A few worried, local shopkeepers were making some rumblings and needed their voices to be heard. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy to assuage their insecurities, but as he drove his silver Mercedes through the city streets he was sure he’d be able to reassure them that the park would benefit their business.
His cell phone rang, interrupting his thoughts, and a glance at the dashboard screen told him it was Sophie.
“Hi Sophie. What’s up?”
“Zander, are you almost at the project?” she asked.
“I am. You sound stressed. Has something happened?”
“I’m not stressed, I’m just, well, I just had a very strange call.”
“Tell me.”
“It was a woman. She said her name was Gabriela and she sounded upset.”
Zander’s pulse flashed into overdrive.
“Go on,” he urged.
“She asked that you meet her at Ziegold’s grocery store, on the corner of fifth and Temple, in the produce department. She said it was urgent and to meet her immediately, but she was adamant that you not call her.”
The startling news was making his heart flutter, and he could feel himself breaking into a sweat.
“Zander? Are you there?” Sophie enquired urgently. It was unlike her boss to sit silent on the end of the phone.
“Yes, yes I’m here,” he replied quickly. “Please call Tom and ask him to pinch hit for me, or reschedule with Harry Adams, whichever Harry wants.”
Tom Sullivan was his right-hand man, and Harry Adams was the leader of the small group of concerned shopkeepers. While Zander would have preferred to handle the situation himself, he had every confidence that Tom could pacify the concerned citizens.
“Will do,” Sophie replied. “Whatever is up, I wish you luck.”
He made a quick calculation, determining the fastest route to the grocery store, then reaching across to his dashboard he turned on the air-conditioning. The temperature gauge told him it was only 63 degrees outside but he was burning up. He was also intrigued, excited, mystified and very concerned.
Pressing down on the accelerator, moving the heavy, powerful car through the light traffic, he noticed the sun was disappearing behind some nasty looking clouds, the sky growing darker as the minutes ticked by. It was a ten minute drive that felt endless, and finally pulling into the parking lot he jumped from the car and hurried into the store.
As he entered he scanned his surroundings and spied the produce section at the very back. Moving quickly down an aisle, he slowed as he approached, his eyes darting in each direction. The only woman in sight was standing in front of a huge display of oranges, but she had long blonde hair. There was a mirror at the back of the display and he saw her face tilt up to catch his reflection; as a smile crossed her face he realized, with a start, it was Gabriela.
Hastening his step he moved towards her, thinking she would turn to greet him, but as he drew near she picked up two oranges and dropped one on the floor. He immediately swooped down to retrieve it for her.
“Sorry, how clumsy of me,” she apologized.
“Slippery devils sometimes,” he managed, standing up and handing to her.
She looked at him intently, and gazing back at her he saw dark circles around her mesmerizing green eyes, and her face appeared gaunt and strained.
“Thank you. I hope it’s not bruised,” she commented.
He wanted to pepper her with questions, but before he could speak she took the orange from his hand and covertly slipped a piece of folded paper in its place. Instinctively he closed his fingers around it and thrust his hand in his pocket.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, feeling as though he had just been transported into a James Bond film.
“Bye,” she said lightly, and placing the orange into a plastic bag, she dropped it into her cart and wandered away.
His eyes darted urgently seeking out the sign for the men’s room, and fighting the urge to hurry he casually wandered towards it, moved through the swinging doors into the back of the store and into the bathroom. Once safely inside and confident he was alone, he hastily pulled the paper from his pocket.
Zander, thank you for meeting me. I apologize for the secrecy and last minute call. Please go up the stairs and down the hallway to the manager’s office. The door will be unlocked. Just go in. I’ll be there soon.
Heart racing, he peered out the door to make sure there was no one lurking. For whatever reason Gabriela was utterly paranoid, and until he knew better he would be just as careful. Finding the stairway he took the steps two at a time, walked down the corridor, and found the door with the sign MANAGER on the front. Stepping inside he was surprised to find a rotund, bushy-haired man behind the desk.
“You must be Zander,” the man smiled, standing up and extending his hand.
“I am,” Zander replied, truly bewildered, shaking his hand.
“I’m Jimmy Brackett, the store manager. Gabriela needed somewhere safe to meet you. Thank you for coming.”
“Can you tell me what this is all about?” he asked.
“She’ll be up here in a minute,” he answered soberly.
“I’m here now,” her soft, slightly accented voice announced. “Thank you, Jimmy, thank you so very much. I think you have risked much by helping me.”
“Whatever I can do,” he said warmly. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
The man moved towards the door, pausing to smile reassuringly at Gabriela as he walked past her on his way out.
“I’m so sorry,” she began, sitting in one of the chairs in front of the manager’s desk.
Zander stared at her. The blond hair was a wig, she was painfully thin, and appeared to have the troubles of the world on her shoulders.
“You don’t need to be sorry,” he replied softly.
“I know we only saw each other a couple of times, but you, uh, we had a connection, at least, I think we did, and the thing is,” she said softly, “I’m desperate, and…”
He waited for her to continue but he could see a wall of emotion was threatening to overwhelm her.
