Page 168 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
“What do you want me to do?” Papà rasps, clearly panicking now. “I had no idea—”
“You owe me a wife.” Rafaele’s gaze coasts over to Cleo. “So I’m taking your other daughter.”
Nero laughs, but he’s the only one who seems to find the situation funny. There isn’t another smile to be found in the room.
Rafaele’s uncle sputters. “Everyone knows that girl is a slut.”
Cleo flinches, and Rafaele sees it. His expression darkens. “I’m aware there are rumors floating around about my future wife. Good thing they’re completely unfounded. From now on, anyone who speaks a word of them will lose their tongue. Have I made myself clear, Uncle?”
Cleo’s eyes are wide. I don’t think she expected Rafaele to stand up for her like that.
Rafaele’s uncle pales. “I didn’t know. I apologize.”
Nero grins and claps his hands. “The matter is settled then.”
I stand up, my thoughts already on how I’m going to find Ras.
“Go, Gemma,” Cleo says to me, her hand still holding mine. “It’s done.”
She’s right. We did it. I don’t know how, but we did it. And now it’s time for me to find the man I love.
I take a step toward the door. Then another.
“Where the fuck are you going?” Papà shouts. “Stop her!”
The driver who brought us here tries to block my path, but Rafaele’s men immediately grab him and pull him out of the way.
I look back over my shoulder and meet Rafaele’s gaze.
He nods, silently telling me I’m free to go.
It’s an act of kindness from a supposedly unkind man.
Hope for Cleo flickers inside of me, a single match to repel the darkness.
She’ll be okay with him. I know she will.
Papà starts shouting again, so I spin on my heel and flee.
I tumble out of the restaurant, my heart lodged in my throat.
I’m a tangled ball of fear, exhilaration, and anxiety. What if Papà calls his men to come after me? I have to put some distance between us. I have to disappear.
My feet move faster and faster until I’m sprinting down the sidewalk. I don’t stop until I’m completely out of breath.
I pop into a corner shop, get some change, and dial Vale from a phone booth. Before we left the house, I got her number from a phonebook Mamma still keeps in the kitchen, and wrote it down on the inside of my arm.
Her phone rings and rings. Is she ignoring me because it’s an unknown number?
My panic spikes. Calling her was just about the extent of my plan.
Please pick up.
Finally, there’s a click on the other end of the line. “Hello?”
“Vale!”
“Gemma?” she sounds surprised. “What number are you calling me from?”
