The Twelve Zenati Pt. 03

"You buzzed?" A matronly-looking nurse that Genesis hadn't seen before entered the room with the softly spoken question.

"I would like you to disconnect this while I bathe her and dress her appropriately," Genesis said in a tone that brooked no argument as he pointed to her intravenous line.

"Of course, sir," she smiled softly and moved toward Serena. "I know you don't like to be touched, sweet girl, but I need to hold your arm to do as Mr Zenati has asked," the nurse said in a kind but authoritative voice to Serena, who eyed her warily. "We do want to make him happy, don't we, sweet girl?" she soothed as she picked up Serena's arm.

Serena put up no resistance after the rebuke she had just received, that Genesis was not happy with her at all. She wanted to make him happy. Remy would expect her to make him happy, wouldn't he? Remy was still alive though, and there was still a chance he could wake. Would he be unhappy if she hadn't pleased Genesis? Her thoughts whirled in her brain as she meekly allowed the nurse to hold her arm.

Genesis hid his surprise and mentally thanked his cousins for ensuring that the nurse assigned to this room understood the dynamics involved between him and Serena. He watched as the nurse moved swiftly and disconnected the intravenous drip, leaving the cannula in her arm and securing a temporary gauze bandage around the site to protect it.

"Will there be anything else, sir?" she asked.

"No, I can manage from here, thank you," Genesis said. "If you could ensure that nobody interrupts us until we are done."

"Of course, sir. I will see to it," she said in the same soft tone and left quietly. Once he was done and his girl was safely tucked in and asleep , he determined that he would see about keeping that nurse close by. It seemed that it was the first time in days that he wasn't second-guessed about his actions or feelings for Serena's welfare.

He bent and picked her up easily, surprised at how light she was, and scooped up the handles of the overnight bag in the hand that rested under her legs. She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Pulling her close to his chest, he walked toward the bathroom, determined to do what needed to be done even though he would prefer a different time and different setting to explore this girl's body for the first time.

"Can you stand unassisted?" he asked as he walked to the bathroom.

"I don't know," she said into his chest. She hadn't been allowed to move from the bed, and she'd had to use a bedpan for toileting, which she hated. Perhaps this man would let her use the toilet while he had her out of bed.

"Try, sweet girl. I will not let you fall," he instructed and lowered her feet to the floor while supporting her upper body. She grimaced but did not complain as he allowed her to take her weight slowly from him. "Your wound is like a deep cut along your side, running from your hip here in a jagged line up to here." He ran his finger over the wound dressing in a diagonal line from her hip to under her rib cage. "Do not twist your body or bend too far to the side or you will risk damaging the wound further. Do you understand, little one?"

"Yes, Genesis," she whispered, feeling the stitches in her side pull against the dressing as she put more and more weight on her feet. "May I use the toilet, please? I have not been allowed since coming to this place."

"You may," he granted easily and picked her up again, walking the two small steps and depositing her on the toilet before turning back to the sink and bench and preparing what he would need to bathe her. He silently thanked his sister's thoughtfulness as he took the large soft sea sponge from the smaller bag that he found within the overnight bag and began to run warm water into the sink, adding a small amount of the fragrant liquid soap.

Serena felt immediate relief. She had not wanted to use a bedpan in front of Genesis, and he had not left her alone since she had been told that she belonged to him now. She watched as he moved with confidence, and though he stood only a step away, he constantly checked on her over his shoulder to ensure her safety. She finished, and not wanting to twist her body to flush, she waited and watched Genesis for another moment.

"Could you help me stand, please? I can't reach the button without twisting," she asked quietly, the flush of embarrassment colouring her cheeks.

"Good girl," he praised her and moved toward her, picking her up and taking her back to the basin after flushing for her. "If you need to see me you can look in the mirror from this position. There is no need to twist. Once I have removed the gown, you can hold the bench to steady yourself if you need support while I see just how damaged my new treasure is," he instructed. He undid the ties at the back of her gown and slipped it from her shoulders. The small bandages on her left breast and left wrist and the larger bandage of her left side hid her obvious wounds. He gently swept her hair across her shoulders to fall down her front over the damaged breast as he began a slow inspection of her back.

