Page 82 of Chris

Chris grabbed Valeria’s chin and tipped her head back so she was staring at him again. “Don’t you want a chance?”

“W-what?”

“A chance to do whatever you want—to live, or to love? To be whoever you want to be, and not who someone else demands from you?”

Fire rushed her stare. “Of course, I do.”

“Then, don’t give up. You can’t.” Chris sighed, glancing over his shoulder to scan the land in case someone was coming. Although, they would have heard the horses approaching. “Did anyone see you leave?”

“Carla—the nanny—knew I was going, but she didn’t see us leave the stables.”

“No one else? Jorge?”

Valeria shook her head.

Chris nodded. “Okay, go back before he sends someone out after you and her. Don’t make him angry—keep the peace, however you can.”

“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep letting him use me and hurt me.”

He didn’t have the right words for that.

Nothing to make it better.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Valeria’s shoulders lifted and sank with her heavy breaths. “I just … I want that chance, Chris.”

“You’ll get it,” he promised. “I’ll make sure.”

“I don’t want to go back.”

“Yeah.”

The unspoken words hung between them—but you have to.

Valeria climbed out of his lap with help, and then Chris stood too after brushing off his clothes. Silently, his hand found hers, their fingers wove together, and he squeezed before letting go.

“Jorge said you would leave mid-week.”

“Probably tomorrow.”

He got a flight.

Valeria made a heartbroken noise.

“Shh,” Chris hushed, tugging her close to his side to press a kiss to the top of her head, and hide her away from the rest of the world while he was able. “It will be fine.”

“It won’t.”

“Let me show you.”

Then, another thought popped into his mind.

“The stables,” he said, “at midnight. That’s when the second shift change happens for the guards—every twelve hours. They meet at the gate for an hour before heading back to their posts. If you’re there, that’s where I’ll be tonight. Okay?”

She nodded.

Chris gestured at the horse she brought along. “Go ahead. Get back before he sends someone out for you.”