Chapter 145 The Great Escape
\[Lilia\]
I don’t know if my heart pummeling against my ribs with anticipation that I am incredibly nervous about the notion of us getting married in secret. I tilt my head, looking at the man that turned my life upside down. We are both far from being perfect, nowhere near actually. At the start, we were both people on the opposite side of the pole, impossible to begin with, but right at this moment, I could jump through the highest building with my head first, knowing that he was going to be at the bottom, waiting to catch me, and I would do it over and again just to be with him.
“You’re shaking, doll,” Kael noted over my trembling body.
I let out a shaking breath, clouding in front of us, hugging his coat around me. “I am.”
I did try to keep my voice steady, but it didn’t come out well. Instead, I sounded a little bit reluctant and scared.
“Are you having second thoughts?” …and I somehow hurt his feelings.
I vehemently shake my head and assure him that that is not what I had in mind, but there’s something else that got me worrying. “No…no. How can we go past the guards?”
Even in the dim lighting, I could see his bright smile of relief washes on his face, and then he placed a lingering kiss on my forehead.
“Leave that to me, and don’t say anything.”
I simply nodded without raising any objection to whatever plan was hatching inside his head. A shiver ran down my spine soon as he placed his large hand on the small of my back and guided me through the walkway. Right past a shady lamp post, just then, I noticed that Kael had changed his clothes to one of those similar to what the guards were wearing. A black combat pants and a sturdy coat with a multitude of pockets on the sides and chest. In addition to that, he wore a fabric mask covering the lower half of his face—nose, and mouth.
Now, I already have a glimpse of what he had in mind.
“Just walk natural, and treat me like your escort.” He whispered, instructing me on how I should act. I gave a discrete nod while forcing the knot of anticipation that had formed in my throat down into my chest. Then, I raised my head high and smiled as regally as I could manage like a proper young lady that everyone here was addressing me.
He withdrew his hand on my back and took a stance next to me. Like the guards around, Kael walked stiff and taut, arms paste on the side and elbows straight and unbending. The only thing that is missing with him is the rifle strap on their back, but it doesn’t make him any less menacing. In fact, his aura alone exuded everyone—screaming in authority and power.
We finally came across towards the gate, where much more guards were posted and their gazes fixed on us. Sheer suspense rippled inside me, and my lungs constricted both from the cold and dread swelling inside my chest, but I kept my head high, clearing any fear out of my face. They immediately recognized me and dipped their heads.
“Buonasera, signorina.” (Good evening, young lady.) One of them greeted me. I simply tilted my head in acknowledgment. I am not fluent in Italian, but I understand the basic greetings.
The guard’s hand curled around the handle of his rifle, a finger resting near the trigger. His attention shifted to Kael, inspecting him carefully.
“La signorina Lilia ha chiesto la mia compagnia mentre passeggiava per prendere una boccata d'aria.” (Young lady Lilia requested my company while she took her stroll for fresh air.)
Kael spoke fluently with a flawless Italian accent. I tried to keep my hands still, folded in front of me, resisting the urge to applaud my husband-to-be for his performance.
“Vedo. Il signore lo sa?” (I see. Does the master know about this?)
“Sì. Puoi chiederglielo tu stesso. La signorina ha già chiesto il suo permesso.” (Yes. You can ask him yourself. The young lady had already asked his permission.)
Kael answered the guard swiftly and confidently, maintaining a vigilant stance. The guard swept his gaze back toward me. I tried not to flinch under his scrutiny until he finally nodded.
“Bene. Assicurati di fare la guardia e di mantenere la giovane donna illesa.” (Alright. Make sure to keep watch and keep the young lady unharmed.)
“Certo, lo farò.” (Of course, I will.)
That was the end of the conversation. They stepped aside, letting us pass. The back of my neck tingled, fearing they might ask for Kael’s name, but they didn't. We finally turned the curb.
“A little bit further, doll. My car is waiting,” Kael whispered, still keeping his distance until we reached his car, camouflaged in the inky night.
He opened the door for me, then jogged to the driver's side. We drove off, hoping no one had seen us. Kael kept his eyes on the road, but his hand was entwined with mine, his thumb rubbing my wrist gently. He was nervous, too; I could feel it.
After a ten-minute drive, we stopped after a sharp curve. I looked out the window, but I couldn't see anything beyond the reach of the headlights. I could make out the silhouette of another car nearby.
Kael squeezed my hand. “Please, doll, tell me you’re not going to back out.” His eyes were soft, almost pleading. His palm was cold and clammy, matching mine.
For a second, I was amused. Who would have thought the fearsome Kael, the Russian Mob Kingpin, would be anxious on his wedding night? I smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “No, I’m not. But we barely have two hours left until they expect me back at the ball.”
I hadn't forgotten Ronan’s threat. I knew I couldn't disregard it.
“Two hours is more than enough, kukla.”
“Let’s do it. Make me yours, Kael.”