Serena shivered as she felt his fingers trail over her neck and shoulders, then slowly trail down her back, touching every inch of her. She widened her stance, feeling her need and the ache in her belly grow as he squatted behind her and inspected her ass closely, parting the cheeks and running his fingers over the dark star there. Then he made his way down her legs and picked up each foot to inspect the soles of her feet. Satisfied, he bathed her back, ass and legs and gently patted her skin dry.

Genesis stood and turned Serena toward him, noting her ragged breathing as she submitted to his inspection. She certainly was needy, and he wondered if the ache she felt was artificial and would be dispelled from her body given time. He certainly wouldn't mind having such a needy partner to play with, but he was concerned that the need caused her physical discomfort.

"The ache is becoming worse, little slut?" he asked in a husky voice and cursed himself as he tried to swallow down his own arousal. Serena was truly beautiful, and he desired her in every way. But he had spoken to the doctors, and her major wound was deep and long, needing more time to heal before risking it with any physicality from him. He could perhaps ease her ache if he was soft, gentle and warned her of her movements, as well as safeguarding and supporting her himself.

"Yes, Genesis. I need to... cum, please," her voice became edged with desperation.

"There can be no painful pleasure for you this time, and I will not use you the way I wish until you have healed further," he began, and seeing her face fall he continued. "However, during my inspection and bathing of you, if you are able to climax, I will not punish you. You will tell me if you feel the need overwhelm you so that I can make sure no damage comes from it. You will not, however, touch yourself. That is forbidden, as you know," he warned.

"Yes, Genesis. Thank you, Genesis," she said eagerly. "I will tell you what I am feeling. I will be good, I promise. I will not damage your property any further."

He groaned inwardly. A precious possession, he could deal with, even a treasure, but he refused to call her property regardless of what Remy had done. Sweeping her hair back over her shoulder, he began his inspection with her face, his fingers gliding over her features as if reading braille there. He followed the slow progression with a kiss to her forehead, her nose and a brush of her lips. As he once again lowered himself to complete his close inspection of her body, he kissed the one exposed nipple. He was shocked at the number of deep bruises that still showed even after several days in the hospital. Remy had obviously enjoyed torturing her breasts more than any other part of her body, except perhaps her mind. Seeing her breath quicken as he inspected her breasts, he moved on, and his hands trailed down her rib cage and over her belly. He didn't want to be the cause of any further harm tonight.

"You must try to stay calm. Breathe deeply," Genesis commanded as he spread her thighs and saw her glistening lips telling of her escalating arousal and need. Concerned that she might arch or twist beyond what was safe, he lifted her to sit on the bench and guided her to lean back against the mirror as he inspected her pussy. "Breathe, little slut," he murmured as his hands stroked down her body once again and his eyes fell on the small patch of short pubic hair and the glistening lips below it. His too-tight jeans made him groan involuntarily at the sight.

Serena felt her insides melt. She liked the soft touch. When he had pushed her too far and she needed to rest, Remy would touch her softly and ensure she had what she craved. Not all of their lovemaking was bound to painful pleasures, although the frequency and need for those softer touches had escalated over time, as had his harsh treatment of her that caused the damage. She hoped Genesis did not have a room like the industrial room at Hermione's. The thought of the last time she was there and had been pushed beyond anything she thought she could endure sent her arousal higher, with the feel of his hands skimming over her thighs. A single finger parted her lips, stroking her clit, and she gasped.

"Oh God, I need..." she gasped. "I want..."

Genesis watched her thighs shake with her impending climax. He had given her permission already. She needed no further instruction from him. He continued to stroke his finger between her folds, wondering if asking her to tell him when she was close had made her seek his permission again, or if Remy had played cruel games with his permissions.

"Oh God, please, please, can I cum," she gasped. "Please my lo..."

