Illicit Intrigue (Closed DaveDuff & DM)

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

I turned towards her as I heard her begin to speak.

”I don’t like being locked up alone… though.. I’d rather be alone than with .. Ritchie or Frank… but… I don’t mind spending time with you… “

I could hardly blame her for that, the way Ritchie had confronted her yesterday, and Frank just watching and photographing. She turned her head quickly after saying that, leading to a short silence.

She looked back at me, let out a light chuckle as teased with a provocative grin.

”I’m surprised you enjoy my company though, Tony… As I remember it, just yesterday you thought I was a “smart-assed little bitch” who played games and pissed you off… “

I couldn't help but laugh, remembering how quickly things had changed, and how we now seemed at the oppsite end of the spectrum.

"Well, Samantha," I grinned back at her, "As I remember it, yesterday you were."

She let out a coy smile that quickly changed to a provoking pout.

” Sorry Tony… you did tell me to keep my bratty lil mouth shut… ooops… “

"Well, that's all behind us now. I don't suppose I was the most hopitable host yesterday either. We've...uhh... come a long way since then, so how about we let bygones be bygones, and call this a fresh start, huh?"

I smiled sheepishly as a approached her with an extened right hand, taking hers in mine and giving it a friendly shake, lightly clasping her wrist with my left.

We were standing close, looking each other eye to eye.

"Deal?" I asked with a grin. "No more furniture abuse?" I chuckled, glancing momentarily over to the chair she had kicked yesterday.

I realized I was still holding her hand, lowered my eyes to look at it, and smiled.

"I suppose you'll be wanting this back" I grinned, slowly releasing her. "As much as I enjoyed holding it, I'm sure you're not ready to give it up quite yet."

I smiled at her, a bit nervously as I was quite unacostomed to playing verbally this way with women. It wasn't as if I wasn't enjoying it, but I felt myself at a distinct disadvantage in the arena.

"And as for your 'bratty lil mouth'," I said, unable to hold back a laugh, I guess for now anyways, I'll give you permission to use it any way you see fit."

I blushed, immediatly realizing that the statement could easily be interpreted differently than I had meant it, but any attempt to clarify may just make it worse.

"It's not like I didn't deserve the tongue lashing I got yesterday." I said, smiling broadly, I'm just glad we're not upset, and hope we can even have some fun together."

I gave her a coy little wink and a grin, while reaching down and taking a sip of lemonade.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

"Well, Samantha … as I remember it, yesterday you were."

I shrugged and refused to be drawn on the reason that I had proved to behave like a ”smart-assed little bitch”.
I certainly hadn’t intended to make life easy for Tony ...
then again, there was no reason for me to make life more difficult for myself either.
At least with Tony I felt safe.

"Well, that's all behind us now.
I don't suppose I was the most hospitable host yesterday either.”

I listened to his words and tried to get my head straight.
Host? Safe?
Just a minute Samantha, this is the guy who organised to kidnap you for God’s sake!
I really did need a reality check.
What the hell was I thinking?

"We've...uhh... come a long way since then, so how about we let bygones be bygones, and call this a fresh start, huh?"

Yet even though I’d begun to come to my senses, I still found myself putting my hand in his as he clasped my wrist and smiled shyly as he shook it slightly.
This guy had charm… something almost hypnotic about him.. but…

"Deal? No more furniture abuse?"

Tony laughed and I followed his eyes to the chair that had been kicked about yesterday.
Finally he released my hand with a smooth voice commented.

"I suppose you'll be wanting this back. As much as I enjoyed holding it, I'm sure you're not ready to give it up quite yet."

I watched him silently forcing myself not to succumb to his obvious charm.
I told myself that this man could very easily take anything I was unwilling to give up ….
And that he probably would before this whole ordeal was over.
I dragged my eyes away from his trying to avoid being drawn by his friendly, bantering tone.

"And as for your 'bratty lil mouth’, I guess for now anyways, I'll give you permission to use it any way you see fit."

I watched him blush, then blushed myself realising that he was being deliberately provocative.
Again I replayed the words, ignoring the flirtation it held.
Who was he to give me permission about what I said?
He might be playing coy, but perhaps that was his ... approach…
His boys were the muscle and he was the big charmer…
Perhaps he thought I’d be less trouble if he…

Again the voice interrupted my musings.

"It's not like I didn't deserve the tongue lashing I got yesterday.
I'm just glad we're not upset, and hope we can even have some fun together."

Drinking his lemonade he grinned and winked.
His final comment did the trick.
Unable to bite my tongue I responded quietly,

”I think I said I didn’t mind your company, Tony.
Under the circumstances, you’ve been fair.. kind.. and even generous…
You told me to be civil… and I am being…”

I hesitated, seeing his expression change.
The intent look in his eyes unsettled me, but I continued, rushing on before I lost my nerve, usign the same measured, serious tone.
I knew that I could not let myself drop back into the easy teasing banter that seemed to have sprung up between us, mainly on my instigation, I admitted reluctantly to myself.

”Maybe.. if things were different… “

The words were out before I could stop them.
Belatedly I halted and refusing to persue that line of thought, I continued with my original intention to put … distance between us… to reintroduce the … appropriate … relationship between kidnapper and “victim”.

”I don’t know how you can assume that I’m not upset …
or that any of this could be … fun for me…?”

I explained calmly and politely, unaware of the confusion clearly showing in my eyes.

”I’d be more than happy to let bygones be bygones… start afresh …
but… I doubt if you are going to let me go … let me return to my home …
return to my father … ? … and no matter how nice you are about it … I’m still imprisoned here aren’t I?”

I moved away then, walking towards the window.
The cool evening breeze wafted into the room, yet the bars were clearly visible.
Guilded cage? Comfortable prison, amicable jailer;
but facts were facts.

I sighed.
Damn! Why did Tony have to be so … likeable…?
What was there to be so confused about.
My eyes fastened onto the bars, making myself face the reality of my situation.
A reality that had been all to easy to allow to slip to the back of my mind.
The banter, the attraction, the chemistry… that had been real.
I knew I wanted that to continue, but how could I want that?
I hated myself for letting myself feel this way...

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

She spoke quietly and calmly, but there was no mistaking a change in her demeanor.

”I think I said I didn’t mind your company, Tony.
Under the circumstances, you’ve been fair.. kind.. and even generous…
You told me to be civil… and I am being…”

“Well yes, you’re being quite civil I’d say, especially under the circumstances…”

I could sense that she may be… contemplating her…situation…

“Maybe.. if things were different…”

Almost as quickly as she had surprised me by becoming… friendly… even a bit playful… now she was pulling back…

”I don’t know how you can assume that I’m not upset …
or that any of this could be … fun for me…?”

“No…well… you’re right… it’s just that…uh…it seemed things were…changing…
I don’t…’expect’ you to feel any way…”

I stammered…of course I couldn’t expect her to be anything but upset…
She had surprised me when at first, that seemed to pass…
Now, I was caught off-guard on her sudden retreat…

”I’d be more than happy to let bygones be bygones… start afresh …
but… I doubt if you are going to let me go … let me return to my home …
return to my father … ? … and no matter how nice you are about it … I’m still imprisoned here aren’t I?”

She was right there; of course I couldn’t just let her go…
She moved toward the window… Looking out into the evening…

“Well, no, I can’t just forget this whole thing now…
I’ve come too far… I can’t just pretend none of this has happened…
It’s too complicated to just drop it…”

I didn’t think she knew exactly the reason for her…imprisonment…
I guessed it couldn’t do any harm to give her some details…

“Your father, well, he’d made a promise to us…
He was supposed to get the trumped-up charges dropped, on a couple of my boys…
It didn’t work out, for whatever reason… but…
He’s got the power…the connections…and the ability to change that…
It may take a lot of pull, but you dad’s got that…he can get my boys outta prison…”

I think she was as confused as I… although, I couldn’t think of a reason why…
Maybe she was playing all along… testing me…checking for my reactions…
If that were the case, I’d played right into her hand…allowed her to control the situation…
But if it were, why now the sudden change?…
I needed some time to figure it out…I could go back to thug/prisoner… but did I want to?

I stood and moved toward the door…

“I’ve got some business that needs taken care of…
If you need something…just knock at the door…
And if you don’t want to deal with the boys ask for me…”

I knocked at the door, and waited for Jimmy to open it up…

“I’ll bring you some breakfast in the morning.”

The door opened and I slipped out… heading to the kitchen and pouring myself a tall whiskey and coke…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“Well yes, you’re being quite civil I’d say, especially under the circumstances…”

He wasn’t angry, but reacted reasonably as I attempted to draw back and reassert the distance between us.

