Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 68870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
I don’t point out that this is some very big talk for someone working for the Regime. Is this woman for real? Is she trying to gain my trust, or just stating facts? More importantly, there are going to be cameras there? That sparks an idea.
“Guest list?” Ginger asks.
I don’t have any friends or family to speak of. Who would I invite? I ramble off random important people in the Regime. Ginger takes down the list but makes no promises.
Better put some cake in my mouth before I say something I regret. I shove the sample carrot cake into my mouth and realize just how hungry I am after all that delicious, secret sex I’ve been having. The chocolate hazelnut cake and the lemon raspberry are the next cakes to go down the hatch, and I speak with my mouth full while finishing up the wedding plans as quick as I can.
I need to get back to Owen to let him know about the new wedding plans.
Chapter Sixteen
Minnie
I lick my lips, still feeling Owen’s mouth from this morning. I can't wait for this to be over. We knew this had to be done. It’s the only way for me to truly be free.
I stand there as the wedding planner runs around doing everything that I requested for the event. I feel bad for her working so hard for something that’s about to be blown to hell. I don't just mean figuratively, either.
“Come, come.” The planner rushes me out of the room and down a hall. We’re outside the event, and I pause when I see Ryan, the man I’m supposed to be marrying. Our eyes lock. The planner grabs me by the arm, but I break her hold and keep moving towards him.
I can tell from the set of his jaw he doesn't want to be here any more than I do. When I reach him, he gives me a smile that doesn't meet his eyes.
“I can’t do this,” he says, catching me off guard. I don’t know if I can trust him, but this would be so much easier if he came along easily.
“You’re in love with someone, aren't you?” Now it's him who’s caught off guard. “Me, too.” His body relaxes at my words.
“You can come with me, but you can never come back. You’ll be leaving this life behind,” I offer.
I know what it’s like to love and have the Regime try and take it away from you. Then to force something on you that you don’t want. I know Owen is probably going to be pissed at me for doing this, but I can't stop myself from offering him an escape and a way to get out of this marriage. To be free.
He nods. I don't know how much I can trust him, but we’ll deal with that after. I grab his hand and start to pull him with me. People begin trickling into the room and taking their seats. I see the cameras on us, but God knows what they’re broadcasting.
“Minnie. I need you to come with me. We are about to start,” Ginger snips at me.
“I’d like a moment alone with Ryan before we walk down the aisle,” I tell her. She looks like she's about to tell me no. “Please, just a moment,” I push.
“Fine,” she huffs.
I pull him off to the side and enter a small room that I’m guessing is used as a dressing room for events. I shut the door behind us, flipping the lock.
“Sparrow.” I turn at the sound of Owen’s deep growl.
“I had to take him,” I explain quickly.
I glance back at Ryan, who looks confused. Before he can get a word in, Owen punches him hard right in the face. Ryan falls, but another man catches him before he can hit the ground.
“Owen!” I snap.
“Fucker thought he was marrying you,” Owen grits out between his teeth as he shakes his hand out.
I roll my eyes. “No, he was trying to get out of the wedding and I panicked that he might mess our plans up, so…” I shrug.
The man with Owen takes a black canvas bag out of his back pocket and puts it over Ryan’s head.
Owen pulls me into his body. “You ready, princess?”
I smile up at him and nod before he takes my mouth in a deep kiss. I melt into him as one of his hands cups my belly protectively.
This is a way for us to be free so the Regime never comes looking for me. To them, I’ll be dead. I can live without fear of them hunting me down and looking for my child. I can spend my life on our side of the wall. Teaching my classes and giving medical care to those in need for free. I can be with the man I was born to be with. At his side. Him teaching me how to be a little harder while I teach him how to have a softer touch. Together we will lead. We will rip down these walls and everyone will know freedom.