by KJ Dahlen
She turned to the light panel beside the door to the tunnel.
He grabbed her hand and scooted over to the panel dragging her with him. He shut off the lights just as the door opened and three men came in. James scooted her into the shadow and crouched down dragging her to the floor.
When the lights were turned back on, one of the men grumbled. The girl tugged on his hand and motioned for him to move into the corner of the room. James had to trust her but he didn’t like it. They scooted from their hiding place and when they got there, she turned the corner and he found they were in an alcove. The space wasn’t very big but big enough for the two of them to stand.
James found himself standing there peeking out into the main room. They were hidden by a stack of evidence boxes. They could see the entire room from where they were but no one else could see them.
James looked down at the woman standing there with him. She was staring back at him. He took in her chocolate colored hair and grey eyes, he also took in her beautiful face. She was tall for a woman at 5’9” tall without her shoes but as he was 6’5” he appreciated her height.
As he thought she was a bigger woman than normal but not huge, in fact she was just the right size for him. He looked down at her breasts and almost groaned. They were at least a double D size and he loved that. She was so soft he couldn’t help himself as he pressed her against the wall for a moment.
She could have screamed and given them both away but she didn’t. When he pressed her into the wall, her mouth came open and just as she was going to groan James pressed his lips on hers. Her eyes closed slowly but at his touch, they snapped open and stared at him for a moment then slowly closed again, as he kissed her hard.
James kissed her to keep her quiet but as soon as his lips touched hers, he was lost. He couldn’t believe how good she felt against his hardness. Her scent reminded him of vanilla and cinnamon with a faint scent of apples and the combination was unfreackinbelievable. Also, her scent was something he could very well smell for the rest of his natural life.
But he wasn’t here for this and he reluctantly broke the kiss.
He looked at her dazed eyes and had to smile. Then her eyes cleared and she was about to say something when he put his hand over her mouth and cocked his head.
“Look at this Dad, the little heifer that works down here forgot her shoes again.”
“Huh, doesn’t surprise me a bit. Sydney would forget her head if it wasn’t attached to her bigger than life body sometimes. She’s such a klutz sometimes.” The older man snorted. “If she wasn’t so good at her job I’d have her kicked out by now, just because she offends the eyes but she knows every file in the room.”
The other man laughed. “Even ugly heifers need a little love dad.”
“I’d be afraid to get lost in her rolls and miss what I was aiming at. Damn.”
Their voices grew dimmer and James heard the doors open. Then then doors closed behind them. He turned his eyes to the woman beside him and took note of her flushed face and tears rolling down her face.
He hooked his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. “Those two don’t know what a real woman is supposed to be like. Me, I like a woman who isn’t going to break when I fuck her hard,” he whispered in her ear. “And you are a beautiful woman in my eyes.”
Sydney smiled slightly. His compliments made her smile and took the sting away from what Oden and Noah Connors had said. Out of all the people that worked here, those two were the worst.
She looked at him and shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Those two are jerks any way you look at them. And I try not to look.” She shuddered as her whispered words were issued.
“Do they come down here a lot?” he had to ask.
Sydney shrugged. “The old man has his own private vault down here.”
“Why?” James frowned. “That doesn’t make any sense, why would he keep a vault here where he works instead of at his home?”
Sydney snorted. “Because no one else knows its here. That man has secrets to keep. He can’t afford anyone knowing what’s inside and he can’t afford to keep it at his home in case his house is ever raided by police that he’s not paying to look the other way.”
James stared at her for a moment as he digested what she said. “And just how do you know all that?” he finally asked.
“Because he and his sons are as crocked as the day is long.” She shrugged. “Everyone knows it but there isn’t anything anyone can do about it. His sons are in positions of power to cover not only daddy’s ass but their own. Nothing goes on in this town that they don’t know about. It’s been that way for a long time now. It’s the secret everyone knows but no one ever talks about. Every town has one and he’s ours.”
“What do you suppose is in that vault, I wonder?” James pondered out loud.
Sydney had groaned when he’d thrust his tongue in her mouth. Her blood burned as he’d pressed her against the wall. She’d loved the hard feel of his body against her own. Her arms had even reached to wrap around his neck and she pulled him even closer.
When she’d first saw him directly behind her, she’d almost screamed. It was later than usual even for her to be here and where he’d come from she didn’t know. All she did know was he shouldn’t have been anywhere near her or even in the building.
When they were plunged into darkness for a moment, she thought he would use the distraction to disappear on her, leaving her to the mercy of whoever was coming into her lair. But he didn’t when the lights came back on a moment later, she knew whoever was in the room would find them. She had tugged on his hand and showed him one of her hiding places.
Then he kissed her and his kiss was like wow, nothing she’d ever felt before. Like nothing she would ever feel again either. His touch was turning her blood to fire and she felt her heart pounding in her chest.
