by J B Younger
Dillon looked around the dark yard until he spotted Camille sitting on a picnic table at the far end of the yard. He slowly walked out to where she was, sitting the plate Tina had given him on the table beside Camille. She looked up at him searching his face for answers.
Cam I...I don’t know what happened back there he said as he stood up straight and put his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, I just missed you and I had a very bad way of showing it.” Camille looked up at him. “I thought it was very nice. I missed you to.” Dillon smiled and her whole body began to go haywire. “So are we good? You know that I would never do anything to upset you on purpose right?” Camille nodded and smiled she wouldn’t analyze what happened, it was obvious that Dillon thought it was a mistake. That hurt a lot more than she expected it to. She had been drinking and so had he; she would just leave it at that. Now if only her body could get on board with it. She could still feel where his finger had been inside her and she wanted it there again. He was attracted to her that filled her with hope.
Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWO
Six months later
Camille was getting down to business; she’d already been commissioned to paint three murals. There was not much to complain about she loved her work. She had already traveled to the west coast twice and she was to leave for Chicago in a few weeks. She had only seen Daniel and Tina twice since she moved out they weren’t happy about that at all. She made a mental note to call them, she would get tickets to one of the fancy shows playing in town; maybe a little family time would smooth things over. It seemed her life was falling into place. She even loved decorating the condominium. The only thing that would make her life complete would be to settle down with the man of her dreams, fat chance of that happening with her busy schedule but a girl could hope.
Her phone rang and she remembered that her answering machine was broken. “Hello Camille Elliott, hello is anyone there? There was dead silence on the only end of the line. She hung up, that was the tenth call she had received where the person on the other end was just breathing. Her friend Claire had mentioned it to her about two weeks ago and Camille told her not to worry about it. However, Camille was worried it had to be Luc, she would just ignore the calls and maybe he would get the hint and stop calling. She couldn’t worry about it anyway she had to go home change and be downtown within the hour. They were unveiling her artwork; the commission was for an office building downtown. She was nervous this was it; this would prove to everyone that she knew what she was doing. It had been a difficult job; what should have taken a year to finish, had taken her six months. She was a last minute replacement, after the artist who’d received the commission dropped out. Camille had assured them she would have the mural done on schedule. After working nights, weekends and holidays. She finished ahead of schedule.
An hour later Camille walked into the main lobby of the Steinway building and saw the piece she had painted, it was a massive piece; it had been her biggest piece of artwork to date. She walked around checking everything out when she spotted the man who had commissioned the piece, Richard Wellington was a big man with white hair and gray eyes that never missed a thing. When he saw her he motioned for her to come over, he was standing with his hands clasped behind his back looking up at the huge painting over the large fireplace, the whole place was abuzz with people running around making last minute finishing touches. “Mr. Wellington I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.” He looked down at her and smiled. “I am not here to check up on you Ms. Elliott; I am here for moral support it’s always nice to have someone around who knows what you’re going through, especially since I see that you’re alone.”
Camille could not help but be relieved and he was right she did need someone that could share the moment with her. She had been too nervous about the whole thing so she hadn’t told Danny or Tina. She couldn’t tolerate them witnessing her failure; this was something she had to do all by herself. Besides, if she had told them, then the whole gang would be there, even Dillon who had been MIA since her welcome home party and the kiss they shared.
Thank you that is nice of you she said. So, what do you think she asked holding her breath for his answer? She watched him carefully trying to read his expression; he turned and looked at her. “I think I made the right decision hiring you, you’ve done a great job. Our client is very pleased; I would expect nothing less from someone who was taught by Pierre Bordereau. He sang your praises and he was right.” Camille smiled she felt for the first time that all her hard work and sacrifice finally paid off. The rest of the evening went off without a hitch she even met a few people who wanted her to do the artwork in their office buildings, it wasn’t her first love but it got her name out there, so she could work on whatever she wanted to in her spare time.
It had been a long evening when Camille decided to call it a night; she was still flying high as she made her way to the underground parking garage. The only sound was the click, clack of her heels on the pavement as it resonated throughout the parking structure. After finding her car and while fumbling with her keys, something caught her eye. Before she could get her keys in the lock a large arm came into view she ducted and swung her leg out to catch her assailant off guard, he jumped back just in time. Before she could recover he punched her in the face and she went down hard. She saw stars and felt as if she was going to through up from the pain; as she tried to get up her attacker grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up.
He twisted her arm behind her back and pushed her into her car, Camille tried to think. Was this really happening to her she had to do something. She struggled until she felt the sharp edge of a knife at her throat he was going to kill her. She blinked back the tears. She would show no weakness that he could use against her.
