me to leave. And I afraid to fight against him.”

  I reach over and wipe her damp cheeks with my thumbs. “I’m here to help you fight. And to get you back to your family. Okay.”

  “Thank you, Cass.” She sniffles. It’s kind of weird seeing such an outwardly tough woman like her crying. Lucius must have really broken her spirit over the years. “Sorry for b
eing rude to you yesterday when I bring breakfast.”

  I smile. “It’s okay. If we hadn’t become friends, I would’ve had to Jackie Chan your ass.”

  She laughs out loud. “I like you.”

  “I like you too, Serafina.”

  Chapter 29

  CASS

  I wake up blissfully rested on my third day at Lucius’s luxurious prison. I’m ashamed to admit that this bed is so comfortable, But I am by no means getting relaxed to this place. I think I slept well last night because I have our plan of escape mapped out in my head. I just need to make sure Serafina is really serious about wanting to leave. Who knows how she will feel when Lucius finally gets back to the estate. Either way – I leaving this joint.

  Sitting up in the bed, I stretch, then rub the sleep from my eyes. I look at the clock on the nightstand and see that it’s 9:13 in the morning. I hear noises coming for the other side of the bedroom door. Loud clanking of footsteps on the marble floors and voices. I scoot off the bed and walk toward the door, unlocking it. I open it slightly and peek out. The hallway is clear, but I can hear the loud voices all the way up here on the third floor, coming from below. I walk out of the room and tiptoe over to the railing to look down. The double front doors are open. Four security guards dressed in their dark suits are carrying a large box into the house. I watch them until they disappear from my view. Next a huge mass of flesh – Lucius – steps into view, walking through the front door. The two guards, I recognize from the night they snatched me from the restaurant, are flanked at his sides.

  “Take it to my bedroom, you idiots!” Lucius barks. He’s now standing in the foyer. I step away from the railing and crouch down so no one will spot me snooping.

  The loud clank of footsteps can be heard, then I see the guards carrying the big box come back into view. They round a corner and head for the stairs, leading towards me. I back away from the railing and crawl back into the bedroom, locking the door behind me.

  Lucius is back. Dread starts to curl up in my gut. The little that I’ve witnessed of him so far, assures me that my defying him will lead to extreme punishment. The man is vicious and leaves no qualms about it. This is the man Vic traded me to.

  I push away from the door, now determined not to allow fear to overcome me. I’ve trained on how to kill and protect myself for years, but never have I been in a situation like this. With all of Vic’s lies, the one thing that always seemed to remain true was the fact that he kept me safe. I killed for him, but he had my back. Now I’m on my own to defend myself from the fate he’s placed me into because his only concern was his wealth. I never meant anything to Vic. He never cared for me if I was so easily traded. Despite it all – I will fight. To my death if it comes to it – before I become anyone’s whore.

  I go into the bathroom to relieve myself, then wash my face and brush my teeth. There’s a rapid knock on the bedroom door. I halt with the toothbrush in my mouth. I quickly spit in the sink and rinse my mouth out with water. Afterwards, I walk into the bedroom.

  “Miss Cassandra, open please,” Comes a meek voice on the other side. I internally exhale, happy that I don’t have to face Lucius right now.

  I walk to the bedroom door, unlock it then yank it open. Standing on the other side is one of the housekeepers, Ms. Erma. She’s a middle-aged woman with very short, blonde hair and warm eyes.

  “For you, Miss Cassandra. Mr. Romano wants you to wear this tonight. He requests your presence in his bedroom at eight.” Ms. Erma places a rectangular white gift box into my hands.

  If I didn’t have respect for my elders, I would tell her to go shove it up Lucius’s butt, instead I take it from her hands. “Okay,” is all I can reply. I smile weakly.

  She nods her head at me. I pick up the concern in her gray eyes before she turns and walks away from the door. Does she know that her boss has me here to be his sex slave? It doesn’t matter because that gunk won’t be touching me unless it’s me wrapping my hands around his meaty neck, crushing his lungs.

  Curious, I walk over to the bed and sit on the edge. I open the box and look inside. It’s a white lace bustier with underwire cups, a sheer panel in front with floral lace print detailing, adjustable garter straps, a matching panty, and thigh high stockings. It’s definitely something I would gladly wear for Cage – but Lucius? Heck no! I guess I will have to in order to set my plan of escape in motion. Tonight has to be the night.

  There’s another knock on the bedroom door as I put the top back on the lingerie box. Please don’t be Lucius, I silently pray as I walk towards the locked door. Keeping it locked helps me prevent the element of surprise of someone walking in here unannounced. Someone like Lucius or one of his guards. It’s bad enough I can’t escape through the windows. They’re all bolted shut. Trust me, my first day here I tried opening them up to no avail. Besides, I’m too high up on the third floor, I wouldn’t want to risk breaking my neck. When no one was looking, I copped a butcher knife out of the kitchen yesterday. It’s under my pillow, another reason why I slept peacefully last night.

