by J B Heller
I wrapped my arms around his chest; he was so broad that my hands couldn’t touch each other. He rested his chin on the top of my head and I sank my fingertips into his tense back, holding him as tightly as he was holding me. I think we were both afraid of this being the end of us.
Kai cleared his throat from where he’d been standing at the entrance to the lounge room. I didn’t know how long he’d been there, he moved around so quietly, like a freakin' ninja. It scared me sometimes when he just appeared, seemingly out of thin air. Then I saw Tessa poke her head out from behind his back. She sent me a small smile and a little half wave with her fingers.
“Come in, guys. I assume you heard I’m out of here today?” I said with a fake smile on my face.
They both gave a silent nod. Then Tessa piped up, “Where the fuck am I supposed to go? I’m not going with you. Sorry, Hun, but this shit is getting too real for me. And I’m sure as hell not staying here, not when Stalker Douche can get inside. I may as well go home.”
I grimaced. She was right. I honestly hadn’t even thought about where Tessa should go.
“I’ve got it covered, Baby Girl,” Kai said as he wrapped his big muscular arm around Tessa’s shoulder and pulled her into his side.
Had I missed something?
“Baby Girl?” Gabe and I spoke in unison.
Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who had missed whatever this was. It kinda made me feel a little better but at the same time, a whole lot worse. I’d been so preoccupied with this creeper and getting busy with Gabe that I hadn’t spent much time with Tessa. I felt like a real shit friend and cousin right now. Then Tessa snapped me out of it in a way that only she could.
“Don’t! I know that look, Ivy. You’re over thinking a friendly gesture. In turn, making you think you’ve been neglecting me. Well you haven’t, I’ve been hell busy on this manuscript. My PA’s been up my arse all week about deadlines, so I’ve been locked away in my room most of the time, working. Okay?”
“Okay,” I smiled at her; she really was an amazing woman. To still be working with all this going on, it just showed how focused she could be when she needed to. She was so spontaneous and pingy in all other aspects of her life, it was a wonder she met any of her deadlines. And yes, pingy was a word. If you met Tessa, you’d know what I mean.
Gabe was still holding me close; his grip hadn’t loosened at all. I snuggled further into his chest. It felt so good, being wanted by the man I’d been in love with for the past few years. Better than good, it was superlative, and I’d be damned if I let some psycho with a crush ruin this for me.
I rested my lips against his pecs and breathed him in. I’d never get enough of him. I wanted to wrap myself up in everything that was Gabe and live there. But that sounded weird and kinda creepy, so I decided to just keep that little thought to myself.
When I stepped out of his hold, his face was emotionless. I could tell he was hiding his feelings from me. He was good at it too; I’d watched him do it in front of clients for years. I guess I could understand it; he doesn’t think men should express their emotions openly. It made me wonder if he would have shown me his true feelings about all this had Kai and Tessa not been in the room.
I got up on my tippy-toes and softly kissed his cheek, “I need to go pack some clothes and have Kai take me to the hotel.”
Again, he just gave me a single nod.
I finished packing a small bag of things, just enough to last me three or four days. I didn’t intend for this to go on that much longer but I’d rather be prepared. I went out to find Kai waiting for me at the breakfast bar in the kitchen.
“Lover boy’s not happy about this, but for what it’s worth, I think it’s the right move,” he told me.
“I know and your opinion means a lot to me.”
Gabe came out of his office with a small jewellery box in his hands. A bolt of panic shot through me for a moment, it couldn’t be that.
It wasn’t that. I silently thanked god; I couldn’t deal with that right now. It was a pin, like a pendant, with a tracking device in it, and a panic button. If I turned the back of it just so, it would trigger a silent alarm. I was worried about accidently triggering it, but the boys assured me it couldn’t happen.
I slipped the little box into my bag waiting by the door then turned back to Gabe one last time before I left. He let go of the mask and the tortured look in his eyes nearly brought me to my knees. I stepped up to him, threw my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest. I held back the sob begging to rip free from my chest. I didn’t want to make this harder on him.
