Page 42 of Twisted Obsession

Don’t be. Don’t look down.

I’m here and I’ll always catch you if you fall.

I read the words he’d written, not quite believing what I was reading.

How could he know?

It didn’t matter how; he just did, and my heart was full.

With my grandfather’s belief in me and Dante’s strength carrying me on, I opened one of the French doors to the patio, stepped outside and closed it behind me. With an air of newfound confidence, I crossed the patio listening to the heels I’d never worn before clicking against the stone slabs and the sounds of my piano gradually fading away. One of my grandfather’s nameless soldiers crossed in front of me not more than three metres away. For a split second I wanted to stop and turn back, but blind faith in what I was doing and the call of being with Dante carrying me on, I moved assertively onwards.

‘Buongiorno, Signorina,’ he offered. I nodded at him in response, hoping he wouldn’t now go and tell anyone he’d just seen me outside. Finally, I made it across the expansive gardens my nonna had planted and to the courtyard where our vehicles were kept to the side of the large, gated entrance.

With fear now coursing through my veins at the thought of being caught, I jumped into the driver’s seat of my Alpha Romeo and locked the door behind me. It was only then, after taking a couple of deep breaths, that I took a good look around me. I was relieved when I found nothing out of place. A few of the gate’s guards were in position and if they’d noticed me getting into my car, they had obviously thought nothing of it.

Looking down quickly, I took notice of the time. It was nine fifty-five, I had five minutes.

All at once there was movement. I studied the men hard and could see by their change in positions and stance that they were getting ready to open the gates. I tentatively pushed the start inside my car and was pleased, not for the first time, that my new car was electric and almost silent in its running. After releasing the handbrake I let the car freewheel, leaving the gravel and reaching the tarmac, where I was aware my car would be as quiet as possible, before I pulled forward to get out of the gate.

‘Remember what to say,’ I whispered to myself. ‘You’ve got this, Giovanna.’

It was strange sitting there in those few seconds. I understood that I was about to do the riskiest thing I’d ever done in my life, but I felt at ease, I had confidence in myself. I’d only be gone a couple of days tops. Just time enough to breathe, away from my stifling family. Enough time, I hoped, for the madness that was going on all around us to dissipate. For my beloved nonno to pass and for my brother to get his hands on Enzo. A couple of days reprieve, time to spend with Dante and then we could return.

All at once, a light blue car caught my attention. It had slowed for the occupier to be questioned and then pulled inside.

Now!

Without thinking anything further, I pulled forward and stopped next to the guards. The gateway was still open as they and I could see the second expected vehicle, which was waiting to gain entrance. But one man was stood blocking my exit. In my head I’d imagined crashing through the barrier if I had to, but never a man. I wasn’t willing to hurt, maim or possibly kill someone who was just doing his job.

‘Hello,’ I offered as lightly as I could. ‘I need to go to town to pick up something for my mama.’

The nearest guard turned over the paperwork in his hands.

‘It says nothing about you going out, Signorina.’

‘No, I know. But she needs something to go with these dresses that are arriving.’ I motioned with my hand at the awaiting vehicle.

To my delight. the man stood in front of me moved to come and see what was going on, and my escape route was open.

‘I’ll just phone Lorenzo,’ he informed me.

‘Okay,’ I called back with a smile.

It was then I took my moment. Never had I driven with my foot pushed so suddenly to the floor and turning so hard to the left. My car skidded out, with the back end sliding and me screaming out loud, thinking I would never be able to get it under control.

But I did, and without slowing I took my car around the tight bends of the small lanes that surrounded where we lived as though my life depended on it, and maybe it did.

It took all of six minutes for my own phone to ring.

‘Giovanna.’ Salvatore’s voice filled my car making me tremble slightly. ‘What the fuck are you up to?’

‘I’m going to Bologna to meet my professor.’

‘I told you no.’

‘You did, but you’re not my papa. You don’t get that right.’

‘I have every right. Men are already on your tail. When they catch you and bring you back, I’ll make sure it’s a long time before you leave the house again.’

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