Unbound (The Braille Club #2) (5 page)

Chapter 9

The Braille Club, London, One Year On: The Braille Cuffs were replaced by the Braille Bracelets. They were central to the game and had been developed to be used in comfort, could be joined if required, and were easy to operate. When the bell rang it triggered a signal that deactivated all equipment and the bracelets would automatically unlock. The sensitivity of movement could now be controlled on an easy, medium, and difficult setting, but like all things within the Braille Club, the members did not get to choose.

Two Years Earlier

Guy

It was the perfect set-up and neither of them was prepared when it ended. Unbeknown to them, Anna’s husband had become suspicious. He’d been following her for some time. He watched her open the door of the small rented flat to Guy. They had gotten sloppy in their contentment. Guy hadn’t seen her in almost three weeks and was desperate for the release she gave him. As she shut the door, he kissed her long and hard. Pushing her to the floor, he was inside her in minutes.

They lay there on the hall runner, his groans and her screams drowning out the sound of a key in the lock. Guy felt the chill on his skin as the door swung open and froze. There was nowhere to hide as they sprang apart, pulling at their clothes. Anna’s husband just stood there, his face registering shock and outrage. The shame of those first minutes would never leave him. His face burned with the memory, although the events thereafter were hazier. Her husband turned and walked out. Anna started to cry but when he tried to comfort her, she had pushed him away. She asked him to leave, and shocked to his core, he complied. He would never forget the look on her face, like her life was over as she stared after her husband. He realised then he meant nothing to her.

Guy stumbled out to his car, opening the door and sinking inside while he tried to collect his thoughts. Numb, his mind in shock, he stared at nothing. He kept seeing Anna’s face, no longer detached but full of emotion. It wasn’t this alone that bothered him, it was the fact that yes, she did love, she just didn’t love him. How could he have been so blind? Anna loved her husband, he thought, her face told him that and more. A tear rolled down his cheek as his heart constricted. The pain caught him by surprise—it was deep and intense. His body trembled as his shock increased. The pain of rejection magnified as his mind played the scene over and over. He remembered Anna’s face clearly as he’d tried to comfort her. It appeared twisted and full of…he struggled to identify the emotion but then realised the truth. Hate. Her face had been filled with hate as she had shoved him away. He doubled over, clutched his stomach, and closed his eyes. The sob of despair ripped through him and his shoulders heaved as he cried.

At last he became aware of his surroundings. He saw Anna’s husband then, stumbling down the street, and sank into his seat, out of view. Her cry made him peep over the dashboard in alarm. Anna had run onto the road and thrown her arms around the prone figure of her husband. It looked like she was begging for forgiveness. They staggered around crazily as he tried to prise her loose. He shoved her away and she fell to her knees, sobbing and incoherent. Guy watched in horror, unable to move, but unable to look away. He wasn’t sure how long he sat there. Eventually, he saw Anna’s husband reach out his hand and pull his wife to her feet. They walked slowly to the open door of the flat. She didn’t look around; she didn’t look for him, her eyes never left her husband’s face. As he watched them enter the flat with their arms around each other, he had never felt so alone.

The image of Anna with her husband was burned into his memory banks. He was unsure how long he’d been there. He stayed, hoping to catch a glimpse of her at the window. She never appeared, and as darkness fell, he wondered if it would be the last time he would see her. The thought chilled him to the bone. He needed her…could not survive without her because he could no longer deny his feelings. He was in love with Anna…the realisation made him reel. Like war it was brutal; his heart the casualty, wounded and bleeding. His thoughts were the enemy; he loved her…but she did not love him, they taunted. Wrestling with his volatile emotions, he gripped the steering wheel. He was a survivor, he would survive this. This battle was lost, but not the war. Anna needed time, and she had some hard decisions in front of her. He reached out and started the car. What they had together had been real, he was certain she would see that. Everything was in the open now. It wasn’t the way he would have planned it, but realistically if Anna split from her husband, he’d be relieved. He wasn’t sure what their future held; he only knew he wanted her, all of her…all the time.

He put the car in gear and pulled away, his heart lighter as his mind mulled over the possibilities. Leaving Anna felt wrong, but what could he do? He must wait for her to contact him; it would be hard but necessary. She needed space, but now the damage was done, he felt sure they’d be together. This theory, and this theory alone, became his focus. He banished his darker thoughts, no longer seeing Anna’s hate-filled face as she shoved him away.

The next day at work he was hopeful he’d bump into her, but he didn’t. Days turned into weeks until he found out she wasn’t at work. He went back to checking his mobile and home phone obsessively, but they both remained silent. She filled his dreams at night and his thoughts by day. The pain in his heart grew worse as the weeks slowly turned into months and his hopes of reconciliation faded. He lost weight, he couldn’t sleep, and the dark purple circles around his eyes told a story he himself was unwilling to share. His colleagues had given up trying to get him to talk when all they got back was stony silence.

