AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The guys thank me, and I realize all three Adams and Levi were there still. Terminating the call, I stare at the wall, planning what other things I need to put into place to protect my sister.
Chastity is special, and she will rise from this stronger. I just wish I had been more vigilant in her safety.
Chapter7
I’m staring at the wall, thinking about how to get out of being sent back to Hidden Hills, when Levi knocks on the door.
My grandmother was here a few minutes ago, going on and on about how important I was to her, and why I needed to be hidden away. I don’t want to disappear again, not able to remember who I am or anyone else. Short of digging in my heels and having a tantrum, nothing can save me from this because my grandmother is my medical proxy.
“Can I come in, Chastity?” Levi asks, frowning as he takes me in. I’m a mess and I know it. The nurses won’t allow me to shower outside of a sponge bath, and I feel gross.
“Of course,” I tell him, forcing a small smile.
Levi shakes his head as he sits next to me. “Please don’t do that. Don’t fake something you don’t feel,” he murmurs.
Taking in a shaky breath, I shrug. “I’m scared,” I whisper. “I can’t remember things that happened before I did this to myself. Grandmother was here earlier telling me how much better it’ll be for me to go away for a while. Levi… I don’t want to go.”
Levi looks fierce as he stares at me. “Little Sinner, there’s so many things I need to say to you. But first, I promise to do everything in my power to make sure you don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want to. I can already see you’re changing, and one day, you won’t need me to protect you. For now, will you let me?” he asks.
My fingers twist together anxiously as I take in his sincere and earnest expression. “So much has happened between us. The day I left…”
Levi carefully takes my hand. “I want to talk to you about that. I should have told you I was in the confessional booth as soon as I knew it was you. Confession is a private and powerful sacrament, and I broke your trust. I’m so sorry.”
Tears I’ve been holding back spill over, and he wipes them away. Levi rarely apologizes; he is a force to be reckoned with, moving people where he needs them so he can accomplish his goals.
“I’m sure you have been wanting to know my secrets.” I sigh.
Levi grunts as his lips twist. “I should have asked you, or waited for you to tell me. I want to have less secrets between us. There are things I can’t tell you because they are Society related, but I love you,” he rasps. “I prayed so hard for you to come back to me, and now that you have, the thought of losing you is more than I can bear. I need you to be with me forever.” Hesitating, he slowly leans forward and kisses my lips. This man destroys me with just a kiss, and I whimper as he pulls away.
“Baby, will you marry me?”
Gasping, my mind races. We haven’t even gone on a date. Not to mention… Maybe I shouldn’t be thinking of three other men while I’m being proposed to, but I do. The tears dry as I give one of my first real smiles. “You’ll have to accept my other boyfriends. I hear they’re pretty attached to me.”
Levi barks a laugh. “I guess you’re worth it, Little Sinner,” he says with a smirk as he kisses me.
“What is the meaning of this?” my grandmother says, walking into the room. “My granddaughter’s sinfulness is spreading! You’re her teacher, Father Levi. I’ll have you fired.”
Biting my lip, I look between the two of them, expecting Levi to tell me I’m too much trouble to marry.
He stands, protectively putting himself in front of me. “I don’t think you understand how this works, Mother Superior. You don’t hold power over me anymore. I love your granddaughter, and she’s of age, even if she is my student. I’ll marry her, and my station will also give her protection from her father. She’ll move in with me once she returns to Holy Cross. We all want her protected, don’t we?”
Peeking around Levi’s back, I am surprised to see my grandmother pale. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her scared before.
“Father Levi, I agree with you now that the Institution isn’t the best place for her. I will not have Chastity live in sin, and move in with you while unwedded. If you’re going to insist on this, arrangements will need to be made for a wedding as soon as she returns to the Academy,” my grandmother says, fidgeting slightly with her rosary. “I have been forced to bend against my will on many things, Father Levi, but this you will not change my mind on.”
Levi turns to look at me, a mischievous glint in his eye. “It just means I get to call you mine sooner, Chastity. It also didn’t escape my notice that you haven’t answered my question. Will you marry me?”
Nodding, my eyes widen as I realize he’s right. “Yes! Yes, I will. We need witnesses, right?”
Is my grandmother going to keep my marriage a secret too?
“Yes, yes. I’ll arrange it all, child,” my grandmother says with a nod. “I’ll be returning to Holy Cross soon to begin preparations.” She looks worried, and I wonder why. A moment later, she takes a deep breath, turns, and walks away with her back ramrod straight.
“Is it me, or was that kind of weird?” I ask.
Sitting next to me again, he pushes my hair out of my face, pursing his lips. “Your grandmother is coming to terms with the fact that she’ll never be able to get you to do anything again. Especially if you're my wife. I want to make you strong. You already are, it's just that people have continually tried to break you. Do you feel broken?” he asks.
What an odd question.
