by J. L. Drake
“Savannah!”
My frozen fingers claw desperately at the wood, but I can’t get a grip. My limbs are becoming stiff, and my heartbeat is out of control.
“Savannah, stop, it’s us!”
“Get away from me!” I shout. “I won’t go back!”
“Savannah, it’s Mark.”
His voice finally registers. What?
He swims up next to me as I’m shaking like a leaf. “It’s okay,” he whispers, holding his gun and his other hand in the air, showing me he’s not a threat. He slowly removes his mask, giving me a glimpse of his face.
I close my eyes and try to calm myself.
“We’re sorry. We didn’t mean to scare you.”
I nod. Being scared doesn’t even begin to register how I’m feeling.
“Come on. We have to get you warm.”
A speed boat shows up, and Mark and someone else climb aboard with me. Mark wraps a blanket around me while the other guy moves to sit with the driver.
He keeps his goggles on but spits out the air piece.
Mark rushes me inside through a door I haven’t seen before, meeting Abigail, who already has a bath running for me in my room. I am whisked away before I can say anything else to Mark.
The warm water burns as it thaws my limbs. I’m still reeling with what happened and feel bad, but at the same time, I’m mad at the guys for scaring the shit out of me and ruining my relaxing boat trip.
Abigail tries small talk as I sit buried in bubbles in the tub. She keeps an eye on me as she chats away. “We’re having company tonight. It will be nice having someone else for dinner. Why don’t you pick something from the left side of the closet tonight?” That means something a little fancier. She prattles on. “You would look lovely in that soft sweater dress. Why don’t you try it on?” She fusses about, and I know she’s worried about me.
I give her a reassuring smile.
Once out of the tub, I stand staring at the clothes. It’s strange having a wardrobe you had no part in buying. The clothes are my style. This would normally shock me, but I guess it was all part of my background check. Plus, you can Google my name and a thousand images will pop up. Google…I haven’t thought about using the internet in a long time. I wonder if I can get my hands on a laptop soon.
I blow dry my hair, letting it fall in waves down my back, and apply some light eye makeup that compliments the pinot noir sweater dress that clings to my body, landing a little lower than mid-thigh. It would have been something I’d wear out to dinner with coworkers. It’s pretty, with a touch of fun. I ponder the V-neckline. There was a time I wouldn’t have, but now I find myself hesitating. It dips a little low, but it is still tasteful. Abigail did say pick something from the left side, and she did mention a sweater dress.
I leave the mirror and head back to the closet to look for shoes. I notice a jewelry box on one of the shelves. I open it and find three beautiful silver bangles. I slip them over my wrist while grabbing a pair of black heels.
Okay, Savi, stop stalling. I shake off my jitters as I walk down the stairs.
Cole
Cole can’t believe what happened this afternoon. He hadn’t heard her screams, as he had been on the phone with his father, who was telling Cole that he was going to stop by for dinner tonight. Cole quickly notified Abigail to make his father’s favorite meal, honey-glazed ribs, and let the guys know to dress appropriately for dinner. His father is still acting CEO of the company and is well loved around here. He is a charmer, to say the least. Cole’s mother gave him a run for his money, but he landed her in the end. Cole was sad she wasn’t coming tonight, but she had a prior engagement—ultimately why his father has some free time. He has a niggling feeling his father has an ulterior motive for showing up tonight. Maybe he has news of a new sighting of The American.
He grabs Mark as he walks by. They are all gathering in the living room, waiting for dinner to be served. His father is in a heavy conversation with Keith, so he takes this time to hear firsthand from Mark what the hell happened on the lake.
“We had just started our drill when we noticed the canoe floating out there. We couldn’t see anyone in it, so we swam over to see what it was doing in the middle of the lake. We approached it carefully, since it’s always tied up on the dock. Then she suddenly sits up and sees us. I can only imagine what was going through her head. I know how our gear looks. Anyway, she hopped up, looking,” Mark’s eyes flicker over Cole’s shoulder, “amazing…”
Cole turns and follows his friend’s gaze. If his mouth wasn’t already open, it sure as hell would be as he takes in the view.
Oh, God, buddy, you’re screwed. Fat chance you’ll be getting that out of your head tonight.
He watches as the room takes her in, guys sneaking glances here and there. At least they’re being respectful.
“You know, there are times when I really enjoy my job,” Mark jokes beside him.
Cole catches her gaze as Keith hands her a glass of wine. She still looks nervous. What the hell did he do? Maybe he crossed a line touching her cheek. Oh, God, what a fool he can be. No, it’s that stupid magnetic hold she has on him. He takes a large sip of his brandy and turns to see his father grinning at him. Oh, shit. Just what he needs, his father inside his head.
Mark makes a quick exit as he spots Abigail walking by with a tray of stuffed pastries.
Yeah, thanks, man. He walks over to the fireplace, needing something to do. He sneaks a peek at her talking to Paul. This is the first time he’s seen her in a dress, and he hopes to hell it will be the last, because his eyes can’t help but rake up and down her long, slim legs. The way her dress hugs her body, the way her hair hangs in long waves, all make his stomach flip. Damn this woman!
