Once, and For All

by Kendra G. Johnson

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Danny Mac pulled Kenann into his arms in a crushing embrace as soon as they were alone in their suite of rooms. He growled, “Don’t ever leave me again.”

  Kenann chuckled against his chest. “I’ll do my best.”

  He dropped his lips to her ear, whispering, “Are we under surveillance?”

  Kenann shrugged, looking up at him. She laid her head back on his chest and chuckled again. “Do you realize we have spent most of our relationship asking that question?”

  His deep-throated laugh vibrated against her cheek. “Quite the life, huh?”

  “The best.” She looked up at him and smiled.

  He released her and began sweeping the room for bugs or cameras. Finding none, he took her hand and led her to the armchairs. “So what’s the plan?”

  “Don’t ask me. I haven’t thought past you getting here.”

  They both laughed.

  “Well, bring me up to speed at least.”

  She faltered as she prepared herself to tell him. “She met Pierre years ago. She had become one of his…protégées…and his lover.”

  She took note of the slight narrowing of Danny Mac’s eyes. He registered surprise but didn’t want to distract her. He could get details later.

  “She was contacted recently and told to find her child. I was the key to her destiny or some kind of crap.”

  “This is significant in light of your dream.”

  “I know that!” She spoke sharply before she could stop herself.

  He waited for her to calm down, knowing the shock of seeing her mother and hearing that she was connected to Pierre had to be traumatic for her. He also knew he could not help her. This was something she would have to deal with herself—within herself.

  “I’m sorry,” Kenann said. “This is a lot. This gets to me, you know?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, anyway, this revelation is the reason she came after me. I am not sure what she has been about most of my life. She is certainly not who I thought she was. But to be honest none of this surprises me. It explains a lot actually. Like most of the crazies who are associated with this Order, she is full of grandiose ideas about herself. When I saw this, I knew I could exploit it. So I told her we were aware of the plan but we did not know that she was also a part of it. That’s why she consented, was eager actually, to have you come here. But what to do next? Well, I am hoping you have some ideas.”

  “I will meet with her.”

  “Be careful, Danny Mac. She is dangerous. Where are the others?”

  “Close. Mrs. G. has an estate nearby.”

  Kenann laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”

  * * * *

  Kenann had filled him in on the rest of what her mother had revealed about her past. She kissed him firmly on the lips. “Okay, be very careful, Danny Mac.”

  “Duly noted.” And he grinned. “Then I am going to come back and love on you.” He sobered. “Kenann, I don’t ever want to lose you again. This was almost more than I can bear.”

  She did not know what to say to this. She was always surprised by his feelings. She hugged him and all she could say was, “I love you.”

  Danny Mac enfolded her and simply held her. He sent up a prayer once again for God to protect them.

  * * * *

  He found Ann sitting in a small room on the first floor with a full tea service on the table in front of her. He sensed that she was waiting for him to seek her out. He did not like that.

  “Sit, my dear. We have much to discuss.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh my. You have no idea. Sit, sit.” She patted the place beside her on the settee.

  He took a seat opposite her instead. She simply smiled.

  He wanted to leave her presence as soon as possible. She made his skin crawl, so he cut to the chase. “What part do you have in the plan?”

  “As I told Kenann, I was only told that my child was the key to my destiny.”

  “By whom?”

  “Is that important?”

  “We won’t know till we know, will we?”

  Ann laughed. “Touché.” She considered briefly then continued. “It was through my controller, the man with whom Pierre Montefort connected me many years ago. I followed my husband around the globe on assignment for National Geographic. Periodically, I would receive instructions from this man to meet with someone in the city we were in. Get some information or give some information that I had been given from another city that we had recently visited. I never really knew how all the puzzle pieces fit together, but I was glad to serve.”

  “What is your part?”

  Her laugh was an unholy sound. “Well, I must say I was not sure. But now that you are here, I know exactly what I want.”

  “And that is?”

  “You.”

  He was stunned and sickened by her implication and the predatory look on her face. “You are to be sorely disappointed, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so. You see, I have the ultimate carrot.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “You see, if you do not bend to my will…” she paused to let the meaning of that hit him, “…I will simply kill my darling daughter.”

  He sat very still, vacillating between anger and disgust and pure unadulterated fear. “She is the key. Why would you do that?”

  “Her purpose was simply to bring you to me.”

  “You are a sick, disgusting, unattractive human being.”

  If he had struck her he could not have delivered a more devastating blow. She turned icy cold and rang a bell beside her. When the man entered, she simply said, “Bring her to me.”

  Danny stood up, fear gripping him. “What are you going to do?”

  “Teach you a lesson.”

  He ran into the main foyer and turned to run up the stairs and saw the man who Ann had dispatched pulling Kenann down the stairs by her arm. Danny Mac rushed the man and hit him like a lineman. The man fell back, releasing Kenann as he fell. He grabbed her hand and propelled her back down the stairs, planning to make a break out the front door, when Ann appeared in their path, leveling a .38 caliber weapon at them.

  “Stop right there.”

