Mr. London

by Margot Scott

  Antonio was waiting outside with the Range Rover. Alex slid into the back of the SUV. He leaned back on the cool leather seat, removing his tie.

  “Let’s go over to Katherine’s place. I want to have a look around,” Alex said.

  Antonio nodded, and said, “I’ve driven by the building a few times. Didn’t see anything unusual.”

  They rode in silence. Antonio parked the vehicle at the end of the street. Alex got out, while Antonio remained in the driver’s seat.

  Alex punched the code into the keypad at the entrance of the building, casually looking over his shoulder. A buzz went off and the door unlocked. Alex walked inside, heading straight for the stairwell. He climbed the stairs two at a time, quickly arriving to the third floor.

  He slipped the spare key inside the doorknob, heard the click of the lock unlatching. Alex quietly walked inside, locking the door behind him. He stood in the entryway for a few moments, listening.

  It felt strange to be inside her flat without her here, Alex thought. The place felt empty.

  God, I miss her.

  Alex walked around the flat, looking for anything suspicious. He looked in cracks and corners for hidden cameras, picked up various objects and knick knacks, inspecting them. He searched the entire flat from top to bottom. Alex found nothing.

  He sat down on the edge of her bed, bent forward, staring at the hardwood floor. Maybe he was over-reacting coming to her place. Still, he felt it was the right thing to do. You couldn’t be too careful or too paranoid.

  As Alex was contemplating all of this, Nick Stone expertly picked the door lock. Within thirty seconds Nick heard the lock unlatch. Bingo! he thought, as he stealthily opened the door and walked inside.

  Nick looked around the flat, his beady eyes darting back and forth. Katherine’s flat was just as he imagined – floral and feminine, with a certain charm to it. Nick imagined the look of shock and horror on Katherine’s face when she returned home to find him there. Nick didn’t think she would be too keen on making him some sweet tea after all. This thought caused Nick to laugh, a loud, obnoxious laugh. He felt so powerful and in control. He felt unstoppable.

  Alex heard the loud, crazy laugh and knew instantly who it came from. Nick. Nick was here, in the flat. Alex’s instinct had been correct. He knew Nick was after Katherine. Alex stood up from the bed and walked to the bedroom door. The door was cracked open, just an inch. Alex peered through the door and watched Nick. He was opening doors, looking in cabinets, his back turned to Alex.

  Alex slowly pulled out his phone, quickly sent Antonio a text to call the police. He slipped his phone back into his jacket pocket, taking a small step away from the door.

  Nick abruptly stops in his tracks, turning around. He thought he heard something, a noise coming from the bedroom. He checked his pistol, felt the cold hardness against his skin. Nick narrowed his eyes, pulling the gun from his waistband. He strode to the bedroom, kicked the door in, his gun pointed. He walked into the room, his breathing heavy, his finger on the trigger, ready to shot.

  In an instant, Alex, his body pressed against the opposite wall, grabbed Nick from behind, slamming him against the wall. Nick screamed out like a wild animal, caught by surprise. Nick’s fake glasses skewed across his face, the lens cracked. Alex grabbed Nick’s arms, and again bashed him into the wall with all of his force, desperately trying to dislodge the gun out of Nick’s hands.

  All at once, Nick turned around, coming face to face with Alex. Nick’s wild eyes were filled with fury and hate, as Alex tried to wrestle the gun out of Nick’s hands. Alex brought Nick to the floor, with Nick falling down hard. Alex quickly pinned him down, punching Nick in the face, blood splattering across the floor. In an instant, Alex forced the gun out of Nick’s hand, pushing the gun as far away as possible, sending the gun sliding across the hardwood floor.

  Nick was stronger than Alex anticipated. He threw Alex off, his rage giving him even more strength. Instantly, Nick stood up, grabbed Alex by the collar, lifting him up. Nick punched Alex in the stomach, causing Alex to double over. He lunged for Alex, pinning him up against the wall.

  “So we finally meet again,” Nick hissed, his breath hot and rancid. Blood poured out of his nose. “Have you missed me?” he asked sarcastically.

  “Fuck you, you sick son-of-a-bitch,” Alex spat.

