by Tiffani Lynn
Once we’re clean we curl up in the spoon position and fall asleep, him holding me close, just the way I like it. That night I sleep better than I have since the last time I lay in a bed with him.
The next day Maggie gets bent out of shape again when Mike insists that I wait inside until the car arrives. My nerves are frayed and two days of this ridiculous attitude from her is enough to get under my skin and fester. The car ride to the pier where we’re meeting the boat that’s taking us to our filming location is quiet and awkward. Maggie mutters under her breath the whole trip. Unable to take her shit anymore, I blurt, “I don’t understand why you’re so pissed, Maggie. Nothing about this is inconveniencing you other than you get to ride in a car with a smoking hot guy. Your ire makes no sense. If this were your issue, I’d do anything and everything you needed to keep you safe, so shut up.”
Both hers and Mike’s eyes grow wide during my outburst. I’m not known for shooting off at the mouth. I learned after years of dealing with my mother that exercising patience is the only way to get through difficult situations. That theory has worked well since I started in this business. The temperamental actors and actresses, directors and photographers require this at times and I’m good at it, but something about Maggie’s attitude while I’m under this kind of stress is too much for me to deal with.
After my little outburst the car is quiet. When Maggie looks out the window to avoid me, Mike smiles and raises his eyebrows like I surprised him. I shrug and turn my focus to the road ahead. It shut her up so maybe I need to have those kinds of outbursts more often.
The heat and humidity were off the charts today and those things coupled with the continuing tension between Maggie and me while filming has wiped me out. I hope Mike’s okay with eating in the room again because I’m too tired to be vigilant while we go out somewhere.
After I’ve showered and we’ve ordered our room service, I plop down on the couch and check my social media sites. My phone buzzes in my hand, showing that it’s the executive producer of the movie, Wallace Smythe. He’s probably calling because Maggie complained.
“Hey, it’s Wallace. I’m sorry to bother you. I know you’re tired after the long shoot today, but I wondered if we could meet in the lobby for a few minutes. I need to go over something with you.”
Ugh. I’m so tired and I don’t feel like going down there to have a talk tonight, but he produces a lot of movies and I want to make a good impression. I glance at Mike, who’s watching me closely, and say, “Sure. Give me a few minutes to get dressed.” We finish the conversation quickly and I stand to get dressed.
“What’s up, M?”
“That’s Wallace, the producer. He wants to meet with me for a few minutes. Probably about the scenes for tomorrow or something. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“You’re not going without me.”
“It’s just to the lobby. Seriously, just wait for our room service to show up and text me when it does. That will give me an excuse to cut it short.”
“I’m here to protect you, not be your food boy.”
“There’s no threat. I’ve been eating in public for weeks since all this started. What is someone going to do to me in a crowded lobby? Besides, Wallace is a big guy, he can protect me for a few minutes.” I kiss Mike quickly and walk out the door before he can argue more. The truth is that I’m starving and I don’t want to delay our dinner further by no one being there when it’s delivered.
When I reach the lobby, I look around and see people everywhere, but none of them is Wallace. My phone rings and his number pops up on the screen.
“I’m standing right out front having a smoke. Can you meet me out here? It’ll only take a minute.”
Not wanting to hang out down here all night waiting for him to get his nicotine fix I step out the door and look around. The orange glow of the cigarette at the end of the building gives him away so I walk in his direction. When I’m close enough to see his face, he grins. At that moment, something connects with the back of my head and I register pain right before everything goes black.
My head is pounding as I come to in a cramped dark space. Muffled music is thumping, shaking me like the woofers at a dance club. I swallow the best I can considering there’s a wad of cloth shoved in my mouth, gagging the shit out of me. My mind is moving slow as I attempt to process all these things together so I can understand what’s going on.
Oh my God. Mike’s probably crazy pissed. I should’ve listened. Where am I and why does my head hurt so damn bad? Was it Wallace who put me here? It had to be.
