Chapter Ten

My nerves are only more frazzled. One day left, and I'm not sure I can handle the pressure. Gracie dropped us off only two hours ago, so I don't know why she's back, torturing me with her presence. It's not that I don't like her. Hell, I think she's amazing and the polar opposite of Camille. It's just that I want to ask her about her brother, but Camille has monopolized her time the whole morning. She gave me a sheepishly apologetic smile when we were interrupted.

Since then, we've had guards lingering. Grace's guards linger by the door, which my stepfather remarks on. "We have strict orders by Mr. Valentino. She can leave if you'd prefer that, Sir," he snarls, but my stepfather quickly raises his hands and steps back, knowing that no one tells Mr. Valentino no. I don't know how we managed not to get caught by my stepfather's guards, or Tommy's, either. It's like we had the all-clear last night. A little too clear, which means they had it all planned out, except for Gracie's brother. Gracie's parents must be seriously dangerous people, or perhaps the Mr. Valentino he's referring to is her brother.

No, that's silly. I ignore that thought because it's just a girl's foolish dream. I almost expected Damiano to sneak into his bedroom and slide into bed with me, but that would be ridiculous because he hadn't shown up. I was all alone.

I sit in my bedroom, packing my bags for tomorrow, dreading my future or what I have left of it. There isn't much I can do about my life, but I have a choice I can make. It's mine, and at least it's my own.

There's a light rap on my door, so gentle that I almost don't hear it over my thoughts.

"Come in." It's not like I'm allowed to refuse entry to anyone in this house. The last time it occurred, I felt his wrath and lost my pillows for a week, all because I was changing my clothes and didn't open the door immediately. Of course, he didn't believe me and did a thorough search of my room for any deceit. Even after he didn't find any, he said it must be in my head so I deserved to be punished.

The door opens, and I'm surprised to see Gracie. "Hi," I say.

She presses her finger to her lips. "Hi. I came to check on you."

"Um…Thanks." I blow a strand of hair out of my face and carry on with my packing.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" she asks.

The absolute look of disgust on my face has to be obvious because I can feel my face contort painfully. "What I want? Does it appear like I have a choice?"

"You always have a choice."

"Oh, I have a choice, all right. And I might take it." I hold up a giant pill bottle of old Tylenol. "One heavy dose, and all my troubles will be gone." Grace's face falls, and I give her a weak smile and shake my head. "I'm teasing."

"Mm-hmm. So…" She takes a seat on my bed. "Ouch. Damn, how old is this thing?" I don't mention that I've had this twin bed since I was a child. "Sorry, that's rude. So, is there anything I can do for you?"

Being bold, I state, "Tell your brother to keep his promise."

She smiles and lays her hand on mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. "No one tells Damiano what to do, but you should trust me when I say he keeps his word, so if he told you he would do something, he will." God, I hope so.

My door slams open, and Camille pops in with a menacing flash my way before smiling at her friend. "Gracie, what are you doing in here?"

She turns up a pretty grin at Camille that I've just registered as fake compared to the genuine one she gave me moments ago. "I'm checking on the bride-to-be, of course. You were all busy and everything."

"Sorry, girl. I didn't mean to leave you all alone." Wow, does she have to act like I'm not even standing right here? It's getting a bit ridiculous. "Well, let's go and hang out today."

"Actually, I have to go home now. My parents are getting back tomorrow, which means I need to be on my best behavior and catch up on my reading. They can be a real pain about my lack of mental enrichment, but that's why I came back for another quick visit. Maybe you could stop by next week after they settle in."

"Totally. I'm so glad my daddy doesn't get on me about reading. I'll walk you out." I ignore the both of them because Camille will get suspicious if Gracie gives me any more attention. I wonder if she knows about what happened between Damiano and myself that night at the club.

The second Gracie's gone, I'm absolutely right. Camille slams open my bedroom door. "Are you trying to steal my friend?"

"What? No," I gasp. "Are you nuts? I'm getting married, or have you forgotten."

"Oh, I haven't forgotten." She shuts my door, smiling the entire time. The wicked grin on her face reminds me that she's a total cunt and there's no redeeming qualities left in my stepsister. When we were younger, she wasn't totally evil, but now there's absolutely nothing remaining. I've always hoped that she would turn around and be my friend, and last night gave me a glimpse of hope that she might have had an ounce of empathy or compassion.

I drop on my hard, lumpy mattress and flattened pillow, wanting to suffocate myself, but I remain strong and hope that I can keep it together enough to give Damiano a chance to hold up his promise, although I'll deal with my problems if he doesn't show tomorrow.

One way or another, I won't be a victim to my stepfather and his friends ever again.