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I search, ignoring the dresses and skirts, and even the fancy shirts and jeans. I need something I can move easily in, because I need to get out of here. I’m almost about to give up, when I finally find a drawer full of workout clothes at the back of the closet. I let out a small sound of triumph as I pull out a pair of black yoga pants, a sports bra, and a black top that, even though skin-tight, at least covers me from neck to belly. It hurts to get them on, and I have a moment of worry when I realize how perfectly everything fits, but I push that aside.
Right now, the only thing that matters is getting out. I need to get back home before my father finds me gone; it won’t matter to him that I’ve been taken. As long as he’s none the wiser, he won’t kill me. I hope. Marco might just take the excuse, but if I can convince Father, he’ll keep Marco from snapping my neck. Maybe.
I walk back to the windows, searching for a way to get them open. I curse when I realize that they’re for decoration instead of practicality. I tamp down my irritation and look out, trying to gauge where I am. The moon is only a sliver, so there’s not much help from it, but there are some lights below that show what looks to be a very expansive garden below. From the height, I’m at least on a high floor of wherever I am, which I guess in one way is better than being in a basement—or dungeon if this place really is a castle of some kind—but it creates a whole other problem. After all, if I’m this high up, there’s probably not a great chance of me climbing out the window and scaling down to safety. Or doing the rope sheets trick I saw in a few movies. I doubt, even with as big as that bed is, all those sheets would reach the ground.
I move to the door, move the chair out of the way, take a deep breath, and then unlock it. I open the door, slowly bracing myself. Once it’s open wide enough, I look out, but see nothing. No movement, or anyone else in the room. I don’t relax, but I take a cautious step out, bracing for myself to run. When I sense no change, I move further into the room, moving to the door, foolishly hoping that maybe they left it unlocked. Neither handle moves and a small bubble of disappointment settles in my stomach. Foolish, really.
I move around the room, checking under the bed, the windows, the vanity and mirror, and even along the wall for any signs of some way to get out of this room. I found one of the secret passages in my father’s home when I was young, and this place seems like it would have something similar. Still, I can’t seem to find anything. I huff out a sigh, and then turn to look at the sweeping staircase that leads up to the upper level. Looks like I have only one more place to check out.
I make my way slowly up the steps, gripping the handrail, and breathing through the pain in my ribs and stomach at the jarring steps. When I reach the top, I suck in a breath of shock, and try not to have any other kind of outward reaction.
The entire floor is a huge library. The only open area is to my right and that overlooks the bed, but holds a large circular reading chair, and a desk with a delicate looking lamp. Behind me is a large window with a plush looking seat that overlooks another part of the garden.
Past the sitting area, the walls on either side are lined with shelves of books from floor to ceiling, and a rolling ladder sits at the end. The shelves in some places seem to curve along the wall, and tall columns with carvings of dragons around the tops and bottoms, holding up the ceiling at the deepest curves. A soft light comes from down the hall and I start moving toward it, but my hand brushes along the smooth wood as I go. It doesn’t look used, but it’s definitely been recently cleaned, which means whoever lives here takes care of it.
When I get to the end of the hall, I stop and stare. This part of the library includes a complete second level , with another spiral staircase that climbs up to a walkway. There are rolling ladders on each level as well, and in the center there is a set of couches, with a coffee table between them, and a reading chaise. Stepping further into the space, I turn around and look up, there are even walls of books and a walkway on that side of the wall as well, just set in deeper. There are no windows, but surprisingly, it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. It’s almost comfortable looking, and that’s what scares me.
I turn around and head back downstairs, determined to figure out a way out of here before whoever has me comes back. Maybe I can pick the lock or something? I glance at the doors, before going to examine them. If I was strong enough, I’d try to get the doors off the hinges, but there is no way these doors would be easy to get down with them being so tall. And they probably weigh a hell of a lot.
I crouch down, looking at the keyhole, and trying to look through into whatever lies beyond the doors. But it’s too dark to tell, so I pull back and look at the lock again. It’s old fashioned, but seeing as the metal isn’t rusted and looks far too clean and shiny, I’d have to say it’s relatively new. Hopefully it won’t be too hard to pick. Now to find something to pick it with.
