Текст книги "CHAINED"

Автор книги: Jaimie Roberts

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 24 страниц)

Chapter 18

I practically ran down the street towards my house. I kind of had an inkling that Kit would be there, waiting for me. There was no place else he could have really gone to.

I had my key in the lock when the door suddenly swung open. Kit was there in all his beautiful glory. He had washed and changed from this morning. His hair, still wet, was slicked back behind his ears. He had a five o’clock shadow now. I guess telling him I liked the beard made him grow it a little. Right now, he looked as sexy as hell…especially when he sported one of the blue shirts I bought him.

Seeing me standing there, he rushed forward and scooped me into his arms. “Jesus, Olivia. Why did you do that? Why did you take the fall?” He picked me up and carried me back into the house, shutting the door with one of his feet. Once inside, he placed me on the floor, cupping my head with his hands, waiting.

“I couldn’t let them take you, Kit. I know you’re running away from dangerous people and I couldn’t risk them finding you. I needed to do everything in my power to make sure you were safe.”

Kit shook his head. “You still shouldn’t have done that, Olivia. I understand why you did it, but you shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble for me.”

I placed my hand on his and looked deep into his eyes. “Kit, don’t you realise by now how much you really mean to me? Don’t you understand that I would do anything I could to make sure you were okay? You could never be any trouble for me.”

Kit’s breathing became harsh. “I was going out of my mind with worry. What happened to you?”

I smiled and told him what happened at the police station, and what Thomas and Marcus did for me.

“They really care about you, don’t they? I’m not surprised everyone loves you…” He paused for a moment, staring into my eyes. “I love you, too.”

I gasped when his words hit me, but wasted no time in pulling Kit to me for a kiss. This was all I ever wanted to hear. Knowing someone truly loved me filled me with such hope and desire for the future, my mind started to race with possibilities. What I was going to do now became clearer in my mind, but I needed my last two days to plan everything. Charlie was one of my issues, but that was the easy part. The talk I needed to have with Kit had to come soon, and I planned on it being tonight. I had to tell him everything. I had to lay all my cards on the table and pray I didn’t lose him. No matter what happened in the past, we belonged together.

And I couldn’t lose that now.

As our kisses became frantic, Kit quickly relieved me of my coat and carried me upstairs. We made love and, as always, it felt magical. Afterwards, we lay in each other’s arms. I knew I had to get up, but I wanted to enjoy a few more minutes in his embrace.

“I have to get ready soon,” I whispered.

I felt Kit flinch. “Surely you’re not going to work after what happened today.”

I sighed. “Kit, I have to. I don’t like letting anyone down.”

He pulled me in tighter, giving me a kiss on top of my head. “I know. You’re too good sometimes, Olivia, and that’s how people take advantage.”

I lifted my head up and looked at him with a cheeky smile. “You just took advantage of me about a half-hour ago. In fact, you didn’t stop taking advantage until just now.”

Kit smiled. “Yes, but I don’t think me doing that will hurt you in the long run. In fact, I think screaming my name in pleasure about sums up how much I took advantage of you.”

I poked him in the ribs and he flinched. “Oww… What was that for?”

I loved this playful side of him. I could lay here for hours, just enjoying these moments. “Not only are you taking advantage, but I’ll never look at painting the same way again because of you.”

Kit laughed a little, his chest rumbling. I loved that sound. “Does it make me sound conceited to say that I feel quite smug about that?”

I smiled. “No, not at all,” I said sarcastically. We both laughed, then stopped and just stared at each other. I loved these silent conversations.

“You know, I always loved painting, but whenever I think of painting from now on, it will remind me of just how much I love you.”

Kit sighed and hugged me tightly to him. “I don’t know what we’re going to do now, Olivia. I just know I can’t go on unless I have you with me. It terrifies me that I could put you in danger, but I can’t seem to stay away.”

I felt the pang of guilt ride through me again. I bit my lip, knowing I had to say something. “Kit, we have to talk tonight. There are so many things I need to say, but it will have to wait until I get home. I want to tell you everything, but I just can’t do it now.”

Kit sighed and rewarded me with a smile. “I’m glad. You just do what you need to tonight, and I will come get you once your shift ends.”

I kissed him lightly on the lips, feeling overwhelmed with my emotions. Kit was my protector, my white knight, my saviour. I wasn’t sure he would ever know how much it meant to me to have him in my life.

Feeling my fires raging again, I placed my hand on his cock, surprised at how hard it was already. Kit moaned as I trailed my hand down between his legs and stroked him in that sensitive spot between his bottom and his testicles.

