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Another crack of the whip follows, and I say to Cesare, “Stay here with some soldiers and make sure she goes nowhere. The rest follow me and if you see that fucker Mario, shoot to kill.”
As I prepare to jump, Diana says urgently, “Be careful, Matty. They will both be dressed the same. It could be either one of them you see.”
I heed her warning as I jump head first into hell, my soldiers not far behind me.
CHAPTER28
ABIGAIL
Iam so frightened. Cold, fearful and afraid for my life and it’s so dark I have no idea where I’m going. I could be running around in circles for all I know, and yet the fear of what’s behind me spurs me on.
My feet are freezing and hurt like hell. The floor is littered with sharp stones, which is probably why Mario wanted me to be naked under the robe. However, I would walk over hot coals to escape from him and if I stand any chance at all of survival, I need to be calm about this. For a moment, I stop and listen and hear nothing at all, and decide to feel my way in the hope I find a light switch at least.
I have nothing but my senses to guide me and as I edge along the wall, I pray that I find something to help me. Surely, there will be some form of light to guide me, a sliver through the stone wall, perhaps.
I choke back the tears when I think of how happy I was with Matteo. I never expected that. To fall in love so quickly and so hopelessly. But I ran from him because he loves another. It was obvious he was affected when the woman herself stood before him. I am just collateral to all the men in my life. My father almost gifted me to Jefferson and then offered no argument sending me off with Matteo. Then I learned that the substitute was Mario, and everything began to slot into place. My best friend betrayed me and yet her reward was so cruel I had to save her. Two wrongs don’t make a right and I refuse to have that on my conscience.
Suddenly, the sound of a whip cracking is behind me and I almost scream in terror as I sense him closing in on me. His voice sounds far away, but it reaches me all the same and the chilling voice of a man I never want to see again drives fear into my heart.
“I can smell your fear, wife. You’re so close I can hear your terrified panting.”
There’s another crack of the whip and then a manic laugh, followed by a low growl. “I’m going to cut you open until you beg for forgiveness. I will watch your blood run like a river of your stolen virginity because you never chose me. You married another man, and you must be punished for that. My wife is a whore, and I will treat you like one. Be prepared for a lifetime of pain because I’m an unforgiving master.”
My sobs catch in my throat as I move faster, using the walls as a guide as I run from the madman chasing me.
My heart is thumping so hard I hope it doesn’t give me away to the hunter behind me.
I want to scream so badly, but any sound at all will help him, not me and so I move as swiftly as I can in total darkness, feeling my way over rough terrain.
I sense him gaining ground and it’s as if the air is choking me, the sound of the whip ever closer. His voice is getting louder, nearer, as he shouts in a voice drenched with sinister intent.
“You’ll love being my slave, Abigail. Your father will have no choice now and will watch the light die in your eyes as I kill you inside. He will regret the minute he allowed you to escape with another man.”
I try to move faster, but he appears to be gaining on me and his cruel laugh makes me shiver. “Jefferson was a safety net. A get out of hell free card, but he is weak and a fool. He is no match for me and will never rise to the same heights of power I will with you by my side. We’ll be invincible, darling. Nobody can stop us, and you get the added bonus of being controlled by me. You will have my full attention and I’ll enjoy every cruel second of it.”
He is so close and I sense he’s gaining on me now and a red glow lights up the space behind me, telling me he has help in navigating the darkness. It makes me angry because of course he would cheat. I was never going to win, and I move faster, my foot catching on a sharp stone, causing me to hiss with pain.
His voice slithers over my soul as I hear his heavy breathing and this time the crack of the whip is so close, I almost feel the air it disturbs.
I try to increase my pace, but I reach a wall and my heart lurches when I realize I’ve hit a dead end. There’s no way out. I’ve walked straight into his trap and as the light gets closer, I pull the robe tighter around me in the vain hope it will protect me in the shadows. However, just when I think it’s over, the wall shifts behind me and I tumble backward, then a firm hand presses against my mouth and I am pushed to the side.
I have no time to react before a soft voice whispers, “Come, we don’t have long.”
I can tell it’s a woman’s voice. Soft, sweet and calming and as I open my eyes and stare up at the figure above me, I notice they are shrouded in the same black cloak I am wearing.
“Quickly.” Her voice is urgent, and I jump when I hear a growl from the other side of the wall.
“I know you’re here, Abigail. Come to daddy.”
The sound of the whip is close to my ear, and the woman pulls me up and sets off at a pace, and I struggle to keep up.
Thankfully, Mario’s voice is getting fainter and as we run down a similar tunnel, I wonder who my savior is.
There’s no telling at all as I race after the black figure, who appears to know exactly where she’s going.
My breath is hot and heavy as I follow my unknown rescuer and as we reach the end of a dark tunnel, she stops, and another door opens. She pulls me through it onto a wooden staircase and as she closes the door behind her, she whispers, “We need to be careful; anybody could be at the top.”
I have no time to discover who she is as she starts taking the stairs two at a time, my only thought is that her feet are bare like mine.
