Finding Alex - 15. Chapter 15

To say the car journey was tense would be an enormous understatement. Frank had insisted they take one of the family cars with a chauffeur, just to be safe. He was still concerned Sacha might be at risk and was concerned about allowing him out of the estate at all. It was Lacey who had convinced him otherwise, saying Sacha needed to get out of the house and relax with a little retail therapy. Sacha wasn’t convinced either, but he went along with her because she was Lacey and he wanted to please Lacey at all costs. He was nervous, though.

Sacha sat in the back of the car with Lacey, who spent most of the journey talking about London – what they were going to see and do – and pointing out things of interest. Sacha would have preferred to travel in silence. His stomach was twisting in knots, not only because he was nervous about Ryland, but he was also nervous about James, who was shooting him death looks in the sun-flap’s mirror. He tried not to look, but if he didn’t James turned around to glare at him and that always caused tension with Lacey so he preferred not to.

“James, will you please stop looking at Sacha like that?”

“I can look at who I want how I want.”

“Stop being a brat.”

“I don’t know why I have to go on this stupid trip anyway. I’m not going to enjoy it and Sacha isn’t going to enjoy it with me here, for sure.”

“You have something to do, and you know it. Once you’ve done it you can go do what you want.”

“I’m not doing it.” James said, crossing his hands and glaring at Sacha, who was mystified.

“That’s up to you, but if you don’t, Dad’s going to take all your stuff and lock it in a cupboard for the rest of the holidays.”

“I can do without it.” James was mutinous and Lacey sighed.

“It includes your phone, James.”

“He can’t take my phone.”

“Test him and see.”

“Look what you’ve done, you evil slut. You’ve no idea—”

“Don’t call Sacha names like that.”

“I’ll call him what I like and I’ll look at him how I like. Dad didn’t say anything about that.”

“I think it might have been included in the, ‘You will treat your brother with respect’.”

“Yeah right.”

James clammed up after that and simply sat staring straight ahead with his arms firmly crossed across his chest. Sacha almost wished for the glares and sniped. The simmering anger was so much worse.

When they arrived, Lacey took them on a whirlwind tour of her favourite places. They went up in the London Eye, visited Madam Tussauds and went down to the London Dungeon. Sacha hated it and, as soon as James saw how scared he was, he did all he could to make it worse. Sacha was a shivering wreck by the time they came out. Lacey was oblivious because Sacha was simply too good at hiding his fear.

It wasn’t until they were sitting down to eat, did Lacey realise there was something wrong.

“What’s up?” she asked Sacha. “You’re not eating anything. Don’t you like it?”

“Yes, I…. It…it’s nice. I’m just not hungry.”

Lacey frowned and leaned across the table, lifting his chin to look into his face. “You’re very pale? Don’t you feel well? Have I been wearing you out?”

“He’s still freaking out after the dungeon, I think,” James said. “Didn’t you notice what an absolute pussy he was being. I keep telling you, the baby hasn’t got a brave bone in her body. She’s a mess.”

“Don’t refer to Sacha as ‘she’. If I hear it again I’ll confiscate your phone myself.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

“I’m sure Adam will help.”

James glowered but subsided.

“Is it true, Sacha? Were you really scared?”

Not able to trust his voice, Sacha nodded, his eyes down.

“Ah hun, why didn’t you tell me?”

Sacha shrugged.

“You know he won’t,” James piped up. He’s even too scared to admit his feelings. He’s still scared we’re going to throw him out on his ear.”

“That’s not going to happen, Sacha,” Lacey said. “It doesn’t matter if you admit you’re scared, or angry or hurt or overwhelmed. It’s won’t change the way we feel about you.”

“It definitely won’t change the way I feel about you.” James said. “I’ll hate you no matter what you say.”

“Shut up James.” Lacey sounded really man and it scared Sacha even more than the dungeon. He realised something. It was the anger that scared him, not what he consequences might be. Ryland had hurt him so many times in anger, as had his clients, that he’d come to fear the emotion itself. That was something to discuss with the psychiatrist the next time he saw her, he thought.

“I’m not going to tell you not to be afraid, because it’s not something you can turn on and off as you please, but I really wish you’d tell me when you are. We could have come straight out of there. There are exits all over the place for people who can’t cope, and you’re by no means the only one who’ve used them.”

