A Highland Wedding

On The Run

CLAIRE

They took me to the same hospital where Anna was staying. Something was wrong though and it had nothing to do with the wounds I inflicted on myself. The cops were sympathetic and they told me they found Maddox trying to escape.

My hand wasn’t broken but my fingers were dislocated. I was hoping that I had a broken hand. Sighing, I should have done something differently. The pain was horrible but a broken hand would have been better.

The doctor was getting ready to check my head when I saw a couple of men in black uniforms walking around. They peered into my cubicle and I narrowed my eyes at them. My instincts were telling me that I needed to get going.

Putting a hand on my stomach I eased the butterflies that were fluttering in it. “It will be fine baby.”

I grabbed my stuff and felt a little lightheaded from the painkillers. Grabbing my phone I was going to send a text to Maddox to get me. That wouldn’t have been smart considering he was now most likely in police protection.

I was trying to think about the contacts I made through Maddox and my time spent in the clubs. I smiled as I remembered Lavinia. She was a saucy number that used to hit on me and then hit on Maddox. We almost had a threesome one drunken night but she was called back to Italy.

I ducked out of the cubicle and started for the door. Someone said something to me but I wasn’t listening. It was time to run again. I may be paranoid but my instincts have never steered me wrong.

Taking out my phone I scrolled through the contacts and found Lavinia’s number. When I was out on the street I inhaled sharply as the light stabbed my eyes. I was probably dealing with a concussion.

I hurried away from the hospital and found a park. There were people staring at me but I didn’t care. Let them stare. The more people who saw a battered woman the better my chances were of saying I was terrified and escaping my attacker.

Dialing Lavinia’s number I hoped that she was in Italy. I know she was a model and sometimes took jobs overseas. The phone rang and I practiced what I would say.

“Hello, who is this?” A man answered the phone and I was scared that maybe Lavinia didn’t have this number anymore.

“I…I’m sorry I am a friend of Lavnia’s I hope this is her number.” I made my voice low and sound weak. The man on the other end was shuffling around.

“I am her boyfriend, she is out right now. How can I help you? Are you ok?” I smiled and knew I had him.

“No….I am in trouble. My boyfriend beat me up and he followed me to the hospital. He has private security men following me. I’m scared for my baby.” I let a sob escape and he inhaled sharply.

“Where are you? I can come to get you and Lavinia and I can help you.” I looked around and cursed myself internally.

“I’m not sure where I am I was at the hospital and just ran when I saw my boyfriend and his goons. I’m at a park but I am afraid to stay here.” I heard keys jingling and then he was talking to someone.

“Claire is that you? I was wondering what happened to you after that night in England. Jason said you are in trouble. Where are you baby girl I can come get you.” I looked around and saw two of the security men from the hospital looking for me.

“I can’t talk I have to move. Let me text you the information. I can’t go back to my apartment he might have people there waiting to kill me.”

“Is this Maddox? He was crazy for you; he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” Frowning I had to try and think of something to deter her from that train of thought.

“No, Maddox was trying to help me and he ended up getting arrested. He told me to run. He was so brave.” I made it sound like I was crying but in reality, I was trying to find a spot to lie low.

“That is horrible, it also sounds like Maddox.” They spotted me and I frowned. Ducking down an alley I saw a street festival and thanked my good luck. I managed to blend in with the crowd and kept alert.

“I need to go. Let me send the information ok.” Hanging up I looked at the street signs and texted her the name of the city and the street names. I just hoped she was close by so I didn’t have to keep running.

Honey, you are forty-five minutes from where I am. I do have a friend in that city who can keep you safe. Look for the Naughty Kitty lounge near Piazza Caruso.

THANK YOU! I will try to hail a taxi and get there.

No problem doll, Jason and I will be there to pick you up as soon as possible. Xo

I made my way through the crowd of people and found a couple of taxis waiting at the taxi stand. I slipped into the back seat of one and the cab driver looked at me in shock. I smiled weakly and gave him the address.

“Signora, that is not a place for proper women.” I wanted to frown and I started crying.

“That may be, but my friend told me to go there. It is safer. I can’t go to the police; my boyfriend is one of them.” The cab driver cursed and nodded.

“Police are dirty around here. I take you to your friend’s place. Relax I make sure you are safe.” I smiled weakly and lay my hands on my stomach.

“My baby and I thank you.” He smiled and turned on the radio. It was opera and while I wasn’t a fan of the genre of music, it was soothing. I was going to get away.

I needed to regroup though and think about what I was going to do next. Maddox was not going to be useful anymore.