“What’s going on?” Savannah asked.
“I’m being followed. I need to know who they are, and then do me a favor. When we hang up, call the police and tell them I’m on Interstate 20 and I’m near the Lancaster exit.”
He kept driving, trying to avoid hitting other cars. Savannah called him back. “The cops are sending someone in your direction. Asia says the plates come back private and it won’t allow her access.”
“Okay. Well, I need to concentrate. I’ll call you when it’s over.”
“Troy,” Savannah said.
“Yes,” he said.
“I love . . .”
Troy didn’t hear the rest of what she said, because the car bumped him and his cell phone went flying across the seat.
He hit a switch and his truck went into turbo mode. He dodged in between cars as much as he could. He took the next available exit. He looked in his rearview mirror and could not shake the person in the car behind him.
He abruptly stopped his car and prepared for the crash. Troy closed his eyes and thought pleasant things. His sudden stop surprised the other driver and they rammed right into his truck. Troy felt the impact as the air bag deployed.
Troy grabbed his gun and exited the truck. He rolled to the ground, prepared to shoot. The driver of the other car was lying on the side of the road. He checked his pulse. Troy knew from how his body was tangled, he was a goner. “No seat belt,” he said out loud.
Sirens could be heard in the distance. A motorist stopped to assist. “We can just wait for the cops,” Troy said.
He looked at his SUV. The back was totaled. “Sir, do you mind if I use your phone to call my girlfriend?” Troy asked.
“No, I don’t mind. You sure you’re okay? Your head’s bleeding a little,” the concerned motorist said.
Troy hadn’t realized it. He looked at his reflection in the car’s window. “I’ll be all right.”
He dialed Savannah’s number. He assured her he was fine. “No, I’ll have the tow truck or an officer drop me off at home . . . I do have other vehicles I can drive.”
He got off the phone to speak with the cops and emergency personnel who had arrived on the scene. After he had been checked out by a medic, he was free to go with the tow truck driver. He soaked in the tub as soon as he got situated at home.
Savannah called to check on him several times that night. She wanted to come to him but was torn between visiting him and leaving Montana’s side. Troy wished she would come to him, but he knew that was selfish. Montana needed her more than he did; well, that’s what he told himself, anyway.
He was dozing off when his alarm alerted him that someone was at the end of his driveway. When he saw the red Mustang, his heart flipped. He buzzed Savannah in. He met her at the door and they shared a warm embrace.
“Asia insisted that I come. She was tired of me moaning,” Savannah said. She looked him over to make sure he was okay. She noticed the bandage on his forehead.
“It’s just a little scratch. The medic put some ointment on it so it wouldn’t get infected.”
Troy led her upstairs without either one saying another word. The music of their hearts played in the background as their lips touched. Savannah’s hands roamed Troy’s chest. He hoped she couldn’t tell that his stomach was full of butterflies. He was an experienced lover, but Savannah made him feel like a virgin schoolboy. He let her hands explore his body. When he couldn’t take it anymore, he removed her clothes, kissing her skin as he did.
The moans seeping from her lips were the incentive he needed to continue. Savannah stood before him naked. He inhaled her beauty with his eyes. This time when their lips locked, memories from their past overwhelmed him. Savannah fell on the bed. His kisses started from her neck as he worked his way down to her secret treasure. He went treasure hunting and was rewarded with a sound that he had missed, and had thoroughly enjoyed.
He fumbled in his drawer for a condom. Savannah skillfully placed it on him, and when their bodies united, it was as if the world stood still. Savannah looked into his eyes and he saw tears forming. He wanted to reach down and wipe them, but he couldn’t because he was so engulfed in her that the volcano eruption from within wouldn’t allow him to do anything but release. For those moments of pleasure they were as one. She was his missing link.
Troy kissed Savannah on the top of her forehead. “I love you.”
Savannah snuggled her body closer into his. She responded, “I love you too.”
Sleep was peaceful for both of them.
36
“Isn’t this cozy?” Savannah heard a strange man say. Was she having a nightmare? Didn’t she and Troy make mad, passionate love the night before? Why wasn’t she having sweet dreams?
Savannah opened her eyes and swore she was looking into the eyes of Satan himself. There standing by the bed was a bearded man with beady black eyes. What really stood out to her was the black gun pointed straight at her. Troy was sound asleep. She nudged him with her elbow.
“What, baby? Let’s sleep in,” Troy said without waking up completely.
“Troy, we have company.”
As soon as she said that, Troy jolted up in the bed.
The man holding the gun said, “Slow down, playboy.”
Savannah’s body shook. Troy used his hand to comfort her.
“Don’t make any sudden moves or she’s a goner,” the goon said.
“What do you want?” Troy asked.
“It’s too late for asking questions. Get up,” he said.
Troy was still naked, so the intruder got an eyeful when he got out of bed.
“You too.”
Savannah looked at Troy. Troy shook his head no.
“She doesn’t have any clothes on. At least give her time to put on some clothes.”
“She’s a cutie. I might need to tap that myself.”
Before that, Savannah was scared, but when he said those words, he pissed her off. She wasn’t about to show him her body. He would have to shoot her.
