by Marnie Perry
She didn’t berate him again for using the adjective but said quietly, ‘it doesn’t take guts to speak the truth.’
His amusement vanished as he said quietly, ‘sometimes it does.’
She frowned perplexed but said 'so? So what now, Mr. Lando? Are you going to keep me here against my will?’
‘Against your will? No. You’re free to go any time. But you seem like an upfront honest kinda woman, so now be honest with yourself, you don’t really want to go, you need my help, and despite what you say, and despite your concern for my welfare, you want my help.’
‘I…I,’ she gave up and angrily confessed, ‘of course I do, I do need your help and I do want your help, but it’s too dangerous, Mr. Lando, you could be hurt, or worse.’ She shivered, ‘I can’t have that on my conscience, and from what you just said you should understand that.’
He regarded her curiously regretting now his hasty words. ‘I told you, la…Ma’am, I can take care of myself. I got the drop on your friend Hennessey once before didn’t I?’
She looked oddly at him and she could have sworn she saw a ghost of a smile turn up the corners of his mouth. ‘Look, let’s get real here, ma’am,’ he went on, ‘you can’t just wander around the streets with no shoes and looking like you do, you’ll be picked up by the cops in ten minutes, probably as a vagrant. And since you’re so worried about Glissando’s influence reaching into the thin blue line you’ll be in trouble then won’t you?’
She said nothing, there was nothing she could say, she knew he was right.
He said, ‘come and sit down and we’ll plan a course of action. Okay?’
She stared into his eyes for a moment then let out a long sigh of resignation, but secretly she was glad that he had stopped her from leaving. She turned and limped back to the sofa. He followed and sat down in the armchair.
He said, ‘you weren’t really going to call your brother were you?’
She looked up quickly wondering how he had guessed then shook her head. ‘No, it’s too dangerous for them. Hennessey knows where I live.’ She gave a self deprecating laugh, ‘God, he even knows the name of the house I’ve just brought. He’ll find me, he may even use David and Sally as bargaining chips, tell me where Olivia went or else.’
She saw the cynical look he gave her, ‘oh I know what you’re thinking, there she goes again being neurotic, but David and Sally have two children, I can’t take chances with their lives, Mr. Lando.’
He regarded her a moment longer then nodded, ‘I can understand that.’
They were silent for a moment until his gaze steady and probing he said, ‘so what was your plan, or didn’t you really have one?’
She ignored his sarcasm, ‘I thought I would go back to my original idea and go to the nearest embassy, tell them I was robbed of my passport etcetera. They could help me get another, they might even let me stay there until I can go…get home.’
‘But you just said you didn’t want to put your family in danger and if what you tell me about Hennessey is true he might follow you home, in fact, if I was him, I would.’
She didn’t look shocked by his words just embarrassed at having been caught in a lie. She looked away across the room her eyes alighting on the painting she had noticed earlier of the little cottage surrounded by trees. She stared at it for a long time then with a sadness she could not hide said, ‘you’re right, I can’t go home, he will follow me there.’ She sighed heavily, ‘I thought of going somewhere neither Hennessey nor Glissando will ever find me, if there is such a place.’ She looked back at him and smiled ruefully, ‘maybe a desert island somewhere.’
He didn’t return her smile but scoffed, ‘so you’ll just run forever, just going from place to place until they give up? Because I’m here to tell you, ma’am that if Hennessey is anything like the paid killers I’ve met he won’t give up. He’s a patient man he’s proved that already. And as for Glissando, I know about him and believe me he won’t let this drop.’
He expected her to pale and shake but instead she just nodded as though she had been thinking this too, as she probably had.
He said, ‘have you no one else, another family member, a friend you didn’t tell Hennessey about that you could go too?’
‘No, only my other brother Daniel but Hennessey knows about him too, and I have no friends.’
He frowned slightly at her admission given so matter of factly as though it was a perfectly normal thing to have no friends. That was what she had meant by “We may both be lonely.”
He studied her closely wondering what it was about her that had caused Hennessey to wait so long before abducting her. After all he could have done it after a day, three at most. Yet at some risk to himself he had continued to wine and dine her, to woo her and God knows what else for six days. His jaw clenched as did his hands at this thought.
Then there was that other guy Dean Maxwell who had befriended her, not to mention the detective she had mentioned, he had obviously been smitten with her too.
He didn’t get it, she wasn’t ugly by any means, but she wasn’t what you would call pretty either, although she had beautiful hair, at least when it wasn’t coated in green slime and leaves. Her eyes were beautifully shaped and a lovely shade of green, and apart from what looked like an old scar on her temple, her skin was flawless, and except now of course when it was covered in cuts and bruises, it had a rosy bloom to it which denoted good health.
She was short but she held herself very well, she had a long elegant neck which gave the appearance of height. Graceful, that was the word for the way she walked and talked and acted. And that accent was so damn sexy. And going by her body she obviously took care of herself. He had seen her body of course; although he had tried not to stare it had been very difficult especially since he had not seen a woman naked in more than seven years. He had at times let his eyes stray to her muscular brown legs and flat taut stomach, her almost perfectly rounded firm breasts.
