As I am held over the railing I shiver again, the sea air is freezing, its got to be early hours and my eyes a red, dry and sore from all my tears. Peter hasn't yet answered Steve's question, I feel him tighten his grip around my neck and again push me into the railing. Looking into the inky waters below I blink rapidly, I feel faint and my head is spinning I'm so dehydrated and feel weak. I can't concentrate on anything that is happening around me, my legs suddenly give way and I slide down the railings slumping over them.
"Come on mate, let her go" I hear Peter almost plead.
Steve turns back to hall me up; grabbing the back of my hair he pushes me forward with force. I fall beside Peter and Jim lets him go. Falling to his feet Peter helps me crawl up to my knees and pulls me into an embracing hug. He looks up to Steve
"Ok, you've made your point, I'll do it" and he sounds so choked up. He focuses back to me and I feel him stroke my hair softly and hold me close to his chest. Even though I'm in his arms I'm still shivering, he briefly lets go and takes his jacket off. Gently he places it around me and drapes it over my shoulders before grabbing me once again in an embrace. I close my eyes and drink him in this is our most intimate moment since we were on that train last night.
Steve walks passed us and back into the main cabin Jim follows and we are left once again alone. I look up at Peter gripping his t-shirt to keep him close. He shiver's and holds me tighter and placing a soft kiss on my forehead where he settles. I nuzzle close to his neck and wonder what he's agreed to do for Steve? I pluck up the courage to ask, I mean I need to know after all he's dragged me into all this.
"Peter, what have you agreed to do?" I ask.
He tightens his grip on me but doesn't answer and I feel him shake his head. "No, Baby not now, I'm exhausted" he explains. Letting go of me I fall back onto the deck and he stands, leaning down he offers me his hand, I take it and stumble up onto my feet. He pulls me close again and hugs me tightly, clasping me to him so I can barely breathe. "Peter" I mouth gasping for the air, he lets go and leads me back below deck.
Sitting to our left are Steve and Jim, the stare at us coldly and Peter releases my hand. "One moment Carla" he mouths before joining them the opposite side of the table. Steve snaps his fingers and Jim rises and stands tall in front of me creating a barrier between us.
"Remove" I hear Steve order and Jim grabs the top of my arm pushing me backwards and I step back but I'm reluctant. I would fight him but I really don't have the energy. We reach the bedroom and Jim walks me in instead of throwing me and leaves abruptly. I glance at my watch only to see it's two in the morning, I look longingly at the bed but as tired as I am I can't bring myself to sleep. I hope Jim is not outside the door I need to know what is going on so I tiptoe over being as quiet as I can. Pressing my ear against it I can't hear any movement so I move my hand down to the knob, gripping it tightly I carefully turn it and it clicks open. I let out a sigh of relief and am thankful it's not locked. Carefully I peel it open and poke my head round the doorframe and assess my surroundings. Jim is nowhere to be seen and there doesn't appear to be any sign of life. I step out and stand flush with the wall, holding my breath I slide along remaining on tiptoes and glancing up and down the corridor.
I stop at the end of the wall and peer round into the left of the main cabin. I can see Jim stood at the end of the table and faint movements and gestures flying across between Peter and Steve. I listen intently adamant to know what's going on.
"Ok so the plan Peter is.." I hear Steve begin. "We'll be hitting the docks of Lanzarote in a day or two, myself and Jim will work on this plan with you till then, you however are going to have to keep Ms Connor under control she is not to know this or she'll blow it and the price to pay for failure is expensive, do you understand?" His lips curl in amusement, as Peter is stunned.
Peter furrows his brow and licks his lip nervously, he holds his hands up almost in surrender "Ok, Ok Steve you have my word, I'll do it" I can tell from the way he's behaving he's nervous and it's not because of what he's about to do it's because he can't tell me.
"Right, now get a good nights sleep and we'll get to business in the morning" Steve gestures his hand to Peter and they shake.
"Jim escort Peter back to Carla" Steve orders and Jim begins to turn.
"Damn" I whisper but too loudly and Jim flashes his eyes in my direction, I can hear my heart pounding as I thud back against the wall and take a minute. I close my eyes and gulp hoping I haven't been seen but I hear the footsteps of what I think is Jim and Peter. Adrenaline rushes through me and I turn and hurriedly rush back to the cabin, I don't look back and dive through the doorway clinging to the door as I go to push it shut but it's stopped in it's path by a shiny black shoe and I slowly guide my eyes, laced with panic, upwards. I'm stopped as I stare forward my head begins to spin once more as I'm overwhelmed. Shit I'm in trouble now.