Are We Out of The Woods Yet?

Part 43

"I honestly thought you'd never find me." Liv admitted against Aaron.

"I was scared too." He spoke in to her hair. "I thought I'd never see you again." Another silent tear fell down his cheek, escaping off the end of his jaw and finding refuge in his sister's hair. Liv sniffled and heaved, little gasps escaping her as she clung on to Aaron for dear life. "I never would have stopped looking, I promise." Aaron croaked.

"Thanks." Lachlan said to Robert as he snagged his rope to the point it was holding together by a thread.

"It's alright." Robert swiped the knife across one more time, the rope falling to Lachlan's side.

"If Mum saw you now, she might actually think you're alright again."

"She knows I'm here." He told him. "Her and Lawrence gave me the cheque to get this." He patted the envelope on top of the other that lay on the floor beside him. "They've paid sixteen grand to get you out of here so be grateful yeah?"

"I am." Lachlan frowned, insulted.

"Good." Robert moved on to Gabby, aka his Step-Niece. (Not that that was actually talked about a lot) He paused in front of Gabby, looking over at Aaron and Liv who were still clinging to each other. He felt warmth at Aaron's loving heart. But he also felt a sadness wash over him too. Realising he'd looked for too long, he put all of his focus on Gabby. "You ok?" He asked Gabby, partially because he cared, but partially because he felt guilty if he didn't ask. She nodded.

"I just want to get out of here." She confessed.

"Yeah, of course you do." Robert nodded and got on with untying her.

"When we get back, we can call your Mum if you want, ask her to come and get you?" Aaron offered to Liv, leaning back from the hug a little bit just so he could see her face. Her cheeks were burning, the area around her eyes red.

"Why would I wanna do that?" She looked hurt that he would suggest that, trying to stop her voice from wavering.

"I didn't know whether after all of this, if you'd ever want to see me again." It hurt for him to say it, but it was the truth and as much as he hated it, he had to accept it and be honest, for her sake.

"Of course I do. This isn't your fault." Liv frowned. "It's his." She nodded beyond Aaron's shoulder towards Joe. "I want to stay with you." Aaron felt relief rush through him and pulled her back in to him.

"I want you to stay too alright? But I would never keep you if you change your mind."

"I won't." Liv breathed against his chest. Aaron pressed another kiss to the top of her head, watching Robert handle Gabby's rope. If Robert would've looked back, he would've smiled at him, silently thanking him because he knew that they never would have gotten Liv or the other two back if it wasn't for all of the risks he'd taken to get them to the barn. He could've blamed him for all of it. After all, Joe had been his business in the first place. But as far as he knew, Robert had only known him for a couple of hours before this week and unfortunately for all of them, he had been a hook up who turned out to be a stalker and a psycho.

Gabby's rope was torn and all five off them stood, ready to climb back up the ladder and get out of there. "Right well, hand me the cash then." Joe held out his left hand for the envelopes.

"We'll get out of this building first thanks." Robert told him confidently, Aaron nodding in agreement, a hand draped across Liv's shoulders as she stood beside him.

"Right, of course." Joe passed a fake smile around to all of them. "Start going up then, I'll turn the light out." They didn't hesitate to head for the ladder. Robert held the packages under one arm, the knife in his free hand. He put it in his jeans pocket, he would give him it back when they were safe outside. Aaron made sure Liv went just ahead of him up the ladder, he knew it was a little over the top but wanted to keep her in eye sight until they at least got home.