by Kylie Parker
Loud shouts came a second before gunfire was heard in the other room.
“Get down. Now.” Six said, pointing the gun at her and then the door. Looking like he was unsure what he should do.
He didn’t have time to decide as the door was smashed open and four men, dressed in black came in guns at the ready. She was glad her eyes were pinned closed as she heard shots ring out. Six let out a choked scream from behind her and then fell to the floor. Refusing to open her eyes she stayed, head down, arms covering her head. She felt someone grab her and flinched. Then two strong arms picked her up and threw her up, over a shoulder. She peeked out. The men had black masks and moved fast. The one carrying her led the way out the door, firing his weapon to clear the way. The others followed, backing him up and they left as quickly as they came. Terrified, the only thing she was glad about was that they didn’t throw her in the trunk. She was placed in the back of a black SUV, surrounded on all sides by men with guns. They peeled away and then the vehicle slowed.
“Leave all masks on and keep quiet.” The driver spoke with a harsh tone.
“What a fucking mess. Is she really worth all the fallout?” A man beside her spoke, waving his gun.
“Put your gun down and shut up. Orders are orders.” The driver said, and Selena caught a glimpse of his eyes in the rearview mirror.
The rest of the trip was silent, and they drove into the darkness. Leaving the city, they headed out on a dark highway. The vehicle was deathly silent, and Selena wished she still had her phone, had no idea where it went. Turning off down a gravel road, she got a bit nervous. Where were they planning on taking her, she wondered. With their masks on, they looked scarier than her previous captors, if that was possible. Horrific thoughts flooded her mind as she looked back and forth out the windows trying to decipher where they were taking her.
“Sit still.” A man beside her ordered.
“She is a wiggly one.” Another man leered through his mask. His breath was hot beside her, and he leaned in, looking down her dress.
A man from the front turned around and clubbed the man behind him with the butt of his gun and told him to shut it. Howling in pain, he leaned against the door and stayed silent for the rest of the ride. The vehicle turned multiple times, and Selena was turned around with the landscape around her she was lost before she started. There were no landmarks or distinguishing features; it was simply forest as far as the eye could see.
After what felt like hours the vehicle stopped at a cross in the road. They could either go left or right. The driver turned around and passed a black mask to the man beside her.
“Put this on so she cannot see.” Then he looked at Selena pointedly. “You better not give us a reason to restrain you.”
Selena flinched as the man pulled a mask over her head and everything went dark. The vehicle spun around a few times and then took off in a direction that Selena could not decipher. Hopefully for good, the vehicle stopped. Selena could hear doors opening, and the man on her left tugged her while insisting she get going. She followed where she was shoved and then fell into a walking behind the man in front of her. It crossed her mind to pull off her blindfold and run, but they all had guns, and she had no idea where she was. Besides, she hoped, if they were going to all this trouble to make sure she didn’t see anyone or anything maybe they were going to let her live. For now, she had to do what she was told, stay quiet and figure out how to get out of this predicament.
Entering a building she felt the warmth of shelter, shivered and yawned. Something about the scent of the room reminded her of Lawrence, and she hoped he was okay. After all the events of the day, she hadn’t thought that some of this craziness could have reached him. If Lawrence was right, maybe these people were trying to destroy Scriva Industries, and she got in the way. Could they have already caught Lawrence and if so what would they do with him. For the first time all day she was worried about someone other than herself. How big was this, she wondered.
Selena was led into another room and told to sit down. The man speaking to her tied her arms to the chair and walked out. Struggling to loosen her arms or move positions Selena could not even budge the chair. She was stuck solid. Allowing herself a moment to process, she wondered what she was doing here and how long they planned to leave her tied up.
Suddenly a door slammed open, and her mask was pulled quickly from her head. Gasping she blinked in the white, brightly lit room. An older man with short gray hair and a meticulous goatee pulled a chair right up to her and sat, staring her down.
“Who are you? What are your real intentions here?” He asked, keeping a sharp look on her expression.
“Uh…Selena Grier.” She started, not sure how to answer the next question. “I, um, was brought here.”
“Right. Selena the reporter. Let me be clearer. What are your intentions with Lawrence Scriva?” His eyes bore into her as she wracked her brain for what to answer, then she remembered the contract.
“Lawrence and I are seeing each other, personally. My intentions are to get to know him better.” She spoke with confidence.
Looking angry, he got right in her face. “Right, seduce him and get to know him better so you can write a story and advance your career. That’s right, isn’t it? That is why you are here. You were snooping around where you don’t belong weren’t you, you sneaky little minx. I have your number, and I will not allow you to break this story.”
What story, Selena wondered then spoke clearly, looking this man in the eye. Something about him was familiar. “Actually not at all. I signed a contract and non-disclosure statement with him that states my interest is purely a personal one.”
Once again the contract came in handy. The man in front of her sat back and raised an eyebrow. He carefully regarded her for a few minutes and then leaned back further, seeming to be more at ease.
“Oh. So you two have a special relationship? Interesting. So how did you end up in that vehicle?” he asked.
