I popped my head around Grace’s door, “Grace, do you need me for the rest of the day?” I asked, swallowing hard and she frowned at my panic.
“Everything okay, sweetie?” she rose from her chair and walked round to me.
“I don’t know Grace, I can’t get hold of Nate and I’m getting a bit worried and just wanted to, just go check on him.”
She placed her hand on my arm, slipping her thumb up and down my skin softly, “Olivia, calm down. It’s fine, I don’t need you this afternoon. Go on.”
I smiled and rushed to pack up my things, running to the elevator and banging the ground floor button, “Come on, come on dammit.”
I had texted Blake but he informed me it was his day off and he hadn’t seen Nate since yesterday. I was really starting to worry now and I was constantly ringing Nate’s mobile and house number and still getting no answer.
He could be doing anything; driving, bathing or even shopping, although I knew that would be the last of Nate’s choices.
What if he was with Eleanor? Noooo, I was not even going there.
I called Neo and asked him to pick me up and then I called Mandy. “DC Yale” she answered quickly.
“Mandy, its Olivia Adams, I was just ringing for an update.”
She was silent for a while, “No Olivia, nothing as yet. You heard anything?”
I ran through the foyer to Neo and climbed in the back of the car as I carried on my conversation with Mandy. “No, nothing but I dunno… I’ve just got a really bad feeling today.”
She was silent again and then I heard her sigh, “Olivia, has there been anything unusual you’ve noticed?”
I sighed in resignation, knowing that she thought I was just being crazy “Well no, but I can’t get hold of Nate” I said with a huff.
“Okay, I presume you have done the usual ringing him and friends, etcetera?”
Rolling my eyes at her I confirmed I had done all that. “Well, there’s not a lot I can do Olivia, not unless he’s been missing for 48 hours but listen, you have my number and if you haven’t heard from him by 10pm tonight give me another ring, I’m on duty till midnight, okay?”
“Yeah, okay Mandy but please make sure you keep your phone with you all day. Like I said I’ve got a really funny feeling today. Please!” I was practically begging her.
I couldn’t figure out what it was, but something was seriously wrong with Nate. She told me she would and I ended the call as we pulled up to Nate’s house and Neo dropped me off at the front doors.
“Mr Carter’s car isn’t here so I presume he’s out. You going to be okay?” he asked, obviously overhearing my conversation with Mandy.
“Yeah, looks like he’s out” I scowled.
Where the hell was he?
“I’m finished for the day, Olivia but give me a ring if you need me” he shouted as I clambered from the car, I gave him a quick wave as he pulled off and I scrambled through my bag for the key Nate had given me.
Unlocking the door and entering the hallway I shouted him but it was eerily quiet.
Narrowing my eyes I saw Nate’s car keys on the table beside the door, my heart started pounding rapidly; his car must still be in the garage unless he had took the bike.
This was really bad, something was bad and my body shook with the knowledge. “Nate” I shouted, tilting my head and swallowing hard as I listened for a sound.
There it was, a slight muffle coming from the lounge.
“Nate?” Still nothing and I took a step nearer the room, my heart in my mouth as I slid my hand in my bag and pressing the hash key on my phone and then resting my finger on the number 1 key, I swallowed hard and turned into the room.
CHAPTER 29
Nate was tied to a chair, naked from the waist up covered in bruises and slash marks. His head was slumped forwards and his hair was matted with blood.
My lungs stopped functioning and my legs wobbled as I saw James stood leaning against the wall behind him, a sneer on his face.
“Not so good looking now is he” he drawled, “I was hoping I could give you two matching scars but credit where it’s due he put up a hell of a fight.”
He laughed as he pushed off the wall and sauntered towards me. I noticed James also sported a black eye and a cut on his cheek along with a split lip.
Retreating back slowly I kept my eyes trained on Nate, looking for any sign he was still breathing, easing in a small breath when I saw his chest rise and fall.