Kit hissed. “Olivia, keep doing that and I won’t let you out of this bed.”

I moved myself on top of him and gave him a kiss. “I want you, but it will have to be quick. Can you do hard and fast?”

Kit flipped us over, making me squeal. “Oh, baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

I giggled, but my giggles soon turned to screams of pleasure when he had me coming after only five minutes. I never knew pleasure when I was younger, but I was certainly learning how addictive it could be. Kit was showing me all I could ever dream about.

I just hoped he would still want me after I revealed everything to him.

*****

After our second encounter, I had to rush. With Kit, time just seemed to get away from me. It wasn’t hard because it was so easy to lose time with him.

Once dressed and ready, Kit opened the door and motioned me to go ahead of him. I knew he was coming with me. Even though the evenings were staying lighter longer, he still wanted to make sure I got there safe. My protector to the very end.

Once at the bar, Kit stiffened as he looked inside. I could understand why. If the situation was reversed, I would hate to leave Kit with a woman who couldn’t seem to keep her hands off him. It would kill me. I knew I had to do it, though, because I needed to speak with Charlie about what happened the other night so we could move on. I hated quitting, but I may not have a choice after tonight. Things were heating up, so the time to act was now.

When I looked inside the bar, I saw Charlie staring out at us. He gave a little sarcastic smile to Kit, which I knew he did just to wind him up. Despite his apologies to me, he was still behaving like a child.

Yes, he and I definitely needed to have words.

I looked back at Kit and winced at the thunderous look on his face. “Kit…,” I urged. “Kit, look at me.” Slowly, he did. “I know he’s being an ass right now, but don’t let him see that it’s affecting you. You won ages ago. You got me, remember? He doesn’t have me. You’re the person I’m coming home to later, not him. Remember that. I love you and no one can come between us now.”

Kit’s murderous glare disappeared as he leaned forward to give me one hell of a kiss. When he broke away, I was left breathless and wanting more.

“Well,” I said, trying to catch my breath. “If Charlie didn’t understand before, he certainly does now.”

Kit smiled, pulling me to him, growling as he took my lips again. Once he pulled away, he looked over my shoulder and waved, smiling in Charlie’s direction. I didn’t know whether to hit him or kiss him.

“Eh,” I said as he started walking away. “Now you’re just being as childish as Charlie.”

Kit turned back to me and smiled. “It was so worth seeing that smug look of his being completely wiped off his face. I know it’s childish, Olivia, but I guess loving someone so much makes me do silly things.”

With that, he turned and walked off, leaving me just as breathless and taken aback as when he made his first declaration of love. I had this sudden need to rush into his arms again and ask him to take me home.

Instead, I sighed, turned towards the pub door, and pushed my way through. Charlie was all smiles, but I could tell they weren’t happy ones.

“Olivia, nice to see you back. I can see I’ve been put well and truly in my place.”

With that sarcastic remark, I sighed and pointed to the back room. “We need to talk.”

Sue was there, so I knew she could take over. She looked at both of us, a puzzled expression on her face, but she shrugged when we looked at her. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine for a couple minutes.” She smiled sweetly, and that was Charlie’s cue to follow me out back. I may as well get this over and done.

Once I secured my coat on the hanger and placed my bag down, I walked towards Charlie’s office. When I heard the door shut, I turned and bumped into him. He stood there, towering above me with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

I huffed. “Some things never change with you.”

His eyes widened with a smile. “I can’t help it if you turned and bashed into me, can I?”

I rolled my eyes and pointed at his chest. “I know full well what you’re up to, Charlie. Now cut it out.”

He saw how exasperated I was and sighed. “I’m sorry, Olivia. I just can’t seem to play fair when it comes to you. I’ve been trying to get you to notice me ever since you started working here. That man came only five minutes ago and now you’re playing tonsil tennis with him outside my pub. Forgive me if I’m feeling a little sore.”

I sat down on the sofa. “Charlie, you went about it the wrong way. Every time I came to work, you behaved like a predator ready to pounce on his prey. When I saw you here with women, I knew I didn’t want to be just another notch on your bedpost. I’m not that type of girl.”

Charlie walked towards me and sat down. “I know you aren’t. Why did you think I wanted you so much? I knew you were different from all the other girls out there. I knew you were special. I would never have taken advantage of that.”

I sighed and looked at his sad expression. “And it’s only now that you tell me?”

He looked into my eyes with hope. “Would it have made a difference if I had said something earlier? Are you saying I was too late?”

