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Viktor nods before walking away without a word. Keeping to his word, he doesn’t lock the door behind him, which means I’m free to leave this room if I want. But I stay right where I am.
Because it’s only once I’m truly alone that I realize I didn’t tell my mom I love her.
CHAPTER13
Gemma
Viktor is lightly snoring next to me. I’d nudge him awake, but I don’t want him awake for what I’m about to do next.
I need to escape.
Given what my mom told me, Franco and Marco won’t stop until Viktor is dead. It doesn’t seem to matter if Viktor and I are married. Despite how Viktor and I met, I don’t want him to die. I’ve accepted that. Now, I need to move on. I won’t be responsible for Viktor’s death. If I can escape and go back to my family, maybe Viktor will be spared. It’s a long shot. I know. Especially since Viktor will just try to find me and take me back. But I have to try.
And now that I know my mom truly misses me, I need to go home and see her. I judged her unfairly. She’s been crying ever since I was taken, and I need to rectify that.
I look over my shoulder at a sleeping Viktor. He looks even more handsome in his sleep, and it hurts to look at. Pushing off the covers, I slip out of bed. I had to keep up pretenses before we went to sleep, so I’m wearing a flimsy shirt and pants that are really only applicable for sleep, but I couldn’t put on something sturdier and not make Viktor question me.
My feet touch a creaky floorboard, and the small groan of it makes me freeze. Viktor doesn’t wake up. I let out a rough breath before standing up. I know Viktor’s a light sleeper, so I have to be more careful. I need to see my mom again. After our conversation, the ache in my heart has grown exponentially. I never knew I’d miss my mom so much.
Taking careful steps, I make my way to the door. Thanks to my deal with Viktor, it’s unlocked. I open it so slowly that my hand begins to shake on the handle. When it’s fully open and Viktor hasn’t woken up, I feel like I can breathe again.
I walk on tiptoes the rest of the way through the house until I reach the front door. I’m honestly shocked Viktor hasn’t come running after me yet. It almost feels too good to be true.
The moment I get outside, I run. The ground is rough on my bare feet, and I wince as sticks and pebbles press against my skin. I can’t stop, though. I have to get away from Viktor, especially with my growing feelings for him. No one would be ok with what Viktor has done, and the fact that I’m starting to not be bothered by any of it is concerning. I might be a brat at times, but I can’t be ok with freaking murder. Even if the murderer is a super-hot man who’s great at giving me orgasms and is my husband.
I reach the end of the long driveway and pause, both to catch my breath and get a sense of direction. It’s a fairly woodsy area, with few houses around. I can’t even see any street signs. I try to remember which direction we came from when Viktor brought me back after our wedding, but a lot of the day was a blur. It was so chaotic and crazy that I think I’ve pushed some of it from my mind.
I have to choose a direction. So, I choose left.
Wanting to conserve my energy, I slow my pace as I make it down the street. I don’t know how many miles it’ll be before I find someone to help. I’m wandering down the street a while before I come across a house. It’s a similar Victorian style to Viktor’s but in a different color. While his is dark purple and black, this house is yellow and much more inviting.
I run to the front door, then ring the doorbell. Looking around, I scan my surroundings to make sure Viktor didn’t follow me. Nothing. Just darkness and quiet. Not even the sound of birds or crickets can be heard.
I ring the doorbell again when no one answers. “Come on, come on.” I hope someone is home, or they’re just not ignoring me. Honestly, if a random person showed up on my doorstep, I don’t think I’d let them in.
Still, when no one opens the door, I continuously press the doorbell, like I’m an annoying little kid. I remember Mia used to do this when she was a toddler. She was obsessed with ringing the doorbell again and again and again. It drove me freaking nuts. Now, all I want to do is get back to her and the rest of my family.
The door is ripped open, and a very annoyed older man glowers at me. “What?”
“Oh thank god. Can you help me? I need to borrow your phone.”
“Go away,” he grumbles, starting to shut the door on me. “And stop ringing my damn doorbell.”
I slam my hand against the door, stopping him and annoying him further, given his scowl. “I’m sorry. But I’m in trouble, and I don’t have a phone. Please, can I borrow your phone? I need to call someone for help.”
He looks at me warily but not quite as annoyed as before. “Will you stop ringing my doorbell if I do?”
“Yes.”
“One moment.” He shuffles away and returns a couple of seconds later with a cell phone. “Here.”
“Thank you.” I dial Mom’s number again. As I wait for her to pick up, I keep my eyes on the man. I notice him looking behind me, then his eyes widen. I frown, about to turn around when something flies by my ear, and the man stumbles back, letting out a gurgling sound. I gasp and step back. A knife is sticking out of his throat. The man clutches his throat as he sinks to his knees, blood pouring from the wound. “Oh my god.” I drop his phone and rush to his side.
“Gemma, we had a deal, you know.”
I freeze, then whip around. Viktor stands in the driveway, his arms crossed, looking very angry. Shit. This isn’t good. But I don’t have time for him, considering a man is bleeding out right in front of me. “Help this man!” I turn back to the old guy, but he’s no longer breathing. I check his pulse. Nothing.
I whirl around on Viktor. “You killed him!”
