by Joan Davis
When the guard just stared at him stoically, Saren continued contemptuously. “As for your whinny-assed brother, he wasn’t killed because his mind was ‘ensnared’. He was killed because he was trying to help that girl escape and expose us to the cops. He suddenly grew a fucking conscience. That little bastard almost ruined everything. And then afterwards, when I told you to get rid of the little bitch, what the hell did you do? You hid her for four fucking years in that damned basement. What the hell were you thinking? The cops would have nothing on us except the shootings, and I could have wriggled out of having any fault in that. If you had just killed her when I told you to, this would all be over.” Saren grabbed the bars of the prison cell and hissed, “If they take me down for this shit, I ain’t going down alone. Get me? You better figure out a way to get me out of this shit-fest if you want to remain free, jackass.”
Without changing expressions, the prison guard punched his fist into Saren’s face and blood spurted out of his nose, as he went down moaning. Calmly, the guard unlocked and opened the cell door and stepped inside with Saren. He pulled Saren up by his hair and bashed his head against the iron bars of the cell several times, until blood ran freely down his face. The guard then gripped the unconscious man’s head between his large hands and twisted it until he heard Saren’s neck snap. He dragged the limp body over to the prison cot and pulled back the blanket. He dumped Saren’s body onto the thin mattress, then covered him with the blanket and tucked it in neatly. He spent the next several minutes silently wiping up the blood and making sure everything appeared normal, before washing his hands in the cell’s sink. He quietly walked out of the cell and locked the door. As he stepped out, he glanced quickly at the security camera and smiled with satisfaction. It was still disabled. The prison guard looked back at Saren’s body. “I just got you out of it Saren. It’s what you wanted, after all.”
CHAPTER 8
Samson sat at the kitchen bar next to Conner and Mik and watched Risa run around the kitchen preparing their lunch. She was carrying a cookbook, yanking cans and bottles out of the pantry, moving back to the stove, stirring pots, and moving things from one place to another.
“She’s like a mad scientist. What’s she making?” Conner whispered to Samson.
Samson grinned and shrugged, “Chili, I think.” He didn’t care what she was making. He just loved watching her so animated.
“Maybe we should call for a pizza as a back-up plan,” Mik said cautiously.
Conner coughed to cover a laugh. “I’m not that brave.”
“You know, my hearing is just fine. Maybe you sissies should go into the living room and play until lunch is ready. That way, I won’t have the urge to make this a food fight instead of lunch,” Risa said with a raised eyebrow as she sliced them with her stare.
Samson laughed as Conner and Mik left the kitchen with muttered apologies and ‘yes ma’ams’ on their lips. Samson walked over to Risa and bent to kiss her on her cheek. She turned and met his lips with her own and melted against him. “Don’t beat up on my friends,” Samson muttered against her lips.
Risa wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “Make them leave and I will make it up to you.” She leaned into him and pulled his head down to possess his mouth again. God, I love kissing this man, she thought to herself.
“Hello, our hearing is also good. Quit sucking face and feed us. We’re starving,” Conner said in a man-whine.
Samson’s low laughter thumped against Risa’s chest and she growled towards the living room and then turned back to the stove and went back to making their lunch. She was muttering something about dumping all of them in the lake as Samson walked into the living room.
“Don’t push your luck, Conner. You don’t want to incur that woman’s wrath,” Samson said, taking a seat in one of the leather chairs. The French doors were opened wide to let in the cool breeze coming off the lake. In fact, Samson had opened up all the windows and doors to take advantage of the weather. It was a good day.
Conner cracked a smile. “Yeah, but I can run home if it gets too bad. Besides, she loves me. I promised to teach her how to drive.”
Samson frowned at his friend. “I still don’t know why she doesn’t want me to teach her,” he grumbled, still put out by Risa’s decision.
“It’s probably because you would have her dressed in a full suit of armor before letting her near a steering wheel,” Mik stated ironically.
