The hair on my arms prickled as I went to make the hot chocolate. He watched my every move, waiting for me to do a runner.
‘Why are you here, then?’ I asked when I placed the drink on the table.
He gestured for me to join him. The only other customer was deep in conversation on his phone so I sat opposite him.
‘I have something that you might be interested in.’
My back stiffened as I fiddled with the salt shaker.
‘If it’s Antony, I’m not interested,’ I said, sitting back. ‘He never wanted me anyway.’
Nick sat forward and looked me in the eye. The tiny lines around his mouth made him look older than he was.
‘Are they not teaching you anything anymore?’
I laughed and shook my head.
‘You think you’ve abandoned your mission, don’t you?’
Putting my head to the side, I took a deep breath. ‘Yes, I have. I can’t be bothered with it. All I did was cry. I was sick of crying over a man that didn’t want me so I stopped.’
The corners of his lips lifted into his cheeks.
‘You gave up?’
His finger reached forward and flicked the silver charm on my bracelet. The Pisces sign twinkled up at me in the fake florescent light.
‘Yes. I’m not putting myself through it anymore. I’m sure we won’t ever harmonise. There’s no point.’
‘What is the point to love?’
His question startled me. ‘I don’t love him.’
The chuckle that came from his mouth made me want to reach out and punch him in the face. Why did I feel violent around him? Was his energy that bad?
‘If you don’t love him, why is it such hard work?’
If Nick wanted to lecture me about love, I wasn’t prepared to listen. He knew nothing of love and never would. His soul purpose was to make sure the world was full of pain.
I went to stand. He grabbed my wrist to stop me. The bracelet was under his palm. The pressure squeezed the charm into my skin. Feeling the bite of it, I swallowed to stop the emotion that had been pushed down for weeks.
‘I don’t know.’
‘We all have a reason for being here. It’s good that you’re not with Antony. It makes my job easier. Although, I am getting a little bored if I’m honest.’
I slapped his hand and he pulled back, rubbing his skin.
‘Is this just a game to you?’ I leant forward and got in his face. ‘Why are you here?’
He scowled at me but I wasn’t scared anymore. The man had kidnapped me and kept me captive. He tried to trick me to believe that someone else was my twin flame. He had killed my soulmate in all of our past lives but I didn’t care about any of it. I just wanted to get on with my life.
‘When was the last time you heard from your mother?’
I froze. I hadn’t spoken to anyone since I had left the townhouse. They would be worried about me. I had hidden in the suburbs of London for weeks but no one had found me. Nick was the first. It grated on me that he seemed to be the only one who had bothered.
‘You have my mother?’
He nodded once. I had to force myself not to lunge at him.
‘What do you want?’
He glanced around us before looking back at me. ‘I want you to take her place by my side.’
My eyes narrowed on him. What did he mean at his side? It sounded creepy and perverted. I glanced over his shoulder to see if I could escape. Should I jump up and run as fast as I could? There was no point. He would have men waiting outside. At least if I bargained, he might let mother go. If he was telling the truth, of course.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Your mother has been with me since your father left. Why do you think you haven’t seen her for a while? She’s recently developed a conscience and now wants to leave. Of course, I can’t let her do that…unless you take her place.’
Bile threatened to come up my throat. I gripped the edge of the table and looked into his eyes. He told the truth. For five years, mother had been involved with the man that wanted us to fail.
‘What do you mean take her place? Are you some sort of pervert?’
He blinked and threw his head back. A bark of laughter escaped him. I wanted to punch him straight in the throat. In fact, I lifted my hand to do that, but he deflected the attack by grabbing my wrist and holding me still.
‘Don’t be silly. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant as my second in command. She oversees my efforts to stop you and lover boy getting together.’
The betrayal was too much and the tears came. He patted my arm and let me go.
‘Everyone thinks you’re weak but I know better. Your strength comes from your emotions. I can teach you how to harness that to bring out your power.’