I get back to my feet, groaning softly at the pain, before heading to the vanity to root around and see what I can find. Of course, nothing is in there but expensive make up and brushes. I huff out a soft grunt of frustration, before turning and heading for the bathroom. Surely there is a bobby-pin or something around here I can use. Or a paper clip? I think I saw someone use one on TV before. Then again, that is TV, so maybe this isn’t going to work, but I’ll try anything.
It takes me a bit longer, but I finally found a package of bobby pins in one of the bathroom vanity drawers and take out a couple, gripping them tight in my hand. Time to try and get out of here.
I make my way to the door, uncaring if there are cameras. Still, I don’t see any cameras, so maybe they’re not bothering since they think I’m probably cowering in a corner somewhere. Hopefully by the time they realize I’ve gotten out of the room, I’ll be finding a way out.
I might be scared, but I won’t trade one prison for another willingly. At least with my Father and brothers I know where I stand. Here, it’s unknown, and for all I know they could be worse than my own family. Which is a terrifying thought.
I crouch down and get to work.
I’m not sure how long I work at it, before I finally have to stop because the pain in my ribs is too much for me to concentrate. I lay my head against the door, before stiffly getting to my feet and stepping back. Now what?
I glance around and then back up at the library above me thoughtfully. I wonder if there are any books up there that could be helpful. Surely whoever has taken me must have used some kind of knowledge on how to get me out without being seen, so maybe they had a how-to manual or something.
It’s a silly idea, but I don’t care. I’ll try anything. I head for the stairs, but my mind is already planning out other ways to get out of here. Surely, someone will have to come in here soon enough. Maybe I can hit them over the head and get out that way. My gut clenches at the thought of hurting someone, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that and I can figure out a way out of here without too much violence.
CHAPTER7
Nico
A rushof amusement moves through me as I watch her. This little woman thinks she’s going to read her way out of her cage? Won’t she have such a shock when she realizes it’s futile. Like I haven’t planned for any attempts she’ll make to get away. Still, it’s amusing to watch her try.
Dante and I watched her wake up, and then check out her surroundings. Though, I did snarl at him when she started to change, which only made him roll his eyes at me and look away. I’ll have to deal with his insolence later. It seems an ass beating is in need for people around here. When I turned back to the screen, the little mouse had already pulled on the underwear and pants, leaving me with only a view of her dark hair falling down her back, and the briefest flashes of skin as she worked to pull on the sports bra and shirt. Though, from the struggle and the pain on her face when she finally got them on I could tell it had to hurt.
The most interesting part, though, was her trying to pick the lock. I figured that she was going to try and get out a window, or maybe try and smash one, but no, she decided to take the calmer route, though a lot less easy. Because as much as those doors look easy to pick, I made sure that they were state of the art, and unpickable. The only way in or out is with the key that I currently have in my pocket.
“Are you going to go in and see her?” Dante asks me, pulling me away from watching her.
“Eventually.” My whole plan to try and stay away from her is getting shorter by the minute. I have this inexplicable need to go in there, and see her reaction. Will she know who I am? Being Leonardo’s daughter, I would think he would have told her these things, but then again, she didn’t seem to recognize me when she bumped into me in the library or outside by my car. So perhaps not. “Any luck on getting her name?” I ask Dante, forcing myself to look away from the screen.
Dante shakes his head. “She’s a damn ghost. No one knows anything about her, and even our informants are mum. Which means that either Leonardo has heard the rumors about her existence spreading around, or he’s realized she’s missing and put the fear of God into everyone he employs to find her.”
“I haven’t heard anything that indicates he has,” I say, pulling out my phone. “Something of that nature would make some waves.”
“Not unless they don’t want to alert anyone of her disappearance,” Dante reasons. “After all, if Giovanni promised her to someone in Sicily and they find out she’s gone, that would blow whatever deal they’re making.”
He has a point. Before I can reply, a sharp knock sounds on my office door, with Dante calling out for whoever it is to step inside. Sofia walks in, shoulders back, head high, and mouth pinched in displeasure. I notice Dante take her in, eyes narrowing slightly, but not saying a word. The damn fool is probably going to go and fall in love with her, if he hasn’t already. Their little tryst hasn’t cooled in the past few weeks, so I have to assume it’s serious.