When I pulled back, the anguish was still there. He stroked my cheek with his knuckles and bent down to kiss me on the lips. It was slow, deliberate and tender. I wished it didn’t have to be this way but there was no other choice. If there were, he would have thought of it by now.
This time, he pulled away. He kissed my nose, squeezed my butt cheek and then winked at me, “I’ll see you real soon, Angel.”
Kai took my bags out to the car for me and I followed without turning back. If I had to see that expression on Gabe’s face again, I might just change my mind.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I sat on the bed in my hotel room, all alone. I was so freaking jumpy that every time I heard someone walk past out in the hall, I’d just about jump out of my skin. Kai checked the bathroom, closet, under the bed and behind the curtains for me before he left. It made me feel safe enough in the room itself, but if Stalker Douche could get into Gabe’s house, I was certain he could get into my hotel room.
I wedged a chair under the handle of the door and made sure the chain thingy was in place. Trixie was in my handbag too, so at least I wasn’t unarmed. I also had both Axel and Blake on my speed dial; they were just a few rooms down from me. I tried to watch some TV but nothing could hold my attention. My mind kept wandering back to the plan.
Tomorrow I would go down and have breakfast in the hotel restaurant, on my own. The boys would be there, but I wouldn’t know who they were. I’ve never actually set eyes on either one of them. Kai said it was better that way, so I couldn’t accidently draw attention to their presence.
I seriously doubted I was going to get any sleep tonight. I laid down anyway, but not before pulling Trixie out of my bag and slipping her under my pillow next to my phone. Just then, my phone chimed with a text from Gabe.
~‘I love you Angel x’~
I replied straight away. ~‘And I you xox’~
As I expected, I didn’t sleep. Kai told me I couldn’t call him or Gabe unless there was an emergency, just in case Stalker Douche had tapped their phones. I stared at the ceiling all night, until dawn broke. By that stage, I wanted him to come for me. Just so we could get this over with. The waiting was the real killer.
There was no getting rid of the bags under my eyes, no matter how hard I tried. The make up just made it look worse, given that I’m not very good at applying the stuff. That was Tessa’s department. Whenever we went out or I had a special occasion to attend, she would do my makeup. If it were left up to me, I’d just wear eyeliner and lip-gloss.
I gave up on trying to make myself look decent. I washed off the mess I’d made of my face and started over again. I applied my eyeliner and lip-gloss. There, done. I threw on a pair of jeans and a tank top. Simple, comfortable and easy to run in if I had to. I put Trixie back in my bag, removed the chair from the doorway and undid the chain lock.
When I opened the door, a red rose was waiting for me. Just like every other time, there was a note. But this one was longer than the others.
Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue.
I must admit,
I’m surprised by you.
I was looking forward,
To killing your crew.
But you obeyed,
So I’ll spare a few.
Spare a few? What the hell did that mean! My heart was about to pound out of my chest. Spare a few? The line ran through my mind on
repeat. He was still going to hurt my people. No! I’d done what he’d told me to. I’d left Gabe. I don’t know when I started sobbing or when I fell to my knees, but large hands wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me to my feet.
Through blurry eyes, I saw a tall well-built man. He was younger than Gabe, maybe late twenties? He rubbed my shoulders gently, but didn’t let go. A fact I was glad of since I didn’t think I could stand on my own yet. He had kind eyes and a soft smile that spoke volumes. He had to be Axel or Blake.
“Are you okay, Ma’am? Is there anything I can do to help you?” he winked at the end of his question.
I blinked a few times to clear my eyes. I had to clear my throat before I could speak to him. It felt so dry and thick, “Yes, thank you. I’m all right. I just got some upsetting news. Thank you for stopping to help me. I’m Ivy.”
He was no longer helping me stand, so he reached out a hand for me to shake in greeting, “Nice to meet you, Ivy. I’m Blake. Sorry about your news. Is there anything I can do?”
