Hidden Sins

by Bolton, Karice

  “Is that so?” His brow arched as he scanned the goods. “Then turnabout’s fair play.”

  Luke grabbed coconut shells and tossed them over to me.

  “What’s this supposed to be?” I asked, holding them up.

  “A bikini,” he laughed. “Hold them up. You’ll see the strings.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh as I did as he instructed. I tied the string behind my neck and fastened it behind my back, and I quickly adjusted the shells over my tank.

  “Almost there,” he replied, scanning the shelves. “This.”

  He threw a grass skirt in my direction and I caught it.

  I stepped through it and pulled it up, adjusting the hula skirt over my shorts before I shimmied my hips.

  “Too much?” I asked.

  Luke’s smile made the entire store light up as I twirled around. “Not at all,” he said, pulling me toward him. He untied the strings at my neck and worked the clasp open as my body heated up from his touch.

  “Will you wear the hat today?” I asked.

  “Only if you’ll wear this later,” he murmured.

  “I might be able to work that out,” I laughed. “Is it bad that we’re dorks?”

  I scooted the skirt over my legs and handed it to him, along with the shells that he was already holding tightly.

  “Not as long as we’re both in it together.” He smiled as we walked up to the cash register. “Good thing this hat has a strap. Some of these rides are pretty intense.”

  “How intense?”

  “Enough so that the hat could be blown away.”

  “Sounds exciting,” I laughed, but I was completely terrified.

  He paid for the merchandise and we walked back outside.

  “That’s where we’re headed.” Luke pointed ahead to the left where large trees towered and rope bridges dangled. “Doesn’t look like much of a line. Guess it pays to go during the week.”

  As he pulled me down into the maze of ropes that guided guests, my heart quickened at the thought. I was scared of rollercoasters. I’d only been on one and that was enough for me. Back in high school, my friends and I managed to sneak into a carnival two towns away. Even remembering that frightened me.

  “Is it scary?” I asked, squeezing his hand as we ran between the ropes.

  “There’s only one crazy moment,” Luke assured me.

  “How crazy?”

  We ran through the tunnels, stopping every so often to look at the treasure, skulls, and artifacts that guided us to the entrance of the ride. When we made it to the end, I saw a woman who was about eighty years old piling into the vehicle with her grandkids.

  “Still worried?” he whispered.

  “I’ll handle it,” I laughed, as we climbed into the vehicle and the attendants slammed down the safety bar. I buckled in and the bumpy ride took off, and I felt immediately transported to another time. As we barreled deeper into the caverns, I was in complete awe over the sets. It was visually stunning and such a blast.

  “Way different than the carnival,” I laughed and Luke wrapped his arm around me just as a large boulder came rolling toward us. As I was about to scream, the ground beneath broke away and our vehicle slid down a steep hill and the scream I saved echoed from my belly.

  “That was awesome,” I whispered, catching my breath, as we continued to creep along through the ruins, finally coming to a stop where we had first started. I released my seat belt and the bar unlocked.

  Luke helped me out of the vehicle, but I honestly didn’t want to leave.

  “How was it?” he asked.

  “Amazing. I totally want to go again,” I laughed, feeling like a kid. “But your hat totally makes it.”

  Luke certainly did an amazing job of finding a place that took me away from everything I’d been running from. I only hoped that someday I’d come here not to escape my life but to add to it.

  He pulled me down a tunnel that had been roped off, and I watched as fellow riders started running toward the exit in the other direction. Where we stood was dark and far enough back that it was doubtful that anyone would see us or even think to look. He slid both hands along my hips and looked down into my eyes as my stomach fluttered at the closeness. I felt the warmth from his body as he pressed against mine, and I prayed to be kissed as I closed my eyes, waiting for his lips to come to mine.

