In His Power (Beyond Darkness, #1) (2 page)

She shifted off the bed.

‘I’ll have one of the staff pack your clothes. The jet will take you to a nice Greek Island. I want you to stay there. You’ll have enough money to keep you happy for a long time. Cross me, and I’ll have you killed. Actually strike that. Cross me and I’ll kill you myself.’ He was about to step out. ‘And oh, don’t try anything stupid. I have ordered my men to kill, if you do.’ He winked.

She pushed back her lips and took it all in. This was the man she’d married. She knew what she was getting into, and she’d messed with him. Now she had to pay for her actions.

‘Oh and by the way. This marriage is over.’ He turned and left her to get herself sorted.

Shock had hit her like a cold fish across the face. She’d been a fool to think she could get away with it. What had she been thinking? But she didn’t want to be made a prisoner in some foreign country. Nadine had to think of something, and she had to think fast.

‘I’ll go for now, but I will bring you down Victor Adamovich. I will.’ She promised under her breath.

Victor made another call to Bradley.

‘He’s on his way. She’ll leave for Greece today. Don’t kill him yet. Just shake him up a little. I might need him later.’

‘Yes sir.’

The line went dead.

‘O
ne plus two?’ London asked the little girl while she made their evening meal.

‘Is that...erm...’ she raised her fingers and counted. ‘Three.’

‘Yes, well done!’

‘Three, just like me.’ Paige giggled

‘You are a clever girl!’ London smiled at her daughter.

The day she’d discovered she was pregnant was a bitter sweet feeling. It had been an accident, an accident according to Andre. London was just about to graduate when the unexpected news shattered her world. But the moment Paige was placed on her belly, was the moment she knew she’d made the right decision. Andre had been a seasonal father; seasons when he’d come around and try to be a “Dad”. But that was because he hadn’t had sex for a while, and he always hoped London would oblige. He was in and out of their lives like a thief in the night. Never staying and never keeping his word. It was the reason London decided to be both mum and dad to Paige. She’d completed her degree in nursing, thanks to her mother and father, who had taken care of Paige during the day. Things hadn’t been easy, but she was happy with her decision.

‘Mummy, ask me another question.’

She looked at the beautiful child with the curly golden locks and green eyes. She couldn’t believe she was hers, and to think Andre wanted her to terminate the pregnancy, made her shudder.

‘Okay, what is two plus three?’ She watched as Paige counted on her tiny fingers.

‘Five!’

‘Well done!’

‘I’m I so clever you’re taking me to the park tomorrow.’

‘Yes! It’s not just any park. It’s a theme park.’ London beamed.

‘What’s a theme park?’

‘It’s a big, big park that has rides, animals, Disney characters.’

‘Will I see Stitch?’

Ever since she’d seen the movie on DVD, Paige couldn’t stop going on about it.

‘We might. I don’t know who we’ll see, but we’ll see someone you know.’

‘Yippee! I’m sooo excited.’

‘Me too sweetheart.’ London took some of the sauce from the pot and tasted the goodies. ‘Hmmm, food is almost ready.’

Paige giggled.

‘Why don’t you help mummy set the table.’

‘Okay. Can I get another gold star for being helpful?’

‘Of course you can honey.’

Paige loved the reward system. It kept her going and wanting to please. She loved working for a reward. London had taken notice of Paige’s intelligence and had enrolled her into a private school. It hadn’t been easy, but Paige had past the entrance exam, which qualified her for forty-five percent bursary. The rest, London paid for by doing extra shifts through agency work.

As they were about to sit down to eat, the doorbell to the terrace rang.

‘Who’s that mummy?’

‘I don’t know. I’ll go and have a look.’ She glanced at her watch; it was just after six twenty.

She peaked through the peep hole, and her heart sunk.

‘What do you want, Andre?’ she shouted.

‘I want to see my daughter. Is that too much to ask?’

She sucked in a deep breath. She didn’t want Paige to hear her fight with him, so she opened the door and stepped out.

‘Hey, baby, you look great!’ He tried to touch her caramel skin.

‘Don’t!’

‘Why do you have to be like that?’

‘Like what?’

‘Acting all high and mighty?’

‘What do you want?’

‘I told you. I’ve come to see my daughter.’

