Take a Breath(46)

“Sorry to disturb you, but I just wanted a word with Jake a minute. You will be glad to hear that I think we’re nearly done and will be out of your way very soon.”

A very red and all of a sudden shy agent Marcos is standing not sure where to put himself. He obviously feels very uncomfortable and by the looks of things, wants to be away himself as soon as he can.

“I’ll be out in just a second. I need to use the bathroom first.”

Agent Marcos nods and I shut the door. “Oh dear, how embarrassing was that?”

Jake throws the cushion on the bed. “Not only that, but it is not the sort of thing we should be doing in a house full of unwanted guests. As per usual, I don’t know what came over me.”

He gets up and takes himself off to the bathroom shaking his head as he goes. I lay myself on his monstrous bed trying to calm my breathing. After a couple of minutes have passed, Jake reappears and looks at me.

“I have to get out of here right now,” he grumbles.

With that he leaves abruptly and I start giggling. I don’t know why I am finding things so funny in a situation that is far from amusing. I can’t seem to help it. I lie on my back and close my eyes trying to relax. The thrum of the air conditioning is whistling in the background and I sigh. I’m suddenly feeling tired. For a moment I hear only that sound and concentrating on nothing else. I can feel my eyes getting heavy as I drift off to sleep.





Chapter 16




I can smell the stench of whiskey fill my airways. It is dark and I cannot see around me, but I can smell all the same. I feel sick. A hand clasps over my mouth as I try and thrust out a scream.

“You will get what’s coming to you, bitch. I’m going to rip your pussy apart and you will love every minute of it. You’ve always been a prick tease and I’m going to show you just how much you are.”

I go ridged as I recognise that voice. I feel the pressure of his body pressed against mine but I cannot open my eyes. Why can I not see?

I try to wriggle and scream but I can’t seem to move or get any sound out. I hear him laugh and the fear is crippling me. Why is he here and what does he want from me?

His hands are everywhere and the weight of him is unbearable.

I suddenly feel his hot breath on my ear as he whispers, “Ana, soon you will be mine.”

I scream and kick and punch out of all my might. It's him, that son of a bitch is here.

Suddenly I feel arms wrapped around me and a soothing voice, “Ana, it’s okay. Ana, please, it’s Jake. You’re ok, you’re safe with me. Jesus, Ana. Please calm down.”

I’m gasping for breath as my eyes suddenly open wide to a darkened room. Sweat is pouring off me and I can’t escape the tears streaming down my face. The nightmares are back. It has been a couple of years since I had one about Alan and now he is back again taking control of my life. I’m shaking from head to toe. How much did Jake hear if anything? His arms are wrapped around me tightly as he is rocking me back and forth and trying to comfort me.

“Please put the light on, Jake. What time is it?”

He leaves me for a minute and my body feels the emptiness. He puts the light on and comes back to me.

“Shit, Ana, are you okay? What was that about?”

I look at the bedside and see the clock says 21:23hrs. Shit, how long have I slept for? Jake grabs a tissue and wipes my face.

“I’ll go start a bath for you.”

I look up at Jake and nod, still pondering over how much—if anything—I have given away of my nightmare. He gets up and disappears into the bathroom and shortly after I can hear the water running.

He later comes back over to my side of the bed. He is completely dressed still so obviously hasn’t been sleeping. I’m wondering where he has been as he strokes the hair away from my eyes.

“You gave me a heart attack when you suddenly started screaming. You were kicking and your arms were punching the air. You were shouting for someone not to hurt you. You were pleading.”

A fresh set of tears escapes as I try and gather some sort of control.

“I had a nightmare that someone was on top of me and I couldn’t see his face. He had his hand over my mouth and told me I would soon be his. It was a nightmare, that’s all. I think all that’s happened today is just playing it out in my dreams.”

Jake sighs and cups my hand with his. “You’re safe, Ana. You will always be safe with me. I promise.”

I smile and suddenly feel better as my sleep frenzied head is disappearing.

“Where were you, downstairs?”

“No, I was right here with you. When they finally all left, I came up and saw you sleeping and I didn’t want to wake you. You needed the rest so I sat on the chair and just stared at you. You looked so peaceful. I admit I must have dosed off watching you sleep, as next minute you’re screaming and I’m thinking the fucker managed to get in here and had somehow managed to get to you. I was cursing myself for dozing off.”