  Luke

  This was the first time I felt Hannah relax. Feeling the tension leave her body as I held her through the ride was something I wasn’t sure I’d ever see. I never guessed Indiana would’ve accomplished this so quickly, but I was grateful to him. The excitement that rolled off her was contagious, and I didn’t want this day to end. But I knew it would. And then tomorrow would come.

  Hannah’s excitement was something that continually pulled me to her. Her curiosity about new things and her ability to not take things for granted were astounding attributes. I’d been surrounded with people always into the bigger and better, but not Hannah. She just enjoyed being. And that was something I didn’t ever want taken away from her.

  She laid her head against my chest as the vehicle took the final turn on the ride and I could smell her heavenly scent. It was almost more than I could handle when she slid her hand along my chest. My agents were stationed at the entry and exit of this ride so that did buy us a few minutes of privacy. I wanted the damn ride to be over so I could feel my lips pressed against hers.

  Once it came to a stop, I hopped out of the ride and helped her out. I spotted a tunnel that looked like it went nowhere and pulled her into the dark cavern with me. I felt like I was fourteen all over again and I had no idea how she did that to me. There was something about Hannah that literally made me weak for her. I heard her breathing change as my hands slid down to her hips, and I pulled her into me. Feeling her softness against me was almost soul crushing. I wanted so much more. I prided myself on being practical, organized, and in control, but that always changed the moment I was around Hannah. All I wanted to do was taste her, feel her against me.

  Her hands ran along my chest and she looked into my eyes, which was my undoing. I watched her lashes fall as she closed her eyes, and my lips crashed to hers. There was no softness. I craved her too much to be gentle. My tongue ran along the seam of her lips, and she welcomed me in, parting slowly as I felt the warmth of her mouth embrace mine.

  I took a step forward, lifting her as I moved and she wrapped her legs around my waist. We belonged together. Everything was instinctual. There were no awkward moments. Her hands ran along my neck as her kisses deepened, and I imagined her nude body next to mine. Imagining our bodies as one created a tidal wave of desire. Feeling her fingertips scatter across my skin aroused me beyond no return. There was no coming back from Hannah. I was falling in love with this woman.

  She let out a soft moan, and I couldn’t help but smile knowing that I was unraveling her, and this was only a kiss. I slowed the urgency and broke my lips from hers. She unwrapped her legs from my waist and started giggling.

  Damn! I loved hearing her laugh.

  “Is that included in the price of admission for all girls?” she teased.

  “Only you,” I assured her.

  She moved her hand into mine as we walked back into the main hallway toward the exit. Her cheeks were flushed and her steps full of energy.

  “Where to next, Indiana?”

  I laughed and spotted my guy at the end of the tunnel as we exited.

  “I was thinking something a little more romantic. Say pirates?” The sun was blazing and the heat intensifying as we trekked down the path, dodging kids with cotton candy and swords.

  “Sounds amazing,” she whispered, pressing her head against my arm as we strolled down the walkway. “This place is absolutely magical.”

  “I thought it might be just what we both needed.” Before tomorrow, I thought to myself.

  We continued filling the rest of the day with ride after ride, only stopping to try some new rodent shaped snack or to s
ip on frozen lemonade. It wasn’t until the sun set that I realized how quickly the day had slipped away, bringing the uncertainties of tomorrow closer.

  The temperature had dropped slightly and she’d slipped on her sweatshirt. We’d decided that we were all done hopping on rides so it was safe to buy some of the items she’d had her eyes on. As of now, I was carrying around a huge Minnie Mouse and a Dopey from Snow White.

  “Did you want to stay for the fireworks?” I asked, hoping her answer would be yes. Maybe I shouldn’t have given her the option.

  “Who wouldn’t?” She winked, taking Minnie from my arms. We’d circled the entire park and hadn’t even made it into California Adventure. “Too bad the Haunted House was closed.”

  “That just means we’ll have to come back,” I murmured, sliding my arm around her waist.

  “I would like that very much,” she said, sighing.

  “What’s up?” I asked, feeling her body tense.

