Page 11

Katie

“MACY!” The lady I was watching earlier with her son comes running over, grabbing the wet, white fluffy dog at my side.

“I’m so sorry. NO, NO, NO!”

Another sprinkle of cold water covers me as Macy shakes her fur at the side of me.

“It’s fine, honestly. I needed to cool off.”

My skin is looking rather red. I should have put sun cream on before falling asleep; the dog has probably saved me from serious burns.

“You’re English?” The lady asks.

“Born and bred.”

“Me too. My name is Emmaline; this is Alfie,” she replies, introducing her blond blue-eyed boy.

“I’m Katherine, but everyone calls me Katie.” Well, almost everyone.

“Katie, please join us for lunch. It’s only a picnic, but we have plenty to go around,” Emmaline offers.

“Oh, thank you, but I wouldn’t like to impose; I will just eat when I get back.”

“Please, it’s the least we can do, since Macy soaked you.” Emmaline is a beautiful, friendly soul; I instantly like her. She has big, brown, friendly eyes that make me feel at ease.

For the next hour, we eat meats, breads, and fruit, drinking fresh juices while listening to Alfie tell us jokes.

“Hey, Mum, did you hear about the fight down at the fishing dock?

“No, I didn’t hear about that, Alfie.”

“Yeah, a fish got battered!” Alfie rolls around in laughter at his own joke.

Emmaline’s body language starts to change.

I notice she keeps looking over my shoulder.

Following her line of sight, I see a man sitting on a rock facing this way.

He is wearing sunglasses, a shirt, and trousers.

Not dressed for a day at the beach at all.

I recognise him as one of Leo’s men I have seen at the house.

“We better get going, Alfie.”

Emmaline starts to pack up, so I give her a hand.

“We come to the beach most mornings; maybe we will see you again, Katie?” Emmaline seems genuinely hopeful.

“I'd like that.” I admit.

When I get back to the house, Marco tells me that Leo is waiting for me in his office. He’s sat at his desk, a cloud of cigar smoke surrounding his head and a glass of what looks like whiskey in his hand.

“You have decided to return?” He doesn’t look at me, just raises his drink and swills it around. “Sit.” He nods to a leather armchair facing his desk.

“Let me explain something to you, Katherine. I am under an obligation to get married. You made me a promise and are therefore obligated to fulfil that promise. As you have witnessed, people lose limbs when they do not do as I have asked. I suggest you behave yourself.”

A phone rings on his desk. Leo smirks when he sees the caller ID. He answers immediately.

“Damien King. I have been expecting your call.” Leo glares at me whilst he listens, then he shouts, “Enough!” Leo throws his glass across the room. “Do not start a war you will not win, Mr. King. We may be distant relatives, but Katherine owes me a debt, and I am going to collect it!”

He ends the call and focusses on me.

“I have been lenient with you, but I have had enough of your games. From now on, you will do as I say when I say it. You will not leave this house without me. You will eat all your meals with me. You will be at my side whenever I wish it.”

“You can’t do this, Leo; I am a person. You can’t keep me on a leash like an animal.”

“A leash? What a wonderful idea.”

“You’re a sick man, Leo. You need help!”

“Marco! Take her to our room.”

Marco's large hands grip my arms. He lifts me off the ground and carries me from the room. When we are out of earshot, I try to reason with Marco.

“Marco, please. I know you don’t like me; you think Leo marrying me is just as crazy as I do, right? There must be something you can do. Please?”

Not saying a word, he continues escorting me to the bedroom. Just as the door closes, I hear Marco speak the softest I have ever heard him.

“There’s nothing I can do. He will never let you go.”