by Ruff, K. S.
“You aren’t the only one with resources, Kadyn. Where the hell is my cousin?”
Kadyn kicked a rock across the parking lot. “Kri’s been kidnapped again. I’m doing everything I can to find her. I’ve even pulled the feds in.”
“I know she’s been kidnapped, Kadyn. I want to know where she is and how this happened,” Lexie responded irritably.
Kadyn’s hand tightened around the phone. “Wait. How do you know she’s been kidnapped? Who told you?”
“Kri told me,” she snarled.
He shot to his feet. “Kri told you? You heard from Kri? When?”
Lexie huffed out a breath. “She called this morning. I only got to talk to her for two minutes, so I still don’t know what the hell is going on.”
Kadyn began pacing alongside his car. “What did she say? Is she okay?”
“I’ll tell you what she said, after you tell me what happened,” Lexie responded stubbornly.
“Fine,” Kadyn growled. “Michael Garcia kidnapped her the same morning the car bombs were planted at the Pentagon. The lease officer, who he left duct-taped in Kri’s apartment, overheard Michael telling Kri he planted the bombs. He threatened to blow up the Pentagon if she didn’t go with him. The feds recently determined that he was not involved with the car bombs, so I think he heard the news release and lied about his involvement so he could force Kri to go with him. Still, there’s some speculation that he’s involved with a terrorist group. I think she’s in some serious trouble, Lexie. Now tell me what you know.”
Lexie sighed. “Not much. He only gave her two minutes to talk to me. I don’t think you’re going to be able to trace the number because she said she was calling on something called a burn phone. Whatever the hell that is. She told me she’s okay. Michael hasn’t hurt her, and he has promised not to hurt you or anyone else as long as she cooperates and doesn’t try to escape. She said Michael loves her, he won’t hurt her, and he’s just asking for a second chance. She said she’ll be gone for a few months, and she doesn’t want you trying to find her. She’s afraid you’ll be killed if you do.”
Kadyn stopped pacing. The line went silent as he processed the news.
“Kadyn, are you still there?”
“Yes. Just give me a minute.” Kadyn leaned back against his car. He slid down the side until he was crouched on the ground. He set the phone on the pavement and clenched both sides of his head as he tried to sift through everything. He sat there for some time before he picked the phone back up. “Did Kri say where she was… anything at all that would hint at her location?”
“No. I got the impression that Michael was standing right there monitoring the call.”
Kadyn sighed. “Okay. I want you to text me the phone number that appeared on your Caller ID when Kri called. I’ll give it to the feds and see what they can do.”
It was Lexie’s turn to sigh. “Kadyn, there is no number to trace. The phone number was blocked. What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know!” he yelled. His jaw clenched as he forced himself to calm down. “Look, I have some friends digging through all the passenger lists on the flights that went out that day. The feds are still on the case, so it’s possible they’ll come up with something that will help us pinpoint where they’re at.”
“So you’re going to keep looking for her?” Lexie inquired cautiously.
Kadyn rose to his feet. “Of course I am.”
“But Kri said not to. She said it could cost you your life. I think you should let the feds handle it, Kadyn. Kri would die if anything happened to you.”
Kadyn chose to ignore the warning. “Do you think she’ll try to escape?”
“Not if she believes it would lead to your death,” she responded flatly.
“Then I have to find her. This guy is obsessed with her. I’m not going to sit around and do nothing while that sick bastard manipulates her into doing something she’s going to regret.”
Lexie sighed again. “I was afraid you were going to say that. Look, is it okay if I tell her parents?”
“I would prefer to wait on that. I want to keep this out of the news. If it hits the news, then Michael will make it even more difficult to find her. The more people who know, the harder that is going to be. Besides, her parents have already been through enough. I don’t want to worry them any sooner than I have to. I have Kri’s cell phone. I’ll break the news to them when they start leaving messages indicating they’re worried.”
“Okay, Kadyn. I’ll hold off on telling them for now, and I won’t tell anyone else, besides Nate. He already knows because he was there when I got the call. But I want you to keep me in the loop.”
“I will,” Kadyn promised. “Please let me know if you hear from her again.”
“I will,” Lexie agreed.
Kadyn disconnected the call as he climbed into his car. He made no attempt to drive as he sat there. He couldn’t even see the steering wheel. The only thing he could see was Michael’s hands and mouth on Kri. Then the only thing he could see was black.
* * * * * *
It had been just over three weeks since Lexie’s phone call, and Kadyn still had nothing… not a single lead. Still, it was the only thing he could think about, even as he sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking out over the Reflecting Pool. Cenia and Roger sat on one side of him. Mason and Gabi sat on the other. His friends Troy, Sara, Matt, and Shawn sat two steps below. They were waiting for the fireworks to begin. Proud to be an American was booming over the loud speakers that lined the National Mall. People all around them were singing along with the lyrics, but Kadyn wasn’t in the mood to sing.