I shook my head and started sobbing again. I knew he would look after me. And I knew this whole introduction was an act to make sure Stalker Douche didn’t make the connection between Blake and Gabe. But those words echoed through my mind again, I’ll spare a few. I broke down again. This time, Blake caught me before I hit the floor.
He held me in his arms and rubbed my back as he whispered close to my ear so nobody can overhear him, “It’s going to be alright, Ivy. I promise.”
Then in a louder voice, he spoke again, “I’m sorry, Ma’am, for whatever is troubling you. Perhaps you should have something to eat to settle your nerves?”
I pulled away from him and nodded. When the doors of the lift closed behind us, I felt better knowing no one could see us. I passed him the note that was still crumpled in my hand. He unravelled it and I heard a curse slip from his lips.
He went silent for a moment then lifted his gaze back to meet mine. “It’s okay, we can all handle ourselves and your cousin is with Kai. He’ll look after her. When we get to the restaurant, you need to thank me for my assistance and send me on my way. He won’t approach if I’m there with you. But you’ll never leave my sight.”
I didn’t reply; I couldn’t. My throat was still too thick to form words. So I simply nodded and slipped the note into my bag.
I’ll spare a few.
When we exited the lift, we walked over to the restaurant side by side. Before we entered, I turned and placed my hand on his forearm, “Thank you very much for stopping to help me in the hall. I feel a little better now, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to be on my own.”
He graciously accepted my rejection of his company and we parted ways. I chose a seat next to the window in the back corner so I had a clear view of the whole room, and no one could come up behind me. I took in my surroundings, analysing everything that could be used as a potential weapon, to defend myself with, if needed.
I scanned the room for Blake but I didn’t see him. I trusted him though; I believed he was in here somewhere watching over me. And I knew Axel was in here too. I tried my best to relax into my seat and ordered a strong coffee with some toast when the waitress came for my order.
When the waitress walked away I felt it. I felt him. He was here, watching me. I tried to keep my composure, but my hands trembled so hard I nearly dropped the glass of water I had picked up in an attempt to stop myself from fidgeting. I placed the glass back on the table before I ended up dropping it. Then he was there.
“Good morning, Ivy.”
I looked up and noticed he wasn’t at all what I’d expected. He wasn’t as tall as Gabe and the boys, but he wasn’t short either. He wasn’t even bad looking. I had an image in my mind of this weedy, little, creepy pervert. But he didn’t fit that bill at all. He was well dressed in a pair of beige dress pants and a white button-down shirt. My memory from when he approached me at the club, all those weeks ago, was blurred. I didn’t get a good look at him that night anyway. The man in front of me looked, normal. Not like the psycho I knew he was.
I didn’t say anything to him. I just sat there and stared. Why didn’t the boys make their move now? It was obviously him. Who else would approach me like this?
His lips twitched at my discomfort, “Aren’t you going to ask me to sit down, Ivy?”
He kept making a point of using my name. I hated the way it sounded in his smooth voice. Shouldn’t he sound creepier? Again, I said nothing. He narrowed his eyes on me, and his fists clenched and unclenched by his sides, “You’re being rude, Ivy.”
Shit, I didn’t want to piss off the psycho but at the same time, I couldn’t stop the smart retort that escaped me, “I don’t eat with strangers.”
Another smile lifted his lips. They at least fit the image I had in my mind. They were thin and cruel. His smile was a borderline sneer, “I do like that about you, Ivy, you want to resist me, but you won’t.”
Again, the words left my mouth before I could stop them, “Wanna bet?”
He pulled out the chair across from me, when he sat his knees brushed against mine under the table. Repulsion ran through my body and I pulled back in my seat. He raised an eyebrow at my reaction, “So jumpy, Ivy, you’ll get used to my touch soon enough. I have so many plans for us, my love.”
“Don’t call me that. You don’t even know me,” I spat.
“Oh, but I do. You’re Ivy Cannon. You’re twenty-seven years old and you live with your cousin Tessa. She’s just lovely by the way. Such a feisty little thing.” The way his eyes lit up when he mentioned Tessa made me sick to my stomach. I had to fight the urge to hurl on him.
