After the meal, the young girl brought them coffee, Joe stood and came behind Maria, bent down and spoke in her ear. "Why don't we take our coffee somewhere more comfortable." "I..i.." "I don't bite Maria, unless you want me to." Maria stood quickly, Joe laughed to himself. Maria followed him to a door that lead to another room. They sat on the large sofa which dominated the room, Maria put as much space as possible between them. His watching her was beginning to make her feel very uncomfortable, she shifted around looking anywhere but at him. She jumped when he put his hand on her arm. She looked down at his hand, she moved her arm until his hand fell away. "Mr Caldwell, are you going to tell me about my dad?" "Nope, not until you call me Joe." "Please Mr C....." "JOE! For gods sake just say my name." "NO!" Maria quickly moved towards the door. Not quickly enough though, Joe caught her from behind and pinned her against the door. She banged her knee against the door and yelped in pain. He leaned his weight into her from behind. "Don't ever walk away from me." Joe spun her around to face him, his eyes looked darker than before, his scar protruding from his face. Tremors ran through her, he bent his head towards her. She brought her good knee up and kneed him in the groin. He shouted in pain, another door flew open, Craig (baldy) came rushing into the room brandishing a gun. He took in the scene and made a beeline for Maria. He grabbed her roughly by the arm, his fingers biting into the sensitive skin, he dragged her from the room and the boss. Maria struggled in his grasp. "OW! You're hurting me." "Shut up and keep walking." "Craig please." "Shut up." "CRAIG!!" Craig stopped, bringing Maria to a halt too. They turned to find Joe standing not far from them. "Mr Caldwell?" "Where the hell are you taking her?" "To her room sir." "Did I say to take her? Did I?" "No sir I just thought." "I don't pay you to think, do I?" "No sir." Joe looked at Maria, his eyes piercing her soul. Maria held her breath, was he going to punish her or worse kill her? Joe turned his back on them. "Take her to her to her room." Maria breathed a sigh of relief, but it stuck in her throat when she heard his voice again. "Here's a thought for you Maria. You're getting away with it this time, it won't happen again. You do something like that again....all bets are off. Get my meaning?" Maria nodded her head, she felt Craig's fingers tighten on her arm, tears rushed into her eyes. He pulled her away back to her room. When they reached it he opened the door and propelled her inside. She staggered, rubbing her bruised arm, she looked at him. "Please help me." He took one more look at her. "You have no idea what you're asking." Maria burst into tears, she heard the door shut and the key turn. What kind of hell was this??? TBC

Part 9