Bend But Never Break

by Cheryl Phipps

  It was arresting, the way his eyes, unusually deep blue for someone of his complexion, shone brightly when he was animated. The hint of a beard threatened, even though he had an electric shaver lying on the bench. His chin was strong and held a small dimple - much smaller than the one in his left cheek that went in even deeper when he smiled like that. Hell! He was watching her watch him, and he looked highly amused.

  ‘Where’s Jack?’ she stammered

  ‘He’s keeping an eye on the neighbours.’ Nick frowned, suddenly looking annoyed.

  So that meant they were alone in the house. Talia had decided long ago that he was one of the good guys, but her feelings towards him had been growing increasingly more complicated. She had to get away from him for a while.

  ‘Thanks for the breakfast - it was delicious. I better go and get dressed and not waste any more of the day.’ She almost ran from the room.

  Leaning against the bedroom door, she took a few deep breaths. What on earth was wrong with her? Things were going to be rather awkward around here without her being unable to deal with this bizarre attraction she felt for Nick. She wasn’t here for a romance; she had a child waiting for her. Besides, even though Nick seemed to be doing his best to make her feel at ease, it would be stupid of her to think that after last night, he would change his mind about her staying.

  She must endeavour to carry on with her plan the way she might have if he hadn’t been there, and try to stay out of everyone’s way. Talia would keep her appointment that morning in the village and get some groceries as a cover.

  After a quick shower, she tucked her unruly hair into a cap, and proceeded to leave by the front door. Her heart skipped a beat when she opened it and saw Nick standing on the step.

  ‘Where are you off to?’ He stared at her bag meaningfully.

  ‘I need to go into town for a few things,’ she hedged, trying to manoeuvre around him.

  ‘One of us can get you anything you need.’ Nick stayed put.

  ‘I have some errands and I want to get some groceries.’

  ‘What sort of errands?’

  She bit her lip. ‘Just personal things that, as a man, you wouldn’t be interested in.’ From her limited experience, most men couldn’t handle talking about woman’s things.

  ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry, but I thought we discussed this, thought you understood how careful we need to be so our cover isn’t blown. We shouldn’t leave here unless it’s absolutely necessary.’

  ‘Are you saying I’m a prisoner here?’

  ‘No, but - ’

  ‘Don’t worry about it, Nick. What I’m doing today could not possibly affect you in the slightest.’

  ‘All right. I don’t need to know exactly what you plan to do, but for your own good, I’d like Jack to go with you.’ As she began to protest, he added. ‘Let him drop you off in town and then he can pick you up a bit later. He doesn’t have to go everywhere with you, but he’ll be there if you need him. Will that work for you?’

  Begrudgingly, Talia acknowledged that this was acceptable. It wasn’t worth the fight. Inwardly, she was determined it would be his last command. This was still her place for now. After all, wasn’t she the one paying the rent?

  Jack was sensitive to her mood and kept quiet on the drive until he began to sing along to the radio. It was classic stuff that reminded her of happier days, and her spirits lifted a little.

  ‘Where do you want me to stop?’ The winding road had given way to the first few shops, and Talia had to look closely to see where she needed to be. When she’d initially scoped out the village, she’d come from the other direction, so it took a moment for her to find her bearings. She spotted the café that could be used as a reference point and instantly knew the right direction to move in when he let her out. Talia made him pull over a few hundred metres past her destination.

  ‘Thanks for the ride, Jack. Can you meet me at the supermarket in about an hour and a half?’

  ‘Sounds good to me.’ He waved and drove off.

  Talia made sure he was out of sight before she moved on to her meeting. As if he’d been watching out for her, and no doubt he had, Kirk opened the door, even as her hand reached up to knock. She squeezed through the restricted opening, and after he’d shut and locked it, Talia followed him down a narrow hall.

  The small lounge was home to a large amount of equipment, which included a police scanner as well as other electronic paraphernalia that did things she could only guess at.

