Heller's Regret by J.D. Nixon Read Free Book Online Page B

check my online maps.” I heard him
tapping on his computer. “Okay, I think I know where you are. Stay
put and I’ll be there soon.”
    “Thank you,” I whispered, hanging up.
    The taxis and relatives eventually arrived
and the women piled into them, raising more than a few eyebrows at
their filthy appearances.
    “I don’t want to leave you alone here,” said
Gloria when her husband arrived, looking pretty unhappy at being up
so early. She hesitated at the door, torn between making sure I was
safe and the allure of home.
    “I’ll be all right,” I assured. “My friend’s
on his way. And it’s light now.”
    She reluctantly climbed into the car and
waved as it drove her away.
    My wait for Farrell seemed eternal, but I
kept my eyes fixed on the road for his silver 4WD patiently. A
vehicle from the other direction pulled up at the curb near me,
forcing me to scrabble to my feet in fear of them being run
over.
    “Hop in,” Farrell said, poking his head out
of the window.
    I collapsed on his passenger seat, falling
asleep immediately against the door. He leaned over to fasten my
seatbelt, dropping a quick kiss on my cheek.
    “Hey,” I mumbled. “I felt that.”
    “I couldn’t help myself with you looking so
fresh and beautiful.”
    “You really need glasses, Hugh.”
    Chuckling, he drove to the Warehouse.
     

Chapter 5
     
    When we pulled up at the front, he gently
shook me awake. I slowly roused, dazed, thinking I was back at the
boot camp.
    “You’re home, Chalmers.” He dared to reach
out to stroke my cheek. “What happened? You look terrible.”
    I touched my hair, a tangle of sticks, grit
and leaves. My tracksuit was dirty and stained with sweat. The ripe
smell of my body odour offended even me.
    “I’ll tell you later. I’m too tired to
talk.”
    “When you’re ready.”
    I smiled weakly. “Thank you for picking me
up, Hugh. I couldn’t have walked another step.”
    “You know I’m always here for you.”
    “Thank you,” I said again, slipping out of
his vehicle.
    I was dying for some water, maybe some food,
but most of all, sleep. But first, I had a score to settle.
    I let myself in the front door, but instead
of going straight to my flat, I detoured to the security section. I
threw open the door, surprising the handful of men readying
themselves for another day’s work.
    Ignoring them, and their curious glances, I
marched directly into Clive’s office. He looked up, half-standing
when he saw me.
    “Guess what? I’m home again,” I snarled.
    “You’re not supposed to be back yet,” he
said, coming out from behind his desk.
    Burning with fury, I slapped him hard across
the cheek. “Don’t you ever do that to me again.”
    Not even bothering to gauge his reaction, I
made the most dignified exit I could manage, considering my legs
were about to collapse under me, and my track pants were falling
down. I staggered up the stairs, quietly letting myself into my
flat. I loved Daniel to death, but I didn’t even want to see him at
the moment.
    I threw back two glasses of tap water, my
stomach complaining afterwards. Feeling nauseous with tiredness and
hunger, I went to my bedroom, kicked off my runners, sending grit
and dirt flying around the floor. I wouldn’t say I climbed into
bed, but more toppled into it and immediately sank into a deep
sleep.
    I didn’t wake until it was dark. When I
unglued my eyes, Heller sat on my bed, looking down at me with
concern. He held his palm against my dirty cheek.
    “Matilda . . .” he said, lost for words. “You
don’t look well. You’re too thin.”
    I struggled to a sitting position. “Tell me
you didn’t order Clive to send me to that place.” He hesitated for
a moment. “ Tell me! ” I screamed at him.
    “My sweet, I’m worried about upsetting you.
You’re so angry.”
    “ Get out of my flat! ” He stood,
looking down at me with a million emotions crossing his face.
“ Get out now! ”
    He left. I made my stiff way to the