Chapter Eighteen

“I am longing to be with you, and by the sea, where we can talk together freely and build our castles in the air.”

- Bram Stoker, Dracula

After two days of rest on the sofa, Sofia agreed I was strong enough to leave the apartment. Despite her attention and eagerness to ensure my every comfort, I longed to feel fresh air and warm sunshine on my face. And I missed the sea. I had worried after almost drowning I would spurn the ocean, it being a reminder of that traumatic experience. But even if nightmares of being swallowed in a vast, black void and my lungs filling with water while I sank interrupted my sleep, I found the sea held no terror for me. I wanted to listen to the waves murmuring against the shore and feel the silky salt water wash over my skin. I was also painfully aware my holiday was due to end soon, my return flight booked from the mainland in two days.

Graciously, Sofia allowed Gabriel to take me to the beach for a picnic and a light swim - she insisted on the light, accompanied by one of Inspetorre Giannetti’s officers, Felipo Caruso, who kept a polite but vigilant distance. In the end, I didn’t swim, merely bobbed up and down in the sea while waves bumped into me. I wallowed in the water, the rich smell of brine and wind brushing across my cheeks.

We were at a new beach, much smaller than the bay with no cliffs. We were alone and I was glad. Gabriel surfaced in front of me, water draining down from his hair. I laughed.
“Last one to the shore gets no food!” I shouted and splashed around him, heading for the beach.
“Hey!” he cried, immediately chasing after me.
I squealed and tried to move faster through the water. Gabriel had no trouble gaining on me. He grabbed my waist and then we were both falling down, laughing, into the surf.
“I guess we’ll both have to starve,” he said.
He stood and then leaned down to swing me up into his arms. I curled my arms around his neck and kissed him.  

We dried off in the sun while we ate.
“I’m coming to England with you,” declared Gabriel, brushing crumbs off his chest.
My teeth stopped chewing on the black olive in my mouth.
“What?”
“I’m coming to England with you,” he repeated.
I swallowed, my heart skipping.
“Really?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “I don’t think I want to be so far away from you.”
“But your life is here.”
“It is, but you’re part of my life now, I have to make adjustments.”
“You’re not going to leave your work here?”
“No, we’ll have to work something out. To be honest, I’d love it if you could live here with me on the island. But I know you have commitments in England, so it’s your choice. But wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
I looked at him, thinking and wishing.
“I’d love to live here,” I admitted. “But it’s not that simple, is it?”
“No, and we don’t have to have it all figured out now,” he replied. “I just want you to know I want you in my life, always.”
My heart was so full then it was fit to burst, clogging my throat and misting my eyes.
“I want that too,” I whispered and wrapped my arms around him.
He held me, murmuring words of love into my ear. 

All too soon it was time to leave. We packed away the food, bottles and towels in a sombre silence. Gabriel grabbed one bag and jogged back to the car. I turned to the sea, gazing out at the never-ending blue, at the gentle waves sloshing against the golden sand, that hypnotic whispering of the water, the unwavering, enticing pull. 

An arm snaked around my shoulders and then closed around my throat. A hand clamped over my mouth.
“Foolish girl to wander around alone,” the familiar mocking voice sneered in my ear.
My heart beat rapidly, images of being confined in the car, the boathouse, him hitting me flashed across my mind. I controlled my panic though every nerve in my body flared in unison. George pulled me back and away, my sandals scraping across the gravel. I clawed at his arms but his hold was strong.
“Now, now, Jenny,” he warned. “Remember what happened last time? If you calm down, I’ll let you go. I just wanted to talk.”
I didn’t believe him but I relaxed, my arms going limp. He released me slowly and I thrust away, spinning to face him. I fought to control the anger and fear coursing through me. Where was Gabriel?

