by A. L Long
Dylan needed to get away from him. Instead of walking to the elevator, she started heading toward the garage entrance. She didn’t care that it would be a long walk to her exit.
“Dylan, please stop. This is crazy. Where are you going?”
Dylan didn’t turn around when she responded to him. “Leave me alone. I don’t need you. I can take care of myself. I wish I never called you.”
There was no use in talking to her. Rade’s only option was to snag her around the waist and throw her over his shoulder. Which was exactly what he did.
Rade could feel Dylan pounding her fists into his back. Even though she was hitting him with all her strength, he knew it was going to hurt her more than him. “Dylan, stop hitting me. You’re going to hurt yourself.”
Dylan kept on. There was no way she was going to give Rade the satisfaction of quitting. When Rade got to the elevator, he gently put Dylan down, but still kept his arms wrapped around her. Picking her up by the waist, he took a step into the elevator. Once the door closed behind them, he set her down and let go of her. Dylan once again began slapping him. Because of her size, she was only able to reach a minimal amount of his hard body. Mostly she was swinging at his chest. He couldn’t take it any longer, fearing she was really going to hurt herself. Taking her arms, he twisted her around and held her tightly with her back to his front. When Dylan knew she lost the fight, she collapsed in his arms and the tears once again began to fall.
Rade wished he could take back what he said to her. He just needed to find out, but given her reaction, she was either a really good actress or she actually didn’t know anything. “I’m sorry, Dylan. I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on.” Rade released his hold on her. He gently turned her into his arms and carried her through the double doors to his penthouse. Feeling her curl into him, he took in her scent as she placed her head on his chest. Rade loved the way her hair smelled and how soft it felt against his skin. Entering the bathroom, Rade set Dylan gently on the vanity and began filling the whirlpool tub. Satisfied that the temperature was perfect, he went back to her and began assisting her with her clothing. “Rade, I can remove my own clothing.” Rade gave Dylan a sympathetic look and started shedding his own clothes. With both of them naked, Rade held out his hand to her. Reluctantly, she took his hand and followed him to the tub. It wasn’t long before the heat of the water relaxed Rade’s mind. He knew Dylan was also feeling the benefits of the warm water because her body was relaxing against his. They absorbed the quietness. The only sound was the beating of their hearts. It was surreal how so many emotions could be soothed by just the closeness they both shared.
They soaked in the tub for a while with no words between them. The water was starting to cool and Rade thought it best to get out. Lifting his body slowly from the water, he climbed out of the tub, leaving Dylan for a minute while he grabbed a towel. There were still no words between them as he handed her a towel. Watching her eyes move to his, it took everything he had to keep from taking her right where she stood. Breaking the connection, he reached out to her. With her hand in his, in a soft voice he whispered, “Let’s go to bed.” Without hesitation, Dylan followed him out of the bathroom and to his bed. Rade pulled her close to him with her back to his front. Rade heard Dylan cry for a little while before her breathing evened and her body gave way to sleep. Unfortunately, Rade wasn’t so lucky. He stared into the darkness. His mind was plagued with thoughts of the only woman who could capture his heart.
*****
Rade was rudely awakened by the ringing of his cell phone. Scrambling out of bed, he grabbed his phone off the nightstand and walked to his study, careful not to wake Dylan.
“This better be important, Richard.”
Richard could hear the agitation in Rade’s voice. “It is, sir. The video from the delivery service caught a perfect shot of the guy sending the packages to Ms. Adams. We were able to confirm he used to be one of Eraser’s men. Peter and I are headed to Chinatown, where Eraser does his business. Hopefully we’ll be able to get more information.”
Rade was pacing back and forth trying to figure out what needed to be done. “Richard, drop Peter off here to watch Dylan. I’m going with you.”
There was silence before Richard began to speak. “Rade, do you think that’s such a good idea?”
Running his fingers through his hair, Rade made up his mind. “Richard, if there is a chance this ‘Eraser’ guy had anything to do with the charms, then I need to deal with this before they get to Dylan. The one she received at her apartment last night was definitely a threat.”
Rade could hear Richard’s apprehension. “I understand, sir. I should be there in thirty minutes.”