“Well, um…Lawrence had to leave abruptly. Something about a family emergency.” As she spoke the words something inside her twinged, but she could not quite place it. “I followed him to say goodbye, ask if I could do anything. I couldn’t find him, and I was near the trunk in the parking lot when there were gunshots and pandemonium. I was scared, so I climbed inside and hid. Then some men came, loaded the trunk into the vehicle and drove away. It was terrifying.”
She spoke in a rush, eagerly allowing the words to spill out of her mouth, to vent the craziness that had happened. He broke out in a smile and looked like he was holding back a laugh. Regarding her a few more minutes before he spoke, his expressions softened.
“So you are accidently caught up in all this bullshit.” He laughed out loud this time. “Well if your story checks out, that will ease my mind even more. You don’t happen to have a copy of the contract do you?”
Selena blushed thinking about the contents and shook her head. “No, and I wouldn’t share it with you if I did.”
“A feisty one, aren’t you?” He spoke again, this time standing up to stretch. “If your story checks out and I believe you are not a threat, we will get you some food and help you get more comfortable. Until then wait here.”
“What? Why? Who are you people?” Selena asked, worried what was to come next.
“No worries, we won’t hurt you. We just don’t trust you yet. So all your questions must wait. You have seen my face, though, so that is a risk on my part.” Then he got right in her face, less than an inch away and his tone sounded menacing. “If you are lying to me then you will have a lot to worry about.”
The door banged open, and Selena jumped out of her seat and shrieked.
“What the hell are you doing?” A loud voice boomed. “Get away from her.”
Selena nearly fell over from shock. That was Lawrence’s voice.
“Chill out junior. Following protocol. Making sure she wasn’t a problem. Did you two really sign a contract?” the man remarked calmly.
> Lawrence strode over to the man and punched him; the man dodged, and he clipped his shoulder, missing the target. “You told me she wasn’t here yet!”
“I needed answers. How much does she know?” He asked standing to face Lawrence.
“As much as you told her,” Lawrence replied, going toe to toe with the other man. “Now step away from my woman.”
“Fine. I am out here. But I will get a copy of the contract, and we will talk sooner rather than later.” The man gave one last look to Selena and strode out the door, slamming it behind him.
Lawrence crouched down and cupped Selena’s face looking into her eyes for a long while. “Did anyone hurt you? Tell me exactly what happened.”
Looking at him, after everything she had been through that day, her eyes welled up with tears, and her shoulders started shaking. A low sob escaped her mouth and Lawrence gathered her up in his arms and held her.
“I am so sorry Selena. I am here now. I have you, my girl.”
He held her tight as she wept on his shoulder letting out the shock, terror and stress of the day pour out. He sat down and rocked her in his arms until her sobs slowed and she wiped her gleaming eyes. She pulled away slowly so she could get a better look at him and she realized he was dressed in all black like the men that had taken her and brought her here. All he was missing was the mask. Could he have been in the SUV with her and she didn’t realize it? No, that contradicted his reaction when he stormed in here.
“Lawrence,” she asked tentatively. “What is going on?”
Stroking her hair, he pulled her into him once more. “That is a loaded question, my girl. I cannot tell you everything, and I don’t know what you found out on your journey today. What I can tell you is that you got caught in the middle of some criminal activity. From what I know, the vehicle you were riding in was hijacked by the men who first held you. Once we realized where you were, we came and got you. Though my team didn’t find you first, they brought you here. Unfortunately, they didn’t tell me you were here right away. No one hurt you did they?”
“No. Just scared me. Though those other men wanted to hurt me. They…” Selena trailed off then changed the subject. “Where is here?”
“What did those men do to you, Selena?” Lawrence asked with angry eyes.
“Well…nothing…though they strip searched me…I know some of them wanted to…but their leader wouldn’t let them.” Selena sighed, her head pounding trying to comprehend what was happening. She was exhausted.
Lawrence grimaced then hugged her tight.
Chapter Thirty
When Selena awoke, clean and cozy in a soft white bed, she tried to rub the dream from her memory. Realizing she did not recognize where she was, she bolted upright in bed, the events of the previous day awakening her in terror. Struggling she tried to remember going to bed the previous night but couldn’t. She seemed to remember Lawrence arriving but was that part a dream? Wishful thinking?
Just before she convinced herself to get up, Lawrence walked out of the bathroom, wearing a white robe. The tie came undone as he rushed to her side, seeing she was scared and unsure. Half naked he held her, stroking her hair and murmuring to her.
Taking a long slow breath, she turned to him. “I don’t remember coming to bed last night.” She said with concern. Her head felt foggy, and she wanted to go back to sleep.
“You were wiped out. I carried you here. We showered, and then you crashed.” He kissed the top of her head. “Today you rest.”
With her head against his chest, she was lulled to sleep by the rhythmic boom, boom of his heart. He held her for a long time whispering in Italian. She awoke for a moment when he placed her down onto a pillow, tucking a down duvet around her. Then she settled into the bed, letting sleep overtake the questions swarming in the fog of her brain.
