Take a Breath(85)

“This is what we’ll do, Ana. I have my car out front. I can take you away now. I have everything in place. We can escape.”

I look up at him in shock. “But what about the squad car outside?”

He waves a hand dismissively. “You mean that asshole, Joe? I took care of him, Ana. He won’t be any trouble.”

Oh God, what does he mean he took care of him? Please no more death. Please say Joe is okay.

“I will have to go pack a few things, Tony. I can’t just leave.”

Tony grabs my hand. “Look, we have no time for packing as they will be after us, Ana. We need to go now. I will buy you all the clothes and things you need when we get there okay?”

The fear inside me is increasing. How can I stall him any longer? Where is he taking me once we leave, and will that be me disappeared forever? Just then, my mobile starts to ring and the urge to go and answer it is all too great. I walk towards it, but Tony stops me.

“We have to leave now, Ana. You don’t need anyone else but me anymore. Let it ring.”

I wipe my eyes and take a few deep breathes. Tony is watching my every move and growing more and more impatient to leave. I have no other choice. No matter what, I don’t want Matthew hurt in anyway. I must leave with him and quietly so that no one else, can or will get hurt. I have to face my possible death head on.

I nod my head, try to squeeze Tony’s hand for reassurance and I smile at him weakly.

He beams back at me. “I knew you would come round, Ana. You need to get away from all the monsters out there. I’ll keep you safe with me.”

I almost choke, monsters? The only monster around me is the one staring at me right now, in Jake’s kitchen.

We make our way outside to the car and sure enough the squad car is there, but no Joe to be seen anywhere. What has he done?

He opens the door to the explorer for me and I climb up. At this moment I’m trying everything in my willpower not to completely lose it. I squeeze my hands together to try and keep control of my emotions.

Tony gets in, starts the engine and says, “You know I’ve been dreaming about this for a very long time, Ana. You don’t know how happy you are making me feel right now, knowing you are by my side. I will look after you, I promise. I will make you mine. In fact I think we need to start a family real soon, just so we can really cement our relationship.”

Oh my God, he’s delusional. How can he think I want him like this? How can he think that after all he’s done that I will go with him willingly?

He pulls away quickly and soon we are heading in an unknown direction to an old farm. Could it get any worse?

“Ana, you’re very quiet. Say something as I don’t know how you’re feeling? You do want this, don’t you? Because I don’t know what I’d do if you say no to me.”

Oh God, please!

“Tony, you were right to take me away. I have been hurt in the past and I need someone just like you to protect me. I’m sure you can do the job well for me.”

I try to smile at him but I feel too miserable and angry at him for doing this. He reaches over and squeezes my hand again and beams at me.

“I knew you would see sense, Ana. Everyone tries to take you away from me, but I have you now. I’ll take special care of you. I promise you this.”

Once we’re on the I-495 heading south, I start to contemplate how I am going to escape this. I have no one to help me and no one knows where to find me. Do I try to jump out of the car when we stop at a set of lights? Do I try to see if I can flag someone down somehow without being noticed by Tony?

My head is awash with decisions and possible outcomes of my decisions. Whatever choice I make could mean life or death. I decide it’s best to go with the flow and see if an opportunity arises that can get me out of this mess. Maybe once we’re there I can gain his trust enough to escape and run to the nearest house—or person—I can find.

We get on to the I-95 south towards Powhite Parkway. Lord only knows now where I’m going.

The journey seems to go on forever, and ever and the more we move away, the more the panic sets in.

“My flower, what is the matter? Are you afraid of me?”

I jump at the sudden sound of his voice and try to calm things. “I’m just nervous, Tony. I don’t know what to expect. I’ve never had someone want to take care of me the way that you do. Do you love me Tony?”

He looks over briefly and grabs my hand. “Ana, I have loved you since the very first day I met you. I have tried to be patient and wait for you to come to me, but it obviously seemed necessary in the end for me to come to you. All your life you have had men abuse you and treat you with disrespect, and you deserve better than that, Ana. This is the start of our life together and I know you probably don’t love me as much as I do you, but in time I think you could learn to love me. I will be a good husband to you and a great father to our children. I promise that to you, Ana. All you have to do is promise me that you’ll try, and then the rest is up to me. Will you try for me, Ana?”