As soon as they stepped inside, they ran into two detectives whom Dan introduced to Christina as Wilson and Carson. Then he led her upstairs with the two detectives following right behind them. Dan told Christina to have a seat at his desk and wait for him while he went outside to talk to the two detectives.
Christina sank into one of the two chairs in front of the desk and watched them through the glass separating the room from the corridor. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she could tell Dan was very upset. Wilson left and came back with another policeman in uniform who was stationed outside the room as Dan disappeared down the hall. Christina felt uncomfortable watching him leave. It wasn’t long before he came back followed by another detective, who introduced himself as Miles.
“They must have someone inside this office in their pocket!” Dan said and hit his fist on his desk, frustrated.
“I’ll arrange for you to leave immediately!” Miles said. “You need to hide until the trial.”
Just a little bit longer, Christina thought. A lot could happen during that time, however. She wasn’t sure whether to be glad or sad. She wanted this whole thing to be over, but on the other hand, she was too scared to testify.
Miles left the room, and Dan turned to her.
“We’ll go to a hotel for a couple of days,” he said. Probably seeing the fear in her eyes, he continued, “Don’t worry, we’re going to be just fine.”
We? Christina wondered, but then she had to admit that during these last few days, he had put his life on the line for her. Feeling the urge to be in his arms, she stood up and put her arms around him, not caring that the policeman outside was watching them in surprise. Dan seemed to freeze for a moment, but then he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his rock-hard body.
***
They were still like that when Miles walked back inside.
“Hmm! Sorry!” he mumbled, clearing his throat.
Unwillingly, Dan released Christina from his arms. He walked around his desk and sank in his armchair while she sat back down.
“Have you found anything about this guy, Johnny?” he asked Miles.
“No, not yet,” Miles replied, running his fingers through his hair.
“What about the house Christina was kept in? Did you find anything else?”
“We did find a body in the basement,” Miles said after a moment’s hesitation. Glancing over at Christina, he added, “It was of a young girl, still unidentified.”
“The maid!” Christina exclaimed.
Seeing Miles ready to say something, Dan sprang to his feet and asked him to follow him outside. Christina had already been through a lot, and everything she had to say was in her statement and his notes. He didn’t want to put her through any more questioning, right now. He would go through his notes again and call Miles later if he had come up with something. In the meantime, he had to take Christina to a hotel and away from the station, as soon as possible.
“Who are you going to assign to her?” Miles asked and seemed surprised, when Dan told him he was going to handle it himself. He wanted no other police escort for Christina.
Miles didn’t comment on it, probably realizing that no one, even within the department, could be trusted.
Dan knew that someone must have searched his file and found out about the house on the lake. Otherwise, how else could those people find Christina? And that had to be an inside job since no one else would have access to a detective’s personnel file.
He clenched his fists, frustrated. It was one thing to fight the bad guys and another to fight his own. Seeing Miles glancing at Christina through the glass, he turned and stared at her, as well.
“She seems so pale,” Miles commented. “What a mess?” he added and let out a deep breath.
“I’ll do my best to protect her,” Dan vowed out loud.
“You need to be careful,” Miles cautioned him. “It looks like someone wants her dead pretty bad.”
Dan stared at Miles and then back at Christina. “We better get going,” he said. “I don’t want to stay around here for too long.”
“I understand,” Miles stated. “You take care of yourself, partner,” he added and patted Dan on the back.
“We’ll be all right,” Dan said, trying to sound reassuring.
“And don't worry about the house,” Miles said. “I’ll take care of things, and next time you see it, it’ll be as good as new.”
“Thanks,” Dan said. The house was the last thing on his mind right now, but he appreciated Miles’s offer.
“Does James have keys to the house?” Miles asked.
“Yes,” Dan replied. “Though I doubt you'll need keys to get in.”
“That bad?” Miles asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Dan replied and walked back inside his office. “We need to go,” he told Christina and she stood up and followed him outside, silently.
Miles followed right behind them and waited for them to get in the car.
“Does he know where we’re going?” Christina asked, as soon as Dan started the engine.
“No,” he replied, simply. “I’ll check in later on in the afternoon.”
“You don’t trust him?” she asked and looked at him curiously.
“I trust Miles with my life,” he said.
“Then why didn’t you tell him?”
“Because I don’t even know myself where we’re going,” he admitted, leaving Christina speechless.
Chapter Eight
DAN TURNED on I-85 north, and they flew down the highway in silence. For heaven’s sake, why can’t they leave me alone? What do they want from me? Dread washed over her, recalling the cold expression on the mobster’s face while staring at her locket.
Lost in her thoughts, she was startled as the car slowed down and turned into a driveway. Christina stared at the sign hanging on the side of the road and then at Dan surprised. “Where are we going?”
“We’ll stay here for now,” he replied.
“A romantic getaway?” she asked, puzzled.
“Exactly,” he said. “Who would think to look for us here?”
“Why not a hotel downtown?” she wondered, out loud.
