we. are. falling. || OPEN

[ELI LILLIAN BRYNE]

She had finally managed to escape.

She didn't know how it had happened because Connor had his lackies pressing down on her from all sides, but she had gotten away without being noticed. She knew that her husband to be would have a fit when he found out that she was missing, but she had made all of the proper requirements. The twins had their hired nanny watching after them and Eli promised that she would only be gone for a few hours at the most. And unless Connor had a tracking device installed in the motorcycle that she wasn't supposed to be operating anymore, then she wasn't going to be discovered by him and his horrible temper.

She knew that he didn't want anything happening to her but she honestly just needed a break from him and the Irish mafia. He was absolutely smothering, suffocating her, and she didn't think that he even realized it. But she simply couldn't take it anymore. He was different, so different, and while she didn't expect any affection from him because he was who he was, she expected to be treated as more than just a person to lock up and keep safe. She missed her old lifestyle before she had ever been prisoner to the Russians. She had no freedom and if there was anything that Eli hated, it was confinement. She had been confined for the entirety of the pregnancy with the twins and it hadn't even been nine months. She was tired of being controlled so today she had done something about it.

Having dressed in casual clothes so she wouldn't be recognized, she traded her black motorcycle helmet for the ball cap she had stowed away. Shoving it over her long blonde hair that was done up in a ponytail, she straightened out her light yellow windbreaker, adjusting it and knocking the hood back from her head. Her teeth chattered lightly in the crisp air and she found herself thankful for the sweatshirt she had decided to wear last minute. Crouching down, she pulled her jeans out of her black combat style boots and straightened the legs out, feeling more comfortable as she did so. Straightening, she finally felt ready to just be by herself. No one would recognize her because of how she was dressed and she was certain Connor would have a fit if he saw her out like this. She was supposed to be the Queen of the Irish mafia soon enough. She needed to be professional and well put together at all times, but now, without even an ounce of make up on, she certainly wasn't doing a proper job of representing her life and her family. But at this point she had been pushed so far over the edge that she didn't care.

She understood that Connor was the way that he was and she accepted him for who he was. Eli didn't mind that he was this way. She loved him this way. But he was far too intense for her lately, and the tension around the mansion was palpable, what with the Finn and Kahlan situation. She simply could not take it anymore, so she had freed herself from the drama.

Walking along the docks even though she had no business being there, Eli shoved her cold hands inside of her jacket pockets, stretching her legs gratefully as she walked up and down the rows of boats. She was certain that one or more belonged to the Irish mafia and found herself wishing to go out on one. She was certain Connor would find some excuse as to why she couldn't, but she was determined to show him that she wasn't happy with t he way things were going as soon as shen got back. She could understand the extra protection when she was pregnant, but she didn't get it now. She couldn't even walk out of the house without Connor or one of his men and she had had enough. She was going to tell him how she really felt when she got back. He did need to know that she supported him, completely, and that she had his back, but he needed to give her some breathing room in exchange. She needed space sometimes and he just refused to give it to her. Shaking her head slightly at those thoughts, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

She knew he was going to be angry she was gone. He was probably tracking her cell phone right now, but she simply didn't care. Reaching the end of the docks, Eli stared out over the frozen water and suddenly sat down. Sitting Indian style, with her legs crossed, she placed her hands in her lap and studied everything on front of her. Maybe today was ging to be a good day.