The Protector

by Stormi Lewis

  “First of all, if you’re going crazy, then I’m going right along with you,” James chuckled, kissing the back of her neck. “I have never believed that people just leave you after they pass. I think they remain our guardian angles and come in any way that we need them to,” he added softly. “I think that your parents clearly knew what you would be up against, and went through great lengths to make sure you would never truly be left to fight it all alone. You hear all the time how loved ones visit those in need in their dreams. It doesn’t make you crazy, Babe. It makes you loved and protected,” James finished.

  Sophie rolled over to face him, still remaining wrapped up in his arms. “Dad said she broke the rules, and had to pay some sort of price,” Sophie whispered. “She did it because the man with the cane was too close.” She lowered her eyes to stare at James’ bare chest. “I wasn’t careful enough, and now I may never see her again,” Sophie choked up again.

  James pulled her even closer to him. “Do you really think Jess is going to let that be her only option?” he whispered softly and kissed Sophie on her head. “We both know where your stubbornness comes from,” he said with a smile.

  Sophie laughed, and his heart warmed at the sound. “No,” she replied softly. “Probably not.”

  “So, why don’t we get some rest. We can come up with all the plans you want to tomorrow. Right now, I just want to hold onto the girl that I love more than anything and fall asleep with her in my arms,” James whispered softly and kissed Sophie on top of her head again.

  “You keep talking like that, and you’ll be stuck with me for good,” she giggled.

  “Let’s talk about it in the morning,” James smiled against the top of her head.

  Sophie nuzzled into his body and found the peace she needed to finally fall asleep. James sighed and ran his fingers through her hair.

  He knew she wasn’t ready just yet, so he would keep the engagement ring in his backpack a little longer. Not that running from a psychopath and dealing with ghost parents left a good time for proposing. And James wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to get Jack’s permission from beyond the grave, but he knew exactly what he wanted. And he wanted Sophie. Forever. If the man with the cane didn’t get her first.

  Jack stood before twelve hooded figures in black cloaks with his head bowed in respect. Black fog circled around his feet as he stood before the council of death.

  “There are rules,” boomed a loud scratchy voice in the center.

  “We are aware,” Jack said, keeping his head down while trying to remain calm.

  “She broke one!” the cloaked figure on the left shouted shaking the ground beneath Jack.

  “She understands and won’t do it again. She only did it to spare her child from death,” Jack pleaded without making eye contact.

  “The living do not outweigh the rules of the dead!” yelled the center cloaked figure as it stretched out a large skeletal hand pointing down at Jack.

  The ground beneath him shook so violently that he almost lost his footing, but Jack continued to stand his ground.

  “I promise you my very soul it will not happen again,” Jack pleaded, knowing what the promise actually meant.

  No more Sophie. No more Jess. And no opportunity to tell them goodbye. Yet, if it meant keeping his family together for a little longer, then he was willing to make the sacrifice in a heartbeat.

  “You have made your case,” screeched the last cloaked figure on the right. “Be gone!” it shouted.

  Jack turned on his heels and left immediately. Once in the middle of a clearing, he dropped to his knees and clasped his hands together. He didn’t know if God could hear him in the in between, or if He could even help Jack to begin with. It never hurt to try when his family was in jeopardy.

  Jack silently prayed, not only for the safe return of his wife, but for the strength he knew he didn’t have to help Sophie survive what was to come if Jess didn’t return. There were no answers. No reaching out to Sophie. Just a helpless man pleading to keep his family together a little longer, because if the man with the cane got Sophie then all hope was lost for the world and Heaven, itself.

  Sophie woke up oddly rested despite all that was going on. Then again, James was always the peace to her chaos. It was one of the things she loved most about him, despite how absurd dreaming of any kind of a future with him was. There were priorities.

  First, they had to figure out what the point of having the key was and beating the man with the cane. It didn’t mean that she didn’t dream of her forever future with James. Sophie smiled and bit her bottom lip as she walked across the bedroom to brush the morning tangles out of her hair.

