30 Days (Lost Love Trilogy #1) - Belle Brooks Page 0,60
says quietly, handing over the keys to his vehicle.
“You’re not going anywhere,” I huff, pulling at Marcus’s arm. “Calm down.” I cup my hand to his cheek. “Look at me.”
Marcus does.
“So much anger, so much hostility. You’re pissed, I get that. You’re shocked and it’s understandable. But what you’re doing is wrong. Please calm down.” My finger strokes along his cheekbone as he glares at me through murderous eyes. “Marcus, I’m here and I’m safe because of you. You, Marcus—you never let me down. In fact, you saved me,” I say with conviction. “Grady did nothing wrong. If anything, he did everything right. If he hadn’t brought me here, I would have taken a taxi. You need to apologise for this behaviour.”
Marcus shakes his head before pulling me into an embrace. “I … what if—”
“I’m okay. Can we please go back to the manor?”
“Okay,” he answers, sounding defeated as he throws the keys from his hand to Grady, who amazingly doesn’t miss a beat and catches them in flight. “Stay here. The arsehole is unconscious, down there.” He points in the direction of his location. “Call the police and wait for them to arrive. When you call, ask for Ben Wallis and Chris Rodgers to come to the scene. Tell them it’s for me. They’ll sort this shit out.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is that the same Ben we saw on the plane?” I whisper, not even sure why I’m whispering.
Marcus nods. “I’m taking Abigail back to the manor. When they are done here, tell them we will be there to give statements.”
“Sir, you can’t leave the scene of a crime. You know that better than anyone.”
“Just watch me. I need to get my girl out of here.”
“Marcus, no,” Grady says forcefully. “As your friend I’m telling you don’t do this. Just get in your car and wait … I’ll take care of it.”
Sitting in the white sedan with Marcus, he doesn’t say a word. Each breath he takes is laboured as he taps his fingers against the steering wheel. Staring at his cheek, I will him to turn and face me, but he doesn’t.
“Marcus?”
“Hm,” he says, his gaze avoiding mine.
“Are you okay?”
“Hm.”
“Do you want to talk?”
He shakes his head, just as the sound of sirens comes into range.
“We just tell the truth and everything will be okay, right?” I say.
“The truth is always the only way, Abigail. A lesson I wish I’d known once upon a time when it really mattered,” he spits, opening the door and climbing out. He flings his jacket through the opening onto the seat. “Abigail, this time just stay in the car and let me handle things.”
“I will.” The door closes, and he’s gone. Looking over my shoulder and out the window, I don’t see much, except a crowd of people who have gathered.
I sit, watching blue and red lights flicker against my arm that hugs the headrest of the seat. Focusing on them is the only thing keeping me from falling apart, from experiencing the panic threatening to bubble out. Their constant timed appearance calms me.
I’ve no idea how long I’ve sat staring or how much time has passed, but I’m startled when a bang comes against the window.
“Abigail?” a man in a blue jumpsuit with the kindest grass green eyes asks.
“Yes?”
“Hi, I’m Seth. I’m with the ambulance service. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.”
“A bit shocked, no doubt, after such an experience.”
“Yeah, I guess a bit. Seth, I just really want to go. Can I leave now?”
“I’m not sure, but what I think would be good is for you to come sit in the back of my ambulance so I can check you over and make sure you’re okay.”
“Can you just do it here?”
“Well, I could try, but it really would be easier in the bus. I’ll close the door, so it will be private, and my colleague Linda will keep you company while we do an assessment. She’s really nice.”
“Um. Where’s Marcus? Mr Klein?”
“I’m not sure,” he says, taking my hand in his blue-gloved one and helping me to my feet. “Just go slowly. No rush.”
“Honestly, I’m fine. Not even a scratch. I just had a huge fright.”
“Even so, you need to be checked.”
I immediately spy Marcus talking with two police officers.
“Marcus,” I call.
His eyes connect with mine. “Abigail.” He jogs over. “Everything’s okay. The paramedics are going to make sure you’re in good health, and then the police are going to come