Conner fell out of his chair laughing when Samson said in frustration, “I just suggested she wear a bike helmet and elbow pads. You would have thought I was telling her not to breath,” Samson nudged Conner’s prone form with his foot. “Go ahead, dickhead, laugh it up, but just remember, I know where you live.”
Pulling himself up and sitting back in his chair, Conner said, “Really, a bike helmet to learn how to drive a car? No wonder she asked me to teach her.”
Samson scowled at him, and Mik spoke up before things got out of hand. “We have come up with a theory about how Risa’s attacker might have found her.”
“What the hell? Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” Samson asked hotly.
Mik shrugged and said, “There’s really nothing to tell you. It’s just a theory. I found out about a bar over in Cloverdale where all the press people hang out. When I went over there and spent a night at the bar I was able to pick up a lot of information by just listening in on peoples’ conversations. I have names, dates, private information and basic locations of several people who would not be happy to know that their private information was being bandied about in a dive bar by the press.”
“Anyway, I figure whoever this guy is, he probably hung around until he got the information he needed to find Risa. I asked around to see if anyone remembered a man asking questions about her, but I got nothing. I didn’t really expect answers,” Mik said, staring out at the lake.
Conner was nodding his head. “There is something we’re missing. The bastard that attacked Risa is obviously connected to Saren somehow. Yet when they tried to question Saren about it, he played dumb. The same thing happened when they questioned that Banner girl who was arrested with Saren. Sam, you and I both found areas near your house and the Landau house that could have been used for surveillance, but there was no evidence to prove it. I have even sat on those areas a few times and got nothing. What aren’t we seeing?”
“I don’t know, but I know that asshole is out there and waiting. I can feel him,” Samson said grimly. Just then, Risa called out that lunch was ready.
They found that the table in the sunroom that was off the kitchen was already set up with steaming bowls of chili. Sides of shredded cheese, sour cream and crackers sat in the center of the table. Risa was setting down bottles of beer and chilled mugs, and they all took their seats.
When they hesitated Risa huffed, “You big babies, just try it.”
Each man reluctantly picked up a spoon and took a tentative bite. “Wow, that’s amazing,” Conner said enthusiastically. “Damn girl, you can cook.”
Samson and Mik quickly agreed, and all of them tucked into their lunch with gusto. Risa stared at them annoyed and without thinking said, “I don’t know why you are surprised. I do a lot of things really well.”
Samson choked and started coughing, and Mik’s and Conner’s shocked faces turned beet-red as they fought to keep their laughter at bay. They failed, and laughter irrupted.
Risa’s had been beating Samson’s back when she finally realized why they were laughing. She blushed and then scowled while she punched Samson’s arm with her small fist. “You know what I mean,” and got more laughter for her trouble. “I am surrounded by four-year-olds,” she muttered and decided to ignore them.
Samson leaned towards her, but Risa put her hand up and stopped him. “Don’t even think about it. Just eat your lunch and count yourself lucky you’re not wearing it,” she said and continued to eat her lunch mutinously.
Samson scowled at Conner and Mik, and they started a silent, ve
rbal battle about who was at fault for making Risa angry. It only stopped when Risa took her empty bowl over to the sink, rinsed it out and stuck it in the dishwasher. She left the kitchen with regal disdain.
Risa made it to her bedroom before she threw herself on the bed and had a giggle fit. Samson always made her laugh, but seeing those three giant men together was like watching a Saturday Night Live skit. Best of all, Risa loved messing with their heads. They were so used to taking control that when she bucked them, they tended to huddle in confusion. Then they would try out a new strategy on her again and again until she let them off the hook. She loved that they were so gentle with her; but she also delighted in the small power it gave her. She would never admit any of this to them, but Risa loved it that Samson and his friends were there to protect her so closely. Lately, she had begun to realize that she was truly happy. I want this feeling to last forever, Risa wished hopefully.
