Salvage Her Heart

by Shelly Pratt

  ‘You looked happy there… what went wrong?’

  ‘Alex went wrong. Everything up until that point was a sham, a farce to get me to buy into his deception. Then his real self came knocking on the door and he didn’t have the restraint to keep it closed. But it was more than that with Alex, too. It wasn’t just that he couldn’t help the way he behaved—he enjoyed it. He liked the dark side that came out when things got out of hand.’

  ‘It kills me you’re still here, Evie. I don’t want you to suffer with this guy.’ He reaches out to stroke my cheek. The bruise is no longer there, but he remembers where it was.

  ‘Each day it kills a little of me, too. I hate being here on my own, but it’s even worse with him here.’

  ‘Tell you what, why don’t you pack a bag and let’s get away while he’s gone. I’m sure you don’t want to stay here, and to be honest, I feel a little uncomfortable being in his house.’

  ‘I don’t know…’

  ‘Please? I know you and I would both feel more relaxed out of this setting.’

  ‘Well—’

  ‘I’ll be a perfect gentleman, I promise.’

  I hesitate, only for a second. It’s not that I don’t want to go with Grayson, or that it’s even a matter of trust. The only thing that is holding me back is that I’m scared. I’m scared I’ll enjoy myself so much that I won’t ever want to come home. And when it’s time for Alex to come back, and Grayson to return to his own life, I’ll be left completely empty when my new-found happiness is ripped out from underneath me. I almost don’t think I can bear it, but I know that I will never get another opportunity like this. I know that this could be my last chance at a little bit of freedom.

  ‘You’re on,’ I grin. His smile mirrors mine, a glint of mischief flashing across his features.

  ‘Ye-es! Let’s hurry up and get you packed, sweetheart.’ The word sweetheart just rolls off his tongue so effortlessly. It makes me tingly all over, like I could almost delude myself into believing that he’s my guy and we could go on like this forever.

  ‘We’re leaving tonight? It’s almost eight o’clock.’

  ‘No time like the present. I have a great place in mind and you can sleep while I drive. I’ll just have to quickly duck home and grab my truck.’

  ‘What about you, though? Don’t you have to work? What will Jean say?’

  ‘Details, Evie, just details. I’ll leave Jean a message and let her know I’ll be gone for a while.’

  ‘She won’t mind?’

  ‘Nah, not so much. She’s kind of like a mum to me, ever since… well, she just is.’

  ‘Okay, if you’re sure.’

  I instantly sense him closing up; clearly there’s something he’s not telling me. I hope he trusts me enough to confide in me, especially after I’ve told him all about my sordid life, but perhaps now just isn’t the time. I make a mental note to bring it up later when we’re not acting like teenagers running away from home.

  While I start throwing some clothes and toiletries into a bag, Grayson dishes up the meal that I already had in the slow cooker. By the time I join him he’s already washed the dishes and set us our meal at the table. I have to admit, it’s quite the experience to sit and eat with someone as relaxed and chilled as Grayson over enduring a meal with someone as intense as Alex.

  I suddenly don’t feel like a woman in my late twenties anymore. I feel like I’ve been transported back to my teenage years when I still believed that fairy tales could come true. Something that has evaded me for a long time is hope. Grayson gives me more than just a glimmer of it—he projects a desire for me to have fun and happiness with him.

  We eat in silence, excitement and nerves certainly getting the best of me. I’m suddenly shy to eat in front of him, worrying about silly things like getting food on my face, or stuck in my teeth. He grins at me, as though he can tell exactly what I’m thinking. I’m startled when his feet touch mine under the table. Reflexively my knee bangs the glass table top, making him chuckle just a little. I rein in my skittish behaviour, allowing a very immature game of footsies to take place under the table. I allow myself to wonder vaguely what it would be like to be in bed with him and play the game there.

