Page 120 of Vows of Silence

She looked beautiful.

She definitely didn’t look like she was being marched towards her execution. But clothes always had a magical effect. It’s why Silas only dressed in black, fitted suits. It’s why Adrien always looked polished and perfect. It’s why my mother never went out of the house without a new dress.

If the outside looked good enough, no one looked closer.

I spun away from the mirror, not wanting to see myself a second longer.

“Happy now?” I said to the guard, hiking the dress up and stomping over to him.

“Ecstatic.”

I hated him a little. Legit fucking hated him.

He escorted me from the room several minutes later, refusing every attempt I made to slow our progress. I tried stopping for water. He ignored me. I claimed I felt faint. He ignored that, too. At one point, I deliberately walked into the wrong corridor,and he simply grabbed my elbow and redirected me without breaking stride.

It was like being escorted by an exceptionally judgemental mountain.

My eyes constantly drifted towards the windows, every glimpse of the driveway had my heart jumping. But there was nothing—no black cars, no approaching convoy, no sign of my father or Adrien.

I told myself that meant nothing.

Falcone Manor sat in the middle of nowhere. Rescue missions took time. Planning took time. Even locating a heavily guarded estate took time.

They were coming. They had to be.

The alternative was simply unacceptable.

We eventually reached the main entrance hall, and for one brief, ridiculous second, I genuinely considered making a run for the front doors. The idea lasted approximately as long as it took me to notice the four armed guards stationed nearby.

Apparently Silas had anticipated that possibility.

Arrogant bastard.

The guard beside me guided me towards a set of double doors I had never seen opened before. My pulse immediately quickened.

“What happens if I refuse?”

“You won’t.”

“I appreciate your confidence, but let's just say I do—”

“Then I shoot you and we can all be done with the day.”

Well. That was me told.

The doors opened, and cold air swept inside, making me shiver.

“I’m not escorting you on a sight-seeing adventure, Isabelle. Ooh, the trees are so pretty,” he mocked, his voice raising an octave. “Shut your mouth and get in the car.”

God, I wished I had the balls to grab his gun and shoot the bastard in his dick.

Chapter 40

The Flame

I didn't move when the car stopped.

The engine fell silent around me, but I remained exactly where I was, staring out through the tinted window at the building.