With his questions, Sydney chewed on her lower lip. She knew what was in the safe even though Oden didn’t realize it. But why was he so interested in Oden Connors? “Why is that so important to you? How do you know Oden Connors?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know him personally, but I know someone who does and from what she tells me, he is not a nice man. I hate when men treat women like shit. But I especially hate men in a position of power that hurt innocents and this fucker is hurting people for his own wealth and to feed the power he only thinks he has.”
“Mmmm, can I ask you, number one, who the hell are you and number two, what are you doing here?” Sydney stared at him and waited for his answer.
“Hmmm, if I answer that, then I’ll have to kill you,” he told her seriously. “Or at least kidnap you until project take down the Connors family is complete.”
Sydney gasped and backed up a step. “Really?” She didn’t know if he was serious or not, but her heartbeat had just ratcheted up again.
“Really.” James nodded. “Hell, after that kiss I might just kidnap you anyway. But that would be for a whole other pleasure, my own and maybe yours too, but that would make me no better than Oden and I won’t be like him.”
Sydney caught his teasing tone and wanted to reach out and slap him. “I thought you were serious.”
“I am serious, Sweetness.” James’s tone changed again to cold and unwavering.
Sydney didn’t know what to think. Wringing her hands together, she took his hand and walked him over to the south wall. With shaking hands, she hit the release tile and the wall disappeared, revealing a wall to ceiling safe.
Stepping back, she motioned at it. “This is Oden Connors secret. I’ve been working here for ten years and it’s been here longer than me. He only comes down here when he knows I’m not here, or so he thinks. I’ve seen him on more than one occasion here.”
“Have you ever seen the inside, what’s all in there I mean?”
Sydney nodded. “He forgot and left the door open once. I looked but didn’t touch a thing I swear.” She wet her lips with her tongue and said, “I just closed the door and
didn’t say anything. If he knew I was aware of the safe I don’t think there would be a rock big enough for me to hide under.”
“Do you work late often? I mean most people go home after five o’clock.”
Sydney shrugged. “Like I said earlier, I’ve worked here for ten years. I live alone.”
“So what does Oden Connors have to hide anyway?” he asked.
Sydney paused then shrugged. “Who knows?”
Chapter Two
James cocked his head to one side. “I’m thinking maybe you do. At least you know something and I need to know what you know.”
Sydney took a small step back but didn’t stop staring at him. “I don’t know anything,” she half whispered.
“Damnit, please don’t lie to me.’ James shook his head. Reaching out, he grabbed her and pulled her closer. “I really hate people who lie and their lies always catch them up.”
“I’m sorry.” She tried to pull away from him.
James wasn’t letting her go though, not now... probably not ever. “Tell me what I want to know, and I’ll let you go.”
Sydney stopped struggling and lowered her head. “I can’t tell you. I’m sorry but I can’t tell you. I can’t tell anyone what I saw inside that safe.”
“Why not?” James whispered sensing there was more here than just her fear at stake. When she didn’t answer him, he hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his own. “Why not?” he repeated his question.
“Because it’s worth more than your life and mine combined.” She raised her hand and cupped the smooth skin of his cheek. His chin and upper lip was covered with a salt and pepper facial hair styled in a fashionable goatee but his cheeks were smooth. Looking into his dark eyes and almost shaved head, she wondered at the man he was and the fact he was standing in front of her. “The world might not miss Oden Connors or any of his sons, but I have a feeling the world would miss you. Oden and his sons are dung on the bottom of your shoes, but I have a feeling you are anything but.” She tilted her head and stared at him for a moment then nodded, “Yeah, I think the world would miss you.” She stepped back a tiny step then whispered, “I know I would.”
James was even more convinced she knew more of Oden’s secrets than she was willing to tell him. He couldn’t leave her behind when he got things set up here tonight. He also knew she wouldn’t leave with him willingly. He sighed and made up his mind. He leaned over and kissed her again. She melted under his touch and he lost himself in her kiss.
His hands reached for her neck and he applied just the right amount of pressure in just the right spot. Before he knew it, she was limp in his arms. He laid her carefully on the floor and moved to complete his job here. Now he knew where to place his cameras and listening devices.
When he finished with his placements, he looked down at her. At the moment she looked so peaceful but he had a feeling he was about to see the fire she had in her when she woke up. He squatted and scooped her into his arms. For a moment, he closed his eyes and allowed her scent to reach him.
It was at that moment he knew he could never give her up. She would be his do over woman. His friends had gotten their do overs, complete with a woman worth dying for, well she was his. It was always in his nature to know something true...when it was and so he wouldn’t bother denying this.
He pushed her up and over his shoulder, as he needed to move freely. Then picking up his bag, he grabbed her shoes and shut off the lights as he made his way to the back door.
Once he got her into the car, James left town and headed north. Traffic was light and there was no one following him. He looked over to his passenger who was for the moment still out. He knew she wouldn’t be out for long, his touch hadn’t been that hard, but he was hoping he would get back to the cottage before she woke up.
He was almost back when he checked her again and this time he found her grey eyes looking back. Tightening his hands on the steering wheel, he looked at the road in front of him.
