“I thought it was them.” I turned to face Cill and saw the same sentiment reflected in his eyes.
“Me too.” He closed the distance between us and held me close in his arms, as an exuberant Xena jumped around our feet giving a little yap of excitement.
“Were you planning on a bit of knife throwing?” He nodded to the knife I’d picked up on hearing the crashing sound, and had since discarded on the kitchen counter.
“Whatever it takes to protect you.” I kissed his cheek and then along his stubbly jaw and he huffed out a smile.
“My little warrior princess. If you were words on a page, Paige, you’d be fine print.”
“Oh God, stop with the page jokes.” I rolled my eyes and he swatted my ass. I had to admit, the domineering glint in his eyes as he did it made me hot as hell for him. I mustn’t have hidden my lustful thoughts very well though.
“Stop undressing me with your eyes,” he joked. “Use your teeth instead.” And he nibbled on my neck once again.
“Stop eating me and feed me,” I whined back, pushing him away, but only half-heartedly. I was enjoying the eating all too much.
“You know, you could’ve been nicer to Vee just now,” I said, not entirely sure why I was defending the girl I despised, but I felt like I needed to say something. “It must’ve taken a lot of guts for her to come here and apologise.”
“But she made you feel like shit. Why would I be nice to someone who made you doubt your self-worth? She’s an asshole.”
I couldn’t argue with that, but I was all about second chances.
“She also got me talking again. We don’t have to like her, but…” I shrugged, feeling at a loss for what else to say.
“Fine. You’re right. She was of some use in the end, even if she caused as much harm as good.”
“And that’s why you love me. I’m always right.” I grinned, then the fact I’d said he loved me registered in my brain. I went to speak, but he covered my lips with his finger.
“Don’t,” was all he said, and then he lifted his finger and kissed me. He didn’t need to say it. That kiss told me everything. He loved me too.
It feltawesome to see her walking taller, being herself. Angela, her counsellor, came for a session, but they didn’t need me. And when they came out into the living area an hour later, she was laughing and joking like she didn’t have a care in the world. We had turned a massive corner and Ange had been right. Looking back, I could see the progress she was making. She still had a long road to travel, but I’d be with her every step of the way, and the fact that she was talking now, opening up to us, was huge.
“I was thinking, maybe you’d like to phone your mum, let her know you’re okay. I know you think you’re protecting them in some way, staying hidden like this, but it might help you, them too?” I asked as she shut and locked the door after Ange left. This was another hurdle to her recovery that I felt sure we could crack.
“I can’t.” She faltered slightly, then in a quieter tone, she said, “They know where I live. I can’t put my family in danger.”
“It wouldn’t be putting your family in danger. I have burner phones I use to call Jax. You could use one of those. Do you know the number?” I reached into the drawer in the kitchen, where I kept one of the burners. I also had a stash in my bedside table upstairs.
“I know it off by heart.” She smiled and held out her hand, ready to take the phone. “Are you sure this can’t be traced?”
“One hundred percent. Now call them. Talk to your mum and put her out of her misery… and yours.”
She cradled the phone in her hands like it was the most precious thing she’d ever held, and eventually started tapping away at the screen. Then she wandered over to the sofa and sank down, ready to make the most important call of her life.
“Mum… it’s me, Paige.”
I heard a cry from the other end, and I could just about make out her Mum shouting, “It’s Paige,” to whoever was with her.
“I can’t talk for long, Mum, but I needed to let you know that I’m safe and I’ll be home soon.”
She closed her eyes and listened as her Mum bombarded her with a million and one questions.
“I love you too, Mum… No, I don’t know who took me, but I’m free… I can’t say where I am yet… No, I’m not in danger, no… please trust me.”
She looked up at me as she spoke, and I wasn’t sure in that moment whether I’d done the right thing, getting her to call her mum.
“No, no police. I will call you again soon, okay. Just know I’m safe and I’ll be home soon. I’ll call you again in a few days. Please, Mum, don’t cry,” she said, as her own tears cascaded down her beautiful face. “I love you. Tell Dad and Michael I love them too. I can’t wait to come home to all of you. I’ve missed you so, so much.”
Reluctantly, she said her goodbyes and handed the phone back to me. I threw the phone down onto the coffee table, ready to dispose of it later, and plonked myself down next to her. I wanted to hold her in my arms and make her feel better about how things were panning out. For someone who thrived on control, I felt like I had none of it, hauled up like a pair of fugitives in this luxurious prison cell.