“Your mother was killed in a car accident, due to your father’s dirty dealings with drug thugs.”
My stomach began to rebel, I placed a shaky hand against it and rubbed small clockwise circles to sooth it.
“You work for Gabe McLeod. He’s ex-military. His file is impressive. Shall I go on, my love? Would you like me to remind you of your bra size? I can, if it will help prove my point.”
Where the fuck were those two? I looked around the room, my nerves causing my eyes to flick around my surroundings at a rapid pace, just hoping to catch a glimpse of Blake. But nothing. No one was coming to my aid. He promised. My heart jumped into my throat.
I’ll spare a few.
I looked back to the sick fuck sitting across from me. He knew who I was looking for. His thin lips spread wide in a twisted smile, “Oh, your friend won’t be joining us. He was terribly irritating this morning when I was watching your beautiful features contort in pain when you read my letter. He got in the way, obstructed my view. That was a stupid move, Ivy. Did you think I would buy the good Samaritan act? I’m not an idiot, Ivy.”
I shook my head. What had he done? I looked around the room again. He’d hurt Blake. “I didn’t do anything. That man was nice enough to help me this morning and you, you– what have you done?”
“Don’t play me for a fool, Ivy. He was one of your boyfriend’s lackeys. I knew he wouldn’t let you out of his sight without some of his buddies watching you. How many are there? Hmm, tell me now and I might spare your cousin,” he seethed.
I start to dry heave. Tessa? He had Tessa? No, he couldn’t. She was with Kai. She was safe. He was trying to trick me. I felt torn, should I play into his plan on the chance that he may have her? Or should I give in to the rage building inside of me? I wasn’t just mad; I was enraged. I’d never been so worked up in all my life, not even when my father’s problems followed me. I was still young then, but now I’d grown. I would protect those I cared about. “Fuck you” I spat.
The smile on his lips disappeared, only to be replaced by a sneer, “Oh, you will, my love. Whether you like it or not, you will.”
I was done waiting for someone to rescue me. I was done being the victim. I slipped my right hand from my stomach and into my bag that I still had sitting on my lap. I wrapped my fingers around Trixie. I didn’t care what else he had to say, I was done.<
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I didn’t even bother pulling Trixie from my bag. My movements were slow and precise. Just as my trigger finger found its purchase, he spoke. “Would you like to see a picture of your darling cousin? She’s so fiery isn’t she? I was just going to kill her, get her out of the way, but she’s just too much fun. Oh, the possibilities.” A sickening smirk appeared on his face as he slid his phone across the table to me.
There, on the screen, was an image I would never be rid of. Tessa, bound and gagged. Her wrists tied to her ankles and tears streaking her cheeks. I saw the defiant look in her eyes though, she was telling me not to hesitate. But I’d never find her if I shot him now.
“Oh and Ivy, I’m telling you now, don’t try anything stupid. Or your pretty little cousin here will pay the price.”
Shit, Fuck, Shit Shit Fuck! I let Trixie slip from my fingers. What choice did I have?
I slumped back in my seat just as the waitress brought over my breakfast. She glanced between Stalker Douche and me several times before asking if everything was satisfactory. I nodded and thanked her. She walked away, but kept glancing back over her shoulder towards us. I was sure the combination of my fury and anxiety was radiating in the air around us.
I was so furious I could taste it. I wanted blood, his blood. How dare he think he could come into my life and threaten me and my family like this? My emotions were so conflicted; my whole body was quivering with energy, but I had no outlet.
“Eat up, Ivy, we have quite a drive ahead of us and I don’t want to be stopping to feed you.”
“Where?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter, but you will be reunited with your cousin if it makes you feel better,” he said with a shrug of his shoulder.
I sipped my coffee, but couldn’t eat. If I ate, then there would be something in my stomach to throw up. I couldn’t do anything to risk him changing his mind about taking me to Tessa. So for now, I had to go along with whatever he said. I closed my eyes and took some deep calming breaths. I needed to focus.
