by Blake Hudson
“Yes, I always eat there, the food is fantastic and they look after me well," Isabella replied in a tone that said she didn’t like being questioned in front of the driver.
“No good, forget it, it’s predictable and they will know you may be there,” Knox said looking back at Isabella.
“You are paranoid and this is so stupid! I can’t even eat at my favourite restaurant now?!” Isabella bleated.
“No, you can’t,” he told her sternly before turning to the driver.
“Felipe, do you recommend anywhere good that would be up to Miss Pérez’s exacting standards. Oh, and easy for you to drop off and pick up would be ideal,” Knox said putting his hand on Felipe’s shoulder giving it a squeeze telling him not to worry about upsetting the boss lady.
Felipe made a call on the vehicle’s hands-free system, he spoke to a concierge as though he knew them well. He booked a table and told them he would drop the VIP clients off in under ten minutes.
“Thank you, Felipe you are a gentleman,” Knox said as he wound down his window and put his sunglasses on, Isabella stared at him in the mirror.
The sleek black Maybach drew up outside the Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula, located in the historic centre of Granada. The five-star hotel staff were waiting at the door and kerb side. Knox looked to Felipe, who shrugged his shoulders back at Knox.
“They know who she is, it's to be expected," Felipe said coyly.
Knox gave him a look and then got out of the car. The doorman opened Isabella’s door and Knox walked a half step behind and to the side of her as he scanned the surroundings. They met the hotel manager who stood waiting at the sliding smoked glass door entrance. They made small talk with Isabella who couldn’t have been less interested if she tried. Knox gave the manager a sympathetic look.
As they walked from the main lobby of the hotel they found themselves in a grand open-air courtyard. Isabella cut Knox a look, one which made him smile as he saw she wasn’t expecting it to be so nice.
“What… you haven’t been here before?” Knox said with a knowing grin, Isabella cracked a smile.
“Careful now, I wouldn’t want to think you are enjoying yourself.” Knox pulled a chair out for Isabella as they reached the table reserved for them. She looked unsure at first then sat.
“I wasn’t born in a barn,” Knox said as he pushed her chair in.
“Let’s just eat, shall we,” she replied picking up the menu.
“You want me to eat with you?” Knox said, standing next to her.
“Well I don’t want to eat alone and as good as you look in the suit, you will make me and the other guests feel uncomfortable stood watching over me,” Isabella said as she looked Knox up and down.
“Plus, you must be hungry also, please sit,” she said with a softer tone.
Knox nodded in agreement and sat to the side of Isabella at the fully set table with his back to the wall. As they looked over the menu Isabella texted on her phone, Knox looked at his from under the table.
Howard: How are you and the shadow, getting along?
Isabella: I can’t even eat at my favourite restaurant. Should I even bother going out of the house?
Howard: It is for the best we want you safe. And you will have to learn to like it.
Isabella: Well I am sat in a hotel with a more handsome looking shadow now, thanks to our little shopping trip. So, it is not all bad.
Howard: Hotel? That’s not funny Isabella.
Isabella: Yes, this hotel is beautiful. Shame you would rather work than take me nice places like he has.
Knox rolled his eyes as his attention was drawn by the waiting staff. He ordered a still water whilst Isabella ordered some bottle of pink fizz that cost more than he would spend on a meal for two.
Knox wasn’t interested in eavesdropping on Isabella’s churlish attempts to make Howard jealous, no doubt he would have the backlash of that at some point. He would have called him a poor bastard but he was a stuck up, toffee nosed twat and as far as he was concerned, they obviously deserved each other.
Knox went back to the job at hand and kept his mouth shut, only speaking to order food, and thank the waiting staff. As the time passed and as they were eating Isabella became more frustrated.
“Well, isn’t this stimulating?” she burst out.
“Excuse me?” replied Knox.
“I am bored, did they not have conversations at the family dinner table in England?” Isabella said with a sarcastic tone. Knox put his swanky cutlery down hard on the modern designer tableware.
“Let’s get a few things straight, I am not here for your entertainment. I am here to do a job. Also, I am from Scotland Lass, and you couldn’t handle a conversation around a Scottish family table.” Knox said looking Isabella direct in the eyes.
“You are so rude, don't talk to your employer in such a way," Isabella said cutting Knox daggers.
“Fire me, oh that’s right your father employed me to look after your bratty arse. Now finish your food or I will call the car and we will go,” Knox coolly said with a manner that was letting Isabella know not to push his patience.
“How fucking dare, you speak to me like that! You just got yourself fired,” Isabella said standing up and throwing her napkin at Knox, which made him smile.
“Isabella, sit down,” Knox said as he too stood.
Just as Isabella was about to speak, Knox heard and saw a commotion from behind her in the lobby. Knox placed his hand on his hilted gun and walked around to Isabella, who screamed at him. Knox put himself in front of Isabella and the advancing disturbance.