“I don’t know what kind of fantasy you dreamed up in that imaginative head of yours,” George said, cracking his neck. “But I am not some dangerous villain or a criminal. I need you to tell the police you were wrong.”
I laughed hollowly in disbelief.
“Was I wrong about you kidnapping me, tying me up in a shed and then taking me out to sea to kill me? How could I have possibly misinterpreted those actions of yours?”
He shrugged.
“I panicked,” he said, brashly. “Didn’t think and acted hastily. I was concerned for my own safety.”
“I don’t think the police will see it that way.”
He arched an eyebrow.
“You’ll have to convince them.”
“I’ll do no such thing.”
“Come on, Jenny,” he cajoled. “It was just a misunderstanding.”
I glanced at my bag, metres away, with my phone inside. I took a single step sideways towards it.
“Stay where you are,” George warned. “You’re not leaving until I have your promise you’ll withdraw the charges against me and inform the police you were wrong.”
I stopped.
“That’s never going to happen,” I stated, standing my ground. “You don’t get to treat people atrociously as if they’re disposable and walk away. Whatever power or control you think you have, it can be easily taken away from you, and then you’ll return to the pathetic, snivelling little creep you were before.”
His clear expression darkened then, his upper lip curling into a snarl. A cloud passed over the sun.
“You should have gone home to England as soon as you had the chance,” he glowered. “You’ve ruined everything, everything, you understand? I’m being hunted like a rabid dog because of you. Why couldn’t you mind your own business and have just left the island once your holiday was over, huh? Why did you have to poke your nose where it wasn’t wanted? Do you know how much I’ve lost in these deals? No, of course not. And yet you think you just get to walk away!”
His voice had grown angrier as he spoke, spit bubbling at the corner of his mouth. I took a step back.
“Don’t move!” he shouted.
I ignored him, turning, intending to run.
“Don’t think I won’t shoot you!”
I broke into a jog. A shot rang out and the gravel near my feet sprayed up. Ears ringing, I stopped and whirled around to face him. Ten metres away he stood, holding the gun level with my head. My body shook but I gritted my teeth.
“Well done,” I jeered, hearing the tremor in my voice. “Strengthening your plea of innocence by firing on an unarmed woman.”
I hoped someone heard the gunshot.
“I warned you,” he growled. “Now I’m losing my patience.”

Movement behind George drew my eye.
“Oh Gabriel,” I sighed, almost falling to my knees, overwhelmed with relief.
He was approaching too calmly, I thought. Perhaps he didn’t want to escalate the situation. George didn’t turn to face him but kept the gun trained on me. Gabriel stopped, panting lightly.
“You should stay back,” advised George.
Gabriel held up his hands and stopped.
“I’m sorry, Jenny,” he said, grimacing.
I shook my head.
“It’s OK, you’re here now.”
He inhaled deeply and looked past me.
“No, I’m sorry but I have to insist you do what George wants.”
The words hit me like a blow to the face. He couldn’t be serious. A shaky breath eased through my lips.
“What? What do you mean?” I asked.
“Tell the police it wasn’t him,” he explained. “That you were confused.”
I gaped incredulously at him.
“What? Why? Why are you saying this?”
He bit his lip, running his hand through his hair. He still avoided my eyes.
“The people he is involved with contacted me, they said I had to help George get free, clear his name, or,” he paused. “Or they’d make sure the institute was closed down for good. Apparently they have connections everywhere and could easily make it happen. Or they could just burn the institute down and make it look like an accident. They were very explicit.”
No, this wasn’t happening, I told myself. I had woken up from the nightmare, it was over. But it made sense. George’s criminal friends wouldn’t want him arrested and interrogated, they would do whatever they could to ensure that didn’t happen. And they’d chosen their pressure point well.
“I’m sorry, Jenny,” regretted Gabriel. “The institute must continue, the work we do is vital to the health and future of the oceans. It’s beyond me and you and him, it’s the future of the planet. I just can’t take the risk with such ruthless people.”

I couldn’t believe him, but there he stood with a sympathetic, apologetic smile on his face, shoulder to shoulder with George, the man who had most likely killed Carlos and Vittorio, attacked Stefano and hurt me. How was this possible? How could Gabriel betray me, after everything that had passed between us? No, I would not believe it. George seemed to be doubtful too. He was staring at Gabriel, searching for any hint he was lying.

“Please, Jenny,” persisted Gabriel, softly. 
George turned back to me, tightening his grip on the gun. Gabriel finally looked at me, his eyes entreating and then I knew. I shut my eyes, feeling my heart pounding in my chest.
“OK, fine,” I said, surrendering.
I wiped the swelling tears from my eyes and nodded to George.
“I’ll do what you want.”
I saw Gabriel’s shoulders relax. George scrutinised me for a moment, then dipped his chin.
“Good. Let’s not waste any more time then.”
I walked forward and then crouched down, as if checking my shoe. I grasped a handful of sand. In a swift, smooth motion I stood and flung the grains into George’s face. He grunted, recoiling, his hands hastily trying to clear his eyes. Gabriel sprang forward and leapt for George’s gun. I dashed forward and dived for George’s legs. 

