He helped her up and led her to the door.
“Where are we going?” she asked, confused.
“Somewhere private,” he said with a wink.
Her mind was in a whirl. Nothing made sense. Her head was still throbbing and she felt sick. She hadn’t understood half of what Palben had been saying to her.
“What do you mean, rich?” she asked, squinting as the bright sunlight hit her swollen eyes.
“We’ll have loads of money. We’ll be able to buy anything we want. Just think of it, what would you really like to have above all else?” He sounded excited as he led her down a small side street.
Ademia frowned. Material things held no importance to the islanders of Refrainia.
“Nothing,” she said, “as long as I’ve got my home and something to eat that’s all I need.”
“It’s not about what you need, sweetheart, it’s what you want that matters. Besides, with all the money we’ll be making you’ll be able to find somewhere in a really great area, a penthouse, maybe? And you’ll be able to eat at the finest restaurants. You could even afford holidays, nice clothes, jewelry, whatever you want. Just think of it!” He hugged her tighter as his enthusiasm mounted.
Ademia took in deep breaths of fresh air. She still didn’t understand exactly what he was so inspired about, though she was pleased that he was happy. She had never seen him so animated.
As the fog in her mind began to clear, she tried to make sense of it all.
“I still don’t understand, Palben,” she said, as he leaned her against a wall in a narrow alley. She felt her heart quicken nervously as she saw his salacious expression.
“What don’t you get, sweetheart?” he asked, leaning in for a kiss.
She tried to pull her head away, but banged it on the wall behind her. She moaned as the throbbing worsened.
“Oh, I like it when you moan,” he said, and he opened his mouth wide as his thin lips covered hers in a rough kiss. His breath smelled horrid, and his tongue violated her mouth like an infection.
She tried to push him back as panic overtook her, but he grabbed her arms and pinned her against the wall. She screamed into his mouth but he ignored her. He was very strong, despite his slight frame, and Ademia felt physically sick as his body rubbed against hers.
“I don’t want this!” she pleaded when he finally freed her mouth.
“Of course you do. I know what you are, Ademia, and right now you’re just being a tease.”
One of his hands grabbed her breast roughly.
Anger overtook fear and she fisted her one free hand and punched him in the face. He fell backward, blood spewing from his nose.
“What the hell was that for?” he yelled angrily. “I know you’re a prostitute, I was there when you told Mrs. Loidi, remember?”
She kicked him in the ribs as he tried to get up, horror and rage taking over her.
“You bastard!” she shouted at him, as she continued to kick him.
“Why? You said it yourself, sweetheart. You’re a common whore! But with my contacts I can make us rich, I don’t see what your problem is!” He held his side as he shouted up at her.
Ademia couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Hey!” someone shouted from the end of the alley. She gave Palben one more kick for good measure, and heard him scream in agony as she fled.
* * * *
Farris arrived on Eastland and moored up the boat. The journey had been long and lonely, as had last night, and he was glad to be back. He had left feeling a little useless and dejected. Ademia had needed the doctor, not him. He would only have been in the way if he had stayed, but still he felt jealous that Jay got to stay with her and not him.
He would make it up to her today, though, he thought as he made his way down the street to the hospital. He was carrying a large bunch of her favourite flowers, the ones they could only grow on Refrainia. Something to remind her of home, he thought. Home. He couldn’t wait to take her back there. He was determined to convince the doctors to let him take her back today. The one Super-Skype message which Jay had sent last night said that her temperature was already lowering and things looked good. That thought had kept him going all night. He had dreamed of her being there in the big house with them, making love in that big bed which was just waiting for her. Waiting for her to say yes. God, he couldn’t wait for her to admit that she wanted to be with them. He was sure that she loved them as they loved her, though no one had been brave enough to say the words yet. It was apparent from the way she looked at them, touched them, The way her eyes lit up when they were out walking together, or just sat talking. He was sure he had detected love in those eyes. Farris wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and he knew Jay felt the same way. He smiled, remembering the fun they had when they were fooling around, kicking water at each other, or pushing each other into the sea. They had even had some fun while building the barbecue in the girls’ back yard. He had been stacking rocks while she had thrown pebbles at the ground near him. He knew she would never purposely hit him with one, but the delight in her face when he rounded on her, and the way she screeched as she tried to run away were priceless. He loved to hear her laugh. She was always so cheerful, so optimistic, such fun. That was what had made it so hard to leave her last night. He knew from her face that she didn’t want to stay in the hospital. She was scared. He cursed himself for having to leave after promising her he would stay. He hoped that Jay had done a good job explaining to her that it was better for him to stay instead. He was sure the doctor would have looked after her all night. After all, Jay loved the girl as much as he did.