“You thought you would take a chance and reach out to me,” he finished for her. “Yes, we definitely had connection, and that connection is as strong as ever,” he said gently. “Don’t you worry. I’m good at desperate. Tell me what’s going on and I’ll find a way to help you.”
He saw her fighting the tears, but taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and looked at him purposefully.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I couldn’t talk when you called, and why I passed you a note, and all the weirdness,” she began, her voice shaky.
“Yes, I am, naturally.”
“I don’t know how to start,” she declared, suddenly finding the explanation completely overwhelming.
“There is an old detective TV show called Dragnet,” he smiled, “and they used to say, just the facts, ma’am. Start there.”
“The facts, right,” she replied, her voice shaky. “This is going to sound crazy, but I have been kidnapped.”
“You what?” he asked, completely shocked.
“I know you think this is impossible. Here I am in a grocery store, supposedly free to walk around and talk to people, but the man who is keeping me has threatened to hurt someone I love very much if I leave him or even attempt to leave him,” she declared, her voice cracking. “He tracks me constantly, in the house there are cameras watching me all the time, and my phone is cloned so he hears all my conversations. That’s why I had to pretend I didn’t know you. I am always worried that I’m being watched when I’m shopping here, that he has someone following me when I run errands, that’s why I handed you the note, just in case. I’m afraid he’ll hurt Jimmy if he discovers how he has helped me.”
“I don’t understand,” Zander frowned. “How, and why? Where is he keeping you?”
“There is so much to tell you and I can’t explain it all now. He is insane, but you would never know this if you met him. He makes m
e wear these wigs,” she declared, grabbing one of the long locks falling around her shoulders, “and has stolen my money, made me sign over my car and sold it, he has cut me off from all my friends and my family. I am his prisoner, Zander, completely,” she finished.
“What is it you need? Money? I’m happy to-”
“No, not money,” she interrupted. “The thing is, he knows who all my friends are, and I can’t risk any of them hiding me, not for my safety but for theirs. Money is not what I need, what I need is,” she paused, staring at him, “Zander, if this is not possible I understand, but could I stay with you for just a short time? Just long enough to-”
“Absolutely. Of course,” he interrupted. “I live alone, and even if I didn’t you could come home with me. No strings of any kind. When do you want to do this?”
“I don’t know quite how to tell you this but it has to be right now. The person he has threatened to hurt is my five year-old nephew, but my sister is away. I’ll explain all this later, but it has to be immediately, right this minute,” she declared urgently. “I have to take off all my clothes and throw them away, and my handbag, absolutely everything I have on me. I’m sure there is a GPS sewn into this coat, or put in my shoes, or something. He always knows where I am, how long I’ve been, like I said, he tracks me”
“My poor Gabriela! I can’t believe this has happened to you,” he exclaimed. “Well, it’s over,” he exclaimed decisively. “You’re coming home with me. How do we get you clothes? You can’t leave here naked.”
“Jimmy knew something was wrong and made me tell him. If it weren’t for him I wouldn’t be here. I’d bring a piece of clothing and Jimmy would meet me in the ladies room so I could give it to him, and he put it in that bag over there,” she declared, pointing to a black duffle bag sitting innocently against the wall. “It was terrifying smuggling things out of the house,” she added.
Zander could hear the fear in her voice, and he found her composure nothing short of remarkable.
“Gabriela, you’re so brave.”
“Your last call, you have no idea, the timing. It was as if you knew,” she breathed staring at him. “Your call gave me strength.”
“This is unbelievable. I’m shocked that you’re not totally falling apart,” he said, reaching for her hand.
She raised her chin, her deep green eyes dark and determined.
“I swore the day he took me, that he would not break me. He has never seen me cry, and I won’t cry now. When I am safe, then I will cry, but now I must survive. I cannot afford to relinquish my strength, not yet.”
“I don’t know what to say,” he murmured, astounded by her courage.
“Zander, this man and I, we have been in a constant struggle, but I believe he has become bored with his game, bored with me. This is another reason why I called your office today, why I took the chance. I don’t mean to sound dramatic when I say this, but believe I’ve run out of time,” she finished breathlessly. “The five minutes I took to use Jimmy’s phone were terrifying.”
“Gabriela, why don’t we-”
A jarring chime sounded from her bag, interrupting him and startling them both.
“It’s him. I must answer,” she declared, eyes wide. “Hello?”
“You’re late,” Connor’s voice growled.
“Yes, I’m still in the store.”
“You’d better have a good explanation when I see you. Is the taxi on its way?”
“I was just about to call.”
“Get yours ass home now,” he snarled.
Zander saw her hand shaking as she placed the phone back in her bag.
“You see? He knew I was still here. Look at the time,” she exclaimed, her voice panicky. “I was supposed to be in a taxi heading home ten minutes ago. If I’m not there soon he’ll come looking for me.”
“Let him come. I was about to say, I’ll call the police,” Zander exclaimed.
“No, no,” she shouted, jumping up. “I can’t explain, but that’s impossible, we just have to go.”