The next time she opened her eyes she saw Lawrence, fully dressed and bent over a computer. She watched him work for a while without making a move or sound. Allowing herself to wake up she tried to turn on her brain. She also glanced around the room which looked like a stone version of Lawrence’s suite at Scriva Industries. Same layout, old world charm. There was also a fireplace on the end wall of the sitting room, directly adjacent to where Lawrence sat. The dry heat and melodic dance of the flames warmed the stone room adding a homey feel.
Right beside the fire, the old man sat. The only one she saw remove his mask. The one who had questioned her the previous night. He wasn’t speaking to Lawrence; he sat watching Lawrence read, and his eyes followed Lawrence’s reaction. The door opened, and two more men walked in. Lawrence gestured towards the bed and hushed them. Selena shut her eyes when they looked at her in the bed, their eyes tracing the length of it.
“So does she know?” The youngest looking man asked. He was tall and lanky.
“It is irrelevant,” Lawrence spoke, brushing away the man’s question.
“True.” Spoke the older man. “We need to talk prep for retaliation.”
“They won’t do anything.” The other man spoke up
“I want them all dead,” Lawrence spoke so softly that Selena wasn’t quite heard what he said until he repeated it.
She sat up staring at him with her mouth open. Her sudden movement caught the attention of everyone in the room as they turned to stare at her. As the duvet slipped, she realized she was naked, and she reached for the robe beside her on the bed. Eyes wide she wrapped herself, while trying to show as little skin as possible. Then she slid out of bed, her naked leg leading the way.
Lawrence cleared his throat and looked at the men around him. Selena’s eyes shifted from Lawrence to the other men he was talking to as she slipped past them.
“Excuse me.” She said her voice sweet. “I just need a quick drink of water.”
She walked over to the fridge and opened it. The water bottles were on the very bottom, so she bent over, hoping her robe was long enough and grabbed one. Enjoying the view, the men watched her move, spellbound.
“Sorry.” She said. Starting to feel uncomfortable in their silence.
“Get over here,” Lawrence said playfully, pulling her onto his lap as soon as she was near him. He nuzzled her neck and nibbled her ear whispering that he needed to get her alone. Selena curled into him and blushed, hiding from the watchful gaze of the other men.
“We will all get out of here for now. Meeting at 2. And we are still on high alert.” The old man spoke, and the other two stood, following him out. Lawrence nodded to them as they left pointing to his phone and the gun on the table in front of him.
When they shut the door, Lawrence kissed Selena. The first real kiss since she had been rescued. She kissed back tentatively, not sure who she was kissing but feeling safe and secure in his arms, wrapped in his familiar scent that she did not worry about it.
With a gleam in his eye, Lawrence picked her up and took her over to the bed, setting her down gently, spreading her out to look at her. He could see the nervousness and uncertainty in her eyes, and he kissed her eyelids, positioning himself hovering above her. He stroked her cheek, and she sighed, relaxing into his touch. She moved a little, pulling the duvet out from under her. The robe loosened and exposed her stomach and the edges of her breasts. Seeing her skin exposed, he ran his fingers up and down the soft skin, listening to her heart rate increase, her breath coming out in harsh bursts.
Her inner argument was slowly being pushed to the side. She needed answers and Lawrence had them. He also had a lot of explaining to do. For now, though, she just wanted him to touch her. Forever and ever. She moaned her acceptance as he collapsed into her. Touching her faster now, kissing and caressing her body in passion and relief. He removed his shirt and pants with one hand, one piece of clothing at a time. Then he opened her robe wide, eyes roaming her soft skin. She grabbed him and pulled his mouth to her chest where he tasted her then kissed her mouth long and hard. She broke the kiss, slinking down to reach between his legs. She didn’t want to wait; she wanted him now. The qu
ickly ravished each other with desperate urgency and fell back into the soft bed, arms intertwined.
Chapter Thirty-One
Selena got dressed for dinner as she was told. Again an assortment of dresses was available to put on. When she was dressed, she opened the door and walked out. A man in black was waiting outside the door, and she followed him. Seeing more of the building she was in, it was old. It looked like it could be a castle. Her footsteps echoed as she wondered again where she was and what was going on.
The man in front of her stopped at a solid door and knocked, a special knock fast, fast, slow, slow, fast then waited. Selena looked up and saw the name “Santoro” written in calligraphy above the door. The name rang a bell but wasn’t resonating at the moment. The whole situation shouted to her reporter’s brain that she was missing something huge.
The door opened, and she walked in, her red dress swaying around her. All eyes turned to her, and she saw, with relief that there was a table packed with at least twenty men and women. She was guided to an open chair beside Lawrence and sat down. He squeezed her leg and winked at her helping her exhale and feel more at ease.
“Can we eat now?” A man across from her looked up to the head of the table. “I need something other than wine or bread.”
“Stop being so disrespectful Antony,” the man at the head of the table commanded. He was the same man who had questioned her earlier. He had changed and was now wearing a tailored suit. Looking over at Selena he spoke softer. “Welcome to the family Selena. I won’t introduce you to everyone as it will overwhelm you but you will get to know us all as you stay here.”
