by Nikki Rose
I went to the cupboard to get the two cups out. I had to stretch to reach the cups and I cringed. I wrapped my arms protectively around my body and a curse slipped past my lips.
“Rachel,” Anthony’s worried voice cut through the quiet. He was at my side within seconds, wrapping me in his tender embrace.
“I’m okay,” I reassured him.
“No, you’re not. You’re hurt because I let you go to him.”
“So we could get Belle back—and we did.”
“And for that, I can never repay you. But I should’ve found another way.” He helped me to the couch and brought me a cup of coffee.
“There was no other way. That was the best option and it worked. I just underestimated Ian’s cruelty.” I looked down at the cup in my lap. I couldn’t look into his eyes when I talked about Ian. “I really thought a part of him cared for me. After all he did, I thought he still cared about me. How stupid was I?”
Anthony lifted my face to look at him. “I want you to listen to me right now. Rachel, you are not stupid. You are one of the smartest and bravest women I’ve ever met. You never cease to amaze me with the depth of your goodness. I don’t want to ever hear you call yourself stupid again.”
I nodded and he continued, “Last night—you thought you were going to die.”
“What?”
“When you were in the trunk. You thought you were going to die.”
“How do you know that?”
“I still had my earpiece in. I could hear you the whole time. The way you told me not to blame myself and that you loved me. You were telling me goodbye.”
I looked down as a tear slipped down my cheek and I nodded.
He reached his hand to the back of my head and gently pulled me to meet his lips. His kiss was soft, remembering my injuries, but it was still somehow just as powerful. It washed away the painful memories of the night before, even if just for a moment.
Chapter Seventeen
Rachel
“I took four weeks off work. We had Belle temporarily homeschooled. During that time, we were lost in our own little bubble and I enjoyed every second being here with you. But we can’t hide away from the world forever. We all need to get back to our lives to be able to truly move on.” Anthony held my hand, gazing deeply into my eyes as if imploring me to understand, but I couldn’t.
“We have. Belle’s back in school. I’ve started going out. I just feel like it’s too soon for you to leave again.”
“I promise I won’t be gone for long.”
“You said that last time, and look what happened. I almost lost you.” I reached for his hand at the kitchen table and squeezed it softly, feeling desperate to hold on to him. “I just can’t bear it again.”
“This isn’t like before. I’m not going to be fighting. I just have to meet with a team I’ve been working closely with for a while now. We have to do an in-person meet every couple of months to make sure their cover hasn’t been compromised.”
“Is there anything I can say to get you to stay?”
Anthony flashed me that gorgeous smile and leaned in to press his lips to mine. I knew his answer without him saying a word. He was going and there was no changing that. I sighed and forced a smile.
“You better come back to me, and soon.”
“I’ll only be gone a couple of nights. I should be home by Monday.”
“If not, I’m going to have words with Director Graham.”
Anthony chuckled and kissed me again. “I better get packing. I want to pick up Belle from school, then go out for an early dinner with my two favorite girls in the world before I have to leave at six.”
“At six?” I sighed. “It’s just never enough time.”
“I know. But, just think… The sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll be back.”
“Well, in that case, let me help you pack,” I smirked at him and jumped up from the table, but he pulled me into his lap with a laugh.
“Not so fast.” He guided my lips to his with a single finger crooked under my chin. I softened as I yielded to his kiss. I could tell where this was leading. I’d learned Anthony’s body language, even if I hadn’t been able to feel his growing excitement beneath me.
“Anthony…” I moaned. “We better stop before we end up losing ourselves. You still have to pack and everything.”
“But I want to lose myself in you—just for a little while.” His raspy whisper against my ear sent shivers down my body. He pulled away and took his phone from his pocket. “Hey, Dante, I need you and Em to pick up Belle from school and bring her here… Normal time… Yeah. Thanks, man.” He hung up and I looked at him curiously.
“Dante’s picking up Belle?”
“Yep.” He smirked.
“So, we have…?”
“About an hour before I need to pack.” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his unyielding muscular chest.
He kissed me deeper that time, causing my body to ignite instantly. I moaned into his mouth, pulling him closer with my hands at the back of his neck. Our lips never parted as he cradled me in his arms and carried me into the bedroom.
Anthony laid me on the bed as though I were the most precious thing in the world. He slowly crawled up my body until we were chest-to-chest, his forehead resting against mine. “You are my world, my everything. I’m not a perfect man but I promise to do everything I can to make you happy.”
I pressed my lips to his then nuzzled his nose with mine. “You make me happier than I ever thought possible.”
He kissed me wildly as we gripped and tugged on each other’s clothes until we were finally skin-to-skin, body-to-body. He entered me slowly, letting me feel every inch as he sank into me.
My back arched from the waves of pleasure that radiated from my core to cover my whole body like ripples in a lake. I held on to him hard, digging my fingertips into his shoulders and back, holding him close—refusing to let him go.
