Stanton Bliss(49)

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.





Chapter 9

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 f*cking speak. Get in your car and f*ck 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 f*cking 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.

His eyes narrow. “I need a few f*cking answers myself.” He sneers.

I cringe at the venom in his voice. Oh God, I’ve never seen him like this.

“At what point, Natasha, did you think that going to a prison to see someone who tried to murder you…” His voice is cold and calm and I swallow my fear. “Was a good f*cking idea?” he screams.

My tears fall.

He holds up a finger in my face. “Don’t you dare! Don’t you f*cking dare start your water works bullshit.”

I stand still, unsure what to say. My bottom lip is trembling. “Joshua, calm down,” I whisper.

“Calm down?” he yells. “Calm down? I am married to a self-centred liar who put my baby’s life at risk today.”

My face falls. “This is the first time I have ever lied to you.”

“I am way, way, beyond f*cking calming down.”

“The baby’s life wasn’t at risk,” I try to tell him.

“Wasn’t it?” he shouts.

“I knew what I was doing.”

“Just like the night on the boat when you told Ben to go.” He shakes his head as he gathers his thoughts. “You knew what you were doing that night too, didn’t you? You didn’t need protection that night, either, did you, Natasha?”

My eyes close. He had to bring that up, didn’t he?

My tears fall and I shake my head. “No. I knew you wouldn’t let me go.”

“Because I’m trying to protect you!” he screams so loud that I jump back.

“You’re scaring me,” I whisper.

“You should be f*cking scared.”

My face falls. “Stop it,” I breathe.

He stares at me for an extended time and then closes his eyes.

“I’m scaring myself,” he replies coldly. He comes really close to my face. “You lied to me today. You betrayed me today.” He growls.