“I want to have immediate access to the car and be able to watch everybody coming and going,” he explained.
Christina had to admit that he was right. Besides, looking at the beautiful woods surrounding the driveway, she realized this place seemed quite remote from the highway and any prying eyes.
They drove up to a beautiful two-story colonial mansion. Dan parked the car right in front of the wooden steps leading to the entrance.
“Are we leaving the car here?” Christina asked, confused.
“No,” Dan replied. “I’ll just go inside and get the keys to the chalet.”
“The chalet?”
“Yes, they have beautiful chalets spread all over the woods.”
“How do you know that? Have you been here before?” she asked, searching his face. If he’s been here before, he was probably with someone. Who was she, and where is she now? Is she still in his life? The questions burned in her mind.
Dan glanced at her for a moment. “I’ll be right back,” he said and left without answering her question.
A few minutes later, he came back, climbed in the car, and drove on to a smaller paved driveway leading through the woods. They went past a couple of beautiful chalets and finally pulled up in front of a nice one, built at the bottom of a hill.
“Here we are,” he said and drove around the back to park the car.
Christina climbed out and let her eyes wander over the enchanting surroundings. A wooden staircase led to a small porch in the back of the chalet.
Dan carried their stuff upstairs and putting them down on the porch, he opened the back door.
A remote chalet with a back door—another way out—hidden in the woods, Christina thought and had to admit that Dan was very careful, trying to think of every little detail. Even parking
the car in the back, despite there being plenty of space in front of the chalet, was another precaution.
We should be safe here, she realized and breathed out, relieved, following Dan up the steps.
Her breath caught in her throat as she stepped inside a cozy living room with a huge stone fireplace and beautiful windows overlooking the woods. This place was so charming with a huge leather sofa, two armchairs in a desert-sand color, and comfy beige, sandy brown, and auburn pillows spread everywhere, even on the floor in front of the fireplace. A small, fully equipped kitchen was separated from the living room by a bench, which also served as a bar and had a couple of stools in front of it. A lovely romantic nest, she thought and glanced over at Dan, who was taking their stuff to an adjacent room.
Following him inside, she walked into a pretty bedroom with a four-poster king-size bed dominating the room. Christina stared at the bed and swallowed hard as blazing images of herself in his arms flashed before her eyes. Shifting her attention away from the bed, she noticed that Dan was watching her. Her cheeks grew warm, betraying her shimmering thoughts.
“I’ll go lock the car. Try to get comfortable,” he said and left.
Having learned by now how cautious he was, Christina thought that he probably wanted to scan the surroundings and decide on the best escape route if something happened.
But how could possibly something happen out here? They were in the middle of nowhere, and nobody knew their location. She had nothing to worry about...except being alone with him in a seductive place like this.
As soon as Dan walked out the door, Christina took some clothes and stepped into the en suite bathroom. She needed a shower.
The beautifully decorated bathroom with the sunken bathtub and the shower in the corner left Christina speechless. This place must have cost a fortune, she realized for the first time and felt uncomfortable, not knowing if the police department would pick up the tab for hiding a witness at a place like this. If not, it would be too much for Dan having to endure this kind of expense on a policeman’s salary. She would offer to bear the cost if she didn’t think he would be offended.
She was still combing her hair, when she heard him coming into the bedroom. Hastily, she pulled on a pair of black shorts and a white, short-sleeve shirt and came out of the bathroom.
Dan was pouring some Coke into a glass filled up with ice. He raised his gaze, and their eyes locked. Christina felt the electric sparks in the air and drew a deep breath, jerking her gaze free from his captivating look.
“Would you like some Coke?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion.
“Yes, please,” she replied, feeling her mouth dry.
She took the glass he offered her, avoiding his fingers, and sat on the bed. Dan poured some into another glass and went to the armchair by the window.
Christina twisted the glass in her hands and kept her eyes on a picture of a landscape hanging on the wall. Every now and then, she would glance over at Dan, who sat in silence, watching the front yard through the half-drawn curtains.
As the severity of their situation sank in, tears welled up in her eyes. Oh, my God! Please, no! she prayed. She’d promised herself she wasn’t going to cry anymore. She hated being so weak.
Trying to keep as quiet as possible, she wiped the tears with the back of a shaky hand before he noticed. But he did notice. Leaving the glass on the table by the window, he sprang to his feet and sat down next to her on the bed.
“Please don’t cry… I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promised, softly caressing her hair.
Christina raised her head and stared at him. Seeing the passion flickering in his eyes, her heartbeat accelerated.
All of a sudden, he swallowed hard and pulled her to him. Their lips locked in a kiss that took her breath away.
His lips ravished her mouth and left a burning trail down her throat. He softly pushed her back on the bed, and his hands cupped her breasts over her shirt. A soft moan escaped her lips as his thumbs started stroking her nipples. Passion swept right through her like a heat wave. There was no turning back.
