License to Love: Holiday Box Set (Contemporary Romance)

by Kristen James

  They took Nick and Cora inside and down to the basement, never giving them any chance to escape. Terrance waved his gun at a couch.

  Keith walked down the steps, smug as ever. He briefly paused at the bottom before he pulled a wooden chair over and sat down, facing them.

  “Here’s my dilemma. Jerry couldn’t get my money back. Alexander’s plan failed, and Jerry’s out there to tell the world anything he wants about my family…” he paused to smile. “But now I have you here.”

  “She can’t help you anymore. Let Cora go.”

  In calm control of himself, Keith responded, “Hand over the key, and I will.”

  “I would,” Cora said. “If I had it.”

  Keith leaned back, staring at her with his eyebrows drawn tightly together. Luckily Nick didn’t react.

  “Where is it then?”

  Now Nick’s hand tightened on hers. Bless him; he was blindly trusting that she knew what she was doing. He was showing her a level of trust that reminded her of how she hadn’t trusted him before. Now she did. She kept her eyes on Keith. “I gave it to Alexander when I thought he was helping me.”

  Keith stood up, stepping toward them with his hands on his hips, almost leaning over them. “Then you’ll have to help bring him in.”

  “That won’t work,” Nick said. “Why don’t you just let her go before the police get too suspicious? You can find Alexander on your own. You’ll probably be able to find him quicker than Cora.”

  Keith laughed and sat down. “Maybe you don’t know how much time he put into watching her, but I do. So, Cora, your part will be easy. I’m going to book a flight for you, to the east coast. You’ll stay in a hotel tonight, under my name. That ought to get Alexander’s attention. You’ll stay here till we’re ready.”

  Keith’s thugs followed him out the door, locking Nick and Cora alone in the basement. No windows and no other way to escape besides the one door.

  ***

  Adam spent the day pacing in Herald’s office and making calls to the police and the surrounding hospitals. He even tried to get a hold of Keith and his own father, who denied hearing anything about Cora and Nick.

  “Listen,” Adam’s father told him. “Nick’s gone off the deep end. I want you to come home and help us find him.”

  Adam lied and promised to call if he heard from Nick, but he knew he couldn’t look at his parents now.

  “Adam.” Herald tried for his attention. “Cora’s a missing person, and the police are looking everywhere for her. I asked them to fax pictures to the state police.”

  Herald poured another cup of coffee. Adam wondered if the man lived on the stuff, because he drank it all day long.

  “Herald!” The secretary called across the room. “The FBI is on line three. I think it’s about your missing friends.”

  Herald snatched up his phone, glanced at Adam, and hit the speaker button. “Baker here.”

  “This is Brandon Phillips with the FBI. I’m calling in regards to your associate Nick Holloway and missing person Cora Evans.”

  Herald watched him, and he shrugged in a go-ahead manner. Even if it wasn’t the FBI, they didn’t know anything that would help Keith or Alexander.

  “They were with me until yesterday, when they drove off and disappeared,” Herald told Phillips. “I believe Keith Holloway has something to do with it.”

  Herald jotted down the man’s name and handed it to his secretary along with a note to check into it.

  “Sounds like I need to meet with you. Maybe you have the evidence I need to obtain a search warrant. I think we might have two sides to the same puzzle.”

  “How’s that?”

  “We’re both interested in the same man, and I think we can help each other. Can I drop by your office?”

  ***

  Cora’s life now felt like a never-ending race where she couldn’t stop to catch a breath. In reality, she couldn’t coax her lungs into a normal breathing pattern as she and Nick waited in the small room for Keith to put his plan into action.

  “They’ll never leave us alone, even if we go along with this crazy plan.”

  He grabbed her with both hands and said, “Yes, I’m getting you out of this. I have to pick my timing, Cora. I’m not risking your life.”

  “What are we doing then?”

  “We’re going along with whatever Keith says, until we have an opportunity to get away. He’ll be watching us at the hotel, I’m sure, but he can’t shoot us in broad day light, surrounded by people.”

