Beautiful Collision
Page 19
My body wants more but my mind is elsewhere. My thoughts are with girls who can't have this special connection, who don't feel this fire.
I wrench my thoughts away from the darkness and I take a deep breath.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Thane
As soon as my hands touch her skin, Gray moves away and the magic ends. It's my fault for moving too fast, but I don't let it bother me. When she looks up, her expression is embarrassed as if she is ashamed of herself, I smile at her, putting my heart into my expression.
I drop a kiss on her head and she gives me a tentative smile. I'm still for a moment. She is trusting me with herself but my motives are questionable. Am I just going to hurt her?
I grab my shirt from the counter and shove my arms into the long sleeves. I'd chosen a dress shirt that would suit the atmosphere of the restaurant.
After I'm buttoned and tucked, I hold out a hand. "My lady, your dinner awaits." She grins and places her hand in mine just as the honk of a horn echoes outside the building.
"Ah, our carriage has arrived." I lead her to the door and grab my phone on the way. A touch of my finger to my ear tells me the earwig is still in place. I guide her outside and lock the door behind us. Gray seems flustered and a little worried, but she smiles anyway when I give her the crook of my elbow and lead her down the stairs and out to the cab.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Gray
The drive is short and we arrive within minutes at the the restaurant. Trattoria Vittoria, it's called and its gorgeous. A tiny little red roofed restaurant with gorgeous cottage pane windows trimmed in white, hanging pot plants and two cast iron seats each with a matching fig tree. I take a moment to stare at the place, wanting to embed it in my memory. Thane jumps out of the cab and even as I open the door he is reaching to help me out. I take his hand and look up at his gorgeous face. A feeling of contentment wells up inside me as I slip my hand into his crooked elbow and allow him to walk me to the door.
The place is bustling with people, voices rising and falling with soft music playing from the speakers. We are met by a man with a cheery smile and a very rounded belly, which I hope is a sign of excellent food. I'm not a stranger to eating out. My thoughts head to Nikolai and the luxurious places he'd taken me but I pull away, not wanting this evening to be tainted by him.
We are seated midway along the room, taking a small square table with deep red serviettes. A rack filled with wine, sits high on the wall beside us, while long dark wood beams run from floor to ceiling along the length of the room. I let Thane order drinks while I bury myself in the menu. I appreciate food more, now that I am on the run.
Was on the run.
I frown at the menu. What was I now? Settling down? I grit my teeth. I will not allow myself to get careless. Carelessness is dangerous.
I focus, then choose the prime rib ravioli while Thane goes for a Rib-Eye steak. My mouth waters as the waiter takes our menus and waddles off.
I sigh as I sit back and smile at Thane. "Thank you."
"For what?" he asks, genuinely puzzled.
I wave my hand around and say, "For doing this for me. You make me feel special." I almost bite my tongue as the words pop out of my mouth. I shift my gaze to the restaurant around me forcing myself to take note of all the exits. Running teaches you to be aware but I've not been very good at it lately.
I feel Thane take hold of my hand, and I glance down at our now-intertwined fingers, studying the hint of dark ink beneath the thin cotton shirt. I stiffen as I register my right wrist. Bare of its leather cuff. I'd left my bracelet on the edge of the washbasin in the bathroom.
Damn it, Gray!
That's what I get for taking my attention off my main priorities.
I force my fingers to relax and allow the small touching of our interlaced fingers for a few moments. Our drinks arrive and save me from tugging my hands free.
I drink from my glass using my left hand, while I hide my right hand in my lap, while my heart thuds against my ribs.
The reminder of the tattoo makes me queasy, and draws a pall over what had started as a lovely evening. But I try to remain cheerful and play the part of the happy date.
Movement on my right makes me turn my head to the long bar beyond the table next to us.
All the blood drains from my face.
Three men stand by the bar, watching us and waiting. The taller, better dressed man nods to his companions and they both stride towards our table, confidently weaving past the unwary patrons.
I take those precious seconds to say to Thane, "Under the bookshelf, beneath the floorboards."
And even as the men come to stand beside Thane and me, I don't look away.
I don't dare to take my eyes off of Nikolai Roshkov.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Thane
When Gray turns her face to the bar, I know something is wrong. Her cheeks become deathly pale within seconds. I look over at the bar just as two bulky men move swiftly to us. Between their moving bodies I make out the profile of a man standing at the bar, watching and waiting.
Nikolai Roshkov.
The blood in my veins freezes over.
Gray's voice breaks into my shock. "Under the bookshelf, beneath the floorboards." She stops speaking as the two men stop beside us.
