I frown as I imagine men in scuba diving gear smearing my blood all over the deck and wrapping my arm in a bandage.
“You were off the boat within fifteen minutes of them climbing on it.”
I frown. “I thought this happened in the still of the night?” God, the guards would have all been chatting only two hundred metres away.
He shakes his head. “It had to be done straight away or they would have been heard.”
“They swam you back to shore and gave you oxygen from their tanks.”
A wave of emotion starts to flood my senses as if memories are coming back to me.
“That’s where I came into it.”
I raise an eyebrow in question.
“I was in the back of a horse float by the water in the forest. They loaded you into the back of it and I looked after you while they drove us to the house.”
“You stitched me in the back of a horse float?” I ask. Oh my God, I can’t believe this shit.
“Yes. I couldn’t stop the bleeding. I had to.”
Nicholas grabs my hand for support.
“When we got to the house, I gave you a transfusion of my blood.”
He saved my life. I stare at him for an extended time. “Thank you,” I whisper through tears.
For the first time he looks remorseful.
I sit for a moment, not sure what to ask next. There are more things I should know but I just don’t want to be here anymore. It was the getting me off the boat information that I so desperately needed. I don’t want to hear any more of this vile horror. I look at him one last time and I stand.
“I’m ready to go. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Natasha.”
I walk out into the hall as if The Devil has been set free from my soul. I can finally breathe.
It’s just gone dark when the car pulls into the underground parking lot of our apartment. There has been complete radio silence. Joshua hasn’t called, so he obviously knows I’ve left the prison and am on my way home. As we drive around, I see him standing on the curb near the entrance to the elevator. There are two guards standing back and Ben is leaning up against Joshua’s car. They’re all waiting for me. How long has he been standing there? His hands are in his suit trouser pockets, and the look on his face is murderous. I feel my fear rise and perspiration starts to burn my armpits. I haven’t seen him this angry since he found Jesten in my apartment that night.
“Fucking hell,” Max mutters under his breath. “This is going to be good.”
I blow out a breath and Nicholas grabs my hand reassuringly. Nicholas flies back to London tomorrow.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I whisper. “I really appreciate you coming all this way to support me.”
He smiles. “It had to be done. I’m glad you are feeling better.”
Max parks the car and I get out slowly. Joshua stands still on the spot. Something he never does. He always walks to me and then walks me back. He’s severely pissed. I walk toward him and his eyes don’t leave my face.
“H-hello,” I stammer.
He doesn’t say anything.
Nicholas is the first to speak. “Joshua.”
Joshua holds up his hand and cuts him off. “Don’t fucking speak. Get in your car and fuck off before I knock you out.”
My eyes widen. Holy crap, I’m dead meat.
Nicholas takes his cue and bends to kiss me. “Call me,” he whispers awkwardly before taking off across the car park toward his car. Joshua turns and walks to the lift, pressing the button.
“Don’t be rude to Nicholas,” I stammer nervously as I follow him.
His head snaps around, but he holds his tongue and, after a deathly silence, he speaks. “I will do whatever the hell I fucking like.”
We get into the lift with Max and Ben and stand silently. This is so awkward with them around. I think I want to run to Bridget’s. Joshua’s scaring even me. My eyes watch the dial as the floors shoot past. Shit, I don’t want to get out of the lift. The door finally opens and Joshua holds his hand out. My eyes fall to Max and he nods. That’s his I will be out here if you need me nod. I smile in thanks. Joshua opens the door and I walk in, The door closes and he throws the keys so hard at the wall that they put a hole in the plasterboard. I jump in fright and start to shake my head nervously. “Joshua, please understand…”
“Understand what?” he yells.
“I needed answers,” I cry.