184
Emilia’s POV
The villa was unnervingly quiet as I cracked the door open and peered into the hallway. The steady hum of distant conversation and the occasional shuffle of feet were the only indicators that the guards were still in position. My heart pounded in my chest, every thud echoing in my ears as if trying to betray me.
I had spent the past few days carefully observing the guards’ movements, piecing together their patrol schedule and noting the blind spots in the villa’s security. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. If I didn’t take this chance tonight, I might never get another. Alonso had softened slightly toward me, but his determination to keep me under his watch was unwavering.
Barefoot, I stepped into the hall, the cold marble floor sending a chill up my spine. My dress, loose and plain, clung to me as I crouched low and moved toward the staircase. The grand chandelier above cast sprawling enough brightness in some parts of the room, and I pressed myself into the darkness, praying it would be enough to conceal me.
The kitchen was my target. I’d seen the side door there once when Alonso’s housekeeper had brought in groceries. It was my best chance of slipping out unnoticed.
I paused at the corner of the hallway, holding my breath as two guards strolled by, their low voices carrying snippets of a mundane conversation.
“…he’s been tense lately. Ever since the girl showed up.”
“Can you blame him? She’s a Cruz, and half the city’s after her.”
Their words stung, but I couldn’t let myself dwell on them. I waited until their footsteps faded, then darted down the corridor, my movements quick but silent.
When I reached the kitchen, I eased the door open just enough to slip inside. The space was dimly lit, with only a small light over the sink casting a faint glow. The side door loomed ahead, but so did a problem: a maid was seated at the counter, flipping through a magazine.
I froze, my mind racing. If she saw me, she’d alert someone in an instant. But if I waited too long, another patrol might pass by, and then I’d be trapped.
Swallowing my fear, I edged along the wall, keeping to the shadows. The maid was engrossed in her reading, her back to me. My hands trembled as I reached for the door handle.
A creak.
I froze as the door groaned under my touch. The maid’s head snapped up, her eyes darting toward the sound.
“Who’s there?” she called, her voice sharp.
Without thinking, I pushed the door open and bolted outside. The cool night air hit me like a slap, but I didn’t stop. I sprinted toward the garden, the sound of the maid’s panicked shouts ringing out behind me.
“Guards! She’s escaping!”
Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to focus. The garden was a sprawling maze of hedges and statues, and I ducked into the nearest opening, hoping to lose them in the twisting paths. My breath came in ragged gasps as I wove through the greenery, my bare feet scraping against the gravel.
Shouts grew louder behind me. They were close. Too close.
My eyes darted around, searching for an exit. There-a low stone wall at the edge of the garden. It wasn’t high, but in my exhausted state, it might as well have been a mountain.
I pushed myself toward it, my legs screaming in protest. Just as I reached the wall, a hand grabbed at my arm.
“Gotcha!”
I twisted, adrenaline giving me strength as I yanked my arm free and shoved the guard away. He stumbled, his hand grazing the corner of my dress, but I didn’t stop. I scrambled up the wall, my hands slipping against the damp stone.
Another shout. Another hand reaching for me.
I hauled myself over the edge just as fingers brushed my ankle. I landed hard on the other side, the impact jarring my knees, but I didn’t let the pain slow me down.
Run. Keep running. Don’t dare stop, no matter what.
The words pounded in my head as I sprinted down the deserted street, my breaths ragged and my vision blurred with tears. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I had to get away. Far away.
The villa faded into the distance behind me, its looming presence replaced by the quiet hum of the city. My legs felt like they might give out at any moment, but I kept going, driven by sheer desperation.
When I finally spotted a main road, relief washed over me like a wave. A cab was idling near the curb, its driver leaning against the door and smoking a cigarette.
I stumbled toward him, my voice hoarse as I called out, “Please, I need a ride.”
The driver eyed me warily, his gaze flicking over my disheveled appearance. “You alright, miss?”
“Please,” I begged, digging into the pocket of my dress and pulling out a crumpled bill Alonso’s maid had left behind in the laundry. “I can pay.”
The man hesitated, then nodded. “Get in.”
I collapsed into the back seat, my body trembling as I gave him a random address far from Alonso’s villa. As the car pulled away, I allowed myself a single, shuddering breath of relief.
I had escaped. But at what cost?
I was still trembling when the car sped off, my breaths coming out in ragged pants. I could only hope Alonso wouldn’t start a goddamned war with Alaric because of me. If anything I was very very determined to keep my identity as a fucking mafia princess away from the prying eyes of all those fuckers.
But if Alonso started a war now…
I shook my head, my body still trembling. If all the other mafia people found out, they’d come after me. Especially his enemies. I had to keep this away from all of them as much as I could. And maybe if I could reach out to Alonso later and stop him from doing something stupid…
I was still trembling when the cab pulled up in front of Alaric’s villa.