“No…well… you’re right… it’s just that…uh…it seemed things were…changing…
I don’t…’expect’ you to feel any way…”

OK he was being… understanding, but… even he agreed that he couldn’t just let me go now…

“Well, no, I can’t just forget this whole thing now…
I’ve come too far… I can’t just pretend none of this has happened…
It’s too complicated to just drop it…”

Complicated? Yes it was complicated.
My feelings were.. complex … but I didn’t want to be stuck here, locked in. Above all else I wanted to go home.
Tony broke into my thoughts and I turned as he began to explain:

“Your father, well, he’d made a promise to us…
He was supposed to get the trumped-up charges dropped, on a couple of my boys…
It didn’t work out, for whatever reason… “

Daddy had promised… and the charges were… fake…?
That didn’t make sense… I looked at him questioningly as he continued.

“ …but… he’s got the power…the connections…and the ability to change that… It may take a lot of pull, but you dad’s got that…he can get my boys outta prison…”

I opened my mouth to question him.
If daddy had made a promise, then why hadn’t he kept it?
How was he mixed up with all of this?
… but Tony didn’t give me the opportunity.

Moving to the door, he spoke politely, but dismissively.

“I’ve got some business that needs taken care of…
If you need something…just knock at the door…
And if you don’t want to deal with the boys ask for me…”

He knocked at the door and added, almost as an afterthought;

“I’ll bring you some breakfast in the morning.”

I nodded, but said nothing as he quickly slipped out and slammed the bolts back into place.

Standing near the window I shivered and turned to pull them shut.
What had happened just then?
Tony had been so… different, but… what about what he’d said about daddy… could that be true…?

I moved to the bed and picked up the remote. Flicking through I finally came to the news channels and began scanning trying to see if there was any news, any comment about my abduction.
I moved to the bed and got under the quilt, shivering, my eyes on the screen.

Suddenly I saw it: The report of the planning meeting in city hall that afternoon. I watched as the image of my father filled the screen… Ned… I watched as Edward Chambers stood by his side… I listened as the report droned on watching my father’s face. He had his public face on, but I could see the glances at Ned.. the furtive look when the reporter asked:

” And.. isn’t it true that your daughter, Samantha was instrumental in renewing the dialogue between yourself and Mr Chambers, Senator?”

My father paled and for the first time since I’d know him froze.
Ned moved to the mike and spoke smoothly.

”That’s perfectly true… Samantha explained the merits of the project and the Senator and I are now determined to follow through and ensure that the project is a success.. . thank you… “

I watched as Ned ushered daddy out of the crowds and into the waiting car.
Only then did I realise that tears were running down my face…
”Oh…good God… “

That wasn’t how he was.
Daddy was always in control.
Seeing him… shell shocked… letting Ned take charge… I couldn’t take it in.
The news items continued, but I took no notice… I curled up and hid my face in the pillow, letting despair take over…
I felt guilty … how could I have been chatting.. flirting… with the man who had caused all this heart ache.
I’d not seen daddy like that since mom died.
Mom…. I sat up… remembering how it had been…
I reached for the glass of lemonade, trying to calm myself and looked down belatedly as it smashed onto the floor…

”Ohh.. fuck… “

I whispered and bent down to pick up the largest pieces.

”Ahhh shit.. “

I pulled back a hand, the finger bleeding, the shard of glass still in the opposite hand. I examined the cut.

The cut… time seemed to warp.
That’s what I’d done … when mom wasn’t there and dad was always … away… it had worked… it had taken away the pain… well… taken the focus away from it…

I pulled the shard of glass experimentally across my palm and watched the think red mark appear, like the mark of a pen, the ink a fine line, barely fluid. I smiled. I remembered this… doing this… it had helped…
I moved the glass and let it hover on my arm… my palm still upwards, the soft pale sensitive skin of my under arm and wrist towards me… gently but firmly I ran the glass down … so slowly.. watching in fascination as I drew the glass downwards, leaving a fine red trail in it’s wake…

 

[DaveDuff]

I returned to my office with my drink. She really had me perplexed… I guessed what I really wondered, was if she was confused, or was playing me. I know I had sensed an attraction… puzzling as it was. I could either just forget about the previous few hours, go back to a more reasonable controlling role, or keep up this mystifying, sometimes bewildering cat and mouse sort of game.

My goal here was had nothing to do with her at all, I knew that. But, I couldn’t help but think back, remembering how I’d felt when we were seemingly getting closer. It couldn’t be more wrong, from her perspective especially. I think that’s what had me baffled. How could she not have been playing games? What other possible explanation could there be for her to have acted the way she did towards me? How could I find out how she really felt?

I knew what I was thinking, and knew it was wrong. But, hey, I’d already watched her on the hidden cameras once before. Before things had… changed the way they had. It would help me decide if I wanted to continue… trying to stay close… or if I should drop the idea of being anything but the captor….

I opened the laptop and switched it on… watching as the screens scrolled by…
I re-opened the security program and flipped through the screens, till I came to the camera menus…

Opening the guest room cam… I could see her…
What was she doing… I zoomed in a bit…couldn’t believe what I was looking at..

She was standing, next to the table broken glass all around her feet. She was holding a large piece of glass in one hand, and looking… staring at her other…

Blood was running down from her palm, across her wrist, and forearm… dripping from her elbow onto the floor…

Jesus Christ!, What the hell had she done to herself!…She was standing there motionless, staring and the long cuts in her palm and arm. It looked like she was in some kind of trance…

Was she actually trying to slit her wrists? Do herself in?… I found that very hard to believe, but there she was… I could see her plain as day… watching herself bleed, obviously self-inflicted….

I jumped out of my chair and moved toward the door… If I were to just burst in, she’d know I’d been watching…Did I care about that anymore? How much damage had she done to herself?

There was no hospital for miles, only limited first aid supplies on hand here…
My mind raced at the implications. This obviously could put an end to everything. If she needed medical attention, she would have effectively escaped. I certainly couldn’t just let her bleed to death.

I turned around, grabbed the newspaper from my desk, and raced to the door of her room, opening it and dashing in.

“Samantha! What the hell happened? Why in the world would you cut yourself?”

I reached her side, and pulled her quickly to the bathroom, she seemed still in a trance, still staring at the blood as it slowly ran down her arm. I turned on the faucet, soaked a washcloth, and began wiping at her skin, wanting to see just how badly she was cut.

It didn’t look too bad…but there was a lot of blood. I continued wiping, cleaning, looking for more damage. There was a small prick on her finger tip, nothing really, but the cuts on her palm and forearm were long and straight… definitely not an accident.

Luckily they were not very deep, the bleeding was subsiding already. But if she tried this once, what the hell else was she capable of? I certainly couldn’t make the room… ‘suicide-proof’. Would I have to stay, and watch her round the clock?

“Samantha! Snap out of it… Look at me…”

Slowly her eyes rose from her arm…

“Why in the world would you do this to yourself…?

I opened the cabinet and found a bottle of antiseptic, poured some on a Kleenex and began dabbing it along the cuts, seeing her wince and try to pull away.

“I’ve got to clean this up, It could get infected.”

I continued dabbing despite her protests…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

Downwards so slowly… a satisfying sting of pain.
the sharp glass eased down, the red groove etched carefully.
I watched … mom… daddy… no… the light scoring moving to my wrist..
barely breaking the skin, yet, the mark was there.
I looked amazed that the scratch, the scars were oozing the red fluid.
Where had it come from?
Why was I bleeding?
How long would it do that this time I wondered.

I didn’t even turn as the door burst open.
I was barely away of Tony rushing towards me.
He shouted my name… and words… he shouldn’t be here… he'd left.
What was he doing?
His hands were on me pulling me along.
I didn’t look at him.
I watched the lines thicken and run, following him as he guided me, my arm held firmly and gently, being drawn along numbly.

I watched the blood dilute as he washed it away.
I opened my mouth. I wanted to tell him not to do that.
You had to see the marks. You had to watch them.
Why were they disappearing already?
Even the slight sting was soothing.

“Samantha! Snap out of it… Look at me…”

His sharp voice cut through my thoughts.
I looked up at his face, unable to read his expression.

”Why in the world would you do this to yourself…?

I looked questioningly… this…?
I couldn’t understand what he meant.
The sting made me gasp and look down at my arm again.
I tried to pull my arm away.
What was he doing? Why?
It was my arm, not his, only I had the right to… touch it…

“I’ve got to clean this up, It could get infected.”

I tried to pull my arm away.

”No… doesn’t matter… “

I struggled further, but he wasn’t letting go.

Finally when he released my arm I pulled it towards me as if nursing it, hiding it from him now, looking up at him warily.

”Samantha… now.. tell me.. why did you do this …?

I looked at him, not sure what he meant.

”Do what… what’s wrong.. ?

I didn’t even try to read his expression.
Putting his arm round me he led me back into the other room and sat me on the bed.
Moving the glass fragments with his feet, he sat beside me and carefully moved the larger glass shards out of reach.
I watched, as if detached.
His gaze became more intent.
He reached out and moved his fingers over my face.
I wondered why.
I didn’t realise he was wiping the tears he still saw there.

”Samantha … why… ? what made you.. ?

