by Stella Kelly
Katrina walked into the tiny living room, which was now shrouded in complete darkness. She wished the men had kept the light on, but they’d turned it off on their departure. Now they would have to keep it off or draw suspicion for sure.
In the unfamiliar space, Katrina fumbled toward the couch before sinking into its soft cushions. A feeling of dread took residence in her mind as she slouched back. Jacque, Damien, and George were in the mansion with the dignitaries, Trudy, Helene and the Greenbaum boys.
“Gloria!” Katrina sat up straight.
“Pardon?” Cole asked as he walked cautiously into the room, shoving his gun into his belt once more and fumbling his way in the semi-darkness. He took a seat beside her on the couch.
“Gloria will be starting her shift in the morning. In fact, she may arrive later to turn down the beds. She does that sometimes. We have to warn her not to go to the mansion.”
“Do you know where she lives?”
“Yes, just down the road. She usually walks to work.”
“Then that will be our first stop on the way to rescue Jimmy.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sitting side by side on the couch, Cole put an arm around Katrina’s shoulders and she leaned into him. They barely had a moment to breathe between the ordeal with Cameron and now this. Would there ever be peace in their lives again? Katrina thought this, but looking over at Cole she realized this drama was a daily occurrence for him. His line of work demanded these kinds of harrowing situations.
Her thought was interrupted by Cole’s phone ranging. He placed it in his ear and clicked it on.
“Nielsen.”
“Cole, it’s Hannlon. We’ve got the trace on David Wilco. He’s recently out of prison after four years. Get this…he’s the brother of one Vivian Eckles, nee Wilco – Assistant to the Secretary of State.”
Cole was shocked. “That’s quite the betrayal. Have you taken care of that end?”
“She’s been detained.”
“That must be who Wilco was talking to when I overheard him on the phone. Funny enough, Secretary Mitchell mentioned how involved Vivian is in his affairs, and now we know why. She was the inside contact with a full itinerary of the Secretary’s movements. The motive is…”
“Money,” Hannlon interjected. “We have her in custody but I think we should keep David Wilco thinking the cash is on the way. We have her full cooperation. She doesn’t want to go down as badly as her brother and she’s willing to go along with things for a bit of lenience.”
“So she’ll relay info and keep the charade going then?”
“Yes. The men at the mansion are like sitting ducks and she’s pivotal if this is going to work out as planned.”
“Where are you?”
“En route now. More than halfway.”
“Let me know when you’re almost here.”
“Will do.”
Cole clicked the phone off and pulled it out of his ear, placing it in his pocket. “Are you warmer now?” he asked, pulling Katrina closer.
“Yes, thanks. I feel so helpless though. Waiting around here is torture. My friends are in trouble and I feel like my hands are tied.”
“Listen. That could easily have been you in there. We have an advantage, remember? This will all work out. I just have to wait for my team to get a little closer. We have to keep the hostages thinking that the money’s coming. If they discover the inside orchestrator’s been detained, they’ll grow desperate.”
“I think I know what that means. People will start getting hurt, won’t they.”
Cole looked over at her. Their faces were practically touching now. He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently. “Possibly. I’m sorry, Katrina. These men are ex-convicts. I’m sure they’ve led hard, difficult lives. I hope they show some mercy.”
“I’m just so anxious. Sitting here in the dark is ridiculous. I can’t sit still.”
Cole brought her closer, his grip around her shoulder firm, comforting. Leaning over, Katrina placed her cheek against his muscular chest, inhaling the manly scent of him. She wanted him – wanted to get lost in him and forget what was unfolding all around her. Looking up into his face, Katrina wore a longing expression. Cole’s eyes had adjusted to the darkness and he could see her clearly now. There was no mistaking her body language; he recognized it instantly. He felt her need and wanted to fulfill it for her. Who was he kidding? It was his need as much as hers.