  “What if the plan goes wrong?”

  Nick held his expression steady. “That might provide us with an opportunity. If not, we’ll make one. Adam and Herald must know we’re here. I’m sure they’re working on something.”

  There was a list of other doubts on Cora’s mind, but she kept them there for now. She wondered how Keith could have enough men working for him that Alexander wouldn’t recognize them. What if he saw one of them?

  He leaned in for a quick kiss, one to reassure her. She didn’t trust him before and she should have. She closed her eyes and exhaled. She’d trust him now. He’d get them out of this.

  “Keith’s planning to murder Alexander, isn’t he?” She didn’t understand what drove Keith to such extremes.

  “If he can pull it off, but to tell the truth, Alexander can handle Keith.”

  Even so, Alexander wasn’t her concern. She’d gotten her dad out, hopefully alive. If Herald and Adam hadn’t found something useful by now, or found some way to help them, Jerry might know something that could change all of this.

  Nick pulled her close and kissed her hair roughly. “Adam and Herald might have already gone to the police. There’s no doubt in my mind that they’re looking for us.”

  “If we do get away from Keith, the police might be waiting to arrest us.”

  “Don’t think about that yet.” He brushed her hair back from her face and tilted her chin up. Looking into her eyes, he said, “We’ll get away from Keith and run if we have to. I’ll run from the law even, that’s how much I—”

  The door swung open, silencing Nick, but he didn’t release Cora from their embrace.

  “Move,” Terrance said as he flicked his hand to wave them up the stairs. Nick gave her a meaningful look, one that said to hang tight and trust him, and then got to his feet. He led the way up the stairs, keeping a hold of her hand. Terrance and another tall bully led the way out to the SUV in the garage.

  “We’re going to drop you off, but don’t be stupid, there are people inside to watch you. Check in and go to your room.” Terrance looked into the rear view mirror at them. “Remember, we know right where Jerry is and how to get to him.”

  Nick’s hand grabbed her shoulder, to stop her as she jerked forward. She wasn’t sure what she planned to yell but he was right. It would just make Terrance mad and worsen the situation. It was a tense ride across town.

  The SUV rolled to a stop, delivering them to the sidewalk. Nick carried the suitcase filled with blankets and took Cora’s hand as they went inside. She glanced around and didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary. Still, she didn’t doubt Keith had men watching them, and it was likely Alexander might be there as well.

  Nick checked them in and they headed to their room.

  “He’ll know,” she said in the elevator. “Alexander will spot the trap, but he’ll think he can outsmart Keith.”

  She saw Nick’s jaw tensing. “That’s how he works. He enjoys the game of wits. He believes without doubt that he’ll beat Keith and walk away with you and the million dollars.”

  “I’m scared.” Her quiet words carried strong emotion. Nick looped his arm through hers and pulled her closer. The elevator stopped at their floor and she gasped, making him jump. The doors slid open to reveal an empty hallway. Before they stepped out, Nick leaned forward to look both ways.

  Their room was right down the hallway. Nick thrust the card key in and threw open the door. She stepped back as he sprang into the room. “It’
s clear. Hurry inside.”

  He shut the door behind her, used the extra lock, and proceeded to check the room more thoroughly. She watched him for a second before she suddenly wondered what the hell they were doing and grabbed the phone.

  She hit all three numbers of 9-1-1 before it hit her. There was no dial tone. Nick stepped out of the bathroom and saw the look on her face.

  “How did they do that?”

  He understood and sighed. “Keith wouldn’t put us here if he couldn’t keep us under control.”

  Light shone in through the thin white curtains so she shut the heavier drapes over them. Alexander had been paranoid about someone seeing them through the window before, and it creeped her out to think Terrance or someone else was keeping tabs on them that way. She paced the room and thought about Adam. He was probably pacing somewhere else, unless they had a plan. “Do you think someone is in the hallway watching in case we leave?”

