Bend But Never Break

by Cheryl Phipps

  He smiled and pushed her hair back from her damp cheeks. ‘I guess I have yelled at you a lot, but did I really hurt you that much?’ Nick couldn’t bear to think he had caused her any sort of pain, and she’d certainly had her share of that, judging by those nightmares.

  ‘No, you didn’t. What you said was perfectly reasonable. Only, the thing is, I haven’t got the time to be reasonable. Every day Chloe is out there, she’s in danger. Randall is a sick man and one person keeping an eye on her will not stop him. I don’t think anyone is capable of stopping him,’ she said earnestly.

  ‘I know this hasn’t been easy. You certainly didn’t ask to be involved in our case, but I want you to know I couldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you or Chloe because of me.’

  Nick saw some of the fight leave as her eyes lost their anguish. He couldn’t resist the desire that hummed through his body, and he slowly lowered his mouth to her full, pink lips, touching them gently. Back and forth, his lips moved, slowly increasing the pressure with each pass. She groaned and then her eyelashes fluttered and closed as her mouth slowly opened to his.

  The sweetness was exquisite - like some exotic fruit he couldn’t get enough of. Their tongues entwined and he could imagine kissing her all over. He could feel himself hardening against her, and he shifted a little to make himself more comfortable. Her eyes sprung open and she pulled back, gasping a little.

  ‘No!’

  Her voice held panic. Nick looked around. They were alone but she was frightened. By him? It was bizarre when she had returned every kiss, but there was no mistaking her distress as she began to struggle to get off his lap. He released her instantly.

  ‘What did I do, Talia? We can take it slower if you like. Just tell me what you want.’

  She was already on the path back up to cottage but she rounded on him angrily.

  ‘It doesn’t matter what I want, Nick. This is wrong. Just because we’re attracted to each other doesn’t mean we can or should do anything about it.’

  ‘I know this isn’t the time or place, but we both know there’s something between us.’ Nick couldn’t grasp why she was so hot and cold with him.

  ‘I can’t believe you. There can never be anything between us, since there’s the small matter of your wife.’

  Her hands were flat on her hips, her eyes flashing with fury and in spite of this, he wanted her so much. Lost in desire, he struggled to hear what she’d said and when it finally dawned on him, he didn’t respond as perhaps he should have.

  ‘My wife? You mean Emma, my ex-wife. We’ve been divorced for two years, and very rarely even work together, but she’s been involved with this case from the beginning. She has a lot of contacts, and when she had the opportunity, she managed to get herself inside the compound. I had no choice but to include her on this assignment.’

  She took a step towards him, then stopped. ‘Nick, you can say what you like but I don’t believe she doesn’t have feelings for you. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.’

  ‘Oh, I certainly don’t deny we have feelings for each other - very strong feelings, some of which are not so nice.’

  Talia didn’t seem amused by his attempt at levity, so he hurried on with his explanation. ‘You have to appreciate that Emma and I were working together for a long time before anything happened between us. Marriage seemed a natural progression. We have a lot of history. It was never going to work, even though we tried our best. The counsellor said we’re too much alike.’ He smiled at her as he moved closer.

  ‘Don’t get me wrong. Emma is a wonderful person and a part of me will always love her, but I’m not in love with her. She never made me feel like this. I could sit here like that with you for hours.’ He gestured back to the log. ‘Emma and I can barely be in the same room for ten minutes before we want to strangle each other.’ He attempted to pull her back to him, but she jerked away.

  ‘You make it all sound so easy but think about it, Nick. This is all too much too soon. We only met each other such a short time ago, and so much has happened since then. You’re busy with this case and I’m not ready for a commitment. I may never be capable of having a normal relationship.’

  ‘Don’t say that, Talia, and what the hell is normal these days, anyway? Besides, I’m not asking you to marry me,’ he added teasingly, but got a frown for his efforts. ‘You can’t deny there’s some strong chemistry between us, so why pretend? There hasn’t been anyone else since Emma and I split up. I wasn’t interested before, but I feel differently about you. Look, I know the timing’s lousy and we need to wait until this is all over. Just tell me you feel the same.’