Lifting her chin with a finger, he kissed her deeply. When their lips parted, she felt a sudden breathlessness. His eyes filled with a tantalizing sensuality as she gazed back with abandon, taking his image into her heart. Imprinting it there forever. Cole stood up from the couch and reached out a hand. Katrina held it and he pulled her up effortlessly. Standing together, Cole reached around and slid his hands over her back and then slid them down to her bottom, squeezing gently, playfully. He knew what his touch was doing to her and her response made him yearn for more.
Closing her eyes and swallowing hard, Katrina leaned her neck to the side as if to invite his lips. He met her soft skin and caressed his way up to her ear. It tasted salty from the ocean. She melted at the heat of his breath. Katrina teasingly unbuttoned his white linen shirt, her touch sensual yet direct. Cole could barely fathom how often he’d dreamed of her touching him just this way since their first meeting. If the massage she’d given him earlier in the week was any indication, he was putty in her hands.
She tilted her head, stared him right in the eyes. Reaching back, he pulled out the elastic and let her lush hair fall loose past her shoulders. Having been twisted into a knot, it was still damp from snorkeling.
“Come with me,” he directed. Katrina followed willingly, staying close as Cole led her around the furniture toward a tiny bedroom where a single bed rested below a window. They were about to face the real version of the fantasies they’d both imagined.
Facing each other beside the bed, Cole placed his hands on her cheeks and brought her mouth to his greedily, deepening the kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth with an urgency his whole body was feeling. She murmured her approval, dropped her hands and flattened her warm palms on his chest. His mouth plied hers, sending tendrils of pleasure to every part of her body. With each gentle twist of his tongue, Katrina felt herself falling deeper and deeper into the moment – deeper and deeper in love with him. This was the present and there was no point in dwelling on her heartaches of the past. She couldn’t help herself from falling, consumed by him as all other thoughts fled her mind. Utterly uninhibited, she looked up into his face. “I want you so badly.”
The words were soft, breathless. In the moonlight, Cole’s eyes agreed and he lifted her with ease into his arms before laying her on top of the neatly made bed. Watching her while still standing, he pulled off his unbuttoned shirt and placed his gun on the bedside table. He watched as Katrina writhed around a little, arching her back in impatience. “Hurry,” she cried. He unbelted his pants and let them drop, keeping his boxers on.
He approached the bed and, with what little light he had through the window, slowly, teasingly undid the buttons on Katrina’s borrowed shirt. He spread it open to reveal her green bikini. Katrina’s body looked smooth and flawless in the moonlight, beckoning him. Her nipples were hard and she had goosebumps though she wasn’t cold – not in the least. It was anticipation that made each cell respond. Every part of her was at attention, and so was Cole’s body. Every inch. Katrina sat up and slipped the shirt off, throwing it to the end of the bed. She reached back and removed the bikini top before laying back.
“My God, you’re beautiful.” Cole leaned on the edge of the bed. Bending over, he kissed each breast attentively, lingering.
Katrina reached out and put her hand on his backside, squeezing his muscular physique. She felt a feeling of excitement and giddiness, like the feeling one gets before a big surprise. She was in for a treat and she knew it. Cole shimmied her bottoms off and then explored with his hand. Katrina opened up to him, a
llowing it to happen. It had been years since she made love to a man she truly cared for, and who cared for her without showing his affection abusively. This is what it felt like to be cherished. Cole was so gentle, so aware of her needs that she let herself enjoy every moment. Without taking his hand away, Cole stretched out on the bed beside her and kept up his movements while finding her mouth again with his own. It didn’t take long for Katrina’s body to reach a high point, her energy releasing in a long moan of ecstasy. Cole kept going, watching the pleasure cross her face. His eyes were half closed with desire, his mouth ready to kiss her again – and forever.
He slipped off his boxers and kicked them onto the floor. Rolling on top of her, he kissed her passionately, giving her a minute to come down from her extreme sensitivity. He knew it was time when she opened her legs to him, feeling his hard manhood pressing against her. Katrina could tell Cole’s body was completely in proportion to his tall frame and the prospects were thrilling, tantalizing.
