God, I was playing a fool’s game.
But I had to try.
“Please, Papa, give me this chance. One month. Until the new year. I’ll find out where the stones are in that time. I promise.”
Hesitation poured through the line, and I whispered, “Please, Papa.”
I could feel the sag of his shoulders. The giving in. “One month, mia vita. One month is all I can give.”
“And Logan will be protected? His family?”
He sighed. “You ask more of me than I should grant, but I give it because I do love you. Jarek will be ordered to stand down.”
“And what will you do about Jarek?”
“I will speak with him.”
“Papa, I fear he needs more than speaking to.”
And I feared more I’d just told my father the greatest lie. I wasn’t asking for one month.
I was asking for my life.
* * *
Slipping off my heels, I wiggled my toes into the plush carpet and exhaled a long breath of the fear I’d been holding.
I couldn’t believe my father had agreed.
Couldn’t believe it.
More tears fell.
These ones were of relief. For once, I felt like some of the chains I’d carried had been lifted.
I allowed myself to relish in it.
Freedom.
For the first time in my life, I was standing up for what I wanted.
Fighting for myself.
I didn’t think I’d ever felt a more overwhelming relief than knowing I could breathe.
That I could sleep.
Logan and his family were safe, and Jarek wasn’t there to control me.
To watch me.
To touch me.
Revulsion curdled in my stomach, the same sickness I’d lived in for years.
The vile man had demolished me in a single strike, yet day after day, desolation had built upon that tragedy.
They say time heals wounds, but every time I looked at Jarek, it felt like I was being ripped open anew.