"Yes. Cum for me, little slut. Cum for me, I will be your love." He thrust two fingers into her, and her eyes flew open; then she whined in a high pitched keen. He ran his free hand around her waist, holding her in a stable position, as she came on his fingers, his thumb brushing her clit, prolonging the orgasm. It was hardly the soft, gentle climax that he had thought to give her, but her words had made him want to take advantage of the opportunity to claim her pleasure as his own.

Serena felt the pain in her side flair, adding to her climax, and then he was there, holding her steady and supporting her as delicious waves rolled through her. She heard his words. Could it be true? Could she love him the way she had Remy? She belonged to him now, and he wanted her to use the words. Could she? Would she? She lifted her eyes to his as he petted her hair and instructed her to breathe deeply. She couldn't say the words he wanted. Remy was her love, and he was alive.

"How do you feel?" Genesis asked once again, hating that his voice was so husky with desire for her.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I feel good now. Much better than before. Thank you very much."

"I am your love now. Remy is gone. You must remember that and not baulk at using those words. I have used all of the endearments that you expect from the one who loves you and will care for you, haven't I?" Genesis asked with an edge to his husky voice.

"Yes, Genesis," she said. He frowned at her, but she couldn't say the words to him. Not when Remy still lived. Remy was her love. The love of her life, and she was here with this man. Tears stung her eyes as he began to bathe her again.

"I understand that it is hard to say goodbye to the people we love. I will give you some leeway today. Tomorrow, however, you will belong to me body and soul, and I will expect you to treat me with the same respect and love that you showed Remy," he said, wondering if he had pushed her too hard but pleased to see her react emotionally rather than just fight what was happening to her and shut down. That meant she was thinking and processing the situation at the very least. He was pleased by that.

"Yes, Genesis," she said, sadly dropping her head. He noted her fingers twitching as she sat and allowed him to finish bathing her.

"If you are a good girl and complete the tasks that I have set for you this evening, I will help you ease the ache again before you sleep, now that you have shown me that you can be trusted not to put strain on your wound," he said, making her look up at him again with her teary eyes.

"I have to say goodbye?" she asked, her lip trembling.

"Yes, you must say goodbye because, if you don't do it tonight, you may not have another opportunity if there are complications and he dies," Genesis explained. "You must also eat again before you sleep tonight. If you can continue to eat and drink what I provide then the doctors will remove this cannula and drip." He touched her bandaged arm.

Genesis looked at her as she said nothing and a fat tear rolled down her cheek. Maybe the brainwashing wasn't as complete as they all thought. Maybe she allowed Remington to have complete power over her life, and had been frightened of the consequences of breaking his rules and the alternatives of not being with him if he chose to set her free. Genesis would still carry on as he planned, but he reconsidered the rules that he would give her to test his new theory. Was her life as Olivia Gambaro truly so bad that she would let herself be tortured rather than ask for help from her family?

*****

Vivienne was furious. How dare Gideon call her a bully and tell her that she had no right to be here when she had tried, really tried to act conciliatory, so that she could remain as a consultant on the girl's case? She would just pull her weight at the hospital. She was a leading expert on psychological trauma, and they should be grateful that she was here at all, not threatening her and giving her ultimatums. How dare that man send her home to bed like a child?

"Order me a cab," she barked at the maître d' as she got to the front of the restaurant. "It's an emergency! I'm a doctor, and I need to get to the hospital." She spun to see Gideon walking toward her, shaking his head in the negative while speaking on his phone.

Shit! She was at a family restaurant. That shouldn't surprise her. That's how her brothers worked as well. Always keeping the home ground advantage. Fine, he could take her back to the hotel, she seethed. Then she would get a cab to the hospital. She wasn't about to let him tell her what to do. She was Vivienne Papillo, goddammit, and that meant something in the medical and psychiatric world.

"I will take you back to your hotel," Gideon said with his usual cheery voice but his eyes were hard and cold, rather than their usual warm, dancing brown. He guided her to his car in steely silence and opened her door for her, then he went around and slid into the driver's seat.

"You still there?" Gideon asked loudly after starting the engine and being sure that his phone had synced up.