“James, what have you done?” my voice squeaking loudly.
My back hit the wall as he reached me and he took my bag from my shoulder and threw it across to the couch.
He turned back to me, his lip curling in disgust as he leaned in to me. “Well, shall we get down to business?” he whispered in my ear and laughed when I gulped.
He turned and walked over to Nate, crouched down in front of him and punched him in the face. I screamed and stumbled over to him but James grabbed my hair and pulled me back as Nate opened his eyes and looked at me, the haze in his eyes clearing as he found my face.
“Baby” he croaked out and my stomach clenched.
“Nate, babe, I’m here. It’s gonna be ok” I told him, knowing damn well I was lying to both of us.
James pulled on my hair again and I winced as Nate growled and pulled on the ropes tying his wrists.
“Strip, Olivia” James demanded and I shook my head, “No James, please” I begged as he laughed.
“Do you think you have a choice?” he sneered, his tongue sweeping up my cheek and making me shudder.
Nate looked at me, still trying to free himself. “Baby, no” he pleaded.
James let go of my hair and walked over to Nate “I’ll say it again Olivia, do you think you have a choice?”
He reached to the back of his jeans and pulled out a gun. “Oh God, James” I cried as he pointed it at Nate’s head.
“I SAID FUCKING STRIP!” He shouted and I flinched, my heart hammering and my ears started pounding as my throat constricted.
“James, please” I sobbed and he pushed the gun into Nate’s temple and raised his eyebrows.
“Liv, Don’t” Nate ordered, shaking his head at me.
“Shut the fuck up” James snapped at him and then turned to me again, “Olivia! I won’t fucking ask you again. Take. Off. Your. Clothes.”
He lifted the gun slightly reminding me what he would do if I didn’t.
My hands trembled as I raised them to my shirt and started unbuttoning it. I was determined not to cry, not to let James see my terror but I was really struggling as I saw the pain in Nate’s eyes.
James grinned as I slipped it off my shoulders. “And the rest, Darling” the heat in his eyes was clearly visible and it made me baulk.
“For fucks sake, James” Nate growled and jolted in the chair.
“Watch Nathan, you are gonna love the show” James smirked. “Carry on” he said to me, his eyes dropping to my skirt as I unzipped it and dropped it to the floor, closing my eyes and praying for help from God… from anyone.
I was stood in my bra and knickers and I heard James approach as I kept my eyes shut tight, his hand came to cup my face. “Always fucking beautiful, Olivia” he said gently but then gripped my hair severely; pulling my head back as his mouth came to my cheek, “But your mine, you fucking slag” he hissed and threw me to the floor.
“Fuck” I heard Nate snarl as James started to undo his zip and I tried to scramble away. “Olivia,” James barked “Unless you want to watch Nathan die then I expect you to stop right there.”
I stopped dead at his words and turned to look at Nate.
I was now struggling to breathe and my body was trembling violently,
“Angel…”
The anguish on his face was ripping me in two and I crawled over to him. “Nate it’s ok… it’s gonna be okay. Just shut your eyes baby, don’t watch please, Nate.” I begged him “Please Nate, don’t look at me.”
I sobbed now as James ambl
ed over to me, stroking his penis which was now in his hand. “Knickers off, Olivia” he said as he grabbed back hold of my hair and pulled me across the floor.
“James, please. Don’t do this in front of Nate, we’ll just go upstairs.”
He pushed his face into mine. “Do as you’re fucking told,” he yelled “Now!”
His fist slammed into my cheek, knocking my head sideways but his grip on my hair kept me upright.
“James, I swear to god, I’m gonna fucking kill you for this” Nate roared and James just laughed “And how the hell are you gonna do that when you’re tied to a chair and I have the gun? What would you like me to do Nathan, fuck her or shoot her? Your choice.” he raised his eyebrows as though it was a regular thing to ask.
