Page 41 of A Sinner's Virtue
Chapter Eighteen
Iallow myself one last look at Marcel’s sleeping body. I don’t want to leave. I have to. This relationship isn’t good for me. He has this control on me, the sort of control that I can’t allow to happen. I promised myself I wouldn’t waste the second chance at life I was gifted.
If I stay here, I’m going to end up completely under his spell. I let him seduce me last night. I allowed myself to believe in the fairy tale that everything would be fine. It’s not going to be. I saw his sister-in-law’s face. I don’t know everything that happened to her, and maybe my assumptions were wrong. But I do know that I don’t want that kind of life. I don’t want to be afraid to turn corners. I don’t want to look over my shoulder all the time, waiting for something to happen. For Marcel’s enemies to come for me.
I like to pretend that I’m strong. I like to portray that I can handle myself. The truth is I can’t. I’m just as weak as I was back when my father traded me off at seventeen. The only difference is I hide it better now.
I close the door as quietly as I can, then tiptoe my way down the stairs, hoping like hell that I can make it out of this place unseen. Sighing in relief when I make it to the front door, I pull it open and step outside. However, that relief is short-lived.
A young kid is standing a few feet away while a waft of smoke billows around him. He raises one brow at me. “Sneaking out?”
“I’d say leaving quietly.” I smile, hoping I can just keep walking and not have him question me anymore.
“Marcel know you’re leaving quietly?” the kid asks while mimicking a bad American accent.
“Mhmm, I’d really love to stay and chat, but I’m kinda in a hurry,” I tell him. “It was nice to meet you, though.”
“You need a ride, Zoe?”
“No, I have a car coming for me. But thanks anyway.” I continue on down the driveway, not daring to look back.
“It’s Vin, by the way,” he calls out after me.
“What is?” I ask, while glancing over a shoulder.
“My name. You would have been curious if you left without knowing it.” He shrugs.
“I would have been. Nice to meet you, Vin.” I turn around and walk faster until I reach the gates and the two guys currently standing guard there. For a moment, I wonder if they’re actually going to let me out of here, and then one of them simply nods his head at me and presses a button that has the metal doors swinging open.
It takes all of my restraint not to run. To remain calm and walk down the street. I don’t want to draw any attention to myself. When I turn a corner, I pull out my phone and send a message to Lucy.
Me:
Think you can come and get me?
Lucy:
I know I can. Where are you?
I send her the street name and she tells me she’ll be here in five. I lean against a tree and wait for her. And true to her word, barely five minutes later, Lucy pulls up in Dominic’s Rolls Royce.
Way to be incognito.
“Did you steal your fiancé’s car?” I ask her as I jump into the passenger seat.
“He’s lucky I don’t take a baseball bat to it again.” She sighs and I laugh.
“What he do?”
“You don’t want to know. Any reason you’re sneaking out of the De Bellis mansion at this hour of the morning?”
“Not sneaking out, leaving quietly. And, yes. I need to go home for a little bit. I’m really sorry, and I know I’m putting you in the lurch but I need to go to New York. Just for a week, maybe two.” My words come out fast and rushed.
“Okay, take as long as you need. We will be fine.” Lucy pulls away from the curb. “Where am I taking you?” she asks.
“My place. I need to get my passport and pack a bag.”
“If something’s wrong, if you’re in trouble, you can tell me.”