I wiped away the evidence of my tears and choked back the sob that wanted to come. I wasn’t strong, I was weak. Everyone was right about me. I couldn’t be anything other than a sensitive person. I had tried and it didn’t work.
‘Okay, I’ll come but I won’t help. Surely if I’m kept apart from Antony, it will be enough?’
Nick stood and offered his hand. I took it, letting him lead me out of the coffee shop. I would call my boss later to explain that I’d had a family emergency. It was late but people were still making their way home.
‘Nick! It’s good to see you again.’
I recognised the voice and was astounded to hear it. Shoving my elbow into Nick’s side, I stepped away when he grunted and released me.
‘Pisces, come here,’ Aries called.
When I reached him, I looked back to see Father on the pavement, facing Nick. Our enemy had recovered and watched Father closely. Aries wrapped his arm around me and picked me up.
‘Let go, I have to stay and watch this!’
He dropped me, keeping a hand on my shoulder. Headlights lit up the pavement. My brothers stood in the shadows, restraining Nick’s backup. All six of them were there.
‘It’s been a while, Nick,’ Father said as he came closer.
‘It’s been a very long while. I’m glad to see you.’
The sarcastic tone was noticeable even from where I stood.
‘Aries—’
‘Be quiet,’ he hissed.
‘I’m sorry for how things ended in the last lifetime.’ Father grinned so hard, I knew he wasn’t telling the truth.
‘I’m sorry for how it’s going to end this lifetime.’
‘Don’t you ever get sick of fighting?’
Nick stilled, his back as rigid as mine. Aries’ hand was heavy on my shoulder. I wanted to pull away. It had been nice to live a normal life, even if it was only for a few weeks. It was refreshing not to have to worry about my siblings or our mission.
‘It’s what I live for. You know that.’
‘There’s a difference between fighting and having fight in you.’ Father slapped his chest and took another step forward. Nick backed up. It was the first sign of vulnerability I had ever seen in him.
Father was right. I had run away because I didn’t want to fight anymore, but in truth, I had been fighting the whole time. Antony wanted to speak but I couldn’t face him. I had become the runner. I had resisted and mirrored my soulmate. When he was running from me, I had also run. Instead of surrendering, I had chased after him.
‘Aries—’
‘Shut it, Pisces,’ he snapped. He tried to listen to the exchange but I needed to talk to him.
The conversation ended abruptly when Nick ran forward and jumped in the air. His leg kicked out, ready to plough into my father’s head. Father spun out of the way as Nick landed in a crouch.
‘Are we really going to do this?’ Father asked.
Aries’ hand tightened on me when Nick tackled Father’s legs and sent them both flying. Father rolled when they hit the ground and threw Nick off.
‘Father…!’ I shouted when Nick bounced up and lunged again.
My voice shocked Nick. His step faltered as he lifted into the
air. Father swiped his leg and managed to knock Nick back down.
‘I always win one on one combat and you know it,’ he said as Nick groaned.
Aries jumped up and down, letting go of my shoulder. He was dying to get involved. Leo was doing the same nearby.
‘Aries, go and help him!’ I begged.
He shook his head and glanced at Leo. I followed his gaze but Father’s grunt grabbed my attention. Nick had jumped onto his back and wrapped his hands around his neck. There was movement to the side of us. Scorpio was struggling with one of Nick’s men.
‘You need to get out of here,’ Aries said, pushing me away from the fight.
I backed up but didn’t get in the awaiting van. Fighting broke out amongst my brothers and Nick’s men.
‘Father…!’ I shouted when Nick tried to wrench his neck.
My father managed to throw him off and spun towards me. ‘Go to Antony! He knows what to do,’ he called.
The sound of his name made my heart leap into my throat.
‘Mother is with Nick! We need to help her.’
