by Faye Pierce
I climb out of bed and leave her right there in peaceful solitude. Just looking at her makes me want to crawl back in and wake her up with a tongue lashing she will never forget. My body craves a second performance but this time knowing she desires me.
I dress quickly and quietly. I don’t want to disturb her.
My feelings are growing by the day. The one sticking point is Hugo sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. He thinks by taking steps to take allies away from me - he will leave me vulnerable. The only thing that makes me feel weak is her. Who can possibly know where love can strike at a moment’s notice?
I’m ill-equipped to deal with having my heart on my sleeve for any woman. Strength comes from adversity. Facing those trials with Leo by my side got me where I am today. He’s the only one I trust with those buried secrets. He doesn’t know Hugo was in his position when we were partners.
Breakfast consists of a strong cup of coffee standing at the counter. My body is energized, but I feel relaxed at the same time. It’s the damnedest sensation. That anxious energy wants to be burned off in a more constructive way than going down to the gym.
“I warned you not to get involved with her but do you ever listen to me?” Leo says from behind me.
“You’re going to have to start wearing a bell around your neck,” I say between mouthfuls of the strong brew.
It’s giving me a wake-up call.
“This is not the time to be distracted. The marriage was supposed to be one of convenience. I told you one day some woman would grab you by the heart and wouldn’t let go. It’s too bad it had to be now when we need to be on alert for anything out of the ordinary. Security is doubled, but I’m not sure that’s going to be enough to stop him from getting to you. I won’t be too far from you wherever you go. I don’t want to hear any arguments. Guards are stationed at the gate properly armed and ready for any confrontation,” Leo informs.
“I appreciate your due diligence. She wasn’t supposed to mean anything to me other than a roll in the sack. You know how I love them and leave them, but this is different. She gets me in a way that no other woman has ever been able to. I find myself being drawn into her gravity by no fault of my own. I want her to be left out of this. Whatever happens, I don’t need the added headache of worrying about her,” I advise.
“I’m glad you said that. This is not negotiable. I know you don’t want to hear this, but it’s for your own good. We need to be ready, but I can’t be there every second of the day. It’s the reason why I trained you downstairs in the shooting range. This is the day we always feared but knew eventually somebody would be coming to take you out permanently,” Leo says.
He hands me one of his guns. It’s a powerful piece of modern-day technology, yet I’m opposed to carrying one for obvious reasons. All accidents with a firearm usually happen in the home. It will kill me if something happens to my sister, but now I have to worry about my bride lying in bed wondering where I’m at.
“I need you to promise me to keep an eye on both my sister and my bride,” I say.
“I promise nothing will happen to them as long as I’m breathing. This is just a precaution. You don’t have to use it unless it’s absolutely necessary. The safety is always on. Just flip the switch, and you’ll be able to face down any enemy crossing your path. Listening to me is crucial for your safety. We need to eliminate as much of the staff as we can until this blows over. I’ve taken the liberty of scaling back those that we don’t need. Take a look at this list and see if I missed anybody,” Leo says with a piece of paper in his hand that is barely legible even when I’m squinting.
“Take this one off your list. Midnight loves having her around,” I said with a pen from my pocket, scratching out the name in question.
The place is going to become a tomb with a skeletal staff.
Valeria
I wake up to find he isn’t sitting by the bed watching me sleep. It almost feels like he’s watching me from wherever he is in the house. Telling him that I want him was probably a mistake, but I can’t take back the words coming from my mouth.
He seemed pretty damn smug, but something is missing from his victory over my defeat. He’s hiding something, but I’m through walking around on eggshells waiting for him to tell me.
It doesn’t feel right to sneak around the house trying to accumulate information.
He’s in the kitchen talking with Leo about security. I only hear the last fragment of their conversation regarding getting rid of part of the staff. Something is bothering him.
It’s most likely something to do with what happened the other night. He plays it off, but I know he’s worried. That in itself makes me want to have all the information at hand.
Barging in unannounced once again, catching them in mid-sentence, has them using body language instead of words to finish their conversation without my hearing.
“Take care of that and meet me in my office in one hour to go over some details. Business takes a holiday for no one. I put a few things on the back burner which require my undivided attention. Your patience will be rewarded with something extra in your paycheck at the end of the week,” Caspian informs.
“This isn’t just a job for me. Your safety and the safety of those in this house are my main priority. Don’t forget what I said. You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Leo says with a strange pat of Caspian’s suit jacket.
The jacket is unbuttoned, revealing a noticeable bulge underneath his arm.
