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Of course, she is still crying, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs while she rocks herself back and forth with the movement of the boat.
“It’s going to be okay, Maria,” I say softly, trying to calm her down. “Look, we’re almost at the mainland. We’ll find some way for you to get home, and then I’ll go back to the island and explain everything to Julian. Everything will work out.”
Her tear-filled eyes find mine, and the fear I see in those depths makes my heart hurt. She is so scared, the fear I see in her gaze rivals anything I’ve ever felt personally, and there is nothing I can say to her to ease that fear.
Even worse, my husband is the cause of her fear, and I’m not sure even I could stop him from hurting her, which is why we’re doing what we’re doing now. If I can get her away and get her hidden, maybe there is a chance this can all be okay.
“Ah, I think you better hold on ’cause I’m not sure how to stop this boat at the pier,” I warn Marie as we get closer. I shut down the engine and let us float the last bit, but apparently, I didn’t do so early enough. Our boat hits the side of the pier with a loud crack. My body jerks to the front, and I barely manage to stay inside the boat.
Marie grabs the edge of the boat and keeps us pulled against the walkway. I climb out first, then help her to get out. Marie ties the boat up while I tighten my makeshift wrap around my cut hand. When we’re both done, we have our first good look around.
“Let’s head that way,” I point toward the road. “That’s where we came from. We just need to find a phone, so you can call your family.”
“You should just go back, Elena. I promise I’ll be fine from here. You need to go back before Julian finds you missing.”
I won’t lie, the idea is tempting, especially knowing the consequences are going to be dire. “I don’t want to leave you…”
“You’ve already done more for me than I can ever repay you for. Please, head back. I don’t want you to get in trouble for helping me–”
“That’s them!” A male voice interrupts our conversation.
Both of our heads snap up in the direction the yelling came from. Four men in uniforms are running toward us like we broke some unknown law.
“Police! Stop!” Someone else yells.
All I can do is stand there like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. They can’t be after us. We’ve done nothing wrong.
Are the police arresting us? A moment later, I get my answer when one of the officers grabs my arms and shoves me to the ground, tugging my arms behind my back and slaps handcuffs onto my wrists. The whole moment is surreal, and I don’t even know what to say or do. There is no reaction to what just happened.
One moment I’m talking to Marie, the next I’m arrested, and my hands are cuffed together.
What the hell is happening?We’ve been in a holding cell for a while now, and still, not a single person has told us why we were arrested. No one has tended to the cut on my hand either, and I could use some Tylenol and an ice pack for my face, which is still throbbing.
Marie has been crying almost the entire time, and all I can do is hold her and tell her that everything is going to be okay. Thank god they put us in the same cell, at least. I don’t know what I would have done if they separated us.
Screams echo down the hall, and I cling to Marie with all my might.
Someone came by and brought us water a little while ago. I asked them for a phone call, but they refused. Told us to wait and shut up. I wanted to say something like if you hurt us, my husband will kill you, but I managed to bite my tongue on that one.
The thought of Julian makes my chest ache. All I wanted was some freedom, and as soon as I get it, I have to get myself into trouble.
He’ll never trust me again.
In fact, I bet he’ll think the worst. Think I was trying to leave.
Approaching footsteps accompanied by the rattling of keys have me on high alert. Marie and I both stand up, our eyes trained on the door while I refuse to let go of her.
One of the officers comes into view first. Only a second later, does Julian appear behind him. Marie starts shaking in my hold, and I rub my hand over her arm in hopes to calm her, but when my eyes lock with Julian’s, I start to shake myself.
