He pulls me around the side of the chair and into his lap, my legs hanging over the side. He brushes the stray hair off my face, and then rests his hand on my neck. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“Guess we both needed a little time to think?”
His free hand presses on my hip, pulling me closer. “Nope….no more thinking.” He leans in with a simple kiss on the lips. “One day at a time, remember?”
A pinch of disappointment dwells inside. “Yeah one day at a time.” Before last night I was ready to take it one day at a time, but now…. it’s not enough. The longer I spend with him the more I want, it isn’t just sex – it’s a connection…. It’s a feeling in the pit of my stomach when he walks in the room, it’s the butterflies when he kisses me. It’s the feeling of being safe in his arms.
“I was planning to take you out for the day, but we can stay in if you don’t feel like going anywhere?” He pulls me from distraction.
I inhale deep, needed the open space and new surroundings. “No, I’m fine Marcus, I think we both need a bit of fresh air.” I give him a small smile.
After a short car journey, we reach the most spectacular view. I will never get used to standing next to such magnificent sights. The Sea-Life Centre is across Westminster Bridge, right next to the London Eye, and I swear this thing is enormous this close. It’s the first time I’ve visited this aquarium. I’ve been to others like the one in Manchester as a kid. It’s a bit crap really that I have lived in London for two years and never really adventured the sights.
He pulls into the carpark and gets out of the car. Taking my hand in his and leads me through the doors, the heat from the tanks at the entrance instantly hitting me. There are queues at each of the turnstiles, children tugging on their parent’s arm’s eager to get in.
Marcus stops a moment at a side door pulling out his wallet, he removes a card, swipes it, and the door unlocks – course we just entered through the staff entrance! Why would he queue up like everyone else?
He smiles at a woman in the long corridor before we exit out another door. Fake walls are on either side of us, with tanks built in all around. I look in each one, amazed. Even as an adult this kind of place still makes me giddy, and excited to see what kind of fish is in the next tank.
I look over my shoulder to Marcus standing behind me, his arms crossed over his chest as he watches me, smiling. “Having fun?”
“This must be pretty boring for you?” I stand up, taking his hand as we walk round the corner into another kind of room – this one has open tanks but low down. I smile, watching all the children around, pointing at the crabs and starfish.
We wander around hand in hand taking in all the scenes, Marcus taking care to point out all the interesting facts for me on his favourites. I can see his excitement building as we turn around the corner and the floor is glass…. freaking glass under my feet.
Marcus bends down for a moment. “That’s Zippy! He points at the huge shark swimming right under my feet. I jump for a moment as my heart beats hard against my chest with excitement.
“Zippy?” I look at him curiously.
“Yea. We have two sand tiger sharks, Zippy and Bungle.” I watch in awe as the huge predator swims gracefully under us; its teeth ragged.
“You swim with them?” I continue walking until the glass floor ends and we are on normal ground. It’s un-nerving walking on water!
He smiles and nods at me, I can see the pride in his eyes, he really does love them.
We enter a huge tunnel filled with glass all around us, above my head giant green turtles glide across the water. I stop closing my eyes a moment. “I think these are my favourite so far.”
“Yeah, I love them, you should see them in the wild…. It’s amazing. I’ve watched them coming to shore to lay their eggs…. And watched their babies making their first journey to the sea.”
I turn to look at him, taken aback a little. “Really?”
“Yeah it wasn’t ALL sharks you know.” He laughs and grabs my hand. “Come on, I saved the best for last.”
My heart pounds against my chest as he weaves his way through the crowds of people. I feel the rush of excitement coursing through my veins.
I look up at the plaque above – Pacific Shipwreck.
In front of us there is a huge wall of glass…. Stone pillars stand all around inside, I watch as huge giant sharks all different swim around.
“You see that one there?” He points to one laying on the sand at the bottom. “She is Bella… My favourite and the biggest. They are Nurse sharks.”