The sound of his voice brought Camille around; she felt his hot breath on her neck as he whispered in her ear. “Hold still bitch or I’ll slit your throat; before we can have some real fun.” When he loosened his hold on her arm she snapped her head back and caught him in the nose he yelled an obscenity, He stumbled back holding his nose. Which gave her the chance she needed she elbowed him in his gut. It was then that she felt the knife as it pierced her side. Pain white-hot pain made her see double. She looked down to see the blood on blouse. Her only thought, her life was about to end. There was a brief moment of disbelief. She went to her knees as the darkness started to take hold of her. Passing out was not an option. Her attacker would surly finish her off. She breathed trying to calm the panic that was creeping up on her. She wasn’t going to win this battle, she tried to get to her feet but she fell flat on her face helpless, as she felt her blood seeping from the wound at her side and this time the darkness took her under.
Beep, beep, beep that noise was getting on her nerves, Camille slowly opened her eyes everything was blurry. Wherever she was, it was not home. Then it all came rushing back to her she tried to move, she had to get away before her attacker came back to finish what he started. A large hand landed on her shoulder. The panic hit her fast and she screamed NO! Then a face came into view. Her eyes wouldn’t focus she had to get away. There was a deep voice one that she would know anywhere. Cam its Dillon the voice said. She was still shaking but she wasn’t afraid anymore. Dillon she said barely above a whisper. “Yeah baby it’s me and your safe I promise, you need to sleep I’ll be here when you wake up.” She calmed down and her breathing became steady, she could rest Dillon was there and he would never let anything happen to her. Her side hurt like hell but everything would be all right now that Dillon was with her. She drifted into a deep sleep letting the blackness pull her down again.
Dillon sat watching her; he had been on a date when he got the call. His only thought was Camille. When he arrived at the hospital and got the sketchy details of what the police thought happened, he called the two people he knew could find out what happened a lot faster than the police. Then he focused all his attention on Camille. The left side of her face was red and swollen; s
he would have a hell of a shiner in the morning. The knife wound was more serious. She had been in surgery for a few hours. She was lucky the knife missed any major organs. She’d lost a lot of blood. The doctor said she would make a full recovery.
As he looked at her; he couldn’t help feeling that same old pull he always felt around her. It started when she was sixteen it had been the first time he realized that he wanted her sexually, over the years as she grew up the attraction grew stronger, at times he found himself seeking women who looked like Camille hoping he could get the insatiable need for her out of his system. In the end; they were not Camille and the need for her was never satisfied. Now she was home and he had purposefully stayed away from her, after letting his control slip and kissing her. He hadn’t been able to think of anything but that damn kiss and the way her body felt with his finger deep inside her. It had been haunting him for the last six months. Not calling or checking up on her now that she was home, he knew if he opened that door he would be lost. She needed a man who would be around for her, not traveling all over the world leaving her alone to wonder if he was ever coming home, one whose job was life threatening at times.
Dillon watched the slow raise and fall of her chest as she slept, seeing her injuries made him insane with rage, how could someone hurt her? Most of all he wanted the asshole who had dared to touch her. He settled in for the night he was not going anywhere. He knew he should call Danny and tell him what happened, he told himself he would call when he had more details. If he was honest with himself, he wanted to take care of her just for a little while. He needed to watch over her, make sure she was safe. As he sat there watching her one thought came into his head, MINE!
Camille awoke the twenty four hours later remembering everything, when she opened her eyes she looked over at Dillon who was still there sleeping in the chair next to her bed. God he was so handsome even asleep; she thought to herself. His dark hair covered his face. Camille tried to sit up but the pain made her dizzy. Suddenly Dillon was there. “Hey what do you think you’re doing?” She looked into his green eyes, as he frowned at her. “I was just trying to sit up, but that was a bad idea.” Dillon insisted on calling the nurse. After giving Camille, some pain meds the nurse asked if she needed anything else after checking her dressing. Camille told her she was fine. Dillon pulled his chair up close to the bed. He just stared at her for a long while. Camille could feel the medication working she was starting to feel warm and fuzzy all over and there was no more pain, she felt as if she was floating.
Cam I need to ask you a few questions he said as he continued to watch her. She nodded her agreement; since her tongue felt thick. “Do you remember what happened? She took a deep breath. “Yes, I was leaving the Steinway office building downtown; it was my first real paying job. Anyway I was feeling great about how well everything went so I…I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings. When I got to my car, something caught my attention but by the time, I realized what it was it was too late. He tried to put his arm around my neck, I kicked out with my left leg but he jumped out of the way and then he punched me in the face. He pulled me up by my hair and pinned me to the car. I…I heard his voice; he said he was going to slit my throat that’s when I started to fight. It all happened so fast.” Camille leaned back and sighed. She closed her eyes as one single tear rolled down her cheek. Hearing her recall what happened and to see the toll it was taking on her made Dillon’s chest ached, he wanted to protect her. The urge to do so was overwhelming he clinched his fists at his sides. “The police will need you to give them a statement. It seems you screamed at some point and that got the attention of some people who were leaving around the same time as you. They scared the prick off. Cam do you know of anyone who might want to harm you? She immediately thought of Luc but it couldn’t have been him, she didn’t want to have to tell Dillon about Luc. Before she could answer the question, Dillon sat down on the side of the bed carefully not wanting to cause her anymore pain. “Listen, Cam I need to know anything that you can remember no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, it could be really important.” Camille felt tired all of a sudden, her eyelids where so heavy she just wanted to sleep. “Cam what aren’t you telling me? Camille tried to keep her eyes open but it was getting harder and harder. “Dillon I am really tired, I just want to go to sleep.”