When Nate didn’t answer but continued to struggle in his bonds James punched me again “ANSWER ME NATHAN!” He demanded as I whimpered and closed my hand around the fingers in my hair, trying to ease his grip.
Nate’s eyes lifted. “Please don’t do this, James” he begged and as James fisted my hair harder Nate closed his eyes and whispered “Just don’t kill her.” He swallowed as he knew he had just given James permission to rape his lover, his Angel.
James let go of my hair and ripped my knickers off as he pushed me down to the floor. “Hand and knees Olivia, you know what to do” he growled and I did as he asked, knowing how James liked to take me; forearms flat on the floor and my backside raised in the air as I clamped my knees together.
“Good Girl” he said as I felt him push against me from behind. A sob escaped me as he grabbed my hair again and pulled my head back.
“Open your eyes, Nathan and watch, watch how she likes to be fucked” he ordered. Nate slowly opened his eyes and locked onto mine, the helplessness and raw pain in them broke me.
“It’s okay Nate, it’s okay” I forced a smile, trying to hide my pain as I silently begged him to get through this.
My eyes never left his as I felt James enter me in a single vicious thrust, his groan loud in the room as I zoned out and held Nate’s gaze, my eyes pleading with him to get me through this, help me concentrate on anything but James.
A single tear dropped down my cheek and I closed my eyes. I heard Nate sob, “Angel! Look at me, Liv” he said softly and I opened my eyes as James thrust again, one of his hands still gripped my hair in a tight vice as his other hand dug into my buttock, his fingers digging in painfully.
“God, Olivia. I forgot how tight you fucking are” James growled as his thrusts got harder.
Nate was struggling harder, his arms wriggling and his chest straining as he tried to free himself but his eyes never left mine, silently communicating with me whilst the torture and suffering etched into every inch of his beautiful face.
I had now started to shut down, zoning out like I had done so many times before and I smiled gently at him. “I’m okay, Baby” I mouthed to him “I’m okay.”
A sob tore from his throat at my words. “I’m so sorry, baby” he whispered as a tear trickled out of the corner of his eye and rolled down his cheek.
James’s pounding became frantic and he grunted, stilling as he ejaculated and I retched, the thought of a piece of him, of his DNA invading my body.
“Fuck” he yelled and his fingers became incredibly painful as they jabbed deeper in to my backside.
I felt him withdraw and his foot slammed into my back as he kicked me to the ground. “Jesus Christ” Nate shouted but James just grinned, cocking his head and regarding Nate “She likes it rough” he laughed and Nate growled a deep primal growl, which showed every part of his anger and hatred.
“Now, Now Nathan, don’t get upset. Your turn’s coming” he laughed loudly and pulled me up from the floor. “Stand and watch Olivia. This is where I get revenge on the bastard that’s been screwing my wife.” He gripped both my arms and stood me upright, facing Nate.
My stomach sank as James picked up his gun from the table, walked over to Nate and pressed the gun to his forehead.
“James” I wheezed, “Please.”
He turned to look at me, cocking his head and regarding me “But I’m back now Olivia, you don’t need this wanker.”
As he cocked the gun Nate’s eyes penetrated mine. “I love you, Angel… always” he breathed and every emotion possible passed through his beautiful pure blue eyes but above all, the most intense love, the love he had for me.
No more Olivia, no more of being the little timid woman, no more of being the defenceless beaten wife always relying on other people. No more of standing down and accepting his cruel torture, never again being too afraid to stand up to the bastard that’s ruined your life. This beautiful man brought you back to life, now it’s time to repay the favour and save his life like he saved yours.
My body relaxed, finally a peaceful calm enveloping me, forcing courage and determination through my veins.
Everything at that moment seemed to slow to a halt as James’s finger rested against the trigger.
I felt myself move, my body shifting of its own accord across the room, my legs travelling weightlessly towards James, propelling me forward effortlessly as I crashed into James as Nate screamed out.