  ‘I appreciate what you’re saying and I won’t deny I feel something, too, but I’m too scared to even think about the possibility. That may sound pretty dramatic. Nevertheless, what I’ve been through made me swear off men, and so far, all this has done nothing to make me change my mind.’

  ‘You’re serious, aren’t you? Your eyes tell me you feel the rightness of it, even as you fight the attraction. I can feel your heart race every time I touch you. What is it that’s making you feel like you don’t deserve to be happy? It’s more than the death of your family, isn’t it? You have to tell me. Otherwise, I can’t believe there’s no hope for us.’

  The sincerity in his voice and the desperation in his eyes made her understand what it cost a man like him to talk about his feelings so openly. Allowing her to stay must have contravened all of his directives. He wanted her safe and to solve his case while she had jeopardised everything for her daughter and lied about it.

  It was time to come clean for Nick and Chloe’s sake. It wasn’t likely, after she divulged everything, that Nick would want to continue developing a relationship. She took a deep breath, struggling to get the words out. ‘My marriage was a sham but I had no idea. I really believed he loved me.’

  Nick nodded encouragement.

  ‘He hurt me, Nick, more than I can possibly say. I met him not long before my family died. He was a friend of Mom and Dad’s through the sailing club, and he took my brother under his wing. He seemed to genuinely like my family. After the accident, he came around often and talked about my family, whereas my other friends wouldn’t, in case I got too upset. I was so lost and he helped me through that time. He was kind and patient with my grief. There was no real passion on my part, but I let him talk me into marrying him a few months later. People tried hard to talk me out of it, but I needed to feel loved. I was desperate to be part of a family again, and when he said that was what he wanted, too, I agreed.’

  She wrung her hands. ‘What I didn’t know and you obviously did, was that he was using me. Through my work, I managed to get him the contract to organise all the transport of my company’s goods in and out of the country. He had the contract under a dummy corporation so it could never be traced back to him. I was the only person at the gallery who dealt with that sort of thing, so no one ever got suspicious. I later found out that amongst the goods, he would stash drugs and God knows what else. I’d been worried for some time because of the rough characters hanging around us, and there were so many unexplained occurrences, which he always fobbed off with some ridiculous explanation or another.’

  Nick looked as though he wanted to say something but he let her continue.

  ‘One day I went to his warehouse when I knew a new shipment was due. Being the boss’s wife made it relatively easy to get in and hide until I could see for myself what was really going on. It’s one thing to have suspicions but I had to be certain before I challenged him. I didn’t want it to be true, even at that stage. I confronted him, stupidly in front of his thugs. I told him I wanted it all to stop. He laughed at me and said this was the best way for him to do his deals, like it was no big thing. When I threatened to tell someone about what he was up to, he beat me. He was always clever enough to make sure it didn’t show. It wasn’t the first time, and of course, it wasn’t the last.’

  ‘So he let you go?’

  ‘T
hat time, yes. I had to pick up Chloe from day-care, and I imagine Randall, in spite of the separation, thought if I had time to think it over, I would do as he asked. I always had before. I went to stay at a friend’s place, but even after everything that had happened, I still didn’t comprehend how ruthless he could be. It was easy for his boys to find me, and a few days later they took me back to him, and he calmly explained that things would resume as before. He must have thought I wouldn’t have the guts to defy him, but I couldn’t condone what he was doing. I told him to go to hell - that I never wanted to see him again. He threatened me with another beating and this time he would make sure the job was done right. I called his bluff.’ She put her face in her hands, exhausted.

  Nick’s chest hurt with her suffering. He knew a lot about her time with Randall - some things even she wasn’t aware of - but he hadn’t known she had been repeatedly abused. He could happily kill the man with his bare hands, but that wouldn’t change her mind about having another relationship.

