Rafaela
Dark, tumultuous clouds blanketed the early evening sky, the ominous setting occasionally electrified by a blinding fork of lightning. As I stood staring out the window, limbs from the massive oak trees lashed against the panes of glass, the savage thumps matching the rapid beating of my heart.
Since the attack of years before, I’d learned to be terrified of storms. With every crashing sound of thunder, echoes of what I’d endured assaulted my senses.
Ugly voices.
Pounding boots.
Monsters determined to shatter my world.
The exaggerated memory lingered even now, even with my Golden lying only feet away. The party had finally ended, hours going by and yet sleep wasn’t going to be easy to come by. Myfather had grabbed me by the arm minutes after I’d returned, demanding to know where I’d gone.
I could only hope and pray that my acting skills had been perfected. He’d seemed appeased when I’d told him how nervous I’d been, my stomach reacting to the little bit of champagne I’d consumed.
He’d acted as if he’d bought my excuse, immediately berating Tomaso for not remaining plastered to my side. If I knew my father, the man would be disciplined in the morning. I should feel somewhat guilty for what he might be forced to endure, but honestly, I couldn’t care less.
The game was all about maintaining some sense of normalcy while praying that the man who’d awakened a part of me I hadn’t known existed escaped.
Now the anger was replacing the fear. I’d been poked, prodded, asked to turn around and show off my wares to a group of six true contenders. Even though my father had tried to disguise what was happening, acting as if he was simply showing off his beautiful daughter on her glorious day, I knew exactly what the motherfucker had been up to.
After that, I’d been dismissed so the men could retire to my father’s office and talk business.
Of course I knew what business they were discussing. At least after that, he’d left me alone.
Those around me said I was a lucky girl to be born into such a family as well as incredible luxury. The same people said I should be grateful for all I had when so many others were suffering daily.
Maybe they were right. I’d been born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Swaddled in angora blankets. Schooled in etiquette of how to be a princess. Given rules to follow. I’d been raised in beautiful surroundings where the money flowed and friendships were required.
Instead of feeling lucky or even grateful, I felt like a caged animal. More so now that I’d had a single taste of what life could be like. Oh, I hated my environment.
While Sedona had tried to get me to spill the beans, I’d lied. To my best friend. That’s how nervous I’d been about Kazimir being able to escape. Fortunately, the party had started to wind down not long after.
God. What was I doing to myself? I was sick with worry, frustrated I was stuck here and unable to enjoy memories of the passion we’d shared.
Well, maybe I was a little bit.
Giggling, I tried to ignore the storm as the butterflies in my stomach reminded me that a man had been my first. A real man complete with dark eyes and a gorgeous body. Whatever I’d be forced to suffer through, no one could take that away from me.
I forced myself down from the high.
Since there were no guards charging the grounds, no security lights and alarms going off, I had to assume he’d managed to get away. While I was thrilled for him, thankful I’d helped in a small but decisive way, I was also saddened by the feeling of loss.
So much so as I stood staring out at the crazy figures and shadows, I wished that I’d insisted on going with him. To hell with college.
A small laugh left my lips as a chill trickled down my spine. Maybe getting under the covers would provide some sense of comfort. Just before I turned away from the window, a bolt of lightning crisscrossed the sky, lighting up the entire terrain outside my window. With the rain still active although tapering off, there was a light fog in the air.
But movement caught my eye. Blinking, I pressed my face closer to the window, holding my breath so I wouldn’t steam up the glass.
There was someone outside.
A lone person dressed in all black.
My heart hitched, my stomach lurching at the same time. Was someone daring to break into the house or was the visitor someone I knew?
Backing away, my thoughts were all over the place.
I’d given up my only weapon to Kazimir. Was it possible he’d returned for me?
