No Strings

Chapter 28

My brain wouldn't function. I couldn't process what was happening, that Paul was doing this. What was making him behave like this? And how had he got hold of that gun? I knew he was involved in all sorts of shady dealings with all sorts of shady people but I never thought he was capable of this.

I sat uncomfortably on the kitchen chair and tried to stay calm which was difficult when an apparently loaded gun was being waved around. Maybe it wasn't loaded. Maybe he was bluffing. Oh God, I hoped so. It did help that Jake was so calm. Despite being tied to a chair while stripped to the waist he seemed to be in total control of his faculties. He may have been incredibly economical with the truth but I was kind of glad he was a policeman. He might have some idea of how to deal with this situation. Unlike me.

I wasn't allowing myself to think about what Paul might have in mind for Jake. I would not think about that.

"Where are your mobiles?" Paul asked.

"In the bedroom," I said.

He looked at us both for a moment and then said to me, "Do not move. Remember what I'll do to lover boy if you do." And he left the room.

"I am so sorry Jake," I immediately whispered. "Are you OK?"

"I'm fine. I'm figuring out how to get us out of this situation," he said glancing nervously towards the door. "What's triggered this do you think?"

"I don't know. I think it's seeing me with you. And you being a policeman just makes it worse."

"Sorry I didn't tell you."

"I thought you worked in Homebase."

"Wish I did now. Are you and him ... together?"

"We were, for a while, when I was much younger - sixteen. He was twenty and should have known better, but what Paul wants he gets. He doesn't exactly have boundaries."

"That's what I'm worried about. He's hard to predict isn't he?"

I nodded.

"Impulsive?"

I nodded again.

Jake sighed. "I'm not sure how we're going to get out of this," and when he saw the look on my face he quickly added, "But we will. Don't worry Sarah, I'll handle it. I've dealt with plenty of his type. I'll find an angle."

I thought he was being incredibly optimistic, tied to a chair as he was. But somehow he made me feel safe even with an armed mad man threatening us. There was something solid and capable about Jake. I should have known he didn't do an ordinary job. It was pretty obvious now.

I couldn't help it. I leant forward and resting my hand on his chest kissed him gently. His lips were as soft and yielding as ever but his skin was clammy.

"You're cold," I said.

"I'm fine," he whispered, assuring me with his steady blue gaze.

Then I heard Paul returning and quickly sat back in the chair. He had our mobiles in his hand and just as he reentered the room mine started ringing making us all jump. "All About That Bass" played ridiculously loudly and Paul looked down at the screen.

"It's Nina," he said, holding it out to me. "Answer it."

I stared at him open mouthed.

"Answer it," he said, pointing the gun at Jake. "And sound normal."

"Sarah," Nina hissed urgently on the other end of the phone. "Sarah?"

I couldn't speak. My voice had completely seized up but Paul grimaced at me and pointed the gun again and I managed to croak, "It's 6am Nina."

"I know. I couldn't wait to talk to you."

"Put it on speaker phone," Paul hissed.

I did what he said and laid the phone down on the table.

"Sarah? Are you there?"

"Yes," I said. "You woke me. I'm still half asleep."

"Hey, am I on speaker phone?"

I looked up at Paul and he glared at me.

"Yes..." I stammered. "It's easier."

"God, I hope you're on your own. Is Rob there?"

Shit. Both Paul and Jake's eyes widened slightly at that.

"Why the hell would Rob be here?" I said quickly.

"Well you and him seemed to be getting on pretty well last night."

Was that only last night? It seemed like a million years ago.

"Nah," I managed to say casually. "We were just chatting."

"And dancing. You were all over him."

Bloody hell.

"Did you have a good night?" I asked quickly. "How come you're awake so early."

"I haven't been to sleep," she whispered. "Ollie's in the bathroom. I wanted to call to say sorry."

"Sorry?"

"Sorry I got off with him. I didn't mean to Sarah. It just happened. Are you mad with me?"

"No," I said rather too emphatically aware of the two men now glaring at me. "I'm happy you."

"I was right, Sarah," she whispered. "He is good in bed. Got to go now, he's coming back." And she hung up.

I looked up at Paul hesitantly. I'd rather look at him than Jake right now.

"Fucking hell babe," he said, shaking his head. "How many men are you stringing along?"