  Danny Mac contemplated rushing her as well, but he could not risk Kenann. He stopped. Kenann looked up at him full of questions as to what was going on. His eyes did not leave Ann’s. He whispered, “You will be sorry.”

  She only smiled slightly and motioned with the gun for them to move into the parlor. The muscle on the stairs had regained his feet by that time and took a cheap shot at Danny Mac’s back, shoving him into the room. Kenann turned around and gave the man a withering look. He had the good grace to look slightly chagrined. He liked that girl. She had spunk.

  Ann looked at the man and said, “Take Kenann back to her room. Danny Mac and I have a few things to settle.”

  Kenann once again looked at Danny Mac. He gave her his best reassuring smile and squeezed her hand. “Go ahead back to the room, baby. I’ll be there in a few.”

  She was obviously not convinced but did as he asked, looking over her shoulder at him as she left the room.

  Danny Mac whirled on Ann when Kenann was out of the room. “What kind of game are you playing?”

  “Oh, I assure you, I don’t play. I get what I want when I want it…or else.”

  Danny Mac was stunned by the coldness of this woman who had produced Kenann.

  She continued. “Now this is how it is going to go. Kenann will know nothing of our arrangement. That is how you will keep her alive. If she is blissfully ignorant, she will not be an interference. And obviously, if you don’t comply you will seal her fate.” She paused for effect. “Do I make myself clear?”

  Danny Mac did not respond. How did things get this out of control?

  She smiled and patted his cheek. “I’ll take that as a yes. You will also help me determine the next steps. Kenann’s only purpose in this was to bring you to me. I kno
w that now. But she continues to serve her purpose because you will do anything I ask or I will slit her throat. This is absolutely delightful.” She patted his cheek again and said, “Now run along. I’ll call for you later.”

  Danny Mac turned as if in a dream and made his way out of the door and up the stairs. His feet were leaden as he made his way to Kenann. What was he going to do? But one thing was certain. Ann meant exactly what she said.

  Before he had a chance to fully get his game face on, Kenann opened the door to their room and looked out anxiously. She came out when she saw him on the landing. “Are you okay? What is going on?”

  He pulled his face into a bland, emotionless expression from years of covert work.

  “Oh, that goon of Ann’s overreacted. I smoothed it over. It’s all good.”

  “But what does she want? What is our next move? Was I wrong in bringing you here?”

  He had reached her by that time and took her into his arms. “Absolutely not. I am here with you now. How could that be wrong?”

  “I know. But I hope I haven’t put you in a bad place?”

  “Of course not. We are a team now. And we will get through this together.”

  “Okay then, what’s next?”

  “We find a way out of here.”

  * * * *

  Danny Mac went out the French doors from their rooms to the long veranda running along the back side of the villa. He was sickened by Ann’s proposition. Kenann came up behind him, putting her arms around his waist. She loved the hard contours of his stomach under her hands and his back against her cheek. Her warrior. Her strength. She could face anything with him here.

  She felt him tense and said, “What is it?”

  He looked over their heads. She followed his gaze and came around to stand beside him. “Is that a drone?”

  Danny Mac smiled down at her. “Yes, and it has Mrs. G. written all over it.” All of a sudden he did not feel so desperate.

  They waved up at the drone, knowing they were being filmed. Danny Mac had an idea. “Kenann, do you have any lipstick or fingernail polish on you?”

  She considered and shook her head no. Then snapped her fingers and ran into the room behind her. She came back out with some white bandage tape.

  Danny laughed. “Where did you find that?”

  “I was snooping in the bathroom cabinets earlier.”

  He surreptitiously pulled off some tape and ran it ten inches across the top of the railing.

  From the neighboring villa, everyone smiled as they watched the image coming back from the drone. Bridget’s deep laugh filled the air. “He is making my life so much easier.” They were remembering another balcony in another country a few months ago.

  * * * *

  They were summoned for dinner by the muscle-bound man. Kenann asked him, “What is your name?”

  He was taken back for a moment. “Robert.”

  “Well, Robert, how in the world did you get messed up with my mother?”

  Before he thought, he responded, “My stupidity,” and then looked away.

  Danny Mac and Kenann looked at each other and smiled. They would use this to their advantage.

  Dinner was awkward and very tense. Robert was actually allowed to sit at the table with them, to his surprise. Since Danny Mac’s arrival, her reigns on him had loosened. Perhaps she had found someone else to torture. Poor sod.

  Ann was the only one who appeared oblivious to the undercurrents. She chatted on about all the places she had been, trying to engage Kenann in the discussion, asking if she remembered some anecdotal event. Kenann denied any of these memories with obvious disdain. Her perception of her childhood was forever altered by seeing the truth of her mother’s duplicity. She felt ill just being in her presence.

  Danny Mac was faring no better. He picked at his food, trying to figure out a way out of this mess. He prayed Mrs. G. and their band had some tricks up their sleeve. He was at a total loss and growing frantic.

  The meal finally ended and Ann dismissed everyone to their rooms. She was expecting guests the next day and she wanted everyone rested. Kenann inquired who the guests were. Ann brushed her off, saying it was none of her concern.