I didn’t know what I was saying. I suppose if Charlie and I had hit it off, then maybe. But I knew he would always be there for me. I didn’t want to leave Charlie feeling rejected all over again, so I lied.

“Maybe... I don’t know. It’s not relevant now. Kit is in my life and that is where I want him to be. I have always liked and cared for you, Charlie–”

“But that’s as far as it goes.” I nodded and he sighed. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed. You being here and knowing I can’t have you is hard.”

I saw the sadness in his eyes and knew I had to say something. It was the perfect opportunity.

“I know, Charlie, which is why I can’t work here anymore.”

Charlie sat back, eyes wide. “But why? Olivia, you’re one of my best.”

“Only because you’re seeing me through rose-tinted glasses, Charlie. Not because I’m really good at what I do. There are plenty of women out there who can pull pints, and I bet the majority can do it better than I can. You know what I’m like around alcohol anyway. I don’t touch the stuff.”

Charlie ran his fingers through his hair. He obviously wasn’t happy. “You can’t, Olivia. I can change how I behave towards you. I’m sorry, okay? I don’t want to lose you.”

His words were a punch in the gut. I had never seen Charlie like this before. He was always so happy, carefree, flirtatious. Right now, he just looked like a man who lost his best friend.

Leaning forward, I touched Charlie’s arm. “I have to go, Charlie. I’m not doing this because of us.”

Charlie looked up. “It’s because of him, isn’t it? He doesn’t want you working here anymore.” When I didn’t say anything, he let out a sarcastic laugh. “I thought so. Mind you, I’d probably be the same if it were the other way around. In fact, I’d know I’d be the same. Can’t say as I blame him, no matter how much I want to smash his face in.”

I gasped. “Charlie, stop that!”

He laughed. “Sorry. I’m just being honest. I probably should have been from the beginning. I wish it were me you were kissing out there instead of him, but that’s life, I guess... Fucking shit.” He shook his head with a smile.

“I’m sorry, Charlie.” I squeezed his arm a little.

He looked into my eyes. “What are you going to do?”

I sighed. “I don’t know. I’m just going to take everything day by day. That’s all I can do.”

He nodded, offering me a weak smile, placing his hand on mine. “I’ll miss you.”

I smiled. “I’ll miss you, too.”

His eyes widened a little. “You’re going to work tonight, aren’t you? You’re not planning on leaving right now, right?”

I shook my head with a laugh. “I’m going to see tonight through, but I was kind of hoping I wouldn’t need to come back again after. It’s time I moved on.”

Charlie nodded resolutely, then gave me that famous cheeky smile of his. “So…no chance of a snog before you go?”

I swatted his arm and he laughed. “Charlie!”

He laughed even harder. “Sorry. I thought it was worth a shot. Hell, if I could talk you into having sex with me out of sympathy, I would.” He winked at me, earning him another smack on the arm.

“Don’t you think we should head on out there now? Poor Sue must be wondering where we are.”

Charlie nodded and got up out of his seat. “Sure. Take my hand, Miss Brown. I shall lead the way.”

I smiled and took his hand, both of us walking out to the bar. I was feeling a little sad about leaving, but also happy at the prospect that I could move on. With nothing standing in my way, Kit and I could get lost in each other. Well, in an ideal world, I would love that to happen. Whether or not it would was a different matter. In fact, thinking about us being lost in each other sounded perfect right about now. I was smiling from ear to ear…until I saw the one person I had been trying to avoid for days.

“Olivia!” He smiled cheerfully, but my smile fell. In fact, my heart sank and my blood started pumping through my veins so wildly, it was the only thing I could hear.

“Uncle?”

“That’s your uncle?” I jumped, forgetting Charlie was standing right beside me.

Uncle turned to Charlie with a glare. “Yes, I am. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to speak with her for a moment.”

The look he gave Charlie said it all. Don’t you dare mess with me. It was one that would probably even cause Kit to look away. You never went against this man. Everyone who came across him knew that.

Charlie squeezed my arm a little and I looked at him, nodding. “It’s fine, Charlie. I got this. No doubt my uncle would like a drink.”

He banged the bar, making me jump again. “Yes, that would be perfect. How about a Jack Daniels on the rocks?”

I hissed in a breath, knowing what he was doing. I think his message was loud and clear. He wasn’t happy that I didn’t answer his texts. When he wasn’t happy, the shit was about to get real...and fast.

“I’ll get that for you,” Charlie offered with a smile. He knew I didn’t want to do it.

