“You two have fun.” Wilda ushered them both out. “We’ll lock up.”
“We will,” Sloan promised. He tucked Kelly’s arm through his and escorted her outside. “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Good.” Kelly stopped in her tracks and pulled Sloan closer. “Because I think we should make an appearance and then come back here to finish the evening.”
She moaned as Sloan slid his hands down from her throat to the front of her dress. One hand slid inside and cupped her breast.
“Yes,” he whispered. “Now let’s go so we can come home.”
Chapter 17
Kelly and Sloan went to every event Bryan scheduled for the next four weeks. If Bryan pitched a fit about his sets being built, Kelly simply reminded him that the publicity would pay off in the long run. And the other guys were completely capable of handling a hammer.
Christy and Matt avoided her like the plague, and she enjoyed every second of her new freedom. She and Sloan spent hours together on set and off.
Two days before the Sparks, Kelly received a letter from her parents. They informed her they were coming into town to watch the awards. Bryan sent them tickets for the show and the airline.
She shoved the letter into Sloan’s hands with a laugh. “My parents are going to be here tomorrow!” Kelly threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “I don’t know why they didn’t call.”
“They did call.” Sloan rolled her over and kissed her lips.
“They did?” She frowned in concentration. “I don’t remember that.”
“Yes. They called my cell phone last week.”
“You ass!” Kelly rolled over on top of him and kissed his face over and over again. “You are going to pay!”
“Looking forward to it.” He winked at her and molded her body to his.
“Wait a minute.” Kelly stiffened in his arms. She sat up. “My parents will be staying here.”
“And?”
She leveled him with a look. “They might notice the fact you’re in and out of my bedroom quite a bit.”
“Hmm.” Sloan pondered the possibilities as he wound a lock of Kelly’s hair through his fingers. “I suppose that would cut off my pie supply. Not to mention the fact your father is a large man who could do lots of damage to me.”
“Not to mention.” Kelly snorted.
“Of course,” Sloan continued, “I could have already warned them that we’re spending a lot of time together. I may have mentioned the fact I’m over here more than I’m home.”
Kelly’s mouth dropped open, and she eyed him warily. “Did you really?” she whispered.
“Sure did.” His eyes looked somberly into hers. “They know we’re good together, Kel. And they’re happy for us.”
She dropped down beside him again and held him tight. “You really are wonderful.” Kelly traced Sloan’s stomach muscles and smiled when she felt them clench. Her mouth soon replaced her hands.
* * * *
Kelly’s parents arrived Saturday, and she ushered them into her home with kisses and hugs. Sloan waited in the living room and grinned when he saw the pair.
George shook his hand, and Christine kissed his cheek.
“How have you been, boy?” George’s voice was gruff but friendly.
“Good, sir. Been trying to keep your daughter out of trouble.”
Kelly elbowed him in the ribs. Her parents laughed as Sloan rubbed the spot.
“Pay no attention to him, Daddy.” She glared back at Sloan. “He thinks he’s my protector or something.”
“The term is boyfriend.” Sloan winked at her, and she blushed.
“Ass,” she muttered. Kelly shot him a glare and then turned back to her parents. “We have to shop for tomorrow night. I want to take you out and pick up something fancy for the evening. Will you let me?” She looked hopefully from one to the other.
“Your mother has my measurements.” George looked at Sloan with a pleading expression. “I’m sure you two women can handle it all by yourself.” He cleared his throat. “Isn’t there something around here that needs mending?”
Sloan slapped George on the back. “A man after my own heart.” He nodded toward the screen door on the back of the house. “I’ve noticed there are two places on the fence that could use repair.” He waved at the women. “Have a good time.” The men quickly disappeared.
Kelly slapped her hands together. “Well that was easy enough.” She hugged her mother tightly and laughed. “Let’s go shop.”
* * * *
Kelly woke up Sunday with nerves that jumped and made her feel slightly ill. She glanced over at Sloan and smiled. At least he was here to try and keep her sane. Hopefully.
