Never Forever

Chapter 20. Busted

Wait. I didn't take anything? That just showed how tired I had been. Stupid me.
"Sorry, I don't know anything about that-too busy to watch TV." I show my palms. Hopefully he knows a bit of body language and takes me for an innocent. I mean, I was innocent. I didn't shoot the guy. Course I didn't report it either... but they'll never understand my reasons. Cuz I'm not giving any.
"Interesting." Officer Cash studies his folder for a moment. "And you have no family to speak of...?" I shake my head. "It says here you have ten estates around the world; UK, France, Ireland, Scotland, Caribbean, Mexico, two in Italy, and two here in California-all under false names." He looks up at me with a penetrating stare. I had cringed with every name and my heart was beginning to race. Not good. Not good at all. I remained calm on the outside though.
"You must be mistaking me with someone else. I do have two homes in California, yes. One is for all round living and the other, here, is for vacations. But those are the only two I have." I indicate with open palms once more.
"Really?" Officer Cash picks up and chucks the report across the table, landing right in front of me. "Who does these girls look like to you?" I bring my eyes down to the pictures. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. In all the different countries where I had my estates. Different hair colours, but still the same face.  How? My throat goes dry. Was I exposed? Did Nick do this? Is this his way of trying to get me to run to him for protection?
"This isn't me." I suddenly snap. "Someone who hates me set me up."
"Who?"
"Uh, my ex boyfriend, Nick Black." Whats he gonna do, shoot me? I snort.
"Nick Black..." Officer Cash wiggles his mouse, bringing up the home screen and typing something in. "What's his appearance?"
"Blond, blue eyes, tanned, strong jawline, amazing abs..." I suddenly clamp my mouth shut. What is wrong with me?!? I clear my throat. "To put it simply." I add.
"Hmm." The Officer concentrates on his computer for a minute. "I see no one here under that description."
"What!" I whip around the desk and peer over his shoulder. A few Nick Blacks popped up but none were even close to what Nick looked like.
"He's not a criminal?" I whisper.
"Appears that way." Officer Cash shoos me back to the front.
"Never even given a ticket?" I say, dumbfounded.
"Listen, girl, I don't know if you're just making this up or what, but I do not have enough evidence on your current crime to arrest you." Current crime? "So you may leave now." He continues when I don't move.
"Oh. Thanks." I smile, standing up. Those files... I can't let him have them. I grip the edge of the desk, leaning forward. "Uh... sir?"
"What?" His hands were folded on his desk, but was in such a position that his gun would be easily pulled. I'll have to be quick. Tightening my grip, I swing my body up, right leg flinging through the air, and smacking poor Officer Cash in the jaw. He fell out of his chair with a thud. Snatching the files, I rush out the door and stride down the hall. I grab my gun from the evidence table and walk calmly out of the building. No one gave me so much as a glance. Fools. I pick up the pace and jog through the parking lot. Bright lights suddenly pierced my eyes right in front of me and I stumble backwards, tripping over the sidewalk, and hitting my head.
~~~
Voices reach me through a murky fog. I couldn't comprehend what was being said, but for some reason they were comforting. I wasn't alone. It felt nice. They won't leave me again. But the voices were beginning to fade. I tried to scream out 'don't leave me,' but I couldn't speak. I couldn't see them. They were gone... and I was alone. I tried to cry. I couldn't. I tried to move. I couldn't. I just melted back into darkness.

A soft touch on my face brought me back to reality-slowly. Someone was stroking my cheek. It felt so nice... when was the last time I let someone touch me?
Wait.
I jerk upright, blinking my eyes open, only to shut them tight when a throbbing pain coursed through my head.
"Don't rush yourself." A soothing voice whispered beside me. I slowly opened my eyes again, pain subsiding to a dull throb as they adjusted to the bright light.
I was in a small windowless room. Ceiling length LED lights beamed down on me. Then I realized with horror that my hands and feet were bound to the chair I was sitting on. I look over at the person and come face to face with Nick.
"I hate you." My voice was hoarse and my tongue felt thick. He held up a glass of water, but I just glare at him. Nick just sighs and tips it to my mouth. It either goes down my shirt or my throat, and I angrily gulp it down.
"I still hate you." I seethe, spitting. 
"As you've made quite clear." He retorts, delicately brushing my spit from his chin. 
"How long have I been sedated?" I demand.
"I never sedated you. You knocked yourself out on that lamp pole. Can't blame me for sleeping it off for five days."
"Five days?!?" I shriek. "Untie me, you-
"Uh uh uh." He tuts. "Language." I continue to mutter curses under my breath. Nick shakes his head and stands up, walking around the room.
"What did you do to my eyes?" I ask suddenly. He turns back to me.
"What did I do?"
"They bled and hurt like the dickens!"
"Bled?" He whips out a notebook and jots something down in it.
"Hey! Did you seriously experiment on me while I was unconscious?!" I yell, jerking at my bonds. Nick tucks the pad back inside his suit coat, kneeling in front of me. I seethe, wishing looks could kill.
"It was necessary." He says finally. "But your eyes look fine now."
"That's because-" I snap my mouth shut. He can't know about Kyle. If he doesn't already.
"Yes?" Nick cocks a brow.
"I took aspirin." I blurt.
"Okay..." He scratches his head. Then shoots me a piercing look that makes me squirm." Are you surrre it was the aspirin...?" I nod awkwardly before sticking my tongue at him.

"You lost your touch." I snicker.

"Have I...?" He brings his knife up and strokes the side of my face with the flat side, causing me to shiver.

"Don't play mind g-games with me, Nick." I try to lean away, but the knife just follows. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the blade and the terror in my eyes angers me. Why am I still so scared of Nick? Why do I still submit to his dominance? Why does his very presence unnerve me? Why? Nick's eyes were focused on mine, and I couldn't help but stare back into their blue depths.

*************

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to hit that star if you enjoyed the chapter!