The clinical smell of the hospital assaulted his nose as he walked through the corridor to the little side room. He never understood how Jay could have worked in a hospital. The stench alone would have been enough to deter him! He smiled as he reached the room he had left last night. He couldn’t wait to see Ademia’s face when he arrived carrying flowers. She probably wouldn’t expect him to think of such a thing. He wanted to surprise her.
His face fell when he opened the door to see the bed empty. Not only empty, but freshly made. His heart dropped into his boots for a moment while he took in the situation.
“Farris. Good to see you. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you. Perhaps you’d like to step into my office.” Dr. Ernaut looked very grave as he ushered the stunned sailor to his small room down the corridor.
Farris felt himself begin to go faint. She’s dead! Oh my God, she’s dead!
“I’m afraid Ademia has gone,” the elderly doctor said once they were sat on either side of his desk.
“H-how?” he managed, hardly able to breath.
“Just walked out, I guess,” Dr. Ernaut said with a shrug, “but that’s not our only concern.”
“What?” Farris shouted, rising to his feet. His six-and-a-half foot frame towered over the portly doctor.
“She must have left while everyone else was…occupied,” Dr. Ernaut said with a frown.
“So she’s alive?”
“Oh gosh, dear boy, I’m so sorry. Of course she is. I didn’t mean to give you the impression she…”
Farris was headed for the door long before the elderly doctor could finish his sentence.
“Farris, there’s something you need to know.” The doctor was up and following him as he started down the corridor. “It’s Dr. Jasun.”
The sailor turned on his heel and faced the white-haired man with a frown.
“What about him? Where is he?” Farris demanded, looking around.
“Come back into the office and I’ll explain,” Dr, Ernaut urged.
Farris followed him back in, his heart hammering. This has to be bad!
The doctor explained about the events of the morning. He shook his head at the severity of the situation. “Dr. Jay is with the police now,” he explained. “Nurse Reis has decided to press charges. She alleges he locked her into a treatment room and attacked her. I don’t believe it for
one minute. I’ve known Dr. Jasun for some time and I know he would never do anything like this, but he has been found in a very compromising position and the charges have to be followed up.”
“The bitch!” Farris exclaimed angrily. “We knew she was jealous that Jay was with Ademia, but we never imagined she’d stoop this low.”
“I am hoping the police will release him after questioning,” Dr. Ernaut said with a sigh. “However, if Nurse Reis gets her way he will spend the rest of his life in a cell. Her solicitor is trying to convince everyone he’s some kind of monster and that women aren’t safe while he’s on the streets.” He shook his head and rubbed his eyes.
“Where’s the police station?”
Leaving the flowers on Ernaut’s desk, Farris hurried out of the building and up the road to the station. All the time he was looking around him for any sign of Ademia. He just hoped that Dr. Jay had persuaded the police to search for her while they wasted his time with their pathetic questions.
The corpulent, balding sergeant behind the desk looked up when he saw the massive sailor barge through the door of the police station. Dressed in white trousers, black boots and a white blouson shirt which was open almost to his navel, the dashing young man commanded the attention of all those around him.
A youth stood away from the desk, eyed Farris, and then scuttled out the door.
“Can I help you, sir?” the sergeant enquired, straightening his tie.
“Yes. I’m here to see Dr. Jasun. I understand you have him here for questioning.” Farris’s deep voice left no doubt about his determination.