“She is beautiful.” I smile… speechless. Listening to him share all his detailed knowledge. I love how passionate he is about them, describing each one, the different breeds, what their favourite food is… he knows everything.
“You are amazing; do you know that Marcus?” I stop him for a moment, turning to look at him. “I’ve never met anyone who is this passionate about anything before.”
“They were my life…. That’s why I enjoy working here, it’s like my work out there doesn’t end just because I’m not there. Places like this, they work with the kind of charities I worked with, helping protect them in the wild.” Wow… I watch him switch from one emotion to the next, excited one minute and kind of miserable the next. He digs one hand in his pocket and the other out for me.
“Do you regret not going back?” I curiously ask him, quietly.
He stops at the exit; I can see he is thinking. A deep breath escapes his lungs. “Sometimes.” He pushes the door open and a huge gust of cold wind hits us. We walk quietly to his car, once inside he hesitates starting it. “I miss being so free out there, no restrictions or restraints.”
“You feel just as caged as they do, don’t you?” I could tell… I felt it that first night he told me about it, could see it written all over his face, the way his voice croaks a little when he speaks about being out there. I know how it feels to be trapped, tied down by the invisible rope, to have nowhere to run.
He rests his hand on the steering wheel, turning to me. “Yeah kind of.”
“So, what’s stopping you from going back?” I search for the answer deep in his eyes. “What’s stopping you from packing your bags and leaving?”
“It’s not that easy.” He turns the key in the ignition.
I want to question more, but I don’t want to push any kind of friction between us, especially after this morning. Our time together seems to be filled with intensity and high emotions. Right now, I just want to enjoy a night curled up with him, sitting watching the sunset and the stars shine in the sky.
The car ride was only short and as we pull into the carpark, I feel a twinge of nerves. Something feels off, only for a moment, but enough to make me notice. Marcus slowly drives round the bend to his usual parking spot on stop instantly…. His fist clenches tight to the steering wheel and we both stare at the figure in the distance…. lurking in the darkness, hands dug into his trouser pockets.
My breathing speeds up, heart pounding hard against my chest. Marcus places his hand on my knee, his eyes don’t leave the shadow in front. He leans over. “Do not get out the car! You hear me?” He slowly un-belts himself and opens the door.
I grab his t-shirt. “Marcus don’t… Don’t go out there.” I try to pull him back, but he gets out anyway, slamming the door shut behind him.
I sit, staring out the window as he slowly…cautiously walks a little closer, stopping after a couple of steps… my heart racing faster, my hands sweating. I rub them on my jeans in the hope of drying them. My eyes fixed on the figure as Marcus stands strong and firm.
The figure steps forward. Slowly…. agonisingly slow. My eyes fixed.
Marcus turns to me for a moment, making sure I stay in the car.
I place my hand on the belt clip, ready to bolt when the need arises.
Time stands still…the clock on the dashboard not moving at all…. I watch between the two of them as each take another step forward, Marcus takes his
hand out of his pockets and I watch as he clenches his knuckles, before releasing them.
The figure steps forward under the light… I freeze, my blood running cold.
I struggle to release the belt clip before throwing it off me and jump out the car….
“Marcus!” I shout, rushing to his side, grabbing his arm. My hand shakes as I hold on tight to his arm.
I adjust my eyes. “Daniel?”
The air grows thick between the three of us, still standing in the car pack no-one’s speaking. I hold on to Marcus’ arm, can feel the veins pumping blood viciously.
“Daniel?” I ask again, almost coming out a whisper. He is the last person I thought I would ever see again…I don’t know if his presence is a good thing or bad.
He closes the gap a little between us and Marcus instinctively pushes me behind him, guarding me from pending danger.
“I’m sorry to just show up like this, Eveline. Can we please talk somewhere a little more…private?”
Marcus grits his teeth together. “Her name is Evvie and you have nothing to talk to her about!” Anger coursing through his tone. I step forward…. Letting go of his arm.
