by Jamie DeBree
Chapter 9
"Why won't they just give up?" Holly whispered, knowing she should keep still, but getting more irritated by the moment. Her leg was on fire, and the idea that she was being hunted down just because she refused to be a pretend girlfriend was absolutely ludicrous. What was wrong with these people that they couldn't just move on?
Eddie leaned close to her ear, keeping an eye on the door. "I'd imagine the thought of going to jail for shooting and kidnapping you provides some motivation."
She nodded, knowing he was right. Still, the whole thing seemed off.
"So any ideas on how we can get out of here? Preferably before they come in?" She raised her eyebrows, though the look on his face told her he was coming up empty. "Why this door, anyway? Why would they think we're here?"
Eddie frowned, then looked up, scanning the ceiling. Holly opened her mouth to ask what he was doing, then suddenly, she knew. Looking up herself, she checked the corners first, then followed his gaze to a spot nearly above them that faced the door. Sure enough, there it was. A small camera hung high on the wall, pointed right at the door.
"So they've known the whole time. Or at least as long as someone noticed the video."
Eddie nodded. "I suppose it doesn't matter how much noise we make now. We've only got two ways out, and they're both blocked."
"I say we break the window," Holly said, looking up at him. "I haven't seen any shadows pass by, so seems like that might be the path of least resistance, right? Then we can make a run for it."
Running a finger over the glass, Eddie shook his head. "It feels pretty thick. I'm not sure we're gonna do that."
Holly examined the surface of the desk, then saw what she was looking for poking out from under a stack of papers. She reached out and grabbed the metal letter opener, carefully testing the point for sharpness.
"We need something to pound with," she said, resuming her search of the desktop. "Something heavy." Finding nothing useful there, she checked the drawers, and the area around the desk.
The doorknob rattled again, and then a big crash dented the center of the door in. "They're coming in, Holly. We're out of time."
She pushed herself out of the wheelchair with effort, then grabbed a round metal paperweight and turned to the window. Jamming the point of the letter opener against the glass, she struck the end with the weight, striking as hard as she could. On the third blow, tiny cracks spidered out over the glass all around the letter opener.
"Here, let me."
Eddie took the rudimentary tools from her, and cracked the glass in several more places, until the entire pane was covered in hairline fractures. Then he motioned for her to stand back, and swung the paperweight over his head, tossing it at the window baseball-style. Holly looked away before impact and Eddie swung her into his arms, putting his back between her and the window, protecting her from any flying shards of glass. When he released her, she realized two things simultaneously as the door behind them burst open.
There was nothing but air on the other side of the window, and no matter which way they turned, they were going to die.
Shielded by the file cabinets for a few more seconds, Holly glanced out the window to confirm her fears, all too cognizant of the footsteps coming their way. She probably would have been able to make the six foot jump if not for her bad leg, but she was stuck. Eddie could jump though.
"You should go," she whispered, pointing to the window. "Get out and get help."
He shook his head, holding a finger to his lips. Looking all around, he finally stopped and pointed to a small space between the wall and the massive desk. In order to get in it she'd have to slide on her butt between two more file cabinets, but even if the men found her they'd have to move a lot of furniture to get to her.
"Go Eddie. Get help." She sat on the floor and started scooting back into the hole. The men were just on the other side of the file cabinets, and she knew they were out of time. As she started pulling herself between the wall and the desk, she saw Eddie disappear, and could only hope he'd gone out the window soon enough.
Wincing at the pain, she pulled her legs up as tightly to her chest as she could and secured them with her arms. Chaos reigned all around, it seemed, and from the bits and pieces of conversation she caught, they assumed both she and Eddie had run off. Careful not to make a sound, she lowered her head to her knees, praying they wouldn't move the desk.
* * *
It felt like an eternity to Holly as she waited, but when they were finally all gone, she forced herself to stay hidden longer, just to be sure. When she finally began to unfold herself, she swore her legs creaked in protest when she straightened them. But getting out the way she'd gotten in proved nearly impossible, and by the time she was finally out, tears were running down her face and her wounded leg burned as if she'd been shot all over again.
Not sure whether the men would be back or not, she knew she had to move. The wheelchair would be conspicuous, but she tried taking a few tentative steps, and nearly fell when her bad leg gave out. Resigning herself to the chair, she sat down and propped her foot up on one of the metal rests. Using her arms, she swung the chair around and wheeled herself to the door, listening carefully before she pulled it open.
The halls were empty, and she made good time - better than she'd thought she would. Following Natalie's instructions, she found the door to the parking lot and let herself out, surprised to find the same driver who had taken her home from Eddie's house that day waiting in front of the door.
"Eddie told me you might need a lift to the hospital," the man said, holding the rear passenger door open. "Do you need help getting out of the chair?"
She shook her head, but didn't argue when he steadied the chair so she could boost herself up and into the car. Waiting impatiently while he stowed the chair in the trunk, she spoke as soon as he got behind the wheel.
"Where's Eddie? Is he okay?"
"I'm really not sure, Ms. Saunders," Eddie's driver said as he pulled away from the curb. He called me a few minutes ago and asked me to pull around to that door and wait for you. Should I call the police?"