  “Probably.” He pulled her to the bed and into his arms. “We need to think this through before doing something rash.”

  Her sigh sounded a bit panicked. “Okay, so let’s think. We’re stuck in here without a way to call out, waiting for Alexander to show up so Keith can kill him and get the safe deposit box key. How do we get out of this alive? Because I don’t think that’s a part of Keith’s plan.”

  Nick’s finger landed on her lips. “It’ll make things even messier for Keith if we get hurt. Right?” He waited for her to agree. She massaged the bridge of her nose instead, trying to keep her head clear. “Okay, right. So, we’ll follow his plan until we’re somewhere safe enough to make a break for it.”

  She gave him a helpless look. “Nick…where’s that going to be?”

  He started rubbing her forehead. Strangely, it seemed to help. “Try to think like Alexander. He won’t just bust into our hotel room. If he’s even looking for us, and finds us, he’ll wait till we’re in the open. That will be, when we leave here tomorrow morning.”

  How was that going to help them? It might mean they were safe for the night, but it left her dreading the morning. “Keith arranged the cab.” That would make them even more vulnerable. “I don’t care if someone is watching. I’m not getting into a cab and going to the airport.”

  “Right,” he agreed. “We’ll go to the lobby together and I’ll call 9-1-1. Can you imagine them pulling a gun out down there? Even Terrance isn’t that stupid.”

  She wished she had that gun now, but Nick was right about Terrance and his stupid buddies. They wouldn’t pull a gun and shoot when there are witnesses. Why did Keith actually think they would follow through with this? Was it just because he threatened to hurt Jerry? Her dad would be so mad if he knew she was thinking about endangering herself to keep him safe. She’d bet money both Keith and Alexander knew that, too. Maybe Keith was just that desperate to get his money back. What if Alexander had taken it and ran? She prayed that was the case.

  Looking around, she saw the remote control and realized they could at least check the news. She clicked on the TV and looked at the time. The news wouldn’t be on yet.

  “Are you cold?”

  She shook her head, but said, “Maybe a little. Actually, I think it’s nerves.”

  He pulled the covers back and they both slid underneath. She turned the volume down on the show, not even noticing what it was. The evening passed slowly as they sat entwined together, hoping that any second Adam or the police would bust in and save them. They talked and watched the clock as the night slowly moved on. With dawn approaching it became clear that Alexander had to be waiting until they left, as Nick had suggested.

  “It’s almost morning.” Her eyelids actually hurt from staying open. “We should get some sleep.”

  “I don’t think I can. Why don’t you try? I’ll take a quick shower and see if it wakes me up. We need to be alert today.”

  At her nod, he kissed her lips and got up. “I’ll make it quick.” He checked the lock on the door on his way to the bathroom.

  Maybe Alexander had run with the money. There could be another key to the safe deposit box. She had been turning the thought over all night, and it was starting to make sense. They might not ever see him again, and this whole thing could actually blow over.

  A light knock on the door sent her straight up in bed. The shower was running, so Nick didn’t hear it. She crept up to the door and looked through the peephole, but she didn’t recognize the man. With giant shoulders above a slim waist, a black beard, and a bald head, he looked like an evil genie. He leaned close to the door and said, “Keith sent me down.”

  “Why?”

  “Change of plans. Looks like you won’t have to catch that cab after all.”

  “I’m listening,” she said. He hadn’t asked her to open the door, but he also hadn’t provided her with enough information for her to trust that he was telling the truth. It was odd that she had just been thinking that Alexander probably wouldn’t show. “So Keith doesn’t need us anymore?”

  Maybe Keith found his money. Maybe he’d be done with them and want Nick out of his life.

  “Let me slip this to you, it explains things.” He held up a piece of paper. She looked toward the bathroom door and decided to get Nick.

  Just as she stepped toward the bathroom, a giant boom made the door shudder and sent her scrambling back several steps.

  “Nick!”

  She shoved herself against the door, trying to push it shut, as a large pair of wire cutters pushed through the crack and snapped the dead bolt chain.

