Love's Predator (Love's Predator Trilogy Book 1) (17 page)

Chapter Twenty Two

As morning broke the dark sky, Lindsey found herself in a strange, unfamiliar setting. Rubbing her head, she groaned lightly, finding that a pain was spreading up her shoulders to her neck. It has been a rough sleep but now Lindsey was awake all she could think about was where she would go next.

Looking around, Lindsey saw she was near Scotland, just on the verge of Gretna. She remembered that an old friend, Nadine, lived in a small village in Gretna with her child, which was only an hour or so away. If Lindsey could just go there and rest a little, then plan her next move, it would make her journey so much easier.

And so Lindsey’s mind was made up. She would go to Nadine’s, but she would not stay there long; Lindsey did not want to endanger anyone else.
What right did she have to drag another soul into the mess she was in?

To Lindsey’s surprise, her journey to Gretna was short and safe. Her mind was fast at work the whole time, spinning new ways Kyle could appear and catch her and what he would do with her next, how he could punish her.

She breathed a deep sigh of relief and turned off of the main road, heading for a little cluster of cottage houses, which were neatly aligned into cul-de-sacs. Her eyes carefully skimmed the place, searching every house for something which looked familiar, but Lindsey was struggling. She knew Nadine lived there somewhere, but not which house or street. What if she didn’t live there at all now? Lindsey began to worry her plan was falling through already.

A young girl caught Lindsey’s eye. She was small, with long black pigtails and she wore a little pink rain jacket, which matched her tiny pink wellington boots. Lindsey smiled as she watched the child prance about the garden, frantically waving her doll in the air as
she danced around merrily.

J
ust as Lindsey was about to move on from the warming scene, a familiar face appeared by the door of the house, the face of a young, cheerful mother. Nadine.

Lindsey felt her heart jump in her chest, making her feel suddenly light headed. She was overcome with excitement; she had longed to see a familiar face, and now Nadine was right there in her front lawn. For the first time in days Lindsey felt safe.

Without much hesitation, Lindsey parked the car a block away from the house and made her way over. The young girl noticed Lindsey’s approach first and cuddled her doll to her chest, crushing its ringlet curls against her jacket. The girl stared up at Lindsey with big blue eyes and called out in a soft voice for her mother.

“Mummy!” She cried. “Mummy! Someone is here!”

Lindsey stopped at the end of the path leading to their home and smiled down at the little girl before addressing Nadine. “Hello, stranger,” she grinned, trying to fight back tears.

Nadine gazed at Lindsey, taking a moment to respond. “Lindsey?” She said with a quizzical look, as if she couldn’t believe her old friend was standing before her.

“Nadine,” Lindsey whispered. Her voice was close to breaking.

Nadine frowned, her brows dropping. “Lindsey, are you alright?” She asked softly. She hurried to her old friend and was there
in time to catch her before her knees gave in below her. Afterwards all Lindsey could do was hold her friend and sob.

The reality of her situation had slashed into her, cutting her deep like a sharp knife. Lindsey had been abducted, hurt and used. She felt weak and violated, and as Nadine helped her into the house she couldn’t fight her tears. Lindsey had broken in her friends arms, her dark adventure had caught up with her. But Lindsey knew deep down, even as she wept, she would have to build herself up again and move on. And she had to do it fast.

Lindsey could feel Nadine’s cool blue eyes examine her across the table. The two friends nursed mugs of hot chocolate, sipping in silence as Nadine’s daughter played in the corner or the kitchen with her dolls.

“Katie,” Nadine said gently, not taking her eyes away from Lindsey.
“Go play in your room.”

The little girl scrunched up her face and wriggled her nose. However she quietly obeyed her mother and left the kitchen, dragging her doll after her, its limbs gently scuffing
across the tile floor. Once she was out of sight, Lindsey sat her mug down on the table and took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to do.

“I was abducted.”

Nadine’s face paled, but she said nothing.

“A man took me when I was leaving work, a few days ago,” Lindsey went on quietly. “And he has been holding me captive for days. I only escaped yesterday.”

Lindsey watched as Nadine swallowed heavily, she looked like she was going to be sick. Her white hand went to her head and she rested it upon the table. “Lindsey,” she whispered. She could say nothing more.

“Oh, Nadine,” Lindsey gushed. She felt like she was going to start crying all over again, but she bit back her tears and sat up tall. “The man, he wanted me to love him…to marry him. He would not take no for an answer.”

“And did you?” Nadine questioned. “Did you marry him?”