I met his gaze steadily.
He moved his hand to brush my hair back.

”Made me what.. ?”

I questioned uncertainly.
Almost roughly he pulled my arm towards him.

”Made you do this!”

I gasped, part in pain, part in shock as I looked down.
I saw the marks as if for the first time.
I paled. God.. what had I done… I was past that..

My eyes on his were incredulous … what exactly had made me… ?

“Sammie… “

The word quietly spoken, pleading for explanation, understanding broke me.
Only my parents ever used that name.
Daddy had when he’d found out what I was doing… no reproach, no accusation, just that … soft appeal…

Tears welled silently and spilled over.
I leaned forward, shaking, tears coursing down as realisation hit.
Pressed against Tony’s chest, I didn’t know for sure who moved to who first, but I needed to be held.
He rocked me as I wept uncontrollably.
I didn’t want this to start again …

 

[DaveDuff]

She tried to pull her arm away as I attempted to clean the wounds.

No… doesn’t matter… “

She continued struggling, but I held tight, finishing wiping the cuts, and seeing that the bleeding had stopped.

”Samantha… now.. tell me.. why did you do this …?”

She looked up at me and I could see she truly didn’t comprehend.

”Do what… what’s wrong.. ?

She was in another world… More than confused by the situation, I acted not out of thought, but naturally… automatically… I led her back into the main room, brushing the broken glass our of our path, and out of her reach.

I looked in her face. It wasn’t the young woman I’d seen earlier today, or yesterday… she had the look of a lost little girl, bewildered, and misplaced.

Slowly I raised my hand to her face, wiping away her remaining tears.
Again, I asked…

“Samantha… why…? What made you…?”

I brushed her hair from her face, unable to finish my question.
She looked up at me, still lost… confused…

”Made me what… ?”

How could she not know…? What the hell was going on in her head… ?
I pulled her arm… forcing her to look at it…

“Made you do this!”

She looked… gasping in disbelief at what she had done to herself, unaware that she had. Again, her eyes met mine… empty… hollow… questioning…

“Sammie…”

Almost a whisper, not quite a question, more an appeal, a needing for some reason…

As if her actions were just now coming to her, silently her eyes overflowed, tears running down her cheeks.
We moved together, I towards her, and her towards me…
I held her… firmly, and she pressed her head into my chest, sobbing quietly, unrestrained…
I rocked her slowly, softly stroking her head, as I held her close…

Peacefully we sat, swaying slowly, letting her tears flow, and letting some time pass.

“It’s okay, Sammie, let it out…”

I whispered into her hair, trying to calm her…

“It’ll be alright… It’s all over now…"

What could I do…? What could I say…?

I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket, and dabbed at her cheeks, only to have them dampen again…

“There, there, Sammie… I’m here… You’re gonna be ok…”

I pulled the comforter over my shoulders, around us, covering her shivering body. I found myself softly stroking her arm, pressing my face into her hair, all the while holding her securely, gently moving together with her…

“I’m here with you, don’t worry… We’ll get through this…"

I kissed her gently on the top of her head as we rocked, silently, peacefully…
I wasn’t sure if it was right, but it felt like it was… I could feel it was what she needed…

Quietly, I whispered assurances… they seemed to comfort her… I could feel her body sigh heavily…

Slowly, a bit at a time, sleep came over her. I held her yet, letting her fall into a deepening slumber. Softly, quietly, I laid her on the bed and covered her, brushing the hair from her face…

I cleaned up the glass, the spilled lemonade, and the towel in the bathroom. Moving about the room silently I muted the television, but left it on for a bit of light, having dimmed the overheads.

The room suitably cleaned, and the evidence of the incident removed, I checked on her, found her still sleeping soundly, and went to the bathroom balcony and smoked a cigarette, reflecting on what had happened, and wondering what to do next.

Still not knowing her condition, how she’d act on awakening, I moved back into the room, sliding the door closed behind me. I retrieved the newspaper I’d dropped upon enter the room originally, moved to the sofa, turned on the table lamp, and thumbed though it.

I glanced up every few minutes, and at every sound she made. I wanted to remain with her, in the room, not too close, but not too far…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“It’s okay, Sammie, let it out…”

His whispered words came from close by.
His breath was on my ear, in my hair.

“It’ll be alright… It’s all over now… “

But would it be?
Last time… I’d been so out of control.. I didn’t know what I was doing..
It was so scary.. what had happened to trigger this again…?

The tears kept flowing. Tony mopped them as they fell unheeded.
His voice all concern.

“There, there, Sammie… I’m here… You’re gonna be ok…”

They were the words my father should have said… then… but.. didn’t.
I looked up and looked into his eyes, holding his gaze.
How could I begin to explain what this was all about, what my father was like, what it was really like to be his daughter?

As I shivered, Tony pulled the comforter over me and wrapped it around us.
His hand stoking me over and over, the steady touch soothing me, calming my fright, distilling my panic.
I felt his breath once more.
He drew me towards him, his arms wrapped round protectively.
His face in my hair as he reassured me.

“I’m here with you, don’t worry… We’ll get through this…

“We’ll” get through this, he had said… as if he was involved in this… as if he cared.
It felt as if he cared.
The kiss on my hair, the embrace… it all seemed as if he cared.
It was what I needed, what I’d needed all those years ago.

The rhythmic stroking continued… his voice murmuring on and on.. softly.. almost hypnotically…. It would be alright.. he would be here.. we’d see this through…
The words blurred, I closed my eyes to focus on them and all the time the stroking continued, lulling me as I sighed and finally drifted beyond what was happening around me…



It was dark. I stirred and rubbed my eyes.
I took a sharp breath realising my wrist hurt…
The dream.. I’d been..… ?
I pulled my arm towards me and peered at it.
I could see nothing, but as I ran my finger along it, I felt the sting,
the early healing of the cut skin.

A figure moved towards the bed.
I was disorientated..
Where was I? When was I?
Memories danced together before my eyes.
The flickering in the corner, the only source of light made the figure appear in silhouette.

“Sammie..?”

The deep voice questioned.

”Daddy…?

My voice was hoarse, I remembered I’d been crying…

”Tony!”

I gasped softly as the figure sat down and switched on a bedside lamp.
Images came to me. Images of him holding me, comforting me …
I looked at him, feeling ashamed.
I was a mess; crumpled, dishevelled.
I could see the scarred trail clearly now in the soft illumination of the lamp.
I bowed my head, not knowing what to say…

”I… I’m… sorry… “

I finally managed to utter.

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

I dozed, nervously, a few times during the night. Frequently I checked and found her sleeping soundly. It was still dark when I heard the shuffling. Again, I moved toward the bed, slowly, quietly, not wanting to disturb her. The flickering light of the television was casting disorienting shadows across the room.

I saw her moving, awake, as I approached…

“Sammie…?”

I queried in a comforting tone…

Her voice came back broken, unsure…

”Daddy…?”

“No, Sammie… it’s me…”

I sat on the bed, and switched on the table lamp, angling the shade to keep the brightest of the light out of her eyes.

”Tony!”

The life in her eyes had returned, though she still seemed slightly distraught.
She looked at her arm, her wrist… and lowered her head.

”I… I’m… sorry… “

I knew she meant it… Not just to me, but to herself as well. Whatever happened… triggered the episode of last night, had affected her very deeply. She had slipped into some form of disassociation. I didn’t believe she was aware of what she was doing at the time…

“Don’t worry, Sammie… I know you are. We don’t need to talk about that now…
How are you feeling…? Can I get you anything?”

The marks on her arm looked even better this morning… No permanent damage, I surmised…

”No Tony…, I’m… fine… I think… “

I could hear sorrow, and shame in her light words.

“Let me get you some water, at least…You sound parched.”

I went to the sink and filled a glass with cold water, returned and placed it into her hand… I held them together, wanting to be sure she had a firm grip on it.

“I don’t know what brought this on Sammie, but whatever it was… It can’t be worth hurting yourself…”

I brushed the hair from her face as she sipped the cold liquid…

What now? Could I trust her not to do something like this again…?
Would she have to be monitored around the clock…?
I needed something, more information before I could make a rational decision in that matter…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“Don’t worry, Sammie… I know you are.
We don’t need to talk about that now…
How are you feeling…? Can I get you anything?”

I shook my head, still not able to look up at him.

”No Tony…, I’m… fine… I think… “

I had given him enough trouble.
I knew he had been there, got me through it.
He hadn’t had to be there.
I deserved to be left to… get on with it… but he hadn’t seen it that way for some reason… perhaps he just didn’t need the extra trouble.

“Let me get you some water, at least…You sound parched.”

I didn’t react, merely shivered as he moved away returning, almost instantly it seemed with a glass two thirds full of water. My hands shook as I reached out to take it.
Tony closed my hands over it and helped me guide it to my lips.
I paused, remembering the broken glass.
Glass … I glanced sideways, but there was no sign of the shards from the glass I’d dropped yesterday.