  ‘How’s it going at the cottage? Any news?’

  Boy, did she have a lot to tell him, starting with her rude awakening the night before. It was in Kirk’s nature to sit quietly until she’d finished, but his body grew tense and his eyes narrowed. Jumping to his feet, he slapped the table.

  ‘You have to get off the island. This is too dangerous.’

  ‘As I told them, I’m not going anywhere. I have to get Chloe away from Randall, and nothing will get in the way of that, including two detectives.’

  ‘You do realise that if Randall finds out that you’re involved with the police, there won’t be any second chances?’

  ‘Of course I do but Randall won’t go easy on me, whatever the situation. I’m hoping Nick and I can help each other.’

  ‘This is not some story where the characters will play the game your way, with the perfect outcome. Randall will stop at nothing to kill you if he discovers you’re here. And Nick or I may not be close enough to save you.’

  She was angry he thought her so naïve. ‘Nothing has changed as far as I’m concerned, Kirk, and I know better than anyone that this is no game. Randall has Chloe and this is my only opportunity to get her back. When he realises I’m alive, I lose any advantage I have. If Nick doesn’t tell them who I am right away, I’ll be able to use their resources without their knowledge.’

  ‘I don’t like it. It’s bad enough that we’re deceiving Nick, but we don’t even know your daughter’s on the island,’ he said stubbornly. ‘It’s been weeks since anyone’s caught a glimpse of her. I think we should wait in the city until we know exactly where he’s holding her.’

  ‘No! I won’t allow that monster to have her any longer than I can help it. If you want to leave, then go with my blessing, but we both know he’s due here in a few days, and that’s the only information we’ve had for months. Our information says he usually drags Chloe around with him, so that’s good enough for me. I’m ready for this, Kirk.’

  Kirk looked at her as if he was trying to think of something to change her mind. Instead, he shook his head and sighed. ‘I’ll stay and help you, but I insist you keep away from Randall until I say. We’ll find Chloe but it’ll take time, and patience is not your best quality.’

  ‘You’re a good man, Kirk. Without you, I wouldn’t be alive and I can never repay you for all you’ve done already.’ Crossing the room, she kissed his cheek, much to his embarrassment, and left quickly, before he could see how his words had troubled her. Chloe would be here soon and Talia had to get her back. End of story.

  It was a little early to meet Jack so she stopped at a café, choosing a table just back from the road. Close enough to people watch - one of her favourite pastimes as a painter - but hopefully not to be noticed herself. Not that she imagined Randall would lower himself to visit a café. Still, keeping a low profile had ensured her safety so far and it had become a habit.

  The town was as pretty as she remembered it, with hanging baskets dripping with flowers outside each shop. People appeared friendlier than in the bustling city across the water. They called out to each other using first names, and there was an abundance of smiles and laughter.

  ‘Hello there. I didn’t expect to see you in here. All finished with your errands?’

  ‘Hi, Jack.’ She was startled, having been so deep in thought, and it took a lot to make her voice normal. ‘I was just going to have a drink before I met you at the store. Are you waiting for me?’ Talia checked her watch.

  ‘No, not
at all. In fact, I came in to get a coffee. Nick is no barista.’ Jack laughed and looked around the room. ‘Can I join you or are you expecting someone?’

  He was so sweet, she couldn’t refuse. Talia nodded to the other chair. ‘Take a seat.’

  They ordered their drinks and were soon talking like old friends—having the kind of conversation she hadn’t had since first becoming involved with Randall. Then he spoiled it with his next words.

  ‘Talia, please don’t think I’m prying, but if you want to talk about anything, then I’m happy to listen.’

  ‘I’m not sure I understand what you mean. Aren’t we talking now?’ Where was this going? Had Nick sent Jack to get information?

