Full Force Fatherhood

by Tyler Anne Snell

  Expecting her to finally see reason—her trust might really be misplaced—Mark started to get up. It shifted the bed enough to jostle Grace. Before he could clear her reach, the toddler flipped from her mom and grabbed his arm. He froze, and like the little octopus she was, she looped her arms around his and buried her face against his shirt.

  Mark remained steady until it was clear she had gone back to sleep. He wanted to do at least one good thing by Kelli, even something as small as not waking up the toddler. However, he wasn’t used to affection from a child. Even if that child was fast asleep. He looked at Kelli uncertainly.

  She smiled, and the room around her seemed to brighten.

  “Mark, I’m only going to tell you this once, so please take it to heart.” She put her hand in his, resting them both against the sheets. “I never blamed you for Victor’s death and I never will. In my eyes, you did your job perfectly.” She squeezed his hand before moving hers over Grace’s hands on his arm. “Do you want to know why I think—no, why I know—that?”

  Mark nodded, transfixed by her words.

  “Because, no matter what else you did that night, at the end of it you saved me. Which means you saved Grace.” Without heeding her own advice not to move her child, Kelli leaned across the girl and brushed her lips against Mark’s. The kiss was so soft he almost thought he’d imagined it as she pulled away. “And for that, I am eternally grateful. So, as Victor’s widow, I have to ask you to stop blaming yourself for every wrong thing that has happened and might happen. If Victor could talk to you now, he’d tell you the same thing. I promise. It’s time for you—and me—to stop living in that tragic past.” She paused and looked down at her daughter. “It’s time we start focusing on a more beautiful future.” She reached up and took his chin in her hand. “No more of this tortured-soul stuff. Okay?”

  A chuckle rose in his throat as if her touch alone had absolved him of a burden he’d carried for two years. Ever since the first night he’d held her in his arms and carried her to safety.

  “Okay,” he agreed. A smile that felt better than any he’d had in a while pulled the corner of his lips up.

  Kelli mimicked it.

  “Good.” She backed away from him slowly, rolling over and carefully getting out of bed. “Now you stay with the octopus while I take a look at you as a lumberjack.” She went straight for the box he’d put down.

  “Were we that loud?”

  She mocked surprise. “Oh, I didn’t tell you? Along with mom separation anxiety I also have mom hearing. It’s a bundle thing.” She opened the box and pulled out the photo album. “We know you can pull off a tux, but now let’s see if Mark Tranton can pull off flannel.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Afternoon quickly turned into night, and the humor the small group had been enjoying quickly disappeared. It was getting time to put their plan in motion, even if not all of them thought it was a good plan to start.

  “This concern comes from a place of love,” Lynn said from the edge of the bed. She had made a clothes run and had now changed out of her Pretty Princess attire and into a pair of jeans and a white-and-yellow blouse that contrasted beautifully with her dark complexion. Her half of the best-friend necklace Kelli had bought them when they were in high school hung around her neck in plain view. Occasionally they would don them when they were nervous about something involving one another. The last time Kelli had worn hers was when Lynn had a job interview. The last time Lynn had worn hers was when Kelli had gone into the hospital to be induced for labor. In a way it was like a good-luck charm.

  “If you weren’t concerned, I’d be concerned,” Kelli said. “But we need to stop Dennis. I don’t trust him, Lynn.”

  The other woman sighed and nodded. “Yeah, yeah, I just...” She pursed her lips, seemingly choosing her words carefully. “Remember when you asked me to be Grace’s godmother?”

  Kelli laughed. “Of course. You baked a cake for us to celebrate.”

  “Exactly! I was so excited—so honored—to get the title that I didn’t really think about what it meant until today. After you told me what was going on.” Kelli tilted her head in question. “If something happens to you, God forbid, I’ll raise that kiddo so well, you would be proud. That’s a promise I made, but it’s not one I want to fulfill.” Her eyes started to mist as she continued. “You and Grace are my little family, and if something happens to you—”

  Kelli closed the space between them, enveloping her friend in a warm embrace. Lynn wasn’t a woman to cry easily. She didn’t look down on the emotional, but she wasn’t typically gushing about her own feelings. To see her almost cry—to hear her sniffling back tears— almost brought Kelli to her own.

