“I know you are making sense, but I just don’t think I could go through with it. Part of me wants to say yes, but a way bigger, more rational part of me wants to run for the hills.”
“Then run.”
I stared at Eleanor. She continued, “I think you’d be making a mistake, but this is your life, not mine. If you want to run, then run. I’ll help you escape. I have money.”
I shook my head. “I already took money from you. I can’t take more.”
“You can and you will. I’ll just tell my parents I need a new car or something stupid for them to buy my affection once again.”
I shook my head again. “No. I’ll just pawn one of the diamond necklaces Roman gave me.”
She rolled her eyes and pushed out her lips to mimic the selfie duck lip photos. “Oh… you’ll just pawn one of the diamond necklaces he gave you, dahhhrrrlling.”
I gave her a small shove. “Stop. Okay, I know how that sounded.”
“In all seriousness, what’s the plan? Are you staying or leaving?”
I played with one earbud on my lap. “I haven’t decided, but I want to keep my options open.”
She nodded. “Smart. Pawn the necklace and hide the cash. If you decide it’s too much and you want to get away, text me a code word and I’ll drive over to get you. We won’t make the same mistake as last night. I’ll wait for you by the bridge at the end of the lane, near that copse of trees, so I’ll be hidden from the house.”
My eyes widened. “You’re good at this.”
“It’s my hidden talent. If only a man wanted to chase me so I could put it to good use!”
“Trust me, it’s overrated. So what is our code word?”
She thought for a minute. “Diamonds.”
I laughed. “You’re an ass.”
We got up and strolled around the museum. After grabbing lattes at a nearby café, we hugged and parted. The knot in my stomach loosened. Talking with Eleanor had helped. I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but at least I had options.
If I wanted to leave Roman, I could.
As I walked down the street to the nearest tube station, I turned suddenly and searched the crowd. I saw nothing suspicious, so I turned back and kept walking. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being followed. Suddenly, I felt less sure of myself. I shook the feeling off.
This was silly.
If I wanted to leave Roman, I would leave. It was as simple as that. All his threats were probably just empty warnings, anyway. It wasn’t like he was a cold-blooded monster capable of being unspeakably vicious to me just because he didn’t get his way.
CHAPTER 17
ROMAN
“Sir, you can’t go in there!”
I waved the assistant off as I swung open the office door. “It’s okay, we’re family.”
Richard glowered at me from behind his desk. “Half family.” He then nodded to his assistant. “It’s fine, Charles. Close the door, please, and cancel my eleven o’clock call.”
After sending me a rather dirty look, the assistant bowed and closed the door behind me.
I strolled further into Richard’s office. I took in the chandelier and massive antique desk. “Nice. A little last century for my taste, but still…”
Richard stood and moved to lean against the front of his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Says the man who lives in a fucking gothic church.”
I smirked. “Touché.”