Page 13 of Enzo's Vow
A sickening snap echoed above me.
Bile rose.
The rope jolted, and I lifted my gaze.Did the top sheet fray? Has one of my knots come loose?The roof below me still seemed miles away. Desperation sharpened my senses. My gaze darted to the wall beside me. The Wisteria. Thick, woody stalks clung to the stones. A lifeline. With one outstretched hand, I grasped at the thickest stem. Bumpy, rough bark scraped my palm, but I held on tight. With agonizing slowness, I shifted my weight and transferred my hold. The sheet rope, now useless, swung above my head. My new lifeline felt solid, ancient, its roots fixed to the earth as firm as hope fixed into my heart.
Brittle leaves and stems scratched at my clothes, snagging and tearing the material. I had to pause twice, wrenching the cotton free from the foliage’s tenacious grip, but at least this offered a far more secure hold than the sheets.
An eternity passed, the roof loomed closer. I lowered myself as far as the snake-like stem allowed, then let go, dropping the last few feet with a jarring thump onto the terracotta tiles. Adrenaline surged through my limbs, the jolt masking the dull protest in my ankles. I scrambled to my feet before scurryingalong the roof. After the dangling descent, I welcomed the relative stability.
Birds chirped in nearby trees, oblivious to my crazy escape attempt. Silence persisted below. Too silent. I prayed no one patrolled the grounds. Fear constricted my throat, a tight vise threatening to shatter me. My father’s fate hinged on me not getting caught.
Legs crouched, I leaned over the edge of the roof and stole a peek. The table. A long outdoor table as I suspected from Enzo’s balcony. No going back now.
I gripped the gutter, cold metal digging into my fingers, and lowered myself as far as possible before letting go. The table jolted beneath my weight with a loud thump. Scrambling off the outdoor furniture, I ducked beneath the thick wooden planks and scanned the vast alfresco. The villa’s grand windows loomed ahead, showcasing a parlor area and fireplace.
Movement stole my breath. A maid sauntered past the windows, duster in hand. I ducked deeper beneath the shadows of the table, praying to be cloaked in invisibility. She passed, unaware. My shoulders slumped as a heavy breath escaped my lips. The relief was short-lived, considering I still had to escape this godforsaken estate. I backed away from the table and dashed for the staircase, posture crouched low to the ground.
Down the first staircase, I stumbled upon a large infinity pool enclosed by outdoor lounge chairs. I peeked over the balustrade. No guards or psycho Enzo. I descended a second set of stairs, finally my feet sinking into grass. No holding back. I sprinted as fast as my legs would carry me.
Growls thundered in the distance, a fearsome sound threatening to tear me to shreds. My stomach churned. Bile rose. Guard dogs. Body slick with sweat, my lungs burned, as did my legs.
“Gemma! Stop!”
Instead of stopping, I raced up the slope. Farther ahead stood a fence, a wired fence. No chance I’d leap the spiked barricade. I’d come this far, and the fight-or-flight mode pulsated in my system. I slowed before the barbs barricading my freedom.
The barks grew louder, the guard dogs now closer to closing in on their prey. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting against the white dots dancing in my vision. Any second now, I’d be their chew toy.
“Fermo!”Enzo ordered the dogs. Their growls died, the heavy slap of their paws hitting the ground stopped short.
I turned toward my deepest phobia. Two huge Dobermans loomed several feet away. Black, shiny coats and tan muzzles. Dogs capable of ending my life with one order from Psycho, but other than scratching them behind their long, vertical ears, no such directive left his lips. Their master’s affection meant nothing; the dogs’ ferocity and drool-slicked canines sent me spiraling back to the scariest day of my life….
Long grass tickled my calves. Buzzing flies flew past my ears. I gripped the frisbee in my hand and sprinted toward the swing set, determined not to be last like every other time.
“Haha, we won!” Harper and Willow snatched the two plastic seats.
My stomach sank. Last again.
“Don’t be sad, Gem.” Harper’s ginger pigtails swayed as she swung back and forth.
“I promise we’ll give you a turn next.” Willow grinned, scooping the air with her legs and gaining momentum to soar higher.
Fair enough. They got there first… but I’m gonna win the next game for sure! My two options now: play on the slide, which sizzled with heat waves. Or, kill time with the frisbee. I stole one final glance at the smoldering slide.Frisbee it is. Tossing the disc in the distance, I shielded my eyes from the sun. The frisbeelanded on the grass. Lucky. Any farther and it would have gone over the neighbor’s fence.
I dashed to the spot where the fluoro green disc landed. A vicious growl sent a shiver down my spine. Frisbee forgotten, I spun around, backing into the fence, its sizzling heat burning my palms. A rottweiler crouched and growled a few feet away. His dark gaze set on me.
A cold sweat broke across my forehead. The frantic rhythm of my heart pounded in my ears. Each breath I inhaled lacked less and less oxygen. A cry sounded in the distance; Harper and Willow, shouting for someone to help me.
Still growling, the dog shifted from leg to leg, sending my heart leaping into my restricted throat. Unable to cry or beg for help, I froze. My muscles locked, anticipating the hot tear of teeth.
“Bear, stop!” A loud male voice instructed. “Come here.”
Bear? A fitting name for the huge animal. A grown man grabbed Bear by the collar, clipping the leash in place. The soft clink of metal echoed in my ears, and for a split second, my muscles loosened. But the Rottweiler’s gaze remained locked on me, a predator assessing its prey. The sound of the leash hadn’t changed that.
“Are you okay?” The grown man crouched to my level.
Harper and Willow dashed around him to my side. “Gemma, you’re okay. Gemma, we’re here.”
“I think your friend’s a little spooked.” The man interjected, rubbing his dog as if praising the monster for not killing me. “Probably best to take her home.”