“Pass me my clothes, will you, honey?” she said to Troy. She tried to sound calm, although her heart was beating a mile a minute.
Troy looked at the goon. His head motion gave him the okay. Troy held the comforter up while she slipped on her clothes. Just as she had hoped, the small weapon had not fallen out of her pocket. She would wait for the right opportunity to surprise the person who had interrupted what was supposed to be a perfect morning with her lover.
Savannah slipped out of the bed. Troy reached down to put on his clothes.
The goon said, “No funny business, or both of you are dead. Troy, the boss wants you alive. I’ll have to call and say we’re bringing a guest.”
He pointed the gun at them. “Let’s go downstairs. You—you go first. I’ll keep the girl in back, just in case you want to try some funny business.”
Savannah felt the gun in the arch of her back. It wasn’t a good feeling at all. Troy walked down the stairs with her and the goon close behind.
“Sit down over there,” the goon said.
Both sat on the couch as he watched them before he pulled out his cell phone. “I got him. He was not alone . . . Yeah, her.” He turned his back for a few seconds.
“I got a gun,” Savannah whispered.
Troy said, “Give it to me.”
Savannah answered, “No.”
Troy’s eyes alerted her that the goon’s attention was back on them.
“No talking,” he said to them, then turned his attention back to his call. “Yes. You say bring her too. Will do.” He hung up the phone.
“Missy, it’s your lucky day. Seems like the boss wants you two alive. Bet you wish you wouldn’t have picked up this stray.”
Savannah was amazed that Troy was able to hold his temper. He was far better than she was. She wanted to shoot the guy. She lifted her hand to do so, when Troy’s hand held her arm. Her eyes pleaded with him to let her do it, but he shook his head no.
Troy took a chance on
the goon saying something, he whispered, “Let’s see who his boss is. I got you covered.”
Savannah wasn’t too sure about Troy’s plan, but she trusted him.
Troy said, “Man, this is between me and whoever your boss is. This lady has nothing to do with it.”
“If she doesn’t come, I’ll have to kill her. She’s seen my face. You know the rules. Leave no witnesses.”
Savannah said, “I promise I won’t remember a thing. I have a family. My little girl,” she lied.
The goon acted like he was having second thoughts. “No, you’re coming along for the ride too. In fact, I’m through talking to you. Get up.”
Troy and Savannah stood up and walked toward where he stood. Savannah said, “Your mama must be real proud of you.”
“Shut up, trick,” he responded.
Troy said, “Show some respect.”
“Bridges, you’re not in any position to be giving out demands . . . Hurry it up,” he said.
Savannah thought that he had to be the dumbest person. If he knew anything about Troy, Troy was the one that others feared. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be so bent on trying to take him down.
Although her nerves were on edge, she, too, wanted to know who this man’s boss was. Her instincts told her his boss would be the man who had killed her dad. Now justice would be served. It amazed her how he could tie up Troy and keep the gun pointed in her direction at the same time. Savannah contemplated on taking aim at him then, but she didn’t want to chance him hurting Troy. She hoped the small gun didn’t fall out as she was tied up and then pushed into the back of a van.
“Troy, what was that all about?” she asked.
“Shh, they have ears everywhere,” he said. He scooted his body closer to hers and then leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You trusting me at this point will be very important.”
“I do.” Savannah forgot to whisper.
Savannah had to strain her ear to hear because Troy was talking so low. “I got something from my couch. We’re both protected.”
She knew what he meant. She felt better knowing that.
Troy continued, saying, “I’m going to do my best to keep us together, but if by chance we get separated, do what you have to do. Do not, and I repeat do not, hesitate to kill.”
A chill went up Savannah’s spine. She would do whatever she had to do to survive. Troy didn’t even have to tell her that.
“Come here. I need you,” Troy said. She leaned her body into his. Although his arms were tied, it felt as if he were holding her tight.
The van seemed to hit every bump in the road. Savannah’s heart fluttered when she realized the van had stopped. Troy whispered, “We’re about thirty minutes away from my house.”
Savannah wondered how he could do that. He was good, and that was the assurance she would hold on to. She would hold on to that fact as they prepared to go meet the man who could have possibly killed her father. She sat up and scooted back to the other side of the van.
Instead of the goon opening the door, another man, with spiked blond hair, opened the door. “Come on, you two,” he said as he dragged Savannah out by her feet.
Savannah almost slipped as her feet hit the concrete. She looked at her surroundings. Nothing looked familiar. They were out in some remote place. She could see nothing but trees and a forest. The road leading to where they were wasn’t even a blacktop road. Instead, it was a dusty red. Troy said they were about thirty minutes away from his place, but it had to have been in the opposite direction of where she was used to driving, because none of this looked familiar.
Troy was pulled out next. The guy was rough on him, and she wanted to pop him for hitting Troy on the back of the neck. The goon was standing on the other side of the van. “Follow me.”
The goon was in front while the blond-haired man walked behind Troy. The goon entered a code. Savannah made a mental note of it as he opened the door, which sounded more like a vault opening than a door to a building.