“Pretty little thing, huh?” his father whispers over his shoulder.
Busted.
“Yeah, she is,” he mutters into his glass. His father chuckles, coming to stand in front of him.
“The mayor’s daughter,” he says, acknowledging who she is. “Her father is making quite the shit storm with the media. When will they learn to keep their mouths shut?”
“I fear we may only have scratched the surface of this case,” Cole replies quietly. “Plus, The American is involved with her kidnapping.” His father flinches almost imperceptibly at the name. “So, you know what that means.”
“Shit, yeah. He won’t stop until she’s found.” He swirls his drink. “Poor girl, her life will never be the same. Have you heard if they’ll relocate her?”
Cole’s stomach sinks. “I think its best she stays here. She’s adjusting well. Witness Protection could send her backward.”
“Mmmm.” His father coughs as he tries to hide his smile. “Well, I’ll see if I can talk to Frank. Maybe after some time passes, we could make a position for her, or she could get a job in town. I’ll get her some new paperwork lined up.”
“Savannah, this is Daniel Logan,” Cole says, introducing her to him as they approach.
Her eyes go back and forth as she realizes she is meeting his father.
“Oh-oh.” Her smile appears. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Logan.” She holds out her hand for a shake, but he wraps his fingers around hers and kisses the top of her hand. Oh, Lord…
“The pleasure is all mine. Please, call me Daniel.”
Her eyes shift to Cole’s, then to the floor.
What the hell is that? Christ, he wants to drag her into the corner and demand to know why she’s acting strangely around him.
“Dinner is ready,” Abigail calls. Mark makes a beeline for the table. “Boys,” she mutters, but a grin appears.
“Shall we?” Daniel asks Savannah, holding out his arm. She smiles. Giving in to his charm, she threads her small arm through his and walks toward the dining room.
“Abigail, you outdid yourself again,” Daniel compliments her as he holds up a rib. “Delicious.”
“Thank you, Daniel. It was my pleasure.” Her face warms at all the attention.
>
A few more stragglers come to the table. Savannah’s gasp gets Cole’s attention, and his head snaps up to see York sporting a black eye.
“Hello, everyone,” York mutters, taking a seat. He makes a dramatic nod. “Savannah.” Her hands are over her mouth, and she starts shaking. A moment later, she breaks into full-blown laughter. She reaches over and grabs Mark’s arm for support, and he starts laughing too. Cole’s heart skips a beat. He loves her laugh. But what is he missing?
“Something funny?” York raises an eyebrow at them, clearly not impressed.
“I-I’m…” She tries to speak, but she can’t form a sentence. Finally, holding her stomach, she manages to get hold of herself. “Excuse me,” she says to the group. “I wasn’t expecting that.” She points to York.
Mark wipes his eyes dry. “I thought this was the best way for you to find out.”
“Thanks. I needed it.” She grins, her eyes glistening. She looks relaxed. So, is this what Savannah was like before she was taken?
“Is anyone going to explain?” Daniel asks, clearly ready for a good story.
“Well…” Mark’s grin speaks volumes. “We had a little encounter with Savi and a canoe today during one of our drills. York was trying to help her when she fell in the water, but she panicked and clocked him good in the eye.”
“Lucky hit,” York mutters.
“Lucky like winning a game of poker with a pair of twos?” Savannah shoots back.
“Ha!” Daniel laughs. “Oh, Lord, son, I wish you’d told me about her sooner. Seems I’ve missed out on some good times, hey?”
“I’m sorry, York, truly,” Savannah says after the table dies down. “I didn’t know who you were, and when you grabbed me, well…” She clears her throat.
“Don’t sweat it,” York mutters around a rib in his mouth.
“Oh, I would have paid money to have seen that, though.” Abigail laughs.
Savannah’s mouth drops open before she joins in too. York rolls his eyes. What does he expect when he acts like the house asshole? He has to know he’ll be treated like one.
Chapter Six
Savannah
I sit twirling the stem of my wine glass between my fingers, watching the red wine rise up the sides then bleed back down. I hear the guys joking around while they clean up in the kitchen. Abigail is on the phone with her sister, excited about her coming for a visit soon. I push the sinking feeling away of when I’ll see my father next. I long to see him and Lynn.
“How do you like it here, Savannah?” Daniel’s question pulls me from my thoughts. He takes a seat next to me at the dinner table.
“It’s…” I take a deep breath, “all a little surreal. Don’t get me wrong—I’m incredibly thankful. It’s just that I went from my old life, to a prison, to this.” He nods. “I think I feel like I’m floating with no roots to hold me down. I’m not really sure where I belong.”
“Well,” he rubs his chin, “you’re not the first person to say that.” He gives me a reassuring smile. “Have you made any friends yet?”
“Umm, friends? Ah—well, Mark seems friendly enough.”
“Yes, Mark has been around for a long time. Good man. Anyone else?”
“I guess Paul, John, and Keith.” He nods, agreeing with me. “York is an interesting character.”
“Yes, York is something else.”
“I love Abigail. She’s like mother and sister all rolled into one.” I pause, knowing what he is waiting for.
“What about Cole? Has he been friendly?”
