Page 23 of His Little Spitfire

“The wedding,” she starts back up, “I’ll invite him. If he comes, then maybe we can figure out how to live in peace.”

She’s hopeful. Always has been, wanting to be the positive one even during the shittest situations. If it weren’t for this attitude, maybe I would’ve tried to slip her out and run away on our own before everything played out to where we are today.

“What did Santino think of this plan?”

Her mouth curves instantly. “He doesn’t like it. Then again, he really hates Rocco. But, funnily enough, he’s willing to do things he doesn’t like if it makes me happy.”

So, she reallydoeshave him wrapped around her finger. In the back of my mind, I thought Santino just saw her as a toy or plaything, eventually growing tired of her. But, if they’re talking about marriage, I guess he’s actually in love with her.

A tiny ache squeezes at my chest, and I know it’s jealousy gripping my heart.

I won’t be jealous of my baby sister. No, I’ll be happy for her.

We reach doors that lead out toward the back of the home. From the glass, it looks like a garden.

All this time here, and I haven’t been outside once.

Just as she casually grabs the handle of the door, I expect grunts to appear from all angles to stop us. Instead, she opens the door without hesitation, like she’s done it before.

Just like that, I’m thinking about my freedom once more.

Sure, I’m tied to this family now, but I don’t need to be tied to this estate.

I could leave. Even if there are iron bars wrapped around the land, I could climb them. Even if I got sliced up by barbed wire, if I really wanted out, I could leave.

“Eliza?” Camellia’s looking at me now, worry written all over her face. “Are you alright?”

No. I don’t think I am.

“I… don’t think I want to leave.”

She blinks at me, and steps back inside, completely misunderstanding. “We can go see what they have to eat, then. I’m sure they will have lunch ready by now.”

As the realization settles that Urzo has done more damage than I originally thought, I nod my head without thinking.

Camellia, ignorant to the dilemma happening in my head, wraps her arm around mine and guides me forward. Thanks to her, I barely avoid letting my legs give out.

9

Urzo

I feel like a dog on a leash.

Eliza tells me to stay, and I listen. What do I expect, a treat for being obedient?

Despite rolling onto my stomach and weakly pressing my face into her pillow, sleep didn’t come. Instead, I counted the seconds she stayed away. They didn’t linger on the other side of the door to talk, no, Santino’s woman stole mine away.

Mine. What a hell of a word to describe Eliza.

Sighing heavily, I move to sit up. Squinting at the door, a part of me expects for it to swing back open.

Iamlike a fucking dog.

Eliza would have a good laugh at that. Seeing me in this state, she would laugh if she found me waiting.

Throwing the blanket away, I get up. Telling myself that I don’t wait for anyone, I get ready for the day. Fresh clothes, a quick shave, and a long hard stare at my reflection are all I need before I’m slipping out of our room.

I don’t hunt her down. Even if I want to see her, I don’t dare.

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