A sad smile fell over his face and my heart broke a little. He knew that she was with Nick. She had lived a lie. We hadn’t seen her for a while but she’d always kept in contact only by phone. It was because she had been helping Nick all along. It was why she hadn’t wanted us to be free…
‘Go, Pisces,’ Aries called as he thumped a man in the face.
Clambering into the van, I started the engine. The others wouldn’t have an escape plan if I took their only transport.
‘No!’ I heard Nick shout.
I turned in my seat to see him running towards me. Putting my foot on the accelerator, I shot out in front of another car. The car horn drowned out the swearing that filtered from my mouth. I wasn’t usually allowed to drive. I looked in the rear-view mirror. The fight was still going on. A siren sounded nearby. I hoped the boys would get away. There was a taxi ahead. I pulled the van up to the side of the road and left it there. I didn’t know if the boys would find it but I left the keys anyway.
Getting into the taxi, I asked him to take me to the nearest station. I needed to get to Antony.
Chapter Eighteen
I pounded on the door as my panting breath echoed around me. I had travelled on two trains to try and cover my tracks. Running from the station had been my only option. My neck was sore from constantly checking over my shoulder. It was the middle of the night. I saw a light switch on above and hoped they would hurry.
‘Who is it?’ Bev called through the door.
‘It’s me, Pisces.’
The locks clicked and the door opened. Bev stood in her dressing gown. I looked straight past her to Antony. He stood by the stairs with a gun aimed at my chest. As soon as our gaze met, he lowered it. Bev pulled me into the house and shut the door.
‘Are you okay, love?’
I nodded, not taking my eyes away from Antony as he stared at me.
‘I thought I was dreaming,’ Derek said from the balcony above. I glanced up as Antony shook his head and looked away. Derek wore a pair of pants and nothing else. He also held a gun.
‘I’m fine. Father and the boys were fighting with Nick. He told me to come here.’
Bev pushed me into Father’s library and sat me down in one of the chairs. Antony and Derek came in behind us but stayed back.
‘Is he okay?’ Bev asked, pouring herself a stiff drink. When she offered me one, I shook my head. Alcohol wasn’t what I needed.
‘He seemed to be doing well before I left. The police were on their way. Hopefully they broke it up.’ I glanced at the two brothers.
‘Should we go and find him?’ Derek scratched his stomach.
I looked away from him. He was a fit young man but he wasn’t my type. Antony wore jeans and a T-shirt.
‘No, I have orders. We’re to stay here. Don’t answer the door to anyone until he gets in contact,’ Antony said. ‘We’re safe. Bev, I think you should go back to bed. You too, Derek. I’ll get Pisces settled and then keep watch.’
Bev came over and put her arms around me. It was what I needed. Alcohol could never give me the reassurance that a hug could. She stroked my head as she left and Derek followed her.
‘Night, bruv,’ I heard him mutter as he patted Antony on the shoulder.
I sat in silence as Antony checked the front door and came back into the room. He sat behind Father’s desk. I tried not to smile. He still put something between us but it no longer hurt. I understood. I had no idea how but something clicked inside me.
‘Why did you run away?’ Antony gripped the edge of the desk.
‘Same reason you did,’ I replied.
I forced my muscles to relax as he stiffened.
‘Fair play.’ He smiled and my heart pounded. It had been a long time since I had seen his dimples.
‘Did you come back by choice?’
Lowering my head, I stared at my hands. A few short hours ago, I had told Nick that I didn’t want anything to do with my mission or Antony. I had been prepared to let him keep us apart. Did I tell Antony?
‘Be honest with me.’
I looked up and tried to smile. When our eyes met, something overtook me. My body started to shake and the shock of what had happened set in. He leant forward but didn’t get up.
‘Tell me,’ he said quietly.
My head shook and I blinked, trying to stop the tears that blurred my sight. ‘I was going to go with Nick because—’
‘What?’
He cut me off. I wasn’t going to let him run again. He went to get up but I got to my feet quicker. He lowered himself as I approached the desk. I put my hands on the wood and leant forward.
