Snatched (Coronado Series Book 2)

by Hart, Lea

  “I want to clean out my office, turn in my laptop and cell phone and then meet with Human Resources. I have to decide how to roll over my retirement and stocks. It may take a while, so you can come back and pick me up.”

  “I’m not leaving you in a building with your stalker. I’ll just hang out until you’re done. I have plenty of things to work on.” She watched as he pulled out a pendant from his pocket, “I want you to wear this while we are in the building. Don’t worry, it’s not a piece of jewelry. I see that look on your face.”

  “What look?”

  “The look of horror at the possibility that I’m buying you jewelry and ugly jewelry at that.”

  “Was I that obvious?”

  “Yes, sweetheart. If you need me - pull the bottom piece out and it will send an alarm to this receiver. I’m just being paranoid, but paranoid keeps people safe.”

  She slipped it over her head and smiled at him, “How do I look?”

  “Perfect.”

  “In a couple of hours I’m going to be unemployed, so I think we should celebrate.”

  “I agree. Can we celebrate naked?”

  “Why did I know you were going to say that?”

  “Because you had the same idea but didn’t want to admit it.”

  “I was thinking of a martini and a nice dinner ….. but your idea has value too.”

  “We will start with your idea and finish with mine: the perfect compromise.”

  “Don’t let me forget to bring in the bags I brought - I’m going to need them for all the stuff in my desk.”

  “OK, changing the subject…. When are you going to come and work with me?”

  “Can I just consult with you for a while and see how it goes? I may still want to go to Sienna for year and learn how to cook.”

  He wanted to tell her no way, that she was staying here with him and they were getting married and making some babies. Years of self-control allowed him to keep his mouth shut, “Sure, just let me know when you’re ready.”

  He was rewarded with a radiant smile and a relaxed girlfriend. He would just keep his plans to himself until she was ready. Pushing her was not getting him anywhere, so relaxed was what he was going to be. Even if it killed him.

  They walked into the building and he could feel the tension rolling off her. Maybe this was a bigger deal than she was admitting to. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, then she squeezed it back and pasted a smile on her face. They made their way up the elevator and walked down the hall to her office.

  “Here we go. Do you want to sit in the lounge while I do this?”

  “No sweetheart, I’ll sit here and work on my computer and wait.” He wanted to make sure that whoever was bugging her office realized he was there. He had the guys monitoring the two computers in IT and Jackson’s computer as well. He wanted to catch this guy and make sure he could end it quickly. He texted the guys back at the office to let them know they’d arrived.

  Gavin sat in his office and was ready to go ballistic. How could she think of bringing that man here? Nothing was going according to plan and his time was running out. He needed to save Rory before it was too late. He knew he was being reasonable even if his mother thought he should still be on the medication. He had to come up with a plan quickly and take the necessary steps.

  “I have collected a lot of stuff in my desk, and I don’t know if I brought enough bags in. I may ask you to go out and get me the rest.”

  “Let me know. I’m looking up flights and hotels for Sienna. Do you still want to be there for Christmas?”

  “I was thinking about it; you don’t have to do that though. Do you want to come with me?”

  “Of course I want to come with you. I don’t want to miss out on experiencing the holidays with you.”

  “That’s not for another two months. You may not want to be dating in two months.”

  “Your right! I would probably prefer to be married, but even I know that’s not going to happen by then. I’m relaxing and taking a very slow approach - I’m surprised that you haven’t noticed.”

  “I know – right! What with all the discussion of marriage and all of that. Very relaxed….. no pressure at all.”

  “I knew you would be able to tell.”

  Rory shook her head and laughed, “If this is relaxed… I would hate to see when you are applying pressure.”

  “Funny, you didn’t seem to mind all the pressure I was applying this morning. In fact you were really enjoying it.”

  “That’s true, keep up the pressure.” She watched a very smug and sexy smile light up his face, “You’re too good looking for your own good.”

  “I’m sure glad you think that, because you may be the only one. Those words have never been used to describe me.”

  ‘I don’t really believe you, but I’m going to let you live with that illusion. I think it will work out for me if you never figure out how good looking you are.”

  Her phone buzzed and she looked down at it, “Rita in personnel is ready to meet with me. Do you want to walk down with me?”

  “Sure, let’s go.”

  ***

  They stood in the elevator and Rory leaned against him as he rubbed her back. “That was easier than I thought, I just have to decide what to do with my stocks. I didn’t realize I had so many unused vacation and sick days. Look at this check. I think I need to go shoe shopping and buy myself a treat.”

  “Let me know when you want to go, because I want to watch the master in action. I like what you’re wearing today - those are some serious heels. They could be used as a weapon if need be.”

  “Your right. We were taught that in a self-defense course I took. The instructor told us to stomp on their foot, then get them in the groin and run like hell.”

  “Those are solid skills that every woman should know.”

  They walked down the hall into her office and she realized that she’d made a mess. I think I need to drag in one of the bigger trashcans from the lounge. I’m going to throw a lot of this away.”

  “Let me go get it. I’ll be right back.”