“No,” Lindsey replied. “I didn’t.”

Nadine looked down, staring at her mug. She looked puzzled, and Lindsey could tell there was something on her mind.

“Your mother told me you ran off with some rich man to The Bahamas,” she revealed quietly. “Everyone was shocked, Lindsey. Chase was crying on my shoulder.”

“You visited them?” Lindsey asked. She couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Yes,” Nadine frowned. “I wanted t
o see if the rumours were true.

“So, while I was being held prisoner and made to play happy couples, someone was spreading lies about me,” Lindsey stated, her voice tinted with venom.

“I’m so sorry, Lindsey,” Nadine apologised in a soft voice. She was barely audible. “I should have known you wouldn’t just disappear like that. I should have thought.”

“It’s not your fault,” Lindsey said with a forced smile.

“Did he…” Nadine’s question died upon her lips when she saw Lindsey’s expression. “Oh God Lindsey!” Nadine cried hysterically. “You have to go to the police! I’ll phone them now! We will catch this sicko and he’ll get exactly what he deserves!”

Nadine jumped up from her seat and marched over to the phone, she reached for it but a gentle hand pulled her back.

“No,” Lindsey whispered.

“What do you mean ‘no’? Have you lost your mind?” Nadine hissed. “You can’t dust this under the rug Lindsey; there’s a mad man after you.”

“Nadine,” Lindsey said sharply. “It’s not just one man.”

Slowly Nadine made her way back to her chair and gently sat herself down. She looked as if she were about to faint and so Lindsey took her hand. She was ice cold.

“It’s a cult, and they’re everywhere.”

“Oh Lindsey,” Nadine gushed. “What are you gonna’ do? What will we do?”

“You have to stay safe and live normally,” Lindsey replied coolly. “I have to get out of here. There is nothing left for me but Kyle’s traps.”

“Kyle,” Nadine murmured. “Is that his name?”

Lindsey nodded. Hearing his name made her recall him. Suddenly she could see his pale face in her head and those icy blue eyes. He smiled darkly, knowingly. Lindsey knew he was out there looking for her, desperate to punish her for escaping. She wished she had killed him when she had the chance, but Lindsey was the innocent one, and was not a murderer.

“I’m going to book tickets to leave the country,” Lindsey told Nadine quietly. “I don’t know where I’ll go, but I can’t stay here.”

“How will you pay for them?” Nadine asked. “I would help, but it’s hard enough to keep Katie on my own.”

“I came into some money lately,” Lindsey said. “Just enough to get me out of here.” She glanced at the bag she had brought with her; it contained the money she had taken from Alec and Carly. She would have to add her own money to it, but Lindsey knew this was the only way she could be free. She had to start again.

“I have a friend,” Nadine spoke softly.
“She lives in France.”

Lindsey’s eyes glistened.

“I could ask her if you could stay with her for a while, just until you get set up,” she continued carefully. “She is very nice. I am sure she would be happy to help if you told her about your situation.”

“No,” Lindsey said suddenly. “I just want to move
on, Nadine. I don’t want any charity.”

Nadine frowned as she examined Lindsey closely.

“Tell her I simply want a new life in France and that is it. If she has a spare room I would be happy to pay my way; I’ll find some work.”

There was a lull in the conversation, before Nadine quietly submitted to her friend. “Alright, Lindsey. A new life in France it is.”

Chapter Twenty Three

Lindsey watched as Katie played with her favourite toys. They were sat on the plush yellow carpet in Katie’s small, colourful room, whilst Nadine contacted her friend in France. Lindsey could hear her faintly through the door, speaking in French, and could barely understand what she was saying. She only managed to pick out key phrases she had been taught in secondary school, such as “her name is, L
indsey” and some pleading.

It was Katie quiet, high pitched voice which commanded a majority of Lindsey’s attention. “You can be the prince!” She cried excitedly. “I want to be a princess!”

Lindsey grinned, picking up the male doll which had been placed at her knees. “Oh my, he is handsome,” Lindsey laughed. She couldn’t help but notice the smudges of crayon across prince charming’s face.

“He has to be!” Katie decided swiftly. “He’s the prince.”

Katie grabbed the pri
nce doll from Lindsey and brought him close to her princess doll, which wore a long petal pink dress. She held them together, making them kiss, and she cried out happily as she placed them forcefully into a small fairy-tale carriage.

“Now they’re married!” Katie beamed happily. “He’s gonna’ take her away to his castle and they’re together for ever and ever!”

