By sheer will and determination alone that Kyle McKenzie will die by my own hand, I manage to make it inside the door of the service elevator.
So much blood. It seeps through my fingertips. I push the button to bring me to the garage level, leaving a bright red smudge, and try to catch my breath. It’s no use.
Shit, it’s so cold. At least the blood pouring out of my wound is warm.
I know I’m in the first stages of shock, my body’s shutting down from the loss of blood.
When the elevator doors open, I carefully move along the hallway until I’m standing in front of the back exit. Leaning my head on the cold steel, I rest for a moment, but I know I’m running out of time.
When I push open the metal door, Anthony, an old friend, is waiting for me. We’ve known each other since I first moved to New York eight years ago.
I met him at a bar one night, and we hit it off. Since then I’ve come to learn he’s mob connected and deeply so. If there’s anything I need, Anthony will take care of it. And I mean anything.
Maybe I should have hired him to kill Kyle. Fuck that. I’ll get him next time.
“Fuck, dude. You’re all kinds of fucked up,” he says, stating the obvious.
“I need…you to…do…me a…favor.” I struggle with each breath I take and each word I say. “Wipe…any…trace of…me.”
Anthony’s eyes briefly flick to me. “Consider it done brother.”
I don’t answer. All my focus is on each inhale of air into my lungs and living long enough to get retribution. He slings my arm around his shoulder and assists me to his car. Once inside, I lean my head back and close my eyes. Five minutes later, we’re at the back door of a surgical clinic.
Being involved with the mob has its perks. Including getting medical treatment from doctors who owe your friend favors. Gloves snap on, orders are shouted, and I’m wheeled on a stretcher down the stark white hallway to the operating room.
And lucky for Hell, I’ll live to see another day.
Chapter Two
Lana
SEPTEMBER
My vision blurs as I endlessly stare at the computer screen. It’s not easy finding the right John Smith. It’s a common name. There are over two thousand of them in the six New England states alone. Glancing at the clock I realize I’ve been at this for four hours now. Time for a lunch break.
Pushing back my chair, I rise, grabbing my purse and cellphone.
My shoes are silent on the hallway carpet as I head toward the front reception area. I’m the only one in the office today. Kyle, one of my bosses is in New York City with his girlfriend, Janny, and Derek, my other boss had a few appointments this morning.
Pushing open the glass door of the office building, I take in the late September day here in Boston. The temps are mild and the sun is out, perfect weather for walking to my favorite pizza place.
Leisurely strolling down the sidewalk, and doing a bit of window shopping at the same time, the ring of my phone startles me. Pulling it out of my pocket, I smile when I see my boss Kyle’s little sister’s name. She’s one of the few friends I’ve made since moving here a few months ago.
“Hey, Kenna.”
“Lana,” she sobs.
“Kenna, what’s wrong?” I ask. My steps falter, then freeze in the middle of the sidewalk.
“It’s Janny. Something awful happened. Some psycho drugged her wine and then undressed her while she was unconscious.” She pauses, her sobs quieting. “He filmed himself masturbating beside her bed and sent the video to her and Kyle.”
“Oh, my God,” I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. “Is she okay?”
“Yes, but that’s not all.” Kenna sniffs. “The guy broke in her apartment in the middle of the night and attacked Kyle. It was someone Janny worked with. The worst part is, it was someone she considered a friend.”
My eyes open wide. “Oh, my God,” I whisper. “Is Kyle hurt?”
“No, they fought, but it ended with the guy’s own knife buried in his stomach.”
I gasp, shocked someone would want to harm Kyle or Janny and grateful they’re both alright.
“They found his body.”
“What do you mean they found it?” I cut her off.
“He disappeared before the police showed up, but Kyle said he got a call from the NYPD today, telling him they found him not far from Janny’s apartment. I guess he couldn’t survive for long with a stomach wound that serious and so much blood loss.”
“I’m so glad they’re both okay.” I slowly begin to walk down the sidewalk again.
“I don’t know what I would have done if Kyle had been the one to get knifed,” she cries.
My heart aches for her. Kyle and Kenna lost their parents ten years ago, to a drunk driving accident. Kenna was only fifteen at the time. After their deaths, Kyle raised her and as a result, they’re closer than most siblings.
“Oh, Kenna, he’s okay. Everything’s going to be fine,” I reassure her. “Kyle’s strong. He’s overcome so much and this will be no different. There’s nothing for you to worry about. He’s going to take good care of Janny.”
“I know. I just hate how much they’ve had to deal with. I wish they could catch a break.”
The beep of my other line signaling another call cuts in. “Kenna I have another call, but please reach out if you need anything, even if it’s just to talk, okay?”
“Okay, bye for now,” Kenna replies. I click over to the other line.
“Hi, mom.”
“There’s my girl. How are you dear?” I can hear concern in her tone. It’s upsetting knowing she worries about me so much.
“I’m good. There’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“Lana, it’s a mother’s full time job. Worrying is what we do.”
