Chapter 39

“No, Osvaldo, don’t rub it on your body!” Penny practically screamed, lunging forward as she watched him smear greasy chicken sauce across his clothes like it was some kind of expensive cologne.

It was too late to stop him now.

He had already dragged the saucy drumstick down his chest like it was his new lover. His pristine shirt, well, what was once white, now looked like it’d lost a food fight.

Penny gritted her teeth, snatching the poor abused chicken from his hands and slamming it back onto the plate. “You are unbelievable,” she hissed under her breath.

This man… this… man, was the same one who had demanded she suck his dick last night? The same man who stood in front of her like a fierce beast, ready to tear the world apart just to protect her from her mother?

Because right now, he looked like a five-year-old who needed a bib and a leash.

Maybe Penny had finally come to terms with the truth. Maybe, he wasn’t faking his madness after all. Maybe it is real.

She’d spent the entire morning trying to talk to him, question him, threaten him, even bait him into revealing that he was faking this madness, but nope. All she got was that same maddening smile. No words. Just blank, beautiful insanity.

“Osvaldo, I swear to God she started when he reached for the chicken again. But this time, instead of wearing it, he took a bite.

Then smiled. Chin up as he stared at her. It’s almost like he was mocking her.

“Mine,” he said as if that word would make her feel any better.

His silver eyes shone beneath the messy curtain of hair falling onto his face. He looked wild. Unhinged. Beautifully dangerous.

She sighed, defeated. “Here, open up,” she said, lifting a spoonful of rice to his lips.

He obediently took it in like a toddler being fed. She wasn’t sure whether to cry or laugh.

This was a routine now. A weird one.

Hughes had come racing down to her bedroom this morning, practically begging her to help. Apparently, Osvaldo had refused food and medicine from everyone. Again. The maids were too scared to try, and the last time someone forced him, they’d almost lost an eye.

“If you spit it out, I’ll slap you,” she warned as he puffed up his cheeks dramatically, ready to eject everything.

He blinked at her, stunned at her words as he frowned.

Then, slowly, he tilted his head back into place. And smiled.

“Bad,” he murmured.

“Damn right I’m bad,” she muttered. “Try me again and I’ll show you just how bad I can be p>

She patted his head to see him purr like a damn cat.

The maids and servants had quietly gathered at a distance, watching the fat, unwanted girl who somehow had tamed their master.

It was like watching a miracle in motion.

Penny, the girl everyone had dismissed, was now the only person Osvaldo obeyed. If it were anyone else trying to force him to eat, the dining room would be dripping in blood and broken furniture.

And with Abby in charge of expenses, no one would’ve been treated. She’d rather they die than waste a dollar on a servant. To her, their existence meant nothing.

“He’s eating so well, Miss Penny. You’re amazing,” Hughes said softly, placing a glass of water beside her like it might explode.

No one wanted to get too close. Not after last night. Osvaldo had fought like a beast to defend her, then fallen asleep like a baby curled up next to her.

Penny had so many questions.

How did he treat his wounds? She had seen him with so many bandages when he stepped out again and she wondered if he had done so himself.

Was there a doctor in this twisted house?

“Hughes,” she called and the older woman stopped by her side, “do you have a doctor here p>

The woman shook her head gently. “Only you. You’re the closest we have to one. Even though Miss Ariana tried to steal the credit last time. I know you’re the best.” Hughes praised her mistress.

“Thanks, Hughes,” Penny replied, feeding Osvaldo another bite. Once he was done eating quite a good portion of the food, then came the hard part.

Medication.

She held the little cup with his medicine near his lips, and he sniffed it like it was poison.

Seconds later p>

Splat!

Osvaldo spat everything out in a wet arc across the floor.

“OSVALDO!” Penny stood up, stunned.

He sprang to his feet, growling under his breath as he frantically wiped his mouth multiple times with his hands.

“Oh God, here we go,” Penny muttered.

“Bad,” he said again, stepping back like a wounded child as he paced around.

“Bad.” He growled.

“I know it’s bitter, but it’s for your own good p>

“Bad!” he shouted, stomping away like a toddler mid-tantrum.

No one dared stop him. Everyone parted like he was Moses.

“Oh Miss Penny, what do we do?” Hughes whispered, panicking. “If he doesn’t take that, he’ll get worse. He always does p>

Penny frowned. “There has to be a better way p>

“Well… there’s one old method,” Hughes said, scratching her head nervously. “But… it’s kind of risky. Usually requires… thirty men. And someone might die p>

“What’s that?” Penny asked.

“We chain master Osvaldo and force him to drink. No matter how much he refuses, he won’t be a match for up to thirty men.” Hughes suggested.

The servants around started moving backward at her words. They all look terrified.

They have all experienced this before and it’s always by luck they all make it out alive. One thing Osvaldo hates is being caged or chained. Except on the special day.

The day everyone gets to stay out of the penthouse for fear of getting killed.

It happens four times in a month. The day Penny arrived. That is why they had all been shocked Osvaldo hadn’t killed her. That day was his violent day, the day he killed any servant that came his way.

On that day, he appears like a beast. It’s almost as if his human form is stolen from him.

“That’s too dangerous,” Penny said staring at the direction he disappeared into. She would need to find another means.

She started walking in that direction with the drugs in her hands.

“Miss Penny,” Hughes called scared for her miss.

“No one should follow me, Hughes. I’ll give him the drug myself.” Penny walked away.