by Jayn Wilde
Next problem was getting out of the truck and not getting shot in the process. I sensed Katia would be safe, but I wasn’t so sure about myself. Just as I leaned down to pull the rope that would roll up the door, Katia grabbed my hand. Everything had gone quiet outside of the truck. If I had pulled up the door, we would’ve been caught. She closed her eyes and focused on something. Katia shook her head and gave me a sad look. Too many, she mouthed.
Suddenly the box truck started up. We were being driven away. I slid down on to my knees and held my head in my hands. We were so close. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks, but I didn’t care to wipe them away. Who had us? What would happen to us now? Would I ever see Sam or Derek again? Katia slid over next to me and grabbed my hand. I think she had it worse then I did, but I still couldn’t stop the tears from falling. I think even more gushed out at the thought of Katia’s young life being lost too. And then, the truck stopped suddenly.
Derek
We drove for a few minutes until we saw Ken on the side road with his SUV. This guy, a complete stranger, really came through for us. Dan looked at me and I nodded. I closed my eyes and focused on Danika. She was in so much pain and so scared that her thoughts were blaring in my head. I then focused on Katia and even though neither of us was telepathic, we could sense when another gifted on was reading our thoughts. As soon as I knew she was okay and knew she felt my presence, I began to think calm, reassuring thoughts to her. I then refocused on Danika and her thoughts were now quieter and harder to read.
We waited for awhile to make sure that the firefight was over and we flagged down the ambulance as it slowly rolled our way. Without lights or sirens, the private ambulance rolled over to us. Ken nodded to them and they started grabbing their equipment.
It was time to get the girls out. And, I was scared. Scared of what had happened to Danika and scared of what she was feeling towards me, thinking about me. I would understand if she hated me, but I couldn’t deny how she made me feel. Even through the metal partitions of the box truck, I felt an overwhelming peace with her on the other side. I hadn’t been that close to her in over three months.
I nodded and Dan knew. He slipped out and made his way over to the back door. With a strong tug, he pulled up the door and called to the girls.
“My name is Dan. I am with the FBI and a friend of Derek’s. You are safe now ladies. Please come out.”
First out was Katia, shaken, bruised and bloodied. Dan helped her down and she sat on a gurney one of the paramedics brought over. As they went about assessing Katia’s injuries, I turned back to the truck. I looked up and saw my heart and soul standing before me. I watched her face for a look of disgust or hate, but in Danika’s eyes was nothing but pure love. I walked over to the truck and put my arms out for her. Danika jumped down and wrapped her arms around me.
There were no words. Neither of us spoke, we just held each other until the paramedics had to put Danika in the ambulance. I sat with her and we rode to the hospital with Katia. I couldn’t stop touching Danika. She was safe and she was here, in my arms. There was nothing else in the world I could’ve asked for. Katia rolled her head our way and smiled. I must’ve been shouting in her head.
Chapter 13
Danika
It has been three weeks since the kidnapping. Katia has been doing better and recovered fairly well. She did have a couple broken ribs in addition to the cuts and bruises on her face and arms, but she is young and strong and healing very nicely. As for me, I had no major injuries, but a slight concussion from getting knocked in the head outside of my apartment. I guess after I refused to tell them where Derek was when he called, they hit me from behind. I never saw it coming.
Sam was doing wonderfully and finishing up her courses at the college. Of course, she quit the pizzeria, but really liked the staff at Piper’s and works there now. Casey never called me, but that was fine. It wouldn’t have worked anyway. My heart belonged to Derek. I knew it from the moment I met him. Sam, however, liked Casey a whole lot, so that was pretty awesome.
Dan and Ken are two of the most amazing guys I had ever met. I got to meet them both at the hospital and they are like brothers. They bickered, played jokes and did other stuff to one another that made you think they’re thirteen, not thirty. But, they are hard-core marines and without them, I wouldn’t be here today. So, I have adopted them as my two older brothers. Now, to set them up with some women their age.
As for me, I’ve gotten back into the routine of school and managed to catch up on all of my courses. I didn’t miss much class time, but I got really far behind on my essays, projects and assignments. Now that is all caught up, I can’t wait for break next week. I am tired and need a vacation.
But, you probably want to know about me and Derek, right? Well, after I got out of the hospital, we went back to my apartment. He explained everything to me. From how he came to meet me, to how Sergio threatened him and his father and all the details of his road trip with Dan out West. I knew, the moment I saw him outside of that box truck, that I forgave him. But, I had to make him sweat it out, just a little bit. Honestly, how could I ever live without the other half of my soul, my self?
My gift may not be a curse after all. My gift saved my cousin’s life. And, my gift brought my soul mate into my life. My gift is still a mystery to me, but I won’t ever consider it a curse again. I love Sam and I love Derek. And, what greater gift is there, than love?
Derek
I knew she wasn’t going to go easy on me. Honestly, I didn’t care. As long as she didn’t say goodbye. I knew what it was like to live without her and there was no way in hell I was going through that again. When she finally said she forgave me, I picked her up in my arms and spun her around. There are very few times in a person’s life when they feel completely happy; mind, body and soul. That moment was one for me and I hoped for many, many more.
Well, there was that other moment too that I won’t ever forget. That moment went Danika crooked her finger at me and invited me into her bedroom. Ah yes, that one moment that was followed by hours and hours and hours of pure mind-blowing, earth-shattering love making.
And there are many more moments to come…
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13