I looked up at him, surprised as he reached out to brush the hair out of my eyes.
His voice was tender as he commented:

“I don’t know what brought this on Sammie, but whatever it was… It can’t be worth hurting yourself…”

How could I explain to him what I’d never been able to explain to myself?
Taking a final sip I sat back and watched Tony carefully placed the glass on the table nearby.

Turning back, he caught me watching him.
I blushed as our eyes met, wanting to, but unable to drag my eyes away.
I guess I owed him some kind of explanation.

”I .. don’t know.. well.. it’s a long time since.. I never know.. until after.. and then… it’s too late.. “

I paused knowing that I was making no sense at all!

”I … could never control… when.. how much.. how… “

I pulled my eyes away again, moving my head sideways away from the light.
Tears slid silently downwards again.
I didn’t want him to see.

”It’s so… scary… “

The words left my mouth before I realised I’d said them.

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

I took the glass from her and set it on the nightstand.
She was looking at me… watching…

”I .. don’t know.. well.. it’s a long time since.. I never know.. until after.. and then… it’s too late.. “

Long time since…? Never know…until after…too late?
Obviously she’d done this… or something similar before, more than once it sounded like.
What could it be but the stress…? Of being here…? Or being alone…?

”I could never control... when… how much…how…”

She averted her eyes from me… turning her head away.

”It’s so… scary…”

How could I prevent this from happening again…? I didn’t even know what brought it on…

“I know, Sammie… I’m sure it is…
I know you didn’t… mean it…“

Anything to comfort her… protect her… from… herself…?

“Are you hungry Sammie, some coffee maybe… ?
Maybe you’d like to go for that walk this morning… We could talk about it… If you want…”

Maybe getting outside, out of the room anyway, would do her some good…
I walked over to the windows, and opened them slightly, letting the fresh morning breeze waft through the room.

“It looks like another nice day, I’m sure you’d like to get out of here.” I said, looking around the room. “See the rest of the house, the grounds or even the lake… I think that’d do you some good, huh?”

I didn’t have to keep her locked up in here. I’d be with her, watching her. Possibly some freedom, or at least the appearance of it, would… well it couldn’t hurt, I supposed…

“If you feel up to it… You don’t need to be spending another whole day in here…
Think about it… I’ll go get some coffee… sound good…?”

”Sure Tony, thanks… that sounds… good… the coffee… “

She looked at me again… I could see she’d been crying… I pulled out my handkerchief, moved to her had wiped her cheeks…

“Sammie… It was almost a whisper, sorrowful… Here…” I gave her the hankie…
It’ll be ok… really it will.”

I tried to sound positive…
Would it…? Be okay…?

“Let me get the coffee. I’ll only be a few minutes…”

Jimmy opened the door shortly after my knocking… I pulled the door closed behind me, but didn’t latch it.

“Hey Jimmy, I got a bit of a … situation here… why don’t you round up the guys, and spend some time downstairs for awhile. She, well shit, she tried to do herself in last night… You know what that’d mean. I gotta try to keep from upsetin’ her, try to figure this thing out… I think it’d be best if you all steered clear from her… especially Ritchie… We could all be up the creek if she offs herself…
I’m gonna be watchin her… close… If something comes up… You come to let me know, but keep your distance… Just make yourself known, and I’ll come to you, got it?…

Sure, boss… whatever it takes. We don’t need no problems like that… I’ll tell the boys, make sure we all stay clear…”

"Thanks, Jimmy, I know I could count on you."

He left to pass the word to the others. I moved on to the kitchen and prepared the coffee...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“I know, Sammie… I’m sure it is…
I know you didn’t… mean it…“

I shivered, still he was using that nickname.
Part of me wanted to tell him not to… wanted to tell him that only my dad used it now … but… somehow it sounded right on his lips.
I knew I liked hearing it, though I couldn’t work out why.

“Are you hungry Sammie,

I shook my head slowly.

” …some coffee maybe… ?

I nodded, thinking that coffee might revive me slightly.


”Maybe you’d like to go for that walk this morning…
We could talk about it… If you want…”

I looked up at him incredulously.

”… a .. walk…?”

I repeated, not sure I had heard correctly.

“It looks like another nice day, I’m sure you’d like to get out of here.
See the rest of the house, the grounds or even the lake…
I think that’d do you some good, huh?”

I replied hesitantly;

”I.. yes.. that would be nice … but.. “

Surely he couldn’t mean to let me out of this room?
I knew my head must still be befuddled to think such a thing.

“If you feel up to it… You don’t need to be spending another whole day in here…
Think about it… I’ll go get some coffee… sound good…?”

I nodded, my head reeling.
Not spend a whole day in here.
Maybe that would help, help keep me sane..

”Sure Tony, thanks… that sounds… good… the coffee… “

My response was stilted, hesitant.
My eyes were upon his. I wondered what he was feeling.
Did he feel guilty because I’d done this?
Did he feel angry?
As I met his gaze I saw noting but compassion, worry, concern.
His eyes held mine, until he reached out with his handkerchief and removed the tearstains that were hanging there.

“Sammie… … Here… It’ll be ok… really it will.”

He took the handkerchief and pressed it into my hands.
I lifted it to my eyes, stemming some of the silent flow.

“Let me get the coffee. I’ll only be a few minutes…”

Again all I could do was nod.
With a final worried glance in my direction, Tony slipped out through the heavy door.

I watched it shut heavily and gave a sigh.
I felt.. abandoned… I knew I did not want to be alone.
Reluctantly slipping out of the bed I moved to the bathroom, deciding to use the facilities in Tony’s absence.
The bathroom was tidy and the discarded antiseptic Tony had used to clean my wounds was already put away in its correct place.
Moving to the sink I splashed cold water over my face and ran a brush through my loose hair.
Catching a glimpse of my reflection, I grimaced.
I looked totally washed out.
I sat on the side of the bath totally unaware of my scant and sheer outfit from the day before. I tried to remember.. I had been watching TV … but.. it was later that I’d lost control… when.. what had happened.

So lost in thought was I that I hadn’t heard Tony come back into the room,
I didn’t hear Tony’s knock on the bathroom door,
I didn’t hear his gentle then more insistent shouts…

”Sammie… Sam… .?
Samantha… ! … Are you ok in there…?

I shook myself and moved to the bathroom door, fumbling with the lock……
I opened it raising my eyes to his worried face…

” … yes…?…”

 

[DaveDuff]

I brought the coffee and a couple of raspberry pastries back to the room, intentionally leaving the door open wide.

Not seeing her, I assumed she was in the bathroom. I poured the coffee, and took a cup as I walked to the windows, pulling them open wider.

I thought I was sure she wouldn’t try anything else like last night, but I began to worry still. I hadn’t heard a noise, no scuffling, no water… nothing…

I moved toward the bathroom door, listening for any hint of any movement.

Hearing nothing I knocked softly… nothing…

“Sammie… Sam…?”

Now I began to get worried…
Louder this time, my concern audible…

“Samantha…! …Are you ok in there…?”

Now, finally, I heard some movement. I could hear her working the lock on the door.
She opened it, and looked up to meet my eyes.

”…yes…?”

“Oh, sorry Sam. You had me a little worried there… I uhh… just wanted to be sure you were alright.”

She was fine, I felt somewhat embarrassed now, intruding on her privacy.

It’s okay… I’m fine… really…”

I stepped back from the door, giving her space…

“Take your time… do what you need to. I stammered almost. I’m sorry for the interruption. There’s hot coffee and a pastry… whenever you’re ready… “

I thought back to the look on her face when I mentioned the idea of leaving the room for a while. She’d seemed surprised, almost shocked at the thought.

“When you feel like it, we can get out of here for some fresh air. I sure know I could some. “

I moved to the table and sat… drinking my coffee.

“I’ll wait here for you, I’m sure you want to freshen up… You had a rough night, Sammie, no hurries, we’ve got all day…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“Oh, sorry Sam. You had me a little worried there…
I uhh… just wanted to be sure you were alright.”

I looked at Tony carefully.
I knew he was lying. I knew he thought that I was…
I hastened to reassure him.

”It’s okay… I’m fine… really…”

But of course after all the drama he wasn’t going to believe that.
Besides, I wasn’t fine, wasn’t fine at all, but he didn’t know me well enough to spot that.

He moved away then speaking hesitantly;

“Take your time… do what you need to.
I’m sorry for the interruption.
There’s hot coffee and a pastry… whenever you’re ready… “

My eyes went over to the table where another pot of steaming coffee waited and two tasty looking pastries were set on a plate. I smiled touched again my his thoughtfulness.

“When you feel like it, we can get out of here for some fresh air.
I sure know I could use some. “

I wanted to say, “..sure go ahead, see you later”, but strangely I didn’t want to be on my own.
I knew that whilst Tony was around I was safe.. safe from the demons..

I looked over and watched him drink his coffee.