‘Listen to me! Yes, I ran. I was scared and sick of crying over you. Nick found me last night and told me that he had my mother. I believed that he’d kidnapped her, like he did me. So I agreed to be exchanged.’
‘I didn’t know where you were!’ he hissed. His fingers clenched the desk and his knuckles turned white.
‘I know. I’m sorry,’ I said, thrown off by the mismatched conversation.
‘Anything could’ve happened to you. I never would have known.’ He thrust up from the chair and leant forward on the desk. ‘You were going to go with him? Even though you knew we could never be together if you did?’
The tears ran down my face. We both ignored them. His breath and angry words hit my soul. I had to plant my feet firmly against the carpet. I was ready to run but I wouldn’t.
‘I couldn’t handle it,’ I whispered. ‘All I thought about was you. All I wanted was for you to turn up and take me into your arms but you never came. Then Nick was there, offering to help me forget about you. I thought I would finally be able to accept that we could never be together.’
His jaw popped as he clenched his teeth. His eyes were close to mine. Heat radiated from him and I knew I would get burnt if I dared to reach out.
‘You want to give up on your mission?’
He grabbed my arm and yanked it up between us. I almost fell forward but managed to right myself. The bracelet was in my eye line and I cringed when I saw it. He fingered the frayed edge where I had attempted to cut it off over the last few months.
‘Not anymore,’ I whispered.
The anger left him in a rush and his breath landed on my face. His muscles loosened but he still held my arm.
‘Good.’
He let me go and left the room without a backward glance.
*
‘Is Father back yet?’
The room stayed silent. I looked up from my toast. Antony wasn’t awake. Derek and Bev sat across from me.
‘I’m assuming that’s a no. He must have stayed with the others after the fight.’
Bev fidgeted. She stirred the cereal around her bowl. Neither of them had eaten anything.
‘You’re worried about him,’ I stated.
‘Your father always checks in. It’s unlike him not to.’ Bev gave up on her food and let her sp
oon clatter into the bowl.
I had to call Aries. I got up and rushed through the door as Antony came in. We bumped into each other. My face heated as he steadied me.
‘Sorry,’ I mumbled, trying to move around him.
He took my elbow and guided me outside. It was spring and the birds chirped happily. I sat on the bench swing and tilted my face to the sun. Antony stayed standing. Feeling his gaze on my face. I closed my eyes.
‘I’ve not heard from your father. I need you to ring your siblings and ask if he’s with them.’
I opened my eyes and took the mobile phone he offered me. I dialled their number. My fingers were stiff and so was the energy around us.
‘Aries, it’s Pisces,’ I said when he picked up. ‘Is Father with you?’
‘Why did you leave your bag in the car? I couldn’t get hold of you. I had no bloody idea if you were still alive! Where are you?’
His temper simmered. I had to keep my cool. ‘I’m at Father’s. That’s where he told me to go.’
Aries grunted and I heard him tell the others where I was. ‘It’s not good news. Nick has him.’
I almost dropped the phone. Antony came to sit next to me. My body started to shake. He put his hand on my shoulder. The touch sent heat spiralling through me.
‘How did that happen?’
‘More men came and we were overpowered. The police turned up. We managed to get away but we couldn’t find Father anywhere.’
The phone muffled in my ear and I heard him roar at the others to shut up. I was glad that I wasn’t on the end of his fireball.
‘What’s happened?’ Antony asked.
‘Father’s been taken by Nick,’ I answered, my hand over the receiver.
Antony got to his feet and hurried to the back door. He called Derek and told him to go and get dressed. I looked down at my pyjamas before clambering off the seat.
‘Pisces, come home. We need to sort this out between us,’ Aries said into the phone before it shut off.
Antony came back over. ‘Stay here, we’re going to London.’
‘There’s no way I’m staying here,’ I exclaimed as I marched past him.
[Zodiac Twin Flames 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Page 13
