“Us? What do you mean?”
“I need you to get info on Operation Pride from beginning to end.”
“Can’t you just call Laughlin?”
“Laughlin is M-I-A. We’re on our own for this one.” I hung up and rushed back to the hotel. I backed the Traverse into a parking spot near the hotel room door and tossed the luggage into the back. After quickly checking out I was flooring it to the airport, this time making it in less than thirty minutes. I dropped the rental off at Enterprise, threw the luggage onto a cart, and ran into the airport. Lexie’s luggage was quickly becoming my nemesis. A flight was just leaving for Chicago, and I could pick up the red-eye to Vegas from there. My layover in Chicago was brief. I had just enough time to freshen up in the ladies room before final boarding to Vegas. I didn’t feel tired, but the stress was showing on my face. I touched up my nose with a little powder, and reapplied my lipstick. I pulled my hair back into a pony tail then wrapped it into a tight bun on top of my head. I would arrive in Vegas just before two in the morning local time. My plane ride would be the calm before the storm. I knew before daybreak tomorrow, all the pieces of the puzzle would finally fit, and Lexie would be home. My life was, however, was going to be complete bedlam.
Chapter 10
Terrible Terrible Bliss
Lexie
I awoke late in the day. The sun was already beginning to set on the western waters of the lake. His massive beautiful arms were wrapped tightly around me. I snuggled into the warmth of his chest, but winced in agony as the movement sent sharp pains through my shoulder and down my arm. He soothingly kissed the top of my head.
“Good evening sleeping beauty. “ His voice was just as I had remembered from my dreams. Dreams that I had not wanted to wake from. But now, he was here with his grip tenderly wrapped around my waist pulling me ever closer to him just like in my dreams. In my dreams though, we weren’t being held prisoner by a psychotic freak.
“Good evening.” I whispered sleepily back to him. He cautiously pulled his arm from underneath me and rested on his elbow, his brilliant face inches from mine, his hand gripping my waist. I was hoping that he would kiss me. My lips puckered with anticipation.
“How are you feeling? You got pretty banged up.”
“I’m still a little bit sore, but I’ll manage.” He stroked my cheek and tenderly kissed my forehead.
“Lexie I’m sorry this is happening to you.”
“I’m not.” I flinched from the pain in my shoulder as I wrapped my arms around his thick steel neck and pulled myself up to him placing my lips firmly against his. He did not kiss back. Instead, he pushed me away back down onto the pillow.
“Lexie, please. I’m not deserving of your affections.” His face was a scowl. His eyes burned with fury.
My face flushed with embarrassment. “I-I don’t understand.”
He looked at me with furious eyes which confused me further. “Please stop being so stupid and immature! You’re going to get yourself killed!”
I sat up straight in bed and glowered at him. “How dare you call me stupid Thane Ganyon! I am many things, but stupid is not one of them. Perhaps the only thing I have been stupid about is believing that there is some good left in you! You should go now. I’m sure Link has more disgusting duties for you to perform. Maybe you can go find some orphans for him to hunt!”
I hopped out of bed. It took a moment to catch my breath once I landed, as the searing pain in my back and arm overwhelmed me. He was at my side before I took my first step, attempting to reach out to me. I batted his arm away.
“Lexie, please be reasonable. You don’t understand what is going on here.”
“Yes I do! You’re a filthy horrible liar! You just told me all that stuff last night so I wouldn’t run away, didn’t you? You’re a coward, Thane Ganyon! You were too scared to fight with me last night, so you lied.”
“No! I…! Look it…Ugh!” He was struggling to find the right words to say.
“Just leave me alone! I don’t want to see you anymore!” I was nose to nose with him when I shoved him back onto the bed. I stomped across the mahogany floors and slammed the doors closed behind me. I knew I was being childish, but I didn’t know how else to react. He told me that he wanted nothing more in the world than to be with me, and yet he rejected me. Me! How could he reject me? My mind was reeling. I was so confused. Why was this man sending such mixed messages to me? He kidnapped me, poisoned me, saved my life twice, and then spent last night with me. What is his game? It hit me like a ton of bricks. He was trying to keep me safe. Like he said last night, it would be heaven to be with me, but Link would make it our own personal hell. If I choose Thane, Link will kill him. He’s probably in enough trouble as it is for thwarting whatever it was that Link had planned for me. I shuttered at the thought of never seeing him again. I quickly turned on my heels and rushed back through the doors.