Oh, boy. I take a long drink of my wine to stall. Truthfully, I don’t really know how I feel about him. I know the stories I’ve heard scare me to no end, but he’s also the first man in twenty-seven years who makes my stomach bubble with warmth. I’ve had boyfriends in the past, but when my father became mayor, they seemed to enjoy the fame a lot more than I did.
I glance over at Cole in the kitchen. He is such a beautiful man. Once more I take in his tall, lean body, those eyes you could get lost in and never return. Why in the world he hasn’t been snatched up still baffles me. I blush when his father clears his throat. Clearly, I just got caught. He lets out a little chuckle.
“Cole’s been—” Caring, kind, respectful, understanding, yummy. Oh, Lord, Savi, get a handle on yourself! “Great,” I say, feeling like an ass. Such a lame answer. “He’s been very hospitable.” I shake my head as I fumble over my words. “I mean…he makes me feel welcome and secure for the first time in, well, a long time.” I shrug, trying to explain better. “I—I don’t even know what safe feels like anymore, but whatever he does, it’s nice.” He grins at me…oh, shit. “But that’s his job, so…yeah, I guess he does it well.” Oh, shoot me now! Why couldn’t I have said fine and leave it at that?
He chuckles again, and I close my eyes, mentally slapping my forehead. I’m such a moron!
“Yes, Cole has always been very good at what he does. His mother worries he’s a little too dedicated sometimes. She feels he’s hiding behind his work. He likes to keep people at arm’s length. You know this job can be hard on the head. He was born to be in the Special Forces, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t screw with you.” He stops himself. “I apologize. Forgive me. My mouth has run away with me.”
“No, it’s fine. Truthfully, it’s refreshing getting a little insight on these guys.” Cole, mainly, but I wasn’t about to say that.
“So, tell me, Savannah, what did you do for fun back in New York?”
“Fun?” I almost laugh. Fun isn’t a word I’ve used in a long time, even before my prison. “I guess that would be going to listen to live music at local pubs. I’m a sucker for the blues.”
“Oh, yeah?” His eyes light up. “You know, there’re a few places in town that have live music.”
“Town?” I look at him, puzzled. “I wasn’t aware we were close to a town.”
“Redstone. It’s about fifteen miles from here. You should check it out. One can go a bit stir crazy up here.” Huh.
“I guess one would go stir crazy if they were here long enough.” I watch his face, waiting for a sign, any indication that I’ll be here for a while. He takes a drink, but his face gives nothing away. “I feel like you’re telling me to set some roots here, make some friends, and check out the nightlife.”
His eyes flicker toward where Cole and Mark are talking.
“I won’t be going home for a while, will I, Daniel?”
He doesn’t look at me.
“That’s a question I can’t answer for you right now, Savannah.”
My stomach sinks.
“But you just did,” I whisper.
Cole
Cole sits at his desk flipping through footage of the last known sighting of The American crossing the Texas border into Mexico, three days ago. He leans back and rubs his face. So, this man was stepping back onto Mexican soil while we were all having dinner. He wonders where he was when Savannah first came here. There’s always the possibility they were followed, though it’s highly unlikely. They changed cars twice since the airport in North Dakota. Once at the border, and again before they climbed the mountain roads in Montana.
A ping alerting him to an email brings him back from his thoughts. He opens the message from Frank, his main contact within the Army. He clicks the attachment, and it opens to a video of Mayor Doug Fox sending out yet another media message about his daughter. Cole rolls his eyes as he presses play.
“It’s another cold New York day that I wake up and do not have my daughter to call. It’s been eight months since I’ve last heard her voice, gave her a hug, or told her I loved her.” He pauses for a breath while his chin quivers. “Please, return my sweet Savannah to me.” He claps his hand over his mouth. A woman steps up to the microphone, thanking the media for listening. The shaking mayor removes himself from the crowd.
Cole flicks the screen back to The American, deciding something does not add up. The American was normally involved with high profile men, not young wom
en. Why the mayor’s daughter? They’d get more money if they took the mayor. The Cartels normally get more media coverage then, and they love to show their power. However, the mayor is doing a stellar job in that department. Cole leans into his hands, letting out a long breath.
“Cole?” He looks up to see Savannah standing in his doorway. “Sorry, your door was open.” She looks around his office. “Bad time?”
He’s barely seen her since the dinner with his father three days ago.
“No.” He drops his hands, trying to shake his stress. “Come in.”
She walks toward him, stopping when she gets to the chair. Her small fingers clasp the back of it.
“What can I do for you?”
“May I?” She points to the chair.
“Please.”
She sits and crosses her legs, running her hand through her hair and tossing it over to one side. A hint of apples reaches his nose. Focus.
“I think we should talk.” She clears her throat, as Cole’s stomach twists. “I’m sure you’ve noticed I’ve been avoiding you. I thought I should explain myself.”
He was not expecting this. He waits for her to go on.
“When I first met you, I called you my carrier because that’s what you were to me until I heard Abigail call you Logan. Then one night when I was in the living room, I heard some of the guys talking about this man Cole and how he—” She stops, fumbling with her hands.