Taken

Chapter 32

Nico smiled at me and sipped his drink. I turned around again and looked out at the water. The coffee I was holding had definitely been chilled by the wind. I quickly drank it and turned back around.
"Are there any other plans?" I asked watching as Kevin and Ford moved to join the conversation.
"Get some time in to relax, I reckon." Kevin said moving next to me and leaning against the railing.
Nico laughed.
"Fuck it's needed." He said, throwing back the rest of his drink. He was happy, content, and just radiated fun.
"I agree. It's been a busy few months." Ford said sitting down on one of the chairs.
I looked at him, it was odd for me to hear him speak. He looked to me; our eyes locking briefly.

"Sir, sorry to disrupt, we have had communication that was deemed urgent." The man said, Nico nodded and stood up, he nodded towards Kevin.
"Anna, Kevin and I will be back shortly. Ford will show you the gym area and spa. Once we're done we will meet you down there." Nico said smiling at me.
I nodded. I didn't like the secrecy around it. Kevin gently touched my upper arm before moving away. I watched as Kevin and Nico followed the man down the stairs.

There was silence for a minute. I looked at Ford, then turned back to the water. I could barely see any land. I could hear movement behind me, and I looked to the side slightly as Ford came and stood next to me, his forearms resting on the railing, and his hands clasped together.

"Let me know when you're ready to head down to the rec room." He said, looking to me.
I nodded at him, looking back out to the blue water.
"I will." I paused, there was an awkward tension that seemed to be stagnant.
"I don't think we've formally met. I think it was kinda just like 'oh here's this person' and everything just went from there." I awkwardly laughed, "I'm Anna Taylor." I said turning and facing him with my hand out.
God I didn't know what I was doing. I felt like a crazy idiot.
Ford snickered slightly then turned to me, his eyes followed down to my hand. He reached out and shook it.
"Ford." He let my hand go and turned back to his previous position.
I pursed my lips. Ford. Just Ford.
"I get the impression you're not one for small talk?" I said turning back to the water. Ford dropped his head, then looked to me.
"It's been a rough few weeks. I think we're all just looking forward to some rest." I nodded my head at his words, they hit harder to home, more than he knew.
"I'm sorry I feel like a chore."

Ford dropped his head again, and sighed.
"Look, I don't mean it like that Anna. Please don't mistake my bluntness for indifference. Nico has had a rough go the last few weeks, I was worried that bringing you here, fulfilling that contract, would add extra chaos. You've been alright so far and I hope that continues. I'm just worried what will happen with the Murdock's." I nodded my head.

"I'll do what I can to keep it from becoming a war." I said sincerely, looking to him. Ford nodded but didn't look at me. I watched him briefly as his eyes scanned the horizon.
"If it's okay, can we head down now?" I asked, feeling self conscious that I was making their lives difficult. Ford nodded again and began walking down the stairs. I followed him then quickly walked to the table, grabbing my coverup and pulling it over me. Ford waited at the doors then walked me to the lift.

Silently we travelled in the lift down several levels. The door chimed and opened. I walked into the short hallway and looked out to the small gym area. Stepping through the door I walked in deeper into the room.

"Feel free to use whatever you'd like. When the yacht is anchored, this opens out so you can have fresh air and swim in the sea if that takes your fancy. There's a plunge pool in there, and the spa area which has a sauna and steam room over there. The spa is at the very top of the yacht where we just were."  Ford said pointing to the different areas. I nodded and walked to one of the massage tables which were set up.
"This is pretty cool." I said looking around.
"Did you want a drink or anything?" Ford asked stepping over to the massage table and standing with his fists pressed onto it.
"Yeah that would be great?" I said leaning back slightly and looking to him. He nodded and walked to a screen. He pressed a button and talked into it briefly before walking back to me.

"They're anchoring now. Someone will be down to open this out and take our orders." I nodded and stood up.
"I'm keen to sit in the sauna for a bit." I said, walking to it and removing my cover up. I quickly stepped out my shorts and hung them on the small hook before putting the coverup over it.
Ford didn't acknowledge what I'd said but walked to a small cupboard.

I opened the door and walked in. The room was already hot. I quickly poured some water over the hot rocks and stood back as the room began to fog slightly. I sat down on the wooden seats and hugged my legs to my chest.
I looked out the glass door and watched as Ford walked to it and raised a towel before putting it down on the bench.

***

There was a knock at the door, I waited a second to see if it would open but it didn't. The fog was thick and I couldn't see out the glass door. I pulled myself up and walked to the door, opening it and looking out. Ford stood leaning against the wall, looking at me. He nodded to another man who was lowering the platform.
I gasped and stepped out, walking out into the gym area and looking out at the sea.
"Oh wow. It's beautiful!" I said rushing over and walking out onto the platform. The worker laughed and finished securing in a few chains before turning to me.
"It is isn't it."
I momentarily froze, panic filling my stomach, he responded to me. Would this be in breach of the rules Nico had set out? That no one was to speak with me unless I needed something.
"Hey ah, can I please get a drink?" I stammered, spinning around and looking at the worker, before my eyes flicked to Ford who was standing watching me.
"Of course, what can I get you?" The worker responded.
"Ah, can I get a, ah, something fresh? Please." The worker nodded at me.
"With or without alcohol?" He asked. My body kept filling with panic as he asked another question which I was trying to limit. My eyes snapped to Ford, I didn't know if I was allowed to have alcohol.
"Without please." I stammered. The steward nodded again then walked in. I stood watching Ford who continued staring at me. He only broke eye contact when the worker asked him what he'd like to drink.
Ford replied and waited until the worker left, before walking towards me.

Panic filled my stomach and I backed up into the railing.
"I'm sorry; I didn't think he'd respond to me. Please don't hurt him." I gushed out. Ford said nothing to me but stood next to me.
"I'll forgive it. But I'll be suggesting to Nico that the staff have to be reminded." He said, looking at me on the side before looking out to the sea.
I nodded and gingerly walked back inside. My stomach in knots. I walked into the small room that connected the sauna and the steam room and grabbed the towel. Dabbing my chest before wrapping it around me and sitting on the seat.

Before too long; the lift chimed. My breath caught in my throat.
"Why's it so tense in here? Do I need to call the massage therapist?" Nico said walking around the corner into the gym area. I gasped, and both he and Kevin turned to look at me. They smiled and walked into the room. Without thinking I stood up and flung my arms around Nico's shoulders and hugged him tightly. He hesitated then pulled my waist into him more. I pulled away and dove into Kevin's arms. He hugged me back then pulled back slightly to look at me.
"You okay?" He asked looking down at me.
I nodded, feeling some level of anxiety return. "Yeah, just felt like you guys were gone for ages." I said, pulling the towel up higher around me that somehow miraculously didn't fall when I'd hugged them.
Ford walked towards us and stood in the doorway.
"We've just ordered drinks, did you want me to call them down to get your order?"
Nico smiled at Ford before grabbing his shoulder.
"We're not at work at the moment, you can switch off." He laughed, re-enforcing his hand on Fords shoulder before continuing.
"We saw the steward on the way down and placed our orders." Nico said.
I looked to Ford who looked at me before nodding.