She followed him in. Savannah scanned the place and tried to memorize their location as she followed the goon from room to room. “This will be your home away from home,” he said as he untied her arms and pushed Savannah into the room. Troy was behind her, but instead of Troy being placed there too, he was pushed back and then the door was closed. She could hear the lock turning.
The room was spacious, but when she heard the clicking sound of the door locking, she began to have a panic attack. “Breathe in and out. In and out,” she spoke aloud as she followed her own directions.
“When they open the door, I will be prepared,” she told herself.
The room they placed her in had a television and a chair. She plopped in the chair and closed her eyes and prayed. She hoped that Montana and Asia were safe. She prayed that nothing would happen to Troy.
37
Troy wanted to scream “no” when they pushed Savannah into that room by herself. He knew she was probably scared. It was his fault. He should have shot the intruder when he had the chance. But no, he had to get to the bottom of things. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if his error in judgment got Savannah killed.
The memory of her giving all of herself to him the night before made him teary-eyed. He would not let these men take that away from him. It took him years to reconnect with Savannah, and no one would separate them ever again. Not like this. Not now. Not ever.
Troy was pushed into an empty, dark room.
The goon said, “Someone will be with you shortly.” The goon laughed as he shut the door on him.
Troy hit the wall and let out a few obscenities. He knew there were cameras watching. He wanted them to think he was out of control. He slid down on the floor for further effect. He closed his eyes and leaned back. He recalled the schematics of what he had seen of the place. The people who brought him here weren’t aware that he knew the layout of the building and the grounds, because he was one of the ones who helped pick out the layout. It was set up exactly like the one he used for his security firm.
He hated playing the waiting game, but he had come too far not to find out who had been trying to kill him. Raymond was the obvious choice, but sometimes things aren’t what they seem, so he didn’t want to leave anything to chance. He had brought down too many guys. It could be someone from his past who realized where he was, or it could be Raymond. Whoever it was would be in for the surprise of his life.
These men weren’t trained properly, because if it had been Troy, he would have done a thorough search; neither seemed to have thought about it. They were trained, but not trained well enough. That was to his advantage.
His body was his timer. He waited and waited. He hoped Savannah wasn’t stressing too much. He had noticed they put her in a comfortable-looking room. He was confident in knowing that Savannah was more than capable of handling herself. At least in his heart she was. He didn’t want to think otherwise.
Time sped by. According to his body clock, it had now been six hours later. He figured they were waiting on nightfall to hit. This was perfect, because that would make it easier for him and for Savannah to escape. He knew he would need to be fully energized, so he decided to take a nap and wait it out. He’d wait until his captors came to retrieve him.
His eyes popped open as soon as he heard the lock click, but he pretended to be asleep.
“Look at him. To think he was part of The Agency,” the goon said.
The guard nudged his arm with the baton. “Wake up. It’s teatime.”
Troy opened his eyes and appeared to be disoriented.
“Wake up, I said,” the goon ordered.
Troy stood up. The bright light beaming in from the hallway temporarily blinded him. He got a quick view of the man’s watch. It was eight at night.
“Where’s the lady?” he asked.
“Minding her own business,” the goon responded.
He would be the second person he knocked out.
Troy was pushed down the hall. The room
he was placed in was set up as an interrogation room. He was brought something to drink and eat. He refused to drink or eat because he didn’t know if the items had been sabotaged with drugs. He had survived a whole week without drinking or eating, and if he had to do it again, then he would. He hoped it didn’t come to that, because Savannah wasn’t equipped for that kind of treatment.
The goon came back in the room. “See you weren’t hungry. That might be your last supper, so I would have eaten it if I were you.”
“But you’re not me,” Troy responded.
“Come on. The boss is ready for you,” the goon said.
Troy followed him out of the room. He was led into what appeared to be an office. No one was in the room except for him at this point. His eyes scanned the room. He saw the security cameras. His eyes zoomed in on the room where Savannah was. She was sitting in a chair curled up. He automatically clenched his fists. “I’m going to get us out of this,” Troy said.
“So we meet again,” the familiar voice said.
Troy was surprised to see Irene when he turned around. “How did you?”
“Everybody has a price, dear. Even you,” she said as she used the cane she was holding and let it trace his face and the left side of his body.
Troy was livid. One of his men had violated his trust. When he got out of this, he would be doing some house cleaning. He played along with her to learn what he needed to know. “Was it Mack? No, it had to be Yasi.”
“If you knew Mack was susceptible to bribes, why did you trust him?” She shook her head. “You’re slacking, Bridges.”
“You’re something else, you know that,” Troy said as he watched her walk with her cane and sit down. She made sure the split of the long white skirt she was wearing exposed her long, muscular legs.
“All of this could have been yours. Can still be, if you act right,” she said. She patted the space next to her. “Come. Sit.”
Troy obeyed her. “What do you want, Irene?”
“You. It’s always been you.”
“I’m not an option.”
She looked at the monitor. “You would rather be with Miss Boring, when you could have all of this. What does she have that I don’t?”
Savannah's Curse Page 18
