Page 40 of Beloved
He’d made it perfectly clear he didn’t give a shit about me, but I’d found that hard to believe given the heated kiss. And the way he’d looked at me. I’d almost convinced myself he really didn’t care. If I had, why had I taken more time to get ready for a party I hated? Why had I selected a sexy dress? And why had I prepared a bag with a few items inside?
Because I was a fucked-up girl. No. Not a girl any longer. A woman with wants and needs. And one with an idea to prevent me from being forced into a marriage I couldn’t stand. My idea was riskier than everything else, but what choices in my life did I really have?
I also hadn’t wanted Kazimir to suffer and in some small way, his successful escape would be a slap in my father’s face. How delicious would that be? Maybe I was making excuses, but so what? I’d taken him a few items against his wishes, finding a hiding place for them myself. Clean clothes. Some food and water that would keep. A flashlight. And an envelope of money and the map. From there, he’d be on his own. I’d tried to get a burner phone but had been caught and forced to come up with an excuse.
He’d said nothing to me, scrutinizing the items with minimal thanks, listening when I told him where they’d be hidden so no one could find them.
I’d tried so very hard to hate him and failed.
I wouldn’t be able to stand myself if he left and I didn’t tell him exactly what I thought. I was no fool. He was right in that I couldn’t go with him. That didn’t mean I couldn’t take a little bit of something I wanted.
And give something in return.
My stomach ached more than before, every emotion leaving me raw inside.
“I need you to do something for me,” I told Sedona even before I turned around.
She closed the door, moving closer, gasping as soon as she did. “What’s wrong? My God. What happened to your arms?”
“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” I was anything but fine. “Are you really my friend?”
“How in the world can you even ask me that?”
“I need to know, Sedona. Will you betray me if I share and ask you to keep a horrific secret?”
She flanked my side, her mouth twisting. “What’s wrong?”
“My father is a horrible man. He’s been keeping someone prisoner on the grounds, beating him for saving Golden Angel from hurting herself. All because he looked at me. He was nice to me. He protected me against Marco’s horrible advances.”
“Oh, my God. What a pig. Why is your father keeping a prisoner? Other than the obvious.”
“I don’t know. I’ve tried to find out, but I couldn’t.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want to see him one last time.”
Reaching out, she grasped my arm. “Wait a minute. You’ve talked to this man?”
With the ache only growing to the point of sheer pain, I nodded and turned my head. “Several times. I knew where he was being kept. He was so nice and they weren’t giving him water or food.”
“Oh, my God. Isn’t the man dangerous? You don’t know what is going on, Raf. You could get hurt or worse.”
Now, I smiled. “No. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met. So sweet. So kind to me. So sexy.”
She huffed, looking away briefly. “If your father found out…”
“I know. I’m only asking you to lie and say my stomach was suddenly upset. Then text me afterwards so I can leave. He’s going to disappear tonight and I want to be able to say goodbye.”
“Are you sure that’s all you’re doing? You’re not thinking of going with him. Please tell me you’re not.”
“No.” I half laughed. “I’m going to Paris. Almost all of the details are worked out. This is just about saying goodbye.”
Sedona puffed her cheeks as she blew air into them. “My father would kill me.”
“I promise I won’t risk that. Okay? I really need some help, or I’ll never get away from the party even for a few minutes.”
“Who is he? Do you have any idea?”