She rolled over and stared into space, remembering the last few days with Samson. Her body tingled at the memory of their love making. Samson was a demanding lover, and he taught her how to please him, and at the same time asked Risa to show him what she liked. He let her explore his body without reservation. Samson gave Risa the confidence and freedom to discover what she needed and how to ask for it. Sleeping in Samson’s arms was the safest Risa had ever felt. She didn’t wake up in a panic or have nightmares when he held her.
Worry clouded her eyes when she thought about her dad returning. She missed him so much, but didn’t know how to deal with her new situation with Samson. Hey, Dad, I’m having sex with Samson. You good with that . . .? Cool. Yeah, that’s how it will go, Risa thought as she groaned into her pillow. Going from being a teenager the last time she saw her father and returning to him five years later as an adult was difficult. Risa still looked to her father for guidance in so many ways, but she also needed to be independent from him. She was a fully grown woman, and she was trying to seek out new experiences in life. Walking that fine line was becoming harder with each passing day.
The bedroom door opened and Risa saw Samson step in and close the door. She tried her best to look put out, but it was hard when all she wanted was to jump his bones. Samson stared at her for a moment and then he leaped on the bed and nearly snapped it in half. Risa screeched as she was nearly bounced off the side, until Samson caught her and pinned her to the bed. Leaning over her, he growled in that low sexy voice, “Forgive me, woman. I kicked them out. I can’t help having idiots for friends. It’s the luck of the draw.”
Risa stared at her beautiful man and lifted her hand to run her fingers through his tussled hair. He has better hair than me. That is just so wrong, she thought absently. “Forgiven, you can’t help having bad taste,” Risa teased.
Samson leaned down and nipped Risa’s bottom lip. “I had enough taste to nab you, didn’t I?”
Risa snorted and said, “Yeah, I’m a real catch, a mentally warped, short woman with crazy hair and scars all over her.” She laughed until she saw Samson’s serious expression.
“Do you really think that’s the way I see you?” Samson asked stunned and angry. “Jesus, Risa, you don’t get it. I’m in love with you. I can barely think straight when you’re around me. I love that you can pick up a pencil and create a whole new world. I could stare into those eyes of yours forever. And I happen to love your crazy hair. It’s fucking sexy, as a matter of fact.
Samson leaned over her and scowled in frustration. “I love the fact that you never hesitated to trust, me and you have never been intimidated by me. Most people give me a wide berth. Did you know that? I have a rough reputation, woman. I used to chase bad guys for a living. I own a nasty Harley Davidson bike. But you just walked into my life and took over my world without even trying.”
“Don’t you know how much I admire the strength it must have taken for you to survive everything they did to you? I don’t know if I could have done it. As far as the scars you carry, both physical and mental, they are just a small part of you. I hate that those bastards hurt you, and if I could take away your scars and your pain, I would. But it doesn’t affect how I feel about you.” Samson stared into Risa’s eyes, willing her to believe him.
Risa’s eyes were filled with unshed tears, and it took her several tries before she choked out, “You love me?”
Samson groaned and gently brushed the tears from Risa’s eyes. He kissed her softly and said, “Very much, my crazy girl.”
Risa whispered against Samson’s lips, “I love you, too.” Risa swung up over him and said urgently, “I love that you protect me and make me laugh. I love that you don’t mind my weirdness, and you accept me as I am. I love that you love your work and that you have integrity. I love that if you believe in something or someone, it’s absolute. I love that your body is so amazing, Samson. I really love your body.” she said earnestly, despite Samson’s silly grin. “I love how I feel when you’re inside me. I love that you make sure I am satisfied. I love that you have friends that would kill for you. That is very rare,” Risa said sincerely and wound her arms around his head and kissed him deeply. She pulled back and asked breathlessly, “Do you know why I love you the most?”
“Why?” Samson whispered, as his kissed her neck.