  “Tomorrow. Just kind of sneaking up on me.”

  “Sam’s a good guy. He’ll help get done what needs to get done.” I nodded, squeezing her a little tighter.

  She looked into my eyes and forced a smile. “I’m counting on it.”

  “I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” I whispered.

  “It’s not me I’m worried about.” She glanced away, and I felt the entire day’s events get overshadowed, and I knew this had to end. I was going to do everything in my power to make Hannah’s life okay again. I wanted to make her worries disappear and her struggles vanish, but there was only one way to do that, and it would take her cooperation.

  Music began playing over the speakers, and I towed her over to a vacant spot that would be a great vantage point for the sky’s displays. We sat on the curb and looked above as the music blared through the park, and the first silver firework crashed into the sky, sprinkling pieces of glitter in every direction. Red splashes dotted the night sky, followed by blue and green. I felt her body relax again and drew her chin toward me.

  Her lips parted as I pressed my mouth to hers, feeling our worlds slowly begin to merge. This woman was worth fighting for with every ounce of strength I had, no matter what we’d face. Her breath quickened as my hand ran through her hair and I felt like my world shifted. We had power over one another, and I just prayed for a day when that was all we needed to live a happy life together.

  Hannah

  It seemed like the innocence of yesterday was years ago as I sat in Luke’s car, staring at the building I was about to go in. Luke had the entire parking lot surrounded by his men. There’d be no one coming in or out of this lot without a serious problem to deal with. At least that’s what I’d been told and I had no reason to doubt it.

  It should have made me feel better, but it didn’t. Luke promised to be with me every step of the way and that meant the world, but I didn’t like that I started to count on that, on him. It scared me.

  “You ready, babe?” Luke asked, bringing me back to reality.

  I nodded and climbed out of the car. The agent we were meeting was already inside the building. We’d driven a couple hours inland to a vacant warehouse that Luke owned. For what I wasn’t sure.

  “You’ve got this. And if there’s anything you don’t want to answer, or that makes you uncomfortable, don’t feel obligated. You’re the one in control.”

  “I don’t feel very in control,” I whispered, as we walked toward the entrance.

  Luke opened the door and led me to an office right off the entry. The interior was as industrial as the exterior with exposed metal walls and concrete floors. A man, who I assumed was Sam, sat on a leather couch. As soon as he spotted Luke, he stood up and walked over.

  “This is Agent Fredricks,” Luke said to me, shaking the man’s hand.

  “Nice to see you again, Fletcher,” Agent Fredricks replied.

  “Pleasure’s mine. This is Hannah,” Luke replied, introducing us.

  “Hannah, you can call me Sam.”

  “Thanks,” I replied.

  Sam looked to be around forty with a few flecks of silver spotting his otherwise dark hair. He was an attractive man, muscular, but he didn’t project the strength that Luke carried. Sam’s brown eyes watched me carefully as Luke ushered us to a small conference table near the back wall.

  “Luke has briefed me on some of the background information. I was able to get some leads on what he’s told me as well,” Sam pulled out a folder and began rifling through papers. “I looked up that Donald Jamison character who was recently arrested. I found no ties to the NLC, but don’t get me wrong, I have every reason to believe he’s involved.”

  I nodded as relief began seeping into my pores. I was finally talking to the right person.

  “We believe that your accusations are valid, but we must proceed with the utmost caution,” Sam began. “We need to take things slow, let them play out a little longer.”

  “Attempts have been made on Hannah’s life. How slow are you talking?” Luke asked. His hands fisted into a tight ball.

  “Long enough to make sure whatever case we build against them is unbreakable. Everything needs to be solid. This isn’t the private sector, Luke. We have to do things by the book.”

  Luke placed his hand on my knee. “I understand that. The information I sent over, was it helpful?” Luke’s brow arched. I could tell he had Sam where he wanted him, reminding him not so subtly of the help he’s afforded him.