  “He might come after Grace, Lynn,” Kelli said. “I won’t sit around and wait to see. I have to do this, but I need you in my corner. I need your good vibes.”

  “Then let me come with you two,” she said, pulling back to look Kelli in the eye. “I have that obnoxious orange dress back at home that I could wear!” But then Lynn stopped herself. “Grace,” was all she said.

  “I trust Jonathan and Nikki, but Grace trusts you. I need you here and so does she.”

  Lynn hung her head a fraction and sighed again. “I guess I should start up with those good vibes, then.”

  Kelli clapped, and just like that they were on the same page.

  “That’s the spirit,” Kelli exclaimed. “Now, let’s start with this dress, or was it a mistake to put this thing on?”

  Kelli went to stand in front of the closet door. The full-length mirror showed her a reflection she wasn’t used to seeing.

  Her hair hung in loose curls, framing a face with impeccable dark eyeliner and red, red lips—thanks to Lynn, despite her concern—and coupled with long, skinny silver earrings. Though how could anyone focus on her face when she was wearing the dress?

  Constantly getting dolled up and stretching her socialite muscles might not have been Kelli’s forte, but she couldn’t deny her appreciation for the dress wrapped around her. Navy blue silk slid across her body, starting out strong with a breathtaking deep-V back and ending with a small but elegant train. It also dipped into a much more modest V at her chest, showing limited yet undeniable cleavage. The sleeves were short and cupped the top of her shoulders while the rest of the dress hugged her body, forcing her to rethink her undergarments when she’d first put it on. Her shoes—which couldn’t be seen beneath the rich fabric—in no way compared. They were fifteen-dollar black pumps that had more than one spot where a marker had come into play.

  “Is it too much? Or am I underdressed?” Kelli asked, recalling the picture of the women from the past year’s dinner.

  “It’s just beautiful,” Lynn answered. “You’re going to make it really hard for Mark to concentrate.”

  Kelli turned at the humor in her voice. Lynn smirked. “Don’t think I’ve missed this—” she waved her hand in the air at Kelli “—getting all weird when he’s mentioned or in the room.”

  “Weird?”

  “It’s a good weird. I just haven’t mentioned it yet because I wanted you to bring it up, but—since you didn’t and you’re about to go talk to a psycho while wearing a ball gown—I’ll go ahead and tell you that I think it’s time you grabbed some happiness of the intimate kind.” Lynn’s smirk transformed into a caring smile. “I approve of this Mark character. He’s a good guy, you know. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to talk more about this when it’s all over.”

  If it had been anyone else, Kelli might have blushed. However, it was Lynn, so she just laughed. Of course the other woman had picked up on the change between her and the bodyguard.

  “Deal.”

  “Good! Now let’s go showcase this elegant-as-all-get-out dress!”

  Kelli gave herself one more look in the mirror. The dress truly made her feel b
eautiful, but beauty wasn’t the goal for tonight. Getting a man to admit to his sins was their true endgame.

  Instead of Lynn letting Kelli simply walk out into the living room where Mark and Grace were, she decided to announce it.

  “Lady and gentleman, may I present to you Pretty Princess Kelli!”

  Mark stood from the spot where he’d been playing blocks with Grace and not so subtly looked her up and down.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said, face openly appreciative. Heat swarmed up and filled her cheeks.

  “You’re not too bad yourself.” She motioned to his outfit. Like earlier that morning, he was the perfect picture of sexy in the classic tux.

  “Sure beats your flannel,” Lynn said.

