Taken

Chapter 46

I followed Nico and Kevin to the lower levels where Ford and the Murdock's were staying. I could hear movement as we approached.
The Murdock's were sitting in the seating area watching a movie and drinking. I glanced to them as we walked towards the bedrooms, I could feel their eyes on me.
"David, Ford." Nico called before sliding the door to the galley which allowed access to the staff lift to go down to the lower staff levels.

I followed behind Nico, somewhat mesmerised by the layout of the yacht and how much bigger it was than I'd imagined.

"Yo! Come out here!" Nico called banging on two of the doors and stepping back. They opened and 4 men walked out.
"Anna, this is Pascal." I shook the man's hand. He had brown hair with a side fringe and stubble.
Nico motioned to the other man with Black hair and an extended goatie like beard.
"Daniel, Anna." I shook his hand, but my eyes were drawn to the man standing beside him.
"Anna this is Sebastian. He's security. He used to work for my father but has agreed to return and work for me." Nico said motioning to the tall man with dark blonde hair, stubble on his cheeks which lead into a short circle beard. I shook his hand. His hands were rough and strong.
"And this is Alexander." Nico said motioning to another tall man with short blonde hair and a small amount of facial hair.

I stepped back and looked at Nico. He spoke quietly to Pascal and Daniel.
"Anna. They have a portable ultrasound machine, I'd like to get them to examine your stomach before we do anything else."
I nodded and looked down.
Pascal motioned me into the room he and Daniel had left from. I silently walked in, a pit in my stomach forming. The room was small, and had single bunk beds.

"If you can remove your dress and lay down here please." Pascal said dragging a pillow down further onto one of the beds. I looked to Nico and Kevin as they walked in the room. Nico gently touched my waist and sat on the bed, grabbing the pillow and throwing it back.
"You can rest your head on my lap." He said gently. Daniel walked in the room followed by Sebastian and Alexander.
"Does there need to be this many people?" I asked nervously. The room feeling very cramped.
Pascal nodded.
"Daniel, Alexander and I have medical training."
"I just want to know what I'm being brought in for." Sebastian replied nonchalantly. He leant up against the wall.
I swallowed nervously and untied the coverup, slipping it off me and passing it to Kevin.

I lay on the bed with my head in Nico's lap. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"This'll be a little cold." Daniel said before squirting a gel on my side. I flinched. Nico gently held my head with one hand and held my hand on my chest with the other.

"Took a few hits hey." Sebastian said from the corner. I didn't respond. I winced occasionally when the pressure from the ultrasound machine hurt the bruise. The room was silent aside from Pascal hitting the buttons on the laptop he'd set up. Alexander leant watching the screen and would occasionally point out things to Pascal.

"So, it looks like there's no internal bleeding or damage. You'll be tender for about a week I'd say. Best to avoid heavily physical activities and get rest." Alexander said, nodding to Daniel who began wiping the gel off. I looked to him and nodded, sitting up.

Kevin passed me the coverup and I pulled it over my arms and tied it around my waist.
"Nico I just want to do a final check over of you." David said blocking Nico from standing. He nodded.
"You can go up to the main deck if you like. I'll be there soon." He said gently kissing my forehead. I nodded and walked to the door.

Sebastian opened it and walked out, shutting the door behind us.
"I'll come with you." He said walking into the room.

I walked to the staff lift and pressed up, following directly the way Nico had brought us. I silently walked through the galley and out into the foyer of the guest deck.

"What did they say Anna?" Erik asked. I looked to him as he walked out from the bedroom area.
"No internal bleeding or injuries." I replied looking to Henry who was watching us. Henry stood up and walked over to us. I could feel Sebastian move closer to me.
"Henry Murdock." He said presenting his hand.
"Sebastian." He replied sternly. They shook hands.
"I'm going upstairs." I said quickly walking to the lift. I called it and waited until it arrived before stepping in. I pushed the buttons to close the door, but Sebastian grabbed the door, preventing it from closing.
"As I said, I'll come with you." He said before he walked in and stood next to me. I was uncomfortable and looked to Henry and Erik as the door shut.

"The big one was the one who did this?" He asked looking forward at the mirrored door. I looked to him from the side and nodded.
The door opened and I stepped out, walking to the dining deck area. Ford and David sat at the table sipping beers.

"How'd it go Anna?" David asked kicking a chair out for me and nodding to Sebastian.
"I'm all good." I replied sitting down and looking to Sebastian.
"I'm gonna go do some checks around the place." He said nodding to us and walking back through the doors.

"He always like that?" I asked grabbing a glass of water. Ford nodded.
"Yeah pretty much. He's the best at what he does though. I'm surprised Nico got him to come here to be honest." I nodded at Ford's words. Slumping back in my chair and looking out to the water.

"They've turned the yacht around. We're heading back, it'll take us a couple of days to get to the Los Angeles marina." I nodded.
"What's the house like?" I asked, moving my foot so it was resting on the arm rest of Nico's chair.
"House... It's a fucking mansion." David said lighting a cigarette and taking a puff.
I nodded.

"I overheard Sebastian saying he was going to get the chopper to the house, make sure it's all secure by the time we get there. He'll meet up with Dan there." I nodded again, somewhat uncomfortable that I'd be meeting yet another person.
"Are you guys really that worried?" I asked sipping my water and cupping the glass in my hands.
Ford and David looked at me strangely.
"Yes Anna. We are worried." I looked down, feeling stupid.
"The men your father is working with are traitors, who were kicked out of other organisations for treason amongst other things. They broke the codes and are fucking ruthless."
"Should I be scared that I'll be taken away from you guys?" I whispered. Their faces softened.

"Anna we won't let that happen." Nico said walking out the door, followed by Kevin, Daniel, Alexander and Pascal. I looked to him as he walked over to me, putting his hands on my shoulders and kissing the top of my head.
"Neither will we." Max said walking up the stairs followed by the other Murdock's. Nico sat next to me and watched me. I fiddled with my hands in my lap, scared for what was going to happen.

"I'm sending Sebastian to the house. He'll make the necessary security arrangements before we get there. Dan got there earlier and has started prepping for our arrival." Nico said leaning back in his chair and looking to Henry and Max.

A server walked around the table and took drink and food orders. When he got to me I stared at the menu.
"I'll just have a red wine thanks." I said sitting back and looking at him. He simply nodded and walked away, I watched as Nico quickly raised his arm, the server quickly moved to his side. Nico looked at me then whispered something into the servers ear. The server nodded to him and walked off. Nico looked back at me briefly before raising his eyebrows and smiling before turning back to the conversation.

Soon several servers flooded the table, placing food in front of everyone as well as their drinks. I smiled at the server as he passed me the wine, then reached back to his tray. I watched him slightly confused as I took the glass.
"As requested sir." He said looking to Nico as he placed a small cheese platter in front of me before turning and walking away.
I looked to Nico with my head tilted slightly.
"You need to eat." He whispered, leaning forward and grabbing a grape off the platter and putting it in his mouth. I smiled and chuckled at him.