“Congratulations to you both. I’m shocked but very happy for you, Stieg. Now I know why you never so much as looked at other women since I’ve worked with you.” Hans Fischer reached out his hand to take Stieg’s. “One day, I hope to find someone to look at the way you look at her. I wish you both happiness and future blessings.” Stieg pulled the man in for a hug then did the same to Alison before the door opened to the convention hall. Jonas met them at the back of the stage area and winked.
“All clear, my old friend. All the ticket holders are checked in and waiting, and no one remotely resembling her is among them. I had them check them in slowly, so we could check for disguises. I have back up security at the doors. They have her picture on their phones. I also informed the hotel staff of her. She has access to her father’s money and connections, so I’m being extra tight with security.” He tapped his ear and responded to the person only he could hear.
Stieg grinned as Jonas flourished in his element. Clandestine shit was his thing. That and shooting people. “I think you might be paranoid, Jonas.” Jonas’s attention switched to Stieg, his expression blank but then he flipped him both middle fingers.
“You stick to pretending to be a badass, and I’ll be over there being an actual badass.” Stieg laughed as Jonas strolled off toward the stage and then turned his attention to his wife.
“Do you want to go with your friends until we start walking around the floor mixing with fans? We’ll be on stage signing autographs and getting selfies for about an hour, then we’ll be down here with the crowd. But if you want to sit with me, I’ll have them put another chair on the stage.” He ran his hands up and down her arms as he smiled down at her. He couldn’t touch her enough. He was ready to go back to the room and take her to bed. Again. He leaned in and brought his lips to her ear.
“I’m counting the minutes until I can take you back to the room. I have plans for us on the couch.” He felt her shiver against him, her skin covered in goosebumps.
“And what would those plans be?” She moved in closer and licked her lips as she looked up at him through her lashes.
“I’m going to strip us both, spread you wide and lick your pussy until you scream. Then I’m going to watch my cock slide into you, pull it all the way out and watch it go in again. And again.” His own body reacted to telling her his fantasy. She closed her eyes as another shiver ran through her. She brushed herself against his stirring erection.
“I look forward to it.” She walked her fingers up his chest until she got to his shoulder where she drew lazy circles. “I’ll be thinking about it the whole time, so I’ll be super wet when we get to the Villa. But, right now I’ll visit with Dave, Marc, and Sadie. Let your female fans fall all over you like Rachel. They’ll feel much more comfortable doing that without me there.” She winked as she turned and waved over her shoulder. He smiled as she sashayed across the stage and out of sight. He grinned as he ran his fingers over his wedding ring.
The emcee went to the microphone and started to introduce Alison, then Hans and then Stieg. The crowd screamed at each name. When he was walking to his spot behind the table, he saw Jonas smirk at him and shake his head. Stieg winked then slapped him on the shoulder before he took his seat and waited to greet the fans.
*****
A Military base, somewhere in Iowa
Chase stood at the door to Captain Amsted’s office. They had just gotten back from their time off on that goddamned mission, and he was already gone? Damn, this wouldn’t do. Too much was going on and he needed to talk to Dave. He paced furiously back and forth before slamming his fist into the door. He heard doors opening down the hallway and knew he had to get the hell out of there. Moving quickly, he ducked into the first open door he found and slid against the wall. He tried to control his breathing but could only hold his breath trying to hear the people moving in the hall.
“Did anyone else hear that?” It was a female voice asking the question. Various voices answered the woman, but no one seemed to be coming down the hall to investigate. Chase held in a growl of impatience. Stupid, stupid women. They were good for nothing but causing heartache. He bit his lips and banged his head against the wall. He’d never thought that way in his life until the mission. That fucking time rip had caused things to happen that he couldn’t explain — things that were getting weirder and weirder as the days passed. He looked up and saw the man who looked like him standing in the room, arms crossed and a smirk on his face.
“Oh, come on Chase. Get ahold of us. You’re so much better off with me here to guide you.”