Peter showed up at Rade’s penthouse twenty minutes later. Rade was just finishing things up in his study, which included letting Veronica know Dylan wouldn’t be going to work for a few days. Walking over to a painting hanging just above the liquor cabinet, Rade placed his right hand at the bottom corner of the painting and swung it open. Behind the painting, hidden out of view, was a safe. He firmly pressed his thumb on the screen and the door popped open. Aware of the contents, Rade pulled out a box and placed it on the cabinet below the painting. Opening the box, he took hold of a Glock 21. Lifting the magazine from the box, Rade inserted the clip into the grip. He carefully slid it into his holster and lodged it behind his back underneath his jacket. Rade didn’t notice Peter standing in the doorway. Placing the empty box back into the safe and swinging the painting back into place, he could tell by Peter’s reaction what he was thinking, but didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, he gave Peter a firm look. “Make sure Dylan doesn’t leave the penthouse.” Saying nothing more, he walked past Peter, leaving him standing inside the study with his arms crossed at his chest.
Richard was waiting for Rade in the garage. He thought it better to take Richard’s vehicle so no attention would be drawn to them as they drove down the streets of Chinatown. Even though Richard’s Yukon wasn’t as decked out as the Bentley, it still had all the safety features, which included a GPS, bulletproof windows, and not an ounce of fiberglass on the body. Rade demanded the added features before it was purchased. As Rade got into the Yukon, he could feel the tension. He knew Richard wasn’t happy with his decision to go with him, but this was something he had to do.
“Let’s go, Richard,” Rade ordered.
Richard gazed over at Rade just shaking his head. “Yes, sir.”
*****
When Richard and Rade got to Chinatown, Richard pulled the Yukon over and parked in front of a Chinese market. Most of the business establishments could be watched from where they were parked. Richard wasn’t sure which building belonged to Eraser, but he knew it had to be somewhere along the main street in Chinatown. They were sitting in the Yukon for about an hour when Richard spotted the guy in the surveillance footage from the courier service. There were two guys with him. The three of them entered a black SUV parked at the curb in front of a brick building. The building was unmarked, so Rade wasn’t sure what type of shabby business was conducted inside. Waiting until the black SUV pulled away, Rade’s eyes were focused on the brick building. With no emotion he asked, “Ready?” Richard nodded and opened his car door. Just as Rade closed the passenger door, Richard walked around the front of the car to join him. They walked up the block and crossed the street where the guy and his buddies had exited.
Coming up to the building, Rade was pretty sure the building was some sort of sweatshop. He couldn’t be sure until he entered. Once inside, his hunch was confirmed. Before he and Richard were able to get inside the main part of the building, a burly looking Chinese man stopped them. Rade could see he was wearing a firearm, evident by the bulge on the right side of his waist. The burly guy looked Rade and Richard over and then gave them a few words of advice. “I think you guys took a wrong turn. I suggest you leave.”
Rade looked at the guy, letting him know he had no intension of leaving. “We came to speak to your boss. I beli
eve he’s known as Eraser on the streets.”
The guy didn’t move. Instead, he yelled in Chinese to another guy standing across the room. Rade wasn’t sure what the burly guy yelled, but whatever he said caused the guy to turn and walk down a short hallway.
Rade and Richard were waiting for only a few minutes before a guy appeared and a few more words were exchanged between the two men. When they finished, the burly guy shifted to the side, allowing Rade and Richard to pass. The burly guy guided them towards the hallway where the other guy now stood. When they were at the end of the hall, the burly guy pointed to a door. Upon entering the room, there were two more men standing on either side of the doorway. Each of them pulled Rade and Richard aside and began searching them. Once they rid them of their weapons, one of the men led them to another door. This room was an office, and sitting behind a desk was a Chinese man in his mid-fifties wearing a black suit. The thing that got Rade’s attention was the pinky ring he was wearing. It was a dragon with rubies for the eyes.
The man behind the desk stood glaring at the man who escorted Rade and Richard into the room. “Lee, where are your manners? Please bring our guests some tea.”
Staring directly at the Chinese man with the dragon ring, Rade told the man, “That won’t be necessary, we won’t be here long.”
