Chapter 24

Kay Sighing to myself, I strip to look at the damage done to my body, and I wince, staring at the bruises forming on my skin. My ribs hurt; it's like they intended to break them. I don't know what got into that old man, but he hasn't acted that rough with me before. There is another hideous bruise on my hip. I'm just thankful they didn't hit my face. Also, the bullet wound from before has healed but is still raw to the touch. My life is so pathetic. I crawl to the bathroom for a long bath to help soothe my sore muscles. I haven't trained that hard for a long time, and I feel like I was run over by a fucking convoy. I need to go see Theo. I learned he got discharged yesterday, and he is at home now. Andrea, too, I haven't called to check how she's doing, yet. I immerse myself deeper in the extremely hot water, allowing it to hurt my skin because it's what I'm craving. What could be the reason for Santino's bizarre behaviour? He told me to be cautious around everyone. Does he know something I don't? He always treated me nicely, but today, I just don't understand. The cooling water cut short my thoughts. I get out of the bathtub and dry my body before applying lotion and massaging it in the process. I wear a short plaid skirt. I rarely wear skirts and dresses, but today I feel like it. I chose a black full-neck top with thigh-heeled black boots to go with the skirt. I apply light makeup and let my long hair down. I have been pondering cutting it short lately. My phone rings before I can get to my car, and it's Dean. I'm guessing he just found out Alex is in town or dead, perhaps. " Yes," I receive softly. "Hey princess, I have good news for you," he chirps, and I roll my eyes at that. " You are too late, Dean. I am asking myself why I even pay you." I cut short his happy mood. "Shit, Sorry but you know I'm trying, right?" but not hard enough, I add to myself. "Whatever," I mumble, starting the car, " Don't be like that, Kay, by the way, we are racing tomorrow, you should join?" he says, more like a request. " I don't know Dean." I don't think it's the right time to have that kind of fun. "Please, Kay, just this once," he pleads softly, and I groan. "Okay", I reluctantly accept. It's just racing and nothing more. I will take Theo with me if I find him in the position. " Thanks, Kay, you won't regret it, I swear." "Yeah, I hope so," I mumble, ending the call and driving to Carl's. Pulling up at the big black gates, I get out of the car because the security won't let me in. Apparently, women are not allowed in this place unless they have one of the boys with them. "Don't you know who she is?" Ana asks rudely, getting off her bike. When did she arrive here? I thought I was clear with Dad about the matter of her being my watchdog. I don't know why, but I just don't like her that much. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but boss made it clear not to allow women inside," the man with a clear Italian accent declares politely. He is in a black-tailored suit with a rifle in his arms. His partner is dressed the same way but doesn't even glance at us. Theo had mentioned that only Carl brings women around. "This is bullshit, who the fuck is your boss?" she raises her voice, and it irks me. I pull out my phone to call Theo, but someone else arrives before I can dial his number. "Princess?" he questions, looking at the guard, annoyed. " Why the fuck are you keeping her outside, Mateo?" he snaps harshly at the nice guard, and I feel bad for him. "He was following rules, Marcello, excuse him," I interject to save the poor guy. "Carl will kill him if he finds out. Next time let her in," he scolds both of them, " you too, Eric." The other guard only nods. So he is Eric. "Sorry, ma'am," Mateo says reasonably, how did a good man like him end up in this shit? I wave dismissively at him, following Marcello in. Like the first time, men are hanging around the pool. They must like swimming so much. Maybe they have nothing else to do. Most of them are shirtless and in swimming trunks. All the muscles! "Holy fuck!" Ana exclaims beside me, and her eyes shamelessly wander to the men who are gladly reciprocating the favour. I immediately spot Theo on one of the swimming beds, reading a book. "Carl is not around, you can join me for a movie while you wait for him," Marcel says about to enter the front doors of the house, but I decline. "I'm here to see him," I point to where a lonely Theo is sitting, and he nods in understanding. The boy hasn't seen me yet, whatever that book is about. It must be an interesting read. "Okay, I will see you around," he pats my back before disappearing behind the doors, and I look at Ana, who is still where I left her. I hate it when women behave this way. I understand you might have a crush, but why don't you do it respectfully? Maybe that's why men think they can treat us however they want. I roll my eyes at her behaviour and walk to Theo, ignoring the eyes trailing behind me. "Hey, you," I startle him and almost laugh at how quickly he closes the page he was reading. His flushed cheeks tell me the book is not that innocent. How old is this guy anyway? "Hey, Kay," he clears his throat, running a hand through his hair nervously. He's behaving like I caught him doing something wrong. "You look better," I observe. The bandages on his face are gone, but the crutches beside the bed show he is still not well recovered. Anyway, I'm glad he's improving, just sad that tomorrow I will go racing on my own. There is no way I will take that awkward bitch with me "Thanks," Theo moves his body to create space for me on the bed. I sigh, sitting down and looking around. I can still feel the aftermath of that training. "Who's your friend?" he points at the girl stripping to her undergarments while men whistle and cheer for her to join them in the pool. So embarrassing. "Trust me, she's nowhere near being a friend of mine." I shake my head, watching her jump in the middle of the horny eyes. "I don't like her." he scrunches his face in disgust when she starts giggling at the men's touch. He looks cute. "How old are you?" I can't help but ask. He furrows his brows, looking at me like I just asked him to marry me. "I am 23, and I'm happy you are willing to know more about me?" he says, grinning widely, it makes his eyes twinkle. It looks like he doesn't hurt when he laughs anymore. How does someone smile this big? I wonder, staring at him. Even in pain he still has reasons to smile. Maybe I should learn from him. "Did you watch the cameras yet?" I change the topic because every time I get those flowers, I get so fucking uncomfortable. "Yes, but I saw nothing out of place. Are the flowers still coming in?" he questions, and I nod. "Shit, I think we should tell Carl, Kay," he says seriously, and I am actually considering it. Speaking of carl, The gates open, and everyone around looks on, alerted. The guys around Ana get away from her like she's suddenly burning them. Carl saunters in, Sam and Ed walking beside him. I don't want to seem hopeless, but he looks hot. His ripped black jeans hung slightly low on his waist. As I said before, he never wears his trousers up. The grey t-shirt hugs his muscles like a second skin, with a black leather jacket on top. He has a single chain hanging on his neck and black combat boots. His face is as serious as always, like somebody just pissed the hell out of him off. "Who the hell brought a whore here?" he bursts, and his boys do everything to avoid his gaze. "Fuck me!" Ana exclaims, the same words she said before. She gets out of the water and starts walking toward Carl, her bare ass swaying in the process like it's being forced. Bitch. "Who brought this bitch here?" Carl asks again, pulling out his gun. The said bitch walks to him as she undresses his body with her thirsty eyes and smirking. "This bitch is gonna suck your hot ass dry," she slurs seductively, licking her fucking lips. Fuck it.