Chapter Eleven - Prisoner

I wake up to the sound of chirping birds and bright sunlight filtering through the curtains. Sighing contently, I roll over only for my eyes to widen when I don't recognize my surroundings. The room I'm in is quite large but it's so minimal. The king-sized bed sits on a large plank of wood floating slightly above the hardwood floor underneath. There's a large painting of a city skyline in the night above the bed, two lamps on either side with bedside tables a few steps away.

I slowly remove the blanket from my body and sit up. My feet sink into the rug underneath as I stand and look around. A set of wardrobes line the wall in front of the bed, a floor to ceiling length mirror stands to my right whereas a window is to my left. I make my way towards it to see nothing but greenery around me.

Panicking I turn around hastily and walk back to the bed, wondering where the hell I am and how I ended up here. I remember getting on a flight with the team and...Roman. My eyes widen before they narrow in realization. I bet he's done something which I won't like. My gaze wanders around the room purposefully until it lands on a bright yellow sticky note on the bedside table. Grabbing it I read the note only to confirm that it's from Roman and this is his house.

Elena,

I'll answer all your questions when I come back from work. For now, stay put and don't try to escape as my house is installed with a lot of security. I won't let you get hurt again.

Breakfast is in the kitchen. I'll tend to your bandages when I get home. Just make yourself comfortable and be careful not to irritate your stitches.

My number is on a card I've left on the table by the door. Don't call to yell at me, you can do that later.

See you later,

Rome.

My lips quirk at his instruction about calling him before I stop myself. Sighing I change into one of his jumpers and boxers that are left on a chair before wandering into the bathroom to find a spare toothbrush laid out for me. After freshening up I decide against showering until later before I step out into the hallway. It's silent as I walk through the house and familiarize myself with it. It's the perfect size with a spacious garden from what I can see outside the window. Other than that it's quite bare and minimal with no decorations or pictures.

I add his number into my phone before walking into the kitchen and finding a breakfast plate full of pancakes, eggs and bacon. It's almost like he couldn't decide on which one I'd like best which makes me smile softly. After eating the food in the kitchen, I turn on the TV and take a seat on the couch. Aimlessly flicking through channels, I tug a blanket over myself while my mind wanders.

I know he's right. I'm not stupid enough to still want to tag along on this serial killer chase after being threatened and attacked. I'm aware of my personality and how I can never sit still – how I always want to be up and doing something which mostly leads me into trouble. But this time I seriously must slow down and consider my well being as well as the others.

I spend most of the afternoon thinking. Is it safe for me to be at Roman's place while D.S. is after me? Am I not putting him in danger by being here? I wonder to myself before groaning when my head hurts. Thankfully Roman left my medication for me in an obvious place where I could find them and I take the painkillers that are very much needed right now.

My phone rings just then and I grin when I see that it's Hailey. "Hey! What's up?"

"Hey El, nothing much. I just got done with work so I'm heading home. Thought I'd catch up with my favorite girl. How are things?" She replies and I can hear her getting into a car.

"Eh, I got attacked by that serial killer I was chasing so now Roman won't let me out." I sigh heavily as I pick at the hem of my jumper.

"What?! What the hell happened?! How bad was it?!" Her voice raises in concern which makes me smile. "And Roman? Who's Roman?"

And so, I spend the next while catching her up on everything that is safe to tell her. Of course, she goes crazy when she hears about Roman and teases the hell out of me. She also starts planning my wedding which I shut down quickly but can't help but laugh at her over the top ideas.

"Have you guys gone on a date? Or did you skip that and hook up instead?" She teases with light laughter.

"Oh, shut up! It's nothing like that. No date and no hooking up either." I chuckle as I lay down. "He's immune to my charms sadly."

I can hear her snickering at my sarcastic tone. "Well, I certainly ship you two and I hope for his sake that he'll pull a move soon. It's comical when you get too flirty with a guy."

"I think he's already aware based on how I've hit on him every chance I can get." I reply and she bursts out laughing.

We talk for a while longer before making plans to meet up when I'm free and not a target anymore. I bid goodbye and sigh happily as I put my phone down. I miss her and a meetup is so overdue. For the next while I pass the time by watching movies and taking naps here and there. The pain medication makes me feel quite woozy so I find myself sleeping more often. His house is so quiet and peaceful too with the sounds of nature outside instead of noisy people. It makes it easy for me to doze off even if the thought of D.S. or his men lurking outside have me feeling unsettled.

