Operation: Endeavor (When The Mission Ends)

by Christi Snow

  She turned back to Jon. “Hey, there weren’t any messages on the answering machine this morning, were there?”

  “No, should there have been?

  “Not necessarily, but I hoped Hannah called.”

  He frowned. They were all starting to worry about her prolonged absence.

  They’d never heard from her yesterday. She wasn’t answering her phone and she lived alone clear across town. Without a car to go check on her, Penelope was stuck worrying. Hannah was scheduled to work later this morning. Hopefully, she’d show up.

  She walked around the quiet store, checking to make sure all the bookshelves were in order. The bell on the door tinkled and she felt a surge of relief thinking Hannah had made it, but it wasn’t Hannah who walked in.

  “Hello, Mrs. Kincaid. How are you this morning?” Mrs. Kincaid was an avid mystery reader and one of their best customers. She read several books a week and managed to introduce the bookstore to lots of new mystery authors they never would have discovered without her.

  “I’m good Penelope. It’s a beautiful morning. I got a call yesterday that my order was in.”

  “Sure, let me find it for you.” Penelope went behind the counter to check their special order shelves. That was odd. There was a pile of Hannah’s things there too: some of her school books, notebooks, and a small floral zipper pouch. The employees weren’t supposed to leave personal items behind.

  After she rang up Mrs. Kincaid, Penelope checked the clock on the computer. Hannah was officially twenty-four minutes late. She tried calling her apartment, but there wasn’t an answer. When did you know you needed to file a missing persons report? It was possible Hannah was just at her boyfriend’s house and decided to blow off her job for good sex. Penelope would probably believe that if Hannah hadn’t been acting strange for the last couple of weeks.

  She called up to Jon, “Can you come down here for a moment?”

  Jon bounded down the stairs. “What’s up?” He eyed the pile of things in front of Penelope with curiosity.

  “I think these belong to Hannah. Do you know?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, that looks like the pile of school work she brings to work on when business is slow. Where’d you find it?”

  “It was under the counter with the special orders. I’m getting a bad feeling about her. I need you here as a witness because I’m going to violate her privacy and go through this stuff to see if I can find any clues as to what may be going on with her.”

  He nodded his agreement with her plan.

  She hated to do this, but she pulled the pile of things that belonged to Hannah toward her. She flipped through the notebooks, but didn’t see anything. She handed one to Jon to see if he saw something she missed. Sucking in a deep breath because she was about to breach her employee’s privacy, she unzipped the small bag. There were a couple of tubes of lip gloss, some hair accessories, a few pens, and in the very bottom a little baggie full of powder. As she drew the baggie out, Jon’s worried eyes met her own.

  “Drugs?” he questioned disbelievingly. “I never in a million years would have guessed she was doing drugs.” He shook his head as they both looked at the mysterious powder.

  “Maybe we’re jumping to conclusions. Maybe it’s a powder supplement to add to water or something like that.” She hoped that was the case. The alternative, especially considering Hannah seemed to be missing, wasn’t something Penelope wanted to think about.

  “I’m going to call a detective I know and maybe he can help us. I think it’s time to report her missing and someone needs to determine what’s in this baggie.”

  She reached into the bag one last time to make sure she’d retrieved everything out of it. She could feel something else in the lining of the bag, but it appeared to be sewn in, so she would leave that to the police.

  She sucked in a deep breath as she dialed Brian’s number. She’d never known Hannah to be anything but a conscientious, sweet employee. She found it really hard to believe that she’d gotten mixed up in drugs, but she couldn’t deny the evidence sitting right here in front of her.

  “Detective Barnes,” he answered.

  “Hi, Brian, this is Penelope Pruitt.”

  “Hey, Penelope. I was planning to call you today.”

  “You were? Why?” A ball of dread settled into the pit of her stomach.

  He chuckled low at the sound of the worry in her voice. “You know it warms my heart when people get so excited about me calling.”

  She smiled into the phone. “Sorry, but it seems talking to you always involves some sort of problem.”

  “Too true. So how about you go first. Why did you call?”

  “I have an employee, Hannah Porter, who seems to have disappeared. She hasn’t shown up for work the last couple of days. She’s not answering her phone either. I just found a bag of hers under the counter at the store and it looks like it may have drugs in it. I wasn’t sure what was the best way to proceed.”

  “Calling me was good. I’ll come over there, say…” He paused. Penelope assumed he was checking the time or his schedule. “It looks like I can be there in about fifteen minutes to process the bag and take your statement. You’re at the bookstore, right?”

  “Yes, we are. Thanks, Brian. I’ll see you when you get here.”

  When Brian arrived, he processed the zipper pouch and everything in it, so he could take it in for testing. He also promised to go by Hannah’s apartment to see if he could locate her or get a lead on where she was.

  Finally, he turned to Penelope, “So is there anything else you wanted to share with me?”

  “Umm… no?” She looked at him, confused. “Is there something else I’m supposed to share?”

  He leaned back against the counter, cocked an eyebrow at her, and crossed his arms across his chest. He looked really formidable that way. “I heard you had some excitement Saturday night.”