  Nick began laughing, a maniac’s laugh. “Oh, you have no idea just how sick I am. But I’m about to show you.” In a flash, Nick grabs Alex’s throat, squeezing as hard as he could.

  Alex brought his knee up, slamming it into Nick’s crotch. Nick doubled over in pain, trying to catch his breath. Alex brought his elbow down, pummeling into Nick’s back, trying to bring him down to the ground. Nick was too fast. He grabbed Alex by the shirt, screaming, and smashed Alex into the glass door, which led out onto the balcony. Glass shattered everywhere as Nick shoved Alex through the door, both men falling out onto the balcony.

  Alex’s body slammed up against the balcony railing. He crouched, and fell down hard onto the balcony floor, glass flying everywhere. In the distance, Alex could hear the police sirens screaming towards the building.

  Alex looked up just in time to see Nick. The momentum of crashing through the glass door caused Nick to fall over the balcony railing. Alex stood up, unable to tear his eyes away, and watched as Nick fell three stories down, his body landing on the wrought-iron railing, a black spike sticking straight through the center of Nick’s body.

  Chapter 40

  Three days later

  “I’ll be leaving for the airport in two hours. I can’t wait to see you, baby,” Alex said, his voice soft.

  “I can’t wait to see you, too. Have a safe flight. I’ll see you when you arrive,” Katherine said.

  Alex hung up the phone, smiling. It felt so good to talk to Katherine, to hear her voice. It filled him with a longing he had never experienced before.

  He stood in his bedroom, a suitcase open before him. He carelessly threw a couple of polo shirts in the suitcase. Alex didn’t really care what he packed – all he could think about was seeing Katherine again.

  The police, along with MI-5, had begun their investigation into the death of Nick Stone. Alex had given his statement, telling them everything he knew. It was now in the hands of the police. Alex felt a tremendous weight off his shoulders. He knew he could finally move on with his life, free from his past.

  Antonio drove him to Stansted Airport, the jet awaiting his arrival. Alex climbed the stairs, a huge grin on his face. “Hello, Mr. McCall,” the pretty flight attendant said. “Welcome aboard.”

  “Thank you,” Alex replied, barely glancing at her.

  The flight attendant frowned. She always enjoyed working the flights that Alex McCall was on. Not too long ago, they had fucked in the bathroom, a quick, but very satisfying romp shortly after take-off. Now he seemed to hardly notice her, much less remember her.

  “What would you like to drink, Mr. McCall?” the flight attendant asked after Alex settled into his seat.

  “A whisky would be nice, thank you,” Alex replied.

  “Anything else with your whisky?” she asked suggestively, her finger trailing down the buttons of her uniform.

  “No. I don’t need anything else. Just a whisky,” Alex responded briskly. He hoped the flight attendant got the message. He recalled fucking her about a year ago, in the back of the jet. Alex cringed. I’m so glad those days are behind me, he thought. I’m so lucky to have Katherine.

  “Yes, sir,” the flight attendant said, receiving the message loud and clear. She stalked off to the galley to prepare his drink.

  Alex sat back in his seat. In eight hours Katherine would be back in his arms. Alex vowed to never let her go.

  I laid in my old childhood bed, tossing and turning, sleep evading me. I was too excited to sleep tonight. All I could think about was seeing Alex again.

  We hadn’t spoken about exactly why I needed to leave London. But, I knew we would. I knew Alex wo
uld tell me everything. I could sense that he needed to talk about his past, all of it. Alex had called three days prior and said, “We’re safe now, baby. I’m coming to see you.”

  Alex would be flying into Atlanta tomorrow morning. It had only been four days since I left London, but felt more like four years.

  I told my family about Alex a day after coming home. At first, they were concerned, mainly about him being my boss and how this might affect my career. I told them how I, too, was concerned about that aspect of our relationship, but that, so far, it wasn’t an issue. My Dad and brothers seemed fine with that answer. However, Mom wasn’t so easily convinced.

  “I don’t know, Katherine. I mean, the man is your boss. Your employer. And you’ve worked so hard to get where you’re at in your career.”

  “I know, Mom, I know. Just trust me, okay? He’s the right man for me. I just know it.”