Uncle put his hand up. “No, thank you. I want Olivia to do it.” He smiled sweetly, but it was laced with hatred towards Charlie. I knew he wanted to tell Uncle to get the hell out of his pub, but Uncle could kill him and put his name up on the wall within five minutes.

Before Charlie could retort, I placed my hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Charlie. I got this.” I smiled, showing him how calm I was, despite the fact my heart was racing.

Charlie didn’t look happy, but nodded. I turned to Uncle, who was glaring at my hand on Charlie’s arm. I very quickly snapped it away.

Uncle smiled sweetly and looked up at me. “Jack Daniels, please, Olivia. Why don’t you join me?”

I shook my head, feeling my hands shake. “No, thank you, Uncle. I’m at work, so I can’t.” I turned away and walked towards the bottle of Jack. The minute I saw it, the familiar burn crept up my throat. Uncle knew what this would be doing to me, but he was telling me that he was more than unhappy with me. He was making me suffer for ignoring him.

I picked up a glass with one shaky hand, the bottle of Jack with the other. Charlie saw me and came over to whisper in my ear, “Fucking hell, Olivia. Why is he doing this? Shall I tell him to fuck off?”

I shook my head violently. “No, please don’t. You don’t understand what kind of man he is. Please leave it.”

“Talking about me?” his silky voice asked from behind the bar.

I turned with a smile plastered on my face, placing the glass and bottle on the bar. “No. Charlie was just making sure I was okay. He’s just a concerned boss. That’s all.”

Uncle smiled, as if that amused him. “Hmmm... He’s not trying to get into your knickers, is he, Olivia?”

I closed my eyes, wishing he would just go away, but also wishing he wouldn’t. That familiar pull was intensifying.

I fetched some ice, put it in the glass, and unscrewed the bottle. Uncle watched as I shakily poured the mixture and pushed the glass his way, holding my breath the whole time.

“Breathe, Olivia.” He winked and took his first swig. “Hmm... So good. I understand why you used to live on the stuff.”

I screwed the cap back on and placed it back on the bar. Uncle motioned towards it. “Are you sure you won’t join me? I remember how frisky you used to get on the stuff. I didn’t take you up on the offer back then, and I’m kind of regretting that now.”

I felt bile rise at the back of my throat. I know I used to get myself into a state and made a pass at him a few times. He was so sweet to me back then and I was so lonely. I just wanted to feel what it was like to be loved...despite the fact I knew he didn’t love me. I guess I wanted to feel anything but the abyss I was in day after day.

“I was a different person back then.”

Uncle raised his eyebrow. “So you were. You’re so much more attractive now. I don’t do comatose females. They just don’t do it for me. I prefer them to know exactly what’s going on.”

I had my hand on the bar and was gripping it so tightly, my knuckles were turning white. “Is this a passing visit, or was there something you wanted to see me about?” My tone was probably a little too unwelcome for his taste but, right now, I just wanted him to leave before the urge to go to him became too strong.

“Livy, I’ve come all this way to see you and this is how you greet me? I think you can do a lot better than that. Come out here so you can show me how much you’ve missed me.”

Closing my eyes, I let the sound of my name on his lips surround me. I wasn’t Olivia now. I was Livy. His Livy.

My body tensed. Every part of me either wanted to run, or wrap my arms around him. This was just too strange for words.

I put on my happy face and walked out from behind the bar. When I got close to him, my body went rigid in anticipation of his touch. Uncle pulled me into him and wrapped his big arms around me. The only thing I could do was kiss him on the cheek, smiling as sweetly as I could. He smelled good and the need to stay like this was immense.

Uncle smacked my bottom and my eyes went wide. “That’s better. I don’t want to have to ask next time.” He gave me a warning look.

“Of course not, Uncle. I’m sorry.” I looked across at Charlie and he was staring back at us. I could tell he wasn’t happy. You could cut the tension with a knife.

If I thought it couldn’t get any worse, Uncle pulled his head back and lightly kissed me on the lips. It was only a brief kiss, but enough to taste and smell the Jack on his breath.

My whole body reacted violently. Desire for more flooded me like a raging bull. I wasn’t so much reacting to the kiss. This was a different desire than the one Uncle was after. The look on my face must have said it all because Uncle gave me an appraising smile.

“That’s more like it, Livy. How about another drink?”

I could still smell it on his breath and it was making my mouth dry. Without thinking, I licked my lips, earning a small growl from Uncle.

He moved a little closer to my ear. “That will come later.”

