Chapter 14

When I got out of the shower and dried myself, I put on white underwear, sweatpants, and a black crop top. I walk over to my bed and think about what happened. I can't get the images out of my head. The bloodied bodies, gunshots, and the gurgling sound of the man. The door opens and I saw Johnny enter.

"Sorry for disturbing you." He said as he closes the door behind him.

"I want to ask you something." He said looking me straight in the eyes.

"What do you want to know?" I asked him.

"Do you perhaps know a person called Dima Volkov?" I looked at him trying to think if I heard that name before.

"No, I never heard of him before, why do you ask?"

He frowned, "Because when we looked you up we came across your biological father's name." This time I frowned.

"My father?"

"Yes," Johnny said looking me in the eyes.

"I have never heard his name, my mother wouldn't talk about him whenever I asked about him," I explained.

"We'll look like your father was second in command for the Russians but was killed when he went on a mission." Johnny continues speaking. I was lost in thought I never realized who my father was but my mother always got mad whenever I asked about him.

"Can I perhaps ask for paint?" I said changing the subject.

"Your not a prisoner anymore, you're free to go outside but I advise you not to go into other rooms."

"Thank you, but painting helps me to relax," I told him trying to get rid of the images of the dead men.

"I will see what I can do."

"Have you found out why the Mikhas still want me?"

"Nothing so far but we will find out."

I bit my lip before nodding, "Okay."

He turned around and leave without saying another word. It wasn't long before someone brought the paint. I started painting thinking about all that has happened the past few days. My life will never be the same again. Why didn't my mother told me who my father was? There was a knock on the door bringing me out of my thoughts, still painting.

"Come in", I called a moment later. The door opened and reveal Samuele and Stefano, I smiled at them.

"Hello, you guys." I greet them.

"Hey", they say together and sat on my bed.

"We were just wondering if you are alright?"

"I'm doing alright." I give them a small smile. Stefano frowned at me.

"I know this was your first time seeing someone die, but it will fade away with time," Stefano stated.

"So what's going to happen to me now?" "I don't know, Johnny will talk to you, but for now your not a prisoner anymore."

"I think I'm going to rest now," I said feeling tired. They nod and leave the room together. I look at my painting and decide to finish it. It was past midnight when I finally finished and went to bed and immediately falls asleep. In the morning I decided to take a shower and slipped into sweatpants and a black t-shirt, I make my hair into a messy bun and went downstairs since I'm not a prisoner anymore.

As I went outside, Stefano came out of one of the other rooms. "Good morning, ready to have breakfast?" He asked me.

"Am I even allowed to have breakfast with you guys?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Of course, you are a guest now." He stated and take my hand. I follow him downstairs and started feeling like prey in the room full of handsome men. When Stefano and I entered the dining room the men stand up and greet me politely. I give them a small smile and look up at Stefano.

"We have respect for women, it's tradition to stand up when a lady enters the room," Stefano answers my unspoken question. I just nod and pulled a chair out for myself.

"Good morning boss." I hear the room full of guys say and realize Johnny must have entered. Everyone started to pile their plates with the different food and I just stare at them until I feel someone's eyes on me. I look up and notice Johnny staring at my empty plate.

"Alessia, you are a guest now please have some breakfast." He said pointing to the food on the table.

I let out a small "Thank you," before serving myself pancakes. I start eating slowly and notice the men laughing and talking among each other.

When I finish my food, Johnny asked me, "Alessia, please follow me." He glanced at me before turning to the men.

"You all know what to do, when are the girls coming back?" Wait did he just say, girls? I'm not the only girl here?

"They will be back this afternoon." One of the guys answered him. Johnny nods and leads me out. We went up to the third floor and turned right we walk down the hallway and turned right and walk down another hallway before stopping in front of a wooden door.

"Please come inside," Johnny said holding the door open for me. When I stepped inside I notice it was a small studio with all the things I need to paint. I turn around and look up at Johnny.

"We don't use this room and I thought that you want to get out of your room from time to time."

"Thank you". He just shrugged, "I will leave you to it." He said before leaving. As I take a look around the room I can't help but think about Johnny. He's bipolar which I'm sure of, but I'm not going to complain this is my dream studio, I put a CD on the radio and hit the play button. I started taking the palette and decided to paint the first thing that comes to mind as I paint I hummed along with the song. I spent my whole afternoon here just painting with a smile on my face for the first time.