If You Believe (George Harrison/Beatles FanFic)

Chapter 25

Greetings Beatle Fanatics! Hope you are all doing well. Thank you for stopping by to catch the update on George and Annie. Have a wonderful week! Enjoy! Lara

June, 1976

The Manchester Hotel was a welcoming sight as Steven drove Annie into London. He had wanted to stay at The Savoy, but Annie talked him out of it. The Savoy belonged to her and George but she was careful not to mention that to Steven. He'd sabotage everything and Annie might not any choice but to stay with him. The Manchester gave her some wiggle room and she'd take any help that crossed her path

After parking, they headed to the reception desk to check in. Steven made Annie stand behind some ferns, her collar pulled up over her cheeks. She could make a big scene and show off her swollen cheek, split lip and shiner and along with her growing middle, draw attention to herself and get help but she was beginning to fall into their marriage pattern of intimidation and real fear. She knew she had to be smarter than Steven to get herself out of this mess and he could be a formidable opponent. Now that Annie was out of that barn prison, she could make a plan to try to escape Steven's clutches. She would be god damned if she wasn't home with George by the time the baby was ready to come out into the world. She had 6 weeks.

Once they were checked in, Steven pulled Annie from around the potted ferns and roughly led her to the elevator on the way to their room. Annie yanked her arm from Steven's grasp. "I can fucking walk without your help....," she snapped.

"Have it your way," Steven returned the grumble.

Within seconds they were in their room and Annie went to the bed and fell in a heap on the comforter. Her eyes immediately closed as she tucked her legs into a loose fetal position.

"Don't fall asleep," Steven barked. "You need a shower. I never thought I'd say this, but bitch, you smell."

"Thank you, Mr. Old Spice."

Annie sat up and went to shower while Steven headed down to visit the shops off the lobby. He purchased some clothes for Annie and some for himself and was back in the room before Annie finished.

"Here," he said flatly, handing her the clothes through a small slit created in the door opening by Annie.

He was next to shower and he remembered to bring the rope to tie her hands and feet together, along with his dire warnings. "You make a move toward that door and I'll make sure you never make a move like that again."

Annie gave him the finger and tried to make herself comfortable in the chair while being tied up. Even though her movements were restricted, her head tipped forward and she fell into an exhausted sleep. Immediately Annie spotted George a few yards in front of her, dressed in jeans and a Hawaiian shirt, his thick dark brown hair moving with the breeze and she called out to him. He heard her call and scanned the field of wild roses and lavender, their eyes finally connecting. George instantly headed in her direction, but never seemed to get close enough to touch her.

He was so vivid and clear in her dream....the field of green, red and purple, the colors in his Hawaiian shirt, the yellow warmth of the sun. She began to cry in her dream and it woke her up with a start. Tears flowed as she looked around the hotel room and took note that there was only 1 bed. What was she going to do? She couldn't sleep with him. She couldn't. Was he going to force her? He never would have done that before, but he was now a wanted man who was guilty of attempted murder, breaking and entering and assault. Forcing her to have sex with him would just be another nick on his bedpost.

Annie knew she could keep him at bay for awhile, but she wasn't sure for how long. He was beginning to wear her down, and he was a world class champion in that category. Annie sighed, closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She had to keep it together if she ever wanted to get out of this mess.