  Ann’s smile was feral. “Danny Mac and I will be managing things from now on.”

  Kenann looked at Danny Mac questioningly. He maintained a bland expression. Kenann’s eyes narrowed. “What is going on?”

  Ann laughed. “Whatever do you mean, darling?”

  “Don’t,” she spat, “call me darling. I am the key. The one who is to determine your destiny.” She spoke the last word with disdain.

  Ann started to speak but was cut off with Kenann’s hand. A sickening thought was forming in her mind. Suddenly she knew. “Stop. I don’t know what little game you have planned but hear this: I will take myself out of the equation. Do you hear me? Kill me or let me go. But I will not be used as a pawn.” She was not sure of the exact details, but Danny Mac was hiding something. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he would do anything to protect her, and somehow her mother was holding that choker around his neck.

  Ann glared at Danny Mac. “I warned you.”

  Kenann spat back. “He told me nothing. Despite what you have always told me, I am not stupid. I would rather be dead than be used by you. So you can stop your ridiculous attempts at control and manipulation. Because, dear Mother, I don’t play.”

  Danny Mac looked at Ann, grinning. “As I said, you underestimate your daughter.”

  Ann was rattled. She had never been challenged so directly and so expertly before. She saw Robert holding back a smile. She glared at him. She tried to regain her ground. “The fact remains that I am in control.”

  Kenann again spat at her mother. “No one controls me. Especially not you. Not anymore.”

  Ann looked at Danny Mac. “Are you willing to sacrifice her?”

  Danny Mac decided once again to trust the love of his life. He looked at her and grinned. “We have an eternity guaranteed together. She gets to say what happens with this life.”

  Kenann smiled back at Danny Mac. They were a team. Now. Forever.

  * * * *

  Ann had ordered them all out of the room. They heard the dishes crashing against the wall as they went up the stairs. At the top of the landing, they stopped and looked at each other.

  Kenann spoke first. “Robert, are you with us?”

  “If it gets me away from her, you know it.”

  Danny Mac asked, “How many armed guards does she have?”

  “Excluding me, she has five.”

  Kenann looked around. “Where? I haven’t seen anyone but you.”

  “All the staff are armed and ready. The cook, the gardener, the maids, and the drivers.”

  Danny Mac asked, “How loyal are they?”

  Robert responded, “They are mercenaries.”

  Kenann asked, “Then they can be bought?”

  “Probably.”

  “Can you work on that while we reconnoiter with our people?” Danny Mac asked.

  “Yes. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

  Kenann said, “You are not like her. I am not saying you are without responsibility. But you are not like her.”

  “I will do anything to stop her. Anything.”

  Danny Mac was getting the picture. “Okay. We don’t require you to do anything except get all of us away from here and her.”

  Robert stiffened. “She has threatened my family. I cannot leave her alive.”

  Danny Mac touched his arm. “Our people can help protect them. Find them safe shelter if need be.”

  Robert considered this. “But she has the power to strike at a moment’s notice. All of this cannot be arranged overnight. I have to stay.”

  Just then Ann stormed into the foyer below and screamed, “Bring them to me.”

  Danny Mac whispered, “Play along till we have a plan.”

  Robert grabbed them both by the upper arms and started down the stairs. Danny Mac str
uggled to make it look convincing.

  Robert whispered through his teeth, “She will want me to hurt Kenann.”

  Danny Mac responded, “Make it look good, both of you.”

  They understood.

  Ann’s eyes looked wild as she pulled out her handgun from behind her back. “Take her to the back room. You know what to do.”

  “Come on,” Robert ordered gruffly and jerked her along with him.

  Instinctively, Danny Mac made to go after her. Ann shot just above his right shoulder. He stopped and turned to look at her. She waved him to enter the lounge area across the hall.

  Just then Kenann’s scream rent the air. Danny Mac prayed to God Robert had not played them.

  “Still willing to sacrifice her?” Ann asked.

  “She made her choice.”

  “And you are willing to let her be hurt, even killed? I thought you loved her so very much.”

  “You have no idea how much. But she was serious when she said she would not be used or controlled by you. If she can be that strong, so can I.” Ann raised her gun, ready to shoot him, when she cried out and bent over. Danny Mac seized the opportunity and went for the gun. She countered his move and got a shot off, grazing his right shoulder. She was seized with pain again, doubling over at the waist. Danny Mac grabbed the gun this time and backed away.

  Ann dropped to the floor, writhing. He ran into the hall, calling for Robert. He and Kenann appeared through a back doorway. He asked as he ran toward Danny Mac, “What is it?”

  Danny Mac turned to run back into the room, calling over his shoulder. “Something is the matter with her.”

  Despite herself, Kenann dropped to her knees beside her. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

  Ann’s face was a mask of pure pain. “I’ll see you in hell.”

  Kenann looked up at Robert. “We had better call an ambulance. Can you take command of the others so they do not give us any trouble?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  “Then let’s do it.”

  Danny Mac was thrilled with pride to see her take control.