“I love that you are going to have to explain to my father that you took advantage of his little girl and that now she is a fallen-woman living in sin,” Risa grinned evilly.
“Oh, hell no, woman,” Samson said in a mocking growl. “That’s on you. You asked me to model, remember? So, honestly, you took advantage of me. I’m telling your dad that you seduced me with your etchings,” Samson said and warmed to his idea. “Yeah, you seduced me, and I had no choice. I mean, you had those panties with the bows. How was I supposed to resist that? Oh, your dad is going to hear all about how his little girl is actually a little Lolita. For shame,” Samson shook his head sadly, but there was a grin in his eyes. He dumped Risa onto the bed and got up quickly. He put his hands up to repel Risa when she attempted to come at him. “Look, I know you have this whole nymphomaniac-thing going on, but I can’t let you take advantage of me again,” he said with a pious tone, but he looked anything but angelic. “Your dad will be so shocked and disappointed, I’m sure. Shame on you,” Samson smirked.
Risa advanced on Samson as he backed up and opened her bedroom door. “You wouldn’t dare,” she said indignantly and gasped when he nodded.
“Watch me,” Samson said, and he took off for the living room with Risa hot on his heels.
“Samson,” Risa said in her best whiny voice. But she nearly slammed into his back as Samson came to an abrupt halt just inside the living room.
“Risa go into my office, lock the door and call Conner. Tell him to get back here now. Just press two on the phone,” Samson barked harshly. “Stay there until I come and get you.”
“Samson what are you . . .,” Risa said, smiling as she ducked under his arm before he could stop her, and then froze in horror. One the floor in the walkway behind the couch was a crude pentagram made from dirt and undergrowth. In the center was a dead cat that had been split open, and blood coated its matted fur. Bile rose in Risa’s throat and her body began to shake. Horrible images began to rain down on her. As if in pain, she bowed her body and wrapped her arms around herself. She was going down fast.
Samson heard a low, pitiful moan come from Risa and cursed. He grabbed her up into his arms and ran for his office. He put her gently on the leather couch. She looked so lost and scared, he cursed again. He yanked the phone up and called Conner. “Get the fuck back here, both of you, and find out where the hell Chris is.” He slammed the phone back in its cradle and went back to Risa and knelt down in front of her.
Cupping Risa’s face, Samson was shocked at how cold her skin was. He tried to reach her. “Baby it’s okay. I’ve got you. We’re safe in here and Conner and Mik are only minutes away. We’ll get this bastard. I promise you.” Samson reached down and rubbed her cold hands. “I’m going to lock you i
n here and go take a look around, Baby,” Samson said, but no sooner had he gotten the words out of his mouth, Risa wrapped her arms convulsively around his neck in a death grip.
“No, no, no, no, don’t go out there. It’s what he wants,” she cried out instinctively, knowing Samson would be killed as soon as he stepped outside the house. Her voice was filled with terror. “Please don’t go, please don’t go,” she kept saying and tightened her grip even more. She could feel him. He was waiting out there. He wanted a target. Samson reluctantly agreed, but it took everything in him to wait inside the house with her.
Minutes later, they heard Conner at the front of the house and called out to let him know where they were. Conner and Mik burst into the room, both of them pale from what they’d seen in the living room. “Get the Sheriff out here, but make sure he brings his best trackers, not those losers he brought out here last time,” Samson said as calmly as he could, still holding Risa close. “Call in every favor we’re owed. I want this bastard caught.”
Suddenly, Risa jerked away from Samson. “We have to find my dad. Oh God, what if he got to Daddy?” she moaned and bent nearly in-half with pain.
Conner was dialing his phone with shaking fingers. “Risa, I’m calling him right now. Hold on, Sweetheart.” Conner gripped the phone, praying he’d get an answer. His breath blew out of his body as he heard Bill answer on the other end.
“Hey Conner, what’s up?” Bill said good-naturedly.