She blew out a breath and started to get out of bed when his hand came up and grabbed her arm.
“What’s the hurry, sunshine?”
“Busy day.” She tried to smile.
“Come back to bed for a minute.” Sloan tugged lightly at her hair, and Kelly sank back down next to him.
“It doesn’t matter if you win, Kelly. You’re a great actress.”
“Thanks,” she murmured.
“I love you.”
Kelly’s head shot up, and she looked down at Sloan with wide eyes. “What did you just say?”
“You’re a great actress.” He blinked innocently.
“Damn it, Sloan!” Kelly sat across his lap and peered down at him. “The other part.”
“I love you.”
She shook her head slowly. “Unbelievable.”
“What?”
“It’s amazing how three little words can make everything else fall to the wayside.” Kelly leaned down to kiss Sloan and murmured against his lips. “I love you, too.” She rested her head on his chest. “Tonight’s going to be crazy.”
“I know.” He stroked her hair softly. “Let’s go wake up your folks. Then we’ll see which of us is the most nervous.”
Kelly laughed as she stood up and belted her robe. “You’re on.”
* * * *
Kelly watched her parents try to be as nonchalant as possible when the limousine arrived at the house to take them to the awards ceremony. George and Christine held hands and beamed at Kelly. She winked at them, and Sloan laughed.
“Your daughter is quite a hot commodity.”
Christine shook her head. “Riding in a limousine. Wearing diamonds. What a night.”
Kelly beamed at her parents. She and her mother dressed similarly. The sapphire blue gowns were made from the same material. Christine chose a more modest cut while Kelly opted for a plunging neckline and cut out back. Both women had diamonds and sapphires in their ears and around their throats.
Sloan and George wore tuxedos with sapphire cummerbunds. Their black shoes shone, and the black silk evening attire perfectly complemented the women’s dresses.
Kelly’s hands twisted nervously in her lap. Sloan reached over and took them in his. She smiled softly, and he winked. What would I do without him? The mere thought brought a frown to her face.
“Stay by me,” she pleaded. “Even when the pictures are being taken, I want you near me. Okay?”
“Sure.” Sloan leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right there.”
Kelly nodded. And then the limo stopped. She pasted a smile on her face. “Let’s go.”
Bulbs flashed all over the place.
“Kelly! Look over here!”
“Kelly! To your right!”
“To your left!”
“Smile!”
She waved and smiled to everyone as the voices washed over her. She blew kisses at her fans and then felt Sloan’s hand on the small of her back. He guided her through the crowds, and her parents fell in behind them.
They were checked in at the door by several guards, and Kelly tried to calm her nerves. She waited expectantly for someone to seat them and was pleased when they were situated near the front.
The pleasure faded a bit when she saw she was sitting at
the same table as Matt and Christy. Kelly pasted her best smile on and introduced her parents. Other actors from the soap were situated in a tight circle around them.
Bryan and Bob were sitting in front of them. Sloan moved forward and bent to kiss his sister’s cheek.
“Dot.”
“Sloan.” Her blue gaze looked behind her and settled on Kelly. “I see this job has more perks than pecan pie.” She teased him with a grin.
“Hush, woman.” Sloan patted her shoulder. “You still owe me sweets. And I’m not letting you forget it.” He turned around and introduced Kelly and her parents to his sister.
They all settled back at their perspective tables, and Kelly closed her eyes for a minute. She wanted to absorb this moment into her. She felt Sloan’s hand reach out and take hers under the table.
A smile small flirted on her lips. When Kelly opened her eyes, she met Sloan’s gaze.
I love you, he mouthed.
Love you, too. She grinned at him.
Matt cleared his throat and picked up his champagne flute.
“To the Sparks.”
Kelly looked at her glass and frowned slightly. She moved the champagne back and then picked up her water. Everyone clinked glasses, and she sipped the cool liquid. It was heavenly to her parched throat.
