Page 54 of Claiming Vanessa
Before I have time to panic, though, he gestures to the door to the VIP room. “Right through there,” he says. “Giulio’s waiting for you.”
This doesn’t bode well. He was fine coming to my room the last time, and I’m terrified of what could happen in that room. But I nod, bare feet carrying me across the room as I ignore the curious stares of the customers I pass.
I knock lightly on the door then open it, and I halt when I see Giulio, Damien, and Slayer all sitting on the couch and chair by the coffee table. They’re laughing about something while they eat from takeout containers, but they all instantly focus on me when I walk in.
I close the door behind me, my heart racing as I seal myself away with them, and I press my back against the door instead of going deeper into the room.
“Vanessa!” Giulio waves to me. “Come on! We’re celebrating a very successful day. I brought… what did we bring, Damien?”
Damien sighs and points to various containers. “Samosas, butter chicken, palak paneer, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, lamb vindaloo… there’s going to be leftovers.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. We’ll give some to Elena and then see who else wants food at the club.” Giulio dips something into the container with a green sauce. “Well? Come on, Vanessa. Join us.”
I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way Slayer’s gaze rakes up and down over me as he takes me in. I’m scared of all three of them, but he’s the most imposing physically. And the way he looks at me, like I’m a tasty treat, is more than a little unwelcome.
But I slowly cross the room, going to stand in front of the coffee table.
“What do you want to eat?” Giulio asks as he chews.
“She should have some of Damien’s,” Slayer says with a strange grin. “Nobody else is going to want it anyway.”
“What is it?” I ask suspiciously.
Damien sighs. “It’s just curry with lamb. There’s nothing unusual about it.”
But Giulio shakes his head. “No way. I wouldn’t do that to you, Vanessa. Here, have some of my palak paneer.” He dips more bread into the green sauce and holds it out to me. “Say ahh.”
I edge in closer, and as reluctant as I am to let him feed me, I let him push the piece of bread into my mouth. I’ve had the spinach and cheese dish before, and while it’s not one of my favorites, it’s good. It shouldn’t surprise me; I’m sure Giulio buys the best of everything from the best places.
It’s not until I swallow that I realize how hungry I am. I get regular meals, but nothing special, and I’ve been mostly picking at it. I don’t have much of an appetite, these days—the captivity isn’t sitting well with me at all. I’d hated it when Emilio Pavone kept me locked up in my room at home, and this is even worse because I don’t have my phone or a television to keep me entertained. I mostly just have time to think, and worry, and wonder what’s going to happen to me.
Giulio runs his thumb over my lower lip, smiling at me. “That’s nice. You want more?”
“Can… I have some of the chicken tikka masala?” I ask tentatively.
“Sure,” Slayer says, gesturing to the container in front of him. “Come kneel right here and I’ll feed you.” He smirks. “We’ll take turns until that little belly of yours is nice and full.”
I pause for a moment, not wanting to go that close to them at all, but I’m so hungry, and the food smells so good…
I inch my way around Giulio to kneel down on the floor, and Slayer offers me a bite of chicken on his fork. “Here you go,” he says. “Open wide.”
I take the bite, trying to swallow down my humiliation as much as the food.
“Fuck, that’s hot. Like we got a new pet or something.” Giulio scratches the back of my ear, like he’s actually petting a dog or a cat. “Or…”
“Can we eat, first?” Damien interrupts. “You’ve played enough today.”
“Spoilsport.” Giulio complains. “But you’ll change your mind once she’s eaten from your fingers. Go on, Vanessa, go beg Damien for some food.”
I don’t want to beg anyone for food, least of all while they treat me like their pet, but I obey anyway. I’m starving, and I’ve been isolated for so long that I’m—shamefully—even willing to go to them for attention just so I don’t have to be alone in my room with nothing to do.
I go to kneel in front of the chair Damien’s sitting in, and I ask quietly, “May I please have a bite?”
Damien groans and gives me a strange expression. “Yes. Good girl.” He dips the corner of his naan into his curry, withdrawing it with barely any sauce at all, then holds it up to my lips.
I take the bite, only to be assaulted by the sheer spice of the lamb on my tongue. I chew and swallow quickly, trying not to choke, and I pull back. Slayer’s mockery makes more sense now, and so does Giulio’s elusive comment about not doing that to me.
“Water,” I wheeze. “Is there water?” I’d prefer milk, but I doubt they have any of that on hand.