  ‘I wasn’t going to say anything, but those walls in the house aren’t very thick, and I heard you last night. Please don’t be embarrassed but it sounded bad and I want to assure you I’d keep anything to myself if you did confide in me.’ His cheeks had reddened and Talia guessed this was as difficult for him to say as it was for her to hear.

  ‘I’m not sure what you heard, Jack, and it’s so kind of you to offer, but I’m fine. I do seem to have my share of nightmares, but it isn’t a problem. In fact, I don’t always remember what they’re about once I wake up.’ Even to Talia, the words sounded false. Forgetting the past was easier said than done.

  He patted her hand. ‘That’s good. Just remember, if you change your mind, I’m a good listener.’

  Considering how much she hated to be around men these days, it was amazing she had recently found three who wanted to ensure her safety, and it felt good. Perhaps it was wrong to rely on strangers, but she would hang on to that crutch for a while longer.

  Getting the groceries together lightened the mood between them. They were able to have a laugh and joke about Nick’s prowess in the kitchen and how he’d burnt his hand because he’d been talking. On the way home, they didn’t discuss the case, nor did they talk of her problems, but she did reminisce about the joys of boating holidays without getting upset. Small steps, she reminded herself, and one at a time.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The cottage was quiet. Jack and Nick were watching the perimeter, so Talia had the place to herself. In the last couple of days, she’d gotten to understand their routine and it suited her well. With the men out of the way, she was able to maintain her fitness regime.

  She’d been at it for a couple of hours and her clothing was damp with the exertion. After running several miles down the far side of the beach and doing various squats and lunges, she would do a few more crunches in the lounge and be finished before they came back for lunch.

  ‘How many of those do you do?’

  Talia held back a scream as Nick’s shadow fell over her. ‘Shit!’

  ‘Sorry. I thought you’d heard me come in.’

  ‘Clearly not. I thought you’d be gone for a while longer.’

  ‘I can go out to the kitchen and leave you in peace. I was only coming back to make us some lunch.’

  ‘No, that’s fine. I’m done here.’

  She went to stand and he held out his hand to pull her up. It seemed churlish not to take it, but she knew before the connection how it would feel. There was no disappointment as a tingle began at her fingertips and circumnavigated her entire body. They stood toe to toe for only seconds but it felt like many minutes before she could let him go.

  He felt it, too. It was there in his eyes. And whatever it was, it had to stop because the way he was looking at her made her knees feel weak. It must be lust because she’d never felt like this before - so out of control.

  ‘Would you like me to make you a sandwich, too?’

  Who could think of food right now? ‘No, thanks. I’m just going to take a shower.’

  His eyes narrowed and she saw a pulse twitch in his neck. He swallowed deeply.

  ‘Okay, I’ll see you later then.’

  Talia nodded, not trusting her voice. She was glad to escape from the heat of his looks and the pull of some invisible string that made her body want to get closer to him. Perhaps a cold shower was the best remedy right now.

  Nick had been stunned at his reaction to Talia. Thank goodness she’d left the room because he was moments away from pulling her into his arms. The sight of the spandex damp and tight across her body had made his jeans damn uncomfortable. His erection was painful and he’d had to slip off his backpack and hold it in front of him.

  Tendrils of blond hair had escaped the hair band, and a bead of sweat had slid in a silent caress down the cleft of her breasts. She had beautiful breasts, he remembered thinking.

  When he touched her hand and pulled her up, she came willingly until the distance between them was less than two feet. The electricity sparked once more, and with a small tug, she would have been up against him. He’d had to fight with his inner self not to do it, and he’d only just succeeded.

  As she’d walked away, he imagined the scenario where she stepped unreservedly into his arms until he could bear the pain no more. Time for a cold drink before Jack came to find out what was taking him so long.

  ***

  By the time Talia came out of the room, it was late afternoon and she decided she would make them all dinner. Nick did his best, but his meals weren’t what she was used to eating. He was heavy on the meat and potatoes and there wasn’t much variety with the vegetables. She had put pasta on to cook and had already made the sauce, so she looked around for something to do. The house was tidy enough so she checked the other bedroom and saw a folder sticking out of a rucksack.

