I amuse myself by picturing the faces of Sister Agatha and my sisters if they could see me now, and I smile inside at how well things are working out.
I have one year ahead me of freedom, new experiences and Julius Ravera, and in this moment I have it all.
It doesn’t take long, and as we approach the elevator, Julius says in a low voice, “I hope you’re good with heights.”
“I don’t understand.”
I’m confused, and as we step into the empty elevator, despite the crowd waiting with us, he winks.
“You’ll see.”
The door closes and I whisper, “What about the other guests? Why didn’t they get in with us?”
“Because this elevator is only going one way, baby, and they don’t have access to that.”
“You talk in riddles, Julius.”
I laugh softly and almost jump when he reaches out and cups my face in his rough hands and stares into my eyes. “I want you to have the best year of your life, Rose. I want to convince you to hang up your habit and face life headfirst with no fear. The thought of you confined inside a dark, gloomy convent appears almost criminal. It would be like caging a rare beauty in darkness who needs the light to shine.”
“Julius.” My eyes widen as his tender words wrap aroundmy heart because he appears anything but gentle and kind to look at. However, he is hiding a beautiful soul inside that tough exterior, and it melts my heart. There is a danger in his eyes that softens when he casts them my way, and I can’t get enough of his attention.
I have never been drawn to the darkness, but I am drawn to the way he lets me see the light in him.
The elevator stops and it opens into a room, elegant and tastefully furnished, with a panoramic view of Madrid through the windows on all sides.
“Wow!”
I gasp in delight as I move across to the glass, and as I press my hands against the window, he chuckles behind me.
“I’ll take that as a no then.”
“No?”
I can’t tear my eyes away from the view, and he whispers beside me, “You don’t fear heights.”
His hand slips into mine, and he tugs me away from the glass. “Come, you can see it better from outside.”
“Outside?”
My eyes widen because we must be aligned with the clouds up here, and he pulls me toward a set of doors.
“There’s a terrace that runs the length of the penthouse. I’m assured it has the best view of Madrid.”
We step out onto the terrace, and as the warm air hits me, I turn my face toward the sky and bathe in the sunshine that heals even the most scarred heart.
Julius is quiet beside me, and I sigh with happiness.
“I love the sun; it makes everything better.”
He says nothing, and I turn to him, noting the battle raging in his expression.
“What is it?”
I’m concerned, and his eyes scorch my soul as he hisses, “If anything happened to you because of me, I couldn’t live with that.”
“Julius.”
I gasp, and he steps closer, grasping my face between his hands and whispering, “I would kill anyone who puts you in danger, Rose, and I’ll happily suffer eternal damnation for that. For you.”
