RC.

Ch9 ............ L

As we get back I'm exhausted! I drag my feet on the sand and I manage with difficulty to lift myself up to the terrace.

I collapse into the nearest deck chair and I close my eyes with a sigh!

Ryan is putting the jets in the garage. Right now, I have two options.

Take a nap Or, Tan.

The tanning session option sounds absolutely perfect!

I somehow manage to take the wetsuit off that's sticking to my skin like glue!

Then, at last free of my wetsuit, I grab my phone and look at my messages.

My heart jumps! I got a message from Jake: "Hi, are you with Ryan?"

Shit ! He must be worried!

I'm caught between the devil and the deep blue sea... Should I answer him? If Ryan hears that I talked to Jake about our secret hideway, he will surely be angry....

And then if he didn't want to tell Jake, he probably has his reasons ...

I sigh, I still have to answer him, even if I don't tell him everything.

T:"Yes, I'm with Ryan. Everything's all right, we're at the beach."

I jump as Ryan's voice surprises me from behind.

R:"I have a few calls to make for work."

He lays a light kiss on the top of my forehead.

(I ask him if he'll be very long.)

T:"Will you be long?"

R:"An hour or two."

T:"Okay, I'll rest a little."

He disappears inside. I stare at the sea. The wind has risen a little. I have a bad feeling.

Gradually fatigue gets the better of me and I find it harder and harder to keep my eyes open ...

My heart is beating more heavily, more slowly ... The sound of the waves is growing increasingly distant...

(...)

All of sudden I wake up with a start! I'm soaked in sweat! My throat is dry.

I get up to go get a glass of water. My head is almost dizzy.

As I settle back down, Ryan rushes onto the terrace!

R:"Tayla! We have to go! Straight away!"

T:"What? But why?"

R:"I don't have time to explain!! Just take your things!"

(Insist.)

 T:"Oh come on, tell me what's going on!"

R:"I'll explain in the car!"

Faced with Ryan's authority and determination , I comply without asking questions!

All trace of tenderness in his voice has disappeared.

I rush into the room, I quickly get dressed and pack my suitcase. When I come back out onto the terrace, Ryan is waiting for me, his face pale.

R:"Hurry up! They're after us!"

T:"What? Who are, they"?!""

He takes hold of my hand dragging me along. We run down the wooden stairs to the entrance.

T:"Ryan, are you gonna tell me what's going on ?!"

Suddenly a voice interrupts us.

???:"Ryan, let go of her!"

I turn around, Jake is there. He's holding a gun!

I look at Jake. But then I turn to Ryan.

T:"Ryan, what the ...?"

Ryan holds me tight up against him! My heart is on the verge of exploding in my chest as Jake points his gun at us.

(It's not possible!! It's not actually happening!)

Jake:"I do not want to hurt her. It's between you and me."

R:"You're out of your mind, Stewart!"

The latter takes a few steps in our direction. Ryan stands in front of me to protect me.

Jake:"They'll soon be here ... You'd better follow me nice and quietly Ryan ..."

Jake's voice has never been so threatening ... And since had he called Ryan by his first name? I can hardly recognise him...

R:"So you're the rat, right? How did you find us?"

Jake:"Tayla gave me your whereabouts. She was very easy to manipulate..."

He give me a detestable smile.

(It's not possible!)

(What ?! But Jake ... what's wrong with you ...)

I feel betrayed! Soiled! I trusted him!

My heart smashes into a smithereens...!

Jake:"Don't play the hero, my boss wants you alive. Get out of the way."

(His boss ... He works for those who are after Ryan?)

R:"You snake! I should have seen your little game from the start!"

Jake bursts into diabolical, delirious laughter. The scene is completely surreal!

His pupils retract like those of serpent about to release it's deadly venom.

Suddenly there are several gun shoots! Ryan's body comes away from mine and he falls to the ground like a rag doll!

T:"RYAN!!! No!!"

I collapse down next to his lifeless body. I feel sick!

My God! Jake shot Ryan!! He's ... He's dead !!!

My eyes open violently and I take a deep breath as if I'd been holding my breath for interminable minutes!

My heart is beating chaotically! I'm in a total panic! Yet everything around me is so calm.

I'm lying in the deck chair. In the shade under a parasol.

I turn towards the house. Ryan is pacing up and down the living room, still talking on the phone.

Seeing my distress, he lips a silent
"everything Ok?"

I gently nod my head, before looking back towards the sea.

Thank God! I was asleep, it was just a bad dream!