“I’m ready, Cole.” Her voice sounded like sweet heaven in his ear. Covering her with size, her soft curves nestled against his hard body. “Please,” she pleaded.
“Of course,” Cole whispered against her ear.
Slowly, delicately, he pressed inside her waiting body. He thrust…her eyes fluttered and an expression of pure bliss crossed Katrina’s face. Cole looked deeply into her eyes and they both smiled in the heat of the moment, the intimacy unparallel to anything either had ever experienced, whether it was their impending danger or the strong feelings they shared, Katrina’s past was immediately forgotten in the intensity; the current of adrenaline buzzing in their ecstasy.
She placed her hands on his hips and enjoyed the lengthy ride. She found it fascinating to see how Cole reacted to her slightest move, a caress, a nibble on his ear. He was completely authentic and responsive; totally charged and totally present, enjoying every moment. Lifting her hips with his in rhythm and flexing her muscles, Katrina brought him to the brink and then rode it out with him willingly. It had been a remarkable first time together, like second nature, and their bodies were mutually spent.
“Wow, that was, wow…” Cole lay beside her breathing heavily.
Katrina wiped her forehead with an arm and then turned on her side, watching him catch his breath. He rolled onto his side too and they fell into each other’s gaze. “Thank you,” Cole said.
“No, no, no, thank you!” she reciprocated, kissing him.
“I’d like to do that with you every day,” Cole muttered in the moment.
Katrina blushed. The thought was extremely tempting and she was certain she was game.
“I just wish we could’ve come together under less stressful circumstances. Being in a strange cottage with our senses in overdrive in case they come back doesn’t exactly scream romance,” Cole confessed.
“Well, just imagine what it’ll be like in a king sized bed with candlelight.”
Cole smiled at the tempting image. “With hours and hours of uninterrupted time ahead of us. Can I have a do-over in New York then? I promise a king-sized bed and candles.”
“Absolutely.” Katrina put a hand on his injured bicep, tenderly rubbing the skin just above the bandage. “You need new gauze on that. I wonder if George has a first-air kit.”
“Highly doubtful. I’ll be okay. How’s your cheek?” Cole noticed the darkened bruising on her left side in the dim light from the window.
“Sore, but I’ll survive. It’s better than being dead,” she half joked.
Their lulling aftermath was interrupted by Cole’s phone vibrating. Reaching over Katrina and kissing her in the process, he fumbled with the earphone on the bedside table before placing it in his ear and responding.
“Nielsen.” Cole kept his voice low.
He sat up as Katrina swiveled off the bed and walked nude toward the bathroom. He watched as her silhouette disappeared into the darkness beyond.
“It’s Hannlon.”
“What’s the latest, Kirk?”
“We’re just under an hour away, if all goes well. We’re making good time, breaking a few laws to get there.”
“Good. Do you still have the insider cooperating?”
“Yes. She knows it’s in her best interest to assist us.”
“I’m going for the boy then.”
“Cole, be careful. The wrap sheet on some of these guys is long and violent. If they sense they’re in a corner, they’ll come out swinging and take down everyone in their path – including Jimmy. But then, you already know that,” Agent Hannlon retracted.
“I appreciate the heads up though. Drink lots of coffee, it looks like a long night for you guys.”
“I will. How’s the woman?”
“Tough. She’s along for the ride, which makes my little side mission more complicated. I’ll have to watch for her safety while rescuing the boy. Might be tricky.”
“You’ll manage. Good luck.”
“Thanks. Stay posted.”
“Will do. Bye.”
Cole placed the phone back and sat on the edge of the bed. By the time he was dressed, Katrina had come back in search of her clothes too.
“I wish I had something else to wear. Gloria will have something for me.”
“I kind of like this outfit.” From where he sat on the edge of the bed, he pulled Katrina’s hips toward him and kissed the space between her breasts and then placed a cheek on it.