"Vivienne?" the voice asked, and the red fury that had driven her for the last few minutes abated. "You don't think that I have enough on my plate right now without you overstepping your bounds with another Table? Listen to me carefully. You were in that hospital to help the Vitali. You were asked to advise Genesis purely because of proximity. They didn't request you personally. You have no rights in this case. The girl is not your patient. Let it go," Leighton Papillo sighed. "If you interfere with Genesis Zenati or his brothers and the girl they are caring for in any way, then I will have Trent pick you up and taken to the Battaglia for a retrial. Do I make myself clear?"

"You can't do that, Leighton! You have no right!" she spluttered.

"Every Table in this country is on high alert. You think I want to be dealing with your tantrum? Do you seriously think that the rules of our family and the other families don't apply to you? Fuck, Viv, tell me you didn't challenge the Zenati's authority there, in their home," he sighed with disappointment.

"He was sending me home to bed like a naughty child!" Vivienne exclaimed. "I was trying to play nice, but he just wouldn't listen. I'm the expert here. They need me, not the other way around." She tried to reason with her brother.

"Pete Donati has hands-on expertise in this field, so does Nero Battaglia. Both men would be there at a simple request from Genesis. They don't need you. You were convenient, and now you have been rude and dismissive of their traditions and values. Now, instead of accepting that Gideon knows best in this situation, you have refused to go home to rest and go back to the hospital in the morning to speak to Genesis. You pushed your own agenda. Now I think it's best that you come home. I will send someone else to care for the Vitali leaders." He sighed again.

"You can't be serious!" Vivienne was horrified.

"I am, and I have already told you that I will send Trent, if you don't do what I ask now," Leighton said sternly. "Gideon, man, I'm sorry. She gets invested in cases and takes over, but she was at the hospital when Theresa Vitali was airlifted, and she went with them without checking with either the Vitali or us. If she doesn't stay put tonight, put her on an aeroplane in the morning and let me know."

"No worries. Now that she's been reminded whose city she is currently in we may be able to work something out," Gideon said. "Sorry to call like this. How's Lydia doing? I can't imagine how she must be feeling, having witnessed all of that shit at the airport."

"She's strong, like all the Mothers. She and Cat were inseparable until they took her back to Melbourne. She's amazing, you know," Leighton chuckled.

"Yeah, I know. You got lucky there. You're still a loser though, no matter how good your wife makes you look," Gideon chuckled and ended the call. "Did you know we went to school together?" He glanced at Vivienne who gave him a scathing look. "Look, you can't just come into someone else's house and start ordering them around. That girl is Genesis' house, and he allowed you to visit, not move in and start restyling. If you want to stay, I would think very carefully about what you do next," he advised, pulling into the hotel valet parking area. "I'm not above putting you on a plane in the morning if you cause my brother one moment of grief."

Vivienne said nothing as she stepped out of the car. She had never felt more humiliated, and she was furious that Gideon had done this to her. She walked off with her head held high, and Gideon stayed long enough to watch her disappear into the lift foyer before he headed back to the hospital, swearing at the delay she had caused.

Considering her options as she rode the elevator up to her room, Vivienne let out a torrent of curse words and felt no better. She felt humiliated by being chastised like an errant child. She wasn't throwing a tantrum; she was making a stand. She was the expert here at this moment. Yes, there were more qualified people with more hands-on experience, but they had their own families to look after in the wake of the attacks on the Tables. Genesis was a reporter, not a doctor. How could he possibly help that girl better than she could? She shook her head and went to the mini bar. She knew she was right. Why couldn't they see that she was doing what was best for the patient.

Vivienne brooded through her first glass of wine, hating that Leighton had pulled the Family Chair card on her instead of just being her brother. She was pouring a second glass of wine when her phone buzzed with a text from Gideon.

"Finally!" she said out loud, thinking he and Genesis had come to their senses and decided they needed her. She put the wine down and opened the message and stared unbelievingly at the photo attachment. Serena sat up in her bed eating a small plate of risotto. It wasn't the food that startled Vivienne but rather the girl herself. Her hair had been brushed and styled into a low clip that held her hair over her left shoulder. She wore a soft, silky-looking chemise in green, and her expression was more relaxed than she had ever seen it.