After that, they stayed away, avoiding him. Whenever he entered the room, it fell quiet. He made his colleagues uncomfortable; no one would meet his eyes. People stopped talking when they saw him, and he hated them for it. His rage and unhappiness, raw and ugly, had become a barrier. The fact Anna had been so close, just a few floors between them, drove him crazy, but he had never seen her. Thoughts of going to her offices again were dismissed, but the knowledge was like a festering wound. Guy stared hard at his reflection and didn’t like what he saw; he was unrecognisable. Something had to change. Ashamed of his behaviour and utterly miserable, he requested a transfer with a heavy heart.

Almost two years now since their affair, the hurt and humiliation was finally receding. Those days, weeks, and months after his break-up from Anna had been like a wilderness. He’d travelled where the next case took him like a nomad, no longer caring where, his only concern getting a result. Each case received his full and undivided attention.

He became the best, often the one who made the first breakthrough, leading the team forward and eventually cracking the case. His reputation grew, and he was very much in demand. It was to be his only comfort, so when his impending retirement reared its ugly head, he’d felt utter panic. He’d been fooling himself, unwilling to acknowledge his career was coming to an end. He let himself be swept along by the process. Dazed, he found himself with no job and time on his hands. His retirement lump sum sat untouched in his bank account. He returned to his flat with no idea how to fill his days.

One morning he’d been looking through the newspaper half-heartedly when a job advertisement from Harrison’s caught his eye. He applied on a whim, not sure how he felt when he received an invitation to attend an interview. At first he dismissed it; he needed neither the money nor the hassle, but something made him leave the interview letter on the table. He had a week to decide.

It passed quickly as he continued to dither until he reached a conclusion: he simply had nothing to lose by attending. His decision made, he straightened his tie for the umpteenth time that morning and scanned his immaculate jacket and trousers, relieved when he found nothing. Arriving promptly at his destination, he was surprised by the condition of the building, which was still under construction. An elegant woman, who introduced herself as Grace, showed him into a room. She smiled and offered him refreshments—he liked her immediately. He politely declined and waited, neither nervous nor anxious, his eyes missing nothing as they scanned the interior.

He stood when Benedict Harrison entered and introduced himself. They shook hands firmly. Good at reading people, he was momentarily stumped, unable to get a handle on the man who sat before him. Benedict’s eyes and body gave nothing away, and yet Guy found himself liking the man. As he described the job, Guy knew at once he was interested.

When Benedict stopped talking they sat in companionable silence as Guy absorbed the information. He knew the job would be a difficult and demanding one—was he ready for the challenge? Benedict had left nothing out, including the need to sign certain confidentiality agreements, but that wasn’t unusual in this day and age, although he was curious. No fool, he knew he wasn’t the only candidate they would be interviewing. A balance must be struck; he wanted the job, but needed to manage his expectations. With no experience at managing a retail operation, his IT skills and police background couldn’t compete against a candidate who possessed these qualities. They might want someone younger or perhaps someone already running a private members club. He would be informed in due course.

When Guy received a further letter and interview time, he felt a little thrill. Entering the building again, it felt strangely like home. He smiled when Benedict sat down, their instant liking for each reconfirmed. He felt happy to work for and be with this man. Something told him this job would be different, his inner police instinct sensing all was not what it appeared.

He had no problem signing the confidentiality agreements but was puzzled as to why it was necessary before Benedict could go into detail about the job. A stunning woman entered the room and sat next to Benedict; she introduced herself as Siena. She handed Guy the forms. He read them, and happy with the content, signed his name where required. Siena turned and faced him. He was struck by her beauty. She had his full attention as she introduced him to the Braille Club—suddenly everything became crystal clear.

His pulse started to beat faster as he listened, the sensation odd after the numbness he felt over the last years. He could feel the strong chemistry between the couple as Benedict took over where Siena left off. Guy didn’t respond straight away when he’d finished, surprise leaving him momentarily speechless when offered the job. Benedict’s frown of worry soon disappeared as Guy stood and held out his hand, a smile changing his otherwise sombre face.

“I’d be delighted to accept the position,” he answered warmly.

“Welcome to Harrison’s,” said Benedict, his opaque eyes suddenly clearing as he took Guy’s hand.

“Welcome to the Braille Club,” Siena breathed happily, also shaking his hand, her grip firm as she stood next to Benedict. Guy felt something close to happiness as he looked at the couple in front of him. They would provide the perfect distraction from Anna while connecting him with a new and exciting future, a future he was looking forward to.

Chapter 10

The Braille Club, London, One Year On: The Braille Chair was central to everything, and it had also evolved. The seat was memory foam, it moulded to your frame. The upright section of the chair had been fitted with new internal pulses, as had the bottom section, complete with foot rest. They pushed out to connect intimately with shoulders, calves, and thighs. Those sensitised areas had members gasping and bells ringing.

