Thief: The Dove in the Darkness

by Katlynn Rose

  The sound of a struggle followed Lea but quickly faded as she ran further into the trees. That was when she became aware that someone was following her. Panic lent her speed, and she darted between the trees, her small form easily slipping through the tight spaces. Her pursuer fell back, and she knew her only hope of escape was hiding in the foliage, unless.... Maybe she could make it to the ghost town and lose him in the maze of buildings.

  She began to veer her course to the tourist attraction, already feeling the strain on her ribs and lungs, but she dare not stop. As she zigzagged through the trees, she began to think her labored breathing was louder than her footfalls. Her lungs burned, but she kept her lead and burst through the tree-line to race past the ticket counter well ahead of her pursuer.

  The old town had been turned into a tourist attraction, featuring a string of stores and restaurants, but thankfully it was under construction and closed for the season. Even though it was infested with security lights, there were still enough shadows for Lea to lose herself in.

  She turned down the first alley she came to, hoping to find a place to lay low for a bit, but found a smooth rock wall at the back of the building. It was the perimeter wall circling the town, but nothing was there to help her climb it to freedom. The only escape was between the backs of the buildings and the sheer wall. Suddenly, as she darted down the narrow path, she knew she should have stayed in the trees. The feeling of impending doom crushed her insides when she realized she was trapped. She had expected to take the next alleyway back to the main road of cobblestones, but there was no other alleyway.

  Up ahead, a security light on the outside of the wall illuminated a bend in the tight alley. Behind her, the sound of the following footfalls had faded. Panic and apprehension kept exploding in waves inside her body, giving her the energy she needed to keep the exhaustion at bay, but she would soon reach her limit.

  Lea pressed on, rounding the bend only to skid to a stop. She emerged into something that resembled a small back yard, but mostly she noticed it was a dead-end. The only exit was the way she had come. Whining, she looked around frantically for another way out and spotted a door hidden in the shadows. She leaped toward it, grabbing for the knob, but found her only escape locked tight. She moaned as a swell of loss tried to drag her down, but she couldn't give up. She moved to the bend and hid, hoping the element of surprise would give her the edge she needed.

  Now she waited, trying her best to catch her breath quietly. She strained to hear the sound of footfalls but heard nothing over the rush of blood pumping through her ears. She took a moment to squeeze her eyes shut, focusing on calming herself when the sound of a twig snapping sent her heart racing again. He was out there, stalking her.

  Silence followed. Lea counted out the agonizing seconds that slipped by while she waited, and her breath suddenly caught in her throat as the security pole cast a shadow on the wall opposite her. Sweat trickled down her temple as the shadow crept closer, growing in size. Fear and anticipation rampaged through her as her mind urged him to turn around, to go back, to give up on her.

  But, of course, he didn't give up.

  His face was in shadow as he passed her, but the light shone down on his smooth, tanned back. This was not Officer Tubby. That back was broad and rippling with muscles, and where was his shirt? The stress of the situation was sending Lea's mind in a crazy spiral, and she mentally shook herself, forcing her mind to focus on escape.

  Then a beam of light flashed off the steel in his hands, a gun he was holding before him, and Lea's hope of running flew away. Now, her only chance was to disarm him before she fled.

  Lea had to move before he noticed her. She couldn't lose the element of surprise. Aiming to kick the gun from his grasp, Lea attacked, but there wasn't enough room for her to maneuver. The kick fell short, and the cop reacted quickly, easily dodging her before dropping into the shadows.

  Already knowing her best chance was gone, her body instinctively recoiled into Sudo-Ma-Ki. Mentally preparing for her next attack, she faltered when she heard the gun cock. No matter how fancy her kicks were, or how well executed her punches, no amount of Moo-Du-Kwan would help her escape a bullet, but she refused to give up. This wasn't over yet.

  "Ashley." The man said one word, and it froze every drop of blood in her body. Suddenly, she was struggling to breathe as if she had forgotten how. That smooth, baritone voice had called her by a name she had left behind long ago. Her real name. "I've been looking for you for a long time."

  "Who are you?" Her voice shook, and it was the only thing she managed to get out. She dug deep to find her resolve and was able to hold her position despite the incredible shock.

  "Not a cop," he answered as he lowered his gun. "I'm a P.I. I've been looking for you for nearly two years. Never thought I'd find you working with Nikki."

  Then he laughed. The bastard actually laughed! Ashley shook off the confusion as anger bubbled up to replace it. She wasn't going to let anyone take her back there. Jail was better than home. "Who hired you?"

  "Not your father," he said and went silent. That was a relief at least, but who else would have been looking for her for that long? She hadn't managed to get herself into that much trouble.... Yet. Tonight was a turning point.

  "Who hired you?" Ashley asked again and wished he would step forward so she could see his face. Her eyes tried to penetrate the shadows that surrounded him, but it was no use. He chuckled, a smooth, disarming laugh that rattled her nerve.

  "Client privilege. I can't tell you. Besides, what fun would it be if I did?"

  "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She spat. Ashley ground her teeth in frustration and visualized her next attack as she prepared for an Ap-Chagi. Then the man relented.

  "Lance Walker."