George yelled and wrestled free of Gabriel, shoving him away. The gun had flown from his hand and thudded metres away into the sand. He furiously kicked out his legs. His foot caught my jaw and I fell back.

I was roughly seized and dragged upright. Cold metal pressed against my temple, George’s arm restraining me. His clothes dusted in sand, Gabriel stood carefully watching George.
“Clever trick,” George panted. “I almost believed you.”
Gabriel said nothing, his gaze drifting to me. He had lied, attempting to lure George into a false sense of security. When Gabriel had finally looked at me, I saw the silent entreaty in his eyes to understand and to trust him, trust his love. I knew, deep down, he would not sacrifice my integrity or George’s imprisonment for the institute, even if the threat had been genuine. He could begin his work over and over again, but I would never forgive him for his betrayal and abandonment.
“Now you can watch her die before you do,” George crowed. “No witnesses and no substantial evidence makes George a free boy.”

I read the turmoil in Gabriel’s face, the horror of our predicament and his inability to help me. His words to me earlier as he had held me echoed through my mind, their tenderness embracing me now in warmth. Gabriel took a step forward. George flicked the barrel from my forehead and fired it. I recoiled, the shot splitting my eardrums. My eyes blurred but I could see Gabriel clutching his shoulder, a pool of red spreading out beneath his hand. He dropped to one knee. George returned the gun to my head. Gabriel grimaced as he stood, the air hissing through his teeth. If he tried again, George wouldn’t hesitate to fire another bullet into his body.

I thrust my elbow back and down as hard as I could into George’s groin and then stamped back onto his foot with my heel. George gasped, his arm releasing me. He crumpled, his eyes wide with pain. He clutched his groin, his legs squeezing tight. I scrambled for the gun, prying it from his fingers as he tried to direct the barrel at me. It was much heavier than I expected and I had to hold it with both hands. I levelled it at George, hurried breaths shuddering my chest.
“You b***h!” ground out George, struggling to his feet, his face red and throbbing with rage.
I retreated, keeping the gun aimed at him and then threw it as far away as I could. George’s hand clawed into fists.
“I’m going to make you wish you were never born, you little b***h,” he grunted.
He staggered towards me. I ran into the crashing waves. He followed and flung out a hand. He grabbed my wrist and twisted it. I cried out. His fingers knotted in my hair and he yanked hard. I heard my own whimper of pain swiftly silenced by a punch to my stomach.
“Are you learning, you little s**t!” he rasped.
I gasped, trying to suck air into my winded lungs. I felt his hot hands close around my throat and begin to squeeze. I scratched frantically at his hands, his face savage and terrifying. Spots appeared in front of my eyes.

Suddenly, he was torn from me. I choked and collapsed into the waves. I lay, gasping, forcing my lungs to suck in air. Pushing myself up, I wiped the water off my face, coughing. At the edge of the surf, Gabriel grasped George by the collar, his knuckles white.
“Seems to me it’s you who needs to learn,” said Gabriel, the muscles in his neck taut.
“Let go of me,” growled George, his red face turning purple as he struggled to break free.
I tried to stand but dizziness pushed me back.
“Why? So you can go and beat up another woman?” spat Gabriel.
George cursed at him and swung out a leg. Gabriel lurched back and let go. George flung himself at Gabriel, hand raised. Gabriel’s closed fist crunched loudly against George’s jaw. I saw the brief look of astonishment flash across his face before his head snapped back, blood and spit flying from his mouth. He staggered back, clasping his wayward jaw.
“You son of a b***h!” he lisped.
My clothes were completely drenched now so I began to crawl up the shore.
“You made her feel hunted,” said Gabriel, his voice low and even. “Do you know what kind of man that makes you?”
He advanced on George.
“Do you know what kind of man that makes me? ”
I stopped, finally free of the waves. Gabriel took another step forward, slow and deliberate like the tide coming in.
“The kind who doesn’t walk away.”
His eyes didn’t leave George’s.
“The kind who makes sure you never touch her, or anyone else, again.”
George tripped backwards but Gabriel grabbed his arm.
“I wasn’t there to protect her before.”
He turned so his eyes met mine.
“But I’m here now.”
And then he pulled on George’s arm, calmly dislocating his shoulder.