Takedown by Heather Atkinson (latest books to read txt) 📕

Putting down her mug she stepped out onto the balcony, scanning the ground below. The car park was well lit, part of the security measures of this complex. She could see no one but that didn’t mean no one was there.

Forced to retreat back inside because of the cold, she closed the doors and locked them before yanking the curtains shut. She sank onto the couch and buried her face in her hands, wondering if she was really being watched or if this was all thanks to the trauma Marlow had left her with, which was more potent than she’d ever admitted to anyone, even Vance. The memory returned of his face looming over her, his eyes blazing with rage and a little madness as he repeatedly stabbed her in the stomach. She closed her eyes, slowly breathing in and out as she attempted to push away the memory.

Her eyes flew open when she heard the bedroom door open and Vance walked into the room pulling on his robe.

“What’s wrong?” he asked her.

“Nothing,” she said casually, picking up her mug of tea and taking a sip, wincing because it had gone cold.

“Oh yes there is,” he said, sitting beside her. “You’re all pale and tense.” He brushed her hair back off her face. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

“I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I got up to have a cup of tea. I was standing at the balcony doors and I thought someone was watching me.”

Vance flew to his feet and tore open the doors, shivering as the blast of cold air hit him.

“It’s no use,” she said. “No one’s there. It’s my imagination, I’m sure of it.”

He closed the doors and locked them before returning to her side. “Why are you so sure?”

“Because I was thinking of when Marlow was…stabbing me.”

“Oh sweetheart,” he said, wrapping her in his arms.

She nestled into him, enjoying his warmth. “You were right. I could do with speaking to a counsellor.”

“What’s made you change your mind?”

“If I am being stalked then whoever’s doing it can’t be everywhere I am. I feel like I’m being watched most of the time, meaning if someone is watching me they’re constantly following me. And what lunatic would stand out there in this weather at this time of night?”

“I’m still not willing to dismiss the idea. I want to be certain, so I’m still picking up that security equipment in the morning but I agree you do need to talk to someone about what happened. I haven’t told you this because I thought it might upset you but you’ve started talking in your sleep and you say Marlow’s name a lot.”

“I say his name?” she said, revolted with herself.

“Well, not exactly say. You’re sort of yelling and screaming and telling him to leave you alone.”

‘Christ,” she said, dragging her hands through her hair. “I do often have nightmares about what happened. What’s wrong with me? I thought I was stronger than this.”

“You are strong Faith but things get to everyone, no matter how tough they are. I reckon part of your problem is that you’re ashamed of your feelings but you shouldn’t be. You went through a terrible ordeal, it was incredibly traumatic and you’ve a right to be upset about it. Tomorrow we’re going to find a counsellor and you’ll tell them everything. I’ll come with you if you want or if you prefer you can go in on your own. Either way I’ll be there to support you. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Faith inhaled deeply as some of the weight she’d carried about lately felt to lift a little. He was right, she’d kept her feelings in, wanting to be strong for the family but if she stayed on this path it would end up destroying her, then what use would she be to anyone?

“Thanks Vance,” she said, grasping his hand. “I needed to hear that. I just don’t want to seem weak.”

“I would never think that. None of us would. What you’ve done for us all is amazing. Let us look after you for a change.”

She smiled and nestled into him, Marlow’s spectre fading before her eyes.

Vance was up and out early the next morning to go and pick up the security equipment, leaving Faith to have a lie in. She’d decided to take a few days off from work to rest on the instruction that Vance and Caleb run things between them, although she could imagine that Caleb would end up deferring to his older brother.

After breakfast she sat down with her laptop and researched counsellors, selecting a local woman who had great reviews. She arranged an appointment with her for the next day then curled up in front of the telly in her pyjamas to watch a film.

She dozed off on the couch and was woken by Vance clattering into the flat along with his brothers.

“Sorry, did we wake you?” he said, laden down with bags.

“It’s okay,” she yawned, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. “If I sleep too late I won’t sleep tonight.” She frowned when he dumped the bags on the floor. “Is all that the security equipment?”

“Yep.”

“Are you intending to spy on the whole town too?”

“It’s some top gear,” said an enthusiastic Kevin. “The guy Vance bought it from proper knew his stuff. He used to spy for the military.”

“You sure?” she replied. “People who really do that don’t tend to brag about it.”

“He had some stories to tell. It was really interesting wasn’t it?” he said, looking at Jason.

“Yeah,” he replied. “He’s been to Russia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Surrey.”

“Surrey?” she frowned.

“Yeah. That wasn’t to do with his work but it was a great story about a one-armed prostitute.”

“I don’t want to hear