  “Yes. It was. We were able to trace the offshore accounts that funneled to one custodial account,” Sam said, turning his attention to me. “This is where things get a little dicey and patience is of the utmost importance.”

  Luke remained silent.

  “The NLC isn’t named on the custodial account. We’re tracing the sources of deposits and should know who all is involved, who owns the main account.”

  “And you got the information from my sources. Isn’t that correct?” Luke asked. “You didn’t bother waiting for search warrants now did you?”

  Sam let out a sigh and smiled. “No, Luke. We didn’t. And I thank you for forwarding the information.”

  “What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave this room,” Sam replied.

  “Of course,” Luke said.

  “They’re well funded whoever they are, and with the information that Miss Walker has provided we can guess how,” Sam replied.

  “But you’re worried about the bigger fish in the sea,” Luke sighed. “It’s not the NLC that your agency is as concerned with but who they’re working for. Correct?”

  “We don’t fly on conspiracy theories,” Sam replied coldly. “We need to sort out all of the possibilities before we make a move in any direction. If we go after the NLC too soon, guaranteed the others will vanish into thin air.”

  “No. I got it.” Luke shook his head. “But knowing there’s another shipment coming in, does that speed up the process?”

  “Only partially,” Sam acknowledged. “By the looks of it, the shipments happen a few times a year. The truth of it is that if we don’t have a solid enough case, we won’t go in before this next one. We’ll wait it out.”

  My stomach twisted at the thought of this never-ending hell that had become my life. And the thought of another shipment going through successfully made my head begin to pound.

  “There are lives at stake. Far more than just mine. Those people have no voice and one more shipment might not seem like a lot to you, but those are hundreds of lives that are forever changed, possibly ended,” my tone bristled.

  “The agency understands that,” Sam replied.

  “Don’t give me that agency shit, Sam.” Luke pounded the table.

  “Listen, there’s far more going on here than I’m at liberty to speak about. We have intel that the shipment is about to move up a week early. That’s why I’m telling you we might not make it in time. I’m just trying to be as open about things as I can so you can continue to watch out for Miss Walker.”

  “Wh
ere’d the info come from?” Luke asked.

  “I’m not authorized to tell you that,” Sam replied.

  “Then how do I know it can be trusted?”

  “I guess you don’t.”

  “Do you trust your people?” Luke asked.

  “As much as I’ve trusted you over the years.” Sam smiled.

  “I guess that’s saying something.”

  “The first house you stayed at when you got to town?” Sam started.

  “What about it?” I asked.

  “How did you find it?” Sam asked.

  “Both my best friend and I were planning to make a run for it. But they killed her first. She was the one who set it up. Why do you ask?”

  “The NLC found you very quickly out here. I was curious if maybe someone at the house was involved somehow with getting you found.” Sam closed the folder and pushed it to the center of the table.

  “Nothing would surprise me.”

  “Was there anyone else who knew of your whereabouts after you left that house?” Sam asked.

  “No.”

  “That seems odd.”

  “Wait. One girl knew that I had accepted a job at Buttons. But she wouldn’t have said anything to anyone. There’s no way, and she didn’t know where I lived.”

  Sam’s expression fell and he glanced at Luke. “Was her name Rikki Stevenson?”

  I took in a deep breath. “We didn’t do last names. I’m sure you can guess why. But yes. Her first name was Rikki.” My heart rate began to soar as I waited for Sam to continue. The look on his face told me everything, but I wanted him to say it.

  “She was found dead.”

  “How?” A lump formed in the back of my throat.

  “A bullet to the head. She was found in a park, but her body had been placed there. I have reason to believe that’s how they found you again.”

  “I can’t believe it,” I whispered. “She did nothing wrong. Her only fault was coming into contact with me.”

  “We interviewed Nancy and couldn’t come up with anything solid. But I wouldn’t doubt that she’s also involved. But again, we have nothing to go on there. Not yet anyway.”