By the vibration under me I’m guessing I’m in the trunk of a moving car. I hate confined spaces and my chest heaves as a freak-out builds within. I’m in a trunk, Mike doesn’t know where I am and I’m probably going to die. What if Wallace wants to do something other than kill me? I’d rather die than be raped, and I’ll go down fighting if that’s what he has in mind. I never even got the creep vibe from Wallace so I have no idea what’s going on or if it really is him.
Why would he hurt me like this? Is he the one that’s been sending me all the crazy messages and the one who jacked off on my bed? All the notes were signed “C” and Wallace’s initials are W.S. It doesn’t make sense. Mike isn’t going to know what happened to me. I should’ve listened to him. I brought him here to keep me safe but when he tried I ignored his warning and now I’m probably going to die.
Chapter Five: Mike
I knew I should have gone with her. I ignored her instruction to stay in the room and was only about a minute behind her but she was already gone. As I was coming off the elevator, a young guy was running into the building yelling that some lady got stuffed into a trunk, and I knew it was her. The bottom dropped out from under me when I heard it. I ran outside but they were long gone so I went straight to the manager and asked him to pull the security footage. He tried to argue, but with some creative persuasion he did what I asked. As the video played I watched a small figure, distinctly feminine, but wearing jeans, a hoodie and sunglasses, come up behind Summer and hit her on the back of her head. She stumbled forward and dropped to the ground. Wallace and the woman shoved her into the back of an already running black Mercedes. Insane rage exploded inside me and I wanted to punch my fist through the wall. It took me a minute to regain my composure. I pulled out my phone and called my boss, Grey Holden, who co-owns Omega Team Security with Athena Madero, to ask for help. Quickly, I explained my situation.
“I’m putting you on speaker. Athena’s here and I want her to hear everything. Relay the info slower while I run the plates you gave me,” Grey says to me. “I’m calling Hudson in to help.”
“He’s on vacation; he was going to the Bahamas when he left us yesterday.”
“He’s decided to skip the vacation. He called this morning to tell me he’s available if anything comes up. That guy has no idea how to relax.”
Thank God for that because I’m going to need all the help I can get.
Two and a half hours go by before a car registered to Wallace A. Smythe goes through the first toll plaza on the Florida Turnpike. Hudson is with me and we’re ready. Grey suggested we stay in Key West in case they hadn’t left the Keys, but he dispatched team members to the rest stops on the south end of the turnpike just in case. Apparently, Wallace has a hunting cabin in southern Georgia and a beach house north of Hilton Head so we knew it was possible he was heading for one or the other. The unknown factors, like who he’s working with and why he’s doing this, left us unsure of other avenues he might take. The only reason we guessed the turnpike was because we figured he’d want the fastest route out of southern Florida.
We called in the police but they’re slow to respond and have a hundred questions. Until they saw the hotel video, they kept saying they couldn’t do anything. Not that I expect much out of them. I know their hands are tied with bureaucratic bullshit, whereas Omega Team has more resources and doesn’t necessarily have to follow a bunch of rules to take care of business. When
the police left the hotel, I didn’t have a good feeling that they would find her before we did, but I was willing to ask anyone and everyone who would listen to try.
The problem started for me right after they understood that my complaints were real and put out an alert to all Florida counties through their sheriff’s office. My parents got notifications and were calling to get me on the case. Getting them off the phone so I could work on things was tough. Like I mentioned before, Summer grew up in our house, she’s one of us, and my parents freaked out.
When I finally located contact information for the director of the movie and was able to explain the situation, he lost his mind. I heard he was temperamental, but this was something. At first he was freaking out because it would delay the shooting schedule and then it was because it would draw bad press. When I finally had enough of his selfish bullshit and reminded him that one of the actresses might actually die, he lost it for another reason. My patience was thin to begin with, but that topped it off and I cussed him out. It was during the first part of his freak-out that he revealed Maggie left the set early, saying she thought she had food poisoning. It was then I realized where I’d seen the person with Wallace. She had on a wig, hat and sunglasses, but her gait was unmistakable. That bitch helped and she better hope I’m not the one to find her because for the first time in my life I know I’ll not only hit a woman, but I’ll hit first and ask questions later. I text Grey to let him know Maggie is the accomplice.
