Page 134 of Pomegranate Seeds

“Come on, we are going on a trip.”

“I thought Mr. Mazzoni was home.”

“He is, but we are leaving.”

He came closer and got into the elevator, but he was still not convinced. “Does he know?” He took his phone out of his pocket to check. “He texted me to keep you in the building.”

I actually liked that he told me that instead of holding me down or something. He was my bodyguard. I wanted him on my side.

“We are leaving regardless,” I said and walked to my car when the elevator doors opened to the underground garage.

Dario followed me. “I cannot disobey his orders.”

I stopped next to my car and turned towards him with fire in my eyes. I wanted to be fucking free. I wanted to flee when I needed it. I just wanted to do it without putting my or my baby’s life at risk. The last time was traumatizing enough.

“You are making me sad and angry, Dario.” I put my hand on my belly. “I am pregnant. You don’t make a pregnant woman angry! Do you want me to lose this baby?” My eyes turned glossy.

Dario seemed to be in pure terror. “No, Ma’am.”

“Then get in the fucking car.”

This time he nodded and got into the driver’s seat. I also sat down and buckled up.

Dario took the car out of the garage and asked me, “Where are we going?”

Well, I haven’t thought about that. I had nowhere I could go in this city. I was still a stranger. I hated that I was bounded to Antonio. Even if I could flee, I didn’t have a place to hide.

“I don’t know,” I murmured with a small voice. “Just drive.”

Thankfully Dario only nodded and kept driving. He was probably afraid of me bursting out again. He probably thought shouting could cause a miscarriage.

NoNoNo. Don’t think about miscarriages. Think about happy things.

As I tried to focus on the road and the meaningless things around, Dario’s phone rang. I knew who it was, but he still informed me. “It is Mr. Mazzoni.” Then he added. “I have to pick up. He must be very worried.”

Fuck, that got to me. I wanted him to know I was with Dario. Memories of the attack hurt me, but I never stopped to consider maybe they hurt him just as much.

He had to know I was safe.

“Okay. You can tell him I am with you, but we are not going back.”

Dario didn’t say yes but only answered the call. I knew he would drive us back if Antonio gave an order. He was too loyal to him.

Before Dario could even say “Hello,” I heard Antonio’s muffled voice from the other side. And then Dario answered with, “She is with me.”

I was not able to hear the other side, but it was easy to understand what Antonio was saying from his responses.

“We are just driving.”

“She is okay.”

“She doesn’t want to come back.”

“Okay, we are coming.”

I burst out, “No fucking way.”

“Ma’am, orders are clear.”

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