He was still sitting on the bed with a dumbfounded look on his face. I leaned against the door frame. “Won’t he be angry that you stayed with me last night?”
His face showed instant relief that I finally understood the battle that he had been waging within himself. “You get it now?”
“I do, and I’m sorry.”
“You can’t be sorrier than I am Lexie.” His expression was pained. His normally vibrant blue eyes held tremendous sorrow.
“I promise that I won’t put you in an uncomfortable position again, K.”
“We’ll be all business until I can get you out of here.”
Oh my gosh, instant hope sent adrenaline rushing though my veins. I was lightheaded from his words. Not only did he want to get me away from here, but he wanted to be more than business like when we escaped. It was like my plan was working, even though I hadn’t begun to execute it yet.
“Now back to my original question, what will happen to you because of last night?’
“Nothing. He’s gone.”
“Gone? Where?” I couldn’t disguise the excitement in my voice.
“Link doesn’t like to lose control, and he seems to have a hard time controlling himself around you. He went to gather himself for a few days. You know, attend to some business matters. I know he was heading to DC and maybe back to Tahoe for awhile.”
“Maybe he won’t come back.”
“Wishful thinking.”
“What should we do while he’s gone?” I was being flirtatious and twirling my hair around my fingers.
“Let’s go capture some orphans for him to hunt.” Thane and I laughed out loud at his sick and twisted joke. My stomach began to growl
“When is the last time you ate?”
“Not since before you….well….ummm…It’s been several days.”
“Why don’t you get dressed and we can eat dinner. What sounds good? The kitchen is equipped for any meal.”
“Ooh! I’d like some pizza!”
“Pizza? You can have anything in the world and you want pizza?” He laughed and sighed at the same time. “I’m never going to get bored with you am I?”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong with pizza?” I was confused by his manner.
“You just seem more like the champagne and caviar kind of girl. I’m just surprised that you like pizza is all.”
“Well I do love champagne and pizza. I guess you get the best of both worlds if you get me.”
“If? Don’t I already have you?”
“We’re still here and under his control. So, no you I guess you don’t.” I looked sorrowfully at the floor and sighed. He got up from the bed and walked over to me. He lifted my chin with his finger so our eyes met.
“Lexie, be patient with me O.K. Things like this take time. Let’s just try to enjoy this time together without him.” I closed my eyes and nodded. A wayward tear tumbled down my left cheek. He caught it with his thumb and wiped it away. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed his lips firmly to mine. I intertwined my fingers around the back of his neck and pulled him closer. Our bre
athing became heavier and I could hear his heart beating at a more and more rapid pace. He picked me up as I wrapped my legs around his torso. Our lips never parted. He easily carried me to the bed and placed me gently on top of the disheveled duvet cover. He was kissing up and down my neck while wrapping his fingers in my hair. Every inch of my being wanted him, but I had to stop. “Thane please stop,” I whispered gently into his ear. Ever the perfect gentleman, he immediately rolled off of me. He exhaled forcefully.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered meekly.
“No need to be sorry gorgeous. I started it didn’t I?” He was still breathing heavily.
“Yes you did. No harm no foul, though. Now let’s get some pizza! Can we order from Pizza Hut? I love their breadsticks!” I was nearly drooling from the thought of the warm gooey breadsticks.
His laugh was boisterous. “We don’t exactly have a Pizza Hut close by.”
I stuck out my bottom lip to show my disappointment. “What do you have?”
“A kitchen,” he said with a playful smugness.
“We have to make the pizza?” I was instantly deflated. Cooking isn’t exactly a skill I picked up in the Marines.
“No, our chef can make the pizza. I’m sure he can mimic Pizza Huts recipe. He is an Iron Chef after all.”
“It won’t be the same, but I guess if that is all you have.”
He wrapped his mammoth arms around me and kissed me on top of my head.
“What am I going to do with you?” He laughed and I giggled. “Now go get dressed, and I will have the best Pizza ever downstairs on the dining room table waiting for you.”
