by Pinki Parks
“I’m sure she can take care of herself for 5-minutes.” She was poking fun at my stamina knowing full well 5-minutes were nothing in a marathon of sex into the wee hours of the morning.
“I see what you’re doing and it’s not going to work. I can’t see how you can possibly think about sex when this is a matter of life and death. Our ‘family’ is being targeted and we are their only hope.” She was pulling back the curtain of her modesty by dropping the white robe at her feet. The faint sound of people in flagrant delight was echoing through the walls.
“You can’t possibly expect me to stand here and listen to that and not do something. I’ve gone all out to romance you and you know how I feel about these things.” She was pulling out all the stops.
Her idea of romance was jumping a man until they surrendered willingly. She wasn’t very shy about telling stories to make a grown sailor blush. I’d been with her a few times and each encounter was more explosive than the last.
There was only one bed and a lumpy green couch by the window. The shower dripped brown sludge and it took about 5-minutes before it cleared up enough to step into the enclosure. The front window had a view of the parking lot. There was no way anybody was going to sneak up on us without us having forewarned knowledge.
“I’m really not in the mood to play your games.” Being dead had taken its toll on me and my family was still unaware of my continued existence.
“I don’t really care if you’re in the mood. The only thing I want is to use your body for my own selfish needs. Just lie there and look at the ceiling while I get one out of the chamber. I wouldn’t be opposed to some oral gratification. I don’t give praise easily, but you know what gets my motor running.” I was very adept at reading the body language of women to know what steps to take to make them squeal with my name on the tip of their tongue.
“I have some business to conduct and maybe we can revisit this subject later.” I almost blinked and missed the low growl underneath her breath.
“If you’re not going to give me some then I’m going to go out and find someone who will. It would’ve been far more convenient to have you fill the void between my legs. I’m sure there’s no shortage of men willing to bend over backward to please me. This is going to be someone’s lucky day and they don’t even know it.” She got dressed and I didn’t bother to turn to see what kind of risky attire she was going to wear to find a suitable conquest.
“I want you to remember to pace yourself. Most guys won’t even know what kind of storm is coming their way. You can be rather forceful and maybe a more laid-back approach is in order.” I’d seen her take no prisoners and leave them coming out after the deed looking stunned like a grenade had landed in their lap.
“I don’t need you telling me how to act in public. This place isn’t exactly the Ritz. Guys come here looking for an hour of relief. Some even drink during the day at the bar across the street. Don’t wait up for me for supper. I get the feeling I’m going to have a better offer than rations.” I vividly recalled the many times we had twisted in the sheets and how I could possibly deny myself that pleasure was beyond me.
“You shouldn’t knock rations and some of them are very tasty these days. The beef stew is my favorite. I’ll be more than happy to eat your portion.” She was always turning her nose up when we were staked out in the mud about to take action.
“You go ahead and fill your boots with it. It might taste better if you did. This could have been yours and I will make you regret rejecting me. I don’t plan to come back until I make a man give me what I want. Eat your heart out, Dalton.” I was too curious for my own good.
I turned in time to see the leather-clad backside of her body leaving the room. The skirt was painted on her and there was no doubt in my mind she had gone out commando.
I was convinced I had to get inside the house to plant cameras. I didn’t need to hear anything private they were saying to one another. I just needed eyes to see her… I mean to see the estate.” I didn’t know who I was kidding.
I got dressed in all black and transferred the images of the camera from the estate to my handheld tablet. I easily hid it from view inside an army type knapsack. The black tinted visor of the motorcycle helmet detracted from my face.
I was going to go out the front, but I was worried Melanie would see me leaving the room. She didn’t need to know my business.
I went into the bathroom and stood on the grimy blue tiles with black mold on the ceiling above me. The window was painted shut and I had to use my Bowie knife to break the seal. I easily slid into the opening and wiggled my way to freedom.
I landed by a green Dumpster putrid with the scent of old Chinese Food from the restaurant down the street.
I had to risk going out to the parking lot to retrieve my motorcycle. Thankfully, it was hidden behind a trailer parking at an odd angle in the parking lot.
I rolled the bike down the block before turning it on and driving the few minutes to where the estate was located.
It was broad daylight and I used the tablet to confirm the family had left the premises. Gillian was alone with the staff.
I used my newly acquired technical savvy courtesy of Melanie to bypass their Security System on the left quadrant of the property. It was only down for a minute. There was no sign of rabid dogs snarling for a chance to get a piece of me when I scaled the fence. The grounds were immaculate. The sprawling landscape led to a tennis court with leaves and blotches of slush littering the concrete.
It wasn’t a surprise to see the staff entrance propped open by a piece of metal. I moved silently into the kitchen and ducked down when the chef came out of the walk-in fridge. He was preparing pork chops already seasoned with a medley of spices to wet my appetite.