  “Har, har.” Then, like flipping a switch, his mood did a complete one-eighty. “Jonathan went ahead to find a good spot to wait and watch,” Mark said, brows drawn in focus. “Nikki is on her way up. All we need to do now is put this on and head that way ourselves.” He scooped up the recorder and looked her up and down again. She could have sworn she saw him turn a bit red.

  “I’m pretty sure that thing won’t be able to fit in there or stay,” Lynn commented.

  “We still need it on you just in case Dennis decides he’ll only talk to you when I’m not right beside you.”

  “She’s right,” Kelli agreed. “I barely got in this thing.”

  A knock at the door paused whatever Mark was about to say. He checked the peephole—twice—before opening the door to let Nikki in. She looked between the two of them and whistled.

  “Well, don’t you two look nice?”

  “Thanks, but we’ve apparently hit a snag. There’s not a good place to hide this.” Kelli pointed to the recorder. “I guess I could always put it in my clutch but, depending where I set it during dinner, that might look suspicious.”

  Nikki held up her hand. “I think I have a fix for that.” She walked over to the kitchen counter and set down the bag she’d been carrying. The three of them huddled around her.

  “Orion is all about using nonlethal methods to ensure client safety, because we believe our agents can handle any type of fight,” she said, sounding rehearsed. “Our agents are well trained and experienced so the clients don’t ever have to make contact with their aggressors. However, sometimes exceptions can be made.” She pulled out what looked like an older cell phone and looked at Kelli. “It’s a stun gun,” she said. “On the off chance you need—or feel like you might need—some help. It looks somewhat like a phone, so it will blend.”

  “Somewhat?” Kelli shared a matching look of surprise with Lynn. “If you hadn’t told me, I would have tried to make a call on it!”

  Nikki laughed. “Don’t worry. I would have stopped you.”

  Mark cracked a smile. “I would have, too, if it’s any consolation,” he said.

  “And I appreciate that, but what does a stun gun have to do with hiding the recorder?”

  Nikki held up another item from the bag. Black cloth and elastic made up a two-inch circle with a small slit in the middle.

  “Is that a garter?” she asked.

  “Of sorts.” Nikki took the stun gun back and slid it into the slit so it wouldn’t fall out. She took the recorder and put it into a small pocket on the back Kelli hadn’t seen before. “These are popular with women who want to carry their phones or cash without having to take their purses around. We’re just tweaking that idea with stun guns and recording devices.” She handed the garter to Kelli. “Now to try it on.”

  * * *

  “I FEEL LIKE A SPY.”

  Kelli patted her silk dress above her right thigh. The light from the city filtered through the Jeep’s windows and showed a slight bump beneath her hand.

  “Just make sure when we sit down to put a napkin over that, Ms. Bond,” Mark said, eyes sliding back to the road. Kelli snorted.

  “Is it bad I’m kind of hoping I can use the stun gun? I’ve never used one before.”

  “As long as you don’t use it on me, we’ll be fine.”

  Kelli stopped fidgeting with the garter filled with goodies and started to rub her hands together instead. She was nervous and trying to hide it. Mark wanted to tell her it would be okay, but he knew it wouldn’t do any good. In her mind, they were going into enemy territory, and he couldn’t exactly disagree.

  The rest of the car ride was spent in silence. It wasn’t unpleasant, just two people caught in their own thoughts. Mark wondered what the woman was thinking about. He should have been thinking of the situation at hand, but his mind seemed to be sticking to her.

  When he had told her she was beautiful before, it had been partially a lie. What he should have said instead was that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. It wasn’t because of the dress or the way her hair curled. It was the smile of modesty and the dose of vulnerability that had made every part of his attention attach to her. Kelli Crane was a strong-willed, fascinating woman. She continued to surprise him with her loyalty and concern for others. Also able to see his internal pain, she’d had the compassion to try to quell it.

  And she had.

  And then some.