“Really?” he replied, fighting the urge to ask her why. “All right, Come on, let’s get you out of here. I’m going to bring my car around to the delivery dock. Grab the bag and meet me. You can change while we’re driving and we’ll dump everything when you’re done.”
He paused, staring at her.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Including that wig. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts…”
“Oooh, I hate it,” she groaned, yanking it off her head and handing it to him.
Removing the hairnet that held her long black hair in place, she shook her head, letting it fall loosely around her shoulders as Zander ran his fingers around the tape that held it the wig together.
“See this?” he declared, pointing to a light bulge at the base.
“Isn’t that just the join of the seams?”
“No,” he declared, and ripping away the tape he revealed a tiny, thin black box. “We’ll toss it along with everything else. I’ll see you around back,” but as he turned to leave the door burst open, and Jimmy, panting and red-faced, stared at them.
“Connor’s here. I just saw him walking towards the store.”
“You see?” Gabriela exclaimed. “He called, but all the time he was on his way and now he’s come to take me home. What do we do?”
“Jimmy, can you get her to the loading dock and stay with her until I get there?”
“Of course, but hurry,” the flustered store manager replied.
“Thank you, Jimmy. You’re going to get rewarded for all you’ve done, believe me,” he said quickly, and raced from the office.
Zander hurried into the store, then walked casually, looking for the evil man capable of such a dreadful crime, but he saw no one who looked the slightest bit suspicious. Once outside he moved quickly to his car, and as he drove through the parking lot he studied the vehicles, looking for anyone who appeared to be watching the store, or a lone man wandering around. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary he continued around to the back, and as he parked by the loading dock, drops of rain began splattering across the windshield. The weather was starting, and as the seconds ticked by the wet stuff gathered force.
Tapping the steering wheel impatiently, he started the engine, turning on his windshield wipers, his anxiety growing, and when he saw her walk through the loading dock door his heart skipped a beat. She hugged the store manager quickly, then ran down the concrete steps towards him, holding the bag over her head for protection.
“You okay?” he asked, stepping out of the car.
“Terrified, happy, scared,” she stammered.
“I’m sure,” he replied, and taking her bag, threw it in the back seat. “It’s safe to change there, the windows are tinted, no one will see you.”
“How am I ever going to thank you,” she panted, climbing in and pulling off her sweater.
He closed the door behind her and jumping behind the wheel, headed out the back exit of the store.
“You just saved my life,” she panted, her heart racing as she continued to dress into the jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt she’d stashed in the bag.
“You’re sure there’s nothing in the clothes you brought?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Positive. I went over every inch when I brought them here. Okay, I’m done. Everything I was wearing or carrying is stuffed into my bag, including my phone. Where should we dump it?”
“Here is as good as anywhere,” he replied, and urgently scanning the area, he spied a dumpster at the end of a short driveway alongside a small Chinese restaurant. “Right there is perfect.”
Pulling into the alley, he jumped out and opened the back door, ignoring the driving rain.
“Here,” she offered, handing him the bag.
“Is your phone in there?” he frowned.
“Yes,” she hastily replied.
“Take it out.”
Hurriedly she pulled out her phone, then watched, transfixed, as h
e threw the bag in the dumpster, the sensation of freedom washing over her like the rain was washing over him. Stepping from the car, she lifted her face to the sky, feeling the heavy drops hit her face.
“Are you okay?” he shouted, trying to be heard over the sound of the wet stuff hitting the metal.
“Yes, I just can’t believe it,” she shouted back.
“Come on,” he said, taking her elbow. “You’re getting drenched and we have to move.”
Hurrying her to the passenger side, he opened the door and she climbed in, but before he joined her he broke apart the phone, pulled out the SIM card and the battery, then running to the curb, dropped it all down a drain.
“Why did you do that?” she asked, as he climbed in and sat behind the wheel catching his breath.
“Cell phones, I don’t trust them. I called you on it, who knows what this man’s capable of, just an extra precaution,” he said, backing out of the alley. “He’ll find the bag, but the phone won’t be in it. You’re safe now,” and reaching across he took her hand, squeezing it gently.
“I-I can’t quite believe it,” she repeated.
“Believe it,” he said, feeling a surprisingly large lump in his throat. “We’ll be home soon, and you can tell me as much or as little as you want, but it’s over. I promise you.”
He glanced across and saw her lean back into her seat and close her eyes. A tremble crossed her hand, radiating into his, and he released her fingers, but only long enough to turn up the heat.
The tablet sitting on the passenger seat was telling Connor exactly where the Brazilian Bitch had gone. How foolish she had been to think she could escape him, but once he had her back in his house she would pay, oh yes, she would pay.
Zipping through the rain soaked streets he followed the moving red dot until it stabilized, then he’d laughed out loud.
“I’ve got you, you stupid cow!” he bellowed, hitting the steering wheel with his fist.
The rain was splashing across his windshield hindering visibility, but looking through his rain streaked windshield at the bright red neon sign above the Chinese restaurant, he knew he’d found her.
The Romantic Dominant Page 8