The Thrill of You

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  “Actually, I might have to reconsider his offer.”

  “What do you mean? Why? I thought—”

  “Mr. Upton called just now. He’s the private investigator I hired when Derek went missing. He just sent me a picture of Derek in South America. He thinks he’s been held hostage all this time.”

  “Say what?” Donna screeched.

  “I don’t know any details right now. But I know that if he’s been a hostage all this time I’m going to need to get money together fast—a lot of money. I was hoping Ammar would give me the money in advance.”

  “Oh, you know he will. The man worships the ground you walk on. He’d give you anything you ask.”

  “Okay, great, please don’t say anything to him right now. I’m going to need more details from Mr. Upton first.”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll contact Ammar when you give me the word.”

  “Okay, thanks, Donna.”

  “Cyanna, I’m so happy Derek’s alive.”

  “Me, too. I’ll call you as soon as I hear something.” She ended the call and opened the downloaded file again. Derek was alive. The words sank into her heart with ease. She smiled, laughed and then cried like baby. She picked up her plastic stick and looked at the two very pink lines. She grabbed the other two tests from the bag and took them. There was no mistake, two pink lines, two red lines and a plus sign; all three tests from three different manufacturers showed the same thing. She was pregnant.

  She looked at her brother’s picture again. She needed to take care of this now before she wouldn’t be able to. She dug out her computer tablet and immediately searched for flights to Bogotá, Colombia. As soon as she found one, she made a reservation and continued with her travel plans. When she finished she sat back and closed her eyes.

  This was the second time this morning her head spun like a spinning top. She opened her eyes. The dizzy feeling was still there. She staggered to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. The last thing she needed was to pass out on her way to Miami to get to Bogotá.

  * * *

  Mikhail got to the marina an hour later than he wanted, but staying with Cyanna just a few minutes more was always worth it. He slammed the car door and headed to the main office. As soon as he walked in, he saw Jumper and Fannie standing at the counter, drinking coffee and waiting. Jumper glanced at his watch much too obviously, and Fannie, as always, smiled brightly. “Good morning,” she said in her usual joyful tone.

  “Good morning. All set?” he inquired.

  “Yep, since an hour ago,” Jumper chastised.

  “Unavoidable. Where’s Cisco and Luther?” Mikhail asked as he headed to his office. Fannie and Jumper followed.

  “Luther had an early-morning fishing excursion and Cisco got a call and said he’d be back in a few hours.”

  “Okay, let’s do it,” Mikhail said, sitting in his chair.

  Fannie took her usual seat in front of the desk and Jumper leaned on the filing cabinet like he always did. This was their usual weekly planning meeting. Fannie began, running though and synchronizing the schedule on everyone’s tablets and computers. They were fully booked up as usual. She had a few concerns regarding services, and he told them his idea about adding new services to their lineup. They agreed wholeheartedly.

  The conversations continued. Mikhail listened and intently focused since he found his thoughts wandering from time to time. Of course they centered on Cyanna. As the meeting began to wrap up, the ultimate conclusion was that the next few months were going to be more than hectic. Mikhail knew his overworked crew wouldn’t be able to handle the crushing rush and having a couple more hands on deck could only be an asset.

  “Okay, I think it’s time we step up our game. Fannie, I’d like you to look into getting Jumper another assistant, perhaps two. Luther’s coming into his own as a full member of the crew, and if the last few years are any indication, we’re gonna need the help. Also, I was thinking you could use some assistance in the office. Let’s throw out some feelers for an office assistant for you, as well.”

  Fannie smiled and nodded. “Yes, I agree. I’ll get started on this today.”

  “Good, are we done here?”

  “Well, now that you mention it and since you’re being generous,” Luther began. “We need to talk about Cyanna.”

  “What about her?” Mikhail asked quickly.

  “She’s brand-new and she’s a beaut, but we need to tweak a few knobs and bobbles before we get her into the water.” He gave a detailed description of everything he thought needed to be done before it was water-safe for clients. But since the boat was brand-new, Mikhail agreed to only a few of his upgrades.

  “Okay, that’s it. I’ll be out at Cutter this afternoon and most of tomorrow.” Luther nodded and Fannie itched to get started. “That’s it.”

  Just as they headed out of the office, Cisco came in. “Hey,” he said to Mikhail. “You got a minute?” The firm seriousness in his tone and eyes told Mikhail this had nothing to do with the marina.

  “Let’s go up to the crow’s nest.” Cisco followed Mikhail up to his private office. They closed the door. “Okay, what’s up?”

  “Please tell me the Cyanna from the other day is not Derek’s sister.” Mikhail didn’t answer. “Man, are you nuts?”

  “I know what I’m doing.”

  “You were just supposed to keep an eye on her, but sleep with her—”

  “There’s more to it,” Mikhail said.

  “What more could there be?” Cisco asked, shaking his head. Mikhail didn’t answer. “See that’s why I never take those babysitting assignments. They never turn out right. They always get complicated.”

  “I love her.”

  “Yeah, you can see that all over your face. So, what are you gonna tell her?”

  “About what?” Mikhail asked.

