Page 10 of Raphael (Belles & Mobsters 5)

“Bad idea,” I muttered, my eyes darting around us, then with a heavy sigh, I followed them. They were tipsier than I was so they’d need someone to look after them.

I kept my clothes on, but my long dress made it hard to climb. Scrunching up the dress, I lifted it around my waist then swung my leg over the fence, shortly followed by my other. By the time I was on the inside, Willow and Aurora were skinny dipping.

Anya stood at the edge of the pool. I crossed the lawn in quick steps and came to a stop next to my sister.

“This is a bad idea,” I murmured softly.

“It’s an invitation.”

“Then why did we climb over the fence?” She lifted her shoulder, refusing to meet my eyes. “Anya, please talk to me,” I whispered.

Something was wrong. I could see it on her face. I could feel it in her every breath.

“Everything is great.” That dead voice I hated so much. “It’s a pretty home, huh?”

Glancing up at the manor, I had to agree. But we’ve seen plenty of other mansions like this. This place reminded me of a South Georgian home. Kind of like a home from the movieGone with the Wind. It had the same kind of romantic grandness about it.

“Sure,” I agreed reluctantly. “Can we go now? You grab Willow and I’ll grab Aurora, then we will go back to the hotel.”

She didn’t answer, her eyes locked on a dark spot in the corner of the yard. I followed her gaze, but I couldn’t see anything there.

“Anya, you’re freaking me out,” I rasped. Her dark eyes met mine. There was so much sadness and pain in them that it fucking hurt my soul. “The two of us could run away together. Hide until I’m eighteen. And then Father and Mother have no rights over us.”

A bitter laugh, soft and sad, slipped through her lips. “He’ll always find us, Sail.”

I took her hand into mine and squeezed. “Not if we change our looks. Go to South America or something. We’ll hide. For the rest of our lives if we have to. At least we’ll be safe and happy. Just the two of us.”

Our gazes locked, I saw a glimpse of hope in hers. The same kind I felt in my soul.

She opened her mouth, but then the lights in the yard came on. Men started shouting. Dogs started barking.

The light of hope in her went out. “It’s too late,” she whispered.

ChapterFive

SAILOR

Isqueezed my eyes shut, hoping it was all a bad dream. Like so many others I had in the past.

But it wasn’t.

After the lights came on, guards with guns pointed at us ushered us inside. Anya was separated from us, while we were locked in some makeshift room with bars.

I had never been locked up, but something told me it had a similar set up.

Anya cried out as the old man backhanded her. Willow and Aurora whimpered, tears streaming down their faces. Another slap followed.

“Please,” I screamed. “Stop it.” I couldn’t stay quiet anymore. Someone had to save Anya. It had to be me. There was nobody else.

“Shut up or I’ll drag you out of there,” the old man threatened. “Two for one. After all, I deserve it after he fucked me over.”

I didn’t understand his reference. It wasn’t until much, much later that I pondered on those words.

I rattled the bars. “Leave her alone, you fucking bastard,” I screeched. Cold sweat rolled down my spine, my knuckles turned white as I gripped the bars like Anya’s life depended on it.

The fucker locked us up like we were dogs.

“For every fucking word,” he threatened before slapping my sister again, “she’ll pay.”

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