Dad’s eyes narrowed. “Rosa,” he warned, clearly hoping to leave this conversation for later, but I wouldn't budge.
“Dad, promise me.” Yeah, maybe it was immature to ask this when he wanted to leave it for later. Maybe I behaved like a kid. But all this situation gave me was a flashback to that day in school when the principal was kind enough to inform me of how my future was decided for me.
And based on how things looked and that he wasn’t denying anything right now, nothing had change during the years. But why? Why wouldn't he change his mind? Why didn't he learn from his mistakes?
I wasn't a seventeen-year-old kid anymore, I was a grown-ass woman who, thanks to Damian, had the means to pursue whatever the hell I dreamed of.
So fuck it.
Turning toward Alfonso, I spoke softly. “Let’s catch up some other time, okay?”
He put his hand over mine and nodded. “Sure, darling. I’m sorry for this.”
Shaking my head, because really, what did he have to be sorry about? I rose from my seat and threw the napkin on the table. “I’m not feeling well. Excuse me, I’m going to lie down.” Romeo saluted me with his drink while Bianca just bit her lips, clicking the fork loudly on the porcelain.
“Rosa—”
Not interested in my dad’s explanation, I left the table without a backward glance and quickly ended up in my room. Closing the door behind me and leaning on it, breathing heavily, I thought about what I should do next.
Pack.
Yeah, that seemed like a good plan.
But then everything went haywire as a strong hand covered my mouth and a muscled body trapped me, pressing into mine and not allowing me any freedom to escape.
I probably would have screamed had it not been for the moonlight slipping through the open drapes that allowed me to study the stranger’s face and his amber, fire-lit eyes.
Dominic.
My knight in shining armor came to the rescue.
Dominic
“Shhhh.”
She rolled her eyes, slapped my hand from her mouth, and raised her brow at me. “What do you want, Dominic?”
I was too stunned to reply. She glanced over my shoulder to the open window, where the curtains flew wildly as the chilly night air was whipped by the strong wind. “The door doesn’t work for you anymore?” She walked past me to the bedside lamp, which allowed me to study her in that disgusting black dress and shoes, and I groaned disapprovingly.
“What is it?” she asked, as her hands took out a small backpack from under the bed and started to throw things like headphones, books, and some picture frames into it. Then she marched toward the closet, opened it up, and grabbed a few things from there. “Seriously, I have no time for your shit. Can you just tell me what you want?”
Why was she acting so fucking breezy around me? Where were the heated stares and passionate kisses?
“I came for you.” My words stopped her movement. She spun around and her jaw almost hit the floor from her shock.
“Where to exactly?” she finally asked, and I frowned.
“To the shooting range you wanted to try.” My voice was offhanded, and she confused me. Where the hell did she think I would go?
Her head titled back, and her bitter laugh echoed in the room. Instantly, I wanted to gather her in my arms and soothe whatever brought her pain.
Even if it was me.
She finally stopped, resting her hands on her hips, and spoke. “You know, my dad and you need to be seen to be believed.” Taking a deep breath, she continued, pointing her finger at the middle of her chest. “I’m the only one who decides what happens to me or with my life. Not my dad who wants to marry me off to some Italian guy soon and have his babies, and sure as hell not you, who plans to whisk me away to some goddamn country I have no idea ab—”
Nothing else registered in my mind after she spoke about her marrying someone else. A red haze masked my eyes and a violent, raging beast awakened inside me, someone I didn't even know existed. I didn't think. I darted after her, and I had a second to see her eyes widen right before I picked her up, threw her on the bed, and plunged on top of her. She struggled, trying to push me away, but I wouldn't budge until tears slid down her cheeks and paralyzing fear transformed her into a still creature.
Only then did I understand what was happening, since I used the same escape when Richard and Benjamin, or whoever John allowed, raped us.
