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The sincere concern in his voice made me smile softly. "I promise, big brother."
Enzo pulled me into a tight hug before taking his leave. As soon as the door closed behind him, I grabbed my phone, resolve hardening once more...
The week crawled by at an agonizing pace. But finally, it was Friday - the day before my secret date with Leonardo. I paced my room anxiously, going over my plan again and again.
Tomorrow night, if all went smoothly, Leonardo and I would be back in each other's arms after so many days apart. The very thought sent my pulse racing.
I had picked out a curve-hugging red dress to wear, one I knew would drive Leonardo wild. Shoes, jewelry, makeup - I planned every detail meticulously, needing to occupy my restless mind.
The hardest part would be slipping past the guard unnoticed. But Ashley would call the house phone right at 10pm, keeping him occupied. I prayed the distraction would give me enough time to climb the oak tree and escape over the wall before he returned.
My stomach fluttered nervously as I envisioned hurrying through the shadows to the secret meet-up spot Leonardo had arranged downtown. We'd only have a few precious hours together before I had to sneak back home.
Part of me worried something would go wrong. That despite all my careful scheming, fate would intervene as it always had before to keep Leonardo and I apart.
But I refused to let fear undermine me. Tomorrow night, come hell or high water, I would find a way back to Leonardo. After being caged for so long, I yearned to feel alive in his arms again.
I just had to be patient a little longer. Soon, I would be with my fierce protector, sexy as sin just for him in my curve-hugging red dress. And neither heaven nor hell could stop me from savoring every stolen moment together, no matter the cost.
The day dragged by at an agonizing pace. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Father knocked unexpectedly on my door that evening.
"May I come in?" he asked brusquely, already stepping into the room. I sat up straighter, trying to appear calm and innocent.
"Of course," I replied as evenly as I could manage. Inside, my nerves were ricocheting all over the place.
Father's sharp gaze ticked over the open fashion magazines and jewelry strewn across my bedspread. I cursed myself for not hiding the evidence of my date preparations better.
"Going somewhere?" he asked too casually, gesturing at the glamorous dresses.
My mind raced. "Oh, just daydreaming I guess. Imagining somewhere more exciting than being stuck in my room." I forced a light laugh.
Father's expression remained impassive, but suspicion darkened his eyes. "Is that so? Because to me it looks like you're planning something ill-advised."
I scoffed, injecting indignation into my voice. "Honestly, where do you think I could even go? You have me on lockdown, remember?"
"Do not play games with me, young lady," Father growled. "You've proven resourceful at slipping your leash before." He moved closer, looming over me. "What are you really up to Natalia?"
Pulse pounding, I met his glare steadily. "I'm not 'up to' anything. Don't you trust me at all?"
The question clearly hit a nerve. Father's jaw clenched. "It is not about trust. It is my duty to protect you, even from your own reckless tendencies."
His words fueled my defiance. "Well sorry to disappoint, but you can't protect me from having thoughts and dreams and a life!"
As soon as the heated words left my mouth, I regretted them. Father's expression turned deadly calm, the way it did right before violence erupted. But I refused to show fear, lifting my chin to face his suppressive wrath.
"We'll see about that," he said, deceptively soft. Before I realized his intent, Father swept all the contents off my bed in a rage...
I jumped back as Father violently swept everything—dresses, magazines, jewelry—off my bed in a chaotic cascade.
"Enough of these foolish notions and daydreams," he spat. "You clearly still don't understand your place in this family."
Heart pounding, I scanned the room for any way to escape the confrontation. But Father's imposing frame blocked the only exit.
He stormed over to the window next, examining it critically. I felt sick realizing he knew it was my escape route.
With a savage motion, Father grabbed the pruning shears and brought them crashing down on the oak's limbs, methodically hacking away.
"No more climbing out this window," he muttered darkly. He cast the shears aside and turned to face me again, eyes blazing.
