Invisibility Cloak

by Jill Elaine Prim

  Too much time had passed. She had to focus. Get Wayne’s notes and get out of here. Amanda popped out the USB drive and stuck it in her purse. Grabbing the family photos, she pushed them inside her purse along the side, so they would stay as straight as possible. After she grabbed the folders that had Wayne’s notes, she sat absolutely still at the desk.

  Never again. She shook her head.

  She would never love again. Look at where it got her.

  Time to go home she thought sullenly as she pushed herself out of Wayne’s comfortable desk chair. Looking around the office, she tidied up any papers she accidently messed up so when Ginny came back later, she would find a neat office. Looking around one last time, she hoped everything looked good and reached for the door. Unlocking the doorknob, she eased it open and stepped into the hallway.

  And crashed right into Dr. Terrence Montgomery.

  Crap.

  Chapter 9

  Dr. Montgomery grabbed onto her elbows to steady her and stopped dead in his tracks.

  “Why, Amanda?” His eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

  “Hi, Terrence.” Amanda backed up slightly so his hands that were wrapped around her arms fell away. “I just came in to see Ginny.” Amanda frowned and looked around. It was hard to make eye contact when telling a little white lie.

  Yeah, the little white angel jabbed her with her pitchfork.

  Focusing on the wall behind him, she tried to convince herself it wasn’t really an out-in-out lie, because she did see Ginny. And for some reason, she didn’t want to tell him that she was in her ex-husband’s office. She was following her intuition and didn’t Ryder say that was a good thing?

  His gaze travelled over her face. “It is nice to see you.” He lowered his eyes to take in her figure. “My, my, you are looking good.” Terrence gestured with his left arm, bringing his right up around her waist in a casual gesture. “Come on into my office, Amanda.”

  Her spine immediately stiffened. Ooh, he is such a creep. She clasped the file folder that held Wayne’s precious notes tightly to her chest.

  He looked at her with that disturbing smile of his and all she wanted to do was leave. Fast. How could she gracefully get out of this situation?

  “El Dr. Montgomery! ¿Dónde se encuentra,” a heavily accented voice barked out behind them both around the corner.

  Now that definitely spooked her. That sounded just like the guy that almost choked her to death last night. With her heart thumping, she slowly turned her head in the direction of the voice, fully expecting to see the same man that broke into her house. Her head buzzed anxiously, but she couldn’t see anything since the question came from down the hallway. She had to get out of here.

  Right now. Time to go.

  “Christ. What does he want now?” Terrence muttered under his breath looking in the direction of his office, then turned back to look at her. “Give me just a moment, Amanda.”

  “Terrence, I was just on my way out.” Amanda edged out of his loose hold. “Let’s get together maybe in a few days?” Her heart pounded in triplicate at the sound of heavy footsteps bearing down on them from around the corridor. And that heavily accented Spanish voice that boomed from the hallway scared the life out of her. “El profesor! ¿Qué están hacienda.”

  Oh Crap. “Really Terrence, I’ll see you later, I really have to go.” She turned away and headed in the opposite direction of his office.

  “I’ll call you, Amanda?” Terrence said behind her.

  “Doctooooor?” Amanda heard as she walked away. The pulse in her throat slammed against her neck. Looking wildly around, all she saw were doors. Frantically, she pulled at the various doorknobs at her right, but they wouldn’t budge. Snaking her hand out randomly at all she came across, her stomach heaved in and out as she continued turning the doorknobs. Her head pounded with fear as she grabbed one of the last brass knobs. Jerking it to the right, she gasped in surprise when it turned easily.

  Oh, Thank God!

  She tumbled inside and carefully closed the door, backing up until her rear end bumped up against the back of the closet.

  “¿Qué están hacienda.” Someone said right outside the door and she froze. The familiar accent filtered through her head. She knew a little Spanish to decipher what was being said. What are you doing?

  “I was speaking with a friend of mine . . .” Terrence said then trailed off sounding confused, “I don’t know where she went.”

  Amanda held her breath, almost positive that the man outside the door was the one that had broken into her house last night.

  Scared to breathe in case they heard her, she widened her eyes staring down the outline of the storage room door. Her heart drummed with fear that they’d open the door and find her crouched in the dark storeroom. And then what would she do? She sank down to the floor, stuck for a while until she could figure out what to do.

  Hushed male baritone voices drifted by the door and her nape tingled. How was she doing on time? Could she safely stay here awhile and not be missed? She groaned because she knew it would be Ryder who’d notice she wasn’t around.

  Crap!

  Crouching, she cradled her head in her hands thinking over the next few days. On Monday, Mom and Dad were arriving to take the kids back with them and she had the final therapy appointment at the gym. Tuesday her kids would drive back up to Fort Collins and the Dinner Dance at Jeffrey’s club was in the evening.