* * * *
A knock on the door made me jump. I looked up to see Anthony sitting against the headboard, smiling down at me.
“I must have dozed off. How long was I asleep?” I rubbed my eyes.
“About twenty minutes. I took the opportunity to pack. That’s probably Dante at the door.”
“I need to get dressed.” I looked down at my body, tangled up in the white bed sheet.
“I wish you didn’t have to. I like seeing you like this.” He smirked and there was a second knock at the door.
“You better get that.”
“Okay, but when I get back, I want to see you just like this again.”
“We’ll have the rest of our lives for you to see me like this. You might even get sick of it eventually.”
“Never.” Anthony leaned over and kissed me before rushing out of the bedroom and closing the door.
I took a quick shower and dressed before coming out to greet Belle.
“Rachel!” She squealed and ran to hug me. “Daddy said he has to go out of town again, but only for a little time. Can we have another girl-day, like we did before?”
I smiled and hugged her tightly. “I don’t see why not. Maybe we can see if Sarah and Em want to join us this time?”
“Yay,” She hugged me tighter. “Daddy, did you hear that?”
“I sure did, princess. Make sure you’re extra good for Rachel while I’m gone.”
“I will, Daddy.” She grinned so sweetly that it made me smile too.
“Are we ready to go eat? I’m starved.”
“I wonder why?” Anthony smirked at me as he placed his firm hand against the small of my back and ushered us out of the door.
For dinner, Anthony treated us to a fun evening at a local Japanese restaurant where they cooked the food right in front of us. Belle had never been, so I was excited to see how she enjoyed it. Since we were having an early dinner, the wait was almost nonexistent.
The hostess escorted us through the main foyer that was decorated in traditional Japanese design, but the
real attraction was the darkly painted ceiling where tiny lights mimicked the stars and night sky.
“Daddy, Daddy, look. It’s like we’re outside.” She peered up in awe, nearly knocking into another patron.
“Careful, Belle,” I grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the way just in time.
There were several U-shaped tables with large cooking surfaces in the center of each. One group was already being entertained by a chef and I had to lead Belle so she wouldn’t bump into anyone, her eyes glued on the action.
“This is amazing.” Belle squealed as the chef chopped the vegetables faster than should be humanly possible. He tossed his spatula in the air and caught it before flipping the food. Belle gasped and giggled happily. “Can we learn to cook like that too?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that.” I watched him in disbelief.
“I have no doubt you could do anything you put your mind to,” Anthony countered and wrapped his arm around me.
My body melted into his and I leaned against him while Belle was completely engrossed in watching the chef. “Do you really have to leave?”
“Yes, but let’s not talk about that right now. Let’s just enjoy a wonderful dinner together before I have to go.”
“Okay,” I leaned up and softly kissed his lips. “It’s just… What would you say if I told you that I wished you’d leave your job for something less dangerous?” I asked timidly.
“Leave my job?” Anthony seemed completely shocked by my hypothetical question and I began to wish I’d never asked it. “I’d say that I have a responsibility to my men. Does this have to do with what happened last time?”
“Of course it does. When you were missing, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I can’t stand the thought of you constantly being at risk.”
“Something could happen to anyone. I could be walking down the street to get a burger and get hit by a car.”
“True, but most people’s day-to-day job doesn’t include getting shot at like yours does.”
Belle squealed at the chef, who was flipping a shrimp into a bowl on top of his tall white hat and Anthony lowered his voice so that only I could hear. “We’ll talk about this more when we have time alone.”
I nodded and forced the conversation to the back of my mind so that I could enjoy our dinner together before Anthony had to leave. The last thing I wanted to do was to spend what little time we had arguing or me sulking.
Dinner came to an end way too soon then it was time for Belle and me to say our goodbyes to Anthony. Although he assured me that he wasn’t going to be in any danger, a sickening feeling settled into my stomach. I didn’t want him to go, but I knew he had to. There would be no changing his mind.
“Hurry home to us.”
“I will be back as soon as I can. It should be no more than a couple of days.”
“You’ll text me?”
Anthony looked unsure.
“What?”
“I won’t be able to be in contact once I’m on-site, but I promise it won’t be long.”
I hated that I wouldn’t be able to even text him for a couple of days. It brought back too many terrible memories of his last trip.
Chapter Eighteen
Rachel
On Monday morning, there was a knock on the door, and while I knew Anthony would have a key, I rushed to open it, expecting it to be him. Instead, I was met by the faces of two police officers.
“Hello. How may I help you, Officers?”
“We’re looking for Anthony Parker. Is this his residence?”
“It is, but he’s not here. Are you associates of his?” I wasn’t sure of the protocol for finding out if they were connected to his work.
“Who might you be?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Rachel, Anthony’s fiancée.”
“Do you know what time he’ll be home?”
“I’m afraid he’s out of town on business right now, but I can make sure to tell him if he calls.”