“What did you do?” she whispered hoarsely.
He shrugged as he turned his blinker on to make the turn that would take him to his temporary home. The small cottage was in sight when she asked calmly, “Where are we anyway?”
“Almost to the outskirts of Glens Falls.”
She began to tremble. “I can’t be here, please take me back to Saratoga Springs.”
James turned his head and saw the absolute terror on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t be here. Please take me back.” She began to panic. Sweat beaded her forehead as she looked around the dark shadows of night. “Please take me back to the Springs?”
“Settle down. No one will know you’re here I promise you. See...” He motioned toward the small cabin he was renting. “I’m staying here for a few days. You’ll be safe here, I promise.”
Sydney stared at the cabin and paled. “No, I can’t be here. I have to get out of the city. I can’t be here.” She turned to him and grabbed his arm. “Please take me back. I can’t be here, I really can’t.”
James turned around and drove back the way he came. As he came to a rest area between the two towns, he pulled in and stopped the car. Shutting down the engine, he turned in his seat and stared at her for a moment.
He saw her staring out the window to her right, she hadn’t calmed down yet, and her fingers were tightly locked together. The skin on her hands looked red to the point of almost bruised she had worried her hands so much.
“Care to tell me what that was all about, sweetheart?”
She shook her head. “I’m not your sweetheart.” She kept her eyes to the window almost as if looking for something or someone coming after her. “I just can’t set foot in Glens Falls, that all.”
James frowned then realized something. “What is your full name?” he asked quietly.
“Sydney.”
“Sydney what?”
“Just Sydney, ok?” she barely spoke.
He shook his head. “Oh, I don’t think so, Miss Sydney. I need to know why you freaked out. I need to know who exactly you are.”
She turned her head to glare at him. “I didn’t ask you to take me away. I was doing ok right where I was. You came into my place of work and dragged me away.”
“Alright, then tell me this Miss Sydney, why can’t you go to Glen’s Falls?” he insisted.
Sydney pursed her lips shut as she turned to stare out the window again. “I just can’t ok?”
“Not good enough woman.” He growled. “I need to know your name and the reason you can’t go to Glens Falls and I need to know right now.”
He didn’t shout but his tone told her he was pissed. She turned to look at him. “Like you told me mister, I don’t know your name either. And I didn’t ask you to take me away from a place where I was safe. I don’t know you either. Please just take me back to the courthouse.”
“Why? Why would I take you back there, of all places?” James wanted to know.
“I need my car.”
“Why do you need your car so urgently?” He was curious.
“No one can find me if I’m not there, can they?” She reasoned out loud. “I have to find a new place to live and a new job. I can’t stay in Saratoga Springs anymore.”
“Why?” James frowned deeply. “What are you taking about?”
“I want no part of the trouble coming to Saratoga Springs. I have a feeling you’re gonna rattle some cages and I want nothing to do with that. I’ve managed to stay away from trouble for ten years now and I can’t... no, I won’t get caught now. I’m only safe as long as they can’t find me. I have to get away from this.”
James cocked his head. “Who are you running from, sweet girl?”
Sydney just stared at him then she turned her head to stare out the window. She didn’t say a word.
He knew she wouldn’t tell him what he wanted to know right now. “I don’t know your story yet, but I will and soon.” He growled under his breath as he restarted the car. “I have
to go to the cabin and collect my things then I’ll see you to a safe place. I can’t let you go but I need to get my equipment in order to do what I must but I swear by all that’s holy, I will keep you safe.”
“Please just take me back to my car and I promise you’ll never see me again,” she begged him.
James shook his head. “That just ain’t gonna happen sweetness. I found you, and until this is over, you’re stuck with me. I can’t and won’t put you in danger but I won’t let you go either.”
Sydney shook her head. “This can’t happen. I’m better off on my own. I can move faster on my own, don’t you see that?”
“So can I, but you know enough about what I plan to do here, you could become a problem I don’t want or need right now.” James shook his head. “Now I have to collect my things from the cabin and then we can find another place to stay. We can get in and out without being seen if you cooperate.”
Sydney began wringing her hands together. “But I can’t go back there. I swore I’d never go back and I won’t. You can’t make me.”
James watched as she began fighting her own fears. Whatever was in Glens Falls it terrorized her. He took her hands into his. “Look at me,” he commanded. When she couldn’t meet his eyes, he told her again, this time his voice commanded her to obey him, “Look at me.”
She raised her head and stared at him.
James cupped her face in his hands. “I won’t put you in danger, I swear. But I need the things in my cabin. We’ll go in and get out as quickly as I can. I will protect you. No one will even know we were there.” He looked into her eyes. “I don’t know why you’re so afraid but I promise, no one will even know you were there. Fifteen minutes, I swear.”
Sydney closed her eyes and swallowed hard. “Fifteen minutes, then I I’m out of there with or without you.”
“Let’s get this done then before the sun comes up.” James leaned forward and kissed her lips.
He pulled up, got out, and headed to his cabin.