“K.” I kissed him on the tip of his nose, and bounced off into my closet. I wanted to look perfect for him. I searched the massive closet for a perfect outfit. I didn’t want to seem like I was overly anxious to look good, but I had to impress him. This was kind of like our first date. What a sick and twisted first date. Pizza with the guy who kidnapped me, then time and time again saved me from the person he brought me to. What to wear? What to wear? There were way too many choices in here. When I started dating Lenny I always wore fancy dresses, because I felt like I needed to impress him. I didn’t feel that way with Thane. I could wear a potato sack and he would still want to be with me. It took forever but I decided on a light denim mini skirt, a white tee-shirt, and a pink angora cardigan. I found a pair of pink knee-high boots with three inch heels. It was perfect. It was casual elegance, a touch of class, and a touch of sexy, all at the same time. I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. I blew out my hair, parted it to the side, and then placed big bouncy curls at the ends with a fat barreled curling iron. I applied my make-up, deciding on neutral tones, again trying not to seem over eager. I bounded back into my closet to put on my outfit. I found cute lacy matching rose-colored bra and panties in a small drawer at the corner of the closet. I slipped into them, and then put on the tee-shirt. The bra was visible through the shirt, so I had to find a different shirt. I didn’t want to look like a complete and total skeeze. I spied a vibrant pink off the shoulder long sleeved sweater. I decided on pairing that with a pair of dark denim skinny jeans and black calf length boots. I found a silver chain belt that I wrapped around my waist for the perfect accent. I was over dressed for pizza, but I couldn’t dare part with the cute bra and panties I’d found. The adorable miniskirt would have to wait for another time. I put on a pair of diamond stud earrings, and a matching diamond pendant on a silver necklace chain. I sprayed a hint of perfume behind each ear and on each wrist. I put my hair back into a quick side ponytail as I walked through the bedroom. I made my way through the intimidating hallway and stopped at the top of the grand staircase. Thane was at the piano playing a beautiful tune that was unfamiliar to me. I held the hard wooden rail and walked slowly down the stairs. I spied Fallon and Claire with some of Link’s brood near the back of the great room listening to him play. He stopped playing and looked up at me with adoring eyes. Fallon and Claire looked at me too, but their eyes were filled with anger and hate. Thane rose from the piano bench and met me half way on the stairs. He took my hand as he escorted me through the great room. Once I was close to him everyone else seemed to vanish. Their glares of hatred disappeared with them. I could see nothing but him.
“You took my breath away.” His eyes were fixated on me and he was breathing erratically. I began to blush. “Are you hungry?”
I nodded and smiled. I felt like a school girl going on her first date with the high school quarterback. I’d never felt so giddy. I could barely breathe and my heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. We turned the corner to the dining room. The only light was that from a thousand candles. Two places were set with exquisite china and crystal. A sterling silver bucket overflowed with ice chilling a bottle of champagne. In the middle of the lavish table setting was a familiar red and brown box of pizza and bread sticks from Pizza Hut.
“Oh Thane! How did you do it?”
I jumped into his arms and gave him a hug. He began to chuckle.
“If this is all it takes to make you happy…”
“It’s just that I miss the familiar things! This is so wonderful. Thank you!”
Like a gentleman he pulled my chair out for me, and then poured me a glass of champagne. He opened the pizza box and presented it to me so I could pick a slice. It looked and smelled divine. I was ravenous. I immediately picked up the slice and took a bite. The taste was like heaven, ooey gooey and cheesy just how I like it. I paused and looked at him. He had a crooked smile on his face. I put the slice back down onto my plate and smiled back as I chewed. I picked up the silverware sitting at the side of my plate. I swallowed the heavenly bite of pizza. “Sorry, I forgot my manners.”
“It’s OK, beautiful. You haven’t eaten in days. I’d be the same way.” His grin was growing wider.
I was so comfortable with him that it didn’t even dawn on me that he had orchestrated the perfect romantic setting for me, and I was about to start scarfing down a pizza in a very unladylike manner. “So how did you get the pizza anyways? I thought there wasn’t a Pizza Hut nearby.”
“I took the helicopter. I knew of a restaurant in Newberry. I figured you’d be awhile getting ready, so I took a chance. Luckily for me, you took twice as long and I’d figured on.” His smile was intoxicating.
“Hey now! This doesn’t just happen.” I framed my face with my hands and winked at him.
