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

the thought away, turning back to

Just go, Katrina. Leave.

isn't here

But I didn't.

once more, the weight of everything

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

I tried to convince myself, something inside

feet didn't move, as if they were lasted to

you foolish

to the house, ignoring Philip's

it. Not

atmosphere

1 needed to change.

clothes were dripping water as I walked up, the heaviness

my skirtand shirt, the fabric

in the mirror

as I quickly

talk myself out of it. I headed down

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

had to know if

before he was bleeding out in the courtyard, his life hanging by a

to

to

I reached his door, two guards stood in front of it, their

their faces, wondering what actually gave

need to see him," I said, my voice firmer than I

the left shook

want to check on him," 1 insisted, trying to push past them, but the other guard stepped forward, his expression Jnmoved 'Orders are orders," he said, his voice flat. "Go back to your

Chapter 23

the orders were from Phillip and I couldn't do anything about

wife card Beach truly, I was Lisy prisoner with the decorative title

gruwed at me, but there was no

Π

a huff of annoyance, I turned and walked away, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. Why wouldn't they

Silas worse than they were letting on? The thought came to the, making

of the day in a dare, wandering aimlessly through the house,

hadn't asked about me all through the day, so I

said a word about

spiraled, jumping

sport, I would be

on, the sky outside shifted from dull gray

found myself in the kitchen at one point, staring blankly

usual cheerful energy filling the room

entirely too chipper for how I felt. "You look like

1b

blinked, my

knew of what happened to Silas, or

was impossible for her to not be aware

muttered, barely loud enough for

won't let me see him.

out,