I felt our bodies slam together powerfully, twirling in the air before we fell to the ground, both of us toppling over as James’s body fell on top of me, heavily pressing me to the floor.
I registered three things before I died.
Two gunshots, a pain so severe and intense it took my last breath and Nate’s anguished scream as I finally shut down, the darkness finally allowing me to leave James’s torture and cruelty, finally giving in to the most supreme peacefulness I had ever felt.
My final thoughts were of dazzling bright blue eyes, the pure raw love in them and the brightest, happiest smile on a beautiful face, a face that belonged to the most wonderful, magnificent man that had changed my life and given me the happiest days of my life, days to cherish and treasure and moments that gave me a feeling of being loved more than life itself, moments of being his Angel.
CHAPTER 30
The blackness was overwhelming; everywhere I looked it was black.
The voices were far away, mumbled low sounds. His voice was too far away, I wanted it closer, and I wanted his whispers in my ear, his breath caressing my cheek.
I needed him to take away my pain, a pain so excruciating I couldn’t breathe. I needed to look into his beautiful eyes and not focus on anything but those pure, bright blue eyes but everything ebbed away, dragging me back in to the peace of nothing.
The blackness was back, the voices were back but his voice was nearer. He was whispering my name, over and over again.
I tried to tell him I was here, that I was right here but the words wouldn’t come out, my lips wouldn’t move.
His anguished cries broke through the blackness, broke through my own pain as I heard the agony in his sobs, the grief in his screams and I tried so hard to reach him but the nothing came and took me again, the calmness surrounding me.
The black had turned to grey and my throat was so dry, so scratched raw I couldn’t swallow and I desperately needed to, needed to get rid of this damn thing scratching my tonsils.
I needed to pee, my bladder full to bursting and I was growing anxious that I might just have to urinate here… wherever here was.
I could smell him, his scent drifting through my nostrils, calming me immediately.
I could hear his ragged breaths, his hushed sobs, and his soft voice telling me he loved me. I tried to tell him I loved him but the annoying thing stuck in my throat wouldn’t let the words out.
I was getting angry, I wanted to tell him, and I desperately needed to tell him, tell him that I loved him too, more than life.
The nothing was trying to take me back again but I fought against it, I needed to tell him I loved him. I felt his hand in mine, his thumb relentlessly stroking over my knuckles, back and forward, back and forward.
The rhythm was soothing to my pain, to my anguis
h that I couldn’t tell him. The calm won again and I slipped into it, the need to rest taking over my body.
This time there was light and my eyes were open. The room was too vivid; the dazzling bulb above my face was blinding me. The damn thing, whatever it was, was still stuck in my throat and it was choking me, scraping my tonsils as I tried to breathe.
My body hurt so much and as I tried to move, it halted me, the pain screaming through my tender muscles.
His hand was still in mine but his head was laid on top of it, his breathing slow and regular. He was asleep. I needed him, I needed to see his eyes and I needed his smile but I couldn’t bloody talk and I needed him.
I tried to squeeze his hand but it took more effort than was normal, the regular task of squeezing my fingers seemed greater work than lifting a house. I tried again, willing god to help me out. I needed my man, my lover, my other half.
My fingers curled slightly and as I gave it more effort I managed to squeeze his hand, gently clasp his fingers in mine and he stirred, a low groan rumbling from his chest.
My heart hitched as I saw his head slowly rise and as his eyes focused on mine he let out a sob so anguished and relieved it broke my heart.
To see the pain, relief and desolation in him took my breath away.
“Liv?” It came out a strangled whimper and his hand shot up to my brow, pushing a lock of hair away from my forehead. “Baby?” he sobbed and squeezed my hand.
I tried to talk but it came out a croak and he smiled through his tears. “Baby, hang on. I need to fetch the nurse. Hang on, Angel” he pleaded as he released my hand and dashed out of the door, shouting a nurse.
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