“Marcus, calm down…. It’s ok.” I look at him, holding his cheek tenderly, reassuring him, soothing him.
“How is it ok Evvie?” He turns his attention back to Daniel. “What the hell do you want?”
Daniel lets out a small sigh. “I’m sorry. I came to talk to Eveline… It’s a matter of urgency.”
“Whatever you have to say to her, you say it here and now!” Marcus moves forward, inches away from Daniel. “After what you prick’s put her through you are fucking lucky, I haven’t put you through the fucking wall yet.”
Both men stare at each other. I shake my head and jump in the middle – holding each hand on their chest. “Ok you two…. Marcus, Daniel is not the bad guy here….”
I doubt myself a little, questioning why Daniel would even be here anyway, not to think about how he found me in the first place.
Marcus breaks first, turning to walk in the direction of the lift. I nod my head at Daniel as we silently follow him.
Neither looking at each other in the lift, I can’t find the right words to calm either down.
“I must say Eveline you are looking really well.” Daniel holds his arm out for me to go before him as the doors open.
Marcus barges through the apartment doors, quickly followed by Daniel and I before he slams it shut behind us.
“Marcus will you calm down a minute.” I almost beg him as I hold his arm for a moment. I give him a small smile – one that tries to calm him, but it’s not working. I can see his heart is pounding against his chest.
He crosses his arms and looks down at me. “How can you be so calm, Evvie?”
“I can assure you Marcus I am not here to hurt Eveline in any way. Believe me, if I were, I would have done it already. I’ve had plenty of chances.”
I turn my head to Daniel, sharply staring him down. “What do you mean plenty of chances?” I move close to him, now my blood runs angrily through my veins. “How long Daniel?”
I knew…. Fucking knew… he didn’t even have to say it. “How fucking long have you been watching me, Daniel?”
Marcus runs his hand through his hair, speeding to my side. “You?” he asks through gritted teeth.
“Was it you my brother caught on the camera…. watching us in the alley?” I tilt my head to the side. I thought it was Drake.
“I had to make sure you were safe Eveli….”
“Her name is Evvie!” Marcus stops Daniel from talking.
“I’m sorry. Evvie.”
I press my hand on Marcus’ chest, holding him back a moment, trying to calm the both of us down. “You better start talking Daniel and make it quick.”
“Drake has found you ….it took him a long time. I thought he had given up, but he hasn’t. Once it was confirmed it was you, he had to come and make sure himself.” He leans back against the couch.
“Why now…. after all this time?” I ask him, my arms wrapped around my middle.
Marcus rests his hand on my shoulder, lightly squeezing, gently reminding me he is still here.
“He knows everything Evvie! How you got away, who helped and…. about the baby…. he has been waiting for you to lead him to the child…” He looks down at his feet, shame written all over his face. “I have been trying to stay one step ahead of him, check on you for the last three weeks…”
I step back, bile rising up, and hold my stomach. “How....” I clear my throat. “How did he find out? No one knew.”
Daniel stands silent.
Marcus lunges forward, charging at him. Knocking Daniel to the floor, he holds him up by the collar on his shirt. “She asked you how the fuck he found out…. So, either tell her or get the fuck out of my house!” He holds his fist back, clenched and ready to strike.
“I’m sorry Evvie…. he gave me no choice….” He looks past Marcus and deep into my eyes. I see it all written on his face, his eye glazed with despair.
I cover my mouth, shocked, a small cry escapes my lungs. Betrayed by the only person I thought I could trust. He was the only person that helped when I needed it the most. I wipe the stray tear off my cheek.
“Why?” It’s the only thing I could think… why would he turn me over to Drake, knowing more than anyone what he is capable of…. knowing how sadistic his own brother could be.
Marcus lets go for a moment, forcing Daniel to his feet.