“I’ll wait here for you, I’m sure you want to freshen up…
You had a rough night, Sammie, no hurries, we’ve got all day…

I smiled.

”Rough.. yes.. and don’t I look it..?”

I joked half-heartedly.
I felt like death and knew I looked it too.
“Man Samantha,” I thought, “…such an ego.
Kidnapped, scratches all up your arms and still you worry if you look OK!”
I smirked amused by my own foolishness.
Tony wouldn’t notice what I looked like; to him I was a prisoner, a source of anger and more lately a cause for concern.
He was being really nice about it all though. I couldn’t deny that.

I moved closer and sitting beside him on the bed, slowly drained a cup of scaldingly hot coffee.
I smiled at him and agreed finally;

”I’ll just grab a quick shower… “

Crossing the room I pulled the door shut behind me, unaware that the door did not quite click. I didn’t give a thought to hastening to fasten the lock before I slipped out of my clothes and slipped into the hot jet of water, which was soon pouring down over my body.

I had no doubt that Tony would be enjoying his pastry, drinking coffee, or talking to his "boys", all activities to fill his time whilst he waited for me to get ready.
He certainly had patience, I acknowledge as I stepped out of the shower and pulled a large bath towel around my body.

My hair was merely damp as it hung around my shoulders.
Although the weather was warm, I knew that I would want something less … scant… than the clothes I had put on yesterday.
I would have to look decent.
I knew there must be men posted all round the place.
The talk to his "boys" would no doubt be to issue new orders.
I could expect to be closely watched.

Without thinking I padded out of the bathroom and to the closet.
I searched amongst the garments, pulling out a pair of light cotton leggings and a white t-shirt.
A blue / grey sweatshirt completed the ensemble.
Suddenly it hit me… underwear.. the bag that Tony had given me.. now where did I put it?
Looking round I saw the discarded bag laying on the floor beside the bedside cabinet.
I opened the bag, promising myself I would look through the outfits more carefully later. I contented myself with pulling out a pretty bra and panties set made of pristeen white cotton and edged with lace.

Holding it up to look at it, I finally realised that Tony was stood at the window. He had no doubt been looking out as it stood widely open, yet at that moment, Tony’s eyes were turned towards me.
I’d hardly been aware of his presence, he had been silent all the time.
I flashed him an apologetic smile as he finally caught my attention.

”Won’t be long, Tony..”


I assured him smoothly, determined not to put him out of patience.

Turning to take a final sip of the coffee and a quick bite of the pastry, I turned and quipped good naturedly.

”I know.. hurry up right..?”

I then slipped quickly back into the bathroom to pull on my selected outfit...

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

She smiled, looking at me. Jokingly she answered…

”Rough.. yes.. and don’t I look it..?”

“Hardly Sam, that’s not at all what I meant.”

She took her coffee and sat beside me drinking it…
We shared glances and smiles…

”I’ll just grab a quick shower…”

She stood and crossed towards the bath…

“Sure, like I said, no hurry…”

She disappeared into the bathroom, and I heard the shower come on.
I slipped out, shutting the door to my office as I passed, and scanned the living room, kitchen, and deck for anything I might not want her to come across as we passed. I gave a quick look into the game room, and through it to the small exercise room…

All was clear, as I was sure it would have been. I grabbed the keys to the boat from the hook next to the door going out onto the deck, and slipped it into my pocket… Who knows, we might feel like a little spin around the lake…

I made a couple of sandwiches, and packed them along with some cheese and crackers into a small cooler… Looking for something to drink, that we could take, I decided on a bottle of wine. I placed it in the cooler also, along with a couple of plastic glass, and left it on the kitchen counter. I stopped by my room, changing into a pair of tan Dockers, and a light blue golf shirt, before returning to her room.

I stood at the window, feeling the breeze and judging the temperature… I would be a warm day again, but not too hot, and the breeze would keep it comfortable…

I heard the bathroom door open, and watched as she emerged, wrapped in a towel. She went directly into the closet, not noticing me at all, picked out some clothes, then to the bag that she had received yesterday…

I followed her with my eyes as she selected a set of the lingerie, holding it up for closer inspection. It was then that she noticed me. She smiled…

”Won’t be long, Tony..”

I returned the smile, trying to convey once again my patience, as she took a drink of her coffee and tasted the pastry.

”I know.. hurry up right..?”

I laughed lightly…

“Do I look like I’m in a hurry, Sam…?”

I grinned in her direction… wanting to put her at ease about the time.

“Naw, we set our own timetables out here, do pretty much what we want, when we want.”

She smiled as she slipped back into the bathroom to dress.
I moved back to the table, and poured another cup of coffee, sipping it, and relaxing…

She soon was back out, dressed and ready…

”Okay Tony, all set…

I stood as she moved toward me.

“Good. I’ll show you through the house a bit, and we’ll be off then.”

I instinctively took her by the arm and walked her, out through the door and into the hallway…

I showed her the living, and dining rooms as we passed. She seemed happy just to be out of the room that I was sure she felt was more a prison than guest accommodations.

I pointed back to the game and workout rooms…

“I would imagine you might want to spend some time back here, I believe you’d said you like to exercise…”

Turning back, I picked up the cooler and opened the French doors to the deck.
I led her out and we stood against the railing, looking out over the grounds and the lake before us.

“There are paths winding all through the woods over that way.”

I pointed away from the lake, to the deepest part of the wooded backdrop.

“And more trails, both ways, along the water… Then of course, I’ve also got a boat, we could take out, whatever you feel like, Sam.”

We moved down the stairs, and across the lawn, away from the house.

“I’ve seen it all of course… so I’ll leave it to you… I’ve got a light lunch here if we get hungry…”

I watched her, taking it all in… the feeling of freedom, if only temporary, showed pleasantly on her face…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“Do I look like I’m in a hurry, Sam…?”

I saw his grin and heard his laugh.
The anxiety had left Tony’s face now and he seemed genuinely at ease.
I couldn’t quite believe that he was actually going to let me out of this room.

“Naw, we set our own timetables out here, do pretty much what we want, when we want.”

I grinned at the irony of the words.
I couldn’t do exactly what I wanted. I couldn’t leave, but … it could be much worse I admitted to myself. A dead or injured hostage was a liability, I had reasoned that out pretty quickly, yet somehow, Tony seemed actually concerned about me…
Why else would he have spent the night here and been so understanding… so tender…

I caught myself musing and hurried into the bathroom to change, emerging a short time afterwards with a casual,

”Okay Tony, all set…

I felt comfortable in the leggings… the underwear fitted perfectly.
I felt fresh and more optimistic despite the reasons for my being here.

“Good. I’ll show you through the house a bit, and we’ll be off then.”

I nodded almost excited. The coffee and pastry forgotten I walked beside Tony as his hand moved to my arm, the gesture assuring rather than the grip of a captor making sure I didn’t run away.

I looked round in fascination as I saw room after room… living room, dining room, mini-gym, games room…. I was impressed.

“I would imagine you might want to spend some time back here, I believe you’d said you like to exercise…”

I smiled as I replied.

”Well I’m certainly used to being more active.. just sitting in that room, no matter how comfortable was sending me stir crazy!”

I admit, not letting myself consider whether Tony might actually think that I was “crazy” after last night.

I watched him pick up a cooler before opening the French doors.
I moved slightly ahead of him, gratefully breathing in the clean fresh air.
He moved ahead then and led me to the railing and we stood out looking at the grounds.
If the house had proved more sizeable than I’d first imagined, then the grounds were vast! This place was certainly isolated. As a prison it was ideal, yet as a location for a property it was perfect!

“There are paths winding all through the woods over that way.”

I looked at the direction he pointed. I had seen the lake to the left and let my eyes wonder over to the deeply wooded area beyond to the right.

“And more trails, both ways, along the water… Then of course, I’ve also got a boat, we could take out, whatever you feel like, Sam.”

I laughed then.
He sounded more like a tourist guide, more focused on showing me the sights than pointing out the obvious futility of any escape attempt.

“I’ve seen it all of course… so I’ll leave it to you… I’ve got a light lunch here if we get hungry…”

I let my eyes move over to the lake wondering if I should take him up on the offer to take the boat out.

”Tony… is this your place.. ?”

I enquired letting curiosity get the better of me…

”It’s lovely… I bet it’s gorgeous in Winter.. cut off.. snug… such scenery…. “

I hadn’t noticed if there was an open fire, but I imagined that the feeling of an isolated place like this, an escape from the world would be idyllic in the right circumstances…
I looked round and imagined the place looking autumnal, wintery.. snowy even… and the idea of being marooned in the house … crackling fire… quiet ... peaceful…

I started, realising that in my romantic picture or two people entwined on a deep sofa before the sofa, I’d been imagining myself and … Tony!

Where had that thought come from?
Edit in at least half a dozen hired thugs and you’ve got the scenario
I told myself angrily.