The Chinese man said, “As you wish,” and waved at his cronies to exit the office. The Chinese man alternated his view back and forth between Rade and Richard. “So you have me at a disadvantage. You know who I am, but I don’t know who you are.”
Rade glared at the man, making him aware of their intent. “There is no need for introductions. Once our business is finished, we don’t intend on dealing with you again.”
The Chinese man lowered himself onto his chair and placed his elbows on his desk as he steepled his fingers together. “And what business would that be?”
Rade needed to be careful choosing his words. The last thing he wanted was to get on the bad side of this man. “We have reason to believe you’ve been sending threats to one Dylan Adams. I don’t take threats kindly, especially when someone I care about is the recipient.”
“Ah, so you are the gentleman known as Rade Matheson? I was wondering when you would be showing up.”
Rade wasn’t willing to play whatever game this guy was playing. “What do you want, Eraser?”
The Chinese man began laughing at Rade. “So that is what they’re calling me these days. Please, Mr. Matheson, call me Mr. Wu.” There was a slight hesitation before the Chinese man continued, “I’m only interested in getting back what is rightfully mine.”
Rade began standing. “Look, Mr. Wu or whatever your name is, I’m not sure what you think she has, but whatever it is, she doesn’t have it.”
Mr. Wu began moving his hands up and down as he suggested Rade take a seat. When he saw Rade taking his suggestion, he once again began talking. “Well then, we have a bit of a problem, Mr. Matheson. If Ms. Adams doesn’t have what I want, then it will be up to her to get it. That is, if she has any regard for what she cares about.”
Rade didn’t like what he was hearing. It still sounded more like another threat. There was no dealing with this man. “How much with it cost for you to leave Dylan alone?”
Mr. Wu didn’t say a word to Rade; instead he wrote an amount on a piece of paper and slid it across his desk to Rade. Rade picked up the note and looked at it. Mr. Wu wrote the amount of five million dollars on the paper.
Rade looked up at Mr. Wu with disgust and said one word. “Done.”
Rade got the account information from Mr. Wu so the funds could be transferred into his account. “Just so we are clear, Mr. Wu, if anything happens to Dylan, I will be back, and I won’t be paying you off.”
Mr. Wu looked at Rade with a haughty look. “I’m hoping you didn’t just threaten me, Mr. Matheson.”
Rade couldn’t stand being in this room any longer. Taking the hint, Richard got up from his chair and began following Rade to the door.
Before Rade and Richard got to the door, Mr. Wu gave one more piece of information. “Just so you’re aware, Mr. Matheson, I never send threats. All my business matters are worked out in person.”
On the way back to the car Rade was repulsed that Dylan’s dead fiancé cost him so much money. It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford to pay the debt; it was the thought of paying even a cent for the scumbag that made him sick. There was also the fact that a total of ten million was taken. With Michael Stewart still having the full ten million, he could be anywhere. Now more than ever, Rade needed to find him.
Heading back to the Yukon, Rade knew this whole situation with Dylan and Michael was getting out of hand. “Richard, we need to locate Mr. Stewart. I don’t care what it takes, we need to find him and settle this once and for all.” Richard knew this problem had been bothering Rade for some time. Holding his own opinion to himself, Richard shook his head in agreement as he clicked the key fob to open the locked doors. “Yes, sir. I will use all available resources to find him. We will find him, sir.”
Driving back to the penthouse, Rade got in touch with Peter to check on Dylan. “Peter, Rade… How is Dylan doing?”
Rade waited for his reply. “She must be still resting. Let me check while I have you on the phone.” Peter went to check on Dylan. When he got to Rade’s room, he tapped lightly on the door. There was no response from the other side. Turning the knob and opening the door, he could see that she wasn’t in the bed. Noticing that the bathroom door was closed, he walked up to the door and placed his ear to it. Still he heard nothing inside. Knocking lightly, he waited for a response. There was no sound. Turning the handle, he quietly opened the door and looked inside. Again, no sign of Dylan.
Peter searched every room of the penthouse before he got back to Rade. “Sir, I’m afraid she has left.”
