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

Just go, Katrina. Leave.

here to stop

But I didn't.

once more, the weight of everything

want. And yet, when I get the chance to

tried to convince myself, something inside me

move, as if they were lasted

foolish

a frustrated sigh, I turned back to the house, ignoring

couldn't do it. Not yet.

heavy atmosphere chokingas I climbed the stairs to my

1 needed to change.

dripping water as I walked up, the heaviness

I peeled off my skirtand shirt, the fabric sticking to

the mirror

push the thoughts away as I quickly pulled on fresh

out of it. I headed down the

had never been there before, but when I saw the maids rushing in and out of the room, I knew Silas just had

had to know

the courtyard, his life hanging by a

he was going to be stable, but that

to

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

their faces, wondering what

to see him," I said, my voice firmer

the left shook

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.

Chapter 23

orders were from Phillip and I couldn't

couldn't even use the Tin his wife card Beach truly, I was Lisy prisoner with the decorative title of

gruwed at me, but there

Π

them. With a huff of annoyance, I turned and walked away, my hands clenched into

letting on? The thought came to the, making my heart

the rest of the day in a dare,

so I figured

a word about Silas.

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

conclusions were a sport,

outside shifted from dull gray

at one point, staring

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

chipper for how

1b

blinked, my

of what happened to Silas, or

be aware

I muttered, barely loud enough

let me see him. I

she reached out, placing a