Page 14 of Original Sins (Dark Odyssey 6)

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Dad looks back at me from the backseat of the limo as it pulls away from Cordelia’s drive.

She puts her arm around me as Dad waves. I wave back with tears in my eyes and watch the car speed down the road. The tears are for several reasons.

Yes, I’ll miss him on this trip, but the other reason for the tears is that if I get my chance to escape, this could be it.

I worked out that the next few weeks will be my only hope. The lower restrictions aren’t the only weapon in my toolkit. The fact that I’m with Cordelia is also my biggest weapon because, unknown to my father, she doesn’t play by his rules. It’s always been our little secret because it’s the only way I can live my life. So when he goes off for the summer on his business trips, I actually have fun.

This is going to be the first summer where I’ll have to take advantage of her trust.

The tears are for that too.

“And hello, freedom,” she bubbles when the car turns the corner, and we can’t see it anymore.

“Freedom? Really?” I narrow my eyes at her.

“Yes. You have the summer of freedom with me, and by God, am I going to make sure you have some fun.” Although she nods like she really believes a summer of fun is all I need, I can see even she doesn’t believe that. “Come on, let’s go inside. It looks like it’s going to rain.”

As if on cue, a raindrop falls onto her dark mane of hair. Quickly she links her arms with mine and ushers me inside.

At the same time, she gives her bodyguards, Tony and Stephano, the all-clear so they can relax.

Instantly they do. Tony even pulls out a cigar and makes his way onto the patio to smoke and read the papers.

Cordelia has life good. She was the only child my aunt had, and when her husband died, she got married to a Scottish Laird and moved to Scotland.

Cordelia inherited this house from her father, which you could fit a small country in, and because she runs the resort so well, Dad trusts her with everything. That includes me.

She has him fooled. At least, I think so. Sometimes I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s aware of what Cordelia gets up to but doesn’t say anything because it would mean trying to find someone else of the same caliber of trust to babysit me.

Cordelia pours herself a glass of wine when we get inside the kitchen and pours me a little too.

“Let’s have a glass to celebrate your birthday properly.” Cordelia nods.

I take it because I’m feeling rebellious. Dad would go ape shit if he ever knew I was drinking.

“Are you sure I can’t persuade you to come to the party with me?” she asks with a twinkle in her eyes.

She’s talking about one of the Friday night orgies she calls parties. This one is the first of the summer season that will bring out all the hard-on party boys looking for an easy lay.

I’m not in the mood for anything that can’t help me, so my answer is still no.

Now that I’m here, I need to think carefully about what I’m going to do. I need a fuck ton of money to buy my way out, and I need a carefully constructed plan. If I get caught, Dad won’t just punish me; he’ll punish Cordelia too.

“I’m going to just stay here and unpack,” I tell her. “I’m not in the mood to party.”

She sets her wine glass down and walks around the counter back to me. Taking my hands, she gives them a gentle squeeze.

“Evie, I’m trying here. I don’t like Peter, and I wish I could do something to help you. I don’t like this idea that’s been thrust upon you, and I hate that Uncle Donny stopped you from going to college. I can’t stand Peter’s family, and I want more for you, but since I can’t change anything, this is the best I can do.”

I draw in a breath. “Thank you. I know you’re doing your best. I just can’t shake my feelings. I can’t think of anything that will change my mood.”

She smiles. “I heard Henry Dubois might be coming to the resort tonight, which means Georgiou might be there too,which meansyou could finally get the chance to meet them.”

I roll my eyes at her absurdity but at the same time feel my cheeks heat as well as other places I’d rather not think of.

“Cordelia, meet them and what? I’m eighteen, for God's sake. What the hell do you think is going to happen if I meet them?”

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