Chase closed his eyes tight. “You’re not real. You’re not real.” He opened his eyes to see himself still standing there. He prayed he’d only hear his panting and not the voice of the illusion that had been haunting him.
“Just because no one else sees me doesn’t mean I’m not real. Look all I know is I was sitting all by my lonesome in jail when all of a sudden, I start dreaming of you. Well, I thought I was dreaming about me, but I knew it wasn’t me. I’ve never been the boy scout type you seem to be.” The imaginary Chase who called himself Frank walked toward the desk in the room. He grinned at Chase before he walked through it before stopping in the middle of the furniture. He continued to stand there, smirking knowing it caused Chase to struggle further with his new duel nature.
“I realized that you are me somehow, and I can escape my boring cell by living through you. But you are no fucking fun. I mean you are as straight-laced as they come. All military and shit. Where did you go wrong? You even go by our middle name instead of our first name Franklin. Frank is more manly you know.” The look-a-like sighed, clearly bored.
Chase closed his eyes briefly. “I am done dealing with you. I’m going to Colonel Barker. I don’t know what happened over that time rip, but I’m not fighting against you anymore. I’ve lived nearly two weeks of hell. I don’t feel like you do, I don’t want to do the things you want to do.”
Frank laughed. He doubled over and put his hands on his knees and laughed. “Are you fucking serious? Look, I live in a cell, and it’s not fun. Do you think your superior is going to just let you walk away after telling him about me? They’re going to lock you up. Lock us up! At the very least they’ll medicate you and make you talk to a shrink. I won’t stand for that. You’re my only chance at escape from staring at four fucking walls all day.” Frank straightened and moved closer to Chase. In an instant, his demeanor changed.
“I’m not going to live in a cell here too, Chase. Or at least if I have to, I’m going to have fun first.” Frank suddenly disappeared, leaving Chase alone, but terrified.
Taking a deep breath, Chase walked out of the office and to the quarters where Paul and Rita were staying. With the Captain gone, there would be no missions to go on. Flying over anything without a pilot would be hard. He knocked on the door to the bunk room causing both occupants to look up over their phones. The room held four cots, each separated by a short wall to give some privacy to the occupants. Beside each cot was a metal locker that held their civilian clothing and their flying gear. The other side of the bed had a small table to hold private reading material, cell phones or whatever the person brought to make the small space more personal.
Chairs were also in each cot area, but usually, the crew would pull the chairs out of the small private area and move them to the center of the room. Across the bunk room were two round tables with chairs and entrances to the bathrooms. Right now, Paul and Rita were sitting as far apart in the room as two people could be. They were great workmates, but they seemed to hate each other and would hardly speak when they weren’t in the chopper.
“Hey, Chase. Come on in, man. I could use the extra testosterone in the room.” Paul grinned as he stood.
“Yeah, Paul needs all the testosterone he can use.” Rita smiled wickedly at her joke before Paul threw his pillow at her. She reached out and caught the pillow with one hand. “If you’d have knocked my phone out of my hand, I’d have kicked your ass, Pa
ul.” She tossed the pillow onto the nearest bed.
“She’s such a fucking bitch!” Frank’s voice nearly overwhelmed him in hate. He had to jam his hands in his pockets to keep from striking the woman. Chase backed against the wall and took a deep breath.
“Chase? Are you okay?” Rita’s voice sent another wave of rage through Chase. He felt the sweat trickling down his back. “Paul, maybe you better get a medic down here.” Chase felt the anger rise in his chest.
“Rita. Please, I need you to leave. Don’t ask why just go. Hurry.” Chase held on to Frank’s hate, but barely. It churned in his gut until he thought he’d puke. Rita gave him a worried look but nodded as she ran through the door. The pressure in Chase’s chest eased immediately. He looked up to see Frank staring out the door, his fists clenched at his sides and his face twisted in hate.
“What the fuck happened to you?” Chase said the words before he could stop. Frank never acknowledged the question, but Paul must have thought the question was for him.
