Page 3 of Conquered

I step inside and head straight to the desk, fear of even being in here hastening my steps. Behind the desk is a safe, and I crouch down, the moonlight lighting the keypad just enough for me to see. I discovered the code one day when Ace made me stand behind the desk for twenty-four hours with no food or drink for accidentally shrinking one of his cashmere jumpers in the wash.

I still breathe out a sigh of relief when the door clicks open. It’s not that full as far as safes go, and there’s a reason as to why his family wants mine. I find the stack of papers that I need, bonds for the company that were purchased using an advance of my dowry.Yes, I’ve got an honest to god dowry!

The next thing I take is an ornate wooden jewellery box. It contains old heirloom pieces all belonging to my family and now me. It’s mine by rights anyway, and I can maybe exchange the pieces for my passage.

Closing the safe, I stand up and head out of the room, hurrying to Tom who just looks at the items then takes them from me and puts them into my bag. He opens the door, letting in the refreshing night air, and I take a deep breath as I step through.

Freedom tastes like falling leaves and damp earth, and I can’t stop the smile tugging at my lips as we drive away.

CHAPTER TWO

We arrive on the other side of town, the streets dark and empty as we drove. Pulling up outside a squat concrete building, I notice the windows are black, yet there's someone waiting for us in front of the plain wooden door as we step out of the car.

Tom gets my bag from the boot, then takes my hand and leads me up to what I now see is a man who is maybe ten years older than us, around mid-thirties. He's got swarthy Italian looks, black hair greased back, and deep brown eyes. Although unlike Ace’s, there's a warmth and kindness in their depths.

Even though it's the middle of the night and autumn, he's wearing a black wife beater that shows off his arms that are covered in colourful, old school style tattoos. They're beautiful and a stark contrast to his all black outfit.

He smiles wide as we approach. “Brother,fratello mio!” he whispers jovially, his Italian accent strong. He opens his arms and embraces Tom, who doesn't let go of my hand, so it's slightly awkward. “Che piacere...Good to see you, although I wish it were under better circumstances...purtroppo.”

He turns to me, his eyes softening with sympathy. “You must be Violet?” He asks me gently, and I nod, holding my free hand out to shake his.

He surprises me by grasping it and pulling forward, forcing Tom to finally let go with a growl, while kissing both of my cheeks continental style.

“Pleased to meet you,molto piacere.” He grins, and he has such an aura of safety and warmth that I can't help but grin back. “I'm Enzo, Tom’s brother by marriage. Although, I think he already told you that,si? Forse?” He asks, still grinning and not waiting for my answer. “Let's get you inside and see what's to be done...prego.”

He ushers us inside, Tom grabbing my hand once again, where I see a couple of others waiting around what looks and smells like a boxing gym. Tom's hand tightens around my grip, pulling me back slightly. I hear Enzo chuckle as he looks back at us.

“These are my cousins, and I'd trust them with my life,cari veramente,” he tells Tom, who gives an imperceptible dip of his head, but still keeps a firm grip on my hand.

Enzo takes us to what I assume is his office and hands me a brown packet. I open it to find a British passport, Canada Air flight tickets, and other documents all with the name Laura Darling on them. My eyes prick with tears as I look up at him, gratitude washing through me.

“Thank you,” I whisper, and his eyes go even softer.

“No problem,cara mia,” he says gently back, smiling softly at me. “Allora!We have a shipment leaving tonight for Toronto, so you’ll get there around ten tomorrow evening. I’ve booked you a flight to Dublin for six AM the day after, your tickets are in the pack. There will be someone to collect you from the airport and drive you across the border to Belfast, then you will take the ferry to Liverpool...a posto,” he tells me, face serious.

I can’t say anything, overwhelmed at his kindness. I didn’t realise people like this existed. People who do things for others because it’s the right thing to do.

“From there,cara mia, it’s up to you to disappear.” His brown eyes cloud a little with sadness, as he looks briefly to Tom whose jaw is clenched tightly.

My heart starts pounding in my chest, and my breath catches in my throat. In the rush to escape and the relief of finally starting my journey towards freedom, I didn’t consider that I’d have to leave him behind. I suddenly feel lost at sea, as if my one security net has been severed. Tom is the only thing I’ve ever chosen for myself, and I suddenly realise that he’s my safe haven, my rock, and now I have to let him go.

This is like no other pain I’ve ever known. All of Ace’s beatings, humiliations, and sexual assaults can’t even begin to compare to the crushing hurt inside my soul at the thought of leaving Tom behind.

It’s not safe for him to come with me. Ace would know immediately, and Tom’s family would suffer terribly. His sister Rosa would be a target, regardless of Enzo’s connections. I shudder at the thought of what Ace will do in his rage. Who he might hurt...

Tears fill my eyes as I look up into Tom’s blue ones. They’re usually so light and full of laughter, but tonight they are swirling, like a sea raging with Poseidon’s wrath.

“Tom…” my voice breaks on a sob, and all of a sudden, I’m in his arms and they’re banded around me so tightly I can hardly breathe. I welcome the embrace, the twinge of my bruised ribs as I sob against his chest, leaving a wet patch on his shirt.

“It’ll be okay, Vi,” he murmurs in my ear, voice rough and broken, stroking my back. “I’ll find you one day, I swear it.” I can hear the finality in his voice, like his promise is carved in stone. He knows as well as I do that he can’t come with me right now.

“You need to go,cara mia,” I hear Enzo say softly.

I take a huge gulping breath, somehow finding the strength to let go even though my world is crumbling down around me. I look up once more into his beautiful blue eyes.

“I love you, Tom,” I whisper, unable to stop my tears from falling.

“I love you, Violet,” he whispers back, lowering his lips to mine and kissing me. It’s a kiss full of heartbreak, longing, and shattered dreams. We both know that there may never be a time that is safe for us to be together.