Angered by the information he just received, Rade only said two words to Peter. “Find her.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Dylan took in a deep breath. She escaped the penthouse without Peter knowing. She almost blew it when she strolled into the living area in search of Rade. When she saw Peter sitting on a chair facing the windows, she knew Rade instructed him to watch her. It was her perfect chance. She needed to take control of her life and find out for herself who was threatening her. Her first stop was going to be her apartment. Even though Rade didn’t think it was safe, she had to change her clothes. She also needed to search jewelry stores to see if she could find any that carried charms like the ones she received.
Reaching her apartment building, she paid the taxi driver and headed to her apartment. Within minutes of entering, she was changed and ready to search the net. There were only three jewelry stores that carried the same kind of charms. She thought if she could find out who purchased them, she could find out what they wanted.
As she got into her car, she heard her phone going off. It was Rade. If he found out what she was up to, he would be furious. Instead of answering his call she decided she would send him a short text. I’m fine, Rade, just running a few errands. Hopefully that text would ease his mind. Dylan heard her phone ping with an incoming text. ANSWER YOUR DAMN PHONE. Within seconds her phone began to ring.
“Rade, like I said, I’m fine,” Dylan assured him.
“Dylan, there’s a reason I had Peter at the penthouse. You should have stayed put. I don’t think you realize how much danger you’re in. Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
Rolling her eyes Dylan let him have it. “Rade, it’s not up to you to tell me what I should have or shouldn’t have done. This is my life. I’m not going to be held up in your penthouse. I can take care of myself.”
“Don’t…” Before he could finish his sentence, Dylan hung up on him.
Rade took his cell phone and scrolled through the GPS app attached to Dylan’s phone. The only thing he could hope was she didn’t turn it off. Staring down at his phone, his prayers were answered. She still had her phone turned on. If she wasn�
��t going to listen to him, he was going to keep an eye on her. Rade was still in Richard’s Yukon, so he instructed Richard where he needed to drive. The GPS on Dylan’s phone led them to a jewelry store on Fifth Avenue. Rade couldn’t see her car, but that didn’t mean she didn’t pull into a parking lot. Rade’s GPS still showed she was in this area, so he had Richard pull over to the curb. Stepping out of the vehicle, Rade pulled some change out of his pocket and fed the meter.
He wasn’t sure what Dylan was up to, but he didn’t feel good about it. Keeping an eye on the jewelry store she slipped into, Rade saw her exit moments later. Not taking his eyes off her, he saw she was looking down at a piece of paper. It must have been an address by the way Dylan kept looking up and down the street. Seeing her walk away from them up the street, he instructed Richard to follow her. Five blocks later, Dylan entered another jewelry store. Once again, Rade signaled for Richard to pull over. Rade didn’t have enough change to feed the meter, so he held out his hand to Richard. Richard knew right away what he wanted. Digging in his pocket, Richard pulled out some change and handed it over to Rade. Glancing over to the jewelry store Dylan just entered, he once again fed the parking meter and waited. She was in the store for some time before she exited. Rade was pretty sure Dylan was trying to find information on the charms.
Dylan began walking back in the direction she came from. Richard pulled away from the curb and circled around the next block. Somehow they lost sight of her. She was no longer walking on the sidewalk. There were a lot of people around, but Rade couldn’t see her anywhere. Looking at his phone, she was traveling toward Sixth Avenue. With his sight finally on her, she was heading into a guarded parking lot.
They waited until she pulled out of the lot. Richard was sure to keep a safe distance behind her. Rade thought for sure she was heading back to his penthouse, but instead she turned on one of the streets that went to Central Park. Still following her, he wasn’t sure where she was going. Watching the GPS, her movement stopped. Rade motioned for Richard to pull into the parking area of the park where he noticed her car. Pointing to the parking space next to her car, Richard pulled in and parked the Yukon. Rade grabbed the door handle and opened the door. Before shutting it behind him, Rade pulled his handgun from behind his back and handed it over to Richard. “I don’t think I’ll need this. I’ll ride home with Dylan. Don’t wait up.” Richard took the gun and placed it in the glove compartment. “Very well, sir.”