“I’ll see what I can find out, sir.” The sergeant looked quite intimidated by the strapping sailor, and almost jumped when Farris spoke again.
“I also wish to know what has been done about finding a young girl who went missing from the hospital earlier this morning. Her name’s Ademia. Can you find that out, too?”
“Y-yes sir.”
The sergeant scurried off, leaving Farris to look around the small waiting area. There was a smell of polish in the air, and every surface gleamed. There was a small wooden table at one end of the room with some hard-backed chairs dotted around. The room afforded no welcome, and he couldn’t help thinking that no one would really want to hang around a place like this.
Behind the front desk, he could see nothing but a blank wall and a door. He stared at the door, willing the sergeant to bring him some good news. His anger mounted as he waited. If they hadn’t found Ademia, he needed to be out, searching. The thought of her out there, alone and lost, wrenched on his heart. He guessed that she would have woken up alone and thought they had abandoned her. She would have left the hospital as soon as she could because she didn’t want to be there in the first place, let alone on her own. He sighed as he thought of his last words to her. He had promised he wouldn’t leave. He had let her down.
“I’m sorry to have kept you, sir.” The cop was back.
“What’s happening?” Farris asked, cutting to the chase.
“I’m afraid it’s bad news,” the sergeant continued wearily.
It seems to be a day for that!
“Where’s Ademia? Did they find her?”
“I’m afraid your friend, Dr. Jasun, is going to be detained in custody. You won’t be able to see him. Officers are still looking into the allegations made against him.”
“Fuck!”
The elderly cop tutted at Farris’s language, and continued.
“The young girl has not been found. Officers who patrol the area are keeping an eye out for her, especially given her medical condition, but we have no news yet.”
“Thank you.” Farris spoke through gritted teeth.
He left the police station and scanned the area. There were several offices in this road, but not much else. He made his way back toward the hospital, to see if he could figure out where she had gone from there. The white building stood in a busy street, with a few shops and more offices. Farris started by checking the shops in case she had decided to take a look around. Nothing. He cursed himself for even thinking she would waste her time there. Surely she would be trying to find her way home? He returned to the harbor and searched tirelessly for any sign of the girl. There were plenty of people milling around, and workers loading and unloading ships, but no sign of Ademia. He asked a few sailors in case she had asked for a ride home, but no one had seen her.
His heart ached as he made his way back toward town. She could be anywhere. He shuddered. For a few moments this morning, he had thought she was dead. Now he knew she was missing. This is one shit day!
A tavern stood at one end of the street, and he thought it worth checking out. It was a pokey little place, with people standing outside, drinking. As he neared the place, his attention was caught by a ruckus nearby. Someone was shouting. He peered down the side street that flanked the tavern. The disturbance seemed to be coming from down there. His heart pounded as he ran down the street, which led to a narrow alleyway further down. Through the shadows, he could just make out someone lying on the ground with blood pouring from their face. They were shouting up at someone, but from this distance he couldn’t see who. Farris’s large frame filled the end of the narrow alley.
“Hey!” he shouted.
Chapter 5
Ademia tore down the little alley as fast as she could. At the end, it split into two. One way seemed to lead to a similar alley that ran around the back of some houses. The other way was in darkness. She chose the latter. There was a row of old buildings a little farther down and she dodged into a doorway to hide. It was quite wide, with one side shrouded in shadow. She sank down into a dark corner, panting hard. Her head throbbed. She felt sick and weak. Hunched against a wall, she took a moment to close her eyes. Sweat was pouring down her face and she held her aching head in her hands while she crouched in the shadows.
Palben’s words rang in her ears. He thought she was a prostitute. He hoped she would make him rich. Oh my God, he had overheard her conversation with Mrs. Loidi when she was trying to deter the lady from allowing Durango to buy the island. She hadn’t realized that Palben would believe all that rubbish! By why shouldn’t he? After all, Mrs. Loidi had fallen for it.