“I wonder if I could request something different for supper. I don’t want to be a bother, but I’ve recently become a Vegan. I have a few recipes you can follow to make it easier.” The sweater adhered to Gillian’s body like glue and made me hunger for what was hidden underneath.
I could’ve easily stood up and announced myself. It was tempting, but it wasn’t like there was a future for us. I couldn’t possibly break up her happy family. Knowing I was alive was drama she didn’t need in her life.
“I have made many Vegan dishes. Leave it in my capable hands and I promise you something extraordinary. Don’t tell anybody, but my wife is a Vegan. She’s the one that taught me meat doesn’t have to be the only thing on the menu. I have to say having you around is a breath of fresh air compared to the others.” I was walking close to the fire and could easily find myself getting burned.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one who can see it. I think I’m going to go downstairs and swim a few laps. I need to clear my head. I could use something strong to drink to take the edge off.” The chef looked around. I stayed motionless so close that I could almost touch her.
“The wine cellar is fully stocked, but I would like to share with you a family recipe passed down from one generation to the next.” He rummaged in the fridge and came up with a glass jar. “I’m going to give you one shot glass full. You won’t need anything more than that.” He poured the shot and gave Gillian the chance to smell the contents.
“I do like the combination of apples and cinnamon.” She hammered it back and slammed the glass down after shaking her head from the effects. “That does have the kick of a Missouri mule. Don’t be surprised if you find it all gone.” She took another shot then left his company with him returning to the fridge to grab some necessary supplies.
I don’t know what compelled me, but I decided to follow like she had a makeshift leash around my neck with a chain attached. I made sure before entering the premises to navigate their security cameras. I made sure it was on a loop to discourage the possibility of security announcing their presence. I had to remain invisible.
I realized I didn’t have to place any cameras on the property. I had a certain device which I could stick int
o the main server for the cameras to make it possible to see everything they did on my tablet. I found the room down the hall with the door wide open. I heard a painful moan coming from the bathroom. It was my luck that whatever he ate didn’t agree with him.
The room was small and cramped, but it wasn’t like I was going to take up residence. The bank of monitors was showing exactly what I wanted them to. I retrieved the device from my pocket and placed it into the back of the machine. I had to wait for 30-seconds. It was the longest 30-seconds of my life. I had what I needed, but I still couldn’t leave without seeing her one more time.
I saw her using a door to the basement and I went down to find the lights licking the stillness of the water in the indoor pool. I thought I would find her in the middle of her work out going back and forth across the rectangular surface of the pool. I was a little disappointed.
My heart sank and I knew my window of opportunity was closing fast. I had seen her up close and personal. It wasn’t enough to satisfy my desire to speak to her in person. It was probably better this way. I had made a mess out of everything by leaving everybody to believe I was dead. It wasn’t like I had planned to disappear. I remembered the day like it was yesterday.
There was a strong current and I was being battered by the waves. I could see her debating on whether or not to save me or the child. It must have torn her up inside, but she did the right thing.
I was pulled under with the bubbles surrounding me until I lost consciousness. I somehow made it to the surface and woke up on the beach several miles from where I was.
I came across a camp and stayed out of sight to overhear their conversation. It left me with a bad taste in my mouth. They knew I was responsible for taking what was theirs.
Their plan was to kidnap me until I gave them the information they were looking for. I had to keep them from getting their hands on me. The storm gave me a way to exit. Trying to save the child made me a hero posthumously.
I was deep in thought and wasn’t even thinking about where I was.
I turned and saw Gillian coming out of a room where she had gone to change. She was in this breathtaking tiny red two-piece bikini leaving little to the imagination.
Chapter 5
Gillian
Grant and his family were driving me crazy. I was forbidden to sign up for another tour of duty. I couldn’t understand how I had gotten into this mess. It started so innocently with a party for the locals in Guam. Everybody was invited. The liquor and food was in abundance. It was when we left the party early that things began to unravel. I didn’t want to think about it.
I was a very good swimmer. It was the reason why I had survived when Dalton didn’t. I hadn’t been able to put a foot into the ocean again.
Dalton was an acquired taste but sometimes he could rub people the wrong way. It was easy to see his family meant the world to him. He considered all of us family and would protect us with his life. Seeing him switch off from his civilian roots to the military mindset in his eyes was like the difference between night and day. He could easily become like a machine.
I was standing by the pool, smelling the chlorine like an old friend I had not been in touch with in quite some time. The Olympic size pool made me realize I was in for one hell of a workout. It was the perfect way to get my head together after going a few rounds with the Hamilton family.
They claimed to be concerned for my safety, but I knew they wanted to keep me where they could see me. They were worried the holidays would make me say something in a moment of weakness. I’d already proven my emotions were my Achilles’ heel. Grant had seen me break down and turn to him for comfort only to find a cold shoulder and blackmail as a response.
I adjusted the top of my bikini and had my head leaned forward with my hands back behind me to fix the string from coming undone. I had no interest in giving the security staff a chance to see me during a wardrobe malfunction.
