Chapter 4

The next morning, I yawned and stretched before heading to my personal bathroom. I winced when I say the bruises forming on my neck. David had a tight grip. I brushed my teeth and threw my hair up in a ponytail before dressing in a fitted tank top and spandex capris. I was going to visit the gym I'd seen on my tour yesterday to air out some of my frustrations. By some miracle, I managed to find it on my own in the maze of a mansion. I ran on the treadmill until my legs felt like jello.

I moved to the punching bag and let all of my anger, frustration, and sadness out on it. Sweat covered my face and arms in a light sheen. My shirt darkened from the liquid but I didn't care. I sighed and rested my head against the bag as I closed my eyes.

"Letting out some steam?" A voice pulled me from my thoughts. My head snapped around to see Nicklaus. I sighed in relief and relaxed. For a moment, I believed it to be David, and I was now terrified of him. I knew I couldn’t fight back, and that was the scariest part.

"It's called working out, Nicklaus," I said dismissively as I walked closer to him, trying to pretend I wasn’t just scared out of my wits. He frowned as his eyes went to my neck.

"What happened?" he asked. I felt my cheeks turn red from embarraassment.

"I-It is nothing," I stuttered. Nicklaus held my arm as he got a closer look.

"It doesn't look like nothing," he commented.

"Please, Nicklaus, leave it be. It’s nothing, and even if it were, it is none of your business," I begged him. My face turned red with anger as I recalled what happened last night.

"David did this?" Nicklaus said angrily, coming to the conclusion himself.

"Nicklaus... please," I begged softly, my tears finally falling. His eyes searched my face before he sighed and pulled me into a hug. I couldn't help it. I sobbed angry tears. After only two encounters, I knew Nicklaus wasn’t anywhere near as mean-spirited as his older brother. I was already alone in a strange country. If I wanted to lean on anyone, I knew I could lean on Nicklaus. My gut told me he wasn’t a bad person. I cried and sobbed as Nicklaus just held me. I hated looking so weak, but I wasn't prepared for this when I arrived.

"I'll keep an eye on him okay? Our mother would throw a fit if she found out he was putting his hands on you. Father would too. They didn't raise him that way. Somewhere during his life, he changed. Now he's the mean bastard he is today," Nicklaus tried to explain. At this point, I didn't care. All I knew was that he had no problem hurting, or even killing, me.

"He's going to do it again if I anger him, I know," I whispered once my crying eased. Nicklaus pulled away just enough to look me in the eyes.

"I'll room closer to you, to keep an eye out. He won't color that golden skin of yours again, alright?" he said, running the back of his finger along my cheek. I gulped and nodded. That was all I could do. I knew I was stuck. If I said anything, the engagement would be called off and my papá would be angry with me. If I tried to fight back, David would only try harder to make my life here miserable. At this point, my only option was Nicklaus. Nicklaus made me nervous, but not in a bad way.

"Thank you," I said in a whisper. He smiled lightly and nodded once.