Page 11 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride

"Not if I want to keep living," I snap. "Please. I need your help. I need to disappear before the wedding."

Another long pause. I hold my breath.

"Fine," he finally concedes. "I can arrange for witness protection. That takes some time, but maybe I can hide you until then. Pack only essentials. Nothing traceable."

Relief floods through me. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. Once we do this, there's no going back. Your father, your life, all of it disappears."

"I know." I glance at my mother's photograph. "But I'd rather disappear than marry my mother's murderer."

He tells me where to meet him and we hang up.

I order a ride share and then stuff the last of my essentials into my bag.

I check my watch. I have an hour to get to lower Manhattan.

I feel exhilarated, even as I’m terrified. Freedom is within my grasp.

But death looms if I fail.

I unlock and ease my bedroom door open, wincing at the slight squeak.

I hurry down the hall toward the back staircase used only by servants.

It’s after dinner, so most should be in the kitchen or other parts of the house.

I sneak down and after looking toward the kitchen, I hurry the other direction down the hall toward the service elevator.

The ride down seems to take forever, but finally, I’m exiting the building.

Keeping to the shadows, I skirt the perimeter of the building, avoiding the security cameras I know monitor the area.

Three blocks away, I finally allow myself to breathe.

I've done it.

I've escaped.

Agent Blackwood will meet me at the designated location.

I quicken my pace, toward the location I’ve ordered my rideshare to pick me up.

The car arrives just as I do. I hop in, and as it pulls away from the curb, I begin to relax.

Fear begins to morph into elation.

I’m free. Free of my father’s control. Free of the ugliness of Mafia life.

My driver lets me off a block away from the park where Agent Blackwood told me to meet him.

I check my watch and see that I’m a bit early. It’s dark and cold, which is a little scary.

But nearby, I see holiday lights and decorations that make me feel a bit safer.

I reach the park, setting my bag on a bench as I pull my coat around me tighter. My gaze darts around, eager to see Agent Blackwood. Once I do, I’ll finally be able to breathe.

I hear a noise behind me. I whip around, but not before rough hands grab me.