  Mom sighed, then hugged me. “Alright, honey. I do trust you. You know I do. I just want you to be okay.”

  “I know. And I am okay. Promise.” I squeezed her hand, reassuring her.

  “So, when do I get to meet Mr. London?” Mom asked.

  I laughed. “He’ll be arriving in Atlanta in a couple of days. I’ll bring him home then.”

  “I’m happy for you, sweetie. And it’s great to have you back home, too.”

  “It’s good to be back, Mom.” We both smiled, and hugged each other.

  I was happy to be back home. I love Georgia. But the truth is, home is with Alex. He is my home now.

  I speed down the interstate, trying to keep my foot off the gas. It was difficult not too, especially given the car I was driving, and the fact that I was heading to the airport to pick up Alex. I shivered in anticipation of seeing him.

  The car I’m driving is beautiful – white exterior, black interior Nissan 350 Z. Sleek, modern, clean lines. It’s a blast to drive, even though it’s a few years old. It’s on loan to me from my brother Paul, who apparently bought it only a few weeks ago.

  I arrive to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport two hours later, driving directly to the private jet arrival area. The Gulfstream has just landed, taxiing its way around the tarmac. The jet finally comes to a complete stop. I hop out of the Z, my heart pounding.

  The airplane door opens and the stairs unfold. A few seconds later Alex is standing at the top of the stairs, the wind tousling his hair. We lock eyes, and in that moment my heart stops. Alex hurriedly walks down the stairs. I run to him, and finally, I’m in Alex’s arms.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I bury my face in the crook of his shoulder. Alex wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me. I bend my head down, bringing my face to his, and we kiss, a soft, gentle kiss. Our lips part, both of us catching our breath, our foreheads lightly touching.

  “God, I missed you,” Alex breathes. “I missed you so much.”

  “I missed you, too,” I reply, the tears stinging my eyes. “It feels so good to be back in your arms.”

  Alex pulls me in closer, embracing me in his strong arms. He buries his face in my hair, closing his eyes, breathing a sigh of relief.

  We walk across the tarmac, hand in hand, towards the car. The pilot slowly maneuvers the jet away, making its way to the hanger.

  “Nice car,” Alex says, smiling when he lays eyes on the Z.

  “Thanks,” I reply, grinning. “I wanted to pick you up in style. I thought you’d like it,” I say, winking.

  “I do.” Alex climbs into the passenger’s side as I slide into the driver’s seat.

  Alex takes my hand, bringing it to his lips. I pull him close to me, run my hands through his dark brown hair, and whisper, “I can’t wait to tear your clothes off.”

  “Mmm…..me too,” Alex replies, grinning.

  “Let’s go,” I say, and put the car in gear, zooming off.

  We make it to the Atlanta Cosmopolitan Hotel an hour later, the hotel manager awaiting our arrival. “Good evening, Mr. McCall,” the manager says, while nodding at me. We’re whisked away in a private elevator to the penthouse suite overlooking Atlanta, Georgia.

  As we walk into the suite, my eyes land upon a bouquet of red roses in a beautiful glass vase sitting atop the living room coffee table. A bottle of champagne sits in a chilled ice bucket.

  Alex takes my hand, and we sit down on the sofa in the living room. I bend down to smell the roses, their lovely, delicate scent wafting throughout the room.

  “They’re gorgeous, Alex. Thank you,” I say, kissing his cheek.

  “Not as gorgeous as you.”

  I smile slightly, dropping my eyes. He lifts my chin, his brilliant blue eyes penetrating into me. “You are gorgeous. And beautiful. And kind. And…….,” he pauses, swallowing hard. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” And I do. Every part of me is in love with this man.

  We hold each other on the sofa, gazing out into the Atlanta night sky. We’re silent for awhile, Alex lightly stroking my back.

  Finally, Alex breaks the silence. “Katherine, I need to talk to you…… about my past…… why you had to leave London.”

  I raise myself up off his chest, looking into his eyes. “Okay,” I whisper. “Tell me.”

  Alex tells me everything – being recruited into MI-5, the death of Michelle and their unborn child. His years of drifting around from place to place, while constantly looking over his shoulder.