As if in a dream, she felt him unbuttoning and taking off her shirt and unzipping her pants. He removed her bra and started sucking on her nipples, driving her crazy. She dug her fingers into his hair, pulling him even closer. His tongue left her breasts and started going lower. His hands removed her pants and panties.
She watched him breathless, as he took off his clothes and flung them to the floor while pulling a condom out of the back pocket of his pants. Sitting up, she kissed him on the chest. His muscles tightened beneath her lips. He lay down on his back, put on the condom, and tenderly pulled her on top of him. Christina couldn’t think straight; all she knew was how much she loved him. His hands ran down her back, sending sparks of passion throughout her body. She moaned and opened her eyes to look at him. Their eyes locked, and he pushed her over and climbed on top of her. Christina could feel he couldn’t wait any longer, and neither could she. The tide of passion he stirred up inside her made her body ready to explode. She arched her back and dug her fingernails into his back as he thrust inside her…
Christina heard him drawing a deep breath and bit her lower lip anxiously. He was probably surprised by the fact she was a virgin.
“Did I hurt you?” he whispered.
“No,” she said, pulling him even closer.
He pushed even deeper, and the rhythmic movement of his body drew her into a sizzling river of pleasure.
Her body arched higher, and her muscles tightened as she came. Ecstatic, she felt him thrusting into her a few more times before he came, too.
Christina had never dreamed it was going to be like this. Lying there in his arms with her eyes closed, she wished time could stop… She didn’t want anything to spoil the moment. If only they could stay there, away from the outside world. However, she knew that wasn’t possible.
She felt him shifting and turned to glance at him. He was smiling at her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
“I love you,” he said simply, but that was enough.
Christina drew a deep breath and squeezed him in her arms.
I love you, too, she inwardly cried out, but the words died on her lips. Instead, she laid her head on his shoulder and remained silent. She couldn’t allow herself to say those words; at least, not as long as the dark shadows of her past kept haunting her.
They just lay there, holding each other, until she felt his passion rising again. This time they made love even more passionately than before. He took his time and drove her crazy. When she finally couldn’t take it anymore, she pulled him to her, and they lifted to the plains of heaven together.
***
It was late at night when Dan finally climbed out of bed. “Do you want something to eat?”
Feeling her body sore from their passionate lovemaking, Christina wanted to cuddle up in bed and stay there forever. However, she was hungry. “Yes, please,” she replied.
“Come on,” he said. “Get dressed, and I’ll get us something to eat."
“Do they have room service here?” she wondered out loud.
“They do, but I’d rather go get it myself. I don’t want anyone coming out here and seeing you.”
Christina thought this was extreme, but then again, Dan knew what he was doing. Better safe than sorry, she decided.
They took a quick shower and dressed. Then Dan drove to the main building to order some food and bring it back to the chalet.
Walking back inside, he found Christina sitting in an armchair by the fireplace, waiting for him.
“Do you want me to light a fire?” he asked.
“It’s not cold, but it would be nice,” she admitted. “However, let’s eat first before our food gets cold,” she added and walked over to one of the bar stools.
Dan opened the bag he was carrying and placed three boxes on the bar top.
“I brought hamburgers, french fries, and salad,” he said. “I hope it’s all right.”
/> “Sounds great,” she reassured him.
“Oh, and I brought some dessert, too,” he added. “Apple pie.”
“Yummy!” Christina exclaimed. “Let’s eat,” she added and took one of the boxes in front of her.
***
Later on that night, Christina was lying on some pillows in front of the fireplace. Dan was sitting in an armchair by the window, watching the front yard. The only light in the room came from the fire, sending colorful, glittering beams all over the walls, giving the room a dreamy atmosphere.
Christina stared at Dan. Sensing her gaze, he turned, and their eyes locked.
“Don’t look at me like that, young lady! I have a job to do, and I can’t do it from the bed,” he said and let out a deep breath.
Christina realized that he was right and decided to get some sleep. “I’m going to bed,” she said.
“Yes, you need to rest while we’re here. We don’t know when we might have to move again.”
“Are you going to stay up all night?” she asked, concerned.
“No, I’ll come to bed, too. Don’t worry,” he reassured her but remained at his post by the window.
Christina hesitated for a moment, “Maybe we should take turns watching,” she suggested, knowing that he needed to rest, too.
“I told you I’ll be fine,” he insisted. “Go to sleep.”
She stepped into the bedroom, and without taking her clothes off, she stretched on the bed and pulled the covers over her. She lay there, listening to the wind howling outside and the crackling of the logs in the fireplace. The fading moonlight, sneaking inside through the half-drawn curtain, created a mystic atmosphere. Christina watched the shadows of the trees swaying in the wind dancing on the walls of the bedroom. Their movement hypnotized her, and she drifted off to sleep.
***
She woke up, feeling Dan climbing in bed next to her. She turned and cuddled up in his arms.
“What time is it?” she asked him.
“Almost four-thirty,” he replied. “Go back to sleep.”
“You need to sleep, too,” she pointed out.