  “You’re killing me, Smalls,” she heard James growl in a low voice.

  Sophie giggled in response, only making his pants grow tighter with a need for her. He got out of bed and stalked across the bedroom floor, to spin her around and pin her up against the bathroom counter. She immediately felt his erection up against her between her thighs, making her core heat up quickly.

  “Good morning, Beautiful,” James said deep with desire, as he took her mouth with his.

  Sophie moaned with acceptance, and eagerly wrapped her legs around his waist when he lifted her and gently set her on the bathroom counter.

  “How is it that I can never get enough of you?” Sophie breathed as she threw her head back to give him access to her throat.

  James immediately began kissing and nibbling down the side of her neck as prompted. “Because I can never get enough of you,” he murmured against her neck as he worked his way down towards her chest.

  Sophie pulled him closer with her legs and filled her hands with his hair. She gasped as his erection came closer to where she needed it. He moaned against her neck when he felt her start to rub against him full of need and passion.

  “Hold on,” he whispered in her ear, as he placed his hands under her thighs and carried her towards the bed, feverishly kissing her and claiming her mouth with his own.

  James gently sat Sophie onto the bed, only to quickly yank her pajama shorts and underwear off in one swift pull. Sophie giggled with anticipation and glee.

  “Shhhh,” James whispered. “We have a lot of work to do today, but I need you so badly I can’t stand it. This will be quick,” he said smiling down at her with pure hunger and need. Sophie nodded to confirm, and bit her bottom lip waiting.

  James grabbed a condom before climbing onto the bed like a cat stalking its prey. He gently slid his hand up her top to caress her bare breast and tease the nipple between his fingers. Sophie arched and moaned in acceptance. James licked his lips while looking deep into her eyes. She was wet and waiting.

  Sophie gasped and arched again when she felt his tongue twirling inside her. Her mind quickly melted as she moved her body to match his rhythm. She never knew every time could be just as amazing as her first, no matter how pressed for time they were. “James, please,” Sophie whined. She was shaking and ready to erupt.

  “Not yet,” James whispered against her, his hot breath making her need him even more.

  “Please!” Sophie begged, and he didn’t have the heart to keep torturing her.

  He kissed his way up her body, as he straddled her. She was so warm and ready for him. James took pleasure in watching her gasp and arch her back as she accepted him into her.

  It didn’t take nearly as long for Sophie to adjust before she was eagerly setting her own pace for him to keep up with. James smiled at himself, realizing he may have created a monster, but he didn’t care. He wanted her as badly as she wanted him.

  He went in quicker and harder with every thrust, and just when neither could take any more, they exploded in unison as he took her mouth to his in order to keep her screams of pleasure from escaping to wake up their friends.

  He needed her. All of her. And nothing would stop him from keeping her. Not even the man with the cane.

  When James and Sophie met up with Tina and Ben, Tina was wearing a navy business su
it with matching heels and a blonde wig that was twisted up into a messy bun.

  “What?” Tina said in response to James’ quizzical look. “Can’t exactly going showing off my new doo to the FBI cameras, now can I?” she huffed.

  “What if something goes wrong?” asked Ben, his voice full of concern.

  Tina stopped stuffing her backpack to gently place her hands on her worried husband’s face. “Nothing’s going to happen,” she whispered before kissing him gently. “The FBI doesn’t want me. It’s a simple mission, in and out, no dilly dallying. And I have the A-Team watching my back!” she added with extra enthusiasm.

  “I still don’t like it,” pouted Ben.

  “That’s why I’m going as her assistant,” smiled Sophie.

  “Yeah, I don’t like that either,” frowned Ben. “Are you sure these wigs are going to be enough to fool them?”

