Page 77 of Forgive Me, Father

THE LITTLE RUNAWAY

I could only hope Alfonso understood what I was trying to say during the drive.My heart pounded in my chest like a bird trapped in a cage, wild, desperate, and terrified.I wasn’t entirely sure I’d survive this, at least not emotionally.But one thing I knew with certainty: watching him get what he needed from Sarah would’ve destroyed me.

Nico pulled up in front of a dark, gothic building.The wrought iron sign above the arched entrance bore an elegant Italian name.One look, and I knew we had arrived.This was the place.

We got out and I followed Alfonso inside.The moment we stepped through its doors, the air shifted.Warm, perfumed, and hushed, like stepping into a velvet-draped secret.

Alfonso’s hand gripped mine a little tighter, and I didn’t let go.

The entrance hall was decadent without being ostentatious, walls swathed in wine-colored velvet, lit by the soft glow of sconces shaped like antique lanterns.A low hum of music drifted from somewhere deeper within, something jazzy, slow, seductive.

Alfonso walked up to the reception and made the arrangements as Nico took a seat in the lush leather chairs.

The arrangements didn’t take long and Alfonso came back.

He sighed.“You sure about this?”

I nodded.Even though my heart was beating rapidly behind my ribcage.

A woman, striking and poised in a fitted black dress, greeted us with a nod; neither a smile nor a frown.Just the kind of practiced neutrality that told you everything and nothing at once.I signed a few consent forms, something that Nico told me was the norm.I passed the forms back to her and it was only Alfonso now that has to sign his.He gave me that look.The one that tells me he did not want to do this, but then he took a deep breath, got up and walked over.He left his million dollar hand signature on all the places and fill in a few details that was asked, before passing the form to the receptionist.

We followed her and moved past a pair of double doors framed in polished mahogany, the glass etched with vines with the faintest glimpse of movement on the other side.

The floor beneath us was black marble, veined with gold.Our steps echoed, muffled only by the heavy velvet drapes that lined the hallway.Every detail screamed exclusivity, discretion.Power, cloaked in elegance.

Alfonso’s warm hand wrapped around mine and he squeezed.I knew he was dreading this.But it would be okay.

We passed open doors revealing glimpses of themed salons.One was filled with silver and white, a chaise longue posed like an invitation under a cascade of crystal.Another held deeper shadows, red leather, a flicker of candlelight, and the faint scent of sandalwood.

And then, we reached the end of the hallway.

A door, black, high gloss, without a handle.Just a silver plaque inscribed with a single word in Italian.Alfonso stopped.

My breath tightened in my chest but I worked hard to project the opposite.

My body leaned subtly toward him, as if some instinct told me the threshold we were about to cross would change us both.

The woman spoke in Italian, and I looked at Alfonso.

“Get dressed in the robe.You will find a door, go through it and wait for me.”

I nodded, and he started to turn away, but I reached for his hand and pulled him back to me.Without a word, I kissed him, slow, steady, and grounding.A promise more than anything.

I knew this was hard for him.It was written in the tightness of his jaw, the way his breath caught just before he let go.But he would be okay.He just needed to see that I was.

And I was, because he needed me to be.

The kiss broke.He gave me a slight smile and disappeared into the other room.

I closed the door behind me and got undressed.

A luxurious dark blue satin robe hung gracefully from the hook, and I slipped it over my naked body, the fabric smooth against my skin.I cinched it at the waist, the soft tie securing me within its embrace.Taking a deep breath, I crossed the room toward the door.

It was ajar, and as I pushed it open, I was greeted by a sight that could have been pulled from the silver screen.

In the center of the room stood a massive wooden X, its dark surface gleaming under the dim light.My gaze immediately settled on the buckles, and it didn’t take long for me to piece it together.The two at the top were clearly meant for wrists, and the two at the bottom, for ankles.

I exhaled slowly, my heart racing as the reality of the situation hit me.