A Kiss Stolen by Georgia le Carre

Author:Georgia le Carre [Carre, Georgia le]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781910575864
Publisher: Georgia Le Carre
Published: 2018-12-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Liliana

I cry until I’m so drained and exhausted it feels as if I am nothing but an empty husk. I can’t stop thinking of my father, and praying that he is okay. Into my misery comes the sound of footsteps. I turn my head towards the door and listen listlessly. I can tell they don’t belong to Brand. Probably, a maid with a tray of food. It must be dinner time. Too tired to care I don’t move even when a key is inserted into the door, and the handle twists. But when the door is pushed softly open, I summon the energy to sit up.

Mrs. Parks stands at the door and looks at me with eyes full of pity. She is carrying my dinner tray. I notice that she leaves the door open as she heads towards the coffee table to place my dinner there.

She straightens to look at me, and I respond with a silent plea in my eyes.

“You need to eat,” she says.

Hot, bitter tears that I could have sworn I’d run out of well up anew in my eyes and roll down my cheeks. I press my father’s ring to my chest and her eyes flutter down to it.

“I cannot do anything intentionally against Brand,” she says softly. “He didn’t come from my body, but he is my son.”

“Please. You don’t have to do anything against him. Just leave the door unlocked.”

She frowns. “I can’t let you go out there. You’ll die out there.”

“I’ll die in here. I’ll take my chances. I’ll dress warmly. I grew up in the country and I know how to navigate the wilderness. I know I can make it to the farmhouse. I promise I will never get Brand in trouble. I won’t tell anyone about this kidnapping, not even my own family.”

She shakes her head, but there is uncertainty in her eyes.

I quickly take advantage of that momentary hesitation. “Please, Mrs. Parks. You have to believe me that I will never get Brand in trouble. I’ll leave and that thing that was between us will be over. It will be better for Brand too. This is an unhealthy obsession. When I am gone, he will realize it.”

She takes a step towards me as if she wants to comfort me, then she stops herself and heads back to the door. It crosses my mind that if I rush her I can probably overpower her, but I would hate to hurt her. She is a truly kind soul who has been put into a horrible position. For a second she stands at the open doorway then she turns and places her index finger to her lips before putting the key in her pocket.

“Be very careful,” she says, and with a sad smile walks away.

For a second I do nothing. Just listen as I swipe the tears off my face, and hurry into the closet. Using my teeth, I nick then tear a dress and turn it into a cap. Quickly I construct a few layers of clothes.

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