by S. Poirier
“This has something to do with Kelly, doesn’t it?” I don’t answer so she takes my silence as confirmation. “He hasn’t been to work in almost a week. A rumor is circulating that he took personal time off. But no one has heard from or seen him. It’s like he just disappeared.”
“Look, I can’t tell you anything, but I can tell you to freshen up your resume. There’s a very good possibility that you’re going to be on the job hunt soon,” I say. Sage walks over to me and hands me the warm mug.
“Crap,” she sighs. “Well, if you can’t tell me about Kelly then tell me about the man who called me.”
“Nope. He’s sitting right in front of me half naked and smiling. There’s no way I’m going to dish with him staring at me,” I reply with an evil grin. He reaches over and starts tugging on the sheet I’m using the cover my chest. I giggle and slap his hand away.
“Jesus, you just giggled. Ugh! You’re killing me! Okay, fine. We’ll chat tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yeah, Catch told me to make an appointment with your stylist for us to get our hair done. He made some comment about ‘getting that brown crap’ out of your hair.” She sounded confused because she knows I would never color my hair. “Anyway, we have an appointment for the afternoon, so we can grab some lunch first. I’ll pick you up around eleven tomorrow?”
“Sounds perfect.” We end the call and I toss the phone to the other side of the bed. I put my mug down on the night stand, and then rise up on my knees allowing the sheet to fall away from me.
A spark of appreciation flares in his eyes as I lean my bare chest against the warm skin of his back. “You did that for me? You called June and set up a girl’s day for me?” I whisper in his ear.
He reaches over and puts his mug down on the nightstand next to mine before turning his head to place a rough possessive kiss on my lips. “I know you miss her. And although I think you’re beautiful no matter the color of your hair, I made you change it, and I want to make up for that.” He turns and wraps his arms around me pulling me to straddle his lap. “Happy?” He asks.
“Oh, yeah, and I’m about to show you just how happy I am,” I say before placing a long lingering kiss on his mouth.
Since we woke up after four in the afternoon the two of us spent the rest of the day in bed together. We ordered room service and stayed naked. At one point he suggested we go out for dinner, but I didn’t want to leave. I want him all to myself. I don’t want anyone else looking at him. Sage is mine and right now I just don’t want to share him with anyone.
****
“Hey, chica!” June was beaming when I met her down in the lobby of the hotel. It takes a minute, but when it registers she lets out a shriek that catches the attention of other guest. “Your hair! Now I know what Catch was talking about. Why on earth?”
I shrug. “Well, you kind of reported me missing.”
“Oh yeah, that. Sorry, I had no idea…”
I wave it off. “No big deal. Anyway, look on the bright side. Catch somehow already paid for both of us to have a day of pampering.” He was gone by the time I woke up this morning, but left a note along with a brand new cell phone saying that he had to run errands but would be seeing me soon. I’m not exactly sure what that meant. The note also said that the salon had already been paid, and my phone was already activated with my old number.
“Let’s go. I’m dying…dying to know about this half naked man you spoke of yesterday. You know the one that made you giggle? I’ve never heard you giggle. Ever.”
I loop my arm through hers and laugh as we make our way to her car. “His name is Catch.” I can’t help but smile at her.
“Oh shut up. I know that part already.” I’m dragging it out just to drive her crazy. And I make her wait until we get to the little sidewalk café. I order my sandwich and salad with tea, and go to find us an outdoor table. It’s so pretty outside and I’ve been spending so much time inside my skin is in desperate need of some Vitamin D.
June slams her tray down. “Okay, you bitch, spill. Now.” She commands as she flops down in the wrought iron chair across from me.
I smile and lean over the table. “He’s amazing. He’s beautiful with grey eyes and dark hair. And his body…Oh my God, June.” I pretend to faint as I fan my face. I’ve been craving girl talk for weeks now. When she’s done laughing and I’ve sobered I get serious. “Catch is wonderful. He’s kind, he saved my life, and he makes me feel…” I look skyward while trying to find the right words.