  Maybe he was biased but he believed that she’d never knowingly played a part in Randall’s dealings. There’d been no evidence and as long as she testified against him, Nick felt sure she wouldn’t be held accountable. All he had to do was win her trust and keep her alive. Both would take all his resources.

  ‘I can help with this, Talia. I can get him so he’ll pay for what he did and get your daughter back, but you can’t stay here. It’s simply too dangerous.’

  Shoulders squared, she looked at him coolly.

  ‘Randall is pure evil. It makes me ill every time I think of him and how he used me. I hate the thought of ever seeing him again, but I’m going to do whatever I need to, and leaving is not an option. I came here for Chloe, not to find a lover.’ She moved further up the path. ‘You need to get back to work, Nick, and I’ll try to keep out of your way for the rest of our time together. It really is for the best.’ With that, she turned and disappeared up the path.

  After everything she had been through, he admired her for functioning at all, but to let that scum get away with what he’d done was inconceivable. Of course, she was right - it was highly unprofessional of him to get involved with her and he certainly did have work to do. But he’d be damned if he’d let this go. Somehow, he’d make her trust him.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The next morning, Talia sat in her room, holding the phone Nick had given her. She played the video of Chloe over and over again. A few more recent photos had arrived sporadically over the last couple of weeks, but there had been no more videos. Her heart ached with longing.

  She needed to focus on what to do next. How had she let everything get away from her? Thinking she could be in control of her emotions around Nick was a huge mistake when he was everything she thought a man should be. His kindness and compassion were not outweighed by his good looks, but at the end of the day, his job would come first. Would it be at Chloe’s expense?

  It was time to be more proactive. The plans she and Kirk had put in place had to be followed through with, and she would start by getting a good look at the house next door. She’d use some of her training and swim up to the back gate. She’d go now, before she had to face Nick again. The look on his face when he saw her determination - the disappointment and then maybe a measure of distrust was hard to see. He had every reason to feel all those things. She’d led him on, and by not telling him of her plans, she was lying every single minute she was here.

  She would leave as soon as she got back from the beach. It would get harder and harder to stay away from Nick, to remain unaffected, and this both surprised and scared her. The less she had to do with him, the better - for his sake as well as hers. Talia couldn’t bear the thought of her ex-husband having anything to do with Nick. If Randall knew how she felt about the detective, it would be one more arrow. It was the least she could do for all of them, and maybe Nick and Emma would get back together after this was finished. The thought sent a chill through her.

  After changing into her bathing suit, Talia slipped out the back door and stole through the bush until she made it to the sand. The water was sparkling in the late morning sun, and looking out to the open sea, she could imagine she was miles from here. Perhaps on another island, safe with Chloe.

  Dropping her sarong and towel at the water’s edge, she ran into the surf. It was colder than she had been expecting and she hesitated as the water lapped at her thighs. There was no other way - she would have to dive in. Otherwise, she would chicken out.

  It was funny how, when you were a child, there was no hesitation; the water was never too cold. A larger wave came closer, and, steeling herself for the inevitable, Talia timed her dive appropriately. It was colder the deeper she went but remarkably invigorating. She swam strongly for a few yards and then took it slowly as she neared the compound.

  The tide was high so she was able to get close without exposing herself. The gates looked even more imposing from the water. She tried to visualise the inside of the place from the maps Kirk had given her, and because she had been over them hundreds of times, it wasn’t hard. Assuming there had been no modifications, she was capable of walking the house and gardens in the dark. A perfect time to break in, and something she’d trained for.

  Satisfied that she was capable of scaling a wall nearest the water, she swam back. When her arms and legs began to tire, Talia body-surfed to the shore to rest in the shallows. The water caressed her tired body and she closed her eyes against the bright glare of the sun, unaware Nick was approaching.

  ‘That looks pretty good. Mind if I join you?’