“I know, but I’m fine. I love Boston and the friends I’ve made. My job at K.D. Investigations is awesome. Kyle and Derek might be the best bosses ever.”
“Are they single?” she innocently asks.
I roll my eyes. “Kyle has a girlfriend, Janny. They’re ridiculously in love.” I smile and then frown as I think about the serious nature of what they’re currently dealing with. “Derek is single, but he has a thing for Kyle’s sister, Kenna. No one seems to notice how the sparks fly between the two of them, but I see it so clearly.”
“Well, you’ve always been good at sitting back and observing others.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing dear, just stating a fact. Are you dating anyone?” She abruptly changes the subject.
I scowl at the question. “No, mom I’m not. I don't know why you feel the need to ask me this every single time we talk. Does it really seem plausible in the two days since our last conversation I met someone and we’re already dating?”
“I just want you to be happy.”
I roll my eyes. “If you want me to be happy then you’d stop asking me this. I have to go now. Love you.”
“Lana I...”
I end the call before she can finish what she’s saying.
You’d think she would figure out every time she brings up the possibility of me dating, I hang up. Why does it matter to her so much anyway?
I’m not ready to date anyone. I’m still trying to get over my ex-boyfriend, Christopher.
Chapter Three
Zack
EARLY DECEMBER
“Here, let me get that for you.” I hold the door for Lana and when she walks past, I lean forward, breathing in her scent and then follow. Once we’re inside the lobby of the building she pauses.
“Thank you. I was wondering how I was going to manage unlocking the door with all this.” She gestures with her chin at the two paper bags of groceries in her arms.
“I’m Zachary, but you can call me Zack, I just moved into the vacant apartment on the second floor.”
She smiles at me and my heart pounds.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you, Zack. I’m Lana, and apparently, we’
re neighbors. You’ve moved into the unit right next to mine.”
I grin at her. I already know your name precious girl.
I’ve never been this close to her before. My obsession with her began six weeks ago, when I followed her friend Kenna McKenzie to Quake one night. I was set in my plan to make her older brother Kyle pay for his hand in my father’s death by stalking her. Things didn’t go as I intended.
From the first glimpse of Lana, the gorgeous redhead, I went from being consumed with revenge to consumed by lust.
All night I watched her, instead of watching Kenna like I originally planned.
Watched the way she threw her head back when she laughed, her long red hair tumbling past her shoulders.
Watched her tongue make a slow trek around the rim of her margarita glass, licking up the salt.
Watched her hips sensually sway to the slow music and grind to the pounding beat.
I watched her all night long; watched her be oblivious to me and I promised myself it wouldn’t be long before we would meet.
Lana – even her name is sexy.
Something about her is different – something I don’t understand. My reaction to her is something that’s never happened to me before.
I’ve been enamored with her for weeks now.
I’ve been in her apartment numerous times, eaten her food and imagined what it would be like to be with her.
I must have her. I have to possess her. I need to own her; until the ultimate goal is reached. Until my end game becomes a reality…
I’m going to make her fall in love with me.
Watching her every move from afar is exciting, but nothing compares to being close enough to smell the exotic scent of her perfume. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before.
Why does she affect me like this?
“It’s great to meet you, Lana. Let me carry those for you.” I take one bag from her and she hands me the other without any objection.
Good girl.
I like her obedience.
My eyes meet her large green ones. I wonder if she finds me attractive. Most women do.
I hope she does.
Her skin is so fair the tiny freckles on her straight nose and along the apples of her cheeks look like cinnamon sprinkled all over.
My mouth waters. I want to taste each one. I wonder what she’d taste like?
Would she be spicy or sweet?
I can’t wait to find out.
I need to know.
I follow her up the turn of the century curved staircase, my eyes entranced with her petite frame in front of me.
Her legs are long and lean in her skin tight blue jeans and make a nice ass of themselves.
She’s wearing a light pink hoodie and her red hair is fastened on top of her head in a messy bun.
The nape of her neck is exposed, tempting me, calling out for my lips to press against the soft skin - for my tongue to caress the graceful length - for my teeth to bite the curve where it merges into her shoulder.
Her step is light as she leisurely jogs up the stairs. She waits when she reaches the top step, and we remain next to each other all the way down the wide carpeted hallway. I imagine we’re a couple, coming home from grocery shopping and getting ready to prepare a gourmet dinner.
Soon we’ll be doing everything together.
She pushes her key in the lock on the handle and turns the knob at the same time. The hinges creak as the thick wooden door opens wide for me to pass through.
The moment I take my first step inside her space, I feel a sense of homecoming. I’ve been in her apartment countless times when she hasn’t been home. I’m an expert at lock picking and hers wasn’t even a challenge for me.
I follow her to the kitchen and place her bags on the granite counter.
“Have a seat. Let me get you a drink. Do you want a beer or would you prefer spring water?”
“What kind of beer do you have?” Heineken.
“Heineken,” she answers and I smile. I already know all about my girl. “Does that work for you?” She peers over her shoulder at me when she pulls open the fridge.
