“Yeah.”
“What did you do Aiden.”
“You’ll see.”
My heart speeds up and I try not to hope but I go against the grain and wish instead. He told me not to worry about Mom. So he must have done something.
What though?
He takes my hand now and leads me down the rest of the path and on to the boat where two of his men stand guard and two others nod at him as he approaches.
Once we’re on board the men all leave and Aiden doesn’t say anything until they’ve started to walk up the path leading back to the house.
It’s then and only then that he ushers me inside the boat and takes out his phone.
All I do is watch him as he dials a number and starts speaking.
He didn’t start the conversation in Russian though like he does when he’s talking to one of his men. It was English so I assume he’s not talking to someone who works for him.
“Is it done?” he asks and waits a second for the person to answer. “Thank you.”
When he holds his phone out for me to take I narrow my eyes.
“Your phone?”
“Five minutes max.”
“What’s happening?”
“Olivia focus, five minutes max in case we get tracked. Talk.”
I press the phone to my ear but keep my focus on him.
“Hello,” I say.
“Olivia,” Mom responds and the sound of her voice along with the knowledge that I’m speaking to her sends a bolt of shock through me.
I’m momentarily speechless as I try to process I’m actually speaking to my mother. My mother I worried so much about, for so long. Not just in these weeks, but for years.
My body stiffens and when I look at Aiden tears spring from my eyes.
“Mom…” I choke out covering my mouth to hold back the tears of joy flowing from my soul.
At that, Aiden dips his head for a curt nod and leaves me in the cabin to speak to my mother
“Olivia, I can’t believe I’m hearing your voice,” Mom says snapping me out of my daze. “I was so worried. I was so, so worried I’d lost you.”
I remember Aiden’s warning of five minutes so I can’t waste it crying.
“Mom I’m so sorry. Please tell me your safe.”
“I am. I think I might be safer than I’ve ever been. I have guards, watching over me like sentinels and for once they don’t belong to Jude. They’re supposedly mine until it’s safe.”
Until it’s safe.I find myself smiling. That was what Aiden said to me this morning.
“What happened?” I’m eager to find out how Aiden got my mother away from Jude.
“I went to physio with Felicia. Our appointment was scheduled earlier than normal. When I finished, a different car to what Jude normally sends picked me up. I was then taken to a beautiful home and the hosts here offered to take care of me. I have no idea where I am. I just know I’m safe.”