Infatuated: Mafia Romance

II

II.

Sophia's eyes fluttered open. There was a heavied sensation towards the back of her head and her body ached terribly. The skin near the inside of her arm felt pinched. Her vision, still blurred, was drawn to the intravenous needle that was pressed to her firmly. The thin, sterile tube, in which fluids still dripped, was wrapped delicately around the tufted headboard.

She noted the luxury furnishings of the small room, much like those of a hotel she had once visited; as her father traveled often and had always encouraged her to accompany him as his little convoy when she was a child.

"How are you feeling, Ms. Stomsvik?" a polite voice plucked.

Sophia shifted, the crisp, cotton sheets slipping across the expensive fabric of her dress, in which she still wore.

"Take your time," a matured woman, uniformed in white with her brown hair plaited into a low bun, continued. Seeing Sophia struggle to speak, she stood near the foot of the bed. "Your injuries were quite minor; there were no signs of a concussion; but if you are in any pain, there are prescription pills for you near the bedside table."

Still unable to speak, Sophia's vision bounced towards the glass of water that was placed upon a sterling-silver tray to her left. She reached for it clumsily, knocking a decorative throw pillow to the floor. "Why are my wrists cuffed to the bed?" she asked, rather plainly.

"A precaution for your safety, Ms. Stomsvik," the uniformed nurse stated soothingly. She gathered the pillow under her arm and lifted the tray so that it was closer to Sophia's reach.

"Thank you," she uttered softly, still dissociated. She coughed slightly, drinking the water in haste, before taking the offered medicine.

The nurse took a cloth handkerchief and dabbed at the spilled water that soaked her flushed cheek. "You seem to be feeling quite a bit better. I'll notify Mr. Romanov so that you may be released."

"Romanov?" Sophia began slowly. She regretted taking the pills so readily and her mouth instantly soured.

"Yes," the nurse's expression remained unchanged as she set a matte-white, laminate shopping bag upon the bed. She paused; her demeanor suddenly pensive as she noted Sophia's alarm. "No men have been permitted within this suite. I can assure you that you have been well taken care of, miss."

The nurse eyed her closely as she gave a stubborn yank to one of the cuffs still fastened around her wrists. "Where are the other girls?"

"Will you be able to bathe yourself or shall I help you and draw a quick bath?" the nurse asked politely; the previous subject promptly ignored.

Sophia kicked the sheets from her legs, her feet bare and bruised. Her ankle, still nettlesome, was wrapped in a dressed bandage. "There was another girl with me, too," she continued, voice breaking.

Seeing her distress, the nurse allowed the water to run and disappeared into the hallway, the door closing quietly behind her. She returned promptly, a uniformed man closely in tow.

"He is only a member of staff," she assured, seeing the tears that wettened Sophia's face.

The man nodded. He supervised them silently as the nurse unfastened the fluid-line and freed her wrists. Sophia stood from the bed shakily, surveying him in apprehension. She walked, aided by the nurse at her arm, towards the bath and reached to shut the door.

"That must remain open," the man was upon them suddenly, hand blocking hers.

The nurse prodded her forward, pulling at the curtain that provided some privacy around the alcove tub. She motioned towards the man, who promptly turned his back to them, remedying her discomfort.