“What happened to me? Chase, dude, I was going to ask you the same thing. I mean, Rita is a handful but damn. You know a little respect would be good.” Paul grabbed his pillow from the empty bed and put it on his bunk. He seemed angry at Chase.
“Paul. Something is going on, and I need to talk to someone. Dave is gone.” Chase looked back to where Frank had been standing, but his imaginary doppelgänger was gone. “Has anything strange happened to you since we got back from the last mission?”
Paul looked uncomfortable at the question. “Why? What’s been going on with you?” Paul’s voice was hesitant. Chase knew something was happening with him as well.
“I,” he paused. He what? He has been talking to himself because only he could see another version of himself. Oh, and his other self was a demented asshole who hated females? “I’m afraid I’ll sound crazy, Paul.” He shook his head while studying the other man. “Have you been having strange, almost real dreams? Or do you see anyone who isn’t, you know, there?”
Paul’s eyebrows shot up at his questions. “Well, no I’ve not seen anyone, but yeah, I’ve uh, had some strange dreams. They seem so real and the more I have them, the more real they feel. I’ll wake up, and I’m surprised to find that I’m not married to,” Paul’s voice trailed off, and he looked up to lock eyes with Chase.
Chase was getting restless again. He needed answers. “I thought I might go to Colonel Barker, you know. Dave isn’t here, and I think Dr. Lackney is gone too. Even Lisbeth is gone. Something strange is happening, but I don’t have a clue who to tell. I don’t want to be locked in a padded cell.”
Paul leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. He cleared his throat and nodded. “Look, Chase, I don’t know what’s happened with the rest of the crew. I do know I’ve been having dreams. They’re like memories but I know I haven’t lived those things I see in those dreams. Tell me what’s going on, Chase. I’ll not mention it to anyone. I promise.” Paul hesitated for a little too long. “Strange things have been going on with all of us, I’m sure, or Dr. Lackney knows, or she wouldn’t have told us to come to her, right?”
Chase felt a wave of relief wash over him. Paul made sense. He opened his mouth to tell Paul about Frank when they heard Rita from the breakroom.
“Guys! Oh my god! Come here!” She sounded frantic, excited even.
When the men made it into the break room, the television was on a morning news show. A picture of Lisbeth holding hands with the actor Stieg Warner as they gazed into each other’s eyes was taking up the screen. The female news anchor came into the split-screen shot.
“In a bit of surprising news, German heartthrob and award-winning actor Stieg Warner has gotten married. That’s right ladies, Germany’s most eligible bachelor has married a woman who showed up to yesterday’s question and answer session for his directorial debut movie, Saturday Moon.”
The screen cut to a cell phone video of them exchanging vows. The view widened to show Captain Amsted holding hands with a woman who was also holding hands with another man. They looked like a romantic trio. Chase’s knees almost gave out.
“As you can see from this video that we obtained from an anonymous source, the couple look to be very happy and very much in love, even if they just met yesterday. If you can’t have him for yourself ladies, at least he’s with someone who appears to love him. That’s the best we can hope for. Now on to other news. The president will be meeting with,” the television went black when it was turned off. All three occupants of the room were speechless. They knew Dave and Lisbeth had left, but they had no idea they were together and in Vegas. And Lisbeth got married. To a movie star.
“What the hell is going on?” It was Paul’s voice that drew Chase back to the room.
“That’s a good question, Paul.” Chase backed out of the room; he needed to be alone to process what he had just learned. It added to his questions and troubled him more than he already was.
*****
Chase woke up with his hands around soft, warm hips. He was on his knees pushing himself deep inside a soft, wet pussy. The woman in front of him was moaning and pushing back against him, her fingers strumming her clit. He balls drew up tight, and he knew he was seconds away from shooting his load. He looked down to see his cock with no telltale sign of the ring of a condom.
“Shit!” He pulled out closed his eyes and stroked until his come blasted over the female’s ass and lower back. He opened his eyes as the pleasure died down. “Fuck.” He leaned forward trying to catch his breath. The woman beneath him practically purred.