Around six in the evening I'm on the couch and texting my family when I hear the door unlock. Roman steps in cautiously and his emerald eyes meet mine as he locks the door behind him. His gaze flickers to the bandage on my head as he sets his keys down and takes his jacket off before walking over to me.

"Mad?" He asks which makes me smile and shake my head. His shoulders visibly drop due to tension and I find myself biting my lip to stifle my laughter. "Let me take a look at the stitches."

I let him take the bandage off and watch his expression as he inspects the stitches. A silent yet relieved breath escapes me when he nods in satisfaction. He tends to it before wrapping it up again and taking a seat on the coffee table. We stare at each other in silence before I finally speak up.

"Why didn't you tell me you were bringing me here?"

"I knew you'd fight me." He replies and I open my mouth to protest before nodding when I realize it's true. "I just need you to stay here where it's safe, where he or his men can't find you."

"Okay." I nod with a sigh and watch his worry fade. "I didn't try to escape or anything."

He smiles handsomely and I feel the butterflies in my tummy increase tenfold. "Thank you. I just want to protect you Elena. That's why I'm doing this."

"I understand." I pat his hand as he takes mine in his. "But one thing you should know is that I can't cook so if I starve to death in here that's on you."

His eyes shine with amusement before he walks into the kitchen with me trailing behind him like a lost puppy. "What would you like to eat?"

"Whatever you can whip up the quickest." I smirk and he laughs as he heads towards the fridge.

I watch as he moves around the kitchen while cooking. His muscles flex from time to time and I eventually force myself to stop ogling him. We chat about his day and I find out that D.S. has been moving back to Texas like I said. They've got some camera footage of him stopping at gas stations and tracked his car back to Houston. The knowledge that he's in the same place puts me on edge. I worry my bottom lip as I wonder what will happen if he gets to me.

"Should I really be staying here if he's back in Houston?" I ask softly as we begin to eat.

"You'll be at more risk if you're alone." He frowns as he pours me a glass of water. "Trust me Elena, he won't be able to touch you. You don't have to worry about a thing."

"But when you're out I am alone." I point out with furrowed brows.

"My place is being guarded so you're very much safe."

I nod before focusing on my food. He diverts our conversation to other topics while we finish our food because I think he can tell how uneasy I am about D.S. targeting me. Sure, I've put on a brave face before but this time he's had his men outright attack me. This is more serious than threat letters and signs.

I yawn while he puts our dishes in the sink and turns me around as I say I'll wash up. "But Rome –"

"It's only a few dishes Elena, it won't kill me." He chuckles warmly and I feel a tingle shoot up my spine at the sound. "Besides, you need rest."

"I'm fine." I grumble before another yawn betrays me.

He laughs loudly as he guides me to his room with his hand on the small of my back. I sigh as he finds a shower cap for me so that I can wash my body. I have a doctor's appointment in two days to check on the stitches again so I can't wash my hair until I'm given the green light. Thanking him I walk into the shower with a new set of pajamas and toiletries he bought me since my things got left in the car after we had to run.

I clean my body and moisturize before changing. Taking off the shower cap I run a brush through my hair carefully before leaving the bathroom. He walks in at the same time and sets my medication and a glass of water on the bedside table. I make my way towards the bed tiredly but jump when I hear a loud noise and stumble back against him.

He rubs my arms comfortingly as he guides me to the bed. "There's some cats around the area."

"O-Okay." I whisper as I slip under the covers.

"Where's your phone?"

"Don't worry I have your number now." I smirk lazily with a wiggle of my brows.

"Must you flirt every day?" He shakes his head with an amused chuckle before grabbing it from me after I've unlocked it. "I'm installing the app I use for my security camera footage. Whenever you want to check on the outside of the house you can. Just in case you feel unsafe."

"Oh, thanks Rome." I smile gratefully as I feel a lot more relieved knowing I can see what's going on outside at any time.

"There you go." He hands me the phone after he's done before turning the lamp on. "I'm going to clean up so get some rest okay?"

I catch his wrist when I hear something outside again, not used to the place yet. "C-Can you stay please? Just until I fall asleep?"

His eyes become tender and he nods before taking a seat beside me on the bed. "Go to sleep, I'm right here."

I thank him with a low murmur before closing my eyes. At some point he starts running his fingers through my hair or playing with a strand which makes me sigh in content. I feel sleep tugging at me and it doesn't take me long to drift off to dreamland because of him by my side.

The last thing I feel is something soft brush against my cheek before his husky, warm voice echoes in the room "Sweet dreams Elena."

And sweet dreams are all I have.

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- R.W. ♡