Dillon waited for her to say more but she slipped into a deep sleep. He flipped open his phone, and dialed Butch’s number. “Hey Butch do you have anything on the mugging? Nope, but what I can tell you is something is really off about this. The man on the other end of the phone said. Dillon didn’t like what he was hearing he had his suspicions and this confirmed them. Butch I need you to find out all you can on a Luc Bordereau he lives in Paris. This has to be quiet just us Dillon said trying to control the anger he was feeling. “Who is this guy, and what does he have to do with Camille?” He was someone she had been seeing off and on, I had a friend check up on her while she was in Paris Dillon said without sounding the least bit ashamed.
Okay I will get on it; we will have to talk about you checking up on her later Butch said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
When Dillon hung up, he set about making a few more calls, when he was done; he sat back and watched Camille as she slept. She looked peaceful and beautiful. He wondered what she was hiding and he was hell bent on finding out. When she was a young girl she told him everything, and now she had been gone for a couple of years and all he knew about her he found out from spying on her. He wasn’t to feel guilty for wanting to make sure she was all right. He went to Paris a couple of times just to see for himself, that she was all right. He saw her with Bordereau once, nothing in his life felt as wrong as seeing Cam with another man. That was when he contacted an old friend and had him watch out for Camille. Dillon pulled out his cell phone and made the call that he had been dreading.
Danny answered his cell on the third ring. This better be good, what is it he said sounding irritated. Dillon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “We have a situation, Camille was mugged, she has a black eye and a knife wound to her left side.” Dillon waited for his words to sink in and he braced himself. Danny got up from the couch where Tina was sleeping and went into the bedroom of their suite and closed the door. “What the hell do you mean she was mugged? When did it happen? Is she alright?” Dillon kept his voice steady. “She’s fine her doctor says she will make a full recovery. It happened a little over 24 hours ago. She was leaving the Steinway building, going to her car in the underground garage. Some asshole came up behind her and tried to mug her. She fought back and then he got away. I’ve got Butch and Zane helping me find out what’s going on the police don’t know shit.
“If you have Butch and Zane on this then there’s more. What aren’t you saying Dillon? You know what never mind Tina and I will be on the first flight I can get out of here and she can stay with us till she gets better.” Dillon took a deep breath. “Listen I know you’re worried but it’s not a good idea to take her to your place, we don’t know what’s going on and my place is off the grid no one knows about it but the four of us. Think about it; you don’t want to put Tina and the baby at risk.” There was a long pause over the phone line. “What’s going here Dillon? I’ll ask you again, what you aren’t telling me?” “Nothing that makes any sense right now.” Dillon said making sure to keep the concerns he had to himself.
Daniel was quiet on the other end. Dillon knew he was thinking a weighing the options. “Okay, take her to your place. It will take me at least twenty-four hours to get out of here. I will call you when we land.” Dillon breathed a sigh of relief, he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her and he could let himself enjoy taking care of her for a little while, that would have to be enough for him for now.
Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
As Xavier washed his face he stared at his reflection in the mirror, he had made a big mistake. He had under estimated his female target. If he where honest with
himself he had been sloppy, thinking he would get in make the kill and get out. His client had been very specific. Make sure he killed the female target. The client had been adamant about one thing; that she suffered. The way she died was entirely up to him. He had to admit to himself that he wanted to have a little fun with her. That wanting to have some fun is what caused all of his problems. She’d fought him like a wild cat. Had he not stabbed her, she would have gotten away. She’d known how to defend herself.
The next time he would get in and out, his client could relax the job would be done. After washing his face; he went to do what he should have done in the first place. He always did his research or at least had whoever his client was at the time, give all the information they had on the target they wanted killed. However, this time he took the clients word because he had done many jobs for this client and his friends. He had the file his client sent him; he never even looked at it. Walking over to the desk, he pulled the file out of a side drawer. As he sat down; he took a sip of the scotch in his glass. The burn felt good it was a familiar feeling, one that let he know his was still alive and that he could still feel something, anything. As he opened the file. What he saw on the very first page, almost made him choke when he read the information. Camille Abigail Elliott was twenty-four years old both parents were dead; her only living relative was her brother ex Military officer Daniel Elliott. He was staring at a photo of the woman and her brother; her brother captured his attention. He was staring into the face of the man who had taken his Brother Nicholas’s life. Six long years searching and there he was. He pushed the drink aside; he would no longer need the alcohol. He would need a clear head for this mission, he was going to kill the female in front of her brother and then he would kill the man who had changed his life so drastically. He would not charge his client for the brother that would be on the house. It would be for Nicholas.