I’ve studied the guard’s routines. The best time for me to make a break for it is at three in the morning.
How fitting. Devils hour.
To make myself as inconspicuous as possible I’ll wrap my ginger hair in a tight bun and place it beneath a ball cap. I’ll wear my black hoodie, a size one too big, and a pair of cargo black pants. I’ll blend in with the night, becoming one with the shadows. And if I must attack one of pa’s men I will. I may not stand the greatest chance against them but self defense training has taught me where my strengths lie. A quick jab to one’s throat will cause them to splutter and choke. My wicked aim with a gun will render them crippling but not dead. If not a kill shot then aim for the legs.
I never thought I would have to escape my fate. But Niall’s death changed things. It changed everything.
He was such a damn fool for believing he could go up against The Donati Famiglia and come out alive.
Not one of those bastards knows mercy.
But in this world does anyone?
I toy with the heart locket ma had given me when I was just a child. It was one of the first pieces of jewelry she had ever gifted me. Inside the gold heart locket is a picture of ma holding me right after delivery. She had almost lost her life when giving birth to me. After she had pushed me out she hemorrhaged. Ma often tells me the story of how with what little strength she had she held onto me fiercely as they stopped the bleeding and stitched her up. Indulging her I would listen to the story each and every time as if it was the first time hearing it.
She always finishes the story with,“you see, Imogen. Us women may bleed but we will never die. Only by choice.”
I didn’t understand what she had meant back then. But I understand now.
And I’ll carry it with me on my new adventure.
A rapping of three hard knocks has me quickly surveying the room to ensure everything I need for my escape is tucked secretly away.
“Safe to come in?” My pa asks.
I try to calm my heart yet it still races. Perspiration builds at the nape of my neck. “Come in!” I invite pa in my room while trying to appear the least bit suspicious. But even a deaf man can hear my voice is pitched too high to be natural.
Pa enters my room with an easy smile on his slightly weathered face. For a man in his early sixties he keeps himself in shape. But the lines on his forehead and the crows feet that are etched deep in his flesh tell the tales of a man who has lived not an easy life.
“How are you feeling, my sweet girl?”
“I’m fine.” As soon as I say the word fine I realize my error. Pa raises a brow at me and I recover with a wide smile that makes my cheeks ache. “I’m great, pa.”
“Lying has never been a strength of yours.”
“Who says I’m lying?” He gives me a look that says,‘you’re not fooling anyone.’
His eyes glance around the room before they set on mine with serious intent. “You’re doing me proud tomorrow, Imogen.” My heart drops to my stomach. “You know how much this means to me? The family?”
In a last ditch effort I attempt to reason with pa to not go forward with this. “Is Sebastian really the man you want to be heir of this family?”
His brows furrow. “He’s of good stature. Intelligent. Proved himself in the ranks. I couldn’t think of a better man to lead this family. Why the sudden questioning?”
I refrain from rolling my eyes. This isn’t the first time I’ve questioned pa about Sebastian. “Forgive me but I don’t see why he’s needed to be heir.”
“Did you not just hear me, Imogen?”
I swallow. I then voice before I lose the courage. “I did. But you aren’t hearing me.”
Pa stares at me like I’ve grown three heads. And when his eyes narrow I feel my confidence shrink. This. . .this is the man that all of Ireland bow down to. The face they fear.
“We aren’t discussing this.” His tone is grave, final. There’s a chill in the air.
Too bad his stubbornness runs in my veins. “But I’m the rightful heir and you know it!”
“And no man will answer to you!” He bellows. His face turns redder than a lush at a pub. The angry vein on his foreheadpulsates. The harshness of his words feels like a blow to the kidneys.
“Has it ever occurred to you that you have the power to make them listen? You can make them see reason. You just don’t want to see me lead, do you?”
