Page 34 of Stanton Unconditional

“Get me back to Australia, Max, I need to get out of here.

This isn’t my happy ever after I dreamt about.” “But Tash.”

“No… are you going to help me or not, because if not you can fuck off right now too!”

He smirks. “Really, fuck off?”

I smirk back. “Basically.”

“So, you want me to basically fuck off.” I smile through my tears as I nod.

“I will go and buy us some bus tickets to another state and then we will get on a plane back to Australia. But I want you to call Joshua and tell him you are safe first.”

My eyes widen with horror. “I am not calling him Max; he will just talk me around. I have no resistance against him. Please, you text him and tell him you are coming with me and that I’m safe.”

He rubs his face in frustration. “Tash, you are asking too much of me. I will lose my job.”

“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 Honolulu 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.