“Out of town?” The two men glanced at each other as if they shared a secret.
“Yes, he’s traveling for work.”
“May we come in?” As the shorter of the two policemen asked that, Belle’s sweet little voice made its way to me from her room where she was talking with her dolls.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”
“We understand. Maybe you could come down to the station and answer a few questions for us once you get her to school?” the second officer asked.
“Of course, but would you mind telling me what this is about?”
“It would be better to discuss without the risk of any interruptions.” The taller police officer tilted his head in the direction of Belle’s voice down the hall and I got his meaning.
“I’ll have the driver bring me straight there after she goes to school.”
“Thank you for your time.”
I watched as the two policemen walked away. Unease settled into my stomach. What could they want with Anthony? If they had been involved with his agency, they would have known he was on a mission.
I had just shut the door when there was another knock. Already on edge, I jumped and quickly answered without looking out. What do those cops want now?
“Oh, Em. What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Dae. I thought you were wanting me to take Belle to school today so you could go to the library?”
“Oh. I’m sorry, yes. Thank you, Em.”
“You’re welcome. Also, Dante wanted me to let you know that he’s downstairs to take you to the store whenever you’re ready.”
“Oh good. Let me grab my purse and I’ll walk you down. Belle, Em’s here. It’s time to go.”
“Em!” Belle squealed as she ran down the hall.
We took the elevator down to the lobby then outside, where Dante stood beside a black SUV. Em’s dark sedan was parked behind him.
“Ms. Dae, good morning.” He inclined his head and opened the back door for me as he had the previous mornings.
“Good morning, Dante.” I smiled and bent down to be level with Belle. “Have a great day at school and I’ll see you after.”
“You have a great day too.” She smiled and hugged my neck.
I watched Em secure her in the back of the car before they drove off.
“To the store, Ms. Dae?” Dante looked back at me in the rearview mirror.
“Actually, I have to go to the police station.”
He frowned and studied me for a moment. “Is everything all right, Ms. Dae?”
“I’m not sure. Two police officers showed up at the door this morning, just before Em came up. They were looking for Anthony, but I don’t know what they want. They asked if I could come down to answer some questions.”
“I’ll come with you, but I’d also like to call the boss.”
“Do you think it’s anything to worry about?”
“I’m sure everything’s fine. We just have to be careful in our line of work. Usually local cops don’t know about our agents and their actions. It's above their clearance level.”
He pulled out into traffic and pressed a button on his phone that was mounted on the dash of the car. He must have had an earpiece in, because I could only hear his side of the conversation.
“Pass me through to the director. Director? Yes, they’re safe. I’m not sure, sir. Ms. Dae informed me that two police officers came to her door today asking for Parker… Yes, sir. They want her to come in for questioning… Of course, sir.” He hung up the phone and glanced at me in the mirror before looking back at the road. “The director said for you to only answer questions that I approve. If I feel the situation needs to involve a lawyer, the agency will send one over to represent you or Mr. Parker.”
“Should I be worried?”
“No, ma’am. I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”
I gave him a smile through the mirror. “Thank you.”
It didn’t take us long to get to th
e police station. Dante parked and rounded the SUV to open my door. He escorted me in, and I’d never been so glad to have a security detail. It was nice to have someone there who I knew was on mine and Anthony’s side.
We walked into the station, which was buzzing with activity. One of the officers from earlier waved to get my attention from across the room and made his way over to me. “Ms. Dae.” He offered his hand and I shook it. “Thank you for coming down. I don’t think I even got to introduce myself earlier. I’m Detective Kelly, and who is this with you? I hope you didn’t go to the trouble of getting a lawyer for some simple questions.”
“Oh, no. This is—”
“I’m a friend. We had plans today so I offered to drive Rachel,” Dante interceded.
He looked at us suspiciously. “A friend, huh? Sir, you can sit out here.” He motioned toward a line of chairs near the entrance. “And, Ms. Dae, if you’ll come with me?” Detective Kelly motioned toward an interrogation room.
“I’ll be staying with Ms. Dae,” Dante stated in a way that gave no room for discussion.
“These things usually work better if we just have the one—”
“I’m not concerned with how things usually work. I’ll be staying with Ms. Dae.”
The detective didn’t bother arguing further. He just tilted his head in the direction of the room. “This way.”
I remembered the last time I had been in one of these rooms and my heart started to pound in my chest. I was sure I looked guilty of something, the way my nerves hit me, but Detective Kelly seemed unaware.
“Please, have a seat.” He motioned to one side of the table while seating himself across from me.
“You said you had some questions for me?”
“Yes, you are currently living with Mr. Parker, correct?”
“I am.”
“And where is Mr. Parker at this time?”
I glanced at Dante and he spoke out before I could. “He’s working.”
“Sir, if you’ll let Ms. Dae answer, please.”
“Anthony’s at work, like he said and like I told you earlier,” I answered.