“Oh, wow, you’re in love with him,” she says. I focus my gaze on her and she’s wide eyed with shock. “I can’t believe it. The impenetrable, Max Brady, has allowed a man to knock down her walls.”
As she’s rambling on about how much of a miracle Sage is I glance over her shoulder to the other side of the patio and there he is. Drinking a coffee and smiling at me with those amazing eyes. Now I know what he meant by ‘seeing me soon’. He’s watching me. That’s why he’s here. He’s doing the whole possessive alpha male thing.
The thought sends a rush of excitement burning through me.
June stops mid-sentence when she sees that I’m not paying attention and smiling like a big goofy fool. “What?” She twists around to follow my gaze. When she catches sight of him he tilts his head and gives her a little wave. When she turns to face me again I can tell she’s fighting a smile. “That’s him isn’t it?” I smile and nod. “Holy crap, he’s gorgeous.” I smile and nod again because I just for the life of me can’t think of anything to say.
His glaze flickers from mine and I watch as he is approached by someone. June turns in her seat and looks. “Who’s the geek? He’s kind of yummy.”
“That’s Snitch. I think he’s kind of a slut. And what the hell happened to your libido while I was gone?” June hadn’t ever been this brazen when it came to men before.
She sighs clearly exasperated. “I’m horny.” We both start laughing and I fail to notice when both Sage and Snitch approach our table.
“Ladies,” Snitch says smoothly with he’s eyes on June.
June clears her throat. “Catch and Snitch? Were your parent’s high when they named the two of you?”
Catch throws his head back and barks out a laugh. “No, just nicknames.”
Snitch backhands Sage on the arm. “Hey, you don’t know that. My parents very well could have been high when they named me. Actually, I would be willing to put money on it.”
June starts laughing in a flirtatious way. While she’s occupied I pull Sage off to the side.
“What is he doing here?” I whisper. “Was he the errand you spoke of in the note?”
“Yeah, he called me this morning from the airport. Snitch caught wind about the full assignment. He wanted to be here. He doesn’t like the idea of Timer bringing you into this,” he replies. I can see the muscle twitch in his jaw.
I touch his face. “Hey, calm down. Everything’s going to be fine. This will all be over in a couple of days.” June starts laughing again. “And other than the fact that it looks like he might have a hard on for my friend I’m glad he’s here.”
I turn to see June leaning into Snitch with her hand on his chest.
Oh shit.
I look up at Sage with wide eyes, and nudge my head to the side, trying to get him to get Snitch away from June. He leans in and places a kiss on my lips. “Have fun. I’ll be close.” I look over to see Snitch whispering in her ear. She then flips her hair and pushes her breast out towards him. Sage slaps him on the shoulder. “Let’s go, man.” He practically has to drag him away from June.
We go to the salon and blow over four hours there. We get our nails done, our muscles tortured, girl parts waxed, and our hair cut and colored. My hair is back to its flaming red again. I don’t know how much he paid for all of this, but I was really excited about thanking him when I got back to the hotel.
“Hey, June. Did you give your number to Snitch?” I ask as we are driving back.
She sh
rugs. “Yeah, he’s kind of hot in that glasses-wearing-geeky kind of way.”
“He’s a slut. I’m serious. The first night I met him he had some bimbo blonde straddling his lap in the middle of a bar,” I warn.
“Okay, I hear you, but please remember I’m a big girl.” I don’t like the sound of that, but she’s right, she’s a big girl. “And from what I remember it wasn’t that long ago you were quite the slut yourself,” she says teasingly.
“Hey now! If you plan on keeping that face pretty I would watch what you say,” I tease back.
“I could totally take you.”
“Awe, that’s so sweet. June, I didn’t know you had such enormous dreams.”