Even as my hand goes to the weapon at my waist, I feel the barrel of a gun at the back of my neck. They'd positioned themselves with efficiency. How had I not seen them enter the restaurant? How had they passed our surveillance outside on the street? The last movement I'd seen was a party of six being led down to the far end of the room. Nikolai and his men had most likely used the patrons as cover.
The barrel presses harder against my neck as I detect movement beside me.
Roshkov comes to stand beside table.
He doesn't say a word, just holds out his hand.
And my heart twists as Gray reaches out and takes it.
As he leads her away, she looks over her shoulder and says, "Please don't look for me." Her voice breaks on her last words and she sucks in a breath as she turns away and leaves with Roshkov.
All I see is the hopelessness in her eyes.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Gray
I stare at Nikolai's hand as he holds it out to me. Soft skin, manicured nails. Ruthless elegance. There is a lethality in his dark face as he glances over at Thane for the briefest moment.
And I see the threat in his eyes where any onlooker would only see a gentle gaze.
In the breath of an instant I make my choice and take his hand.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Thane
The last image of Gray burned on my retinas is of her fingers reaching up to take Roshkov's hand.
And of the bar code tattoo on the inside of her wrist.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Gray
Nikolai leads me away from Thane and I can barely breathe. It takes everything to stop myself from tugging my hand from Nikolai's grip and running back to Thane.
But what would I get for that? A bullet in the back.
And Thane? A bullet to the head most likely.
I can't let that happen to him.
I take a sobbing breath as softly as I can. I will not allow Nikolai to see my distress, to use my fear against me, to threaten Thane because I refuse to obey.
I hold my head high as I leave the restaurant. I pull my strength around me. Perhaps this is meant to be. Perhaps this is my chance to help Ilya and Emily and all those other girls. To get them out of Nikolai's prison.
And maybe even prevent future girls from being caught in this horrific web, to become a possession, to live at the whim and the mercy of Nikolai Roshkov.
Now, the devil himself turns to me and says, "Come, Sara. Let us get you back where you belong."
The only word that I hear Nikolai utter is 'Sara'
Shock numbs the muscles of my body and I don't resist as Nikolai guides me into the limo.
And a
s we drive away, all I hear is Thane's voice saying, "I'm sorry, Sara. I didn't mean to upset you."
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Thane
My skin is cold as Wade gives us the update. Matthews is dead from a bullet to the brain at point blank range; the reason I didn't get a warning that Roshkov was on his way into the restaurant.
All I can think of is Gray, and I barely rustle up the awareness to concentrate on Wade's words. "We have to infiltrate his organization. Maybe we should consider a UC."
I want to laugh. Who would they send in undercover into Roshkov organization? I leave the details to Wade and the rest of our small team. I notice Karen Palmer aka Alice from registrations. The shock in her amber eyes mirrors mine.
I stare out into the dark night remembering Gray's plea, 'Please don't look for me.' There were many things that I would do for Gray, where all she has to do is say the word. But this isn't one of them. I know then, that no matter what she asks, I will find her and I will save her. Emily and Gray.
Roshkov may not know it, but he was going down.
And, however convinced I am of the plan, I still know the danger that exists. Right now, Emily could be drawing her last breath. And right now, Gray is on her way back to Roshkov's prison and I'm terrified of what he might do to her.
Or what he might make her do.
-TO BE CONTINUED-
Look out for Beautiful Conviction early 2015
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Acknowledgments
To the Cassie, Kate, Mel and Brenda - for you ever-constant love and support.
Thank you to my editor JC Hart and my proofreaders Karen and Dharshini.
To Sel & the girls - for always being there for me.
And to my readers. Don't stop reading...
T.G. Ayer's Full List of Books
Young Adult Paranormal
The Valkyrie Series
Dead Radiance
Dead Embers
Dead Chaos
Dead Wrath
Dead Silence (2015)
*
The Hand of Kali Series
Fire & Shadow
Blood & Gold
Time & Fate (2015)
*
Horror/Thriller
Dark Shadows (2015)
*
Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
The Desperation Series
Beautiful Collision
Beautiful Conviction (2015)
*
Urban Fantasy - The DarkWorld
The SkinWalker Series
Pyros
Skin Deep
Lost Soul
Last Chance
SkinWalker Omnibus
*
The SoulTracker Series
Blood Magic
Dark Sight (2015)
Demon Kin (2015)
*
Urban Fantasy
Chronicles of the Irin
Retribution
Requiem
Resonance (2015)
About the Author
I have been a writer since I was old enough to recognize that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse and am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It's a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each others loves - it works wonderfully...
My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. The other half of me has been transplanted to the island of New Zealand. A land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands - I shall forever remain cross-eyed.
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