This is the first time I see him packing more than what God gave him. It’s a little unnerving to think of him holding a gun after what he went through with his sister.
“There’s coffee in the pot. I have some work to do. So don’t disturb me for any reason,” Caspian commands.
He takes a few steps toward the door when I stop him by smashing the cup down onto the counter.
“I don’t like being ignored. I would take back what I said last night, but I meant every word. This idea of trying to keep me safe by keeping me in the dark is getting on my nerves,” I say.
“I don’t know what you want me to say. Keeping you and Midnight safe is important to me,” he replies.
“Midnight would tell me you’re just cautious,”
“That does sound like her,” he says.
“I think we need some time apart. I’m not sure that you really feel something for me.
“Where will you go?” He asks.
“My mother is sick, but I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know,” I say with my arms crossed in an attempt to stand my ground.
“It’s better for everybody that we’re not seen at odds with one another. My word is gospel.
“I can’t live in a prison,” I say.
“You don’t do anything without my permission. It might seem cruel and unusual, but I’m doing this for a purpose.
“What is going on?” I ask.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss the details, and maybe going to your mother’s is a good idea. You’ll have to take three guards with you and don’t leave their sight for any reason. I can’t stress that enough,” Caspian says with this air of superiority that makes me want to lash out with words I can’t take back.
“Don’t you think we should be a team? It’s not like I don’t know the pitfalls of being in a family like this. You might forget, but I never will for as long as I live. There are things I’ve seen that I can never unsee. I’m not some socialite drinking wine in the middle of the day trying to feel something. Just be upfront with me, and we can go from there together,” I persist while picking up the shards of broken glass, careful not to cut my finger in the process.
“We can talk about this when you get back from your mother’s. It will all make sense when we have the time to really get into it. I’m used to doing things one way without people questioning me. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ll always be stuck in my ways when it comes to the safety of my family,” Caspian says.
He wa
lks over, invading my personal space, and puts his hand on the back of my neck. The other one is around my waist until we are inches apart.
“This isn’t going to work,” I protest with my body quivering and my lips trembling.
“Are you sure about that? Your lips say one thing, but your body is crying out something else. You don’t have to like it, but you did admit to wanting me the moment we met. That makes me happy more than you know,” Caspian states with our lips coming together softly but with a demand I find intoxicating.
I feel drunk and a little dizzy, but no alcohol has touched my lips in almost 24 hours. The sober reminder of our passion is in the kiss. The soft allure of his aftershave pulls me in until we’re devouring one another. He leaves me bewildered and slightly stunned. I’m shocked, but I’m left with more questions than answers.
Caspian
It’s lonely, with the house slowly becoming a mausoleum. I can feel her absence, and it makes me yearn to touch her until she screams my name at the top of her lungs.
There is progress when it comes to Hugo. He’s been spotted a few times from reliable sources, but they can never get close enough to verify his identity with something more than hearsay.
He’s the one that crossed the line. He has only himself to blame.
“We have people looking everywhere. It’s just a matter of time before we work out this problem with a permanent solution. We’re not the only ones looking for him. There’s a bolo with everybody driving around in a police cruiser, watching for any sign of him. We both know he’s careful, but he’s bound to make a mistake,” Leo frets while pacing back and forth in front of the window.
“I’m just worried. Midnight is doing some business in the city on my behalf. I don’t like her out of my sight,” I say.
“She knows how to take precautions,” Leo answers.
“I’m apt to give her more responsibility. She’s been asking me to treat her as an equal, but I’ve kept her in the dark for long enough. She knows what she’s doing. As painful as it is for me to admit it,” I say with a confession hard to hear.
“The world is a different place. We can utilize cameras everywhere, including ATMs and small business owners.
“Is any of that helping to find Hugo?” I inquire.
“We have paid hackers in our pocket. They’re working around the clock, availing themselves of every camera in the area, but somehow Hugo eludes their efforts,” Leo explains while continuing to wear a hole in my carpet.
The phone rings, and I turn with a sudden and inexplicable pain shooting down my left arm. It’s the universe warning me that picking up the phone will shake my very foundations. It’s not like I can stop myself, even with Leo shaking his head telling me in no uncertain terms to let the answering machine get it.
I snatch it from its cradle and place it against my ear. It’s Valeria’s mother.
“I hate to be calling like this, but I’m a little concerned. Valeria was supposed to be here an hour ago. I’m probably worried about nothing, but I just wanted to touch base with you. My husband told me not to, but I don’t take orders from anybody. Where is she?”