  “Nick!” She screamed again, but the man pushed his way into the room and threw her against the wall. He shut the door in a motion so quick that she didn’t have time to run before he pulled a gun on her.

  “You walk down to room 416 or I’ll kill him.”

  Her eyes glared into the gun pointed at her face, and she knew he would shoot Nick the second she ran. Trembling, she shook her head. She wasn’t leaving without yelling and warning Nick.

  He grabbed her, pushed her out the door, and closed it behind him.

  She stumbled at first, but she quickly regained her balance and hit the door with both hands. “No!” The word shook up out of her throat.

  “Hush!” Alexander growled behind her as he grabbed her arm and tugged her along toward his door.

  “Please, please, don’t hurt Nick.” She begged as Alexander pushed the door in his room shut and backed her against it. His nostrils flared as his eyes bore into her.

  A cell phone went off.

  Alexander put it to his ear. “What?”

  “He’s not in here.”

  She could hear the voice on the other end. Alexander didn’t miss the surprise on Cora’s face.

  “Get out of there.” Alexander told the caller before putting the phone in his pocket. “Looks like this is what Keith planned. So now we need a way to get out of here without getting killed.”

  Even though Alexander took two steps back, Cora remained pressed against the door.

  “Did you know Keith planned to kill you here?” she asked. “He thinks he can get rid of us both. Probably Nick as well.”

  Someone banged on the door twice, and then three more times. Alexander pulled her away to open it, revealing the evil genie and a large food cart.

  “What are you planning?” she demanded. Alexander had something in his hand. He smiled as he grabbed her and pushed a cloth over her mouth and nose. She couldn’t scream like she had planned.

  ***

  “You didn’t put much on there, did you? She’s waking up already.” Cora heard Alexander’s voice as she looked up from the floor of a smelly van. It was moving. Someone else drove while Alexander leaned over her; his triumphant face slowly came into focus.

  “Wasn’t much left, but we didn’t need much,” the other one said, laughing.

  “You lied to me! You tried to kill my dad. You’re a monster like Keith. I can’t believe I fell for it.” She tried to sit up, but Alexander pushed her back against the f
loor.

  “No!” She fought him, “I’m not leaving with you.”

  “I don’t believe I asked.” He had to use his full body weight to keep her down. Cora kicked, hit, and bit him, not stopping even when he slapped her. Her face stung, but she fought on, shoving her thumb into his eye and sending his head reeling back.

  “I can’t get out,” the driver yelled. “We’re stuck.”

  “What?” Alexander shrieked as he shook Cora. He jumped up to see the commotion that was blocking the exit. With her free leg, Cora threw everything she had into his crotch. She saw his eyes bulge as she scrambled away. That’s for kidnapping me! For tricking me! For shooting my dad!

  The injury didn’t slow him down as much as she hoped, but then the sickness set in. She was able to escape through the van doors before he could grab her leg.

  She sprinted across an indoor parking lot and soon realized she was in a hotel’s underground parking complex. She thought it was the same hotel, so maybe they hadn’t left the building yet. Using the vehicles to hide behind, she made her way to the stairs and then up to the next level.

  The stairs ended and she ran into the door, hoping it would open.

  Locked! Damn, damn, damn! She pounded and pounded. Someone be there – open the door! Mixed in with her racket, she heard Alexander’s heavy footsteps as he raced after her. Boom, boom, boom, boom. He had to be mad as hell that she got away – that she tried her best to beat the shit out of him.

  He slowed down on the last set of stairs. It was quiet. He wasn’t yelling or cussing at her as she expected. He knew she was trapped, and he was taking his time, taking each step with a gleeful thump. Slowly, she turned around to face him. Was there any chance Nick had gotten free and was about to find her?

  “You picked the wrong door, dear.” His face held a smirk of triumph, but there was also blood on his face and his hair was a mess.

  “You picked the wrong girl,” she shot back. “I’m not going with you.”