As soon as we hear Wallace and Maggie are indeed heading north on the turnpike, Hudson and I take off in that direction. Sitting in Key West waiting for someone else to find her isn’t an option.
An hour and a half later, we’re almost out of the Keys when we get a phone call from Grey.
“We’ve got Summer, but Wallace and Maggie got away.” I breathe a sigh of relief but immediately worry about her well-being.
“How is she? Is she okay?”
“She has a head injury and she’s freaked out but she’s okay. Wallace didn’t want her pissing in the car so they pulled her from the trunk thinking they could take her to the bathroom and put her right back inside the car. He never pegged her for a fighter.”
Like a giant pussy I’m ready to cry, but instead laugh out loud. The month before she and Valerie entered high school, my brother, Thomas, and I taught them how to fight back if they were ever attacked. I knew I would be around for a lot of stuff with them, but not necessarily if they ended up on a date gone bad or even at a party I wasn’t attending. We drilled them for weeks and it’s finally paid off.
“Athena was at that particular rest stop when Summer finally got a chance to fight back. Athena got her out of there but couldn’t grab Wallace and Maggie at the same time. At least we have Summer, but we’re now on the hunt for Wallace and Maggie. How far away are you?”
“We’re a little south of Miami now. Can you take her back to Tampa? I’ll have the hotel manager box up our stuff in Key West and overnight it to Omega Team headquarters. I want her where I can keep her safe. The filming will already be on hold until she recovers and Maggie is replaced.”
“Yeah, we thought that was the best idea too. You ready to talk to her?”
“Yes.” I switch from Bluetooth speaker to handset and listen as her quiet, shaken voice comes on the line.
“Sweetheart, you okay?”
“I don’t know. I’m so sorry. I should’ve listened to you. I should’ve let you come with me and not worried about room service.” She starts crying in earnest now.
“Don’t cry. I’m not mad at you. I was scared shitless, but never mad at you. I am going to kill those fuckers myself for putting you through this though. Did they ever say why they were doing this?”
“They owe some guy named ‘C’ a favor. Wallace is afraid of him and Maggie’s just plain crazy. She just kept prattling about making it big and I didn’t understand. I was in the trunk until they stopped at the rest stop. There’s something extra crazy to all of this that I’m missing, but whatever it is, I want to get away from it. When are you coming for me? I need you.” Her voice breaks on the last word and it takes everything in me to sound strong when I reply.
“I know, sweetheart. Go with Athena to Tampa and I’ll meet you there as soon as I can. Probably about four hours. Follow any instructions she gives you and they’ll take care of you.”
“Okay,” she says quietly.
“I love you, M. It’s going to be okay. I’ll make sure of it.” I disconnect and look at Hudson. “You need to pick up the pace, man. Listening to her cry…”
He doesn’t respond, he just floors it and the angry growl of my jeep engine mirrors my own thoughts.
In three and a half hours we pull up to Omega Team headquarters. Athena’s SUV is parked out front but Grey’s is gone. Owen Cormier—one of my Omega teammates—is parked next to Athena. We climb out of the jeep and use my keys to enter the building.
When I stalk through the door my eyes are wild as they seek out Summer. As soon as she spots me, she’s out of her seat and in my arms. “Oh God, Mike, I’m so scared.”
I hold her tighter, hoping to convey that I won’t let her go again. “I know, M, but I’ve got you. None of this will happen again. You’ve got my word. We have a lot to talk about, but we’ll do it in the morning. Tonight, we need some sleep so let’s head to my place. At least that way I know we have proper security for the night.”