  Tina smiled wickedly. “Who said all we were going to be armed with were wigs?” She hurried James and Ben out of the room. “Let me do my work. We have to be on time for this to work!” Tina shouted as she closed the door in their faces. “Now…” Tina said, tapping her fingers together like a mad scientist. “Let’s get to work!”

  When the girls emerged, the boys both gasped. Sophie was in a short bright red wig. The prosthetics on her face hid her natural features completely. No one was going to mistake this figure for Sophie, minus her unusual gracefulness of course.

  She wore a matching black business suit and heels. James couldn’t speak. He had never seen her dressed so formal before. He swallowed the lump that seemed to be stuck in his throat.

  “You look good, Kid,” James choked out, unable to take his eyes off of her. “You’re going to have to try to move less gracefully. It makes you stick out like a sore thumb.”

  “Seriously?” Sophie asked in shock.

  “Yes!” they all exclaimed in unison.

  “Huh,” she said deep in thought.

  “Come on,” Tina interrupted her. “We need to get going.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Ben asked pleading one last time.

  “We need this,” Tina said in her motherly voice. “And nothing is going to happen to me with Sophie by my side, so please relax and focus. I need you to have my back just in case.” She leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips.

  “Watch yourself,” James ordered as he puckered up for his own kiss.

  “Who said you’re getting a kiss?” Sophie laughed.

  James’ look of shock was priceless. Sophie smiled her Cheshire smile, and kissed the man she loved with all her heart. Hopefully not for the last time.

  The outside of the FBI building in Buffalo NY was an almost “L” shaped building made out of beautiful, creamed stone and tall vertical windows. The FBI symbol was prominently located off to the middle right of the front of the building, to remind you of where you were before entering. It was clean, modern, and beautiful all in one.

  “Badges,” said the very serious 6’3” French roasted, brown haired muscular tree before them.

  “Right here!” Tina smiled as she handed over her actual badge, and the fake one she had made Sophie. “Just visiting from the Oklahoma office,” she added. The man could have cared less. He was too busy thoroughly inspecting their badges.

  Sophie tried not to fidget. She knew Tina had made sure that it would pass for the real thing, but it didn’t make it any more comforting watching the stranger go through such great lengths to triple check the small plastic badge. Then again, this was national security headquarters, and they did have to keep everyone safe, she reminded herself.

  “Where are you headed?” he asked, his deep voice echoing in the entry way.

  “The second floor to meet with Lisa Doubleman,” Tina replied confidently. He looked them both up and down three times from the rims of his thick reading glasses before frowning and letting them through.

  “Good grief!” hissed Sophie once they were out of ear shot.

  “That’s nothing,” giggled Tina as they headed towards the elevator.

  “Who is Lisa Doubleman?” asked Sophie.

  “No clue,” smiled Tina as they followed the heard in front of them into the elevator.

  “What floors?” asked the short mousy brunette that wasn’t much taller than 5’3”. Everyone was telling her various numbers.

  “Top floor, please,” Tina said politely. The girl pushed all requested numbers, and everyone rode in silence to their designated floors. Sophie knew better than to ask any questions. She was in Tina’s world, and needed to follow her lead in order to blend in.

  The elevator emptied down to just Tina, Sophie, and a male and female. Once the doors opened, Tina hit the floor in large strides and Sophie hustled to keep up with her. This was clearly “all business Tina” from what Sophie could tell.

  Tina strode with even more confidence than usual in her own work environment. Being in a different office made no difference. Tina knew these were her people, and she blended in perfectly.

  Sophie was a little jealous that her friend could feel so confident no matter what, but this was where she clearly belonged. Sophie wondered if she would ever belong anywhere outside their private club of four. She quickly shook her head to get focused on the task at hand.

  Tina leaned into the opened door that was full of agent desks. “Jeanette?” she asked casually.

  “Yes?” a answered a blonde female of average height and build in confusion.

  “Douglas wants to see you immediately in his office. He said to give me the file you’re working on that needs to go to the lab,” Tina said with authority, not even batting an eye.