We’re stopped at a red light and are so engrossed in the conversation we’re having that we don’t notice when someone approaches the car. My door is yanked open, and June screams. I throw a few awkward punches because I’m strapped into the seat. I only land one. The next thing I know everything goes black.
20
Catch
I’ve been pacing the length of the room waiting for Max to get back. I left the moment I saw her and June walk out of the salon. I was maybe five minutes ahead of them tops, and now ten minutes later they still weren’t back. A banging on the door stops me in my tracks. Fear immediately sinks into the pit of my stomach. Max has her own keycard; she wouldn’t be knocking on the door.
Clearing the room in a few long strides I throw the room door open. June is standing there with swollen, red eyes. I grab her elbow and yank her inside. Before closing the door I look down the length of the hallway in both directions. Empty.
Spinning around I slam the door, take her by the shoulders, and force her further into the room and in an empty chair. “What happened?” my voice has a panicked edge to it that I don’t bother to suppress.
“Someone grabbed her. He was wearing sunglasses and a hat pulled down over his face. She fought back, but he hit her over the head and cut the seat belt,” her voice waivered as tears started to stream down her face.
“Was it Kelly?”
She shakes her head. “No, it was someone else. Not anyone I know.”
“And you didn’t do anything?” I’m now yelling. “Why the fuck did you just sit there?” I never lose all control, but right now I’m close. So, so close that I’m about two seconds away from demolishing the hotel room.
She came up out of the chair with such force it fell backwards. “He showed me a gun and threatened to kill me if I followed them,” she yelled as another sob broke free from her throat. “There were a few other cars, but nobody did anything. They all sped off like a bunch of cowards! The only thing I could think to do was come here.” She reaches out and grabs my arms, digging her nails into my skin. “We have to find her, Catch. Oh…God.” I throw my arms up breaking her grip and taking a few steps back to put some distance between the two of us.
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. I was taking her to a specific location to bring Kelly out of hiding. She was to be kidnapped and I was to follow them where I would carry out the assignment. He wasn’t going to have any time alone with her other than the ride to whatever location he had chosen.
Timer underestimated James Kelly. Or was this the original plan from the start?
I grab two fistfuls of my hair and drop to my knees. The growling roar that rips from deep in my chest scares June so badly that she backs all the way across the room and presses her back to the door.
Fear tries taking over as I somehow manage to get my phone out of my pocket and hit the button to call Snitch. He answers on the second ring.
“Kelly took her. One of his goons snatched her right out of June’s car. I swear to God if you knew anything about this I will fucking kill you. I will kill everyone involved in this,” I say in a very low threatening voice.
“What the…Catch, I don’t know anything. As far as I know the plan was what Timer turned over to you,” Snitch replies. I don’t know how, but I can tell that he isn’t lying to me.
“Then work your magic and find out where the hell Max is.” I’m pacing the room, breathing in short pants, and so much pain is radiating through my chest that I could very well be having a heart attack.
“Okay, where’s her cell phone?”
I turn to June, and my heart sinks when I see her holding both hers and Max’s bags. I approach her with such intensity that she flinches. “Give me her bag.” She promptly hands it over and I dump the contents on the floor. My eyes search frantically for her phone.
“Wh…What are you looking for?” June stammers.
“Her phone. Where is her phone?”
“She checked the time when we were in the car and I think she slipped it in her back pocket,” she replies.
“Did you get that?” I ask Snitch.
“Yeah, man, now I need her number. I can track it. That’s our best bet.” I give him her cell number. “Snitch, please hurry.”
“I’ll do my best,” he replies before ending the call.
I stand there for a few moments pressing my phone to my mouth with such force that my teeth bite into my lip, the coppery taste of blood hitting my tongue. I drop the phone and press my fist over the spot on my chest where my heart is beating so wildly I fear it might break through my ribs. Every breath I take is labored. I can’t lose Max. There’s no way I can survive if I lose her.
I can’t wait. I take June by the arm and pull her out of the room with me.