He was there but not really there. He hadn’t even known Kri last July. They had only been dating nine months when Garcia took her, and still Kadyn couldn’t picture his life without her. He finally had to break the news of Kri’s abduction to her parents. He had left it to their discretion whether to tell the remaining friends and family back in Montana. He was both surprised and relieved that the media hadn’t gotten wind of the story. He had stressed the importance of keeping it out of the news, but he was surprised that her friends and family were able to keep this part of their lives quiet. Still, he knew fear could be a powerful motivator.
Cenia nudged Kadyn’s shoulder. “I miss her too.”
Kadyn nodded. “We’ll find her. It’s just going to take some time.” He slowly pulled his eyes from the Reflecting Pool so he could look at Cenia. “Do you think we should reconsider pulling the media in?”
Roger was following the conversation. “I’d hold off on that for a little while longer. The longer Garcia thinks he’s gotten away with this, the sloppier he’s going to get. He’s probably already questioning whether he needs to keep her hidden.”
Cenia nodded. “Look, based on what Lexie said, I don’t think he’ll tie her up, starve her, or beat her like Morris did. He’ll take a different approach. Kri told me he was an incurable romantic. He was heartbroken when she refused to marry him. He’s going to use this opportunity to romance her. He wants to win her heart… prove he’s worthy… since she rejected his proposal outright and refused to see him again.”
Kadyn fixed his eyes on the Washington Monument. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Cenia. “And what if it works? What if she falls for him? Then how do I get her back?”
Cenia’s jaw went slack. She hadn’t meant to discourage Kadyn. She had been trying to reassure him that Garcia wouldn’t hurt Kri. She sighed as she followed Kadyn’s gaze. The Washington monument was now glowing softly against the night sky. “You know Kri loves you. If she ends up falling in love with him too, then I think it’s safe to assume that the man who forces her into a cage won’t be able to compete with the man who loves her enough to set her free.”
Roger chimed in again. “Either way, we need to free her.”
Just then, the first firework soared over the Washington Monument and exploded into a brilliant shade of blue. The night sky quickly filled with hundreds o
f other fireworks in bursts of red, white, and blue. Kadyn didn’t see a single one. The only thing he could see was the haunted look in Kri’s eyes when he found her crying in the middle of that dark mountain road. He wondered whether she’d have that same haunted look when he finally freed her from Michael.
Chapter 15 – All that I am
Michael woke me up to say goodbye. The room was dark. The sun hadn’t even risen yet. Tears stole down my face as I watched the limousine drive away from one of the balconies in our room. I couldn’t believe he was leaving. I was alone in Paris, without my family, my friends, and now Michael. I knew Rafael would be staying behind with me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something dreadful was going to happen… that the terrorists Michael worked with would find some way to hurt me while he was gone. I shuddered as I crawled back into bed. I pulled the pillow over my head and softly cried myself to sleep.
I woke to the smell of coffee a few hours later. A tray of food was sitting on the coffee table, as always, and I hadn’t heard a single soul enter the room. I stumbled out of bed and picked at the food before taking my coffee to the bathroom. I thought a soak in the tub might improve my mood. I lifted the tile over the hidden panel and programmed the water. I abandoned my coffee on the side of the tub and slipped out of my nightgown. I sprinkled in some bath salts and swirled my hand through the water, waiting for them to dissolve. I reached for my coffee as I stepped into the water.
I couldn’t believe how much I missed Michael, the pain and dread his absence evoked. As I sank into the bathwater, my thoughts drifted toward all of the other people I missed… my parents, Kadyn, Cenia, Kimme, Lexie, Charlie… even little Siobhan. Michael had consumed so many of my waking hours over the past two months that I had given them very little thought. A pang of guilt tore through me when I realized just how diverting Paris had been.
My thoughts slowly returned to Michael. He had changed over the past two months; either that or I had finally spent enough time with him to see him for who he really was. I tried to sort through how Michael made me feel. As much as I wanted to deny it, Michael made me feel happy, cherished, and loved. He managed to stoke a passion in me that I never knew existed… not just for him but for sculptures, flowers, and art… for history and architecture… for food and wine… for life.
I squeezed the bathwater out of the sea sponge and thought about how much my life had changed. I maintained very little control over my life these days, especially over my emotions and the way my body responded to Michael. I suddenly realized there was freedom in that; a freedom that came with letting go.
In hindsight, I couldn’t help but feel some gratitude toward Michael. Before he brought me to Paris, I was merely surviving... surviving my abusive marriage, surviving my divorce, surviving the move to DC, the fellowship, and Justin. I wasn’t really living my life at all. Michael had shown me how to live rather than survive life; how to savor and enjoy the world around me.
My eyes welled with tears. I squeezed them shut as my heart began to ache. Then I bolted upright. What I felt wasn’t gratitude, it was love. I stared at the water in disbelief. It had to be true. I no longer knew where he ended and I began. I needed him as much as the air I breathed. Somewhere, somehow, I had fallen completely, undeniably, and hopelessly in love with Michael.
I remained dazed by this discovery while going through the motions of getting dressed. I stood at the windows overlooking the gardens while I tried to reconcile my feelings for Michael against my feelings for Kadyn. My feelings for Kadyn hadn’t changed, so how could I love Michael? How could I possibly be in love with two men at the same time?
Rafael knocked softly before opening the bedroom door. “Bonjour, Madame Stone, are you ready to leave for the spa?”