Holly considered that as the car moved farther away from the terminal. "He didn't give you any other instructions? Didn't mention where we should meet him?"
The driver shook his head. "No ma'am." He took a sharp right turn, and Holly lost her balance, falling hard against the door. When she righted herself, her leg numb from the continued pain, she noted they were actually on the tarmac, heading fast toward a small, sleek jet.
"Eddie didn't really call you, did he." It wasn't a question. The sick feeling in her stomach grew stronger as they closed in on the jet. The driver shrugged.
"He did, actually. I merely...took liberties with the content of the call."
Holly glanced around, looking for anything she could possibly use as a weapon, but the car was immaculate. With the wheelchair in the trunk and her leg pretty much useless, it wasn't looking good. Two burly guys in suits were waiting as the car pulled to a stop, and one yanked the door open while the other reached for her. She thought about fighting, but decided to save her strength.
The brute pulled her out of the car and over his shoulder, her head hanging down his back as he anchored her with an arm around her legs. She cried out, but he didn't seem to care as he walked to the plane and climbed the stairs. By the time he lowered her to the ground, tears steamed down her face and she struggled to stand just inside the doorway on one leg.
"Move," he said, shoving at her shoulder. "Don't be a baby."
She couldn't keep her balance and fell, all of her weight on her wound. Bright lights filled her vision and she gasped, hearing voices all around but unable to make out what they were saying. Then it all faded away.
Pain was the first thing she noticed when Holly came to. Her leg, propped up on a seat across from where she was sitting alternately throbbed and burned. Someone had folded a once-white towel over the spot where she'd been shot. It was soaked with bl
ood, and she felt faint just looking at it.
"Drink this."
An open can of orange juice was shoved into her hand, and she looked up, recoiling at the same big man who had shoved her over sitting so close. The can slipped from her fingers and juice splashed everywhere as it hit the floor of the plane. Just then, the aircraft bucked, sending the leaking can rolling across the small space. In an attempt not to throw up, Holly closed her eyes and grabbed both armrests, every muscle in her body rigid with the effort.
"You stupid bitch," the man beside her growled. Holly squeezed her eyes tighter, bracing for the blow she knew would come.
"Touch her, and I'll kill you myself, Nelson. Go get a mop."
* * *
Eddie's fingers loosened only slightly when he heard Winston send his guard away. Cuffs or no, Eddie had been determined to do something if that stupid jerk had touched another hair on Holly's head - especially after the way he'd treated her when he brought her on board. From his aisle seat, he'd seen everything, and if he hadn't been tied down that guard would be dead right now. Seeing Holly hit the floor...
He closed his eyes and focused on breathing as he listened to the quiet murmurs coming from the front rows. As the guard stalked past carrying a damp mop, Eddie raised his eyebrows at Natalie, who was tied to the seat beside him. Her cover had been blown the second Winston's staff saw her in the hallway at the airport - she'd already been on the plane when they dragged him in.
Winston rose from his seat and moved out of the way while the guard he'd called Nelson mopped the floor. Holly cried out as the guard moved farther into the row, and Eddie saw red.
"Winston, if you don't do keep your gorilla under control I will," he called, earning a glare from Sean, and a particularly loud yell from Holly as the mop slid toward her again.
"Eddie?!" She called out, a mixture of relief and fear in her raspy voice. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," he said, his wrists straining at the metal bonds. "I--"
"You need to shut up, both of you," Winston interrupted. He glared at Eddie, then tapped Nelson on the shoulder. "That's good enough. You can sit up front while I have a word with our...guests." He waited until the other man closed the front curtain, and then leaned against the seats behind him and folded his arms over his chest. "Now then. It seems like we have a few misunderstandings to clear up."
Holly laughed at that, a bitter, cynical sound that made Eddie want to wrap his arms around her and protect her from anything else.
"You’re saying kidnapping, attempted murder, more kidnapping and torture constitutes a mere misunderstanding?"
Winston shrugged. "Would it help if I told you none of that was actually supposed to happen?"
"No."
Eddie bit back a smile. That's my girl.
Sean sighed. "Well, it wasn't. All I ever wanted to do was offer you a sweet deal to write a memoir about me - creative non-fiction, I think they call it. After our little scuffle at the bar, I hired Ellison to get the job done, and take care of Pierce while he was at it. I figured after Pierce was gone, you'd write the book, get your money and leave. But you just had to be stubborn...and I'm afraid my people got a little over zealous with the whole project."
"A little over-zealous. Right." Holly didn't sound impressed, and Eddie couldn't keep quiet any longer.
"You can't be serious. All this to strong arm an author into writing you a fictional memoir? Why didn't you just go hire someone to do that? I'm sure there are plenty of authors who--"
"No!" Winston held up both hands, shaking his head. "It had to be her. I had a deal with her agent...she even told me where to find you that night, Holly. We - you, me and Sandra - were going to be very rich and famous, until Pierce took you away from me. All you had to do was have dinner with me. Maybe dance a little. I would have made all your dreams come true."