  She pulled it out gently so as not to disturb the bag and flicked it open. She gasped, shocked to see Randall staring up at her. Silly, really, to be surprised, since he was the reason they were all here. It got worse, though.

  There were photos of her parents’ boat. Before and after the accident that claimed not only their lives but that of her brother. Her heart ached, a reminder of her greatest loss before Chloe. They had been a perfect family and they would have all loved her daughter, of whom there were also several pictures. The ache became a pain and she rubbed her chest as if that might help. It didn’t.

  The next picture was of her outside the gallery where she’d worked. Actually, there were more like a dozen photos. In most of them, she looked unhappy. Randall was in some of them and she remembered that particular day. He’d been harassing her for weeks and had finally agreed to the divorce, provided she do him a favour. At that stage, she would have done almost anything.

  In the last photo of her, she was smiling. She remembered feeling so happy. She had been thinking ‘I’m finally going to be free’. How wrong she’d been and how ridiculously gullible. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

  Hearing footsteps on the path outside, Talia quickly stuffed the folder back in the bag. Nick had his secrets, too, it seemed. Were he and she going to be on the same side when they came out?

  ***

  Over the next couple of days, Nick and Jack were kept busy by the usual routine of surveillance and making sure all the equipment was in place and functioning properly. Going by the number of e-mails and phone calls flying back and forth from the mainland to their base in town confirming sightings of the alleged drug dealers, the shipment might land as early as next week.

  Nick had made it his responsibility to ensure Talia was disturbed as little as possible, but he was constantly aware of her. He found himself listening for her voice and watching her when she was nearby. She had an air of fragility that was in contrast to her cool manner, which, he was well aware, was far more evident when she spoke to him than when she was talking to Jack. Those two laughed and joked often, which irritated him to such an extent that he found himself speaking tersely to his partner.

  ‘Is something the matter, Nick?’ Jack finally queried, unable to let his boss’s bad temper go unchallenged.

  ‘Not with me. Why do you ask?’

  ‘You seem grumpier than normal. I wondered if I’d done something to upset you. Something oth
er than the usual,’ he added, grinning.

  Sometimes even Nick wasn’t impervious to Jack’s charm. ‘Sorry, guess I have been a bit wound up. I’m probably more bothered about Talia being here than I thought I would be. As the time gets closer, it concerns me even more that she’s in this dangerous situation, but she’s made her decision, and I can’t seem to do much about it.’

  ‘Can I ask you something without getting my head bitten off?’

  Nick sighed. ‘You’ll ask, anyway, so I’m not making any promises.’

  ‘What’s the deal with Talia? This isn’t a coincidence, is it? Is she connected to the case, somehow?’

  ‘It’s better if you don’t know everything, Jack.’

  ‘I can’t agree with that. If her being here will compromise the case, then I have a right to know.’

  ‘I’ll tell you when I think the time is right. I don’t want her here but until I can get her to leave - just treat her like a guest and don’t get too involved with her.’

  ‘I agree with you that she shouldn’t be here, and I’ll do what you think is right, but I don’t like it. Though I do have to say it’s pretty nice to have her around, isn’t it? A woman that looks like that can sure take the edge off the boring routine, don’t you think?’

  Nick’s felt a fire burn across his face as Jack spoke, his words like knives. ‘Here’s what I think. You’ve got too much bloody time on your hands if all you do is lust after our host. It isn’t professional, to say the least. Talia is here for personal reasons, not to worry about horny young men who pretend they value her company!’

  ‘Hey, just hold on a darn minute, Nick. I never said I was lusting after her, just that a man would have to be blind not to notice how she looks.’

  ‘As long as you remember looking is all you get to do. I know your reputation, Jack. It speaks volumes about how you see women. You do realise they were not specifically put here for your pleasure, don’t you?’