  “Oh yeah,” she waved her hand in the air negligently, “the break-in on the Bus. It was weird at the time, but I haven’t heard anything else from the creep, so I guess he got what he wanted.”

  “Hmm.” Brian looked thoughtful. “If anything else like that happens, I want you to call me directly. Don’t just call the police station.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly. “You can’t possibly think all this is related can you? Hannah wasn’t even at that party.”

  “The thing is, Penelope, you’ve had several strange things happening around here with very few clues. The only connecting thread is that they keep happening to you.”

  A shiver ran down her spine at the ominous sound of Brian’s words.

  “Not to worry you, but you need to remain aware of your surroundings and try to keep someone else with you all the time until we get this sorted. I’ll be in touch.”

  “Thanks Brian. I appreciate you coming down.”

  Chapter 25

  Colton worked all day to put his plan into action. He talked to Alix earlier in the afternoon and she said she would keep Penelope at the store until 6:00. She also let him know Penelope rode her bike to work. He felt a surge of disbelief at that little fact, but since he was working to convince Penelope he could curtail his controlling tendencies, he wasn’t going to give her grief over it. Instead he arranged for Cassie to pick her up after work and bring her directly to the loft.

  He’d also been emphatic that Cassie not come up with her. That would be mortifying for everyone involved. Now he found himself with at least thirty minutes before Penelope showed up. Everything was ready and he was nervous.

  He walked around the loft checking all the little details, hoping this worked and she didn’t laugh in his face. That would be humiliating.

  He needed something to steady his nerves. He went first to the liquor cabinet where he poured himself a couple fingers of whiskey. Then he walked over to the bookcase to check out the books. Reading would help calm him down. The section where Penelope kept her erotica caught his eye.

  He ran his thumb across the book
that Pen mentioned earlier that would appeal to him, but it was another author’s books which caught his eye. Celeste DeMarco. She must be good. Penelope had nine books by her. He scanned the titles of the books and pulled out a couple which looked interesting.

  He took another deep swallow of the whiskey and glanced around the loft as he tucked the books under his arm. Twenty-five more minutes. He took a deep breath, lit the candles, and left the instructions for Penelope on her arrival. With one final glance at the tools he laid there, he headed toward his bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt as he went.

  * * *

  Penelope was surprised when the bell above the door of the bookstore rang and Cassie walked in. “Well hey there, stranger. I didn’t know you were coming by today. Are you checking up on me to make sure I didn’t slit my wrists after yesterday’s emotional debacle?”

  “No, I’m actually here at the instruction of my big brother.” She smiled mischievously which made Penelope nervous.

  “Why would Colton send you here?”

  “My instructions are to load up you and your bike and take you home.”

  Penelope raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, I smell a rat. How did he know I brought my bike today and why exactly do I need you to take me home?”

  Cassie just shrugged but there was no missing the sparkle of amusement in her in eyes.

  Penelope looked back up the stairs to where Alix continued to work on the re-shelving project. “Alix has been acting funny all day, too. She’s been finding odd little jobs for me to do constantly. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?”

  At that, Alix’s head popped out and she looked down the stairs. “Did I hear my name?” Her focus found Cassie. “Oh hey, Cassie. Are you here to take Penelope home?”

  Penelope crossed her arms across her chest. “Oh yeah, there’s definitely a rat here and I’m guessing his name starts with ‘C’ and ends with an ‘n’.” She glared over at Cassie again. “So how did you get roped into doing his dirty work and why isn’t he here to do it himself?”

  “Calm down, Penelope. He has a plan for your evening, but I don’t know what it is. Remember how upset you were yesterday. Remember how much you love the guy before you maim him. He’s trying to make things right, but he’s still a guy. He’s going to screw it up a few times along the way. Remember he’s trying, so give him the benefit of the doubt.”

  Alix came down the stairs and smiled at Penelope, her lips twitching the entire time.

  “You were in on this, weren’t you?”

  “Yes, my instructions were to make sure you stayed here all day while he got everything set up for you. I don’t know what he has planned tonight, but I think it’s going to be good.”

  A flutter of anticipation rolled through her body. What was he up to now? Both her friends were still smiling but their looks were verging on worried as she took in what they told her. She should keep them wondering after they both worked with him behind her back, but she was too excited to see what he had planned.

  “Okay,” she smiled at them, “let’s go see what kind of mischief Colt’s been up to today.” She looked at Cassie. “My bike’s around back. Alix, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Well, since it sounds like you have an exciting night planned, I’ll cover for you in the morning. Sleep in, or enjoy that big brawny man doing... whatever.” She waved a hand loosely as she headed back up the stairs.

  Penelope gasped. Cassie just laughed and pushed her out the door.

  * * *

  As they pulled up in front of Penelope’s building, Cassie stopped in front of the doors. “This is where I stop. I’ve been instructed under no circumstances am I allowed to come upstairs. He was pretty emphatic about that.”

  Penelope rolled her eyes. “He’s pretty emphatic about everything.” She looked worriedly up at the building then back to Cassie. “He didn’t give you any hints?”

