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I couldn’t trust anyone here.
No one.
“You’re right,” I lied. “I wouldn’t even know where to go if I left.”
Natasha seemed to relax a little, but she was still on edge. The woman knew me better than anyone. I had to tread carefully here.
One thing I knew for sure. I was not going to marry Lord Paul Francois. I was going to find a way back to Roman and we were going to bring down my father’s empire - together.
Chapter Six
Jolie
My father had me under lock and key. Since I’d recovered from my back injury two days ago, the bruising was finally going down enough for me to walk. My mother had been visiting with me to tell me about my upcoming nuptials. I’d decided against being so forceful and telling them I wouldn’t marry him, and just letting them think I was coming around to see if the prison would relent at all. Rose had been busy picking out flowers and wedding dresses, completely happy that I was going to marry Paul. I think she was happy because it meant she could have Roman back to herself, but there was no way in hell I would let that happen.
He was mine.
I looked for something that would help me break open the lock on my door. The sounds of the house being prepared for a huge wedding reception could be heard night and day down below, causing my anxiety to heighten. I hadn’t felt this helpless since my first month at St Augustine’s, before I had met my friends.
My computer and phone had been taken off me so I couldn’t get help from anyone. My father had been wanting to cut me off from everything and everyone. Paul was very aware I didn’t want to marry him, and yet he was continuing on with his farce like he was gaining a dutiful and young wife willingly.
He would be just like my father and I had no intention of marrying someone like that. At least I still had my balcony. The doors hadn’t been locked thankfully but they had placed guards below it so I couldn’t climb down.
Shit.
I looked out over the gardens that I had once loved so much as a child and wished they could help me now to escape the burdens of being an of age daughter.
I heard the familiar voice of Father Lorenzo from the church below me. I looked down and saw him conversing with Diane and Paul just below my balcony.
“You’ll bring Jolie to my confessional the day before the wedding?” he asked them.
“Yes, we figure it’s best to cleanse her soul the day before.”
“Right,” Lorenzo said. “Well, I will clear my schedule for the morning. Please have her come and she will be alone.”
“Yes,” Diane said. “Of course, Father.”
He walked away. I had wondered if I should call out to him to help me but I knew he wouldn’t. He never got involved in family matters, he simply tried to ease suffering with kind words.
My hope was fleeting. I’d have to wait until the day before the wedding to tell him I needed sanctuary.
Better late than never I supposed. The guards were walking away, shaking their heads, and I wondered why until I heard Paul and Diane speaking in lower tones. I could still hear it though.
“You said she would get on board by now,” Paul said. “It’s your job to have her ready for me.”
“She will be,” Diane said. “I promise you.”
I saw him pull her into his chest and kiss her hard. She kissed him back just as passionately, and they turned to hide from view.
This was my chance. The guards were gone and they were occupied, as disgusting as it was. I grabbed the edge of my balcony and flung my legs over, making sure that I didn’t make a sound as I climbed down the ivy and the supporting grid that hung down the wall. I was almost at the bottom when I heard them moaning, and grinding against the wall.
Ew.
I almost married into that fucked up relationship. This was my time. I needed to get off the land before they caught on to me. I stuck to the sides of the mansion before I ran into the gardens that I knew would hide me from view if I stayed to one side of them. From there, I could find refuge in the large poplar trees lining the long drive until finally, I’d be in the city limits and could easily find a way to get to the Moreno side or even to the church where I could seek sanctuary.
??
“Sanctuary?” Lorenzo repeated. He looked nervous as I stood in front of him, half out of breath from running for the past few hours.
