AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’ve run out of options and the only thing I can think to do that resembles fleeing is a break.
We can’t flee the way I want because it would be worse. In Chicago we’re on my playground. It’s like having things in one place where I have backup. Outside the city there’s no one, and even if there was, the guys outside know the Antonellas and would side with them before I could lure them away with a million dollars to keep their silence.
That is the situation and my realization. What grates me from the inside out is that I’m useless as fuck and helpless as shit until Tobias decides to make his move.
We don’t know where he lives or where he’s staying. We tried to trace the number he used to contact Charlotte but that came up with nothing. We are all useless until he decides when he wants us to start playing his little game.
What am I saying? We’re already playing. It’s like a fucked up version of the game and he’s instilling psychological fear in me.
Today I decided we needed a break. I’d go crazy at home or anywhere else, trying to figure shit out so I thought a trip to the countryside would do us some good.
Charlotte and I are driving in my car. We took the convertible because she likes it. The top’s down and her ponytail is flying in the wind. I’m wearing my shades. She looks content absorbing the scenery. I haven’t told her where we’re going yet. It was the place I was supposed to take her ten years ago after our birthday.
She looks to me and gives me a little smile. “Gabe where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.” I smirk.
“Are we far? We’ve been driving for over an hour and now we’re in the countryside. I know we’re not running away because we packed light.”
I chuckle and pretend it’s funny. If only she knew how many times running away had crossed my mind. I’m sure it’s crossed her mind too.
“We’re going somewhere special. We’re about ten minutes away and we’ll be there overnight.”
She smiles at the sound of that. “That’s exciting. But I’m mad at you because you didn’t tell me to bring my overnight bag.”
“You won’t need it Goddess. We’ll be naked most of the time.”
She laughs and once again it sounds like pure happiness in abundance. You hear it and it makes you feel good, no matter what is happening. That’s charlotte to me and I will enjoy this day with her.
We have a few days before she has to give me her answer. I feel like I know what it will be but I give her this time without my influence or talking about it because I want her to come to her decision in her mind that she wants to be with me. That is the final part.
It’s so minor I guess in the grand scheme of things but important to me.
If I die I want to die knowing she was mine completely. That even though she belongs to me, she wanted to be with me, me the person I am and not anybody else.
I can change whatever she wants me to change but I can’t change who I am no matter what I do. I don’t want her to run from that.
Her excitement piques ten minutes later as the vineyard comes into view and then the beautiful manor home we’ll be staying at by the edge of the lake.
This is Stranton Manor. It belonged to my grandparents on my mother’s side and they left it to me.
I have a few staff who live here to maintain the house, the vineyard and the other parts of the grounds, but I’m rarely ever here.
I wanted to bring Charlotte here years ago because the place has that old European countryside feel to it that I knew she would like.
It reminds me of the poems she reads. They all have the same feel.
“Oh my God Gabe, where are we?” She gasps and looks me over with wide eyes as we park.
“My second home,” I answer.
Her mouth drops open. “What the hell are you saying to me? You live here?”
“This was where my grandparents on my mother’s side lived. They left it to me when they died because I spent the most time here with them.”
“You are so full of surprises. Holy hell Gabe it’s beautiful.” Her face brightens right up.
I get out of the car and open the door for her. She’s wearing jeans and a dark plaid shirt she’s tied up over a tank top. She looks like she could be eighteen again.
