CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Iwish I wasn’t hooded in the back seat. I’d have been over the moon to see the Belgravia Towers in the distance, getting closer with every mile. My spirit is soaring when the car pulls to a stop. My lip trembles at the thought I’m finally home. I can hardly comprehend it.
“You can remove your hood now, Holly,” the driver says.
“Thank you. Thanks so much!”
I pull the ties of the hood loose and I’m out of it in seconds, my fingers fumbling straight for the seatbelt clip.
It’s Josh who opens the door for me, helping me out of the car, with acareful, baby.But I have no time for careful right now. No matter how much I’m hurting from the hours of punishment I’ve just taken, all I want is him.
I wrap my arms around my boyfriend’s neck, sobbing as the Bentley drives away. My tears blur my vision as I stare up at the mirrored glass of the East Tower. I have to wipe them away before the full beauty of the place truly hits me. I look up at the eighth floor. There are our windows! Oh my God, I can see them, all lit up!
Josh takes my hand, squeezing it tight as we stand together, grinning up at our home. The place we built a life together.
It’s my beacon of light in the darkness, just as it always has been. Yet another blessing that my career with The Agency granted me from the shell of poverty and worthlessness.
Once again, Connor lost the fight. I know that now. I feel it in my bones.
And his fall from grace is only going to get worse. The founders’ tone said it all.
“Fuck, Ells, I’ve never packed so fast in my life,” Josh says, with a laugh. “Apologies in advance for the state of your suitcase. I just lobbed everything in and booked a cab.”
I laugh back. “You could have left it there and I wouldn’t have given a stuff. Everything I need is right here.”
Josh sighs. It’s amazing to see the pure relief in his smile.
“It felt so good to open the front door. Fuck me, I’m so happy we’ve got some time to enjoy it.”
I close my eyes, tears pricking at the thought.
“I can’t wait to open the front door myself.”
“I can’t wait either, so let’s get you inside. Let’s get you home.”
He tries his best to calm me down and support me on the walk, but my adrenaline is back and my endorphins are flying higher than the tower itself as we walk through the courtyard gardens and into the lobby of the East Wing. I brush my fingers against the marble wall on our way to the elevator, still in disbelief. Even the button of the elevator feels like a long-lost friend. I press it ten times over, my face streaming with happy tears by the time it arrives and the doors ping open.
Floor eight.
Jesus Christ, how amazing it feels to lean back against the handrail on the ascent.
“You ok, baby?” Josh asks.
“Ok could never, ever cut it in a million years.” I meet his gorgeous green eyes. “I feel absolutely fucking amazing.”
He grins, showing off his perfect smile.
“So do I.”
We’re hand in hand as we approach our front door. Josh gives me the key, but my hand is so shaky that he has to help me turn it in the lock.
“Home, Ells,” he says, and pushes the door open, and there it is. Home. Right in front of me.
I cover my mouth with my hands as I step inside, spinning around at the brilliance. I never thought it would be possible to miss a weird ass rug so bad, with its fluffy purples and streaks of neon green.
I perch on one of our white leather sofas, careful not to bounce my battered tits, and stare in wonder at the place I’ve been yearning for. I’d never thought in a million years we’d have to abandon it. We left for Cannes with no idea in the slightest.
Josh walks over to one of his bookshelves, and runs his hand across the book spines. His sci-fi collection. He looks like he wants to hug every single paperback.
