Page 21 of Saviour
I nod quickly and keep my mouth shut. I know I’m not safe here, but I’m not safe out there anymore either. If Carlo is the only thing that can keep Maxwell from learning where I am, then I’ll play this game. I’ll do anything to survive.
Carlo’s hand comes out and his fingers wrap around the wet plait on my shoulder that’s drenching my T-shirt.
I cringe and resist the urge to bat his hand away and cling to my plait.
“Pretty,” Carlo says quietly when a large body appears at my back and I instantly find a sense of relief rush through my veins.
“Ahh, Dax, why don’t you show our new guest around, hmm?” Carlo smirks, dropping my plait and walking back to his desk.
Dax’s hand slips into mine and I feel him tug me backwards, so my feet follow his. He rushes through the house with quick steps and my smaller legs struggle to catch up with him again.
Why is it I’m always behind him, trying to catch up?
Dax takes us to a large living room and drops my hand, running his own through his blond hair.
“What the fuck is wrong with you? I said don’t leave the room without me!”
I recoil at his anger, shocked by the venom in his words.
“I was fine.” I shrug it off.
“You were not fine, Rori, you were literally in the den of the devil.”
“I can take care of myself, Dax,” I shout a little, but the small chuckle that leaves his lips is harsh and hurtful.
“Clearly, you cannot,” he says, gesturing his hand from my head down to my toes.
My hand instantly reaches out and slaps him right across the cheek. The slap stings my palm and I shake it off, trying to alleviate the tingle shooting through it. Dax didn’t even flinch, his cheek barely red.
“I didn’t mean that,” he says, defeated.
“I have been taking care of myself all my life. I don’t have fancy houses and cars, endless amounts of money, or rich uncles, but I don't need any of that.”
“I know, Rori, I—”
“No, Dax, you don’t know. I may not know you, but I will bet my bottom dollar that you have never had to struggle like I have. Do not insult me like that ever again.”
I huff out, my shoulders shaking in rage, my palm still fucking stinging.
“I’m sorry, Birdie.”
“And stop fucking calling me that!”
I go to leave, but his hand finds mine again and I pause. He rubs his thumb on the inside of my palm, soothing the bite of the sting.
“I’m sorry, Rori. I deserved that. I just don’t want you walking around here by yourself. Carlo’s dangerous and I just want to keep you safe.”
I know his intentions are coming from a good place and it hurts more that I have to lie to him about why I’m here.
After a few quiet minutes, Dax breaks the silence.
“Rori?”
“Hmm?” I look up at him.
“Have you ever hit anyone before?”
I startle at the question and mull it over. I think of all the times I hit and slapped Maxwell when I was trying to escape, but it was only a matter of seconds before my hands were strapped down. So no, not really.