  I’m almost upset when we’ve finished because I quite like the relaxed atmosphere we shared over dinner. Being with Grayson is like a kid trying ice-cream for the first time. You love it so much, that you just want to keep eating it, but you also know that if you do, you’ll surely feel sick pretty soon after. Because I can be sensible with matters of the heart, I know I can’t rush things with him. It’s not that my heart is tied to Alex, but there is that grating reality that reminds me that I’m still very much his wife, and until he’s no longer bound to me physically, emotionally or legally, I can never fully give myself to Grayson.

  ‘Ready to go?’ he asks, checking his watch.

  ‘Yes, I’ll just grab some cash from the safe and call a taxi to pick us up in fifteen minutes.’

  ‘Just give the operator my address,’ he calls after me as he washes our plates in the sink.

  ‘Okay,’ I call back, excitement rippling through me.

  I change into a pair of denim shorts I have secretly stashed in my wardrobe. There is no way Alex would ever allow me to wear such clothing, least of all in public, but I couldn’t resist the purchase. I bought them in the hopes of one day taking a carefree stroll on the beach with the sun belting down on me and the wind in my hair. I don’t know exactly where Grayson is taking me, but I’m sure going to make the most this impulsive escape from my not-normal life.

  I help myself to a wad of one hundred dollar bills Alex keeps in the safe in our bedroom. So long as I provide Alex with receipts, he doesn’t ask any questions on what I spend the money on. This little splurge I’m going to blame on my father. Pretending I’ve lent money to my gambling-addicted father isn’t going to be too much of a stretch.

  When I walk out of the bedroom, Grayson is leaning against the kitchen bench looking so handsome that I really just want to throw myself at him. His casual confidence makes me want to abandon all my senses and just lose myself in him forever. The memory of our kisses does little to still my heart as he glances up and catches sight of me. He wolf-whistles, a low tune coming from those sexy lips of his.

  ‘I like the shorts, Evie.’

  ‘You do, huh?’

  ‘Oh yes. I think we should get going before you put my body into a state of distress.’ I smile smugly, pleased I evoke such feelings in him.

  He takes my bag from me, kissing my cheek tenderly before taking my hand in his. We turn off the lights and head for the door, knowing that wherever we’re going is going to be a hell of a lot more fun than this place.

  Grayson lets me go first but that doesn’t make a difference when I open the door. Despite the late hour I come face to face with Madeline, her hand poised to knock on the now absent door. I gasp in horror, unable to rein in my panic at the sight of her. Instantly my mind starts racing, imagining her running straight to Alex to tell him what she’s seen. The sight of Grayson and me brings a smirk to her face. We’re too stunned to utter a single word.

  ‘Well, when the fox is away, look who comes to play,’ she smirks.

  ‘Madeline… what are you doing here?’

  ‘No, no, Evie, it should be more like, what is he doing here?’

  ‘Please, Madeline, you can’t say anything to Alex!’

  ‘Alex asked me to stop by and check on you this evening. He thought you might be lonely. Looks like he was wrong—dead wrong—wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘It’s not what you think!’ I beg.

  ‘Oh, no?’ She eyes my overnight bag stuffed to the brim. ‘Looks like you’re going away for a while, with Mr Hot-stuff, too.’

  ‘He’s not—’

  ‘Oh save your breath, Evie. I’m not going to say a word to Alex.’

  ‘You’re not?’ I ask in disbelief.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Why not? I mean, don’t
get me wrong, I appreciate you not doing so because this isn’t what it looks like.’

  ‘It is exactly what it looks like, so let’s quit the bullshit.’

  ‘Okay then, but I’m guessing your silence comes at a price?’

  ‘You bet your arse it does.’

  ‘Hmm, sounds like you’ve been thinking about this for a while.’

  ‘You could say that.’

  ‘But why?’

  ‘Let’s just say that you’re not the only one desperate for freedom.’

  ‘So, my silence in exchange for?’

  ‘Let’s just call it a cool million and I’ll vanish for good.’

  I gasp at her audacity, as if I just walk around with that kind of pocket change.