“Where are we going?” she asks as I’m pulling her down the hall. We get on the elevator and I hit the number for the floor that Snitch is staying on.
“I can’t wait for him to call back. We’re going to his room.”
If Timer had planned this Snitch was sure to know about it. I didn’t think he was lying, but the fear that because we had been friends for so long might be clouding my judgment tugged at the back of my thoughts. By some fleeting chance that Timer was able to keep it from Snitch and Timer did have something to do with this then that man just signed his own death certificate.
By the time I reach his door I’m so close to seeing full red that it takes all the control I have not to kick the door open. Instead I bang hard enough to rattle it on its hinges. I listen closely and hear the distinct sound of a gun’s hammer being drawn back. I put my finger over my lips and push June to the side as I pull my gun from the back of my pants. Her eyes widen in surprise.
“Who is it?” Snitch calls through the door.
“Man, put it away,” I reply. Two second later the door opens and I’m pointing a gun to Snitch’s forehead. He throws his hands up. “If Max dies and I find out you had anything to do with this I will end you without one ounce of sympathy.”
“I’m not your enemy, and if you want to know where Max is you will think twice about blowing my brains out.” His eyes focus on the barrel of my Glock. One. Two. Three. Four seconds tick by before I lower the gun and stuff it back into the waist of my pants.
“Where is she?” I growl.
“You’re not going alone,” he says as he closes the door. “I can track her on my cell. Dude, you have to calm down. You look like you’re ready to kill someone.”
My fist clench into tight balls at my sides. “If James Kelly is there I plan on doing some killing.”
I turn to June and look into her scared eyes. “Go home. If you don’t feel safe there then go back to my room. I’ll call you when it’s over.”
She starts shaking her head. “Hell no, I’m going. She’s my best friend.”
I grab her arm with such force she yelps. “June, this isn’t up for discussion.”
She jerks her arm away. “I’m going. Catch, if anything happens to her I’m her next of kin. I have to be there.”
“Fine.” I turn to look at Snitch. “I’m going to need you to…She’s important to Max.”
He starts for the stairwell entrance, and the two of us quickly follow. “I know. You have my word; I won’t let anything happen to her.”
&nbs
p; ****
Max
I wake up with a splitting headache, and for the first few seconds all I can think of is how this headache would totally beat Jose Curevo’s ass. Then the sound of James Kelly’s voice pulls me to full alert.
I snap my head up and wince as the pain intensifies with the movement. He’s standing across the room from me, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, a sick, satisfied smirk on his lips.
My first instinct is to do whatever I can to get my hands around his neck and squeeze until his oversized head explodes. But when I try to move my arms and legs something bites into my flesh. Suppressing a cry of pain I look down to see that my hands and ankles are tightly bound to the chair I’m sitting in with cords.
“Try all you want, Max, but this time you’re not getting out of those.” He tilts his head as he studies me. “In fact keep trying. It really brings me a lot of pleasure to see those cords cutting into your fair skin.”
“What do you want?” I say calmly although all I want to do is start cursing and screaming at him. I need to save my energy. My eyes dart around the room. I notice my surroundings immediately. We’re in the main storage facility that Fiddle owns, and it’s after hours so any trips out here by employees would have been done hours ago.
“Don’t play stupid with me. You know what I want,” he says as he takes a step closer.
“How about you refresh my memory?” I need to do what I can to stall him, because I knew it wouldn’t be long before Sage found out about this and would find me. I chuckle to myself when I realize how glad I am that Snitch is here in the city. Mr. Smarty-pants know-it-all will come in handy right about now.
“What’s so funny, Max?” he asks and takes another step closer.
“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough,” I reply with small smirk.
The next thing I know he backhands me across my right cheek. Perfect. Now I feel like my eye is going to explode.
“Tell me what you know, and who you told. You tell me the truth and I’ll let you live,” he hisses, and then backhands me again. I can feel the blood pooling in my mouth. “Tell me!” he roars.