Blushing I moved suddenly away from him … leaning on the rail I focused determinedly on the woods beyond, wondering if I was perhaps going slightly crazy after all.

Breaking the too companionable silence I asked cautiously;

”Could we walk along one of the trails maybe…?… I love the woods.. “

Maybe the activity would clear my head I decided.
Turning round reluctantly, my eyes met with Tony's.
The hint of a blush was still on my cheek... he would think it the effect of the fresh air ... I reassued myself.

I watched him silently as his gaze seemed to rest intently on mine.
My head was full of questions ... nothing about this man seemed to make sense...

Hell nothing about anything seemed to make sense...

I hesitated and then... although I really didn't want to know the answer, I forced myself to ask the question...

"Tony... will you tell me something... honestly... I need to know the truth... "

I hestiated, then rushed on before I decided not to ask.

"Your people.. the ones in jail... the ones my father said he'd help... were they innocent?
Did my father act... illegally or just not keep his word to you ?"

I gripped the rail behind me.
Steeling myself for the answer.
I knew Tony would realise how important this was to me and tell me what I needed to know.

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

She’d seemed happy to be out of ‘her room’. She looked around excitedly as we wander through the rooms, commenting about how she’d felt stir-crazy cooped up as she was…

She let out a light laugh as I’d pointed out the options, overwhelmed, I thought, at the idea of suddenly being allowed this bit of freedom.

Her eyes wandered across the scenery before her. She spoke, her eyes still taking in the vast wilderness…

”Tony… is this your place.. ?
It’s lovely… I bet it’s gorgeous in Winter.. cut off.. snug… such scenery…. “

Well, it did give wonderful views in the winter. I’d never thought of it as snug, more isolated, lonely… I’d been snowed in a couple of times through the years, and with no one besides one or two of the boys around, it made for some long days…

“Yea,” I chuckled, “It’s mine alright, passed down through the family. I’ve recently done a major renovation on the buildings, but it’s basically the same as I remember it as a kid. It can get quite snowy in the winter, I’ve been stuck a time or two. It can be pretty lonely out here, snowed in, all alone…”

She moved away a bit, distancing herself from me, gazing out into the woods
She asked, after a lingering silence.

”Could we walk along one of the trails maybe…?… I love the woods.. “

“Sure, Sam, sounds great… I love the woods too… the sounds, the smells…”

I looked at her as she seemed to be struggling with something…

"Tony... will you tell me something... honestly... I need to know the truth... "

She paused momentarily. I wondered just what it was she’d want to know… If it were something I could honestly answer…

"Your people.. the ones in jail... the ones my father said he'd help... were they innocent?
Did my father act... illegally or just not keep his word to you ?"

She had turned, and was holding the rail behind her, as if steadying herself for my answer… I knew she felt deeply about her father. It would probably tear her up inside to think he’d ever done anything illegal, or immoral. I decided to be honest, tell her the truth about the situation… Hell I was the thug already, so what could that hurt… Who knows what may happen if I were to lie and let her think her dad was on the wrong side of the law…

“No Sam, he did nothing wrong at all, quite the contrary actually. We, well I essentially, threatened him… tried to force him to lie, to keep my boys free… He said he’d do what he could, probably just to appease me. Maybe I expected too much out of him… I’d had dealing with politicians before, and they usually fold up like a cheap deck of cards at any threat from… well… people like us… It really pissed me off when you father didn’t do as I’d asked… so… I took the next logical step… try to force him into compliance…”

I watched her as I explained the situation… knowing it would put her off me even more than before, but… after what had happened last night, I just didn’t want her thinking her father was anything other than the well meaning person she probably had engrained in her mind.

“So, Sam, that’s the story…” I dropped my eyes… feeling guilty, for the first time in years actually… “This really isn’t about him, or you… it’s about me, and my thinking I can do whatever it takes to get what I want… It’s the way… well the way we operate. We use people, people like your father, and now you. I know you can’t understand that, I don’t expect you to. It’s wrong of course; I’d be the first to admit it. It’s the way it’s always been for me… us… I was born into it, and I don’t know… have never given any thought to things being any other way.”

I found myself saying much more than expected on the subject, hell, I’d hadn’t reflected back on my life like this since my father was murdered. But then, all the responsibility had fallen to me, and any thoughts like that were quickly forgotten…

“I expect you won’t want to be going on that walk now… I know how distant our lives are, how low you must think of me and my kind. Feel free to wander about a bit if you like…, just don’t wander off to far into the woods, I don’t want you getting lost after all…”

I leaned over the railing, looking out across the lake… reflecting, wondering what life would have… could have been like if I’d been born differently…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

I was relieved to be out in the open air and felt at ease with Tony, too much at ease maybe.
I watched him as he considered the question I’d asked him.
I dreaded hearing the answer, but I had to know.

My eyes were on his as he finally looked at me earnestly and spoke.

“No Sam, he did nothing wrong at all, quite the contrary actually."

Relief swept through me. I had really thought that daddy was crooked after all.
It seemed I knew so little about him, like we had co-existed for too long, yet I listened closely as Tony explained the circumstances fully.

”We, well I essentially, threatened him… tried to force him to lie, to keep my boys free…
He said he’d do what he could, probably just to appease me.
Maybe I expected too much out of him…
I’d had dealing with politicians before, and they usually fold up like a cheap deck of cards at any threat from… well… people like us…
It really pissed me off when you father didn’t do as I’d asked… so… I took the next logical step… try to force him into compliance…”

I realised that it was me who was the next “logical step”.
It was the final step in a plan to force my father’s hand.
I watched Tony as he continued, as if ashamed.

“So, Sam, that’s the story…
This really isn’t about him, or you… it’s about me, and my thinking I can do whatever it takes to get what I want…
It’s the way… well the way we operate.
We use people, people like your father, and now you.
I know you can’t understand that, I don’t expect you to.
It’s wrong of course; I’d be the first to admit it.
It’s the way it’s always been for me… us…
I was born into it, and I don’t know… have never given any thought to things being any other way.”

I nodded, my mind racing.
I knew all about being born into something.
No one bothered whether that was you or not, you just had to fit in and tow the political line.

“I expect you won’t want to be going on that walk now…
I know how distant our lives are, how low you must think of me and my kind.
Feel free to wander about a bit if you like…, just don’t wander off to far into the woods, I don’t want you getting lost after all…”

I looked incredulously as Tony moved towards the rail, all but turning from me.
Wander about? Don’t get lost?
I looked round. Not a henchman in sight.
I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, but despite what he had told me, the relief of finding that my father was essentially honest, I was even more curious about Tony now!
Nothing about him added up!

Tony sure was an out-and-out gangster. He’d made that clear, but…
All I could remember was how he had looked after me last night.
He had seemed to really care, more than the fact he was looking after his hostage, his investment…
After all he had just confessed I knew he should repulse me.
I should be out there now trying to find a way out of this place.

Instead I walked over to him and put a light hand on his arm.
He turned and looked at me, as if he had forgotten my presence, or hadn’t expected me to still be here.

”I know what you said, what you are, what you’ve been, but… I don’t understand you.
Why do you care?
About … this… about me… ?”

I blushed.

”You cared about me last night.

I persisted.

”You took a lot of time to make sure I was OK.
Daddy didn’t even do that when I was … sick… before.”

I watched him take a step towards me.

” … and you’re not the only one that’s been born into something they didn’t want… look at me Tony… spoilt lil’ rich girl.. brat.. that’s what you said I was… and you’re right…
I’ve been bought all along,
Bought by my dad anyhow… mom… was…. different…
She had time for me… but if she’d lived… he’d have made a trophy of her too.”

I paused.

Tony seemed torn by what he knew he had to do and what was right.
I too struggled with what I should do and what I could do.
I knew that I could help Tony… show him how to force my father’s hand, but… why would I do that?
If daddy were made to do something … crooked … then maybe he would stop chasing his image,
maybe he would stop making everything a publicity stunt …
and maybe… if my stay here were as short as possible… then Tony and I….

I blushed and caught his eye.
I could not help wondering what Tony really thought about me.

”You do care… don’t you Tony…?”

I whispered, watching him carefully.

The words were out of my mouth before I had the chance to consider my what I was asking.
Oh God!
Would he dismiss my question as nonsense?
Would he say something kind to save my feelings…?

My eyes remained locked with his.
I realised that this answer mattered to me… mattered very much…

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

Jesus, what had come over me? I was who I was and that wasn’t going to change. Where had those thoughts come from? Why did they come to the surface now?

I looked out over the lake, the same lake my grandfather and father looked out over, and wondered if either of them had ever felt like this. Not likely I presumed. Slowly, forcefully I began pushing those thoughts, those feelings back inside, burying them, half ashamed that they had ever crossed my mind.

I felt a hand on my arm as I contemplated.
I turned, lost temporarily in thought, to see her.

”I know what you said, what you are, what you’ve been, but… I don’t understand you.
Why do you care?
About … this… about me… ?”