  ‘I’m guessing from your asking price that you have to know that I can get my hands on that kind of cash pretty easily. What you’re not aware of is that I have to account to Alex for every damn cent. If he thinks I just bought your freedom then we’re both dead and this all will have been for nothing.’

  ‘Evie, a girl of your talents, I’m sure you can come up with a plausible excuse for spending the money. Besides, I’m sure your little trip with your fella here will be worth it.’

  Grayson and I glance at each other, knowing full well that there is no way we’re not accepting her offer. Madeline’s right—there is no way in hell I’m turning back now. The temptation of freedom is just steps away. Yes, I know my freedom will be fleeting, but even if I only get this one time with Grayson, I know I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

  All I need to do is walk back into the apartment and take a million dollars out of Alex’s safe and pray to hell I can come up with a bloody good excuse before he gets back. The alternative is Miss Madeline starts placing calls to him right now and puts both mine and Grayson’s life in danger.

  ‘Okay, Madeline, you’ve got a deal.’

  Sixteen

  GRAYSON

  Watching a very smug Madeline leave Evie’s apartment gives me a chill down my spine. I’m not at all comfortable with the fact that pretty soon Evie is going to have to come up with some plausible excuse for the missing cash. Her audience of one hot-headed, abusive husband is certainly not ideal. But once again, I can see it in Evie’s eyes. They’re hard and unrelenting. There is no compromise. She wants Madeline gone so that we can at least keep Alex out of the loop for now.

  I can understand that after all this time she wants so desperately to escape his clutches. I’m just not completely sold on the idea because her husband is a nutcase. Her safety is the most important thing right now. If I suspect that she’s going to be in any danger whatsoever, you can bet your arse that there is no way in hell I’m letting her go back to him when it’s time to come home.

  For the moment, though, I’m a little like Evie. I just want to pretend that she doesn’t have all the baggage and we are just two friends—good friends—getting to know each other. I want to see her smile; I want her to be happy and carefree. I want her to have the kind of life she deserves without all the people she trusts selling her out. Most of all, I want to be the guy that gives her that kind of comfort and simplicity in her life.

  No matter what hurdles I, or we, have to overcome, I’m not going to give up on fighting for Evie. I’m going to make this week so special for her that she’ll never be able to walk back into her old life. I need to convince her that I can protect her and will keep her safe regardless of the threats Alex has bombarded her with.

  With Madeline swallowed by the elevator, it’s just the two of us left in the foyer with her bags packed for our getaway. She was initially ruffled but now she looks calm, like she’s let go of that little upset. I want to reach out to her, comfort her, but I’m not sure if I should. And then I just think, fuck it, I’m gonna love her exactly the way I want to because she damn well looks like she needs consoling.

  Reaching for the hem of her shirt, I tug gently so that she falls my way. She lets out a little breath as she falls against my chest, her hands resting on my pecs to stop her forward motion. Her head is dipped, suddenly shy at our forced intimacy. I’m in complete admiration of how strong this woman really is, and yet she has no idea.

  ‘Has anyone ever told you you’ve got balls of steel?’

  ‘You make me sound like Superman or something,’ she chuckles.

  ‘Yeah, I can see the resemblance,’ I joke.

  ‘Well don’t get too excited, I haven’t mastered the whole eye laser thing yet. Or the flying.’

  ‘It’s hard not to get excited around you anyway, laser beams or no laser beams.’

  She blushes, which makes me just want to plant kisses all over her damn cheeks. I settle for a quick peck, before reaching for her bags.

  ‘How ‘bout you and I get out of here?’

  ‘You know what, Grayson, I think that’s the best thing I’ve heard all night.’

  She takes my hand in hers and nothing else matters. We could be the only two people in the universe right now and I couldn’t care less. Being so isolated up on the penthouse floor with the world spread out below us makes me feel invincible towards the dark evils that lurk in Evie’s life. I know I’d be stupid to be lulled into a false sense of security but there is no way I’d let Alex stand in the way of freeing her from this fucked up existence she has to live with.

