by Kahlen Aymes
Angel swallowed and quickly pushed the angry tears off her cheeks. More than ever, she wanted to put Mark Swanson behind bars. She’d never hated anyone so much in her life. She left her cases in the hall and quickly rummaged around in Alex’s kitchen for a plastic bag. Careful to only touch the edge of the duct tape, she pulled the note from the fridge and tucked it inside the bag, zipping it closed.
She gathered her things and ran from the house as if her life depended on it, frantically resetting the alarm. She struggled to the car, laden with her things.
Alex.
How would she explain this if she couldn’t get Max back? She was still trembling, and silent tears still fell from her eyes. She was as terrified as she was angry. She wanted to talk to Alex but had no idea what she would say.
“Oh, God,” she groaned as her car raced back into the city. Dawn was barely breaking, and soon she found herself in the garage of her own building, unsure of how she’d gotten there or why. Her hands gripped the steering wheel and her head fell onto them as sobs overtook her. She needed to call Kenneth and get his advice. Should she call the police right away? As far as she could tell, there were no signs of forced entry. What would she say? I think this lunatic stole my friend’s dog? And all I have is this stupid note? Would it be enough? “Tell me what to do,” she prayed aloud. Is it better to let Alex think Max ran away and keep him out of this? I couldn’t handle it if anything happened to him.
She longed for Alex’s presence. For the first time in years, she wanted someone else to wrap their arms around her and make everything go away.
“What is happening to me?” she said aloud. She grabbed her phone from her purse as she climbed out of the car and ran to the elevator. Alex had called twice on each phone. She struggled between her desire to call him and tell him everything and her need not to worry him. In the end, the latter won out and she dialed Kenneth’s number, instead. She needed someone by her side when she called Swanson.
“Angel? It’s so early. Are you okay?”
“Not really,” her voice cracked. “Can you come over? Now?”
Thankfully, he didn’t ask any questions. “Yes, I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“Thanks.”
The elevator doors opened and she stepped into the hallway leading to her apartment. It was quiet, completely deserted, but there was the faintest sound of whining from around the corner. Her heart dropped and she broke into a run, stopping when she saw Max on a very short lead chained to her door. It was tight and he could barely move, his mouth muzzled with silver duct tape, his golden brown eyes pleading.
“Oh, Max! Thank God!” She quickly closed the distance between them and fell to her knees, frantically working the leash free of the door. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his head before burying her face in his fur. It soaked up her tears as she clutched at him, and he whimpered again. “Max, my sweet boy. What did that bastard do to you?”
As if he understood, the dog put both of his front paws on her arms, resting his head against hers. Angel hugged him tighter and ruffled his fur gently. “I’m so happy to see you, boy,” she said gently as she led him into her apartment and locked the door behind them. She threw her purse down and went to the kitchen, returning in seconds with paper towels and olive oil. “Come here, Maxy. Let’s get this crap off your face. Poor baby; come.”
After several minutes of trying, Angel only had the edge of the tape loosened, her heart hammered painfully. She was so thankful Max was okay and she wouldn’t have to tell Alex any of it. The dog was incredibly patient, sitting and letting her work, his eyes full of trust as she massaged the oil into his fur and tried to pull the tape free without hurting him. “How can anyone be this mean?” she muttered. “That sick bastard is evil.”
When Kenneth arrived, she met him at the door and Max followed, never leaving Angel’s side. Ken looked rumpled, his clothes wrinkled and his hair uncombed. “What’s wrong?” he asked urgently as he folded her in his arms. She couldn’t help it; tears burned her eyes again and a small sob broke from her chest. He’d never seen her so shaken.
“It was Mark Swanson! I was house sitting and he took Max!”
Kenneth’s eyes dropped to the animal with the silver tape still half wrapped, half dangling from his muzzle and he frowned over Angel’s shoulder. “It was Swanson? Are you sure?”
“It had to be him or his goons. He warned me something would happen when he was in my office earlier this week.”
“What the hell? I’ve never seen you this upset. And why didn’t you tell me about his threats at your office?”
Angel pulled from him and put her hand on Max’s head and stepped aside so Kenneth could enter her apartment, ignoring his last question. “This is Alex’s dog, Max. Alex is out of town and I was taking care of him at his house. I let him outside, but he never came back, and then I found this note in the kitchen.” She pulled the bag she’d put it in out of the pocket of her jean shorts and handed it to Kenneth. “When I got here, he was tied to my door with the duct tape all over his face.”
“You’re off the case,” Kenneth said abruptly. His expression hardened as he read the note and her eyes widened at his response.
“No! I can’t let that fucker win.” She walked back into the living room and resumed her place on the floor, continuing to work on Max.
“Angel! It could have been you! He’s just proven he can breach security here and at Avery’s estate. Think about it!”
“I can’t let him get away with the horrible things he does, Kenneth. Please. I mean, just look at this! Children and helpless animals? I hate that sick bastard!”
“You’re too close to this now.”