Oh what the fuck was he doing? He was trying to understand why Hennessey, Maxwell and Leyton should be drawn to her not giving himself a run down on her physical attributes.
She was staring at him oddly and asked, ‘is something wrong, Mr. Lando?’
He cleared his throat and his tone was brusque as he answered, ‘no, of course not, what could be wrong? I have a female tourist on the run from a hired killer, and possibly wanted by the police, in my house. A woman with no money, no shoes, no clothes; yet wants to go wandering around a busy town looking for a bank. As I said, what could be wrong?’
He wished the words back as soon as he’d said them, but the thought of her lying semi naked in his bed was doing things to his mind and his dick that he couldn’t control and he hated not being in control, and he was taking this and his frustrations out on her.
She looked confused and hurt as well she might considering he had just given her half a dozen reasons why she should stay. But she said quite calmly, ‘I can understand that, Mr. Lando. I came here uninvited, invaded your privacy and put you in danger; I can appreciate your resentment.’ She made to rise saying, ‘I understand if you’ve changed your mind about my staying, maybe it would be best if I did leave.’
He put out his hand, ‘no.’ She looked at him even more confused. He rubbed both hands up and down his face then said, ‘I never meant to say any of that, I’m just…’ Just what? Desperate for a good fuck? No, it doesn’t even have to be good. But go on, tell her that and have her running from you just as she ran from Hennessey. Good plan.
He said, ‘it doesn’t matter. But what I said still holds true, you’re safer in here than out there.’ He nodded his head towards the door. ‘Although you might not think so sometimes.’ The smallest of smiles accompanied this last remark and she smiled too, like his it was a small effort, nevertheless it got him thinking about her mouth and how it might taste. He pulled himself up sharply; trying to distract himself by concentrating on their predicament
She said, ‘Mr. Lando?’
&nb
sp; ‘Yes.’
She licked her lips and he found himself staring at them again wondering what they would feel like against his. ‘Can I ask one question?’
The thought of her lips vanished as he thought here it comes, she’s going to ask if the rumours she’d heard about me are true, did I kill my wife? Or about my time in prison.
His eyes shuttered but he shrugged, ‘shoot.’
She hesitated a moment then asked, ‘do you believe me?’
He frowned, ‘believe what?’
‘What I told you about Hennessey, about him abducting me?’
He said nothing so she rushed on, ‘only you looked, I don’t know, disbelieving perhaps, certainly sceptical.’
He didn’t answer right away but regarded her steadily for a moment before saying, ‘yes, I believe you.’
‘You do?’ The words came out on a breath as though she hadn’t expected the answer she got.
‘You have taser or stun gun burns on your neck, of course that could have happened when you were subdued by the police. But you also have marks on your wrists not caused by handcuffs, so unless the cops have been issued with duct tape as a means of restraint since I left the force then someone else obviously tied you with it.’
She looked down at her hands at the red weals around her wrists and shuddered then looked back at Lando. ‘And that I had nothing to do with Hennessey’s criminal activities? Do you believe that part of my story too?’
This time his hesitation was slightly longer before his lips twitched again, ‘lady, you’re the most unlikely accomplice to a killer for hire I’ve ever seen. And the prosecutor who accuses you of it might want to start rethinking his career choice.’
She didn’t comment on the “lady” thing again but opened her eyes wide in amazement, then she smiled then suddenly giggled and the sound was like soft keys being played on a piano and he looked startled. Still smiling she said, ‘under normal circumstances I think I would be disappointed that no one would think me capable of pulling off a crime.’
Again his eyes were drawn to her mouth curved up in a smile that was mischievous and damn it, sexy as all get out.
He stood up suddenly and abruptly and her smile faded as quickly as it had come.
‘It’s getting late,’ he said shortly, ‘I have to feed the animals and check on Josie and the foal.’
‘Josie?’
‘My mare, she’s just given birth. That’s why I was in the barn so late last night when you made your unexpected appearance.’
He knew he sounded as though he was accusing her of interrupting his work but couldn’t help his harshness. He had to distract himself from thoughts of that mouth and that body and…’ He inwardly berated himself and once more his tone sounded brusque, ‘go into the bedroom and lock the door. I’ll leave Dante with you, he’ll bark fit to bust if a stranger happens by. Try to get some rest, I don’t think anything will happen tonight and we both need to be refreshed for whatever may happen tomorrow.’
He walked to the bedroom and opened the door; she joined him hesitatingly and stood on the threshold. He noticed that the bed was made and he hadn't done it, so unless Dante was making himself really useful she must have done it which surprised him.
He said abruptly,’ I know it’s not what you’re used too, it’s not the Ritz or the Hilton, but the bed is comfortable, as you know,’ he finished pointedly.
There it was again, that reference to her life style, or what he thought of as her lifestyle. She said rather defensively, ‘neither was the cabin I rented not half a mile from here.’
He looked sharply at her but she just stood looking scared and uncertain again. ‘I…I could come with you, to the barn I mean.’
‘No.’
‘Please, Mr. Lando; I don’t want to stay here by myself. And anyway if something happens you might need…’
She broke off but he knew what she had been about to say, you might need my help. Half amused and half condensing he said, ‘I appreciate that you want to protect me, Ma’am, but I think I can take care of myself, thanks for the offer though.’