‘That’s not going to happen.’

‘She’s my daughter, I can see her whenever I like.’

‘No you can’t. You call, you make an appointment. You don’t just show up. And you still haven’t coughed up any money for her upkeep.’

‘You know I’m out of a job at the moment.’

London wondered how she’d got herself mixed up with the likes of Andre. He was a swift talking Mother ***ker who did nothing, but take, take take. She’d fallen for his good looks and charm, but that soon faded out when he couldn’t even stand by her to keep the baby.

‘You’re always out of a job.’

‘It isn’t my fault. It’s the government’s fault.’

‘Is that right? So the government stopped you from getting an education?’

‘Don’t be all snotty with me just because you got a degree.’

‘As a matter of fact I will be. You’ve given me nothing, you’re good for nothing!’

He sucked in a deep breath. It was a blessing he wasn’t abusive, just downright stupid!

‘Are you going to let me see my daughter or what?’

‘Not today. She’s not expecting you.’

‘You can’t do that.’

‘Yes I can, and I will. Good-night, Andre.’

He was about to protest, but gave up. She shook her head and turned to open the door. His eyes dropped on her butt and he smiled.

‘You always had a nice arse,’ he said.

‘Go to hell, Andre.’

‘I will, and I’ll wait for you there.’

‘That will be a long wait because as far as I’m aware. I’m going to heaven.’

He laughed as she slammed the door in his face.

‘Who was it mummy?’

‘Just some people trying to sell mummy something.’

‘Then why were you shouting? You only shout when daddy comes around.’

‘I’m sorry for shouting, sweetie. I promise not to do it again. Okay?’

Paige nodded.

‘Good, now finish up that pasta, it will get cold.’

‘Okay.’

The rest of the evening, Paige helped mum with the dishes and later they danced in the living room. It was something they loved to do together. It not only made London feel great, it was a time to bond with her daughter. At half past seven it was time to send her to bed.

‘Do I have to go to bed now?’

‘Yes honey, we have a long and exciting day tomorrow. You want to have all the energy to meet all your favourite characters.’

She ran upstairs and London followed behind.

‘Can you read me a story?’

‘Only if you’re really quick getting into your pyjamas.’

Paige tried as fast as she could to get undress and into her pyjamas. London picked up the clothes from the floor and folded them into a neat pile, to be put away.

‘I’m ready.’ Paige slid into bed.

‘Okay.’

‘What story would you like?’ London picked up the iPad she’d bought for Paige a few months ago. It had been a spur of the moment thing, and she’d wondered if she was too young. But it had been a good thing for Paige’s active little mind.

There were many children’s books on the device, and it wasn’t long before London snuggled up against her daughter and began to read.

Slowly but surely, her eyes dropped. London smiled as she read the last line, and slowly shifted off the bed. She pulled the covers up and tucked her in gently. It was a happy moment. A moment she would never want to forget.

****

‘M
ummy, mummy wake up!’ Paige burst into London’s room.

‘Hmm?’ She squinted. ‘What time is it?’ She reached for her mobile phone. ‘Honey, it’s five o’clock. You’re up way too early.’

‘I can’t sleep!’ she squealed. ‘I want to go now.’

‘Yeah, well if we go now, the park won’t be opened.’ She laughed. ‘Come and get a couple more hours with me.’ London opened the duvet cover and Paige jumped in. ‘Now close your eyes. We’ve still got time.’

Paige tried the best she could, but she couldn’t contain her excitement. ‘Mummy?’

‘Yes.’ She kept her eyes shut.

‘What rides are there?’

‘Too many to mention, we’ll see when we get there.’

Paige was silent for a moment, her little mind turning about little thoughts. She asked a few more questions, and London answered each one patiently. She understood the child’s excitement, and knew there was no way she could control it.

At six thirty London decided it was pointless trying to stay in bed to sleep. Paige wouldn’t stop talking.

‘Why don’t you go and have a bath while I make something for us to eat.’

‘Yes! We’re going soon aren’t we?’

‘Yes honey, now let’s go and run you a bath.’

They climbed out of bed. She held onto the little girls hand and they walked to the bathroom. London loved everything about being a mom. From the moment she brought Paige home, she took on the role at once.