Her eyes glanced down, momentarily, then came back to me.

”You cared about me last night.

I had cared; maybe that’s where these feeling had sprung up. I hadn’t cared about anything, anyone, for a long time.
I was wondering if I understood myself. A guy like me certainly couldn’t afford to go ‘soft’.

”You took a lot of time to make sure I was OK.
Daddy didn’t even do that when I was … sick… before.”

Sick? Before? Something like what had happened last night had occurred previously? And her father hadn’t taken the time to see to her? That, I had a hard time understanding.

” … and you’re not the only one that’s been born into something they didn’t want… look at me Tony… spoilt lil’ rich girl.. brat.. that’s what you said I was… and you’re right…
I’ve been bought all along,
Bought by my dad anyhow… mom… was…. different…
She had time for me… but if she’d lived… he’d have made a trophy of her too.”

I looked curiously at her.
We were as different as night and day, but yet… she made us sound similar in that way.
I knew she loved her father, above all, as I had mine. But could she also be hiding a secret animosity towards him? Did she think, down at some level, like I had at times, that she hadn’t really had a choice at her place in life, that it had been scripted for her and she could merely play it out as expected? Did we have that one thing in common? Was that why I felt the way I did about her?

I looked into her eyes, sensing the strange attraction she held over me, the closeness that lay under the surface. Did she sense it too? Or something similar?

”You do care… don’t you Tony…?”

She spoke quietly, her eyes locked on mine.

“Yes, Sammie, I do care. I didn’t mean it to happen, but I’ve found myself caring very much about you. It’s been a very long time since I’ve felt this way. I’ve been having a hard time understanding it. I know we’re from two different ends of the world but, I… well… I’ve felt myself drawn to you, the way you stood up to me at first, not afraid to stand up for yourself, I think it started there.”

I stumbled for the words, I didn’t have it straight in my own head, how could I possibly convey what I didn’t even understand.
I lowered my eyes as I continued.

“I know what you must think of me, and I certainly can’t blame you for that. The last thing I want to do now is cause you anymore pain. I’ve unwittingly painted myself into a corner, and will have to find my way out of it. I don’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable about it, but I do feel a need to be honest with you, to tell it as it is.”

I raised my head, looking into her eyes once more.
Why had what’d started out to be a seemingly simple task had become so complicated?
What was it about her that did what it did to me?
Sure, she was beautiful, but it was so much more than that. I’d lost, or at least thought I’d lost all compassion, all caring for people over the years. It’d made my job so much easier that way.
Something about her had brought all that back to the forefront.

Purposefully forgetting my previous remark, I lightly took her by the arm.

“On second thought, If you’ll have me, I think a walk in the woods would may be good for the both of us.”

I smiled at her hoping she’d still want to take me up on the offer… I gently led her toward the steps down to the yard and the grounds beyond.

“Shall we…?”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“Yes, Sammie, I do care. I didn’t mean it to happen, but I’ve found myself caring very much about you. It’s been a very long time since I’ve felt this way.
I’ve been having a hard time understanding it.
I know we’re from two different ends of the world but, I… well… I’ve felt myself drawn to you, the way you stood up to me at first, not afraid to stand up for yourself, I think it started there.”

I stood at watched as Tony spoke softly. Again he used that nickname… Sammie… Tony didn’t understand what had been developing between us, no more than I, yet, he felt it too …

“I know what you must think of me, and I certainly can’t blame you for that.
The last thing I want to do now is cause you anymore pain.
I’ve unwittingly painted myself into a corner, and will have to find my way out of it.
I don’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable about it, but I do feel a need to be honest with you, to tell it as it is.”

I nodded realising that it had taken a lot for a man like Tony to admit that he was having difficulty keeping to his plan.
I was a complication he had not forseen.

Tony’s gaze locked with mine.
For what seemed like minutes our eyes looked questioningly into the others.
There was so much, yet so little between us.
I had taken a risk in voicing the feelings that seemed to be growing stronger
The circumstances were… certainly complex, but still.. if he felt something and I did…

I smiled softly as he moved forward and reached to touch my arm lightly.

“On second thought, If you’ll have me, I think a walk in the woods would may be good for the both of us.”

I stood stunned, whilst he walked in front of me, turning to indicate the way down the stairs and turning towards the yard and grounds beyond.

Stunned I nodded in answer to his enquiry;

“Shall we…?”

I couldn’t believe what he was doing.
After admitting he had feelings for me, after telling me that things would need to be worked out, he just changed the subject and was content to wander off and deal with the situation himself.
I was right. I’d taken a risk and effectively been dismissed!

I took a step forward, but my mind was whirling.

Tony had said that he didn’t mean it to happen.
Caring about me was inconvenient.
It always was.
He was just like my father!
My father cared, but did so when convenient.
He saw me as a problem to be dealt with, as did Tony it seemed.
Daddy controlled his feelings and never let them rule him.
Tony too it seemed was built that way.
Neither wanted to discuss them with me.
I was the cause. They merely had to control the symptoms!

I sighed and leaned on the rail.
It was supposed to be true that girls fell for guys, especially older guys who were similar to their fathers.
I really hadn’t thought that could happen to me.
Not after I had come to terms with what a selfish bastard he really was!
… and it’s not as if I had “fallen for” Tony… it was just…

”Sam..?”

I looked up as I heard him speak my name.
Tony had returned and was wondering why I had not followed.
As I looked up, looked up into his eyes, I knew.
Shit… I had fallen for the guy.
God knew why!
What on earth didn’t anyone care for me… love me enough to actually do something about it!?

”..sorry… coming… “

I mumbled and brushed quickly past him in the direction he had indicated.
I made sure I kept my head down, hiding the tears that threatened to fall.
I just wanted out.
I began to feel the familiar feeling of desperation.
The kind of desperation that had heralded last night’s episode…
I rushed on, trying to blank my mind, to keep the feelings at bay…
No… not again…
Why did I always get to feel like that…. ?
It was like I just wasn’t good enough … not worth anyone’s time and effort…
As Tony caught up with me, I avoided his eyes, glancing round with genuine, but forced admiration…

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

She’d taken a step forward, but as I got to the bottom of the stairs, I realized she hadn’t followed. I returned to see her leaning against the rail.

“Sam…?”

Something I said, or did, must have struck her other than intended.
She quickly brushed past me, her voice barely audible.

”…sorry… coming…”

I caught up with her as she walked briskly toward the wooded area beyond the yard.
Her head down, she did all she could to avoid looking at me.
I placed my arm on her shoulder, stopping her and turning her towards me…

“Sammie…?” I questioned, the concern obvious.
“What did I do…? What did I say that hurt you…?”

Still she avoided my eyes, but I could see the pain in hers.

“I’m struggling with our… situation, and I think you are too… When you told me of your past, your father, and how he didn’t take the time with you… well, Sam, I didn’t know how to react… didn’t know what to say.
I don’t know or pretend to know what relationship you had or have with him, but he should have… he should have dropped everything to care for his daughter.”

I strained for the words to convey my feelings, my still forming understanding of what had, and was continuing to happen between us.

“Maybe we are more alike than I ever thought Sam… In ways I’d never imagined. Our pasts just seem … so different.
You’re right about one thing; I do know that for sure… I care about you Sammie, I care very much, and I think I’ve been afraid to let that show, for fear of what you might think. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I feel a strong attraction to you, and I’m afraid of finding out that I’m being a fool thinking that there’s a chance you may feel something similar towards me.”

There… I’d said it… It’d been gnawing at me for far too long already. It had been years since I’d told anyone about my feelings, my emotions. I’d learned years ago to keep them hidden, buried and ignored. I’d hardly ever even dealt with them myself; I just let them sit till they no longer seemed important. But it was different with her. I couldn’t just let these feelings sit. I couldn’t leave them unquestioned… unexplored, they were just too strong.

“I have very strong feelings for you, Sammie. Somewhere inside me I have a hope, a dream that we could have some kind of future, to get to know each other, to get close. But I know how far-fetched that is in reality… I mean… I think or imagined I sensed some of that feeling in you, but how could I possibly believe that anyone, much less you in particular, after what I’ve done, would ever want anything to do with me?”

I could hardly believe I’d found the courage to spill my feelings out to her. But at least now she know how I felt. At least now, when she rejected me, I know that I’d been fooling myself, and begin the job of burying those feelings, like I’d done in the past…

I’d felt my eyes aching, my throat tense as I’d been talking, and did my best to check those effects as well.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

“Sammie…? What did I do…? What did I say that hurt you…?”

His voice was soft with concern, but I studiously avoided his eyes.

”Nothing… why should I be hurt with anything you say…?”

I spoke airily walking on and bluffing, not wanting him to know..
The hand reached out and held mine, stopping me in my tracks.

“I’m struggling with our… situation, and I think you are too…
When you told me of your past, your father, and how he didn’t take the time with you… well, Sam, I didn’t know how to react… didn’t know what to say.
I don’t know or pretend to know what relationship you had or have with him, but he should have… he should have dropped everything to care for his daughter.”

