“I want you to wait outside while I pack and say my goodbyes.”
My words have the desired effect and successfully diverts his attention from eye-murdering my mother superior and turning his glare on me instead.
“You want me to wait outside.”
The words are said in a slow rhythm, and I nod, swallowing hard at the dark expression in his eyes.
“Yes, if you don’t mind.”
He glares between us, and I point to the door.
“Please.”
I soften my voice, almost pleading with him, and without another word, he leaves, not glancing at Sister Agatha for a second.
As the door slams behind him, she exhales sharply and appears almost guilty.
“I’m sorry, Tiffany. It’s for the best.”
I don’t answer her. I realize I don’t have a reply to that and merely say icily, “The keys were our property, not yours, Sister Agatha. What do you mean you handed them to somebody else?”
“I understand your anger, Tiffany. It was not my call to make, but the person who took them assured me they would be in safe hands until this mess is resolved.”
“What mess?”
She avoids my eyes, and my heart races as it all becomes clear.
“My sisters are not okay, are they?”
“They are safe, but you are required to unlock their inheritance.”
“Me?”
She shakes her head sadly. “I didn’t speak the truth a moment ago. I made up the story about your mother in the hope you would leave without knowing the facts.”
“You lied!”
I’m more shocked by that than anything, and she sighs heavily.
“I’ve been informed that unless you leave with Mr. Ravera, you will not be safe here. Your stepmother has currently boarded a plane heading for Zurich, and I have it on good authority that she is bringing the police with her. She has accused you of murdering your father and has the evidence to back that up. I’m sorry, my child, but there really is no choice.”
“Murder!”
I almost pass out and Sister Agatha says kindly, “I’m so sorry, Tiffany, you leave me with no other choice. If the police arrive with a warrant, you must leave with them. So, for your own safety and despite how you may disagree with this, JosephRavera is the only man on this earth right now who has your best interests at heart.”
“But why me?”
“Because your sisters are with his brothers and are worried about you. Go with him, and with any luck, you can join them.”
She glances at the huge clock on the wall. “You must leave now. No goodbyes, no regrets. Just run, my darling, and don’t look back.”
She almost physically pushes me through the door, and as I walk, her urgency catches up with me as she shouts, “Run, Tiffany! May God be with you, and remember, this is for the best.”
As her words race along with me, my tears blind me as I burst from the convent door.
Sleek black cars are waiting in a procession, and as I blink against the light, the devil himself is waiting to welcome me to hell.
CHAPTER 1