  “Katherine, I was so lost, so empty. I used sex to fill a void. To escape reality. I used work, making all these huge hotel deals, to try to feel alive. To feel something.” He sighs deeply. “And I realized, as soon as I met you, that all of that was pointless.”

  He tells me about Sergio Rossi, and how Caprice Belmonte called out of the blue. I listen in horror about Nick Stone, and what happened in my flat after I left.

  “Nick started out so well, he was so together. Top of our graduating class at MI-5. And, I don’t know, he completely lost it.” Alex shudders, pulling me close to him. “I’m just glad it’s over with. He can’t hurt anyone else, ever.”

  “I’m so grateful you weren’t hurt, or worse. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I say, my voice cracking, the tears spilling over.

  Alex pulls out a handkerchief, wiping the tears from my eyes. “You don’t have to worry, baby. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.” He smiles lovingly, and I can’t help but return his smile through my tears.

  “All I want now is to share my life with you, Katherine.” He kisses me tenderly.

  “That’s what I want, too. I want to be with you, always,” I breathe. “Make love to me,” I say, my voice thick with desire.

  Alex scoops me up, carrying me to the bed, and places me down on the plush white comforter. We make love slowly at first, taking our time, then more urgently, both of our needs overtaking us.

  Afterwards, I raise myself up, pushing my hair to the side. “I love you,” I say, leaning down to kiss his lips, his eyes closed.

  Alex whispers, “I love you, too.”

  I lay back down on top of Alex, my legs astride his hips, my arms wrapped underneath his back, and we fall into a deep sleep.

  Chapter 41

  “It’s nice to meet you,” my mother says, all smiles, giving Alex a hug.

  “And you as well,” Alex replies, returning her hug, kissing each cheek. My mother blushes, fluttering her eyelashes. Yep, she likes him.

  My father and brothers all shake hands with Alex. “Nice to meet you,” my father says. I can tell he’s impressed with Alex’s firm handshake. My father always says you can tell a lot about a man by his handshake.

  I decided now was a good time for my family to meet Alex. I didn’t know when we would be back in the States, and besides, I was ready for them to meet him.

  We sit down to eat. My mother was in full Southern hospitality mode, passing bowls of mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables and plates of fried chicken.

  “The food is delicious,” Alex says.

  “I’m glad you
like it,” Mom replies. “So, Katherine was telling me about your place in the country. It sounds lovely.”

  “Yes, it’s a nice place to go to when I need to get out of London. Perhaps you could visit one day,” Alex smiles, squeezing my hand.

  Mom and Dad exchange knowing smiles, both impressed with Alex. The rest of the evening is filled with happy chatter, smiles, and thick slices of homemade Georgia peach pie.

  Two days later, Alex and I leave to return to London. My father drives us to the airport, chatting with Alex the entire drive about vintage cars.

  I listen to them go on and on about different types of classic cars, the pros and cons of different models, and how much more character vintage cars have than today’s cars. I smile. It’s a good sign. We arrive to the airport, the Gulfstream waiting.

  Dad whistles, obviously impressed with the jet. “Wow!” he exclaims. “This is some airplane you’ve got here, Alex.”

  Alex laughs. “It’s not bad.” He grabs our bags and walks over to say hello to the pilot.

  I turn and give Dad a big hug. “It was great to see you,” I say.

  “You take care of yourself, honey,” he says.

  “I will.”

  Dad smiles, and says, “I like him. We all do.”

  “That’s good to hear,” I reply, laughing. “And I’m really glad ya’ll like him. I do, too.”

  “I know you do, sweetie. It’s written all over your face,” he says, giving me another hug.

  Alex walks back to us after speaking to the pilot and crew.

  “Alex, it was good to meet you,” my Dad says, shaking Alex’s hand, giving him a hearty pat on the back. “You take care of her,” he says, nodding towards me.

  “It was nice to meet you, too, sir. And I’ll take good care of her, I promise you that.”

  We walk up the stairs. I turn around, give Dad a wave, and climb aboard the jet.

  “I really like your family, Katherine. They’re good people,” Alex says, settling into his seat.

  “I’m glad you like them.” Sitting across from Alex, I gaze at him. He has a faraway look in his eyes. “What is it?”