I was dismissive. What relevance did that have.

”Yeah well.. he didn’t… and he never does… “

I intended to speak in an offhand manner, but the hurt I felt was audible to even my ears.

“Maybe we are more alike than I ever thought Sam… In ways I’d never imagined. Our pasts just seem … so different. “

I made to walk on, but his hand was still on my arm.
I did not want to pull away from him, so I studied the landscape as he continued to speak.

”You’re right about one thing; I do know that for sure…
I care about you Sammie, I care very much, and I think I’ve been afraid to let that show, for fear of what you might think.”

I turned my head then to look up at him.

” I don’t know what it is exactly, but I feel a strong attraction to you, and I’m afraid of finding out that I’m being a fool thinking that there’s a chance you may feel something similar towards me.”

He seemed sincere. He was struggling with the attraction, but I knew he’d get over it, deal with it, ignore it, do whatever he had to in order to make sure that I didn’t mess up his life.

“I have very strong feelings for you, Sammie.
Somewhere inside me I have a hope, a dream that we could have some kind of future, to get to know each other, to get close… “

I looked at him again.
Future…?… What exactly was he saying?

”But I know how far-fetched that is in reality… I mean…
I think or imagined I sensed some of that feeling in you, but how could I possibly believe that anyone, much less you in particular, after what I’ve done, would ever want anything to do with me?”

He was stumbling over his words now as I watched carefully.
No one had ever made any kind of… declaration like that to me before.
It wasn’t just me taking the risks anymore.
I could tell he had forced those words, those mixed up feelings out of himself.

He raised his eyes, looking sheepishly, almost apologetically as I met his with a small smile.

”It’s a mess Tony… you’re right about that.
There’s no way it can work… not under these circumstances… not.. long-term…”

I saw his expression change.
It was obvious that he wasn’t sure what I was saying…
“Just say it Sammie.” I told myself.
"How much more complicated could it get? "
I rushed on to continue in stilted softly spoken phrases …

”I can’t understand what you’ve done, what you do, but more than that …
I can’t understand why we feel like this.. why it is… after all this … why I think I’m in love with you… “

I blushed hotly and forced myself to hold his gaze and held my breath…

 

[DaveDuff]

Anthony Spilatro

I watched her as I spoke. At first she seemed not to care, not to have been affected by my previous words. She seemed to have an animosity about the fact that her father hadn’t been there for her when she needed him. She was trying to hide it… but unsuccessfully.

She watched me too, puzzled at first, then more understanding I think, as I let my feeling pour out, unchecked.

”It’s a mess Tony… you’re right about that.
There’s no way it can work… not under these circumstances… not.. long-term…”

She was right about that… the circumstances were impossible to get around.
Her words were chopped, as if she were just putting her thoughts together as she spoke.

”I can’t understand what you’ve done, what you do, but more than that …
I can’t understand why we feel like this.. why it is… after all this … why I think I’m in love with you… “

Her face flushed visibly with her words, as did mine I’m sure…

In love with me…? Did I hear her right…? I knew I did, but… I wasn’t expecting anything like that. My mind raced at the thought… Was it love I felt towards her…? I hadn’t thought of the word, the feeling, in a long, long time. I knew I had a deep affection, and care for her… more than that even. I thought back at the worry, and concern I’d felt last night, much more than just for her health and well being.

It must be love… I wanted her, to be with her, near her. I wanted to work things out so there would be some way that could happen, but how? It was so complicated.

I put my arms around her, and pulled her close to me, hugging her gently.

“Oh, Samantha, I think I’m falling in love with you too, if I haven’t already… I’ve almost forgotten what love is, what it feels like, but I do know that I want to do whatever it takes to be near you.
I know our circumstances are very complicated, impossible maybe. But, if we want it, we can work our way out of it.”

I pulled back slightly, and looked her deep in the eyes.

“Together, we can figure it all out, Sammie. We can get ourselves out of this situation, these circumstances that are well… so strange between us.
We can talk it out, come up with a plan to put this episode behind us, if you think that’s possible. Let’s just think on it, before coming to any conclusions, discuss any and all possibilities.”

I had my arms around her, unknowingly stroking her back lightly. I wanted to pull her into me and kiss her, to feel our lips together, forget all the seemingly insurmountable hurdles between us. But, I was afraid, afraid of seeming to bold, of scaring her off.
Instead I slowly leaned my head in and gave her a light, loving kiss on her forehead, my hand moving to the back of her head and holding it gently against my lips.

I spoke softly, lightly.

“Ask me anything Sammie, anything your wonder about, or want to know. If we feel the same about each other, we can work out a solution. I can’t ignore the feelings I have, I can’t just pretend they’re not there and walk away. We’ve got time, time to think and figure out what it is we want to do.”

I pulled my face back to look at her closely again, my hand brushing her hair from her cheek so I could feel skin in my palm.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Samantha Warrington

I watched as Tony struggled to make sense of the words I’d spoken.
Those words now hung between us, but they had been said and there was no taking it back now. I could be accused of many things, but running from my feelings wasn’t one of them. I took after my mom and not my dad in that respect.

I looked upwards, feeling vulnerable and bracing myself for his response.
He merely walked up to me and wound his arms around me, drawing me close to him.

“Oh, Samantha, I think I’m falling in love with you too, if I haven’t already…
I’ve almost forgotten what love is, what it feels like, but I do know that I want to do whatever it takes to be near you. “

I buried my head in his chest and listened.
This was not what I’d expected.
I’d expected for him to brush me off, gently, but firmly.
I’d expected him to dismiss me like I was a kid.

”I know our circumstances are very complicated, impossible maybe.
But, if we want it, we can work our way out of it.”

I looked up into his eyes as he drew back from me.
His eyes were soft, caring, warm.
How could he do what he did? Yet … this was the Tony I was coming to know.
He fascinated me, attracted me.
I knew this was mad, but I couldn’t help it.

“Together, we can figure it all out, Sammie. We can get ourselves out of this situation, these circumstances that are well… so strange between us.
We can talk it out, come up with a plan to put this episode behind us, if you think that’s possible.
Let’s just think on it, before coming to any conclusions, discuss any and all possibilities.”

I nodded, trying to keep my mind focused on his words, but all I was aware of was the feeling of his hand stroking my back, the touch light, soothing and strangely erotic.
I smiled as he leaned in to kiss me lightly on the forehead, then move to kiss my hair.
The gesture was almost paternal, yet his touches were having a very un-father-like effect. I blushed hotly.

“Ask me anything Sammie, anything your wonder about, or want to know.
If we feel the same about each other, we can work out a solution.
I can’t ignore the feelings I have, I can’t just pretend they’re not there and walk away. We’ve got time, time to think and figure out what it is we want to do.”

Again, his eyes moved to mine.
I shivered as his hand touched my cheek and traced the pink tinge, which seemed to be painted almost permanently now.


”Tony… I… I don’t know what to ask you.. what to say…”

I stammered, feeling very young and very unsophisticated.

”I thought you’d brush me off, thought you’d tell me I was just a kid and not to be so foolish…. Perhaps… part of me was hoping you’d do that so’s this really didn’t become a problem… now…. “

I looked at him long and consideringly before deciding to be completely honest.

”… now…. I’m way out of my depth here… “

I gently moved out of his arms and walked slightly ahead of him in the direction we had been heading, trying to find the words to tell Tony what I felt.
Stopping suddenly, I turned round and spoke in a rush.

”Tony … I … I might was well tell you now … I don’t do relationships very well. I never had one with my father and all I’ve learned from daddy is how to use people, play with them. He taught me well. He showed me how never to lose control, never to lose the upper hand…”

I laughed ironically.

” I have a lot to thank daddy for… “

Sighing I walked slowly back to Tony.
I put a hand on each of his arms and placed my head on his chest.
Looking up at him finally, I spoke softly.

”But ... you… Tony … you hold all the cards.
I’m trapped in this place; you’re firmly in control there.
You think you know about me and my dad… but really Tony you haven’t got a clue.
Getting what you want from him might not be as easy as you think, for a whole host of reasons, but again it’s you who have the options there.
And then … as to us … you can probably handle that complication a whole let easier than me. You have choices. You can walk away and leave Ritchie and Frankie to deal with me, with this mess.
I have no possibility of walking away … and… I really have no idea what I’m doing here!”

I looked at him earnestly, wondering if he realised just how scared it made me to be honest like this.

”So.. Tony… think about it carefully … if you want to end this before it even starts, then that could be the easiest … because once we start this thing … one or both of us could get really hurt … most likely me… “

I tried not to let my voice tremble.
I was totally overwhelmed with the way things had suddenly developed.

”… and … I’ve been hurt and deserted enough times by the people I love … I … I don’t know if I could stand for that to happen again … “

I whisper dropping my gaze from his.