Page 59 of Bound in Promise

My eyes flick to the door, terror ripping through me as I pause to see if anyone is going to respond to the sound of Angelo’s heavy body falling to the floor.

I offer a quick prayer in thanks when the door stays shut.

“Get your hands off me,” I yell to keep up the illusion.

The metal of the lamp resists the tight squeeze of my fingers as I watch Angelo. Did I really knock him out? Or is he faking?

I count to ten in my head, and he doesn’t move.

I don’t even think he’s breathing.

Did I kill him?

Sinking down to my haunches, I search his pockets for a phone. The outer pockets are empty, but a tell-tale bulge gives away the presence of an inner breast pocket. I slide a hand through the layers of fabric and snatch up the device. The shallow rise of his chest under my hand nearly makes me jump out of my skin.

Guess the bastard is still alive after all.

Moving toward the window, I call out, “No, please!” My heart pounds violently in my chest as I ease the French doors of the casement open. “Don’t touch me!”

Looking down, I’m relieved to see that the roof of the first story juts out, creating the perfect landing spot for me. I’d much rather lower myself one floor at a time than take a two-story trust fall. I glance back over my shoulder one last time.

Angelo lies on the floor, not moving apart from the slightest lift and fall of his chest, a dark puddle spreading from under his head.

I know it’s blood.

He’ll kill me if he ever gets his hands on me again.

How much security does he have? How many men? How many cameras?

None of that matters now. I’ve already sealed my fate. I’m in this to the end.

Either I walk out of here under my own power or Angelo gets everything he wants.

My body and my money.

My husband.

I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect what’s mine.

Taking a deep breath, I gently set the lamp down and balance myself on the windowsill.

It’s now or never—I check the phone to see whether it’s locked. To my endless relief, I see it’s not and with one final look at Angelo’s limp body, I change the pin to a combination I can remember. Slipping the phone into my bra to free up my hands, I climb down to freedom.

As I make my way to the flat stretch of roof, I force myself to keep repeating the phone number Dante had me memorize.

19

VICTORIA

There’s no escape.

I searched around the house from my perch on the lower roof, looking for a soft-ish place to drop to the ground, and I found the perfect spot. The only problem? It’s right next to Angelo’s porch, in front of a giant picture window.

There are swarms of men covering the grounds. It seems like there’s a pair making a round every five seconds. The dedicated patrols are making it impossible for me to get down the medium-sized tree flanking the porch without being seen. Not to mention the vast expanse of the front lawn I’d have to try and get across.

Angelo’s security team runs like clockwork. And, even if I did chance it, I’m not sure how I could tackle the six-foot metal fence surrounding the property. You know, the one with a closed gate and an occupied guardhouse at the end of the drive.

I’m in a tightly locked fortress with no way out.