“Isabella, quiet!” Knox said firmly as he backed Isabella and himself towards cover behind a wide stone pillar. Shots fired in the reception lobby area, this incited the other dinner guests into mass panic and hysteria. Deep male voices yelled and shouted from the lobby. Knox crouched down pulling Isabella with him. As she was about to scream he covered her mouth with his hand as he drew his gun with the other.
“Shush…” Knox whispered as he stared into Isabella’s eyes.
“Do everything I tell you to, and I promise you we will get out of this,” Knox said calmly as he released his hand from her mouth, then turned and put Isabella’s hand on his back.
“Keep your hand there until I say otherwise. I move, you move, okay?” Knox said and Isabella, fear stricken, nodded in small fast actions.
Knox moved to better cover around the pillar and tucked Isabella down. Reaching for his phone he tapped frantically before pressing a panic alarm application. No sound was heard as the screen went red. Two armed men burst in through the doors leading into the courtyard from the lobby. ‘Pérez, Isabella Pérez!’ Bellowed one of the two African mercenaries’. Both were wielding AK47’s that they fired into the air. Bullets ricocheted off the high walls of the stone courtyard as dust and small stone chips showered down around them.
Knox watched as he glanced from their cover to see the other guests, some dropped to the floor crying, others frightened into silence. The men searched the few who bravely or stupidly ran for the doors, pushing their assault rifles into their faces, only checking the women. They knew their target but what they didn’t know was that they would have to get to her over Knox’s dead body.
Knox tucked back down and signalled to Isabella to stay put. He then stooped low and made his way around the outside of the courtyard behind tables, plant pots and trellis panels until he was level with the two gunmen. The gunmen were losing their patience letting off more shots into the air, yelling ‘Pérez’. This was when Knox spied his chance.
The furthest man was empty, his AK rapidly clicked giving Knox his opening. He jumped into action, Knox picked up the closest dining chair to him. He then hurled it straight at the gunman who was reloading his weapon. Knox followed up with three rapid shots, one in the head of the second gunman. The next two into his shoulder and chest as he turned to see where the chair that hit his comr
ade had come from.
“Don’t move! Freeze!” Knox roared as he trained his gun on the last man who walked towards him ready to fire.
“For the Bull!” The gun man pulled out a knife as he dropped the empty AK and ran at Knox. Two shots fired and echoed off the walls, each bullet casing dropped to the floor, ringing out as they bounced. A deadly silence fell on the room, Knox’s breathing was all he could hear. Knox looked over the two men. One had a small Algerian flag on his belt buckle. Knox took note of this as he strode past them making his way back to Isabella.
Knox knelt by Isabella who was sat cowering, her head clutched in her hands. She jumped as Knox touched her arm, she looked at him like a scared child.
“Is this real enough for you now?” he asked in a soft voice, praying this time she would understand the severity of her situation. She nodded quickly, tears streaming down her face.
“You’re safe, come with me and let’s get you out of here,” Knox said as he took her hand but she was a dead weight as she wouldn’t move. Knox had seen this enough time to know that shock and fear had taken over.
“Isabella, it is okay. You are safe, but we have to get out of here,” Knox said with a calm reassuring tone. Knox saw she was out of action so he scooped her up in his arms and headed towards the back of the courtyard. The smoked glass doors which matched the entrance operated on motion sensors but they were not opening. Knox turned around and as he did saw a third Algerian walk into the courtyard from the lobby.
“Pérez!” The Algerian man yelled.
“Fuck!” Knox said as he ran for cover behind the nearest pillar, bullets bounced off the floor and up the edge of the stone column. The glass doors that were inoperable shattered in a cascade of tiny diamond snow. Isabella screamed and Knox pulled her tighter into him. Four more shots fired but they didn’t sound like the same weapon, there was no sign of bullet impact around them.
“All clear! Clear,” shouted two British male voices. Knox looked around the pillar, his eyes were met with the sight of two tactical dressed men. Thomas and Gregory. The Algerian man on the floor, dead in front of them. They spotted Knox and signalled, sileantly asking if he was okay. Once he nodded they then signalled for them to leave.
Knox did not need to be told twice as he hot-footed it out of there, Isabella in his arms. Bursting through the rear fire exit which led out to an alley, sirens could be heard as they closed in. Knox knew Felipe and the Maybach were parked up in the adjacent street to the alley but Knox couldn’t trust the driver or anyone else around the Pérez family. So, he headed in the opposite direction down from the alley and into a small square. He gently placed Isabella down on a rustic bench that looked as old as the historic city itself. At first, she didn’t want to let go and he had no choice but to pry her fingers from his jacket.
“Isabella, you’re safe, everything is okay,” Knox said as he crouched down, gently lifting her chin with one finger so their eyes could meet.
“Come on, talk to me Lass, you’re alright now," Knox said as he rubbed the tops of Isabella’s arms.
“Who… were they, why…?” Isabella said before bursting into tears as she nestled her head into Knox’s shoulder. Knox looked a little uncomfortable but put an arm around her. And with the other hand took his phone and made a call.