“Really. Sacha, I’ve told you this before – you’re being too hard on yourself. After what you’ve been through, no one expects you to be ‘normal’. No one expects you to be brave. It will take time…and hard work. I know you’re working hard with the psychiatrist and it will get better, it will get easier. We’ll all do everything we can to help you, but you’ve got to help yourself, too. You have to tell me if there’s a problem. I don’t expect you to spill your guts, just tell me if there’s a problem, okay?”

“I…I’ll try. I’ll really try.”

James made throwing up noises, but this time Sacha smiled.

“Let’s go shopping,” Lacey said. “That should take the smile off your face.”

James went pale. “You’re not really going to make me do this?”

“Oh yes.”

James shot a look at Sacha that was pure poison.

“Don’t blame Sacha,” Lacey said, trying unsuccessfully to keep the snigger out of her voice.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I’ll just get them to wrap up the rest of the meal to go,” Lacey said. “You can eat it as we walk. Adam would kill me if he knew I’d let you get away without eating any lunch. We’ll stop once James has completed his task and you can eat the rest of it in peace one he’s escaped.”

James growled.

“Try to be nice for five minutes,” Lacey said, getting up. She glanced back over her shoulder as she went to the desk.

Sacha sat with his head down, not looking at James. He knew James was glaring at him and he didn’t need to see.

“I’m going to make you pay for this,” James growled. “Don’t think I won’t. I’ll find a way.”

“What have I done now?”

“Do you know what I have to do?”

Sacha shook his head, mystified.

“I have to go into a lady’s shop and buy you underwear.”

Sacha didn’t hear what James said. He didn’t see the disgusted expression. All he saw was the face looking in through the window. It was Ryland. Oh no. He’d found him. And Sacha was here with Lacey and James, which meant Lacey and James were at risk too. Sacha’s stomach turned at the thought of his brother and sister in the hands of the madman. The fact that Ryland had shown himself meant he was going to make a move. Ryland wasn’t one to play with his prey.

Sacha looked around desperately. He had to get out. He had to get away from Lacey and James. If Ryland was going to kill him, and he had no doubt at all that he was, he had to be alone. If he ran, Ryland would follow him and leave his family alone.

“Are you listening to me?” James demanded, glowering at him. It no longer mattered.

“I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Oh no you don’t. You don’t get away that easily.”

But Sacha didn’t wait to hear what James had to say. If he was going to get away; if he was going to save them, it had to be now.

Sacha got to his feet, almost kicking over his chair, and headed for the bathroom. However, he had no intention of going there. He’d noticed the kitchen door and was pretty sure there would be an outside door in there. It would probably lead to an alley or quiet street. He’d be at risk there, but Ryland would be out front, so it would be safe for a while and he could find his way back to the busy streets soon enough. If he could lose himself in the crowds, he might just get away. Maybe get on a bus or something, unnoticed.

By the time the thoughts had formed, he was in the kitchen, ignoring the complaints of the workers. As expected, there was, indeed a door leading into an alley and he heaved a sigh of relief as he slipped through it. The smell was the first thing that hit him; it wasn’t pleasant, reeking of rotting cabbage and urine. He didn’t see the next thing that hit him until he slid down the wall and hit the floor.

Stunned, Sacha looked up at the grinning man, who stood over him. It wasn’t Ryland. Damn, he should have thought Ryland would have help and that he’d make sure he had all the bases covered.

“What the hell’s going on? What do you think you’re doing?”

“No,” Sacha cried hoarsely, trying to get up. James couldn’t be here. James mustn’t be here.

Sacha couldn’t get up. His legs were like jelly. He had brief impressions of James struggling with the man. He was shouting. Surely someone would hear.

“Hello, Sacha,” a voice said. It was quiet, but it cut through the sound of struggling and James’ sharp cry. “So nice to see you again.”

“Ryland. Let him go.”

“Really, Sacha, I thought you would have been more pleased to see me, and all you can think about is— Who is he?”

“My brother.”

“How wonderful. I had no idea. I really look forward to getting to know him.”

Sacha glanced over to where James had stopped struggling and was hanging limp in the man’s arms.

“What have you done to him?”

“Nothing that will cause harm. Don’t worry about him. We’re going to have such fun together.”

Sacha raised his head at the sound of a car and was more than surprised to see one heading down the alley. For a moment, wild hope blossomed in his chest, but Ryland was smiling. The car was his, or at least someone who was working with him.