  This time, instead of just opening the door, I ask, “Who is it?”

  “Cass, it’s me,” I hear Serafina’s Italian accent on the other side of the door. I quickly unlock it and let her in. She walks in carrying a box similar to the one Ms. Erma gave me. She notices the box on the bed. “You got one too?”

  “Yes—”

  The bedroom door bursts open before I can lock it again. “Ladies, it’s time for breakfast, then your beauty treatments per Mr. Romano’s request,” comes a voice from a perky Asian woman, looks to be in her early forties. She’s dressed in a black pantsuit with a stark white shirt.

  “Hi, Jessie,” Serafina greets the woman dryly.

  Jessie snaps her fingers. “Chop, chop, Serafina. No long face. You know the drill. Eat then get ready for your waxing and other beauty treatments. Mr. Romano doesn’t like you hairy.”

  So, this is a regular thing? I watch the women, awestruck. Does this Jessie woman not know that she’s been preparing Serafina to be taken against her will by Lucius – and now me? What in the royal hell is this?

  “Yes, Jessie, I know,” Serafina responds meekly. I look at her and have to question whether she has a backbone or not. Her disposition is jarring to me. A woman who’s a champion fighter, making millions for Lucius, but she has a problem standing up for herself. Looking at all the muscles perfectly sculpting Serafina’s strong body, she can easily go toe to toe with any man twice her size and probably win. Watching her bend easily to Lucius’s repressing and degrading requests, is surreal.

  “Cassandra, Mr. Romano has requested for your hair to go back to its natural kinky texture. Is that a relaxer in your hair or is it pressed straight?”

  I unconsciously reach my hand up to touch my hair that’s heaped on top my head in a topknot. Just three days ago, at the salon with Jade, I had it pressed and curled. With the cooler temps here in New York, and even after a wash yesterday, my natural coarse hair hasn’t completely kinked back up to its natural state. Another wash and condition should do the trick.

  “It’s pressed,” I find myself replying to Jessie.

  “Good. Easy fix.” She turns to the door. “Okay, ladies, breakfast, then I will meet you in the beauty room.” She walks out of the room.

  “Beauty room?” I ask Serafina. I don’t remember seeing that room when I did the tour.

  “Yes. The door may be closed when you did tour. It like five-star spa. Lucius have all spa staff downstairs waiting for us. He make them come when he want prepare me for him.”

  Getting pampered is nice. The reason for it is not. “Have you ever refused him for sex?”

  “One time, when I first got here. He locked me in small room no windows for thirty days. I got food only two a day and out only to use the bathroom and shower. After, I just gave in. It no so bad if I do as he says…”

  God. I can’t hear any more of this. I hold up my hand to stop her from talking.

  “L
adies! Chop, chop!” Jesse hollers.

  That chick is about to piss me off.

  “Let us go before she go to Lucius and tell him we no cooperating. I not ready to see him yet. Or deal with his wrath.” Serafina grabs my arm and steers me towards the door.

  ***

  After breakfast, we were whisked away to the beauty room. Jessie wasted no time instructing the beautician on what to do to my hair to bring it completely back to its kinky texture. Lucius gave Jessie instructions for Serafina’s hair to be bone-straight, flowing in silky layers down her back and shoulders. He even gave instruction on which type of shampoo and conditioner to be used on our hair, to leave it scented with a fragrance he likes.

  Although I like being pampered, this whole thing is sickening to me. We’re getting all gussied up to be presented to a pig. And what adds to my irritation is the fact that Jessie has no problem with it. I’m sure she knows why Lucius wants us buffed and waxed. Serafina’s reluctance alone should let the older woman know that Lucius isn’t being a caring chivalrous man pampering on us. This is all for his demeaning benefit.

  But I play along nicely. I won’t blow my chance of escape by going off on the woman. Besides, I will indulge in this little reprieve. Although my plan of getting out of here is set, it will be challenging to pull off without getting caught, injured, or killed.

  After an hour massage, Serafina and I are lounging in recliners with masks on our faces and cucumbers over our eyes. I remove the cucumbers and see that Serafina has already removed hers. We’re left alone in the small room.

  “Tonight has to be the night,” I whisper. “There’s no way I’m allowing Lucius to touch me, let alone have sex with him. I need to know if you’re serious about escaping.”

  Serafina bites on her bottom lip nervously. I’m starting to second guess if I should have trusted her with my plans of escape. Will she chicken out and tell Lucius of my plans? Were her stories of being mistreated by him a farce? A way to get me to care for her and become friends, only for her to stab me in the back?