  At least she’d be able wear the brace unnoticed because all the women were expected to wear floor-length dresses. Her friend Kelsey had a few formals and she’d arranged to come by with four of her favorite dresses for Amanda to try on Sunday. Kelsey was around the same build as Amanda, maybe even smaller, but she mentioned bringing a blue, black, white and green dress; all floor length and according to Kelsey, they were stunning.

  Uh oh, today was Sunday.

  When did she get so absent-minded? She hoped she didn’t miss Kelsey. Tilting her head she noticed that there was absolutely no sound. Silence. Everyone must have left.

  Good. It should be safe to leave. Amanda stood up, ready to get out of here and get home.

  Without warning, the door violently jerked open and a large body came at her. It happened so fast, she didn’t even have time to utter a sound and was smashed up even harder against the back of the wall.

  “I oughta . . .” Ryder whispered menacingly into her ear.

  “Oomph,” Amanda puffed out as his familiar hard body pressed against hers. Instantly her shoulders sagged with relief.

  She breathed in his masculine scent and the alarm that rose up in her quickly morphed into excitement.

  I really am one sick puppy.

  Her arms circled his neck and she buried her head in his shoulder with relief; she was so happy to see him.

  Until she realized she was busted for leaving the house.

  His large form caged her against the closet wall before edging his torso in between her legs plastering her spread eagle.

  Even though her body immediately responded, she rolled her eyes at her position.

  God, I really am. What ever happened to my new found mantra of I am woman, hear me growl?

  Just having him pressed against her with his breath tickling her ear, made her heart flutter like crazy. Yep, she was certifiable.

  “You could have gotten yourself killed,” Ryder bent down and breathed in her ear. “You little hellion. Don’t ever take off like that again or there will be consequences.”

  “Oh yeah?” Her chutzpah was back.

  Amanda yanked both of her hands back and pressed her palms up against his chest; it was like pushing against a cement wall. “Like what?” She sneered at him because now she was mad. He scared the living daylights out of her when he barged in like that. She’d
almost had a heart attack, for cripes sakes!

  Her breasts smashed up against his hard body and she was unbelievably excited. A thrill raced through her limbs and she drew in a ragged breath.

  “Like this.” His voice rumbled in her ear before he pulled her even closer and kissed her. Hard.

  Trembling with desire that she felt for this man, she clutched his head with both hands and gave it to him right back.

  Kissing Ryder Stevenson was like being strapped in to the wildest rollercoaster she’d ever been on. Her head swirled in the clouds, while her stomach flipped as they tasted each other over and over again. Time stood still and she wasn’t sure how long they made out in the dark closet.

  “Amanda,” Ryder groaned. “Damn it, woman. You scared the hell out of me.” He broke away and looked down at her. “We have to get the out of here.” He slowly lowered her down.

  Sighing, she dug her nails into his biceps and held on, because he felt so right. So safe.

  “Where are the kids?” She just realized that he wouldn’t leave them alone, but when she’d gone downstairs earlier, he wasn’t there . . . So where had he been?

  “Downstairs in the cruiser. I tapped a buddy of mine to lend a hand.”

  “What?” Amanda straightened up fast. “They’re downstairs?” Pushing away from him she walked to the door. “While we are in this . . .” She rubbed her forehead. “This . . . closet making-out for cripes sake?” She was absolutely mortified; beyond embarrassment. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

  “Because.” Ryder strode up beside her and placed his hand on her back. “You scared the shit out of me and I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Oh, Ryder,” she moaned a little louder. They had both been talking in heated whispers up until this point.

  “Shush, we still have to keep it down and low. Hell, I’m really not all sure what’s going down here, yet.”

  She nodded and pursed her lips together.

  “I saw two other goons, I’m pretty sure they’re related to the man that paid a visit to your house last night,” he whispered in her ear. “They walked back in an office around the corner, and I came in as soon as I could. I’ll see if we can go.”

  Ryder cracked open the door and peeked out, before easing out into the corridor. Motioning with his fingers, he urged her to follow.

  With her heart pounding, she tiptoed out of the closet until Ryder grabbed her hand and they flew across the hallway.

  He pulled open a metal door and walked rapidly down the stairs.

  Grabbing onto the metal railing Amanda pulled her brows down in concentration and fast-walked it down the cement stairs. Walking up stairs was not as difficult for her as walking down a set of stairs. And having to hurry was really not good. Somehow her left toe got caught on the stair tread and she lurched forward. She gasped and clung tighter to the bannister.

  “I got you.” Ryder put his arm around her waist. Now Amanda sailed down the staircase, not even sure her feet touched the steps because he was carrying her.

  After another set of stairs, Ryder let out a breath. “We’re in the clear, now.” He set her down on the landing that angled in the corner that hooked up to yet another set of treads. The stairs were built like a huge layered L-shape encompassing each floor.

  Spreading his feet, he narrowed his eyes as if preparing for battle. “Just why in the hell did you take off like that, Amanda?”

  His teeth clenched so hard, a muscle ticked alongside his jawline.

  This was going to be tricky. She sucked in a deep breath and huffed out, “Hey, I did go looking for you after my shower.”