Lindsey swallowed hard.

“That’s lovely,” she said quietly after a pause.

Katie stared at Lindsey with bright, big blue eyes. “Are you married?” She asked curiously.

Lindsey looked away and in a flash she was back at Kyle’s home and he was down on one knee before her. She grew breathless as she heard him say
“marry me, Lindsey.”

It wasn’t until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder that she broke free from her trance. She looked up to see a worried Nadine staring down at her. Lindsey then frowned, knowing that Nadine was right; she couldn’t just make a new life for herself, Kyle would follow her everywhere, even in her thoughts.

“You’re going to France,” was all Nadine said.

“France!” Katie repeated excitedly.

Nadine smiled softly, passing Lindsey to grab her daughter and throw her playfully over her own shoulder. “Not you!” Nadine laughed warmly. “You are going to bed!”

“Nooo!” Katie refused in a whine.

Lindsey silently left the warming scene and took herself through to the kitchen to wait for Nadine. Together, they arranged Lindsey’s journey from Scotland to France and to the friend’s house. Nadine paid for the flight out of her own bank account and Lindsey handed her the money there and then. Within hours everything was sorted. Lindsey was to leave Scotland, leave everyone and everything she knew to start a fresh. But most importantly, she was leaving Kyle.

“What if he follows you Lindsey?” Nadine asked. “What if he goes after your family?”

Lindsey pulled her bag over her shoulder and faced Nadine again. She frowned, knowing that Nadine was right. There was a chance Kyle could find her somehow; after all he said he had connections. But as for Lindsey’s family, Kyle could no longer use them against her. Lindsey had no family.

Lindsey turned towards the door and managed a smile. But Nadine couldn’t hide the fear and pain on her face. She walked to Lindsey and held her tight. Lindsey wished she would never let go, but she had to leave her, for Nadine’s own good.

“Thank you, Nadine,” Lindsey whispered. “For everything.”

“Are you sure about this Lindsey?” Nadine questioned worriedly. “You could go to the police and this could all be over, you could have your normal life back.”

Lindsey smirked and shook her head faintly. She opened the door and the moonlight glowed around her. “I don’t want my old life back,” she admitted. “I don’t want any more lies. I want to be free.”

“I have never lied to you Lindsey,” Nadine said softly. “So, please, think of me when you begin your new life.”

“I will,” Lindsey swore. “I promise you.”

Nadine smiled with satisfaction and reached down, lifting Katie into her arms. Lindsey gave them one last long look before heading out into the cold, dark air of the night. She only remembered how young Nadine was then, the same age as her. And yet she seemed much older, much wiser than Lindsey had ever been. Lindsey wished this bad ex
perience would bring her wisdom. She prayed it would give her strength. She was not a little girl any more, not like bright-eyed Katie; Lindsey was a woman now, in every way possible.

It was time for Lindsey to
act like one.

Chapter Twenty Four

Although it was dark, Lindsey’s heart leapt when she saw the familiar surroundings. But it was with a heavy heart and faint frown that she pulled into the small cul-de-sac and parked in front of the house she grew up in. This house had been her home, a place where she thought she was safe.
All it was now was a museum to what was, the lie that she had lived. A happy, loved child, no; she was her parent’s prized pig and they happily sold her for slaughter.

Where were they now?

The house was dark and gloomy. The garden was dead and the car in the drive way was dirty. Lindsey parked behind the car and climbed out, swiftly approaching the house with Carly’s bag slung over her shoulder. She was not here to cherish memories, nor to say goodbye, for she had already said goodbye to her home and life. She never thought she would see it again when Kyle took her. No; she was here to take was she needed, then leave.

However, when Lindsey reached the door she began to doubt herself. What if her parents were there? How could she face them?

After a few deep breaths, Lindsey turned to the door once more and tried it, finding it was locked. She
closed her eyes, half expecting that outcome. This wasn’t her house anymore, she didn’t have any keys.

“Who is that?” A gruff male voice demanded.

“Dad?” Lindsey whimpered, spinning around.

But her father was not there. In his place stood a dumpy, small man in a long dark, brown trench coat. It was their neighbour, Mr Henderson. He smiled a strange smile when he laid eyes on Lindsey’s face and he gently nodded. “Ah, Miss Noble,” he said happily. “It’s you. Here I thought someone was breaking in and I was going to be a hero.”

Lindsey smiled back and took a few steps forward, closing some distance between them. “Do you know where my family is?” She asked.