She ignored him and continued to work oil into the golden fur on Max’s face, carefully prying the tape away a millimeter at a time. “Who knows what he’s capable of? We have to stop him.”
Kenneth sat on one of the stools by her counter bar watching her, his leg dangling half off the chair. He sighed. Angel was determined. His eyes roved over her swollen eyes and messy hair, down her bare arms and legs, open to his view in the tank top and shorts she wore.
The phone Alex had given her rang in the other room, the rock music echoing off of the walls. “Shit.” She scrambled to get it from her purse and answer, but then stopped. What would she tell him? Her brow furrowed and her throat thickened. She knew what she had to do and it would hurt like hell. She stared at the phone until the music stopped playing, wondering what he would say, flinching when the phone beeped as the message came in.
“Angel, what is it? Why didn’t you answer? Do you think it was Swanson?” Kenneth asked.
Angel flushed as she resumed her work. Her eyes glanced up and then back down and shook her head. Max whimpered as the tape was pulled free another inch. “No, not on that phone. He doesn’t have that number. That prick wouldn’t call on either of them because there would be a record, right? I’m surprised there was even a note.”
“Yes, it’s doubtful we’ll find any prints, and even if we did, it’s not likely he constructed it himself. Still, we need to get it to the police.”
“No. What’s the point when we can’t prove anything?”
“The point is building a record of violence against you! You know that!”
“But I didn’t see any signs of forced entry at the house. The place is like a fortress: stone walls, locked metal gates, and security cameras.”
“You have to ask your boyfriend if there’s any damage.” His face was sober and Angel could see the hurt in his expression.
“Alex isn’t exactly my boyfriend.”
“Spare me the details.”
“In any case, I don’t want him involved.”
“His home was breached, so, he’s involved.”
“I haven’t spoken to him since last evening. I told you, he’s out of town.”
“A guy like Avery knows every detail at all times, trust me. If the security was down, even for a short period of time, I
’m sure he was notified.”
Max cried again as the last piece of tape was pulled free of his face. Angel rubbed through his fur and kissed him after she’d rubbed most of the oil away with the towels. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s all better now.” She got up and went to the refrigerator to pull out three bottles of water, handing one to Kenneth and pouring another in a bowl for Max. “I’m not even sure what happened. These guys are pros. Who knows what Alex is aware of? He’s working on this billion dollar deal in Hawaii; his focus is elsewhere.”
“Was that him on the phone?” he asked, before taking a long pull of his water.
Angel didn’t answer but unscrewed the cap on her own and then jumped as his ringtone flooded the silence again.
“That’s him?”
Angel nodded and picked up the phone. Her heart dropped and her pulse thundered in her veins. “Hello?”
“Angel! Where the hell have you been?” Alex demanded harshly.
“Nowhere. I’m home, at my place.”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone all night? There was some sort of problem with the security last night. I was out of my fucking mind when I couldn’t reach you!”
“Calm down. I’m okay. I came home just this morning and Max is with me.”
Kenneth shook his head. “Tell him the truth, Angel,” he mouthed.
She scowled at him and turned her back.
“Why didn’t you answer the phone?” he asked again. “I’ve called several times on both phones. Didn’t you get any of my messages?”
“I didn’t hear the phone, I guess.”
“For four hours?”
“Alex, stop with the Spanish Inquisition. I was sleeping, in the shower, whatever.”
“No, not whatever! Jesus Christ, Angel!”
“Alex, I said I’m fine. Max is fine. As far as I know, the house is fine.”
“The security company called me and the system was down for a while. It’s functioning fine now, but they’re on site. I didn’t want you to be frightened by them.”
She heard the stress behind the words and her heart swelled. “I’m fine. I think I should stay at my apartment tonight, though. I’ll keep Max here.”
“They’re installing a new system. It’s top-of-the-line and not as vulnerable, so I’d feel better with you there.”
“But…”
“Just—don’t argue with me!”
She sucked in her breath. Her instinct was to tell him to go to hell—that she’d do what she damn well pleased—but the panic in his voice stopped her. Despite the decision she’d made, she needed to see him and feel his arms around her with his body claiming hers one more time.
“Okay, okay. When will you be finished there?”
“I’d hoped today, but no later than tomorrow evening, Chicago time. Should I send Mrs. Dane to collect Max? Are you going into your office?”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll pick him up on my way home.”
“Sounds good.” He sighed, the sound whooshing through the phone. “Please keep your phone near you. I want to be able to reach you at all times. I’ll have someone meet you there to tell you the new combination around six.”
“A little bossy, aren’t you?” She tried to tease him, even though her heart ached.
“I’m a lot bossy, so do as you’re told.” He was indignant and pissed.
“Alex, I’m fine,” Angel reassured him.
“All right, but do as you’re told.” He chuckled softly, relief flooding his voice, and she smiled slightly.
“I only do as I’m told when it suits my own agenda. That’s part of my appeal.”
“Behave or I’ll have to spank you.”
