Just as I’m about to slide behind the wheel, he grips my upper arm.
“Forgetting something?” he asks, lowering his head for that infamous goodbye kiss I hoped wouldn’t happen.
I turn my face to the side before our mouths touch, causing his lips to brush over my cheek.
Despite the show of defiance, he lets me go, allowing me to get into the car. “I’ll see you tonight at the party.”
I hate parties in general. The year-end office party is no exception. If it weren’t compulsory for all staff to attend, I would’ve been the first one to chicken out. How much fun can it be to spend an entire evening in the company of geeks who gush about software? I bet as much as listening to long, boring speeches. Of course, it doesn’t help that the future husband my stepfather is trying to force on me will be present. I haven’t figured out a way of avoiding that marriage yet, but I have to come up with a plan.
I push the ignition button, hoping to cut the conversation short, but Leon leans in the open door.
“Send me a text message when you arrive home,” he says. “If I don’t hear from you in forty-five minutes, I’ll come looking for you.”
Clenching the wheel, I resist the urge to make another biting remark. I only breathe easier when he finally closes my door. Before he’s straightened, I’m already pulling off. Unable to help myself, I steal a glance in the rearview mirror. He’s standing in the street with his naked chest, staring after the car. When the boom at the main exit closes behind me, he’s still standing on the same spot.
Shit.
I drag a hand over my brow, letting my composure slip when I turn onto Sandton Drive. What a mess. My life has turned into a nightmare. The only way to get out of this marriage is running away, and I can’t leave my mom on her own. Without me to watch out for her, it’s only a matter of time before she slips up. Besides, I don’t trust Elliot. What if he blackmails her again? The only solution is to go on the run with my mom, which brings me back to square one. In order to do that, I need money to buy us new identities. Gus is resourceful. Without new names and ID numbers, he’ll find us in no time.
Suppressing the sick feeling that’s present whenever I think about my future, I instruct Siri to send my mom a text message informing her I’m safe and on my way home. She’ll worry. I’ve never slept over before. Plus, Leon was right about one thing. The world we live in is unsafe.
My mom waits on the porch when I arrive home. I take a moment to send a text message to Leon. The last thing I want is for him to come looking for me. My mom comes down the stairs and meets me at the car when I get out.
“Violet,” she says, her brows pulled together. “Are you all right?”
“Of course,” I say brightly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Sleeping over…” She bites her lip. “I hope he was sweet with you.”
“Mom,” I exclaim. “It’s not as if I’m a virgin.”
“I know, but…”
But she knows I want to marry Leon as little as I want to work for Gus. It’s just easier to pretend otherwise. What’s the point of torturing ourselves with the truth when neither of us can do a damn thing to change our fates?
Sighing, I say, “We had dinner at his place, and it got late. He didn’t want me to drive home at that hour. You don’t have to worry. We didn’t have sex.” Technically. At least that’s not a lie.
“You’re an adult. I’m not prying in your personal life. I was—”
“Worried. It’s okay. I get it.”
Her flawless complexion smoothes out. “Just for the record, Gus agreed with Leon’s decision not to let you drive home. Your safety is obviously important to Leon. That’s a good sign, right?”
Leon is controlling, possessive, and over-protective. None of those traits are good.
The front door opens, and Gus steps out with his briefcase in his hand. My mother’s shoulders tense even as her lips stretch into a smile when he approaches.
“I told you she’d be fine,” he says, taking me in with an impersonal smile. “You always worry for nothing. It’s about time you cut the apron strings. Violet is a big girl.”
“A mother will always be a mother,” she says.
Gus narrows his eyes. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you don’t want to live alone with me.”
My mom laughs. “That’s ridiculous. I’m just suffering from a little premature empty nest syndrome.”
“Don’t worry.” He wraps an arm around her waist. “Elliot is still here.”
“Yes,” she says with forced enthusiasm.
Grabbing her ponytail, he pulls her head back. “I’m sorry about last night. I’ll make up for it.”