Page 26 of The Mobster’s Secret

Without meaning to, I let out a sardonic laugh. “By keeping my body and deleting my life?” I shake my head. “No. You don’t get to do that.”

Leaving my clothes—his clothes—on the floor, I storm back up to my bedroom and start packing my things. There’s no way I can stay here any longer. I’ll admit that I’m still absurdly attracted to Ivan. I gave him my virginity, and I dream about him every night. But I will not give up my life goals for him, especially when he just goes ahead and destroys them on a whim.

“You know I can’t let you leave, right?” Ivan’s voice from the door causes me to turn. He stands there like a force of nature, a stern look on his face. He doesn’t even look like a man right now. He looks like an immovable wall that I know I have no chance against. This isn’t a man I can just push my way past. If I’m going to get out of here, I’ll have to be smart about it.

“I’m aware,” I reply.

“So why are you packing?”

“I’m not,” I lie. “I’m organizing. I’ll be sleeping in this room tonight. Wearing my own clothes.”

I’m not sure if he buys my explanation, but after a long, hard look, he slowly nods. Maybe I’m kidding myself, but I think I detect a bit of regret in his eyes. But his stoicism kicks in immediately, and I start feeling smaller than I’ve ever felt around him.

“Willow—”

“Do you mind?” I snap. “Can I have a moment to myself? Or are you going to police every minute of my day?”

His expression darkens. He wants to say something, but he swallows hard and then raises his hands as he backs up. “Fine. No problem. I’ll let you be.”

It’s the first time I’ve heard something resembling vulnerability in Ivan’s voice. And it almost hurts me as I watch him turn and exit the room. But I know as much as it might hurt now, I can’t let myself give my life over to him. I can’t end up like my mom, just a plaything to a bigger and stronger man.

It only takes me twenty minutes to get all my things together. I spend another ten watching Ivan’s guards out the window and memorizing their movements. The best way out of here seems like waiting four minutes and then going out the window, down the trellis, and then over the east wall.

Yeah, I’m really doing it. I’m going to get out of here and get my life back.

But just as I’m getting ready to go, I hear a voice at the door.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” I turn and find Marge standing there, arms crossed. She’s looking at me like a mom who just caught you sneaking an extra dessert.

“Oh, I’m not—”

“It’s okay, dear,” she says softly as she comes over. “I heard you yelling at Tom earlier. You want to leave, don’t you?”

My heart is racing. There’s no way around this. She knows what’s going on. She’s a wise woman. So I just nod.

“I have to.”

There’s a glimpse of sadness in her eyes, like she doesn’t want me to go. But I see she understands me and steps up close like a co-conspirator.

“Come with me,” she whispers. “There’s a way out the back for the staff. I can get you out there.”

“Won’t Ivan kill you when he finds out?”

Marge smiles and shakes her head. “He’ll be mad, but he won’t hurt me. I’ve been with him long enough we’re basically family. Now come on.”

Hoisting my bag over my shoulder, I follow Marge out of my room and down a set of back stairs I didn’t know existed. We go out through the kitchen, and she hands me one of the white aprons the kitchen staff wears. I quickly slide into it before we slip out the back.

Am I making a big mistake?

Maybe I should just go back inside and talk to Ivan…

But what’s the point? I already know what he’ll say. You can’t leave, Willow. It’s not safe. You’ll stay here until I tell you.

Just thinking about it makes my body go tense. I grit my teeth and keep my head down as I walk beside Marge down the dirt path to a small gate that leads off the estate. She opens it for me and gives me a quick hug.

“You be safe, dear.”

“Thank you for this,” I reply. I’m starting to tear up. My pulse is pounding in my ears. God, look what I’ve gotten myself into.