“I’m sure she’s just running a few errands. Let me make some inquiries and get back to you. There’s nothing to be concerned about. We both know how Valeria loses track of time,” I say with a catch in my throat which I pray her mother doesn’t hear and take out of context.
“I want to believe you, but I’m not going to until I hear her voice. So don’t mess me around. I’m not afraid of you, and neither is my daughter. People have told me about you, but I don’t believe anything unless I see it firsthand. You make each other happy. Maybe you didn’t when this started, but I know my daughter. Peace of mind makes all the difference to me,” she said before hanging up, not letting me a word in edgeways.
Well, I see where Valeria gets it from. Her mother both surprises and annoys me at the same time.
I’m left with two options.
“I want you to get in touch with the three guards stationed with Valeria. Then, after you confirm everything is fine, I want you to do the same thing for Midnight. I hate sitting on my hands waiting for word,” I announce, still staring at the phone.
I don’t want to think about the worst-case scenario, but I can’t stop myself.
Leo is already on the phone making inquiries. He turns after disconnecting, the color draining from his face.
“What is it?” I ask.
“One of the guards answered. They were ambushed. Two of the guards are dead. He didn’t see what happened to Valeria. We both know this isn’t an isolated incident. Hugo has finally made his move,” Leo answers.
My mouth is wide open as I let his words sink in.
Several seconds pass when the phone rings again.
I can’t bring myself to answer it, and I turn toward Leo to step into the deep end. He gives me a strange look before reaching over to press the button.
The voice on the other end laughs without saying a word. Hugo. It’s the maniacal sound that causes me to slump into my chair speechless. Then, the line goes dead, and my heart stops for a moment.
It’s all becoming very clear. Hugo has Valeria. The waiting is over.
Chapter Fourteen
Caspian
Leo isn’t the only one pacing back and forth with nervous energy thick enough to cut with a knife. His first phone call is meant to disarm me and hold me hostage. That laugh is something that I will never forget for a long as I live. Nothing scares me more than his voice- and he doesn’t have to say a word.
The phone rings again, half-hour later.
I press the button with my finger shaking to hear somebody breathing on the other end.
“I think I’ve gotten your attention. You probably want to know what I want, but we both know that’s pretty obvious. You ruined my life, and I think it high time I return the favor. Do you know where your wife is? Hugo asks with a snicker.
“Let’s not play games,” I retort.
“I have Valeria. She is safe, for the time being, but how long that lasts is entirely up to you,” Hugo says.
“I’m going to give you a spoiler. This is not a presumption. This is fact. The last face you are going to see before you die is going to be mine. Don’t lay one single finger on her. It will be the last thing you ever do. Suffering will take on a whole different meaning when I have you in my grip. I’m not usually one to do my own dirty work, but for you, I’ll make a personal exception,” I answer back with a firm understanding this isn’t going to go the way that he wants.
“I think you fail to understand what’s going on. You are going to give yourself up to me willingly. This is not me asking. Who could ever predict the day when you had feelings for any woman. It was a surprise but one that was pleasant. We don’t involve family members in our business, but she knows the score better than anybody. Killing her isn’t good enough. You took my wife and my life. I intend to do the same thing to you. I’m just giving you the courtesy of being here to witness her final moments before I turn the gun on you,” Hugo says.
I get the idea that he means business.
“Where and when?”
“I’m glad you asked. We’re going to come full circle. Do you remember the first time we met and where it was? That is your answer. I’m guessing you want proof of life. Check your phone. You have one hour to get here and not a second more. Don’t bring anybody with you, especially Leo. This is between the two of us. I see one other person, and I’ll kill her without even blinking,” Hugo says. My phone beeps – it’s an incoming message from Hugo. It’s a photograph of my wife bound to a chair by her ankles and wrists.
“You’re going to pay for this with your life. Don’t worry, I’ll be there on time, and nobody will be with me. You have my word. That is my bond and something that I take very seriously. So don’t harm her,” I propose in the hope of buying more time.
“I’m going to repeat this one more time, just so there are no misunderstandings. Sh
e will die quickly, but you will suffer the indignity of torture before I finally put you out of your misery. Don’t show up, and I will punish her in ways that you cannot imagine. My hatred has no bounds. You’ve circumvented my attempts to take what you’ve built. This is how we settle this once and for all. Be late and see what happens. Bring somebody with you or call the police, and things will get ugly quickly,” he warns with his voice cracking through my usual iron-clad exterior.
I want to make a rebuttal, but I don’t want to do anything to encourage his wrath against Valeria.