  The air stilled around her. That name hit her harder than hearing her own. She didn't have time to recover when the man stepped forward, and Ashley found herself staring into the strong, handsome face of the undercover cop she had been dodging all day. Her attack crumbled.

  He slowly advanced, closing the gap between them, and Ashley managed to summon the resolve to glare into those mesmerizing green eyes, but it was a struggle. Her eyes were drawn to his full lips as they curved into a smile. "I never knew a man who wanted a woman more than he wants you."

  "We never actually met, you know," she stuttered. Did he really know Lance? Could he take her to him? She balled her hands into fists to keep them from shaking, but the P.I. noticed, and he cocked an eyebrow at her.

  "Are you still planning to beat me up and run away?" His look turned coy, letting her know what he thought of that idea. It was obvious he didn't think her chances of escape were very high, and Ashley sniffed derisively. Her eyes strayed to his body to size him up, and then lingered on his trim frame. The security light didn't illuminate everything around him, but was that a washboard stomach? How could he be so beautiful? So perfect? Heat rushed to her cheeks when she realized she was staring.

  Ashley swallowed hard, her confidence fading. His eyes sparkled in the dim light, intent and full of heat as he stared down at her. She knew she couldn't escape him. Even if she slipped past him now, he would catch her. A rebellious stir in her stomach dared her to run if only for him to give chase and tackle her. Her mind strayed, wondering what it would feel like to be wrapped in those strong, muscled arms...

  Stop it, Ashley! She berated herself, struggling to find her focus. He knows Lance! Supportive Lance that helped talk her through the trauma of her home life. Lance, who helped her find the strength and courage to escape.

  But Lance was only a voice over the phone and one faded picture in her memories. This man in front of her was real, and the situation with him no longer seemed dire. It felt electric.

  "Should I restrain you?" he said, taking a step closer. "Search you for any concealed weapons?"

  Ashley gasped, stepping back as he advanced and was stopped by the wall behind her. Where could she hide a weapon on her body? Her short
s were practically painted on and nothing but her breasts were hiding in her halter-top. She wasn't concealing anything, and he knew it.

  Her pulse raced as he stepped closer, and she remained frozen against the wall. He was slow, antagonizing slow as she watched him, waited for him to make a move, but nothing came. He only stared down at her, closing the gap between them until he was mere inches away. Ashley leaned against the wall, trying to keep as much distance from him as possible, but she couldn't deny the feeling of anticipation swimming through her stomach.

  Ashley was so transfixed by the intensity in his eyes that she didn't sense him moving until his fingers touched her bare thigh, and she jumped. Her gasp was audible, and she closed her eyes, embarrassed. She had never been searched before, but she was positive this wasn't how it was supposed to go down. Still, she couldn’t summon the words to make him stop. The anticipation grew into desire, and her mind tried vainly to stop the feeling of pleasure that bloomed in her chest.

  His hand moved up her side until his fingertips brushed bare skin at the top of her shorts, and she sighed. The heat radiated in the space between their bodies, and she was afraid to look at him again, afraid she might be swept away. Then his other hand moved against her cheek, and her eyes flew open in shock.

  He was there, so close to her, hovering an inch away. They breathed the same air, and Ashley couldn't resist the slight pull of his fingers as he lifted her chin, lifted her lips to meet his. His lips brushed over hers, softly, and her mind whirled.

  Why was he doing this? Why was she letting him?

  For a moment, she was lost in the wonder, and she leaned into him, opening her mouth to accept him. In a flash, he changed, ignited by the spark of her willingness, and the soft kiss turned passionate, hungry. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her body hard against his, and Ashley's head spun in the euphoria of the moment. She struggled to form a thought, to make sense of this drastic change in her situation, but she was being overcome. Her hands moved to his chest, feeling the hard muscles under his smooth skin, and she fought for the strength to push him away. Her arms wouldn't comply, and she moaned softly against his hungry mouth.

  One of his hands slid into her hair and held her head firmly in place as his hot kisses burned her soft skin. He gently caressed her, trailing his lips down the column of her slender neck, branding her. She trembled in his arms, still fighting for sane thoughts while his hands moved across her body, caressing wherever they touched. A thumb brushed the tip of her breast through the thin fabric of her halter top, and a flash of reality shot through her. Her mind won out, and her knee came up hard and swift to connect with his groin.

  As she heard him gasp in shock, she tried to jerk away, but he didn't let her go. Instead, she pulled him off balance, and he dragged her to the ground with him. She landed hard, the breath knocked from her, and was unable to struggle as he rolled on top of her.

  "Damn you," she choked out at him, barely able to breathe, and his weight on top of her wasn't helping.

  "That's just what I was about to say." He grimaced and buried his face in her neck, suffering from the blow she had given him. She tried to push him away, but it was useless. The man was heavy.

  She growled in anger and frustration. "What the hell did you think you were doing? Get off me!"

  Slowly, he raised his head from her neck and stared down at her, and she could see her anger reflected in his eyes. "You still don't get it?"

  Confusion twisted her face as she stared back at him, but before she could reply, a light flooded over both of them.

  "This how you handle all your cases, Lance?" a husky voice said from behind the blinding light. Then it was angled away, and she could see the tubby undercover that she had kicked earlier.

  Then it hit her. He had called him Lance...

  Chapter 4 – Revelation