  Attempting to sit up as a wave broke over her, she floundered and found herself spluttering and choking on the salty water as she was mercilessly dunked. Limbs flailing, she was lifted by her arms.

  ‘Calm down! I’ve heard you can drown in a couple of inches of water, but I’ve never witnessed someone trying to do it.’

  Pulling out of his arms, she pushed the matted strands of hair from her face. ‘What do you expect when you sneak up on me? I was enjoying myself, relaxing and ….’

  He stood looking at her, clearly trying hard not to laugh. She saw herself reflected in his glasses and realised what a mess she looked. Talia burst out laughing and Nick followed suit.

  ‘I suppose I look like a drowned rat?’ Talia asked, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

  Nick liked this playful side of her. There would have been little fun in her life over the last few years, and she deserved to be happy. He was proud of her strength and determination. Most women, not trained for this work, would have cowered at being actively involved in a case like this, but if he had a child taken from him, wouldn’t he do the same as Talia?

  Even with her hair a mess and no makeup, she was still beautiful and she filled out the bathing suit just right. She was lean and attractively muscular, with an iron-flat stomach from all her workouts.

  ‘I can think of better analogies,’ he told her, ‘but I think you might hit me. Even though that was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Did it take you long to learn the technique?’ He skirted up the beach when she did reach out to try and slap him.

  ‘Don’t be so rude when you made me look like this.’

  She chased him and as he was running backwards, he failed to notice a piece of driftwood and fell on his backside.

  ‘Aha!’ She pounced on him. ‘I believe this is payback.’ She sat on his chest with her hair across one bare shoulder, dripping cold water onto his heated body, causing a sudden change in the mood.

  The brown bathing suit made her look almost naked. The exertion and her leaning-over position had managed to force her generous breasts up so that they were spilling dangerously over the edges. He looked into her eyes and could see the recognition of his lust reflected there. Her hands were splayed across his naked chest, and she lightly brushed away the sand that had stuck to his skin. She ran her fingers down each jutting rib as his breathing became more rapid.

  Sucking the air through his
teeth, he lifted his head, attempting to taste those moistened lips, but her eyes focused and she reared back as if stung. He tried vainly to hold her to him but she shrugged his hands from her and, getting up, walked back up the beach to her sarong, which she hurriedly wrapped around herself. Picking up the towel, she walked back to the cottage without a backward glance.

  He called out to her knowing, deep down, that she wouldn’t respond. Talia was a bundle of contradictions, but he wouldn’t push her right now. There would come a day, though, he promised himself. Adjusting his bathers, he plunged into the cold water in an attempt to cool the strong physical attraction she seemed to constantly arouse in him.

  ***

  By the time he had changed back into his clothes, Emma had arrived from their base set-up in the village, which she and Jack alternated between. Not wanting to have Talia overhear their discussion, Nick decided to have their daily catch-up on the patio outside. They sat with orange juice and papers strewn across the table, discussing the way the job was going. Not well at all, according to Emma.

  ‘Nick, I have to talk to you about Talia. I know you don’t want to hear anything against her, but I don’t understand why you’re letting her stay. It makes no sense. This is a criminal investigation, not some halfway house for any stray women you feel attracted to.’

  ‘I felt an obligation to her from the first time I saw her, and yesterday I found out why.’ He had to tell his partners the whole story, even though a part of him wanted to keep Talia’s secret, to make sure no one knew she was alive. But he had a case to close and a team to think of, a team he had to keep safe.

  Emma, predictably, was less than impressed. ‘This is not you talking, Nick. You’ve never let anyone get in the way of doing a job properly. If you didn’t have this ridiculous crush on her, you would have sent her on her way from the start.’

  If Emma had been a man, he would have punched her. ‘I don’t have a crush on her. She needs to get her daughter back and thinks she can do it alone. But we know - especially you, Emma - that Randall won’t be easy to deceive. We’re her only hope. Why do you have such a problem with Talia?’