Taken

Chapter 29

My body was stiff. I don't think I'd moved the entire night. I rolled over and flicked my legs and arms out, starfishing as much as possible. The bed was insanely comfortable. My hand knocked something warm, and without thinking I moved towards it, I threw the pillows that were in my way off the bed and put my forehead against his shoulder. He moved his arm and wrapped it over me, pulling me in closer. I put my head on his shoulder and burrowed into it. My entire body seemingly devoid of any warmth.

I deeply inhaled through my nose. Then quickly opened my eyes when I realised his cologne was different. I screamed and thrashed around, pulling myself away from Nico and tumbling onto the floor.
Within a manner of seconds, Kevin and Ford burst into the room.

Kevin looked at me on the floor and quickly walked over to me, scooping me up in his arms and putting me back on the bed. Tears were welling in my eyes and I was fighting to keep them from spilling over. The curtains opened and allowed all the natural light into the room. My heart was pounding against my chest and I fought Kevin to let me go.

"Well I wasn't expecting this kind of wake up call this morning." Nico said rubbing his eyes and looking to me struggling in Kevin's arms.
"I thought you were Henry." I said stupidly. Realising that this was my fault, I stopped fighting Kevin, he simply stood behind me with his hands on my shoulders keeping me on the bed.
I watched as Nico did the silent "Ah" and a singular nod of his head.

"I'll go speak with the steward and see if we can get breakfast rolling if you'd like?" Ford said to Nico, who was now leaning back against the headboard. He reached beside him and grabbed some glasses and put them on before nodding to Ford. He silently left the room.

"Anna, would you like some food first or a shower?" Nico asked looking to me.
"I don't have any other clothes." I said looking at him. Without realising I had been holding onto Kevin's hands on my shoulders, I quickly moved them away and put them in my lap.

"Yeah. So I'm thinking breakfast first, and we sort that out from there?" Nico said leaning forward slightly and placing his hand on my calf. I stared at his hand for a second before nodding.

Nico smiled at me and tapped my leg before standing up. I quickly looked to the side, and sucked my lips in, biting them at the same time. He was a good looking man and still very shirtless.
I could hear Kevin behind me laugh slightly at my reaction. His hands remained on my shoulders until Nico walked back into the room. He'd put on black shorts and a slightly marbled shirt. He threw another pair of track pants onto the bed and another shirt.
"Here, in case you want to change."
I snorted as I grabbed the clothes.
"Yeah I'm in the same panties as I was yesterday. I'm ready for some clean clothes." I said without thinking. I paused and smacked my hand against my mouth as I looked up to Nico.

He stood staring at me with an amused look on his face.
"Well" he coughed. "We can definitely see what we can do about that." He was trying not to laugh at my bluntness, but I already felt like a fool.

"Kev" Nico said motioning to the door. Kevin let go of my shoulders and walked out the door, followed by Nico.

"Fuck." I flopped down to the bed, embarrassed and awkward. "Why the fuck did I say that?" I said, frustrated. I picked up the track pants and looked at them quickly before slamming my hand back down on the bed. I could hear Kevin and Nico talking where ever they were.

My stomach growled loudly and I smacked my hand to it, hoping it wasn't as loud for them as it was for me. Gingerly, I stood up and pulled off the clothes I was wearing and pulled on the track pants and shirt Nico had brought in for me. I quickly ran to the bathroom and did what I needed to do before I washed my hands and splashed some water on my face.

Hesitantly, I opened the bathroom door and walked into the small hallway, making sure to look at the desk where Kevin had been the night before. The hallway door was open and I could see Ford standing by the other 2 doors in the room. I walked in and looked to Nico and Kevin who were seated on the sofa. Nico was leaning forward with his hands clasped between his legs, whereas Kevin was leaning back with his arms stretched over the back of the sofa, he was already watching the door and smiled at me as I stepped into the room.

"I'm ready I guess." I said standing awkwardly in front of them. Movement to my right alerted me to Ford opening a door and walking away. I watched him go, and internally scolded myself for thinking the door from the night before was a way out.

I quickly looked around the room. The bright sunlight streamed in the room. It was neat and tidy. Nico and Kevin stood up and walked to me. I watched them silently as Nico motioned for me to move forward. I followed behind him to the lift. He pressed the call button and we waited for a few seconds. The lift chimed and the doors opened.
Nico motioned for me to get in first, I complied and walked in, moving as far back as I could. Nico and Kevin both walked in and selected the up button. The lift was small. But bigger than I had remembered last night. The doors chimed and opened. Nico gently took my hand in his and moved out first, pulling me along with him. Kevin walked out behind us and followed. Before I knew it we were standing out on deck, the sun was beaming down and the weather was warm.
Ford stood by the table waiting for us.

Nico moved me towards the table, and let go of my hand to pull out a chair. I sat in it and he pushed it in behind me before taking his seat to my right at the head of the table, Kevin sat to my left, at the other head and Ford sat across from me. My heart was hammering against my chest and I felt slightly sick.

"Good morning Sir. What can we get started for you today?" A random person asked walking and standing next to Nico. He glanced to me slightly before turning to the steward.
"In regard to food, I think a breakfast buffet would be great. I'd like everything set out on the table and we can help ourselves." The steward nodded, and quickly began taking everyone's coffee order, when he got to me I felt everyone's eyes staring at me. I fidgeted with the hem of the shirt.
"Long black please." I said breathlessly. Nico looked pleased and nodded to the steward who walked off quickly.

I quickly pushed the chair back and stood up. Memories of the flight attendant filled my mind and I walked numbly to one of the sun lounges. I could feel them all watching me. I wondered what would happen if I'd jumped off the boat then and there. I couldn't see any land, and I was sure that they would somehow get me back almost immediately.

I jumped when I felt him sit next to me. He put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me into him slightly. I looked out the corner of my eye at Nico.
"I'm sorry you feel trapped. Please know that I will not force this on you."
I snorted, "you already have." I responded closing my eyes and leaning into him slightly, the warmth radiating from him was amazing against my seemingly cold skin. I could feel him nodding slightly.

"Anna, I didn't want to get married. When I found out that my parents had given away my future I was pissed as well. I stewed on it, did some pretty awful things as a result. When I took over, I ended up understanding how and why these things happen. I may not agree with the old ways, but sometimes it's tradition."

I opened my eyes and turned to him.
"Why didn't you just leave it?" I asked searching his face, he looked somber.
"Unfortunately a debt to my family was owed. When I saw you at that party with the Murdock's I didn't know what to think. You looked happy. I didn't want to destroy that. I'd heard you were engaged to Henry and I didn't know what to do. I spoke with Vizla about what I should do, and he called that meeting and it just went from there. I honestly didn't think I'd be leaving with you. If you couldn't quite tell already, but I'm very underprepared for you." I nodded and looked down, not realising that at some point he had grabbed my hand and was holding it between us.

"Like I said Anna. I won't force this. Give it some time." He leant forward and kissed my forehead.
"Come on, I can hear them bringing the food." Nico stood up, and continued holding my hand as I remained seated. I looked up to him and stood, allowing him to walk me back to the table.
I sat down and looked awkwardly at Kevin and Ford before bowing my head. The steward wordlessly placed the coffees in front of us, and several others brought out the food, placing them on the table and walking away.
Nico smiled at everyone, and announced for us to "dig in".

I waited until they had all served themselves, and sipped my coffee watching them. Nico looked to me, then started grabbing some food and putting it on my plate.
"I'm not going to force you like I said, but in saying that; I will force you to eat."
I rolled my eyes at him and picked up the fork and began eating.