  Her speech and her kiss had dislodged an affection for the woman he was finding he would like to keep beyond whatever happened tonight. But did she feel the same? Was it just the heat of the moment moving them down this path? Could they be together once she didn’t need protecting anymore? The bodyguard didn’t ask any of these questions.

  Now wasn’t the time.

  They had work to do.

  The Bowman Foundation was lit up like a Christmas tree. Even at night, it felt like the epitome of hope, bright and promising to those who needed it. None of this surprised Mark as he parked the Jeep and took in the surroundings. Cars filled the parking lot. Two men in suits stood outside the doors, clipboards in their hands and smiles on their faces.

  “Hopefully we’re on the list,” he said, trying to get her attention away from wherever her mind was focused. It worked. She laughed a little and turned. Unease lined her expression. It was a look he didn’t like at all. “Kelli, we don’t—”

  “Mark, this is possibly the best way to get Dennis to condemn himself,” she interrupted. “So, we do have to do this. I don’t want Dennis ever to show up at my house again. I won’t live in ongoing fear for Grace’s safety.”

  She patted her thigh one more time and got out of the truck. Mark took a deep breath and followed.

  Aside from the men at the door, he didn’t spot anyone else outside the building. Jonathan was doing a good job at hiding.

  “My lady,” Mark said. He held his arm out.

  “It’s been a long time since I walked in these heels, so I truly thank you,” Kelli said, laughing. She linked her arm through his.

  Together they walked right up to the lion’s den.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kelli’s head swam.

  Pain and confusion. That’s all she could wrap her mind around at first. What had happened? Where was she? Why did her head hurt so much?

  Darkness invaded the space around her, clinging to her skin like a blanket. Blinking several times didn’t help. She still couldn’t see a thing. The darkness was thick. Unrelenting. Terrifying.

  Where was Mark?

  She desperately tried to remember what had happened. The life before this darkness. But she was too panicked to concentrate. The pain in her head didn’t help matters, either.

  Calm down, Kel, she thought sternly. That phrase was becoming her mantra, she realized. What she also realized absolutely killed any attempt at calming down.

  She couldn’t move.

  She was tied to a chair.

  “Oh, my God,” she gasped. Her wrists were pulled behind her, tied together. She tried to move them but they were
anchored to the back of her seat. As she twisted her hips, her stomach dropped. She was tied to the front two chair legs from her shins to her ankles.

  Wherever she was, it wasn’t good.

  “Hello?” she asked timidly—afraid of who would answer, afraid that no one would.

  “Kelli!”

  If her stomach dropped before, it absolutely crashed through her and the floor at the voice beside her.

  “Lynn? Oh, God, is that you, Lynn?”

  “Yes! Yes, it’s me.”

  Kelli almost cried in acute fear. She forgot to breathe for a moment.

  “Grace?” she asked, every hope and prayer in her world resting on one name.

  “She was still in the apartment with Nikki. She should be okay,” Lynn said hurriedly. “I was the stupid one who left it.”

  Relief flooded the mother’s heart. She wasn’t completely calm, but she was in a better state of mind to work with whatever happened.

  “Are you okay?” Kelli asked.

  She could hear the other woman trying to move around. “He beat me up pretty good—I think my lip’s busted—but I’ll live.” Lynn paused, then added, “I think.”

  “Who beat you up?”

  “I don’t know his name—all I was doing was taking out the trash—but he shoved me into the elevator and just attacked.” Lynn’s voice wavered. “I shouldn’t have left the apartment, but I was trying to be nice since Mark let us stay in his place! I’m sorry, Kel. I should have stayed with Grace.”

  The maternal voice of reason within Kelli agreed, but the woman who loved her friend like only family could defended her.

  “Nikki will realize something is wrong. She won’t leave Grace to come get you. She’ll call the cops,” Kelli reasoned. She hoped it was true. She prayed it was true. “Do you know where we are?”

  “No, the guy slammed my head into the elevator wall, then nothing but stars. Are you okay? What happened?”

  Kelli tried her restraints once more. They didn’t move an inch.