Taken

Chapter 44

I looked up to the roof. Feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Okay, Anna. I'm going to gently touch around your stomach. Tell me if anything hurts okay?" Erik said gently. I nodded at him, it was weird seeing him being gentle.
I gasped when his fingers gently applied pressure to an area on my stomach.
Out the corner of my eye I could see Nico moving to the other side of the bed. He sat down and gently grabbed my hand, holding it and looking down at me and then watching Erik's hands. Kevin sat at the foot of the bed. He gently held onto my shin and watched me.

I heard the door open and I looked to it. David walked in and looked to my stomach before looking at Nico.
"Ah the Murdock's wanted to be a bit closer so they could get an update. They're in the sitting area." David said nodding towards where they would be.
"That's fine. Thanks David." Nico said nodding at him. David turned and left the room.

"Anna, does it hurt when I apply pressure here?" Erik asked pushing down. I gasped and closed my eyes, squeezing them closed tightly.
"Yep." I whispered under my breath.
"So I don't believe there's any internal injuries, ribs don't seem broken but they may still have minor fractures. I'd probably encourage a few scans to assess it further, just to be 100% sure." Erik said standing back and looking at me.

"Where did you have your medical training?" Nico asked looking at Erik, I sat up slowly and turned to look at him.

Erik looked uncomfortable with the question.
"I ah, served for a couple years in the Army. Part of the training is medical, I can administer certain medications, and all that. But, I'd still recommend having some scans just to be sure." Erik replied.
I nodded, soaking in what he'd said.

"If there's nothing else? I'll let them know what I think." Erik said stepping back. Nico quickly got off the bed and walked to him, shaking his hand.
"I appreciate everything you've done." Nico said. Erik nodded at him and left out the door.

"I can get in touch with Pascal and Daniel and see if they can bring some additional stuff back." Kevin said standing up, Nico simply nodded at him. Kevin pulled out his phone and walked out the room.

"How are you feeling?" Nico asked walking over to me. He sat on the side of the bed and looked into my eyes.
"I'm a little sore, but I'm okay. I'm honestly just glad you're okay."
Nico nodded.
"I'm angry that you got hurt. You shouldn't have got into the middle of that Anna."
I shook my head at him, struggling to understand the words coming out his mouth.
"I got into the middle of it to protect you. I wasn't about to just stand back and watch Henry attack you." Nico nodded.
"My face will heal, I can live with a couple scars. But if something had happened to you, I wouldn't have been able to let that go."
"You have absolutely no idea how heartbreaking it was to see you on the ground, with blood all over you. I thought you were dead. I was scared that I'd lose you." I said, but ending in a whisper. Nico looked back at me, his face somewhat sad.
"I really like being with you guys. I felt safe, I felt like I was being treated like a person. I was being respected and I've never really had that before." I whispered looking down.

Nico reached forward and gently cupped my cheek in his hand. Before anything could happen, the door to the room opened and Kevin walked in looking flustered.
"Henry is asking to come in. He's being pretty fucking persistent." I shook my head and stood up. Walking to Kevin and then out the door. I could hear both of them behind me following. I walked out into the sitting room. Henry was standing by the door to the lift area with his back to me. Max and Erik were standing by Kevin's bedroom door and the rest were sitting on the sofa. Behind me I could hear movement and I assumed that Ford and David had been sitting at the desk.

I heard a slight gasp as I walked into the room, my eyes flicked to Matt who was now standing up.
Henry quickly turned around, his eyes immediately found me, then moved to the bruise on my side. He took a few steps forward.
Before I could even register Nico was at my side, one hand gently gripping my waist, and his other arm slightly raised to stop Henry getting any closer.
"Alright, slow down." Nico said, I looked to the side at him, he was staring at Henry and looked angry. Max and Erik turned around and were looking at us.

I turned to the side slightly so I was looking at Nico, his eyes flicked down to me.
"It's okay." I whispered to him, reaching forward and grabbing his raised arm and pulling it into me.
"It's okay." I repeated. He nodded slightly and stepped back.
Henry watched him, and I could see the anger behind his eyes.

"Is this what you're wanting to see?" I asked, stepping to the side and raising my arm slightly so Henry could see the bruising. His eyes went wide and sadness filled them.
"Anna, I never meant to..."
"You came here. You were invited here and you agreed. I expected so much better of you Henry." I paused to look at him.
"You are possessive. Like I said before I only ever felt like a piece of property to you. I'm so much more than that."
Henry nodded.
"I'm sorry Anna. I truly am." Henry looked down.
"Nico, it was never my intention to come here and attack you the way I did. I saw you with Anna, and I saw that she was genuinely happy with you and I just flipped, I know it's no excuse and I understand completely if you require compensation of any kind. I never meant for this to happen this way."

Nico stepped forward; he looked at Henry with a stern face. It felt as if my heart was in my throat as I looked between the two.
The tension in the room was palpable.
"I understand. I'm happy to move forward past this, forming an alliance between us. We're going to need it for the road ahead." Nico said extending his hand. I watched it, then looked to Henry. His eyes briefly found me then he stepped forward and shook Nico's hand; before pulling him into the bro hug.

The tense air lifted, and Henry looked to me as he pulled away.
"Anna, I'm truely sorry. If there comes a time that you feel like you would like to talk to me, I'm here. If that time never comes, I will also understand."
I felt Nico turn and look at me, all eyes were on me.

"If you break this alliance; if you hurt anyone, I swear..."
"I promise; I won't." He quickly responded, cutting my threat off. My gut churned as I stepped forward and hugged Henry. His arms immediately closed around me and he held me against him, his head buried in my neck.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered. It felt nice, being in Henry's arms again. A small pang in my chest made me realise I'd missed them more than I'd realised.

I pulled away and stepped back, covering myself with my arms, realising I was still in the bra and undies. I felt fabric drape around my shoulders and I turned slightly to see Kevin putting the button up shirt from before over me.
"Thanks." I whispered as I put it on and began buttoning it up.

"I'm sorry to interrupt this genuine moment, but is it time for breakfast? I'm fucking starving." Ford said from behind us. Everyone in the room laughed.
Nico nodded.
"Yeah. Come on." He said waving and walking to the lift. I followed closely behind him, flanked by Kevin, David and Ford. We all managed to squeeze in; but there was no room. I faced Nico and was pushed into him a bit more. He looked down at me and smiled. Kevin was smooshed against my back and David my other side.
"Well this is comfy." I said sarcastically. The men laughed and quickly moved out the door when it opened, I could hear the Murdock's coming up the stairs. They entered the room the same time as I did, and I could feel Henry look at me.

I ignored his glances and walked to my spot at the table and sat down. Henry sat opposite me again and looked up at me, giving me a small smile. I didn't smile back; only watched him.

A server quickly walked around taking peoples drinks orders. I was slightly thrown when I heard several people order beers.
"What can I get you Ma'am?" He asked, stopping to my side.
"I'll just grab a long black please." He nodded and moved away, taking a few final orders before disappearing into the yacht.

"I guess now that business is done, we can enjoy our time now." Nico said leaning back and looking at me.
"We can remain anchored for a few more days but then we must continue with our journey home." Nico said dropping an arm so his hand was gently touching my arm. I looked to him and nodded.

"Can I suggest something?" Max asked, my eyes flicked up to him.
"We are obviously all aware of the current risk to Anna thanks to her father. May I suggest that to ensure her safety, that you don't travel so far away, that we reside in the same city. So if needed, we can respond immediately, rather than have a delay?" Max said leaning back and looking at Nico.
He nodded.
"Where did you have in mind?"