  We ride the lift down in silence, the uncertainty of the future trailing after us like a bad smell. While it’s something to consider, I know we’re both eager to leave the troubles behind us just for now. The taxi driver is already parked on the curb when we exit the building and he is looking rather impatient that we’ve kept him waiting so long. Our little hold up with Madeline delayed us somewhat, but I don’t know why he’s got the shits when he’s running the meter already.

  I ignore him and tap on the trunk for him to open it while Evie gets in the back seat. I dump her bags in before sliding in next to her and giving the driver my address.

  When we get back to my place, I tell Evie to wait for me while I quickly run inside and throw some gear into a bag. I leave Lucas and Rob a note on the kitchen bench letting them know I’ll be away before calling and leaving a message on Jean’s phone. I know she isn’t going to be super happy with me when she finds out, but it’s a berating I’m willing to take.

  I’m just about to walk out the front door when I’m stopped in my tracks. There, in the moonlight, is Evie, star-gazing at the night sky. She looks so beautifully tranquil that I’m reluctant to interrupt her. In the distance I can hear the muffled sounds of people—laughing and shouting after wining and dining at the strip of restaurants along the river. She turns, suddenly aware of my presence.

  ‘Hey, beautiful,’ I say with a grin.

  ‘Hey, did you get what you need?’ she asks shyly.

  ‘Just about. I need to grab a few camping things from the garage and then we’re off. You ready to have some fun?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ she smiles.

  ‘Here, hop in my truck and I’ll load the gear in the back.’ I open her door for her and resist the urge to grab her butt to lift her in.

  I cannot even begin to tell you how happy it makes me to see that woman jump in my ride. I’ve kinda got the whole lion and his lioness pride thing going on. I wouldn’t want to say she’s mine, or that I possess her or anything, but I certainly like the fact that she’s with me.

  With the night ticking away and stealing what precious moments I know I have left with Evie before reality comes knocking, I grab a couple of sleeping bags and camping gear before joining her in my truck.

  Both apprehension and excitement are rolling off her in waves. She’s like a kid who, for the first time, is going on a summer holiday. Her face is radiating with the emotion of suddenly feeling free of her shackles. I’m glad that I’ve had a little something to do with that.

  Right now, I’m so glad a bought an auto. It means I can take her hand in mine, fingers interlocking, as I drive. There’ll be no gear changing tonight, which means
my focus can be exactly where I want it to be—with her.

  I’m not telling her where I’m taking her because, come on people, that would ruin the surprise. I have a childhood friend who, despite the years or distance, has always remained in contact. A couple of years back he bought some land, right next to the Nightcap National Park in northern New South Wales. He ended up building log cabins on the side of his property that flanked Rocky Creek Dam and used them as holiday lets.

  The place became so popular that scouts for a U.S. television show wanted to use the property and cabins to film some teen sitcom there. He agreed, and made a shitload of money in the process.

  Now that the show is over, he just lets family and friends have use of them. He’s always said I was welcome—anytime. So I’m calling him on his offer. Perhaps he wasn’t expecting me in the middle of the night, but hey, there’s no time like the present.

  Besides, I broke up with Peggy-Sue in grade two, which meant he was free to date her a while in high school. As far as I can see, he owes me. If I hadn’t broken her heart in primary school I’m sure she’d still be in love with me. Yes, I still rib him about it, but all jokes aside, we’re good mates who always pick up right where we left off. Callum is that kind of person. He doesn’t hold a grudge if you don’t write or call.

  I’ve always been a bit of a country man—it doesn’t matter that I grew up in a city. I love the outdoors; fishing and swimming in creeks. Being near the mountains and rivers always takes me back to my summer vacations when we used to stay up at the old manor at Springbrook Mountain. They were happy days, and I’m looking forward to starting new memories with Evie while doing something I love.

  An hour and a half of rolling down the highway listening to Eli Young Band, we cross the border into the Northern Rivers. We’re still an hour away from the cabins and I can see Evie starting to get drowsy. The great thing about having a bench seat is she can move over and sit next to me.