Her look was embarrassment commingled with exasperation, but she implored, ‘please. I would very much like to see the mare and her foal.’
She wondered if she should have said that, she knew he did not like anyone nosing around his place, he had proved that quite adequately the last time she had been here.
He stared at her for a long time then to her surprise he said, ‘all right, but stay close by me and don’t wander off. If anything happens run back into the house and lock the door, okay?’
She nodded eagerly. Even now after all she’d been through and all she might have to endure tomorrow, she couldn’t help but be excited to see his animals.
He picked up his rifle and began to walk to the door then stopped and looked back at her then down at her feet. ‘Wait here.’ He ordered.
She watched him leave the room wondering why he had looked at her in that way and why he had gone into the bedroom. She hoped he had not gone to fetch a gun for her to use, the thought made her feel physically ill. What if he expected her to use it to defend herself…or him? Could she? Would she?
He came back into the living room and dropped a pair of sneakers at her feet saying, ‘they’ll be a way too big, but they’ll protect your feet and keep them warm and dry.’
She looked down at the old tatty footwear then slipped her feet into them. They weren’t quiet as big as they might have been because the bandages and socks made a good padding. They weren’t ideal but they made her feel less vulnerable.
She looked up at him gratefully, ‘thank you, Mr. Lando.’
He grunted something unintelligible and she followed him out the door wondering why he had not offered her the shoes before. The only answer forthcoming was that he had deduced that since she was shoeless she would not leave, which meant of course that he had not wanted her too. She would have dwelt on this longer but they were now outside and she tensed and looked around at the trees behind which anyone could hide.
It was quite dark now something she had not noticed before with the curtains being drawn across all the windows. They…or rather she…must have talked for a long time. She stood very close to Lando who positioned himself on the outside protecting her from any danger that might come from the woods.
She kept very close to him as they walked the short distance from the house to the barn and didn’t widen the distance as they arrived at the barn. He took out a key and unlocked the padlock then they were safely inside the dimly lit barn. She kept very close even when he said, ‘I’ll light the other lamps, ‘and moved to the corner of the barn, she just followed him as though she was one of the shadows cast by the single lamp. But when her eyes adjusted to the gloom she gasped in delight at the sight of the foal. His mother looked at her curiously and suspiciously. Adela turned to Lando a smile on her face, ‘oh my word, they're lovely, Mr. Lando.’
He didn’t answer but the mare whinnied as though to say thanks. Adela giggled and turned to Lando who was locking the barn door, ‘is it all right to touch them?’
He looked at the mare and foal then back at her and nodded. She walked over to them and kneeling next to the foal began stroking its back whispering, ‘oh my, but you’re beautiful aren’t you? So beautiful.’
His mother snorted and Adela laughed and stroked her flank, ‘yes, and you’re beautiful too, mum.’ Adela said to Lando, ‘what’s his name?’
He hesitated before mumbling, ‘Maynard.’
‘Oh that’s nice, it suits him.’
Typical he thought, of women to think a name for an animal should suit them, to coo and sigh over them. Maynard was named so that he had something to call him that’s all not to get all emotional over.
Dante had strolled over and stood watching them every so often looking back at Lando as though expecting him to stop this woman from touching his animals. When he didn’t Dante drew closer until he was standing right next to Adela who reached out and
stroked his head saying, ‘yes, and you’re beautiful too, Dante, but in a different way.’
Lando watched fascinated at the scene before him. Part of him was annoyed with Dante for the traitor that he was and part of him was pleased that he seemed to have lost his nervousness around strangers, or maybe it was just her he was not afraid of. He recalled how she had stayed close to him as they had walked to the barn. But as close as she had been she had not touched him, whether unconsciously or by design he wasn’t sure. Still, he had felt her body heat and her breath on his neck and he had to fight the feeling of arousal those small things had evoked in him.
Now he walked briskly over to them and filled a large container with food which he almost threw in front of Josie. Adela looked up at him smiling, he looked away scowling and she wondered what she might have said or done to upset him again. Just about everything probably.
She stood up and asked, ‘what can I do?’
He looked perplexed for a moment not understanding, ‘do?’
‘Yes, to help.’
His brow furrowed, ‘nothing.’
‘But I can help feed the animals, help clean them out, that kind of thing.’
‘I clean them out in the mornings,’ he looked her up and down, ‘besides, you’re in no fit state for mucking about in animal sh…’
He stopped abruptly and she couldn’t help it, her lips twitched. He had cut short the vulgarity as though she had never heard the word he was about to say. But she had not missed the look he gave her as though he believed she had never done a day’s work in her life. In fact he had said as much with his comments about eating in posh restaurants all the time and being pampered. If only you knew she thought, the only restaurant, posh or otherwise, she had ever eaten in had been with Hennessey. That thought wiped the smile from her face. He noticed and thought he had hurt her feelings; well he was becoming quite the expert at that. But somehow he didn’t think it was only what he had said that had caused the amusement to slide from her face.
She said, ‘well I could help you feed them then.’
