Taken

Chapter 28

I put my ear up against the door and listened. I couldn't hear any noise out in the corridor, as quietly as I could I gently opened the door and peeked out. I couldn't see anyone. Quickly, I pulled open the door the remainder of the way and ran into the hallway, I was just about to pull open the door to the living area when I heard him.

"I knew if I left you alone you'd try something." Kevin laughed behind me. I spun around to see him sitting on the desk at the end of the hallway with his feet on the chair, smiling at me. He slowly began to move off the table. I shook my head and turned back around and ripped the door open, running out into the seating area. Without thinking, and very confused with the layout of the boat, I ripped the door to the right open and ran inside the room.

"Fuck!" I cursed out, realising I'd just run into another bedroom. I ran to the other door in the room and ripped it open. Hoping it would be like the other bathroom and lead back to the corridor. My heart seemed to stop when I saw that there wasn't a door, instead I was staring at a shower and linen cupboard.
Kevin casually walked in behind me, and stood in the doorway. I turned to look at him as he leant back against the door with his arms crossed over his chest smiling.
"Welcome to my room." Was all he said.
Defeated; I dropped my head and walked to him. He gently grabbed my upper arm and walked me back through to the bathroom I'd been in before.

I looked up at him as he let me go and took a step back.
"I'll be waiting out here again. There are no other exits from that room aside from the door either side of me. If you try to get out; I will just have to keep catching you. If you're doing this coz you want me to hold you, I'd rather you'd just ask instead of making me work." Kevin said having gestured to the desk he had been hiding on before.

I nodded at him and waited for him to close the door. I moved forward and locked both doors. Afraid that someone would try and get in. I quickly undressed and stepped into the shower. It was warm and comforting. I sat on the floor in the corner of the shower, and pulled my knees to my chest.
Why hadn't I realised sooner that it wasn't so bad being with Henry and Max. I was angry I hadn't realised that I'd felt somewhat safe and comforted. I put my forehead on my knees and let myself cry. I sobbed until it hurt and until I felt like I didn't have any more tears left.

Gingerly, I stood up and turned off the water and grabbed the towels that were there. Drying myself vigorously. Internally, I groaned when I realised there were no undergarments for me.
"Why?" I sighed, looking at my reflection of me in a towel in the mirror. My arm was red from the cuff, and looked like it was slightly bruising from the bolt cutters.

I shook my head and pulled on my old undies and then the track pants and the top. They were obviously mens clothes, and I assumed they belonged to Nico. I couldn't help but inhale deeply as the scent of cologne that lingered on the shirt entered my nose.

Unlocking the bedroom door I froze when I heard talking. Kevin and Nico stood in the room talking freely until Kevin noticed me. He nodded his head towards me and Nico turned around. He smiled and walked up to me. He was definitely shorter than Kevin, but was still taller than me most likely 6 foot.

"How do you feel?" Nico asked, looking me over, a pleased look on his face, I'm assuming because I was wearing his clothes.
"Uh, okay. Thanks." Nico smiled at me then moved so he was standing along side me with his hand on the small of my back. He walked us to the middle of the room to where Kevin was standing.
"I've hung up your dress in the closet." Kevin said looking to me. I nodded and looked down, fiddling with my hands. Uncomfortable with my run in with Kevin. I wondered if he had told Nico, but thought against it as Nico was treating me as if nothing was wrong.

"You looked stunning tonight Anna." Nico said; I continued looking at the ground.
"I know this isn't comfortable for you. And I truly am sorry for that. Please know we aren't doing this to make your life harder, a debt to my family was paid by your father." He paused, watching for any reaction from me.
"Trust me, when my parents told me about the marriage, I was furious, but, when I took over, I came to understand why these things happen."

"I don't want this to happen." I said looking at him. "I'm my own person, I want to be in charge of my own life. Not have someone make every decision for me." I said pulling away slightly. Nico's arm was firmly around my waist, and I knew I wasn't going to be getting out of it.

"Please, are there any other rooms I can use?" I asked turning to Nico more. He followed suit so we were facing each other.

"This is a big yacht, but I'm afraid there are no other beds or rooms."
I hung my head, I was exhausted and emotionally and physically drained.
"It's been such a long day and so much shit has happened." I whispered, tears filling my eyes and spilling down my cheeks. Nico didn't say anything; only reached up and wiped my tears away.

"Can we stay at a motel or something? Where I can have my own room?" I begged, looking back up to Nico.
He shook his head, his eyes showed a hint of sadness "I'm sorry Anna, but we're already underway."
I was done. I'd tried. I felt like I didn't have any energy or fight left in me.

"Okay." I whispered defeated, moving away from Nico and towards the bed. I pulled the blankets back and climbed in, pulling them back over me and curling myself into a ball. I could hear Kevin and Nico whispering to each other.
I felt my heart beat faster when I felt the bed dip, someone was on it. I felt some movement then realised what he was doing. I turned my head to Nico who was putting some spare pillows in between us, as a wall.

"I don't actually want you to feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I'll see what I can do about sleeping arrangements in the morning." Nico said, placing a final pillow and leaning over the middle to look at me.
"Thank you." I whispered, genuinely and pleasantly surprised at his words and actions. He smiled at me then stood up and left the room with Kevin. The lights dimmed and the room was plunged into darkness aside from the tiny amount of light coming in from the window from the stars and moon.

I snuggled down into the bed and pulled the blankets up under my chin tightly. I could still feel my heart hammering against my chest. At least he's tried to make me comfortable.

***

A small noise woke me from my light sleep, I didn't move and still pretended to be asleep. I could hear a slight rustling then the blankets on the other side of the bed moved and the bed flexed as someone climbed in. My heart was hammering against my chest and I felt like I'd be sick.
In my sleep I had been hoping all of this was just a bad dream and that I'd wake up from one of those drugged comas still with Henry and Max, but I knew it wasn't what would happen.

I opened my eyes and looked around the room, it was dark and very little light was available. There were small points of light from things like charger cables in the walls but the blinds appeared to be closed now. I rolled to my back, aware that I had been facing away from Nico and I was uncomfortable with that. I pretended to have my eyes closed but kept them slightly open and looked to the side at the pillow fort. The pillows started from chest height down, there were only two pillows but they were long enough to cover most of the distance.
Nico was laying with his back to me, I was somewhat more comforted at this as well.

"Goodnight Anna." He whispered, I wasn't expecting it so I jumped. I could hear him laugh slightly and he rolled to the other side so he was looking at me.

"I know you're awake." He said. I closed my eyes as hard as I could, pausing for a second then rolled to look at him, knowing I'd been busted.
"I'm sorry I woke you."
I stared at him for a moment, my eyes finally adjusted to the dark.
"It was a crappy sleep anyways." I said curling myself into a ball.
Nico didn't respond initially, but soon turned his light on. I hissed and turned my head into the pillow, my eyes quickly trying to adjust to the bright light.

"Did you want a tea or something?" Nico said sitting up. I looked up at him and shook my head.
"I'm okay. Thanks though." I whispered, burying my head into my pillow and opening an eye to look at Nico.
My heart began smashing against my chest when I noticed his chest was bare. I closed my eyes and pulled the blankets up higher to my chin.

Nico turned the light off and got back down into the bed.
"I know you're scared. I know there's not much I can do or say at this time to help ease your mind, but please know, we won't hurt you Anna."
I shook my head and felt tears well in my eyes. I didn't respond to him, and kept my eyes closed. Hoping sleep would take me away.

***