Tears streamed down her face as she realized what Palben’s intentions had been. He hadn’t really liked me, he just thought I was an easy lay! But then, why would he like me? Why would anyone? I’m too fat. My hair hangs in frizzy curls, not glamorous waves like the other girls’. I can’t sing as well as them, and I’m certainly not pretty. Why would anyone want me? No wonder Farris and Dr. Jay have abandoned me. They probably took advantage of their chance to get rid of me!
Loud footsteps thudded down the alley toward her. Damn! She was sure her chaser had taken the other turning. He must have doubled back. She squeezed herself into a tight ball, hoping he would pass her by.
A large figure crammed the doorway and peered in. She closed her eyes tight and stayed as still as she could. He seemed to satisfy his curiosity and walk on past. His footsteps were quieter as he walked away from her. She sat, shaking, deciding whether to make a run for it or wait. After all, he hadn’t noticed her so she was safe—for now. Safe. That was the last thing she was. She was still stuck on this massive continent far away from home. She was lost and alone. No one would look for her, as no one knew she was missing. No one cared. Misery engulfed her again and she sniffed back her tears.
“Ademia?”
She jumped. Her eyes shot open. She felt herself burn.
“Ademia? Are you there, love?”
“Farris?”
She started to move and suddenly he was beside her. He lifted her in his strong arms and buried his face in her hair.
“Thank God! Little lady, I have been so worried about you! I looked everywhere! Are you all right? Did that motherfucker hurt you?” His big brown eyes scanned her body as he cradled her. He strode down the dingy alley and out into the light of a main street.
Ademia clung to him. Tears stre
amed down her face as she snuggled into his massive chest. He does care. He has been looking for me. Thank God! She smelled his gorgeous masculine scent and suddenly everything seemed all right.
Farris stopped when he came to a bench. He sat down, still embracing her in his arms. His gorgeous face turned down to study her, as he lifted hers up to meet his gaze. He searched her face, taking in all of her emotions.
“Did he hurt you, love?” His voice was gentle and deep.
She lifted a hand and ran it down the side of his face. She loved the soft bristle that lined his jaw and covered his chin. She traced it around his mouth. She shook her head slowly.
“No, not really,” she said quietly.
His eyebrow rose quizzically. “He was quite badly hurt, but once I recognised him I didn’t worry. I knew whatever he’d done, the bastard had deserved it. I wish I’d done more damage when I had the chance. But if he’s hurt you I’ll go back there and finish him off, I swear. He won’t get away with it, I can promise you that. Did he…did he touch you, love?”
The concern in his face made her heart ache. Palben had hurt her but not in the way Farris was thinking. She knew if she told him what he’d said, her hero would be back down that alley like a shot, and Palben would be mincemeat. A lump in her throat told her that she deserved what he’d said to her, though. She had said that she was a prostitute. She had completely forgotten at the time that he was sat to the other side of her. Mrs. Loidi was the only person she was trying to convince, and that was only to save their island. It had never occurred to her that anyone was listening. I am so stupid!
She tried her best to smile at Farris as she shook her head.
He let out a sigh of relief, briefly closing his eyes. When he opened them, again she was still gazing into his handsome face.
His dark eyes were hooded as he leaned down toward her. She felt something leap in her stomach as his soft lips brushed against hers. He watched her expression as he nibbled at her lips, before engulfing hers in a passionate kiss. She had never felt anything like it. Ademia closed her eyes and felt his sensual mouth cover hers before his soft tongue requested entry. She opened her mouth to welcome him in and he lovingly obliged. Their tongues tangled in a tentative dance, before he plunged into her. He held her tighter and she felt her breath hitch. She had never felt anything so wonderful in her life. Her whole body seemed to light up and she ran her fingers through his tousled, dark hair as their passion inflamed. She felt her pussy clench with excitement and gasped into his mouth as she felt a gush escape between her legs. She heard him chuckle deep in his throat and just knew that he knew. She flushed and tried to pull away from him in embarrassment, but he had other ideas. He held her face on either side with his safe, strong hands and smiled down at her. Suddenly it didn’t matter. He took her cares away with that sultry look. She smiled up at him, relaxing. He held her head against his big chest again and she snuggled in happily.
Ménage of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 6