  Gavin lurked around the corner of her office - trying to figure out when he would have the opportunity to speak with Rory alone. He needed that big man to leave, so he would have a chance to tell her what he thought. He quickly slid around the wall again as he saw him walking down the hall. Why would Rory choose a man who was so big and mean looking? She was too nice for someone like that.

  Max carried the trash can down the hall and left it right outside her door, “You can hand me stuff as you’re ready.”

  She walked over and handed him a big pile of brochures, “I don’t know why I kept all of this stuff. I don’t want to leave a bunch of useless stuff for the next person.” She continued handing him piles until she felt satisfied that she had gotten rid of all the junk. “I think I need those last few bags - I left them in the back seat.”

  “Ok, I will go and get them.” He motioned to her necklace to remind her that she had it and she pointed to her purse and motioned that she had her gun. “Be back in a few minutes.”

  Gavin could hear the conversation and knew it was now or never. He waited for the guy to get on the elevator and then walked into Rory’s office. She looked up surprised. “Hi Gavin, I didn’t hear you come in. I left my computer and phone with Rita - I think she’ll send it to your office later on.”

  “Why are you leaving, Rory?”

  Looking surprised - she studied him for a moment before she responded. “It’s time for me to move on. I don’t think I have the same passion for the job anymore.”

  “Are you sure your new boyfriend isn’t making you?”

  Laughing she shook her head, “Yes, I’m sure. I want to try something new.” She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up and a shiver run down her back. She instantly realized that Gavin was her stalker. She always thought he was nice enough - maybe just a click off from everyone else. She looked carefully at him and noticed he was sweating. His sh
irt was damp and his face was flushed. His eyes were looking a little wild and he was tapping his hand against his leg. She no longer felt like she should be in this confined space with him, “I was thinking of going down to the lounge to get a soda. Do you want to join me?”

  “No, no I don’t. I don’t think you should leave and you should stop seeing that man. He is too big and he looks mean. I want you to stop, Rory.”

  Dread ran down her spine as she slowly realized that Gavin was more than a click off. He was several clicks off and possibly deranged. “Thank you for sharing your opinion with me, but I really like him and he’s a good man. Did you know that he’s a naval war hero? He protected this country for fifteen years while he was in the Navy. I think he’s a good choice for me.” She recognized that might have been the wrong thing to say when she saw his face flush with anger.

  “Quit saying that. He is not a good man and you have to stop seeing him.” He walked over to her and grabbed her arm and tried to pull her out of the office. He was surprisingly strong for someone who worked at a computer all day.

  “Gavin, I don’t want you to do anything that you’re going to regret. I would like you to let go of my arm now.”

  He pulled out a big scary looking knife from his pocket and held it against her arm, “Shut up Rory…. shut up! I have to think - you have to come with me.”

  She tried to jerk her arm from his grasp and he let the knife slice through her sleeve, blood started flowing out of her arm. She looked down at her arm and saw the blood spilling out and felt a wave of nausea. She pulled her pendant and hoped that Max was close. He started to drag her out of the office, “Stop, my arm is bleeding! Let me get some tissues.”

  “I’m sorry I hurt you, but you made me do it.”

  Hearing those words made Rory see red: it was the match that lit the flame of her temper. She got some tissues and slapped them over her arm and grabbed her gun out of her purse. She was mad now. Two months of this bullshit was enough! He was waving a knife around and blaming her. She turned around and pointed the gun at him - his eyes got huge. “You didn’t expect that did you?” He started to back up, but bumped into the wall.

  “I have been terrorized by you for the last several months and now you have the guts to come into my office and threaten me and slash me with a knife. I don’t think so - you slimy son of a bitch.”

  She looked down and tried to remember where the safety was. She looked up and saw him try to scoot out, she quickly raised the gun and pointed it at him. “I would like you to feel a little of what I’ve been feeling since you decided to stalk me. I’m not very good with this thing, so I can’t guarantee that I’m not going to hit something vital. But, that’s just the price you’re going to have to pay. I’m normally not a violent person, but the last two months has changed that. Do you think this is how I wanted to spend my last day at the office? Well, I can assure it’s not!”

  She heard boots pounding down the hall and knew Max was going to be here in a second. “That’s my boyfriend coming and he is going to want to talk to you. When I say talk… I mean pound his fists into your face.”

  Max was instantly at her door with a wild look in his eyes and his big gun drawn - ready to shoot. He saw Rory’s arm and almost shot the man standing in her office just on principle alone. “Max, I would like you to meet my stalker, Gavin. I may want to shoot him. What do you think?”

  Trying to get his heart rate to return to somewhere below the heart attack range, he let out a deep breath. “Well sweetheart, if that’s what you want to do then I think you should. You know all I care about is your happiness, and if shooting this god damn son of a bitch does that, then I say go ahead.”

  Gavin started to say something and Rory shouted at him, “You shut up. You don’t get a say. You looked at me through my computer. That is the lowest thing that I’ve ever heard of.” She lifted her gun again and looked down the barrel, “I took the safety off, so I’m ready. I just haven’t decided if I’m going to keep my eyes open.”