“It’s Knox, I need wheels and I need them now!” Knox said sharply and straight to the point.
“We have your location, go to the road three hundred yards to your east. Transport will be provided,” said a cold clinical almost robotic female voice before the call cut off.
“Isabella, we have to move. Hold my hand and don’t let go,” Knox said as he took her hand. Isabella nodded as she stood, taking a deep breath.
“That’s it, brave girl, let’s get you the hell out of this nightmare. Hold on and run.” Knox smiled before turning and heading in the direction he had been given.
They reached the road and Knox looked up and down the street as they ran down, and just as he thought, no vehicle. He heard tyres squeal from the next street, then the source of the noise came into view, one of the black Jaguar F-Spaces. Major Harris was driving the SUV and it skidded to a halt beside them.
“All yours, Knox,” Harris said as he got out the car, leaving the driver’s door open for him.
“You're a true Gent. Oh, and don’t worry, she won’t get a scratch.” Knox said as he opened the passenger door for Isabella who looked confused.
“There better not be, now get out of here,” replied Harris.
“Whose car is this? Where are we going?” Isabella asked.
“I will explain on the way, now get in please,” Knox said eager to get going as he shut the door. Once Isabella was safe inside, Knox walked around to the driver’s side.
“Harris, the hotel?” Knox said quietly as he passed the Major.
“It’s being sorted, don’t worry, now go. Oh, Knox, nice threads,” Harris said with a smirk, Knox smiled as he took off his suit jacket throwing it onto the back seat.
As Knox stepped into the driver’s side, the ground shook with the sound of a massive explosion. The boom reverberated around all the buildings. Knox looked to the direction of the hotel to see rising thick black smoke.
“Lucas, what was that?!” Isabella called out to Knox, he sat in the car as he slammed the door behind him.
“A bomb… one that was meant for you.”
Chapter Nine
Knock Backs
After a one and half hour drive from Granada to La Caleta, Malaga, Knox and Isabella pulled up outside his unassuming apartment block.
“Is this your place?” Isabella said as she looked out the window her eyes scanning up and down at the building.
“For now, it is yes. Come on, let’s get you inside,” Knox said as he got out of the car. He looked suspiciously up and down the road when Knox spotted the T.I.7 van parked at the end of the street. The van had started to tail Knox when they merged onto the A-45 an hour out of Granada. Knox saw it as a good thing having extra eyes on them, as it could only help with any unwanted visitors.
Knox and Isabella walked up to the front entrance of the apartment block and Isabella had to run a little to catch up with him. She linked her arm in his, smiling as she almost snuggled it. Knox awkwardly smiled back, hoping this wasn’t turning into what he thought it was turning into. He had seen it before when women had made it through something traumatic with the help of a man.
The main entrance to the building and his apartment front door had no sign of any break in and, other than the smell of fresh emulsion paint, you would never have known only a day ago it was broken into. Knox was in an extra careful mentality and drew one of his two guns before pushing his key into the mortice lock of his door. At the sight of the gun, Isabella backed away a few steps.
“It’s just a precaution, stay behind me,” Knox whispered as he saw Isabella’s unease.
They entered the apartment everything was as it was the day he had moved in if anything it was cleaner. It was all clear so at least Knox could relax for the moment.
“Please make yourself at home it’s not the biggest apartment but it serves my needs and has a magnificent view,” Knox said with a smile as he made the sign for ‘drink?’ as he walked into the kitchen.
“I think it is lovely and I would love a drink, thank you,” Isabella said as Knox observed her walk elegantly over to the balcony doors to take in the view. She thought about opening the sliding doors, her hand even lifted and started to reach out for the lock. But she stopped herself with the thought of being watched. Finally, it was sinking in that someone wanted her captured or worse… dead.
“Here, this always gets me relaxed and settles my nerves,” Knox said as he handed Isabella a gin and tonic on ice.
“Thank you, what is it?” Isabella said as she took the drink from Knox.
“It’s a stiff gin, Christ knows you deserve one after today,” Knox said as he clinked his glas
s to hers before taking a seat.
“Lucas, why…whoever it is out there, why do they want me?” Isabella asked in a quiet voice, before taking a big sip of her drink.
“Do you know what your father is involved in? His business, the deals?” Knox said, calmly, not letting on he knew exactly what her father was involved in.
“My father loves his business, it’s his life, more than his own family," Isabella said looking at the ground.
“He owns one of the world’s largest export and shipping companies.” She walked over to the window and looked out at the view again. Her slender frame casting an even slender shadow across the room, as the evening sun began to set orange contrasting against the black shadows.
“He built that port over there, built it up to what it is now and it is the smallest one he owns.” Isabella pointed to the Port of Malaga which dominated the horizon view from Knox’s apartment. Immense container ships, ferries to and from north Africa all sailed daily which contrasted against the super rich’s mega yachts and the sandy palm tree littered beach front, with its array of bars and restaurants.