I turn to see who’s in the room with us and find Owen and Hudson talking quietly off to the side across from us. When Owen and I make eye contact, he says, “Hey. I’ll give Hudson a ride to his house. You can pick him up on your way here in the morning.”
I forgot he left his car in Key West. They walk over to where we’re standing.
“Sounds good. Thanks for everything, guys. I’ll rent you a car to get you back to yours, Hudson.”
“Nah, man, my cousin is going to drive it up tomorrow and hang here at the beach for a few days until I go back.”
I nod, appreciating the fact that I don’t have to worry about that. “Owen, I thought you were off this week. Why are you here and where are Athena and Grey?”
“I know what it’s like to have someone you care about be in trouble. I came in to help and I’ll be here all week if I need to be. I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Athena and Grey are headed to Wallace’s cabin in Georgia. They’re pretty certain the guy is dumb enough to go there. If they don’t find him there, they’re headed to Hilton Head. Grey will call you first thing in the morning. Go get some rest.”
Shaking hands with both men, I pause longer with Hudson. “Thanks, man, I can’t say it enough.”
“Don’t mention it. We will see you in the morning. Take care of her tonight.”
I nod and lead Summer to the jeep.
When we get to my house, I let Scooter out quickly before I snag a T-shirt from my drawer and lead Summer to the shower. I had it redone when I bought the place. The entire thing, including the ceiling, is covered in porcelain tiles. The three showerheads will make it easier for us to shower together without one of us being out of the water. I turn them on and set the temperature. As she removes her clothes I notice several scratches and a ton of bruises and the rage builds again. I haven’t seen the head injury yet, but I know it’s there. Once the temperature is right I drop my clothes in a heap on the floor and lead her into the shower. I pour shower gel in my hands and rub them together before I begin the gentle washing of her skin from neck to toes. She moans softly, not in a sexual way but in more of a soul gaining comfort kind of way. When I finish with her body I wash her hair, being careful to avoid her injury.
Once she’s rinsed, I scrub myself quickly as she relaxes under the spray. When we’re done, I step out first and wrap a towel around my waist. Scooter, who followed me into the bathroom, is still lying inside the doorway waiting for us. He knows when Summer’s around she spoils him and it’s obvious he doesn’t plan to miss out on that.
Carefully, I wrap a towel
around her shoulders as she exits. Summer remains quiet the whole time we’re drying off, almost shell-shocked. I shuffle the T-shirt over her head and lead her to my bed. While she’s climbing under the covers I tug on some boxer briefs and turn out the lights. I’m ready to join her when she asks, “Can you lift Scooter up here to lie with me?” It’s been a crazy day for me so I forgot to lift Scooter onto the bed. The poor hound is so short he can’t get on the bed by himself like most breeds would.
“Yeah, I’ll grab him.” I lower him to her side of the bed and if it’s anything like last time, she’ll be spooning him in seconds. I slide in behind her, wrap an arm around her waist to secure her to me, and kiss her hair. It’s not long before I can feel her body shake as she cries, so I hold her tight and let her get it out. After a little bit she finally settles down to just the sniffles and rolls over to face me.
“I was so afraid I’d never get to tell you that I love you. I should have said it when you told me. I knew it then, but I was scared.”
“You’ve got nothing to be afraid of. I’ve loved you for a long time and I’ve got no intention of stopping any time soon.”
“You know about my dad, right?”
“Yeah, sweetheart, I know about that piece of shit and I’m nothing like him.”
“I know, but I’m still afraid. You could have anyone, I’m nothing special.”
“Don’t ever say that shit again. You’re beautiful, you’re smart, you’re talented and you’re my best friend. You have been for years. You’re already part of my family in a way no one else could be. I wouldn’t pursue you if it was a fling. I’ve got dreams of forever, sweetheart. You know the kind of family I come from. You should have no doubt.”