  “We’re not supposed to meet until later…” Jeanette trailed off in deep thought.

  “I can tell him that you’re not ready,” Tina said shrugging her shoulders.

  “No, no!” Jeanette said hurriedly. “Here,” she said thrusting a file into Tina’s hands, before grabbing her own badge and rushing out of the room to the elevator.

  Sophie tried not to look at Tina. She knew if she did, she would lose it. Tina was amazing! She flipped through the file for a minute or two, then started strutting through the hallway again with Sophie in tow.

  “How did you know there’d be a Jeanette? Or Douglas?” Sophie asked in amazement.

  “There’s always a Jeanette and Douglas,” Tina shrugged and headed for the lab.

  Once they got to the clear door marked “Lab” Tina swiped her badge to gain access. Sophie followed her friend eagerly to see what other tricks she had up her sleeve.

  “Here,” Tina said, shoving the folder at the nearest lab tech. “Jeanette needs this for Douglas by this afternoon.”

  The 5’7” red-headed girl with thick glasses in a lab coat eyed Tina suspiciously. Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head, and she looked as pale as Sophie and covered in freckles.

  “Do you want me to tell Douglas he’ll have to wait?” Tina asked looking down at the tech. After a few seconds the lab tech shook her head “no” and headed to her desk to get to work.

  “Follow me,” Tina told Sophie with the same authority she had used with the lab tech. Sophie nodded and followed suit. They headed to the back of the lab. Tina used her badge to get into the back room that looked similar to a bank vault. “We’re not going to have a lot of time, so cover me,” Tina said a little softer as her brows frowned in concentration while she looked for whatever she needed. Sophie kept watch at the door.

  “It looks like security is coming,” Sophie warned after a couple of minutes.

  “Got it!” Tina exclaimed and shoved the object into the backpack on Sophie’s back. Security entered before they could sneak back out.

  “What are you doing in here?” demanded the big tree that had checked their badges when they entered.

  “Sorry,” Tina giggled like a schoolgirl. “We got separated from Lisa and got all turned around. My apologies,” Tina shrugged shyly.

  “We don’t have a Lisa Doubleman,�
� he said with authority.

  “Oh, that’s not good,” said Tina wide-eyed. “Someone by the name of Lisa Doubleman was showing us around. I don’t know what’s going on. You should really look into that. It’s not safe for strangers to be walking around in here.”

  Sophie fought hard not to giggle at her friend’s great ability to play victim all of a sudden. Boy, did Ben have his hands full with this one!

  “You’re the strangers!” the tree shouted. Sophie went to stand in front of Tina, but Tina just held her arm out so Sophie would stay in place.

  “Listen,” Tina said offended. “You’re welcome to call my director. She sent me here to check out the facility because you guys have been getting so much recognition for your stellar work, and she wanted me to take notes and report back. Now, I can let her know how we were treated and that you let someone that isn’t even an employee show us around the facility, or we can find out who gave us the wrong name to begin with.”

  “We don’t want to be in trouble with Oklahoma, Sir,” whispered a slightly smaller guard with blonde spikey hair and a chiseled chin.

  The tree stared long and hard down at Tina who didn’t budge her innocent act for even a second. Sophie heard him growl in resignation as he opened the secured door and ushered them out.

  “Where else do you need to go?” the tree asked very annoyed.

  “I think we have enough, don’t you, Susan?” Tina asked Sophie who just gave a single nod of acknowledgement. “We’ll let the director know that the rumors are true,” Tina added with a smile.

  “Brian will escort you out,” the tree huffed and stood with his arms crossed as poor Brian lead them all the way out the front door.

  Neither said a word as they hurried across the street to catch the bus.

  “Well?” they heard Ben’s voice in their ears.

  “She was amazing,” Sophie said with pride.

  “Piece of cake,” Tina said with confidence, however, her face waivered a bit showing the toll stealing from the FBI had taken on her.