EJ's pov

Looking appropriately frightened, she humbly and respectfully replied, "Si, Zio (Yes, Uncle), I'll listen."

"Good. Rule number one: You need to listen the first time I tell you something and you need to obey me without hesitation or question. You should have been doing this from the moment we met, but just know, I will no longer be lenient in enforcing consequences. I won't hesitate to punish your disobedience." She should know I'm deadly serious about this but if she doesn't, she'll soon figure it out. "Rule number two: You don't set foot outside this house without me being with you, or without my express consent. That includes the front yard, backyard, and pool. Rule num..."

"Whoa back up," the brat rudely and unnecessarily interrupted, holding up her hand to stop me. "There's a pool? Where is it? Can I see it? Is it above ground or in-ground? Well, I guess it doesn't really matter. Why didn't you tell me this before? You know you really should've led with this. Can I go swimming when you're done reciting all your boring rules? Good thing I packed my swimsuit. I wonder what the temperature of the water is. Man, I can't wait to..."

She continued to prattle on endlessly, completely oblivious to my mood which was quickly escalating past the point of irritation into the realm of spankingdom, where I reign supreme. I am the king there, afterall. Well, now that Father's not around. Although, I do play the part of the dashingly handsome prince quite well. Which role would have more fair maidens swooning? That's the role I should occupy, the one I was born to play. Lost in my lewd fantasy for a lingering moment, I didn't realize the plebeian serf had stopped assaulting my ears with her shrill whinings.

"Uncle EJ?" she called out, trying to get my attention. Once she had it, she asked, "Well, can I?"

Having no clue what her question pertained to, I simply answered, "No. Now shut-up and listen before I'm forced to spank some sense into you." It's a safe bet that's an appropriate response to anything my niece has to say. She's either being annoying or making some ridiculous request ninety percent of the time so I'll take those odds and hedge my bets that my answer fits her question.

Seeing her shoulders slump forward as she huffed out, "Fine," in response, I knew I was right.

"Now, where was I before you senselessly interrupted? Oh yes, rule number three." Ensuring I had her undivided attention, I said, "By the way, if you interrupt me again while I'm reciting the rules, you'll hear the remainder of them over my knee amongst several firm slaps to your ass. Capiscimi (Understand me)?"

Sighing in exasperation, she whined, "Okay, I get it but I'm already sick of hearing it. Can we just get this over with already? You're getting on my nerves, plus I want to go swimming and this is really boring."

I shook my head in disbelief. Crossing my arms over my chest, I glared at the piece of work sitting before me, amazed by her unmitigated gall.

"Come here!" I commanded sharply, pointing to the spot in front of my feet.

She looked somewhat scared but still remained seated.

"NOW!" I barked, snapping my fingers as I indicated where she needed to be in the next two seconds if she didn't want me to lose my shit.

Wisely recognizing my last shred of patience was as close to dissipating as her ability to sit comfortably, she got up immediately and stood in front of me. Roughly grabbing her by the arm, I turned her sideways and smacked her bottom hard. I mean really hard. So much so, I fought with every fiber of my being not to swear and shake the painful sting from my palm in front of her.

"OW!" she immediately blurted out, rubbing her bottom as she fought back tears. I know that had to hurt, my hand is still smarting.

"Are you through testing my limits now?" I growled, keeping a firm grip on her bicep, contingent on her response.

"Si signore (Yes sir)," she replied quicker than I've ever heard her say it before, except when dealing with my father but she'll get there with me soon enough since he's no longer around.

Satisfied with her answer and the level of respect in her intonation, I let go of her arm and let's say, forcefully nudged her back towards the couch.

"Sit!"

She glared at me, probably debating whether or not to make some snide remark along the lines of pointing out the fact she's not a dog. Fortunately, using her better judgement, she kept her lip zipped and silently complied with my rather blunt directive.