There was this sudden feeling like I wasn’t alone. I looked around, but the pool was vacant leaving me to wonder why the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. My instincts were razor sharp. It could’ve been a case of paranoia considering I was living with a bunch of vipers.
There was a cold chill and I shivered in place still feeling like I was being watched. It was a strong and somewhat familiar feeling. I had the same tingling sensation when the derelict on the sidewalk made me feel like I was taking a step back in time.
The lights over the pool shimmered like glass on the surface of the water. I dove seamlessly into the deep end. The water was warm and there was no jarring impact from the freezing temperatures touching my delicate skin. I was known to be allergic to the cold and break out in tiny bumps.
I resurfaced at the other end of the pool after holding my breath to see how far I could go. My endurance wasn’t exactly the same as it was when I was younger. 25-years-old and I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders.
We had all aged considerably after that day and some of us had contemplated coming clean. It was Dalton who convinced us that what we had done for our country was never going to find the kind of reward we deserved at the end of a stellar career.
I was standing in the shallow end with my chest exposed. The water had temporarily caused my nipples to become hard. I could literally see them poking obscenely against the material of the bikini.
I thought I heard somebody gasp and I lifted my body until I was sitting there with my arms crossed over my chest defending my honor. I thought Grant was spying on me. It didn’t seem like something he would do, but everything he had done was out of character. He wasn’t the man I had believed him to be. There’s no telling how he would react to seeing me vulnerable.
It could’ve been my overactive imagination running wild. I was dripping onto the multicolored tile around the pool. My bare feet slapped wetly against them as I circled the pool looking for the source of the sound I had heard.
“This isn’t very funny. I don’t think it’s necessary to act like a little child hiding in the darkness to get your first look at a woman that’s barely dressed. Come out and stop playing these foolish games.” There were several different recesses around the room bathed in darkness.
I quickly found a light switch and flicked them all on at the same time. There was a shadow and someone cursed underneath their breath as they made a mad dash for the stairs. I followed on their heels and the figure didn’t look like Grant. He was a little taller and there was an air of military bearing surrounding him. I felt a little violated and I wasn’t about to let him get away with stalking me in the shadows.
“I’m going to find out who you are. You may as well stop and face me like a man.” He was leaping the stairs three at a time and I was matching him stride for stride.
The house was a vast maze of hallways and he could easily get lost. I had to show this family I wasn’t some kind of pushover they could walk all over. There had to be some ground rules and a line in the sand that they couldn’t cross.
“I can easily go to the security room and watch the tape.” I thought maybe he would understand how stupid it was to run from me, but it didn’t deter him from his course of action.
I turned the corner and found the hallway empty of the peeping Tom. There were several different doors on either side giving him many possible egresses. I didn’t know why, but it felt like this was some kind of inside joke at my expense. I knew enough to put myself into the shoes and the mindset of the person. I was thinking like a man who had been caught looking at something he shouldn’t.
I could feel the droplets of water trailing down my skin to tickle my nerve endings into a spine-tingling experience. Being blackmailed had made me contemplate self-medicating with liquor until I felt numb. I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me become an alcoholic before their eyes.
I skillfully moved quietly, turning the knob and opening the doors one at a time while turning on the lights at the same time. I
wanted to catch the person like a deer in the headlights. It would’ve been a fitting punishment to put the person in the same position he had put me in. I had to believe I had some control even though Grant and his family had me by the short hairs.
I used my military training to keep my head on a swivel to perceive anything out of my peripheral vision. Each room was a reminder of how vast the Hamilton fortune was. The antiques and expensive Victorian furniture must’ve cost a pretty penny. It was a bit of a distraction. I knew my pursuit of the suspect was in vain.
I had given him too much time and he had utilized that window of opportunity to his advantage. I stood at the window looking out at the landscape and the only thing missing was the prerequisite bars on the window.
“I was wondering when we were going to have a chance to talk. I know exactly what you’re feeling. I wasn’t blackmailed, but I did feel like my choices were limited. Baxter was charming and he came to my rescue when my financial woes were too much for me.” Meredith was his mother. She was wearing a tasteful white and black dress adorned with the necessary jewels to blind me temporarily.
There was no point in mentioning how security had gotten a little too close for comfort. It wasn’t like he could hide forever. The cameras were on 24-hours a day.
“I never knew what you had to endure. He married you to give him a portrait of a family man. Grant learned his lessons at the feet of the master. I’m sure you watched him emerge from the cocoon of a little boy to the young man ready to take the world by storm.” I had to wonder if she was proud of her little boy or had washed her hands of the entire thing.
“I don’t know what got in your head to run around here half naked. Show some dignity and find something to put on.” She had purposely dodged my question.
“I got a little lost when I went and had a swim to cool off.” There was a semblance of truth in a lie to make it sound more believable.
