Stanton Box Set

“Please Max, I’m begging. I need your help. I have no other options.”

His eyes hold mine as he thinks. “Let me buy the tickets and then we will go for a walk and text him before we dump the sim.”

An hour later we have caught a cab to the other side of town and Max takes out his phone. He blows out a heavy breath as he types the text.

I have found her.

She’s safe.

He rubs his forehead in frustration and a text bounces immediately back.

Thank god.

Where are you?

I will come and get you.

“Natasha, honestly. Can’t you just talk to him? He will never forgive me if I do this. Joshua has been very good to me,” he urges.

“Please Max, he’s confused and is only with me out of obligation. He just wants me to be safe and in time this is what is best for him. He will eventually understand.” My lip quivers with unshed tears again.

I’m sorry.

She won’t come back.

I am taking her home to Australia.

I will call you when we land.

Once again, I’m really sorry.

With that he pulls his phone apart, takes the sim out and throws it into the bin. He looks at me solemnly. “Our bus to San Diego comes in two hours. From there we will get a plane to Honalulu and then fly direct to Sydney. I hope you know what you are doing Natasha. Are you sure you won’t regret this decision?”

My eyes fill with tears as pain lances my heart. “Every day,” I whisper.

Chapter 7

“Tash, put your seat up.” I force my bleary eyes open. “We are in Sydney, honey.”

I nod gratefully, unable to speak. Only five days ago I boarded a flight to LA filled with such hope, such joy in my heart. Now I am returning empty and tired. I am emotionally exhausted. I have nothing left.

An hour later I stare out the window in silence as Max manoevres his Audi through the city. We are both lost in thought. What am I going to tell work? Where do I start? I fell in love with my cousin who turned out not to be my cousin, murdered my beloved father and lef

t my so-called boyfriend. He then took a drug overdose because he may be a cocaine addict and he nearly died so I went to him and then found out he is sleeping with the other woman he’s in love with. This is like the world’s worst James Bond film … on steroids. I frown as I summarise the events so far. I am so being punked—where are the fucking TV cameras? They are going to think I am the world’s biggest loser … and guess what? They’re right, I am. We park out the front of my building and Max parks the car.

“I’m going to text him now.” He pulls out a phone we have just stopped and purchased. I swallow and nod as he starts to type.

We are out the front of Natasha’s house now.

She’s home safe.

He pushes send and blows out a breath. We both sit still, waiting for a response. It beeps a message.

You’re fired.

Another guard will take over in three days.

I am giving you one month’s notice.