“You know I’m in serious shit because of you now, don’t you?”

Catching my breath, I checked over the low wall of the garden we stopped in. There was no sign of them on the street, but I couldn’t help feeling they were right behind me. “Yes, I appreciate what you did for me.”

I looked at Wallis as I crouched back down. For a guy his size, I was surprised he’d barely broken a sweat after our sprint from the club. “When you carried me inside, I thought you were siding with Marcus, but nice thinking with the front door.”

“I’ll be honest, girl. I almost did go with Marcus. He’s got me in a bind, and I don’t think you realise quite how much pain he’s gonna rain down on me.”

I sighed. “Yeah, shit’s serious. I get it. I can gather what Marcus is capable of.”

He raised his bushy, unkempt eyebrows. “Shit’s serious? I’d fucking say so. I’ve lost my business. My assets. I’m gonna have to leave the country. He’s probably gonna take a hit out on me…”

I screwed my face. “Why have you lost your assets?”

He glanced down and shook his head. “Marcus gave me a loan to start a new gym. I was trying to go legit. It folded. He said he’d freeze the interest if I agreed to side with him. Of course, he’s still got the collateral on my other buildings. I had no choice. Now, he’s gonna take everything.”

“Fuck, man. I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” I did feel bad. Wallis was an arsehole at times. Definitely a creep, and he ran horrific businesses, but he’d always been good to me. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Marcus had a hand in folding your new gym.”

“D’you think?”

I nodded. “I wouldn’t put it passed him.”

“Fuck. Where were you when I needed a fucking voice of reason?”

I glanced away. “Sorry. I dropped off the radar after Jack. It was easier.”

He placed a hand on my knee and gave me a soft smile that made his brutish face almost warm. “Yeah, I get that. It’s alright.”

I squeezed his hand and removed it from my leg before he got the wrong impression. He was sweet, but I had to keep him in check. “Why didn’t you go to Vincent for a loan? Or my father?”

“I did. They both said no.”

“Shit. I wish there was something I could do.”

“Well, I was kinda hoping you’d put in a good word for me with your dad.”

I screwed my face as I kissed my teeth. “No can do. We’re not on speaking terms. I can’t go back.”

“Fuck! Really? Even after today?”

“Yeah. Shit sucks, and I’m on my own. Your best bet is to talk to my father. Let him know what Marcus is planning. He should go easy on you. Should. Just don’t tell him I got away, please.”

“Why? I helped you, wouldn’t he appreciate that?”

I shook my head. “If he knows I’m not with them, he’ll come looking for me. As it stands, I’ve got a day or so to get the fuck out of here.”

“Where are you gonna go?”

“I can’t say, sorry.”

He licked his teeth as he inspected his hands, avoiding my eyes. “We could go together? Start a new life in Australia or somewhere?”

I smiled, but it reminded me of Aaron. How I wanted to run away with him. A part of me wept inside knowing it would never happen. “That’s sweet, but I can’t. It’s better if I’m on my own.”

Wallis shrugged. “Just a suggestion. I couldn’t live with myself if I’d never asked.”

“Thanks, for today I mean. I really appreciate what you’ve done. What you’ve risked for me.”

A smile hid behind his little boy pout. “Not enough to run away with me.”

I laughed. “No.” Glancing over the wall, I checked the coast was clear. “I’ve got to go, Wallis.”

“Yeah. D’you need anything? I can give you a ride.”

“Where’s your car?”

“Back at the club, but I was gonna steal another one.”

“I’m alright, thanks,” I laughed. “I’ll make my own way.”

“Okay, girl. You better take fucking good care of yourself, d’you hear? Stay away from them arseholes.”

I nodded. “Way ahead of you.”

He leant over and gripped me in a bear hug. Thankfully, leaving my arse alone this time. “I’ve missed you, girl. Gonna miss you a lot more now.”

I pulled away and kissed him on the cheek. “Surprisingly, I’m going to miss you, too.”

He grinned. “Still not enough to run away with me?”

I shook my head. “Goodbye, Wallis.”

The smile faded from his face. He knew it’d be the last time he saw me. “Goodbye, Olivia. I hope you find your peace.”

Giving him a soft smile, I got to my feet and headed around the side of the house without looking back. That was to be my mantra from now on, never look back. My life had given me nothing but shit, and it was time I left it all behind me. My father, Milena, Marcus, Jack and Aaron, as far as I was concerned, they never existed.

Soon, Olivia Romano won’t exist either.

Hopping the back garden fence, I made my way through the car park of an old shop, and out on to the side street. It would be safer to stay away from the roads, but I couldn’t garden hop all the way into zone one. I knew Camden pretty well, I could avoid the high traffic areas and be central within the hour. First, I needed to find a phone.