  “Dude, you knew all along that Derek was on assignment. She’s not going to be happy.”

  “Let me worry about that. Just get me the extraction date.”

  Cisco shook his head and walked to the door. He paused a minute without turning around. “If it’s any consolation, I envy you, man. Later.”

  Mikhail turned to look out the window. He knew he was not in an enviable position. When Cyanna found out what he was really doing, she was going to be furious. He shook his head.

  He grabbed his stuff and headed out. He still needed to pick up a few things for Cutter Island, and, depending on how the next few days played out, this might be their last few days together.

  Chapter 12

  There was a car parked out front when Mikhail drove up to his home. He didn’t recognize it, but he knew it was a rental. He turned off the ignition, reached over to grab the small bag sitting on the passenger seat and opened it. He pulled out the tiny velvet box he’d purchased in town before coming home and smiled, knowing this was the beginning of a new life for him. He slipped it into his pocket, got out, walked inside and headed upstairs to see her.

  When he walked into their bedroom, Cyanna was packing her clothes.

  “Hey, you don’t need all that for Cutter. We’re only going overnight,” Mikhail said after he walked into the bedroom and saw Cyanna’s clothes all over the bed and half-stuffed into her two suitcases.

  She turned around. “Hey, I was gonna leave you a note.”

  His heart instantly sank. “Leave me a note saying what?”

  “I have to go,” she said. “Now, right now.”

  “What are you talking about? Where?”

  “It’s Derek—he’s alive. I just found out.”

  Mikhail stared at her. It was like everything he feared just came true. “What do you mean he’s alive? Who told you this?”

  “Gil Upton, he’s the private investigator from Miami. I hired him when the State
Department wouldn’t help me with answers. They told me that Derek was presumed dead, and I hired him to find his body.”

  “Gil Upton.”

  She nodded. “So, I need to go to him.”

  “No, you don’t. This makes no sense,” Mikhail said.

  “But it does. This explains everything. I never could get any information from anybody at the State Department. I went there and sat for hours. I called. I sent emails and wrote letters. I even had Ammar ask around for me since his family is very influential. Nothing worked. All they said was that Derek was presumed dead. Then they said he was dead. But they were wrong—Derek is alive.”

  Mikhail could see the joy in her eyes. He hated to be the one to darken her glow, but it needed to be done. There was no way he could have her walking into the middle of a sensitive operation to save her brother, who certainly didn’t need saving. “Where is he?” Mikhail asked.

  “I don’t know yet. Mr. Upton is going to call me with details. I have a picture.” She grabbed her cell phone, found the picture and showed it to him.

  Mikhail took the phone and looked at the photo. He shook his head slowly. “Cyanna, this isn’t Derek.”

  “Yes, it is. I know what my brother looks like. That’s him,” she said, grabbing her cell to look at it again.

  “No, it’s not. You’re just hoping it is because—”

  “What is wrong with you?” she injected quickly. “Can’t you see him? I thought you were Derek’s friend.” Her head took a major spin. She swayed, then slowly sat down on the bed. Mikhail hurried to quickly sit down beside her.

  “Cyanna, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” he asked.

  She cupped her forehead in her hand and took a deep breath to gather herself. “I’m fine. I just don’t get it. You’re his friend.”

  “Yes, I am his friend,” he said calmly, seeing how stressed and upset she was. “Cyanna, this is a tiny photo taken from a long distance on a cheap cell phone camera then enlarged to confuse you.”

  “Why are you saying that?” she asked tearfully as she stared at the photo of the man coming out of a small rustic building surrounded by verdant foliage and men with guns. She handed him the phone again.

  “Look. See, that’s Derek right there—he’s alive. Mr. Upton was at the site to negotiate another hostage transfer and one of his associates took this picture. It’s Derek, see? Mr. Upton is on a flight headed to Bogotá right now. There’s no direct flight from here and all flights to Miami are booked up, so I’m driving to Miami. I already rented a car. I’m going to meet him there.” She stood and continued packing her things.

  “In Bogotá,” he said, astonished, realizing this had gone way too far. She nodded busily. “No,” Mikhail said.

  She stopped and looked at him. “What?”

  “I said no. There’s no way I’m going to let you go to Colombia on a wild-goose chase to meet a man you barely know.”

  “I know him. I hired him,” she insisted, zipping the case.

  “Cyanna, listen to yourself. This makes no sense. Why would—”

  “It makes perfect sense. What are you talking about?” she quickly interrupted him. “And if you are his friend, like you said you are, you’d understand why I need to go.” She dropped the first suitcase on the floor and grabbed the other one.

  He rushed over and took it from her. She released the handle. “I understand this man is conning you,” he said.

  “How can you say that? For the first time in months I actually have hope that my brother is still alive, and all you can say is I’m being conned.” She shook her head furiously as tears began to flow again.

  “That’s not all I can say. I can say you’re not going.”

  She shook her head. “I told you before, Mikhail, not to try to run my life.” She grabbed the last few pieces of clothing, tossed them into the second suitcase, slammed it shut and zipped it. “I’m going.”

  “No, you’re not,” he said.

  She laughed. “And how exactly are you going to hold me here—tie me to the bed?”