“Come, dear Sacha, let me help you up. We’ll go somewhere more comfortable, more…private. Then we can talk.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to talk. You just have to scream.”

“No.” Sacha wanted to scream, to yell, to kick, but he had no strength. The blow, the shock, the sick knowledge of what was about to happen, left him numb and weak. Ryland tightly gripped his upper arm and yanked him to his feet, holding him there, with an arm around his waist. Sacha let his head fall forward and closed his eyes.

“At least you kept your beautiful hair,” Ryland purred, stroking it. Sacha moaned.

In the car, Ryland sat in the middle of the back seat and drew Sacha in until he was almost lying across his lap. The lackey dumped James on the other side and climbed into the front. The door was barely closed before the car took off.

“You have no idea how happy I am to have you back, Ryland said, caressing Sacha’s face. Sacha turned it away. “You’ve caused me a lot of trouble and expense. But don’t worry, I’ll think of a way you can pay me back.”

“I won’t do it. I won’t do anything for you. I know you’re going to kill me so you may as well get it over with.”

“Kill you? Who said I was going to kill you? You’re far too valuable for that, little one.”

Sacha’s eyes widened. “What are you going to do with me?”

“Put you back to work, of course.”

“I won’t. I won’t do that again.”

“Oh you will. By the time I finish with you, you’ll be begging to. You have no idea how valuable you are. I’ll make back what I lost in no time. I’ve already got some of your regulars lined up. And you’ve brought me such a wonderful present.” James turned his head to look at James, who was beginning to stir.

Sacha snorted. “He won’t do it. There’s no way. He’ll kick your arse.” Sacha was beginning to regain his strength and struggled to sit up, away from Ryland. He’s not a scared nine year old.”

“No, but I have my ways, and besides, I have leverage.”

“What do you mean?”

“You. He’ll do what I tell him if he thinks I’ll kill you if he doesn’t.”

“He hates me. Why don’t you just let him go? I’ll work for you if you let him go.”

“Darling, you’re going to work for me anyway. And see what I mean about leverage? You are brothers after all. Ah, I see my friend has your medicine ready. Good. I’m bored of talking to you now.”

Sacha looked up to see the lackey in the front holding out a syringe. Sacha panicked. He had no idea what was in it. Sometimes Ryland merely knocked him out. Other times it was far more unpleasant and he had a feeling this was one of those times. Panicking, he started to struggle, reaching for the handle of the door. The car was travelling fast, but at this moment he’d rather die throwing himself from the car, than stay here and let Ryland do whatever he planned to do.

Ryland’s arms wrapped around him, his hands grabbing Sacha’s wrists and holding them in a painful grip.

“Stop struggling Sacha. I will hurt you if I have to and you have nowhere to go.”

“I’ll kill myself if I have to. I’ll jump out of the car.”

“I think you’ll find that’s impossible. There are child safety locks. They can’t be opened from the inside. Do you think I didn’t anticipate this?”

Ryland released Sacha’s wrists, and Sacha grabbed the door handle. He yanked but the door didn’t budge. He tried pushing but that had no effect either. By the time he realised it was hopeless, it was too late. The jab of the needle in his arm took away the last of his strength before the drug even had a chance to hit his system.

“What’s going on? What—” Sacha wanted to warn James, to tell him it was easier if he didn’t struggle, but he was too weak. He watched numbly as Ryland accepted another syringe from his lackey.

“It’s lucky I brought extra just in case.” Ryland said cheerfully.

Sacha thought James probably didn’t even see it coming. He felt it though, because he yelled and Sacha body jerked, presumably as James fought with Ryland who bumped him.

It didn’t last long. The struggled stopped and everything went silent. Ryland brushed down his suit.

“He’s a wild one, that brother of yours. I have clients who will eat him up for breakfast. How old is he?”

“Sixteen.” Sacha had trouble speaking. His tongue was huge and his mouth was stuffed with cotton wool. Someone seemed to be stuffing it into his brain too. It was getting hard to think.

Sacha was shocked when his body moved, until he realised it was because Ryland was moving him, to lie across his lap with his head on Ryland’s shoulder, supported on one arm.

“You’re so beautiful, Sacha,” Ryland said, stroking his face. “I worked hard to make you so. I glad your home. Do you love your Daddy?”

Sacha thought of Frank. “Yes,” he said Ryland smiled and continued to stroke him until everything faded out.