  Max spoke from the doorway, “Sweetheart it’s just like we practiced at the gun range. Take a breath in and as you let it out squeeze the trigger. Remember the shot is in between breaths.”

  “Thank you honey, that’s good advice.”

  “Of course, I’m only here to help. You got this. I’m completely confident that you can make the shot.”

  She let the gun lower for a second and looked over at him, “That’s the nicest thing that you have ever said to me. You totally remembered when I asked you to let me have a shot.” She gave him a dazzling smile and he returned her smile with a look of love in his eyes.

  “Even if you close your eyes, you’re still going to hit something, just remember that.”

  Gavin was getting ready to say something again, and she raised the gun and yelled at him to shut up. “Even if I make a lousy shot, my boyfriend was a sniper and he can make a kill shot from the next county. So don’t think you’re getting out of this - even if I totally blow it. I’m going to do it so I feel better. I think it’s fair since you have made my life a living hell for the last several months.”

  “Max, I’m going to take the shot pretty soon because I don’t feel very good. I may throw up.”

  “Ok, honey, I’m right here. The police are going to be here in a second to take him into custody. So if you want to shoot him, you might want to do it soon.”

  She looked at Gavin and was disgusted, sad and angry. She lowered her gun, “I guess I won’t shoot him. That might involve a lot of paperwork that I’m not willing to do.” She walked over to Max and handed him her gun. She turned and walked over to Gavin, staring him in the eye, “I hope you get the help you need.” She then raised her foot and stomped on his with all the force of her anger. Before he completely slumped over, she kneed him in the groin as hard as she could. “Never piss off a woman in high heels, it will always turn out badly for you.”

  Max slipped her gun into the waistband of his pants and slipped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her head. “I’m very proud of you -you handled that will a lot of grace and dignity.” He looked over at the guy curled in a fetal position and felt satisfied with the results. He heard the police come down the hall and moved Rory out of the way. The paramedics were right behind them.

  Max recognized the lead detective. They were friends and he appreciated the guy getting here so fast. The paramedic took Rory’s hand and led her over to a chair so he could examine her arm.

  She sat in the chair as the paramedic examined her, then all of the sudden she didn’t feel so hot and started to slump over as the paramedic caught her. She felt Max scoop her up and then it was blackness.

  Max started cursing and took over the examination. He was a trained medic and had a lot of emergency field experience. The paramedic standing next to her was smart enough to stay out of the way. He recognized Max’s skills and didn’t want to tangle with him. “He got too close to the artery. She has lost too much blood and might be going into shock. Grab her purse and let’s get her to the ambulance and get her in.” He carried her down the hall and into the elevator and tried to stay in combat mode. He had to lock down every emotion he had to get through the next hour. He wished that he killed the son of a bitch now.

  ***

  Many hours later he sat in the room with Rory and held her hand. He knew she was going to be fine, but the emotional turmoil he felt was starting to swamp him. This was a completely new experience for him and one that he did not enjoy. The Doctor was nice and explained to him that while the knife got close to the vein it didn’t touch it. He understood intellectually, but he couldn’t reconcile himself to someone getting a knife anywhere near the woman he loved. He felt like he failed; that he ultimately didn’t protect her well enough.

  She opened her eyes and looked at him and smiled, “Hell of a last day of work. I’m now thinking of buying two pairs of shoes.”

  He laughed and bent over and kissed her, “I’m sorry.”

  “What
in the world for?”

  “I didn’t protect you well enough. I let the guy get too close.”

  “That is the most ridiculous thing that I’ve ever heard. You have given me the best gift in the world: you gave me your faith. You let me handle it, and I don’t feel like a victim.”

  He had no idea how she came to that conclusion, but wasn’t going to argue with her now. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I have to say it. I love you.”

  Leaning his head against hers, he took a deep breath in and felt her hand come up to his face. “Oh Max…. how can you know?”

  “Because when you know, you know.”

  The door opened and in walked the Basso women in full force. Her mother was speaking in Italian and so were her sisters. He watched her Mother take her daughter in her arms and gently hug her. Catalina turned to him and gave him a hug, “Thank you for taking care of this for us. I can’t tell you how happy we are that this is over.”

  He wanted to tell her that he should have done a better job, but felt it might not be the best time. The Doctor came in and signed Rory’s release papers and gave her instructions for caring for her wound. Her Mama spoke, “I will take you to our house and that way I can take care of you.”

  “No Mama, you have enough to worry about with Bob. I want to go home and sleep in my own bed. Max will be there and will take very good care of me. He’s a trained medic, so he knows what to look for.”

  Carolina looked at him and studied him for a moment, deciding if he was qualified to take care of her daughter. She nodded her head, “Very well then. I will come by tomorrow and bring you soup and pasta.”

  “Mama, can you make me the almond cake? I love the almond cake.”

  “Of course cara, I would love to make you almond cake.”

  The sisters talked for a bit more and kissed her and promised to see her tomorrow. After everyone was gone, she sat up and looked for her clothes. “Thank you for letting me take care of you. It means everything to me that you still trust me.”