The lights dimmed, and the crowd grew quiet. Kelly looked around again, enjoying every moment of the scene in front of her. She glanced at her parents and was pleased to find them as engrossed as she was.
An hour passed, and Kelly fidgeted in her chair. The overwhelming urge to use the bathroom rose up. She leaned forward and whispered to Sloan.
“I’ll be in the restroom. Don’t let them announce the winner for female lead, or I’ll have to harm you.” She pecked his cheek and rose briskly. When she looked back, she smiled as a filler sat in her chair. Heaven forbid there be one empty chair in the auditorium.
Kelly strode quickly to the restroom and tried to hurry up. If they called her category, and God forbid, her name before she came back, she would have to cry.
She finished using the restroom, washed her hands, and touched up her make-up. She hurried out of the restroom and bumped into the back of a man on the way back to the main room.
He turned slowly with a smile and a wink. The pinch was slight, but Kelly frowned and opened her mouth. The dizziness hit her hard, and she stumbled against the man. His arms came around her, and he whispered in her ear.
“Hello, Felicia.”
* * * *
Kelly tried to open her eyes and struggled with the weight of her eyelids. She finally succeeded with a groan and looked around. Where am I?
She frowned when she realized she was sitting in a chair with her hands bound behind her back. Her legs were bound tight, also. Panic crept with cold fingers across her body.
Kelly struggled against her bonds but couldn’t loosen the ropes at all. She opened her mouth to yell when she saw him.
He sat quietly on the bed, his blue eyes feverish as they met hers. In the dimness of the room, she could see another hypodermic on the bed next to him. And even in the weakness of the light, she recognized him.
Steven with a ‘v’ watched her every move with a small smile on his face. He was dressed the same as Christian’s character on the soap. When he noticed he had her attention, he stood and walked over to her.
“Hello, Felicia.”
Kelly blinked twice and tried to calm her breathing. She forced a smile to her lips as best she could.
“Hello.”
“No!” he shouted, and Kelly flinched. “That’s not right.” He paced the floor in front of her. “You’re not happy to be here. Remember?” When he turned to her again, his hands were in fists. “Remember?”
“Yes.” Kelly’s face hardened into a mask of Felicia, and she snarled at the man in front of her. “Let me go. Now.” She struggled against her bonds, and she noted the pleased expression on the man’s face.
“I’ll let you go eventually, Felicia.” Steven stroked her hair softly and looked down at her. “But you’ve been bad. I’m here to help you be good again.”
Fear jumped in Kelly’s throat, and she fought down the scream clawing inside her. At the mercy of a madman. She lowered her head and glanced around the room. What she could see didn’t reassure her a bit.
Every prop. Every wall. Every minute detail of the sets on the soap had been recreated here. Wherever here is. Kelly brought her head up and peered into the man’s face.
“What gives you the right?” Her words were harsh.
“I love you, Felicia. I’m here to save you.” His hands reached over to cup her cheek, and she fought a shudder of revulsion.
“Let me go,” she repeated.
“I can’t.” His smile was broad in the room. “I promised I wouldn’t.” Steven walked back over to the hypodermic and picked it up.
Kelly’s eyes widened as he walked toward her again. “Please.” Her words were soft in the room. “Please don’t.”
“I’m sorry, Felicia.” Steven looked down into her eyes as he slid the needle deep into her skin.
“Please,” Kelly whispered again as the darkness overtook her.
* * * *
When Kelly woke, the brightness of the room stung her eyes. She squinted against the light until her eyes adjusted. And then she realized that it wasn’t real sunlight but only a high watt bulb used to simulate the sun.
Her hands were still tied behind her back, but her legs were free to move now. She was lying down on a small cot against the wall. Kelly slowly sat up and looked around some more. She fought the dizziness she was sure was an aftereffect of whatever drug he had injected into her.