The words of promise filled my head as I unsteadily walked back behind the bar. I knew I could never be alone with him because I wouldn’t be allowed to say no to him and he knew it. Everyone who knew him knew it.

And the biggest, sickest problem of them all? I knew I wouldn’t want to say no.

Uncle watched with greedy eyes as he witnessed the affect he had on me. He did have a huge effect and it scared the shit out of me. I didn’t understand what on earth this hold he had over me was, but I wish I could.

Uncle swigged the rest of his drink down, and I held my breath as I poured him another.

“You’ve been out of touch lately, Olivia. Any reason for that?” He was all business now. Playtime was over.

I shook my head. “I’ve just been a little busy.”

“Have you managed to locate what we’re after?”

I shook my head, and Uncle stared at me a little too long for comfort. His icy blue eyes were burning into me. Some people would cower away from his cold stare, but I just wanted to reach out to it.

“I’m trying to figure out what’s taking you so long. Are you sure you have nothing?”

I swallowed and shook my head. “No, nothing.”

Uncle got up and placed his hand in his pocket. “You will contact me the minute you do. You only have a couple days left now.” I nodded again and he smiled, placing a twenty on the bar. “Keep the change.” He started to turn, but looked at me again. “Oh, you can finish my drink. I’m not thirsty anymore.” He winked at me and turned to walk out.

Once he shut the door behind him, every cell in my body turned to jelly. I released a breath and desperately tried to take control. The pull he had over me dissipated the minute he was gone. The relief from it was immense.

Looking at the glass on the bar, I felt like I didn’t have control at all. Every nerve was telling me to reach my hand out to grab it and sling it back. I had a shock to the system and my body needed it.

Without thinking, I licked my lips and reached out for the glass, but my hand was suddenly grabbed. I looked across and saw Charlie’s smiling face.

“It’s okay. I got this.”

I nodded, feeling the tears well up. I always thought I had a handle on things until something like this cropped up to test me. I was just as bewitched by the stuff now as I was all those months ago. It had been almost eight months since I drank any kind of alcohol at all, but the burn to taste it was still as strong...and Jack Daniels was my weapon of choice. It was the one I would always turn to, ,but if I didn’t have any, I’d settle for anything.

Charlie quickly took the glass, dumping the contents into the sink. Once he put the glass in the dishwasher, I let out a sigh of relief.

He looked up at me with a worried expression. “Olivia, who was that guy? No uncle I know would behave like that with his niece. Quite frankly, he made my skin crawl.”

I smiled meekly at him. “He’s not actually my uncle. Just someone who helped me out a long time ago.”

He leaned a little closer. “And this man is the type who doesn’t give favours away without something in return?”

I nodded with a sigh. “You could say that.”

“Fuck, Olivia. What kind of shit did you get yourself into?”

I shook my head at him. “Believe me, you don’t want to know. It’s always best that no one knows.”

Charlie sighed. “I don’t like this, Olivia. I don’t like that you know people like that. Kit’s not one of them, is he?”

I winced at his words, but shook my head. “No, Kit’s nothing like Uncle.”

“Why do you call him that when he obviously isn’t?”

I shrugged. “I never knew his name. He always preferred I called him Uncle.”

Charlie huffed. “Pervert.”

I swatted him again. “Don’t, Charlie. It wasn’t like that.”

His eyes widened. “You could have fooled me. He had his hands all over you, and you let him.”

I glared at him. “Uncle is a man to whom you don’t say no.”

Charlie sighed again. “I don’t like this, Olivia.”

I put my hand up. “Leave it, Charlie. I have a handle on things. Don’t worry about me.”

Charlie banged his hand on the bar. “I can’t fucking help that.” He glared at me one last time and walked away. Once I heard his office door bang shut, I jumped.

Sue came over to me with a worried frown. “Is everything okay?”

I nodded. “Everything’s fine, Sue. Charlie and I just had a little misunderstanding.”

With a towel in her hand, she started drying one of the glasses. “Things have been tense around here lately. Are you two all right with each other?”

I nodded. “We are, but I do have to tell you something.”

Her eyes alert, she nodded for me to carry on. “What’s that?”

“Tonight is my last night at the bar. Nothing lasts forever and I guess this is my time to say goodbye.”

Sue bit her lip. “I’m sorry to hear that, Olivia. Are you happy with the decision?”

I smiled, thinking of Kit. “I am. Don’t get me wrong. I will miss everyone here, but it’s time I moved on.”

Sue smiled and placed her hand on my arm. “Then I’m happy for you. You will be missed, but I wish you all the luck in the world.”

