I raise an eyebrow. "For what?"
"For keeping us safe. Even if I hate being here, I'd rather be alive and locked up than dead."
Her words come as some small relief from the torment I'm living under.
She hates me, and she hates being here around me, but she's grateful for my protection.
It means she's beginning to see how dangerous this could be for her and she's willing to stay put.
Which makes my job tomorrow easier.
"I'm leaving tonight," I say. "I have business to handle at the port. I'll be gone until morning."
"Okay."
"Have dinner with me tomorrow night. Just the two of us."
She looks at me like I just suggested something absurd.
"Why?"
"Because I want to talk to you without guards or locked doors or Sofia interrupting."
She studies my face for a long moment.
Then she nods and it looks more like acquiescence than acceptance.
"Fine. I'll have dinner with you."
"Good."
I turn to leave, then stop.
"One more thing."
"What?"
"Don't try to run again. I meant what I said about the chains."
Her jaw tightens, but she doesn't argue.
I walk out of the living room and head upstairs to change.
I assumed it would take much longer to break her and get her comfortable here, and maybe this is all an act anyway.
But I'm glad she's agreed to dinner.
Now to sort out a few more things logistically for my business and I can get back on track with Kemal's deadline.
And getting to know my little girl.
Nothing in life will ever give me greater pleasure.
7
ANGELICA
Isit on the couch and watch Sofia arrange ornaments on the lower branches of the tree again.