“Actually Lexie, you’re just as stunning when you first wake as you are now, perhaps more so.” His face was serious. He placed his elbows on the corner of the table and leaned into me. I think he was about to kiss me again, but Fallon walked into the dining room.
“Mr. Ganyon, Link is on the main line for you.”
“Thank you Fallon. You may be excused. Forgive me, Lexie, I’ll be back soon. Please eat. You must be famished.”
Thane hastily walked from the dining room with Fallon on his heels. I stared at the flickering flames of one of the candles as I ate my pizza in silence. I picked a breadstick from the box, and ate it with my fingers, since nobody was around to see me. I took a sip of champagne between bites. Champagne and pizza did not go well together, but before I knew it my glass was empty. I used the cloth napkin to dab the corners of my mouth. I got up from the table and found my way to the kitchen. I flicked on the lights and headed to the refrigerator. I hadn’t had an ice cold beer in a long time, but that sounded good right now. The only beer in the fridge was called Labatt’s Max Ice. It looked good enough, so I took a few bottles back to the table with me. Thane had yet to return. I decided on eating another piece of pizza. Too bad there wasn’t a football game on. I had the perfect football watching meal here at this lavish table with me. The season had to be close to starting. If I was going to be stuck here, I needed a television. If the Lions were going to win the Superbowl, I wanted to be there front row and center. I sensed that this would finally be their year. I wondered if Thane likes football. Every guy likes football right? I twiste
d open a beer and took a big swig. It tasted wonderful… Maybe a little too wonderful, because before I’d finished my second piece of pizza the beer was gone. The candles were beginning to melt away as I drank my second beer. Thane was not back yet. This was the worst date ever, and of course it was because of Link. I grabbed the ice bucket and headed back to the kitchen. I got four more beers from the fridge and popped them into the bucket to keep them cold. I found my way to the recreation room and out the French doors. I walked the massive steps down to the beach. The night was very chilly and silent. There was no moon, but the stars were twinkling brightly overhead. That means its somewhere around September 18th. Have I been here that long? It’s been almost a week since I was brought here, to him. A loud wave crashing onto the beach interrupted my thought. I was reminded of my first time on this beach as the small lights from a passing freighter caught my eyes. If I could only swim, I could just jump on one of those ships and be free, but what would freedom be without Thane. I popped open another beer and drank it quickly. I’d never really been one to drink, but this beer was fabulous. My head began to swirl and the ground in front of me felt like it was rocking back and forth. I took off my boots and wriggled my toes into the cold sand. I took my hair from the ponytail and shook it out. I rested my elbows back into the sand and stared up at the beautiful night sky. A twinge of pain hit my heart when I found the North Star. Lenny was still out there, hopefully, and by the grace of God he was still looking for me. Link said I would lead them here, and he would destroy them. Oh my gosh, I’d been so selfish. I’d spent the last week sitting here like the freaking pied piper leading my family to a slaughter. I had to get out of here, Thane or no Thane. I jumped up from the sand and tried to shake away the drunken feeling from my head. I looked around to make sure nobody was watching, then I made a mad dash for the eastern woods. I found my way easily to the cliff where Thane had taken me just days before. Still no sign of anyone around me. Everything was eerily quiet. I knew I was still on his property. If I ran south, I’d be too close to the house, so I decided to continue east. The cliff was about thirty feet up from the beach below. I jumped, landing on my feet, as always, and began running up the beach. It was clear, so I could see any traps or hazards before I stumbled into them. With the lake on my left and a cliff face to my right, I ran as fast as my legs would allow. I could hear him behind me now, calling to me. I ignored his pleas and ran ever faster. I could see a light house up in the distance, maybe a mile or two away. I had to be almost off his property and nearing civilization. All at once I was zapped backwards by a massive jolt of electricity. I lay in the sand for a moment shaking from the jolt. I hadn’t planned on an electric fence keeping me prisoner. I expected walls or big guys with guns. I jumped up and looked behind me. He was getting closer, and fast. I started to scale the cliff face when he pulled me down. Beads of sweat were running from his forehead. His chest was heaving up and down and his nostrils were flared. I began beating on his chest. Tears free fell from my cheeks. “Please. Let me go! I have to get out of here! Please!”
The Pride Page 8