  “Woman, so help me―”

  She held up her hand to stop him from spouting out some unsavory words. “Shouldn’t we discuss this later?” She arched a brow as she grabbed his arm that was crossed over on his chest, but he wouldn’t budge an inch. “Don’t we need to get going because there are some bad guys a few floors up?” God forbid if the scary bad guys found them arguing on the stairs.

  “There is no discussion.” He stood firm. “You will not take off by yourself, again. Give me an affirmative.” His nostrils flared. “Because we are not going anywhere until that fact is clear.”

  She glared at him. Whatever happened to her earlier mantra, I am woman hear me howl? Amanda mumbled, “Roar.” So much for my daring nature. After unclenching her teeth, she nodded. “Yes, sir.” He could be so infuriating. Lifting her chin up in one last semblance of dignity she saluted him.

  Ryder shook his head and smirked before he grabbed her hand firmly and tugged her down that last tread of stairs. “Let’s go.”

  Ooh that man!

  Amanda stuck her tongue out at his wide back until they padded down one more landing to a bright blue door exit door.

  Before Ryder pushed on the steel bar to get outside, he turned to her.

  Drat. Her tongue was still out and she’d intensified her expression and half closed her eyes.

  “You may want to put that away unless you want to use it, honey.” The sides of his mouth curved up.

  For cripes sakes, she’d not acted like this since she was two-years-old. What was the matter with her?

  “You wish,” she snorted and looked straight ahead. Her face heated up because she had no idea what possessed her to say that.

  Ryder stood there grinning and didn’t move. So she did the only thing a grown woman would do in this instance. She lashed out at him.

  “Are you waiting for Christmas or what?” “She spoke in low heated words.

  Leaning to the right he extended his arm and opened the door, finally. Amanda brushed past him into the glaring sunlight of the Sunday afternoon.

  “Or what,” he whispered in her ear when she walked past.

  His breath tickled the side of her face. She turned her head toward him and their eyes locked. He was still wearing that cocky grin. Ooh. She scowled at him.

  He snaked his arm around her and guided her out the exit door. “Over here.” Ryder took her around the side of the building to a dark blue Crown Victoria with tinted windows and opened the rear car door.

  “Mom!” Sammie squealed.

  “Get in, Amanda. I’ll go around the other side,” Ryder said.

  Following orders, she scooted in and put her arm around her daughter. “I’m okay, sweetie.”

  Ryder closed the door and appeared on the other side of Sammie in the back seat.

  “Amanda, this is Detective Jeremy Coolman.”

  The dark-haired driver nodded. “Ma’am.”

  She nodded back. “Nice to meet you, Detec―” But stopped mid-sentence when she noticed her son sitting in the passenger seat fiddling with all of the buttons and knobs.

  “Nickel Constantine what are you doing up there?”

  “Hey, Mom,” Nick turned his head in the midst of turning a black button. “This is just so epic.” He flashed her a big grin. “This computer has an insurmountable conjecture feature in any number of situations.

  “Well, I’m glad you are having a good time, dear.” She craned her head up to see what he was talking about.

  “Man, too cool.” Nick hunkered down to study the intricate panel again. “Forget Duke and physics, Mom, I want to be in law enforcement.”

  “Okay, dear.” Amanda looked over at Ryder and grimaced.

  He shrugged. “Sammie tells me your parents are coming to visit soon?”

  “Yes, every year as soon as finals are over, my folks drive down and take Sammie and Nickel for about a week or two.” But something else nagged at her.

  “They’re coming . . .?”

  What was she forgetting?

  “Monday,” Amanda murmured then snapped her fingers. “Ah! What time is it? I almost forgot! Kelsey’s coming over with a few dre
sses today.”

  “Who’s Kelsey?” Ryder bent forward and leaned his arms on his knees looking around Sammie catching her attention.

  “A good friend who is lending me something.”

  A dress for the Dinner Dance on Tuesday. She pursed her lips together. The one she was going to with Jeffrey. And Ryder was going to with Sophia Edgington.

  Ryder turned over his wrist to look at his watch. “It’s fourteen hundred hours.”

  “We have to get home. I didn’t realize it was that late.”

  Sammie asked, “Why’s Kelsey coming over, Mom?”

  “I was invited to dance and dinner at the Harbor Falls Country Club on Tuesday and she is lending me a formal to wear.”

  “Dang it, we won’t be here. I want to see you in your dress.” Sammie jutted out her lower lip.

  “Well, you can see me in it today. That’s why Kelsey is coming by. She’s bringing a few gowns for me to try on. You can pick out the one you think I should wear, deal?”

  Nickel turned around and asked. “Are you going with Ryder?” His brown eyes, so like his father’s narrowed at Ryder. “You sure are going out a lot more now, Mom.”

  “Is that a problem, Nickel?” Amanda glanced over at him.

  “Nah, it’s just weird,” her son grumbled from the front of the car.

  She adjusted her feet and crossed her legs. “Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure it won’t last.” She puffed out a laugh.