“I had no choice Evvie, you have to believe me.” He slowly stands back from Marcus, shoving out his hold. Carefully pulling his shirt up, his hand shaking as he reveals the perfect circle. Pushing the shirt back down, he takes a deep breath. “I thought I covered the track well…he had no idea, until two months ago, he called me to the club. It was completely empty…just the two of us.” He pauses. “He knew that it had been me that helped you get away that night and the money I gave you…. everything, or at least I thought everything.”
He looks at me, shame in his eyes.
“I’ve never seen anger in my brother’s eyes like that night…. he wanted to kill me; thought I was in love with you. Was convinced I had been hiding you all this time – said I was sneaking off to see you behind his back.”
I step forward, my hand resting on his cheek. “What did he do Daniel?”
“He knocked me over to the floor, lunged at me in a rage, his fist punching so hard into my face I couldn’t see straight, demanding I told him everything. That when he…. stood up and laughed at me holding the gun. I had no choice Evvie I thought he was going to kill me.”
My hand dropped to my side. “You told him I was pregnant?”
He looked away from me, nodding. “He shot me anyway.”
“Why the fuck would you tell him something that would only make him want to find her more?” Marcus jumped in. “Why would you put her in more danger than she already was… and then you turn up at the only safe place she has!”
“I haven’t had any contact with him since I left the hospital. I’ve had someone on the inside keeping me up to date. No one knows where I am.” He grabs hold of my hand, begging. “You have to believe me, Evvie… I thought he was going to kill me…. I thought if I told him…. If he knew you had a child, he might…”
“Thought what Daniel? Thought he might not beat the shit out of me… or maybe he wouldn’t rape me?” I push his chest hard. “Well, guess what? It won’t make any fucking difference! There is no fucking baby and honestly, I’m glad I lost it…. You have given him the perfect reason never to give up hunting me!”
He holds his hands up. “I’m sorry Evvie, I didn’t mean…”
I walk over to the door. Pulling it open, I stare into his eyes. “Just go Daniel.”
“Please, Evvie, listen to me…. I need you to know…He has someone feeding him information on you.”
I freeze, my head spinning with confusion. “What do you mean, someone feeding him informa
tion?”
He straightens his shirt. “Someone telling him where you are and what you are doing all the time.” He steps forward. “I don’t know who it is, no one does. Don’t trust anyone Evvie!” His last comment rings through me, my circle is so small how can I doubt any one of them.
I let the tear trickle down my cheek and look away from him. “Just leave Daniel.”
“Evvie please listen to me, I am so sorry….”
Marcus steps in front of me, shielding me. “You heard her…. Leave. Now!”
I hold my breath as he walks past me, stopping for a moment, but I look away from him. Marcus slams the door shut as I stand numb.
“Evvie, are you ok?” He holds my arms, rubbing his hand up and down, the warmth not calming at all. I can’t hold back the fear and rage anymore. I want to scream and shout at the top of my lungs, but I can’t catch my breath…it’s starting to speed up, too fast for me to catch. Marcus pulls me into his arms, running his fingers through my hair. I cry out at the invisible pain….
“Sssshhhh Evvie…. just breathe.” he whispers in my ear, holding me tight. “It’s ok Baby.”
I look into his eyes. “It’s never going to be okay. I’m never going to be free of him.” I take a shaky breath. “He will never leave me alone….”
I feel him sigh. “Maybe it’s time to go to the police.”
I lean back from his hold. “He will kill me! You don’t understand….”
He rubs his hand along his temple. “What is so hard to understand, Evvie? The guy abused you, kept you locked up in a tiny dark room for days…. He beat you… I want to rip the fucker to pieces.” I watch as he runs his hand through his hair. “He raped you for fuck’s sake! Just go to the fucking police!”
“They won’t do a Goddamn thing! Haven’t you worked it out yet? He is more powerful than the police. Shit, a few are regulars to his club…. I don’t stand a fucking chance – not one! Never have.” I throw my hands up in the air.
He leans against the chair, grabbing my arm and pulls me closer, his hands resting on my cheeks. “We will be ok Evvie, I promise.”
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