“Thank you,” I replied with a smile. I was going to need all the luck I could get.

*****

Three hours went by with no sign of Charlie. He was sulking and I knew the reason why. I, on the other hand, had more pressing things to worry about. Things were a little quiet at the bar, which made my brain work overtime. I wanted out and I wanted to go home. Home to Kit. Home to his arms. Home to forever... If he’d still have me. I knew I had to tell him everything. I had a sick feeling in my stomach that he might not want me after I revealed the person I was. I wasn’t sure he’d deem our relationship worthy enough.

After serving a customer, I felt a headache coming on. I didn’t have many, but this one was coming on hard and fast. I rubbed my head, trying to get rid of the tension, but it was no use.

“You can go home.” I looked up and saw Charlie standing in the doorway. He shrugged. “You might as well. It’s dead in here tonight and I think you have some things you need to sort out.” He offered me a tight smile. I knew he wasn’t happy, but had accepted my decision.

He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out some money. “Here. This will pay you right up until your shift ends. Consider it a bonus for all the times you’ve helped me out.”

I put my hand on his. “I can’t take that–”

He pushed his hand forward. “Take it. It’s not much anyway, Olivia. You weren’t getting paid well enough to warrant trying to give it back to me. Just accept it, say thank you, and give me a hug.” He smiled a genuine smile at me this time and, of course, I couldn’t say no.

I walked towards him, took the money, and wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you for everything, Charlie, and I’m sorry about everything else.”

Charlie tugged me to him. “Don’t mention it, Olivia. I’ll miss you. Just promise me one thing.”

I smiled as I felt him tighten his hold. “What’s that?”

“That you’ll look after yourself. Not other people, not the next door neighbour’s cat or dog... Yourself. You need to look after you now.”

I felt a tear fall down my face as I nodded into his shoulder. “Okay,” I answered, sniffing a little.

“Hey. This is a brand new shirt.”

I laughed, pulling away. “Charlie, you never stop.”

He smiled and stroked my cheek. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

I nodded. “I hope so, Charlie. I really do. No one ever knows what the future holds, eh?”

I grabbed his hand and he pulled mine up to kiss the back of it. “Tell him I said not to hurt you or he’ll have me to deal with. Also tell him I’ll steal you away if he does.” He smiled again and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Okay, I’ll make sure to tell him.”

“Are you going, Olivia?”

I looked over Charlie’s shoulder and saw Sue. I nodded. “Yep. I’m going to miss you, Sue.” I walked over and pulled her in for a hug. “You’ll take care of him for me, won’t you?”

She laughed and pulled away. “Of course. I’ll keep him out of trouble. I hope whatever you find next will make you happy.”

I nodded, smiling. “Thank you.”

An awkward silence ensued, so I knew that was my cue to leave. “Right, well… I better be off.” With a sigh, I walked to the back to grab my things. Charlie helped me with my coat and when I spun back round to thank him, his lips were on mine.

He kissed me very softly, then pulled away. “Take care, Olivia.”

Another tear rolled down my cheek. “You, too, Charlie.”

He let go of me and we held hands until I walked past him. Our fingers slipped apart and, before I knew it, I was outside and facing the direction of home.

I knew Kit would be mad at me for coming home alone, so I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, ringing my landline. Within a couple of rings, he answered.

“Kit, it’s me. I’m coming home.” I couldn’t help the big smile on my face.

“Don’t move. I’ll come get you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be silly. I can walk. It will only take me ten minutes.”

“Olivia.” I heard the stern tone in his voice. “Don’t walk home. I’m coming to get you.”

“Okay.” I smiled. “I’ll wait for you.”

“Good.” I heard the phone go dead and pressed the END button on mine.

I stood there for a few seconds, wondering why on earth I was waiting. The sooner I started walking towards him, the sooner we would be together.

I started to stroll down the main street. It wasn’t long before I was turning onto the road I was attacked in all that time ago. It seemed like an age now, but the thought made me shudder.

Deciding to ignore the nagging in my head, I ventured further. Freddy was gone, so I didn’t need to worry about him anymore.

As I got halfway down the street, I heard the screeching of tyres behind me. Before I could react, a man got out, threw something over my head, and pulled me, kicking and screaming, into the back of a van. I lashed out so much, I must have hit the guy pretty hard in the ribs because he cursed.

“Fuck!”

I was waiting for the inevitable blow, but I heard another voice.

“Don’t you even think about it, Craig. Boss will cut your fucking hands off if you touch her.”