The bath filled up, and the bubbles floated above the water. Paige threw in her favourite toys like she always did, and then got undressed and stepped into the bath.

London did her best to help Paige get ready, she allowed Paige to do as much as she could.

The rest of the morning was joyful, and Paige was on a high. By the time they left, London was certain Paige would fall asleep in the car, but that didn’t happen. The excitement only increased.

They arrived at the theme park an hour later. Paige looked as though she’d just walked into a land of toys. She gazed around the park and took it all in.

‘Wow, mummy!’

‘Yes I know.’ She beamed.

Paige had never been to a theme park so everything was magnified. She looked at the surrounding rides, the characters that gave away balloons and goodies. She wanted to do everything she could.

‘Can we go and ride on that merry go round?’ she pointed.

‘Are you sure that’s what you want first?’

Paige nodded vigorously.

‘Okay then.’

London bought the tickets to the rides, and they went right ahead. She was a little worried that it might be too much for Paige, but Paige seemed too excited to worry about it.

‘Weeee!’ She kept saying. ‘Mummy, I’m riding a horse.’

‘Yes you are.’ London was right behind her.

They tried a few more rides, and got a few shots with characters. London had never seen her daughter happier. They moved onto the little part that had animals. Paige fed the goats and the cows that were fenced in a different part of the park.

‘Ooooh mummy, it’s ticklish.’ She giggled as the goat fed off her hand.

‘I know.’ London laughed.

The crowds drifted through the park, children ran everywhere. It was a family feeling atmosphere, and it gave London peace just being there.

‘Mummy, I’m hungry.’

‘Okay. Let’s find a toilet so you can wash your hands, and then we can get you something to eat. Okay?’

She nodded. They trotted around the park before finding a restroom.

‘Do you need the toilet?’

‘Yes.’

‘Okay.’ She helped her in the toilet.

‘Mummy, this is fun,’ she said.

‘Yes it is. Come on, let’s go wash those hands.

They left the toilets in search of food. London spotted a crowded hotdog stand.

‘Fancy a hotdog?’

‘Yes please!’

‘C’mon then.’ She held out her hand, and they went to join the crowd.

‘You stand right next to mummy while I get you a hotdog.’

It only took a second. London was next in line to be served when a nice looking woman bent down within the unsuspecting crowd and gave Paige a smile. Paige smiled back. The woman waved a little white teddy bear and then motioned for her to come over. The little girl smiled and took a step forward.

‘Will you help me look for my doggy? It looks just like this.’ The woman smiled and held out her hand. Paige nodded and took her hand. 

‘Here we go...Paige?’ She looked around her. ‘Paige, Paige...’ She dropped the hotdogs. ‘PAIGE! PAIGE!’ She pushed through crowd. ‘Excuse me, did anyone see a little girl...’ she hyperventilated. ‘Oh god! PAIGE!’ She ran around like a mad woman. ‘Someone please, help! Help me! HELP ME! PLEASE!’ She turned left and right amongst the crowds.

A woman who noticed something was wrong ran up to her.

‘My baby!’ London held onto her head. ‘She’s gone, someone’s taken my baby!’ She fell to her knees.

The surrounding voices became distant. The sounds of the musical merry-go-round was heard in the distance. Everything seemed to be moving slowly, the sound of her heart between her ears.

‘My baby. Someone’s taken my baby!’ That was the last thing she said, and everything went black.

****

V
ictor was enjoying a Martini with his old friend, Collin when Bradley rang.

‘I said no calls.’

‘I think you’ll want to know about this.’

Victor looked at his friend. They had an understanding. ‘I’m sorry, I must take this.’

‘By all means. I’ll order us another round.’

Victor nodded and left the table. Collin called for the waiter, and ordered another two martini’s even though it was only just past midday. Victor walked to the foyer, and listened to what Bradley had to say.

‘The police have shut down one of the theme parks.’

‘Which one?’ He gritted his teeth.

‘Manchester.’

‘What happened? We can’t have the police there.’

‘A kidnapping.’

‘What?’

‘A child’s gone missing and the police are in the place as we speak.’

‘Dam it!’ The theme park was just a show, but he didn’t want the police getting too close to him. Especially the ones he didn’t know. ‘Make sure we get all the copies of the footage before the police take them.’