I miss you so much, her heart cried. Tears stung at the back of her eyes and she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “Um…” she cleared her throat. “Listen, I gotta get ready for work.”
“Angel, tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing. I’m just running late.”
Alex hesitated only briefly. “Okay, I’ll let you get to it. Be careful, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes. Have a safe trip back. Goodbye.”
When she turned back to Kenneth, she faced his disapproval. “Angel, why didn’t you just tell him?”
“Because, I can’t involve him in the case… professional ethics bullshit! Why worry him for nothing, anyway? This happened because of me. Alex was not Swanson’s motivation.”
Kenneth’s eyes narrowed. He understood. Alex Avery meant more to her than she was letting on. “No, but he’s yours,” he said knowingly.
“Look, what I choose to tell him is my business. I’m not discussing the case with him, counselor, don’t worry.”
“I’m dropping you from the case. I’ll have Stacey assign someone else.”
“You forget I’m getting paid for this. So, essentially, you’re firing me?”
“It’s just a case. It seems like you’ve got more important irons in the fire, anyway.”
“I need a little more time. I have to reconcile the two sets of tests and write up the reports, do depositions. I need to wheedle him a little more.”
“Until he kills you?”
“He wants me to feel helpless and in his control. He wants to teach me a lesson, and if I were dead, I wouldn’t learn a damn thing. He doesn’t want to kill me.” He’s more likely to hurt someone I care about. Angel tried to hide the tremor that ran through her at the thought.
“You’re so goddamned blasé about it. This isn’t something to mess around with. At the very least, he’ll hurt you. Just walk away, Angel. I’m telling you to walk away.”
“Not yet.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“Where the hell did that come from? In love with whom?”
“You and I both know you can’t play dumb and succeed. Why Avery?”
“I don’t know.”
“Be honest. I can take it.”
“I honestly don’t know!” She paced back and forth, talking with her hands. “I feel all tied up in knots, and I need to keep my head on straight right now. I didn’t want this. Needing Alex makes me weak. I don’t want to care about him.”
“But, you do.”
“Yes, I do. That’s why I don’t want him involved. Swanson would kill him because he knows it would punish me. He wanted to get my attention by taking Max, by showing me he could infiltrate the life of someone I care about, and it worked. His point is made, so Alex and I are over.”
“Angel, do you think he will go down without a fight?”
“Not at all, but I’ll find a way to make charges stick. I’m not an adolescent girl who will crumble under cross-examination.”
“I wasn’t talking about Swanson.”
*****
It was late and the house was dark. The new security system was in place, and Max was on the bed next to Angel as she rolled onto her back under the thick comforter and stared at the ceiling. The soft candle glowing on the bedside table cast eerie shadows all around the room. She tried to figure out how to goad Mark Swanson into a coming after her himself. It was a risk, but her abhorrence for that fucker gave her bravado that she might otherwise lack. Her mind turned to the man who had altered her view of so many things.
Her slender fingers traced over the iPhone that Alex had given her, willing it to ring. He was working like mad to finish in Hawaii, and though she yearned to see him, she also dreaded it. “Max, I’m going to miss you both so much,” she whispered brokenly.
She willed herself not to cry as sadness overwhelmed her. It didn’t matter that she reminded herself a million times why she was doing it; it didn’t matter that she’d been telling herself from the beginning that she’d bleed over Alex Avery. All that mattered was that she wouldn’t be with him. And worse, by the time the case was wrapped, she was sure he would move on, because that’s what men do—especially the sexy, intelligent, strong, and wealthy type. He’d never take her back, even if she begged, which Angel would never do.
&nb
sp; “How stupid am I, Max? I lie here dying just to hear his voice. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to walk away.” Fuck my life, she thought when the tears finally won out.
The phone never rang and as the hours wore on, Angel finally fell into a fitful sleep, her dreams a collage of wondrous touches and magnificent kisses intermingled with fear, worry, and sadness.
A sound in the other room had her heart beating faster when she was startled from her dream. Her hands clenched at the sheets as she sat bolt upright, her eyes wide and her ears straining. The sound of the door to the bedroom opening made her jump, her chest constricting. “Alex?”
Instantly, she recognized his tall form, his white dress shirt outlined his strong shoulders in the dark. She let out her breath, unaware that she’d been holding it, and fell back onto the pillows.
“Expecting someone else?” His voice was husky and she could tell how tired he was.
“No. You scared me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you, baby,” he said softly as he unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it free from his pants. “Angel?”
She watched him, her eyes adjusting to the darkness so she could see his movements. “It’s okay. I wasn’t sleeping well, anyway.”
“Miss me bad, huh?”
Her throat constricted as he leaned across the bed and touched her chin. She couldn’t speak, so she only nodded and wrapped her fingers around the ones cupping her face. She pressed into his hand and nodded again, trying to memorize his touch. His hands were warm and strong, capable of bringing such immense comfort or pleasure. He touched her chin with his thumb again.