Whereareyoupart16

Maria didn't know what to expect from Joe, or more importantly what he expected from her, though she could take a good guess. She was still in the same position Joe had left her When he came out of the bathroom, wearing only a towel slung low round his waist, she made a quick exit to the bathroom, locking the door securely behind her.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her cheek was red, a handprint visible where he slapped her. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to make the puffiness go down. She heard Joe's voice in the next room, he didn't sound very happy, in fact he sounded furious. She put the lid down on the toilet and sat, Joe's voice was getting louder and louder, his words though weren't that clear. She thought she'd heard the words drugs and casino. She sat up straighter when she heard her name mentioned.

She was curious to why he was ranting, she took a deep breath and reached for the lock, she snatched her hand back when she heard glass shatter. She almost jumped out of her skin when there was a loud ban on the door.

"Maria! Get in here now!!"

Maria didn't want to make him angrier, she quickly unlocked the door. Joe had a suitcase on the bed and was putting his neatly folded clothes in. He looked over her, watching him.

"Over there is a case, put some clothes in."

"Where am I going?"

" We are going to 'Vegas'."

Maria's heart thumped loudly in her chest.

"We're going to Vegas? Both of us?"

"What part of WE don't you understand? That tends to mean both of us. Now get packed or I might decide to leave you behind."

That was the last thing she wanted, at least in Vegas she might find someone who would be willing to help her. Maybe even see Craig there, if Joe hadn't got rid of him like he'd once threatened. She shoved a few clothes in the case, she wasn't dressed yet but then she didn't want to change in front of Joe. The phone rang, Joe snatched it up.

"Yes!"

"Right....is the helicopter ready?"

"Good."

"Tell him ten minutes."

He looked at Maria as he snatched his own case up and headed for the door.

"If you don't come down in five minutes, I'll leave without you."

"But I'm not ready, I'll never make it in time."

"Why don't I give you a little incentive then? If you don't come with me, I'll let my men have a free for all with you. Or maybe that what you prefer?"

He chuckled as he left, Maria grabbed jeans and a t-shirt, not bothering to change her underwear, she dragged them on. Her hair was a mess but to hell with that too. She just needed to get the hell out of here. She didn't even bother with putting her shoes on, she picked them up along with her case and ran from the room.

As she ran down the stairs she saw the back of Joe as he headed out the front door. She ran faster down the stairs almost losing her balance. The front door was slowly closing, she grabbed it before it clicked shut, she swung it open and bumped into Joe.

"So you decide to join me? I guess there's hope for us after all."

Maria gave him a small smile, she didn't want to give any reason to leave her behind. He looked down at her bare feet.

"Don't you think you should put your shoes on?"

"It can wait."

"Whatever you say."

They rounded the corner of the building, she could hear the whirring of the blades from the helicopter. She didn't like flying at the best of times, but nothing would stop her from getting on it. As soon as she was seated she fastened herself in tightly. The door slammed shut, sweat was forming on her brow. Joe handed her a pair of headphones with mike attached. When the helicopter moved a little she gripped her shoes tight to her chest. She heard Joe's voice.

"Why don't you cling to me instead of those shoes?"

Maria ignored him, she just gripped tighter, her stomach somersaulted when she felt them lift, bile rose in her throat, she was going to be sick. She opened her eyes to find a bag thrust in front of her face.

"Use it."

She grabbed it from Joe's hand, only just in time. She brought up last nights supper. When there was nothing left, she folded the bag over. Joe took it from her and put it to one side in another bag.

"Feel better?"

Maria nodded, she looked to her left, the ground was far away. She quickly closed her eyes again. She felt Joe take her hand, she tried to pull away but he held it tighter, she stopped struggling. Instead she looked at him.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, ask away."

"How come you're taking me to Vegas with you?"

"Well I figured you'd want to be there for the funeral."

"Funeral? Who's funeral?"

"You're fathers."

Maria paled, she felt sick again but pushed it from her mind.

"Oh my god, he's...he's...."

"Dead. Yes."

She closed her eyes slowly, her bastard father might not have been the best fathers, he might even had sold her but good or bad he was still her father....now he'd left her for good.

TBC