She wrapped her arms around his head, running a hand through his blond hair caressingly. Looking up, Cole met her eyes and their mouths joined again in a passionate display of their growing affection. These feelings were real, lasting.
“Did your agent friend say they’re on their way?”
“Soon. It should be over soon.”
“And Jimmy?”
“It’s all up to me now. He’s my priority.”
“You mean up to us. I guess we should go then.” Katrina reached for her clothes. “Those men may come back to the cottage any minute.”
“It’s for the best.”
“When?”
“The sooner we leave, the sooner Jimmy is out of harms way.”
“Then lets go.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Please, can you let me call my Dad?” Jimmy asked from the bed.
He’d gone through most of the comic books already and he could feel his eyes growing tired. The reality of the moment was sinking in the longer he was made to wait. Jimmy had tried his best to be brave, but deep down he needed to be comforted and know his father was safe too. He wanted answers.
“I told ya, we aren’t allowed to let that happen,” the younger, wiry one of the two men holding Jimmy said.
“Don’t ask again or there’ll be trouble, got it?” warned the older man dressed in black. Jimmy noticed the scars on his face and graying hair at his temples. He looked around his father’s age.
“Do you guys have kids? How would you feel if someone took them away from you?” Jimmy’s innocent comment made the older man’s blood boil and his temper peaked. Jimmy couldn’t have known that his past included hurting children and leaving them for dead.
“Shut up, kid. I’m serious, one more word and I’m duct-taping your loud little trap.”
The younger man sat on the edge of the bed and leaned in close to Jimmy. “You’d better listen. I’ve seen him angry and it’s not pretty. Just shut your mouth and everything will work out, got it?”
Jimmy nodded, the piercing glare of the older man’s eyes from across the room made him think twice about asking for some water. He held still and hoped this would be over soon.
The young guy got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom and the older guy followed. Before disappearing through the door, he turned and pointed at Jimmy threateningly. “No funny business or I’ll cut your throat – and I’ll take some pleasure in it.” They shut the door behind them and Jimmy was left alone.
“So how much longer do you think until the money arrives?” Stoner, the y
ounger of the two asked.
“Dunno. But I feel out of the loop. We shoulda got a call by now. At least telling us what’s goin’ on.”
Brown, the older one, scratched his head. He’d been through his share of kidnappings before and had seen them go terribly wrong. His last stint in prison had been the result of a kidnapping gone awry, but the man in charge on that one had been working under cover so Brown felt he’d been double-crossed. This time was different. He was positive Wilco was on the up and up and wanted the money so badly he could taste it. Brown’s last job had been a ransom for half a million and he was primed to get at least ten grand out of it. This time, the payout was a hundred. He was damn sure to get his cut.
“Should we call and ask how things are going?” Stoner asked naively. “I’m gettin’ a little freaked out about it all.”
Brown put his hands up. “Calm down, man, and don’t even think of bailin’ on me now, Stoner. You need to quit complaining ‘cause you’re starting to make me nervous.”
The men’s conversation was interrupted by a sudden thump. They opened the bathroom door and noticed the empty bed.
“Where’d he go?” Stoner shouted, racing around the bed to find Jimmy lying on his side on the floor. “So you thought you’d try to make a break for it, did ya?” Stoner bent down and helped Jimmy get to his tied feet. After reading the comics, the men had bound his hands with rope, but that hadn’t stopped Jimmy from attempting his escape.
“I think we should teach you a little lesson for not listening.” Brown took his black belt out of the loops and snapped the leather straps together violently, making both Stoner and Jimmy jump at the sudden noise.
Brown came closer to the bed and raised his hand, the belt firmly gripped in his fingers, knuckles white. Jimmy raised his bound wrists up to shield his face, cringing down in the bed awaiting the blow.
“Wait, Brown, give the kid a break. I don’t blame him for trying to get away.”