I turned away from the window to respond. “Bonjour, Rafael. I’m so sorry. I’m afraid I forgot we were going to the spa.”
He offered an encouraging smile. “No worries, Madame. The spa is not far, and I am certain they will wait for you.”
I ducked into the closet to grab a pashmina and followed Rafael out the door.
His knee rested casually on the seat as he sat facing me in the limousine. His fingers flew over his cell phone briefly before he relaxed into the seat.
I avoided looking at him, but I could still feel him studying me. I wondered if he thought I might try to escape with Michael gone. I wondered whether I should try. Did I even want to?
The limousine pulled alongside the curb in front of Le Bristol Hotel. Rafael reached for my hand as I stepped from the car.
“Bonjour,” the doorman greeted as he ushered us inside the pristine hotel.
“Bonjour,” Rafael and I responded. I tried not to gawk at the elegantly appointed lobby. Rafael placed his hand on the small of my back as he steered me toward the spa. I hung back when he approached the receptionist. They spoke in hushed tones.
The receptionist smiled and nodded at me.
“Bonjour,” I whispered softly. The spa boasted such a tranquil environment, I was hesitant to speak.
“Bonjour,” she replied in an equally soft tone. She reached for her phone.
Within seconds, a nice looking man with blond hair and startling blue eyes was in the lobby greeting me. Rafael quickly jumped between us. I gasped as he shoved the man in the chest. They argued loudly in French. The blond man looked completely insulted.
I was shocked by Rafael’s behavior and clueless as to what the problem might be. I glanced over at the receptionist. She picked up the phone and made another call when Rafael and the man continued arguing. At least now they were arguing in low tones.
A tall woman with long dark hair quickly joined us. She spoke to her colleague first. I stepped back to give them some privacy.
The man glanced at me curiously. He nodded briefly as his eyes returned to the woman. He glared at Rafael before he walked away.
The woman addressed Rafael’s concerns in a soothing tone.
Rafael nodded. The tension eased from his face as he turned toward me. “Madame Stone, this woman will take you for your massage.” He gently grasped my shoulders. “No man is to touch you while you are here, do you understand?”
I couldn’t respond. I was shocked that this was what the argument had been about.
Rafael determinedly repeated himself. “You will be receiving numerous services while you are here. Monsieur Garcia arranged for them all. No man is to touch you during any of these services. He left clear instructions on this.”
I glanced at the massage therapist as my eyes flitted around the reception area. Michael’s tastes ran on the expensive side. I was certain we were standing in a five star hotel and a very exclusive spa. I looked at Rafael. “I’m sure they’re all professionals here.”
A stubborn look settled over his face. “Regardless, Monsieur Garcia is the only man who is allowed to touch you.”
I looked pointedly at Rafael’s hand. He was still gripping my shoulders. He jerked his hands away, as if scalded. I didn’t say another word as I followed the woman back to my room.
My entire body was massaged, scrubbed, and waxed. The staff offered me sparkling water and a variety of cheeses and grapes before painting my nails. I received a rather lengthy facial. Then they whisked me off to a private courtyard for a glass of white wine and a decadent three course meal. The first course included field greens, endives, pears, pecans, and dandelion leaves, which were drizzled with a honey vinaigrette dressing. The main course included a hickory smoked salmon nestled in a bed of wild rice. They served a small fruit tart and coffee for dessert.
As soon as I finished dinner, they led me to an all white salon where they washed, trimmed, and styled my hair. By the time they were finished applying my makeup, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me in the mirror. My soft messy waves and casual makeup had been replaced by a long, straight sheet of glossy blond hair and makeup that was elegant and refined. My skin literally glowed.
“Mon Dieu,” Rafael gasped when th
ey finally led me back to the lobby.
I winced as his cell phone hit the floor. He quickly scrambled to pick it up. I stood there awkwardly until he rose from his chair.
Rafael continued gaping at me as he paid the receptionist. She handed him a large bag of makeup and skin care products, which he handed to me. As he helped me into the car, he whispered, “If only Monsieur Garcia could see you now.”
* * * * * *
I tried to recreate the look the next morning. The task required considerable effort, but with the bag of supplies they’d sent home with me, I was able to accomplish nearly the same result. I hadn’t decided whether to keep all the changes. I was rather fond of my messy waves, but I did want Michael to see the new look, especially given Rafael’s response.
I ate breakfast before joining Theron in the garden terrace. Rafael didn’t say a word as he followed me down the hall. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept. If he had, he certainly hadn’t slept very well. I wondered whether he had stayed up all night, guarding the room as Michael had promised he would. I felt like an idiot for being so insecure and making such a selfish request.
I practiced speaking French while I helped Theron prune the flowers. I washed my hands and settled back inside the bedroom to read my Kindle a few hours later. The Kindle proved to be a lost cause. Michael was supposed to arrive soon. I was both anxious and terrified to see him. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I had fallen in love with him. I was seriously questioning whether I should tell him and more than a little worried he would follow through on his plan to consummate our relationship.
Rafael knocked on the door. “Madame Stone?”
“Oui?” I responded, glancing up at the door.