There was a strange pause and Mr Henderson’s eyebrow rose quizzically. “Why, Lindsey, they are on holiday, visiting you.”

“Visiting me?” Lindsey whispered.

“In the Bahamas?” Mr Henderson asked. He was looking worried now. “You left to be with your…lover?”

“
Oh,” Lindsey sighed, remembering what Nadine had told her. This whole fabricated story had covered up her abduction perfectly, but what about her parents? Were they really on holiday? Or had Kyle decided to tie up the loose ends in his scheme?

Her blood turned to ice in her veins.

“Don’t you have a spare key?”

Lindsey jumped; she had forgotten Mr Henderson was there. Quietly she fumbled around the front door, finding the spare key hidden under the small
flower pot full of old, infertile soil. No flowers had ever grown there.

Without any more trouble, Lindsey opened the door and revealed the innards of the cold, dark tomb within. Clasping her arms, she turned back to Mr Henderson, only to see him enter his own home and shut the door behind him. The lights were already on in Mr Henderson’s home. As soon as the door was shut, a dog was barking and children were wailing in welcome. Lindsey could see them in the front room, together, their silhouettes showing on the beige curtains.

She looked back upon the house before her and entered without a word. The silence within the house made her ears ring and all Lindsey could do to ease it was step harder on the wooden floor.

“I won’t be long,” she told herself in a whisper. Yet Lindsey still struggled to control her nerves.

Lindsey closed the door behind her, locking it. She decided it was best to switch on as few lights as needed and so she made her way through the darkness, heading up the stairs. But even in the darkness Lindsey could see the house was different. The family photos, which were once framed on the wall, were fewer now. Lindsey ran her fingers along the empty spaces, knowing that the missing pictures were of her.

Her parents had erased her from their lives and Lindsey knew she would never understand how they could forget her so easily.

She reached her room and was surprised to find her bed was still there, along with some of her possessions. A majority of things were missing from her room and as Lindsey took inventory in the little light, she assumed that these items were either sold for more money or Kyle had taken them fo
r their room in his farmhouse.

However, Lindsey was not disheartened; she found exactly what she was looking for. Under her bed, in a shoe box which contained a pair of small, old, black school shoes, was a secret stash of money just over three hundred pounds.
Lindsey took it all and stuffed it into the bag she carried. She then looked around the room, wondering what else she could take. However all the valuables and very precious things Lindsey had loved were gone. All that she could find were her clothes in the closet, make-up and a lone porcelain doll, which lay against the pillows on Lindsey’s bed.

Lindsey smiled softly, distracted as she fought the urge to take the doll with her on her adventure. She could remember receiving the doll, as a prese
nt from her estranged Uncle Ile. Lindsey had no recollection of ever meeting her Uncle, nor was she told much about him, only that he was a wealthy man and could afford to travel and buy his niece nice things to make up for his lack of presence.

The doll looked like young Lindsey, with long brown curly hair and soft, sweet features. It took all of Lindsey’s strength to walk away from the doll; it had so many special memories of summer tea parties and teddy bear ballroom dancing attached to it. But Lindsey could only take what she could use. She had to leave everything else behind
. She was not little Lindsey Noble anymore.

As Lindsey turned to the bedroom door, s
he stared out into the darkness, her eyes straining to cut through it. Through the darkness resonated a familiar sound and yet it was distorted, almost ghostly. It was music. The melody was coming from the piano downstairs in the front room, her grandmother’s piano. Each key and every chord made the hairs on Lindsey body stand straight. She felt cold, as if a dark entity had passed through her.

Swallowing hard and breathing heavily, Lindsey found herself disappearing into the darkness. When her eyes adjusted, she slowly made her way down the stairs. The music became louder and louder the closer she got to the front room. She saw through the little light that the door to the front room lay wide open, coaxing her in, inviting her to follow the music. But Lindsey would not fall prey to Kyle’s trap. Instead, she kept going, passing the front room as silently as she could. She knew she had to get out of the house and into the car. She couldn’t be caught.

The music continued to play.

Lindsey edged closer to the front door, stepping lightly upon the wood floor. She felt around for the key, which she had left on the ledge by the empty cloak rack. But they key was not there. The key was gone.

Lindsey let out an involuntary cry of terror.
Her heart leapt in the chest! Had he heard her?

The music continued to play.

She took a deep breath and covered her face with her hands, letting out a silent sob in frustration. Feeling desperate, she turned around and began to slink her way to the kitchen in the back of the house, where she could escape through the window.