After a few meandering side streets, I came upon small independent pub. It was a decent looking place, I doubted there would be too many unsavoury types. Certainly no one acquainted with Marcus or my father. Ducking inside, I pulled open the old wooden door and headed to the bar. It was busy, but filled with hipsters and young families. None of them worried me.

The barman came over and did a double take when he saw me. For a second, I froze, but then realised it was the bruises on my face. I forgot I wasn’t my usual fresh faced self.

“What can I get for you, love?”

“Actually, I’m looking for a phone. I don’t suppose you’ve got one I can borrow?”

“There’s a pay phone by the toilets.”

I grimaced. “I’ve no cash on me.” Then gave him the sorrowful eyes. “Do you have a land line or something? Please, I really need to make a phone call. I’ll be quick.”

“Sorry, love. We’re not allowed to let anyone use it.” He backed off to serve the next customer.

“Please.” I upped the desperation in my voice and hit him with the about to cry look. “I need to phone my friend to come and meet me. My boyfriend’s hurt me again, and I don’t have any cash, or anywhere else to go. He’s looking for me. Please.” It wasn’t a lie.

He turned back and sighed. “Alright, but be quick.”

“I will. Thank you so much.”

He strolled into the back and came out with a wireless handset. “Two minutes.”

I nodded, took it from him and huddled to the side of the bar as I dialled the number. Thank God I knew it off by heart.

“Hello.”

The relief washed over me when she answered. It was so good to hear her voice. “Alice, it’s Olivia.”

She shouted down the phone. “Olivia! Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick. Are you alright?”

“Yes. I mean, No. I can’t explain at the minute. I need you to do me a favour. Where are you now?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m at home. What’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain later. Go into my room and look in the bottom of my wardrobe. There’s a rucksack. I need you to bring it to me.”

“What’s going on, Olivia?”

“Alice, just do it, please.”

I heard her rustling about as she moved into my room. “Okay. I’m in here now.”

“Do you see it?”

“Yeah, found it. What’s this for? Does your father know you’re alive? He was here looking for you.”

“My father was there?”

“Yeah. We’ve all been worried about you.”

“Yeah, I bet. Alice, please can you bring me that rucksack?”

“Of course. Where are you?”

“I’ll be at King’s Cross in an hour. Meet me by the side exit across from St. Pancras, by the giant bird cage.”

“Okay. I’ll be there.”

“Thanks, Alice. See you soon.” I hung up and sighed.

Step one sorted. I couldn’t go to my flat to get my passport. It was too much of a risk, but I could get Alice to bring it out. Placing the handset on the side of the bar, I smiled at the barman and nodded my thanks before leaving the pub. It wasn’t safe to be hanging around anywhere too long. The streets were clear as I came out, I gathered my bearings and headed south towards King’s Cross.

A thought stuck in my mind as I walked the quiet, tree lined streets. Why was my father at my flat? A better question would be: when was he there? If it was when Aaron first took me, he could have just been looking. If it was in the last couple of days, then he was well aware I was with Marcus. He would know we wouldn’t be anywhere near my place.

Why would he need to see Alice? I wished I’d asked her when he turned up.

The sound of a car engine came up behind me and slowed to a crawl. My body tensed as it approached. My breathing became heavy as I marched down the street. The car was following close behind. He’d found me. I’d have to run. It stopped, and the car door opened. Energy surged through my legs and I shot forward into a sprint.

The ground moved quickly underneath me as I picked up speed. Keeping my focus ahead, I scanned for a way to escape. There was a gate door leading to a back garden between the houses on the street across, I prayed it was open. I tried to focus on the noises behind. My pulse was raging too hard, I couldn’t hear the footsteps. As I came to the edge of the road, I chanced a glance over my shoulder.

There was no one there.

The panic and momentum carried me forward, and I hit the gate hard. My breath was ragged as I turned and scanned the street. It was empty besides a woman walking a young child to a house halfway down the road. My hands shook, and I caught my breath as I slid to a crumpled mess on the floor. A pained laugh escaped from my throat. Which gave way to a choked sob. A wave of sadness flooded my chest. I thought it was Aaron; I thought he’d found me, but I wasn’t relieved he hadn’t.

Shaking my head, I dispelled my runaway emotions and focused my thoughts.

He used me.

Aaron was nothing but a manipulative bastard. Another fucker who played with me for his own gain. No, even worse, the gain of someone else. He was no different from Jack.

That’s what I told myself, but I wasn’t sure my heart believed it.

I stood and composed myself, brushing the dust from my legs. It didn’t matter what I felt for him. It was over and I’d never give him the chance to hurt me again. No one will ever hurt me again. That I promised myself. I was done being a victim, and I was done being Olivia. It was time to start afresh as someone new. Alone.

That’s the only way I’ll ever find my peace. I took a breath, set that thought in mind and started towards King’s Cross.