  “That idea has merit,” he snapped. She turned and glared at him. “Reason, I’ll use reason to keep you here.”

  She shook her head. “Yeah, the only reason you want me to stay is because I’m pregnant with your child,” she blurted out angrily, then stopped and looked at him. This wasn’t how she’d planned to tell him. But she could see in his face it was already too late. His eyes darkened and a scowl deepened.

  “You’re what?” he said. “You’re pregnant.”

  “I’m not sure yet. I haven’t seen a doctor. I took tests.”

  “How many tests?” he asked.

  She glanced over at the three test strips on the dresser. “Three home pregnancy tests—they were all positive results.” He walked over and picked each one up and examined them carefully.

  He turned, smiled and looked down at her stomach. “You’re pregnant.” He walked back over to her and swept her up in his arms. “You’re pregnant,” he repeated as he kissed her over and over again. “You’re pregnant.”

  “Yes, maybe, it’s possible.”

  “Well, we’ll set up a doctor’s appointment today and get—”

  “No, Mikhail, nothing’s changed. If anything I need to get to South America sooner. Every minute counts for me and for Derek.”

  “Are you seriously still thinking about going to Bogotá?”

  “I have to. Derek—”

  “Is fine,” Mikhail said.

  She stopped and glared at him suspiciously. “How do you know?”

  He paused. “If indeed he is being held hostage, kidnappers don’t hurt their payday. They’re in it for the money,” he said, covering quickly.

  “Money,” she said, remembering her conversation with Donna.

  “What about it? Did Upton give you a number?”

  “No, not yet. But I’m gonna need cash, I assume.”

  “I have money,” he said.

  “No, I’ll get the money.”

  “How, from where, from whom?” he asked, looking at her. She knew she didn’t need to answer his question because he already knew who she was going to get the money from. “Ammar,” he gritted out.

  “He’s agreed to quadruple my fee for a single gig. I’m going to take his offer and ask for the money up front.”

  “No, you’re not,” he said determinedly.

  “Seriously, what is it about me that makes you insist on trying to run my life? I’m going to Ammar, I’m taking his money and I’m going to Bogotá to get my brother.”

  Mikhail shook his head. “You have it all worked out.”

  “Yes, I do,” she snapped.

  “No, you don’t,” he snapped back.

  She glared at him for a few minutes, then grabbed the handles on her rolling suitcases and moved to the door. He intercepted and stood in the way. “Mikhail, you need to move and let me go.”

  He dropped his head to her shoulder. “Cyanna, I can’t. You don’t understand. I can’t.”

  “You don’t understand. I don’t have a choice. He’s my big brother. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for me. He saved me. He saved my life at the risk of his own. I have to do this.”

  Mikhail shook his head. “No, you don’t. Derek would never forgive me if I let you go.”

  Her heart stammered and trembled. “You knew. All this time. You let me suffer thinking my brother was dead and you knew he was alive. What are you, some kind of sadist? You get off messing with people’s minds?”

  “No, Cyanna, listen to me—”

  “No, I’ve heard enough. You knew Derek was alive and you did nothing to help him.”

  “I couldn’t.”

  “So what now? He just rots in some dirty, filthy jail in South America and I’m just
supposed to do nothing. And what about me—all this time you knew, saw me in pain and said nothing. What was I?” she asked pointedly. Then she knew the answer. “I was a job? All this between us was just an assignment to keep me quiet and out of the way while you boys played your games, right?”

  “I can’t,” he repeated softly.

  “You don’t have to say anything. I know I’m right. I know a betrayal when I see one.”

  “Cyanna—” he said.

  “Don’t.”

  “I love you, Cyanna,” he said. She gasped quietly as his words sunk into her heart. “I never thought I would ever find a woman like you, but I have. I love you with all my heart and soul. But I can’t let you go to Bogotá or anywhere else.” Cyanna’s body swayed as her head spun wildly again. Mikhail held her arms to still her. “Cyanna—”

  “Mikhail, you can’t stop me.” After a few minutes he stepped out of her way, but he took the suitcase handles from her. She looked up into his eyes. She knew he wasn’t going to change his mind. He rolled the cases back across the room to the closet.

  She continued walking to the door. “Fine, I’ll just buy clothes when I get there.”

  “What was it going to say?” he asked.

  She stopped. “What was what going to say?” she asked.

  “The note you were going to write me,” he said. “Were you even going to tell me about the baby?” She remained silent. “You weren’t, were you?”

  Her heart sank that he would think that. “Yes, of course I was going to tell you—when I got back.”

  He picked up the pregnancy test strips again and stared at them. “You’re not going.”

  She secured her purse and the small overnight bag on her shoulder and hurried downstairs. Unfortunately the quick movements nearly had the stairs coming up to meet her. She staggered but kept her balance enough to reach the first floor.

  She hurried out and went straight to the rental car. She got in just as Mikhail followed her outside. He called to her. She started the engine and drove off quickly. She was headed down the driveway, watching him in her rearview mirror. She saw him run to his car. She pressed the accelerator down and redirected her attention to the front windshield. A second later everything went black.