"Now that's settled, may I continue?" I facetiously asked my pest of a relative. She nodded so I proceeded. "As I started to say before, rule number three: You don't make contact with anyone you knew before we arrived here. No friends, family aside from me of course, servants, acquaintances, teachers, neighbors, dog walkers..."

"Dog walkers?" she questioned, looking at me like I had two heads. "I've never had a dog."

"I'm trying to make a point, Einstein. Just shut-up and listen for once. Ok?"

"Alright. I'm just saying I never had a dog but whatever," she mumbled under her breath.

"Claire, the point I'm trying to make is you cannot speak to or about anyone you've ever known. You won't have a phone and you are never to use mine or anyone else's. Capisci (Understand)?"

"How am I supposed to survive without a phone? I literally don't think that's even possible and I thought you said we weren't hill people," she sassed.

"You don't need a phone to survive, Idiota (Idiot). Cell service is not essential to life."

"It is if I want to have a social life," my pain in the ass niece whined.

"You're not going to have a social life. I am your social life now. If you'd ever bother to shut your mouth long enough to listen, you would understand I've already covered this topic."

"If you're my social life, Uncle EJ, I'm officially declaring my first attempt to commit social suicide," she snarked, with that irritating, ignorant, annoying look she always has plastered on her unbelievably stupid face.

"I swear to God, Francesca, if you don't zip your damn lip and start listening, I'm gonna beat your ass into oblivion. Capiscimi (Understand me)?"

"Si, Zio (Yes, Uncle)," she replied begrudgingly, knowing she doesn't really have a choice.

Deep breaths, EJ. Deep breaths, I reminded myself as I tried to calm my escalating temper.

"Claire, I need you to look at me and truly comprehend what I'm saying." When she made eye contact, I said, "If anyone from our past life finds out where we are, we are not safe and neither are they. If you reach out to anyone, you are putting our lives and theirs in grave danger. And what's the one rule I never compromise on or let go unpunished when broken?"

"When I do something that jeopardizes my safety," she replied quietly.

My chest tightened hearing the despair and acknowledgement of defeat in her voice. I know how difficult this is going to be for her, for us, but she has to know how serious I am about keeping her safe. That's the whole reason we're here to begin with.

"That's correct," I said softly. "Now, rule number four: We never use our real names in public. I will always make the introductions if the need arises thus letting you know what names we will be using. You may refer to me as your uncle but never use my real name and I will never call you Claire or Francesca in public but I will still refer to you as my niece. I'm much too young and dashing to be your father, afterall."

I was hoping that comment would elicit a smile from the brat but she didn't even react. She just sat there with a blank look on her face. As much as her inane whiny chatter normally annoys me, I would prefer it now over her despondent silence.

Sighing, I continued with the last of my rules, knowing we have to get through this.

"Rule number five: We can't stay in one place for too long and we can't get attached to anyone we meet. We are not here to make friends. If the time ever comes when we have that option, I will let you know. We also never speak of where we used to live. If you are ever put on the spot and I'm not in a position to prompt you, then make something up. Keep it simple and never elaborate, then inform me privately of what you said as soon as possible. Va bene (Ok)?"

Claire gave me a barely perceptible nod as she kept her head lowered. I don't think she's ever been quiet for this long.

Bending down to her level, I brushed the hair from her face and tilted her chin up to meet my eyes.

"I'm not doing this to hurt you, Claire. I'm doing this to protect you. Despite what you might think, I do care about you." I swallowed hard seeing her nod sadly again.

Keeping her head down, hoping I wouldn't notice, she quickly whisked away a tear that rolled down her cheek.

"I know this is a lot to process and a lot to handle right now but we'll get through this together. Ok?" Standing, I looked at my niece and said a silent prayer. I really need a higher power to watch over her. I hope I made the right choice by taking her away from my father and a life entrenched in the family business. I wonder if I'll ever know for sure. Maybe someday. When she raised her head to meet my gaze, I asked, "Do you have any questions, mia nipote (my niece)."

"How will my father ever find me, Uncle EJ, if we're on the run hiding out all the time?"