“Yeah, it’s great. It’s my favorite kind, actually.” I drum my fingers on the wooden table, thumb, index, middle, ring, pinky, and repeat over and over. I count along with the motion, one, two, three, four, five, one, two, three, four, five. As I recite the numbers in my head I can feel myself relaxing.
Being here is almost too much for me to handle. I wasn’t expecting to be in her apartment with her so soon. I thought it would be a few days before I even got to introduce myself, and now I’m ahead of schedule. It makes me uneasy. I don’t like to deviate from my game plan. Lana’s the first person who’s ever made me break from the planned course of action.
“This is my favorite beer, too.” She places the two green bottles on the counter, and rifles through the drawer where her bottle opener is. Her scissors, Swiss Army knife, corkscrew, and an impressive multi-tool are also in there.
“My brother used to make me drink Heineken with him when I wasn’t even legal yet.” She pops the caps off and drops it back in the drawer, pushing it shut with her hip. She clasps her hands around the two bottles and closes the distance between us.
When she pulls out the end chair and sits down to my left, my heart begins to fiercely pound. What is this effect she has on me, and how am I going to learn to cope with it?
I really have no choice in the matter. I know what I want - her. And I plan on having every single inch of her - body, mind and soul.
She’ll be mine. Failure is not an option.
“Are you from around here?” she asks before tipping her beer back for a small sip.
I take a pull from my own bottle and recite the back story I’ve created and rehearsed. After I attempted to kill Kyle, Anthony and his mob friends provided a body that was found near Janny’s apartment building. The palms that needed to be were greased and the case was closed.
I still went ahead and changed my identity. Fortunately for me, I know the right people and with the right amount of money anything I want can be achieved. Keeping the first name Zack was my one stipulation. I need to hear her scream my real name out when I make her come harder than she ever has.
“I’m from the western part of the state, out by Amherst. It’s like another world compared to here.” She’s attentive to what I’m saying and that pleases me.
She pleases me.
“What about you? Where did you grow up?” Seattle. It’s amazing what you can find out about someone on the internet.
“I lived in Seattle my whole life until I moved here about six months past.” She pushes her long bangs to the side.
“What made you move all the way across the country?”
She looks down at the table and rakes her teeth over the outer corner of her bottom lip. The way it twists her mouth would look silly on anyone else, but somehow, it’s adorable when she does it.
Her eyes raise, flicking to mine before dropping again. “I needed a change.”
I know there’s more to her story than she’s saying. So far, I haven’t been able to figure out what motivated her to move here, but I know it’s only a matter of time before she’ll confide in me.
“What do you do for work, Zack?” She studies my face, waiting for my answer.
I can’t tell her I used to work in advertising. Knowing, would be a clue about who I really am.
She can’t know, at least not yet.
“I used to work in finance before I moved here. I was paid well, and I also have good instincts for knowing what investments are a sure thing. I bought and sold stocks and made a large enough profit where I don’t need to work anymore.” That part is true. I played the stock market with great success. My money is hidden away and totally untraceable.
Her eyes widen.
“I’m sure I’ll find something to fall into now that I’m settling here. I don’t know if I can handle not having a place to be every day. Everyone needs a pur
pose.”
I shift in the chair and slowly begin to peel the label off the beer bottle. I take my time, slow and methodical, working to remove it in one long piece.
I wish I could tell Lana she’s my new purpose, but she’s not ready to hear it yet. All in good time.
Soon there will be no secrets between us.
Chapter Four
Lana
I study him as he looks down, carefully peeling the label off the beer bottle in his hand. His nose is lean and straight and his eyelashes are dark brown and thick. His eyebrows are hidden by the shaggy dark brown hair falling across his forehead. His jaw is covered by a thick beard, in need of a trim.
“What’s your last name, Zack? Mine is Edwards.”
His eyes flick up at me and the light blue color makes me lose my train of thought for a moment.
“Williams.” His focus returns to the label as he tediously pulls it off, still managing to keep it intact.
He flashes me a glowing, triumphant smile when the paper is completely free of the bottle. Straight, white teeth contrast against the darkness of his beard.
“Patience pays off,” he says with a wink.
“Are you a patient person?” I ask, wanting to know more about this handsome man sitting in my kitchen.
He locks his eyes on mine and a shiver runs down my spine.
I’m not sure if it’s from the attraction I feel for him or from the fear that attraction instills in me. I don’t want to be drawn to him or any man.
He rubs his hand over his beard and nods his head. “I am. I’m willing to wait for what I want.” He leans forward in his seat, resting his elbows on the table. “When I want something,” his eyes drop to my lips as he pauses, before raising back up to mine, “I don’t let anything stop me from getting it.”
I chew on my bottom lip, at a loss for what to do or say. It almost seems as if he’s warning me.
Is he attracted to me?
No, he can’t be. Guys like him aren’t attracted to girls like me. He’s the cool, suave, sexy type, and I’m nerdy and awkward. I still look like I’m too young to legally buy alcohol.
The Complete Quake Series Page 39