She was in a cell. A perfect recreation of where Felicia was being held prisoner on her soap. Kelly’s body shook in fear, and she bit her lip to try and steady herself.
Sloan would be looking for her. The police. Everyone would know she had been kidnapped. If she could only bide her time with her captor, everything would be okay. Kelly clung to the fragile hope with everything in her.
“I see you’re awake.” Steven moved out of the shadows and forward. His stare traveled down her body, and Kelly shuddered. She still wore the dress she picked out for the Sparks. And now the flimsy dress was attracting attention she didn’t want or need.
“Let me out of here.” Kelly’s tone was commanding.
Steven glanced up, and he smiled. “We have work to do, Felicia. You need to understand my love for you. You’ve lived in your world of wealth and privilege too long.”
Kelly fought the fissure of fear his words brought. He was quoting verbatim from the script. And that meant trouble for her. How much did he know? How much had he absorbed from the soap?
Steven bent down to help Kelly up from the cot. “You may use the restroom. And then we will talk.” He escorted her out of the cell and down a long, narrow hallway. At the very end, he untied her wrists and gently shoved her inside the room.
“You have three minutes.”
The door shut soundly behind her, and Kelly fought the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. She looked around the bare room and held onto her sanity with white knuckles and sheer willpower. She would get out of here. She had to.
Chapter 18
Sloan paced the room like a caged tiger. His hands clenched and unclenched into tight fists. The urge to beat another human being welled up in him until he thought he would howl with frustration.
“It’s taking too fucking long!” He turned and glared at the police detectives who surrounded him. They were littered throughout Kelly’s house with equipment in every corner. Sloan wanted to yell at them to get the hell out of this house. Out of his life. But he couldn’t.
Kelly was gone. And he didn’t have a damn clue as to how to find her.
When the presenters announced they would be presenting the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Sloan had bit his lip to keep from laughing. Kelly was barely gone two minutes before they announced her ca
tegory. They were going to take a commercial break and then be back with the list of nominees and the winner.
Sloan expected Kelly to be back before they called her name. But when he heard Kelly’s name as the winner, and she still hadn’t show up, he stood quickly and walked toward the bathroom. Bryan accepted the award on her behalf.
He ignored the outraged gasps as he strolled right into the women’s bathroom. Kelly could have been sick or faint. But she wasn’t. And then Sloan’s fear set in quickly. He grabbed a security guard and proceeded to explain the situation in no uncertain terms.
Five minutes later, the auditorium was crawling with security. But Kelly was nowhere to be found. When the head of security approached Sloan and took him upstairs to look at the security tapes, Sloan’s gut clenched tightly.
One of the tapes showed the back of a man with his arm around Kelly walking briskly out the door. The security guard they passed was quickly brought up and questioned.
“The guy said she was drunk.” The guard looked from one man to the other. “He was going to help her out to her limo and see she got home safely.”
“She doesn’t drink, you stupid son of a bitch.” Sloan came out of his chair quickly and had to be restrained by a couple of other guards in the room.
When he finally calmed down, he walked back downstairs to tell Kelly’s parents the news.
George paled considerably, and Christine wept openly at the thought of her daughter being kidnapped. Security quickly escorted the entire family into a waiting car and drove them to Kelly’s house.
Sloan stood in the middle of clusterfuck central and fought the urge to do someone, anyone, bodily harm. It had been a long week of no clues. The entire cast of Kelly’s soap was in shock. Bryan and Bob called everyday to check on progress.
Bryan had pulled every string available to him to publicize Kelly’s disappearance. Her face was splashed all over every newspaper, billboard, and magazine cover. And still no word.
Sloan clenched his fist again at the thought of Kelly defenseless against the crazy man who took her.
George patted Sloan on the shoulder and tried to smile. “She’ll be fine, son. Just fine. Kelly’s a fighter. And she’ll figure out a way to come home to us.”
Fire Goddess Page 20