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“Because we did bad things and he took the blame.”
“You did bad things?”
I nod. “But I’m not that person anymore.”
“What person? A bad person?”
I shrug. “I can’t judge what I am, I can only try to be better.”
Sighing heavily, he clicks his fingers at Clunk. “Bring me the burner.”
Clunk does so, grasping it out of a leather jacket hanging on the wall by the door and in less than a minute, the phone is in my hand.
I stare at it, shaking as I hold the key to my old life in my hands. “Is it too much to ask for privacy too?”
The look he gives me tells me how massively stupid that question is.
“Well…” I look at the crew in the room, a scattered seven men in total. “Just us then?”
He gives me another blank look.
“I don’t want them to see me cry.”
“Then don’t cry,” he replies and this time I give him a blank look. “Fine. Everybody out!”
“What?” Clunk grumbles, scratching the missing part of his beard. It’s either a bald patch or a scar. I’m not getting close enough to find out.
“Out.”
They move out quietly, saying nothing. They really do respect their captain.
“Any funny business, any hints as to our location… anything at all…”
“I’ll walk the plank, I got it,” I finish, shaking with anticipation.
He rolls his eyes but from the tales Geoffrey has told me, I know it won’t be the first time he has thrown somebody overboard. Would he ever do that to me?
I dial the number, standing and moving a few steps away for some semblance of privacy. On the fourth ring I feel anxious and shaky. What if she doesn’t answer?
And then…
“Hello?”
“Mum?” I whisper, my voice breaking.
“Oh! Rain!” She sounds so cheery, not like the mother of a kidnapped child. “Oh, Rain, it is so good to hear from you. I’ve been worried.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“I had thought you’d gotten yourself into a spot of bother but Niall said you’ve been volunteering in Mexico? Something about a protest?”
She doesn’t know. He purposely hasn’t told her. Likely because of her heart.
“Yeah, it’s going well,” I lie. “It’s a pipe thing, they’re trying to run oil through native lands.”
She sighs wistfully. I wipe away my silent tears and swallow my sob. “It’s good you’ve found moral things to focus on. Please, try to stay out of trouble.”
“I will.”
“I’m driving though, sweetie. Can you call me back? I’d pull over but I’m on the A1.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll call you later if I can. I love you so much. Tell River I love him.”
“He knows, dear, but I’ll tell him.”
“Bye, Mum.”
“Bye, sweetie.”
It takes longer than it should but I hang up the phone and wipe my eyes on my sleeve. For the first time since finding the strength to progress, I feel mentally ready to shut down.
“Please, just let me go home,” I whisper pleadingly as he takes the phone from me.
“I can’t do that.”
I watch him tuck the phone into his back pocket and then look into his eyes. “Do you get a kick out of this? Does it make you happy knowing the lives you’re destroying for your own bullshit?”
“It’s not bullshit. It’s important to me.”
“I don’t care,” I yell, wiping my eyes again. “I don’t care about what you find important. You’re a criminal, a kidnapping, asshole, criminal bastard, fucking everything and I hate you. You’re the lowest of the low. The lowest.”
My chest heaves with each breath that I struggle to intake. I’m on the verge of having a panic attack as I recall all of my home comforts, all of my friends, Niall’s arms and warmth.
When the wrong arms circle around me, I shove him away with more strength I thought myself capable of. Even he seems impressed as he goes back a step.
“Don’t touch me. I never should have let you touch me!”
“Rain,” he says softly, furrowing his brows.
“Leave me alone.” I turn away from him, reminding myself why I hate him, remembering the depth of my hatred for him. Recalling how I got here and what I’ve been through since. “Whatever it is, it isn’t worth this. It isn’t fucking worth this pain.”
His voice is gruff and deep, I don’t care to know why. “To you, maybe.”
I spin on my heel again and slam my hands against his chest. “Is it to you? Is what you need from Niall really worth my life? What happens when he tells you? Will you take me home? Toss me overboard? Kill me? Let your men finally have the fun they want?”
His eyes darken. “I’ve taken care of you since you arrived. I’ve ensured your safety. I didn’t have to do that.”
“YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO KIDNAP ME EITHER!” I slap him around the face so hard my hand stings. “YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO BRING ME HERE AND PUT ME IN A POSITION WHERE YOU HAVE TO SAVE ME FROM RAPISTS!”