London 2014

Siena

When Siena opened her eyes in the morning she was alone in bed and the house felt strangely quiet. She wondered whether Benedict had spoken to her parents yet. Their arrival would be a godsend. As she struggled to sit up, the pain made her grit her teeth. She glanced at her watch, shocked to see it was after 11 a.m. How could she have slept so late? Her stomach clenched as she remembered the DNA results. Did Benedict know already? Had he answered their lawyer’s call?

Still sore, she swung her legs out of bed and found her jeans, taking the crumpled paper out and slipping it inside her dressing gown pocket. She took her time as she made her way downstairs and walked into the kitchen, expecting to find Benedict and the twins there, but it was empty. Heart thumping, she called Benedict’s name as she moved through the house but there was no reply; she went back to the kitchen, looking for her cell when she saw his note.

Call me when you get up.
x

She ignored the missed calls logged on her screen and dialled Benedict’s number, jumping when his phone rang in the kitchen. It was plugged into the socket above the granite worktop; he must have forgotten it this morning. Siena exhaled. Where were they? She made herself a coffee and picked up his phone. She quickly scrolled into his recent calls when the phone rang. Private caller flashed onto the screen and she let it go to the answer machine. Then her own mobile rang and again private caller flashed onto the screen. She answered it.

“Hello,” she said nervously.

“I’ve forgotten my phone,” said Benedict, his voice tense.

“Yes, it’s here. You left it charging in the kitchen. Where are the twins?”

“With Grace,” he said abruptly. “The lawyers have been in touch, they’ve told me they’re pressing for the DNA results. They think they’ve been issued. Something the defence lawyer let slip.”

Siena struggled to think, saying the first thing that came to mind. “Are the twins okay? Has Grace got everything she needs?”

“Yes, they’re fine. Did you hear what I said?”

Siena said nothing as her fingers curled around the paper in her pocket.

“Siena?” Benedict’s voice sounded strained.

“Yes?” Her voice broke.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly.

Siena paused. The desire to share everything almost overwhelmed her, but then she thought of her children. “Nothing…just tired, worried, and sore,” she lied. The silence seemed to go on forever, like he wasn’t convinced. “Benedict, are you still there?” she asked.

“Grace has taken the twins to the park,” said Benedict, changing the subject.

“That’s kind of her,” Siena murmured.

***

Benedict

“Siena, we will get through this,” said Benedict, his voice hollow. He sensed she was troubled…what was she hiding from him? “I’ll be home soon.” He sighed deeply, ending the call.

Grace had offered to stay longer when they’d gotten home last night, but Benedict gently refused. She had done enough, and he was grateful, but could manage. Bath and bedtime for the twins had taken precedence, and he had not called their lawyer as planned. By the time he got the twins settled, he crawled into the spare room, exhausted. He didn’t want Siena disturbed. He’d unplugged the baby monitor from their room earlier.

On his way home from Harrison’s, his mind dwelled on her panic attack. It was the worst yet. What had been the trigger? Dark memories flooded his mind. He tried not to think of Nick Waters, but it was impossible. He gripped the steering wheel. With grim determination, he closed down his thoughts because he needed to concentrate…he needed to get home. His flat had been unsuitable for them to move into as a family. He’d put it on the market and rented as a stop gap until they found something more permanent. The rental was a modern home, a little further out than he would have liked but it had other impressive features.

Their top priority had been security. Set back from the road with an enclosed garden, it had that in spades; with full CCTV security cameras and electric gates. Its windows and doors were new and secure, but still he worried. Siena and the twins were vulnerable, but she refused to let him employ full-time security. Guy had a number of trusted retired colleagues who were suitable and vetted, but still she said no. She told him she could not live with the intrusion; it was bad enough with the press outside their home without a stranger within. He saw Siena was under strain as the trial dragged on, at breaking point.

He immediately backed down, her tears of distress like a knife in his chest. God, if he could get his hand on Nick Waters…he’d make
him
suffer…he’d make him pay. Siena had been so strong throughout but as her testimony approached, she had become anxious and on edge. Her beautiful face was drawn and she had dark shadows beneath her frightened eyes. The twins were the only ones to make her smile.

Reeva was her mother’s image with white blonde curls and bright blue eyes that missed nothing. Her nature was gentle and sweet. Leo, in contrast, had dark curls and hazel eyes. He was quieter than his sister but also protective of her. Siena’s face lit up when she was with them. Like any new mum she was enthralled by her twins and didn’t have time to dwell. But when the twins were asleep or when she thought he wasn’t looking, he saw her face crumple with absolute despair as her fingers fluttered to her throat.

He found it hard to contain his rage at times. He had become very close to Guy, the shared experience of rescuing Siena a strong bond. Guy had been instrumental in finding her and understood only too well Benedict’s need for revenge; he’d been there, after all. The brutality of the attack was still fresh in both their minds as they worked together. They never spoke of it directly but just being with Guy was a comfort.

Benedict swung into the driveway, hitting the remote to open the gates. He tried to remain calm when every instinct he had screamed something was terribly wrong.