The Mafia Bride (Katrina and Silas)

Chapter 23

Katrina's POV

I turned toward the path where they had just driven in from, the opened gates staring at me.

I had been searching for this exact route earlier, the day he had caught me in the woods. But the thick canopy of leaves had hidden it from view.

If you didn't know it was there, you'd easily miss it.

What need was there to hide the gates? And who would bring up such a crazy idea?

But that wasn't what I should be worried about, I should be worried about leaving here..

Phillip had given me a chance and I should be smart enough to take it.

The guards were scattered around the courtyard, their attention diverted, none of them noticing the way I hovered by the

entrance.

They were all worried about Silas, they wouldn't bother with what I was doing now.

This was my chance. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat louder than the last and it urged me forward.

I took a step toward the gate, then another.

Blinking out rain from my eyes, I wiped with my face with my lands as the rain fell in never ending drops

Come on, Katrina. This is what you've been waiting for.

My body felt pulled in two directions, toward the promise of esclipe back home and towards Silas who was currently fighting for his life.

But something held me back.

I didn't

idn't run out of the gates like I should have, instead I walked slowly.

Like I was waiting for something or someone to stop me.

How different was this place from the home I had known all these years.

I came to a stop just a few steps from the gate, my body frozen in place. I glanced over my shoulder, back toward the house.

And there, staring at me from one of the upstairs windows, was Phillip.

His eyes were cold, calculating. He stared at me as he waited for me to leave.

It seemed as if he had even been waiting for this moment, waiting to see me run.

Because he wasn't going to stop me.

His gaze sent a chill down my spine, and for a brief moment, I felt an irrational surge of guilt

But why? What did I have to feel guilty for? I wasn't the one torturing people in basements, wasn't the one playing judge, jury, and executioner. He keeps saying that was what they did, but still.

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Chapter 23

forced the thought away, turning back

Just go, Katrina. Leave.

here to

But I didn't.

hesitated once more, the weight

want. And yet, when I get the chance to leave, I find

convince myself, something inside me refused to let

move, as if they were lasted

you foolish body,

the house, ignoring Philip's

do it. Not yet. Not like

than usual. the heavy atmosphere

1 needed to change.

were dripping water as I walked up,

my skirtand shirt, the fabric sticking

the mirror looked foreign-pale,

as I quickly pulled on fresh

could talk myself out of it.

before, but when I saw the maids rushing in and out of the room, I knew

had to know if he

before he was bleeding out in the

was going to be stable,

to see

two guards stood in front of it, their arms crossed over

a hard look on their faces, wondering what actually gave me

see him," I said, my voice firmer than

the left shook his head.

guard stepped forward, his expression Jnmoved 'Orders are orders," he said, his voice

Chapter 23

orders were from Phillip

couldn't even use the Tin his wife card Beach truly, I

and wony gruwed at me, but there was no use

Π

a huff of annoyance, I turned and walked away, my hands clenched into fists

thought came to the, making my heart

spent the rest of the day in a dare, wandering aimlessly through

me all through the day, so I figured there

a word about Silas. No updates,

was ambearable, and my thoughts spiraled, jumping from one dark possibility to the

were a sport, I

on, the sky outside shifted from dull gray to deep

the kitchen at one point, staring blankly at a cup of tea I hadn't

when Alisa bounced in, her usual cheerful energy filling the room like sunlight breaking

how I felt. "You look like you've seen a

1b

blinked, my

one that knew of what happened to Silas,

aware since she was there when

muttered, barely loud enough for

me see him. I don't know if