“Goddamn you, Chase!” Frank’s voice sounded in his ear. “Fucking fine time for you to gain control again. I was close to popping my load, you asshole. Do you know how long it’s been since I fucked a woman?”
Chase licked his lips as the woman turned over and grinned. He had no idea who she was, but when she smiled and sat up, he took a look at her overly made-up face and fake breasts. He looked around him and noticed the stained carpet, faded wallpaper, and worn bedspread. He was in a cheap hotel room. He glanced back to the woman on the bed. He figured out what she was before she spoke.
“You paid extra to fuck me without a condom, and you still pulled out? I’m still keeping the extra cash sweetie.” She rolled off the cheap hotel bed and began to dress. She looked down to his still half erect cock. “I’ll stay, but I’ll have to charge you more. I usually don’t get off with a John, but you were a beast. I’ll give you a discount on that if you want another tumble.” She smiled and moved in to kiss him, but he pulled back as horror filled him.
“Just, leave.” His words sounded hollow to his ears. She shrugged and continued to pull on her over-tight dress. He fought with revulsion, nausea, and not more than a little fear. He looked up to see Frank grimacing.
“Hey, Chase,” Frank’s voice sounded whiney, “talk her into staying. I want to fuck her again. And I might like to strangle her.” Chase nearly flew off the bed and backed away from the apparition. Frank shot him an evil smirk. “What? Not to kill her, but you know, take the edge off.”
The door shut with a hollow clicking of metal against metal when the hooker left the room. “Fucking sick bastard! I’m not strangling anyone. Get the fuck out. Get out of my body and out of my life!”
“Too late now anyway.” Frank sounded upset as he looked toward the door. “And I’m not leaving for good. I am tired though. This takes a lot of energy. I’m going to rest now and build back my strength. You know I can stay with you for longer and longer times. But when I come back, we’re going to have a little more fun.”
Once Frank disappeared, Chase sat on the bed and covered his face with his hands. What was he going to do? If Frank could take over his body, who knows what that psychopath could do? Chase could feel a residual ‘oiliness’ in his soul. He could feel the sickness of the man who looked like him, who had taken over his body somehow. He felt dirty both inside and out. Frank looked like him but his face was harder, his head shaved and his
body, while not fat was less fit. Chase knew if they were in the same room, people would assume they were identical twins.
He stood and looked into the cracked mirror over the sink. Even in the dimly lit hotel room, he saw himself, short dark blonde hair, brown eyes, tall and fit. Most would say he was muscular like a professional athlete, with tight washboard abs and thick arms and legs. If Frank could take over his body, he could do just about anything. The evil he could create scared Chase to his core. He couldn’t just sit by and let Frank not only ruin his life but put others in danger. He looked around for his belongings and quickly dressed. He looked at his watch, surprised it was still on his wrist, and noticed the time. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it had only been a few hours since he left the break room at the base.
*****
“I don’t understand. Where could he be?” Lisbeth was pacing the small bunkroom. Jonas and Stieg had come with her to gather her things. She had decided to go to Germany and live with him. As a wedding gift, Marc had signed off on her contract for the remaining time she had left with the study under KenSpec Labs.
Rita shook her head. “I don’t know. Lisbeth he was acting so strange. It was scary really.” She looked at Paul who was sitting in his chair with his elbows on his knees, his hands dangling. “Paul and Chase talked alone for a bit because he asked me to leave. He acted like he wanted to hit me. I’m telling you, Lisbeth, I’ve never seen anyone look at me the way he did.” Rita gave a little shiver.
Dave walked into the bunkroom with Marc and Sadie. He shut the door behind him and took a deep breath. “Okay, crew, it’s time we had a chat.” He looked back to Marc who nodded. “I hadn’t told anyone what happened to me after we returned from our mission. I also didn’t go to Barker, but now,” he cleared his throat, “I think that was a mistake.”
My Forever Love (Crossing the Line Book 2) Page 10