"It wouldn't have mattered," Holly said, her voice barely loud enough for Eddie to hear. "I never would have agreed to a project like that. And Sandra knows it. What were you going to do when I refused the first time?"
Chapter 10
Holly couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her agent had been in on it the whole time? Why hadn't she just asked? And Winston didn't sound all that upset with how things had turned out, all things considered. She watched him as she waited for an answer, searching his face for any sign of remorse or regret. But he merely looked bored with the whole thing.
"That's where Ellison came in," he said with a shrug. "He's the best at getting people what they want. I still would have called him to...convince you, if that's what it took."
"I still don't get it though," Holly said, rubbing her head with her free hand. "Sandra aside, you still haven't explained why it had to be me. I'm sure you could get other agents on the hook, assuming money is involved. And other authors who would be more than willing to take that kind of work. Quit avoiding the question, and tell me why you're ruining my life!"
Winston shook his head. "You really don't get it do you? I guess I should have realized you probably don't read your own mail, but you'd think someone would have showed you, at least." He reached into his jacket pocket, and Holly flinched as he pulled out a folded piece of paper. He chuckled, handing the note to her.
"I've sent you two of these a week for the past year, and you've ignored every single one, you stuck up bitch. I've read everything you've ever written, and fallen more in love with you with every book you write. Your books..." he fell to his knees in front of her, clutching his chest dramatically. "Your books show me a little more about the person you are every time I read them. I know everything about you, Holly, because you told me through your writing. And if you write my story, I just know you'll fall in love with me too."
Holly unfolded the paper, her brows drawing together as she took in the bright red heart with two words in the center.
Marry Me.
She dropped it, remembering the stack of them her personal assistant had boxed up just in case they needed them later for evidence, though she hadn't really given them much thought at the time. As far as stalkers go, this one had been relatively tame.
Or so they'd thought.
"I did get your notes, Sean." She paused, knowing she had to tread lightly. "It just never occurred to me that someone of your popularity would have sent them to me. There was no name on the envelope, and honestly, I didn't really give it much thought. Don't you get things in the mail that you don't really take seriously?"
His eyes went cold, and he stood, backing away. "So your answer is no, I assume?"
"Answer to what?" Eddie called from behind her. Holly twitched at his voice - she'd forgotten he was there. "Holly, are you okay? What did he say to you?"
Holly wished she could just close her eyes and make everything go away. Obviously she'd underestimated a serious stalker, and there really wasn't any way this could end well. She started to answer, but Winston beat her to it.
"None of your damn business, Pierce. You just sit tight back there."
"Damned if I will. You're going down, Winston."
Startled at hearing Eddie's voice much closer now, Holly turned just in time to see Eddie's fist connect solidly with the side of Sean's face.
Winston fell in the aisle, and didn't move. Holly looked from him to the curtain that blocked the guards' view, then up at Eddie.
"Thank you," she said as he knelt beside her, his hand going immediately to the towel on her leg. "But considering we're in a plane and outnumbered by the bad guys, I'm not so sure it was a good idea to knock their leader out."
He shook his head, gently moving the towel aside and cringing at her leg. "We have to get you to a hospital - this is getting worse, not better." Replacing the towel, he moved close and pressed his lips to hers. "No way was I going to let Sean hassle you for another second. Natalie and I will take care of the guards. You just sit tight."
A shadow fell across them, and Holly looked up to see Natalie watching them from the aisle. "I think you'd better keep this
one," she said quietly. "But first, we should get this bird out of the air." She propped her foot up on a nearby seat, and slipped a knife out of a small ankle sheath. "Here," she said, handing it to Holly. "Use this if anyone gets too close. We'll be back soon."
Holly nodded and laid the weapon on her leg. Eddie winked, kissed her one more time and then helped Natalie secure Winston to a seat a few rows up with some rope. Holly tensed as Natalie took Sean's gun and Eddie armed himself with a fire extinguisher. Pulling the safety pin, Eddie rushed through the curtain, spraying white foam ahead. Natalie followed, the curtain fell back and Holly waited, listening to grunts and the occasional pop of a gun as the curtains danced before her eyes.
Just as she'd given up on patience and started to pull herself up, the gunshots stopped, and someone pushed the curtain open. Heart pounding, Holly gripped the knife tightly, knowing that she was probably about to die.
When Eddie stumbled back into her section, she nearly cried with relief. She watched for Natalie, but the cop didn't reappear.
Eddie shook his head as he got closer. "She didn't make it, Holly. It's just you and me."
"And me," Winston said, his voice scratchy. Holly peered around Eddie to see Sean wiggling against his bonds. "You're going to pay for this, Pierce. The pilot is still mine." He laughed as the plane dipped sharply, then righted itself. The nose dipped again, slightly, but didn't come back up.
"Pity that you're going to die in a plane crash though, Pierce. How cliché. But considering you were never supposed to be on this flight, it's your own fault. Too bad Ms. Saunders has to suffer the same fate. I had such big plans for us, darling."
Holly ignored him. She was too busy trying to get her leg free where her foot had wedged against the seat in front. "Eddie, I can't..." He was beside her in two seconds, and lifted her out of the seat, then put her down sideways across the row.
"I have to go to the cabin."