Ealasaid did not know how long she had been in isolation. Food only came through the hatch in the door every few days, each time it was rotting the stench causing her empty stomach to roll but after what felt like weeks she was too hungry to care.
She had vomited, the food refusing to stay down for more than a moment and now her stomach cramped. She curled into a ball clutching herself in agony and watched the hatch waiting for the next delivery.
Finally, it came and she braced herself for the sight of the rotting meat. But today was different. The food that came through the door was fresh, the meat was hot and free of maggots and there was warm bread, as though it had just come out of the oven. Slowly, she inched towards it looking round suspiciously as she went. When I didn't change she pulled it towards her and tore into the food. Her stomach growled in appreciation and she ate every morsel. She had to stop herself from licking the plate.
Leaning back against the wall she gently placed her hand on her stomach; it was round, full from eating properly and rested her head against the stone wall. Her eyes grew heavy and as she fell asleep she planned what she would do when she got free.
A small smile curved her chapped lips. When Drago came for her they would tear this place apart.
*
She watched the clock impatiently. She had had an appointment with the doctor that morning to get her on the pill then Drago had taken her back to her apartment. As he kissed her goodbye he had pulled her close and looked down at her hungrily.
"I'll be there to pick you up when you finish work. I have a surprise for you."
"Oh you do?" She raised onto her tiptoes and kissed him. Pressing her body against his she felt his hard cock through his jeans and bit her lip. He had swatted her behind and kissed the tip of her nose.
"God Eala, you're not going to make anything easy for me are you?"
She ushered him out of the door with a wink. "Where would be the fun in that?"
Now she fidgeted willing the clock to move faster. Still five minutes to go.
"Jesus Christ Saidy, you've been bouncing about for the last half hour. You need to pee or something?" Dylan spoke from behind the counter. He was working the bar and slid the tray with her drinks across to her.
She stuck her tongue out at him and picked up the tray from the counter. "Just excited to finish."
Grif smiled and raised an eyebrow. "I think this might have something to do with tall, blonde and ripped."
She felt her cheeks heating and turned away from the counter. "Bite me."
"With pleasure." Dylan spoke after her his eyes focused on the sway of her round hips. She wore a high-waisted pair of black shorts and a red short sleeved blouse. They showcased her curved figure perfectly and he licked his lips.
She rolled her eyes and placed the tray of drinks on her table. Smiling at the group sitting there she she unloaded the glasses and turned with the tray back on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't let him hear you say that. He's the jealous type."
She slid the empty tray back over to him and he smiled. "Then I'll be sure to be on my best behaviour."
The sound of the door opening made her turn and her breath caught in her throat. He stood just inside the door his eyes scanning the restaurant until they met hers. He shoved his hands into the front pocket of his jeans and the corner of his mouth curved into a smile. He wore a long sleeved white t-shirt, dark jeans and white trainers. Her mouth practically watered. He pushed the stray locks of hair back off his face and beckoned her to him. She crossed the floor of the restaurant and stopped inches from him. Craning her neck to look up into his bright eyes she opened her mouth searching for the right words to say.
"Hi." Her voice was soft and she rolled her eyes at her choice of word. "Seriously, just hi?" She spoke almost to herself and he reached out gently tilting her chin up. Leaning down he kissed her, she raised on tiptoes and her hands curled into his t-shirt. He pulled back with a smile and stroked her cheek.
"Hi yourself," he kissed her again before he felt the burning of two pairs of eyes on him. Looking up he saw the two men staring at them before smiling back down at her. "I think we're being watched."
She turned at stared at Grif and Dylan. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. "They're just being nosey, we can go."
He took her hand. "No, they're your friends. I want to meet them."
He lead her back over to the counter and held out his hand to Dylan.
"Drago LaBelle," his accent was more pronounced as he said his name and she felt her stomach clench. "Pleased to meet you."
A look of recognition passed over Dylan's face. His nose twitched and his eyes turned dark for a second before he seemed to shake himself. "Dylan Sawyer." He shook Drago's hand then pointed at him. "Wait LaBelle, as in the LaBelle's?"
Drago shrugged his shoulder, Ealasaid saw something flash across his face before he carefully pasted the smile back. "That's the ones."
"Holy shit, I thought I recognised you the other night." Grif spoke up and came round from the kitchen. Wiping his hands on his apron he shook hands with the tall blonde. "I knew your father. He was a good man. I worked for him for a while. I don't know if you remember me?"
Drago smiled again. "Yeah, I think I do. I used to come by after school, you always made the best burgers."
Grif smiled, fine lines appearing round his dark eyes. "Yeah well you've done some growing since then."
"All thanks to your food," Drago smiled down at Ealasaid. "I lived off his cooking when I was younger."
She smiled and watched as the three men talked. Drago fitted in easily and she enjoyed watching him. Finally, he shook the two men's hands.
"Sorry to run but I actually have something planned for tonight." He rested his hand on the nape of her neck and stroked the soft skin. "But I'll be by soon for another burger. It's been a while since I had one."
"That better be a promise." Grif walked with them to the door. Drago opened the door and she saw a black car waiting in the lot. Drago motioned her towards it but stayed behind to talk to Grif. As she approached a tall dark haired man stood from the driver's seat and opened the back door for her. She smiled and slid into the soft leather. He closed the door after her and she watched Drago and Grif talking. They were stood close and she could see concern on the older man's face. Drago smiled and embraced the old man.
He strode across the parking lot and came round the car to sit beside her. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed the soft skin.
"What were you talking about?" She looked back out of the window to where Grif stood.
"Boring things ma petite. Business talk, don't worry yourself with them." He pulled her close and gently worked the band from her hair. The auburn curls fell down her back and he threaded his fingers through the silken locks.
"So is this my surprise?"
"Part of it," he smiled at her soft voice. She curled against him and he lifted her legs to rest across his thighs. "I hope it's going to get better as the night goes on."
"Can I have a clue?" He could hear her smile and gently tugged at a curl.
"That would spoil it."
The car pulled to a halt and he stood from the car. Holding out his hand he pulled her to stand next to him before motioning for her to go first. She looked up and frowned.
"My apartment?"
"Go inside."
She raised an eyebrow but took her key from the pocket of her shorts and stepped into the small foyer. A door opened and she turned expectantly.
"Hi Mr Bennet."
A man who looked to be in his late fifties stood in the doorway and she hugged him. "Saidy, you didn't come home last night. I was worried."
She smiled and stepped back. "You never need to worry about me. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."
Bennet's eyes landed on Drago and he held out his hand. "Dexter Bennet."
"Pleased to meet you, sir. Drago LaBelle."
"Ahh I knew your father. He was a good man."
Drago nodded and she saw his jaw tense slightly. "Thank you, sir. He was."
"I hope you are too. You take good care of my Saidy you hear?"
"I will sir."
She smiled at Bennet before starting up the stairs. Drago followed, his eyes drawn to her round ass but the open doors along the corridor caught his attention.
"Are all these apartments empty?"
She glanced around and nodded. "Mostly. You get the occasional overnight visitor you know but apart from that I'm the only tenant."
"Why?"
She shrugged a shoulder leading him up a second flight of stairs. "This place used to be real nice, or so everyone says. Then some guy went crazy and killed his wife and three hookers in a downstairs apartment. Suddenly this place wasn't so respectable any more. It started getting trashed, people moved out. Me and Dexter did what we could but every time we fixed one, another went down. It's sad, this place is killing him."
"It's not safe for you to be living somewhere like this."
She stopped outside her door and looked back at him. "When I first moved out here it was all I could afford and I can't leave now." She shrugged one delicate shoulder. "Besides it's not so bad."