Page 86 of Forbidden Fruit

That got his attention. Father set his pen down slowly and fixed me with an icy stare. "Excuse me? That's not possible."

I stood my ground. "I'm begging you. Being forced to marry Marco would destroy any relationship we have left." My voice cracked slightly despite my resolve. "Please don't make me do this."

Father's expression turned thunderous. "My word is given, Natalia. This alliance is set in stone."

Desperation clawed up my throat. "I already love another, you know that! Please don't force me from him."

Shock flickered across Father's face before his eyes narrowed viciously. "The Delacruz mongrel? I've tolerated your foolish affair but no more." He stood menacingly. "You are forbidden from him, do you understand?"

I refused to cower. "Leonardo is honorable, kinder than any of your associates! Why must your pointless feud keep us apart?"

Father's face twisted with ugly rage. "He has poisoned your mind, turned you against your own flesh and blood!"

Before I could react, he struck me hard across the face. I stumbled but quickly righted myself, ignoring the searing pain. "Leonardo has only ever treated me with more care and respect than you ever did," I said coldly.

With a growled curse, Father gripped my shoulders brutally. "Listen to me, girl. The Delacruz mongrel means nothing. He isforbidden to you, do you understand?" He shook me harshly. "This wedding will proceed as planned."

Father's face contorted in rage. "It is no mere feud! The Delacruzs are our sworn enemy." He advanced on me. "That Leonardo cur lives only because he saved your brother, nothing more."

The callous words pierced me. Of course - Leonardo was simply a tool my father had used, now discarded.

"You will marry Marco, or the next bullet finds its mark." Father's threat chilled my blood. He would kill Leonardo without remorse to control me.

Wrenching away, I met his crazed eyes challengingly. "Or what? You'll keep beating me until I comply?" I gave a bitter laugh. "Do your worst. I will never stop fighting this."

Father's chest heaved, his expression almost feral. "Careful Natalia," he warned in a low dangerous voice. "Defy me, and the only Delacruz left will be a corpse."

The bloodthirsty threat struck bone-deep terror into my heart. But I refused to show an ounce of fear. "Leonardo is under my protection now," I said coldly. "Lay a hand on him, and you will regret it."

With that vow hanging in the air between us, I turned swiftly and exited before Father could see the angry tears spilling down mycheeks. His crazed ambition had corrupted him beyond reason or mercy. But I would not let Leonardo become another casualty.

Back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed feeling utterly powerless. My father was intent on carrying out this sadistic arrangement no matter how I pleaded or fought. He would sacrifice anything and anyone without hesitation to gain power, even his own daughter's life and sanity.

Curling into a ball, I finally let the broken sobs take over. The bleak future yawned before me, empty of hope or joy. In a few short weeks, I would be condemned to a lifetime chained to a cruel monster.

But even if my spirit withered completely under Marco's cruel heel, Leonardo at least would survive, find some sliver of happiness without me. As long as he drew breath somewhere in this world, hope endured. My father could force this cage upon my body, but never fully conquer the part that belonged eternally to Leonardo - my defiant, undying heart.

CHAPTER 21

FOREVER YOURS

I sank down on my plush bedspread, head in hands. My heart felt like it was being ripped right out of my chest. After everything Leonardo and I had survived together, now we had to accept this impossible choice - lose our freedom by staying, or lose each other by leaving this toxic city behind.

As much as it gutted me, I knew the right call was painfully clear. Leonardo's life was still in jeopardy if anyone in my family discovered I'd been sneaking around with a Delacruz. And after recent chaos, my father's men had their guards up, watching me like hawks again.

Which meant my affair with Leonardo staying secret was getting riskier by the day. But I couldn't stand dragging him back into more danger - not after we'd barely escaped that horrific shootout at the airfield. Leonardo deserved the chance to get free of this mess and find some peace, even if it meant without me.

I brushed angrily at the tears sliding down my cheeks. Crying and feeling sorry for myself wouldn't help now. I had to take action, make a choice I could live with even if it shattered my heart. Better end things on my terms than watch Leonardo ripped violently away by forces outside our control. He would find happiness again someday, once clear of the deadly currents trying to suck us under here. I had to believe that, or the pain might just crush me completely.

Sniffling, I forced myself to stand and start gathering items methodically. I didn't know yet where I was going when I drove away from this gilded prison tonight. But the open road was calling, and I needed to answer while I still had the chance and the will.

I changed into jeans and a plain t-shirt, wanting to blend in seamlessly in case anyone tried following when I made my escape. Finances wouldn't be a problem thanks to untraceableaccounts set up for me overseas. I just had to pack light so I could remain mobile and under the radar.

Zipping up the small duffel bag with just the essentials, my eyes landed on the photo of Ashley and I laughing together at her school dance, taken what felt like a lifetime ago. My throat tightened remembering my steadfast best friend who had stood unflinchingly by my side even when bullets started flying. Leaving her behind for a second time would be the hardest part. But I couldn't risk tangling Ashley any further in my web of chaos either.

Swiping at fresh tears roughly, I tucked the picture into my bag. Wherever the lonely road led me, I would carry the memories of those who mattered close to my heart always. No one could take that away, even if they took everything else.

I was scrawling a goodbye letter to Ashley when voices downstairs made me freeze, If I was going to leave, I had to leave now.

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