  Cassie shook her head, but she gave a gentle smile. “I think it’s going to be good though. Don’t worry so much. Just enjoy what he has planned.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Cassie. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “You better. Just remember, he’s my brother. No details!”

  All the way up the elevator, Penelope considered things. Colton was a control freak. Case in point: he didn’t want Penelope to ride her bike home so he sent his sister to bring her home. Yes, most the things he did, he did out of caring, but could she live with that? Could she give up that kind of control in her life? Could she be happy later down the road when Colton was the one in charge? When he was the one making all the decisions? The answer was still no.

  She took a deep breath as she reached the front door of the apartment. She didn’t know what he planned here and it made her nervous. She still needed to apologize for the hurtful things she’d said to him yesterday morning. They had a lot to work out if their relationship had a chance, but the first thing she had to do was open the door.

  She took a deep breath and turned the knob.

  The loft was dark as she entered, with only the flicker of candlelight illuminating the space. It created eerie, but strangely romantic, shadows all along the brick walls. There was quiet, melodic jazz playing softly over the speaker system. Penelope quickly scanned the room, but didn’t see any sign of Colton. She walked toward the lit grouping of pillar candles on the countertop and noticed several items sitting nearby including a note.

  Dearest Mistress,

  Your pleasure waits in my bedroom. Your wants are my wants. Your needs are my needs. I am here to fulfill your every whim, your every command, your every fantasy. Please join me.

  Your humble servant,

  Colton

  What the hell? She looked down the darkened hall, but couldn’t see him at all. The only sign was a scattering of red rose petals that were strewn about the floor where she stood. They trailed all the way down the hall to the doorway of his room.

  She looked back down at the items sitting with the note. A shiver of arousal slid through her. She trailed her fingers over the items. There was a black lace mask, several ties and bindings all in black except for a single blood red silky one, and a flogger. This wasn’t a flogger meant to incite pain. It was a vivid red color with at least a two dozen strands of silk ribbons knotted at the ends to make up the lashes. She picked it up and ran her fingers through those silky lashes. They were incredibly soft and supple. She glanced back down the hall to the bedroom. Still no noise besides the music. He had to be back there.

  She looked down at her khaki pants and white button down shirt and grimaced. Not exactly sexy going on here. Colton had obviously considered this too, though, because her black spike fuck-me shoes were out, like they were waiting for her.

  Shimmying out of her pants, she thanked the fates she’d actually worn a matching sexy panty and bra set today in light pink lace. She slid into the shoes and unbuttoned her shirt, leaving it hanging open. The black lace mask, tied around her eyes and she undid her hair from its ponytail so that it cascaded in curly waves down her back. Her transformation was complete. She felt sexy and powerful.

  The rose petal trail led her down the hall. The glow of the candlelight flickered out into the hall from his room. Not knowing what to expect when she stepped into Colton’s bedroom, she gasped at her first glimpse of him. He was completely nude, highly aroused, and kneeling on the floor on his knees in a position of submission. The candlelight shimmered off his broad shoulders and strong thighs. A bead of sweat dripped down the hard contours of his abs. His face was directed to the floor in supplication. A flood of arousal wet her panties. Oh my. He was gorgeous and all hers for the night. She planned to enjoy this.

  * * *

  Colton heard her indrawn gasp as she stepped into the room and hoped it was a good thing. He was dying to look at her, but he knew that wasn’t his position in this scenario. He needed to show her that he could give her complete control. He was already so aroused just by the idea, he wasn’t sure how much he’d be able to withstand,
but he’d do this for Penelope.

  She’d stepped just inside the door and he flushed knowing she had to be looking at him. Please don’t let her think this idea as ridiculous. He waited and still nothing from her. No movement, no sound. He continued to look at the floor as a line of sweat dripped down his back. His hands were laced behind his back and he twisted his fingers trying to keep from looking up at her.

  The smell of honeysuckle reached his nose. Her smell. His erection twitched in response.

  Finally, he sensed her moving as she shifted a bit more into the room. The click-clack of her heels led to his dresser where more toys were laid out.

  “You have been a busy boy, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, Mistress.” He hardly recognized his own voice it had gone so deep in arousal. “I hope it pleases you.”

  She hesitated and he imagined he could feel her gaze on him. “Yes, it definitely does please me.” She walked over to him and stood behind him so that he could feel the heat off her body. “Would you like to look at me, Colton?” She walked around him, but didn’t touch him. He followed the line of her long, toned legs as they entered his line of vision without moving his head. He wanted to lean into her. He wanted her to touch him so badly.

  “Yes, Mistress. I would like that very much.”

  “Since you have pleased me, you may look. For a moment.”

  “Thank you, Mistress.” He looked up at her. He didn’t think he could become any more aroused than he already was, but he was wrong. So wrong. The candlelight casted a luminous glow over her skin. From this angle, the first thing he saw were those mile-long legs in those sexy heels he’d found in her closet. Her shirt was unbuttoned and loose so that the shirttails just skimmed the tops of her thighs. He glimpsed pink lace panties with matching bra that pushed her cleavage up. He just wanted to feast upon it. He licked his lips at the thought and heard her moan softly.