“Calm down. If I had told you then, your reaction when you found out that I was alive wouldn’t have been genuine, and you know it. Besides you’re in the clear considering everything is explained by Tanner being my uncle and me being lost in another country, unable to get in touch with anyone.”
“Save it. Oh, you are the most exhausting person! Why Kayla has anything to do with you I will never know …” She pauses and tilts her head at my smiling face. “Shut up. I don’t want to hear about your sexual escapades. What do you want me to do anyway?”
“I want you to get the DNA and compare them with the DNA on these items.” I say, handing over two bags.
“Why? Whose are they?” Huffing, her shoulders sink as she shakes her head. “I don’t know why I bother asking.”
“I don’t know either, but for some reason you keep on doing so. As much as you can’t stand my wife, you two are so much alike - stubborn as hell. So how are you? Have you gotten rid of your problem yet?”
“Nick, I swear. Brady is not a problem, I love him and you need to get use to that. Which reminds me, I am making him dinner tonight, we are celebrating our anniversary.” Lena wiggles, pulling out a little lingerie bag from her coat. My disgusted expression should be enough but she continues, “You are as much fun to irritate now as you were when we were kids.”
“Just get this taken care of as soon as you can. Please.” I stress, as she waits impatiently. Lena jumps up and kisses my cheek before running off with a smile.
My sister was a big help in faking my death, and even more so keeping me hidden. Lena’s house is quaint and the hidden basement apartment is easily accessible. But, the accommodations weren’t exactly perfect. I spent most of my free time trying to find Kayla and Ryan. With me dead, I thought maybe we could have that life together after all, little did I know at the time. I was so excited and determined to find them that I barely noticed Lena and her side interest. She did a good job of keeping him a secret from me until one night when Simone became impatient.
After watching the plane go down with Tanner, Lena drove me to her house where I set up to hide out until I could figure out what to do next. I couldn’t find my computer, I couldn’t find the backup and I just watched my uncle die. I waited the whole next day for Lena to come home and confirm that everyone was convinced that I was dead. She arrived home tired and stressed but was thankfully able to confirm. I felt bad putting her in that position but we both agreed that it was best for everyone.
My emotions were so strong that I remember every feeling I felt that day:
My sadness is only masked by my realization for what could be. Tanner would love the idea that it was because of him that I am able to have the life he thinks I should have chosen. With that in mind, I begin to make a new plan to find my wife and son. If I am dead, then no one will be looking for us, and maybe now we can have that life Kayla wanted. I become even more excited until there is a knock at Lena’s door, worrying me that maybe someone doesn’t believe I am dead after all. I carefully work my way outside with my gun in hand and take aim at the man standing at the door, Simone. I assume he is here to question her about me, so I rush to tell her what to do and say but the look on her face gives me pause.
“I can handle it, Nick.” I believe her and hide while she opens the door to him. The soft whispers through the door are so low I can’t understand what they are saying but then …
“Well if you’re sick then I will take care of you.” Simone said, pushing his way in. Lena continues to whisper, “Why are you whispering? Are you that sick, let me make you some tea, baby.” He said, coming in and embracing her with a kiss. My death nearly comes to a quick end. Simone heads for the kitchen and Lena heads towards me with determination in her eyes.
Pushing me down the stairs, she tries to hush me. “Nick you can’t make a scene. You are dead, remember?” I am so angry I can barely speak. “I wanted to tell you, but I know how you feel about him.”
“I! … Son of a bitch, Lena! Are you insane? Do you know who he is?” I rage, as silently as I can.
“I do, but Nick there was nothing I could do … it just happened.” She said, pleading with me with loving eyes.
“What happened?” I asked, realizing what she is trying to tell me. “Ahhh! Are you fucking kidding me? Simone?” Throwing my hands up in the air I fight myself from going upstairs and beating the shit out of him.
“He is really wonderful Nick. He treats me like no other man has, he is …”
“Wonderful! I heard.” I snarled back. Shaking my head, “No! No, you break it off with him right now. I am not having this.” I insist.
Crossing her arms, Lena changes her demeanor and eyes me with darkness. “I know you did not just tell me what to do. I know you would not insist on me being unhappy, would you Nick? As I recall, I was the one that told you not to get involved with Kayla. But, who said, I will do as I damn well please and you better just stand back and be happy that I am happy. Who said that Nick?” Shaking with anger, I search for something to put her back in her place. Before I can, she smiles that annoying smile like she always does when she wins an argument. Leaning towards me she kisses me on the cheek, “I knew you would understand. Now stay down here and quietly entertain yourself while I entertain my boyfriend.”
“Lena.” I fume, watching her prance her happy ass upstairs. “Damn it, Lena, you come here. Lena!” Son of a bitch! I spend the rest of the night listening to Simone have his way with my sister. A fucking nightmare! How can anyone concentrate with that disturbing mess going on? I am imagining a hundred different ways to kill him in his sleep. The noise becomes louder and Simone’s wretched voice shakes my spine when he begins telling my sister how much he is enjoying what she is doing. No man should be subjected to this.
I promised myself that night, if I ever got the chance I would make Simone a target. But I am not sure how I am going to do it without destroying my sister and my wife. Brady Simone, damn I can’t stand him.
Chapter 13
~Ryan~
Watching Welch everyday is about as much fun as watching Kayla do her nails. The man does nothing but meet suits every day. The only enjoyment I get is when he goes to his office. His assistant is the only thing that makes my day worthwhile. She dresses modestly, but she can’t hide completely under her clothes. Every once in a while you catch sight of her legs or bit of cleavage when she bends over, but it is hard to miss that wonderful ass of hers. She seems to be oblivious to the world around her and the other men checking her out as they deliver their numerous packages. I am so distracted by her, I almost forget to make note of the packages coming and going. Sometimes I get so caught up in watching her smile or push her hair behind her ear that I forget to call Nick and fill him in on where I am at. He is only patient when he thinks progress is being made. If I have nothing to say, then he becomes - well … Nick. “What can I say Nick, I am working on it. I am not sure what more I can do.”
“Bug his office, Ryan. If you can’t get to anyone close to him then put some ears on his phones, wire his office up. I need something, Ryan! What the hell have you been doing this whole time? You can’t possibly be enjoying watching this boring fuck, so why haven’t you thought of this already?” Nick gripes at me.
“Okay, I will do it as soon as he leaves today.” I assure him.
Once I see Welch leave for a meeting, I make my move to bug the office and hope to gain some interest from the assistant. With her, I don’t mind doing some overtime on this job and try to extort some information from her. Walking in with my worker uniform on, I wait until she looks up at me. I need her to focus on me so I can work my Jayzon magic.
“If you need something please speak. Don’t stand there and stare at me.” She says, continuing to work without any concern in my direction.
Okay. “I was sent to look at your phone lines?” I lean down on her desk and look hard at her, but she continues to look away from me. Frustrating woman. Maybe I need to concentrate harder on her.
“What are you doing? What is this heat coming from you … it’s so …” Before I know it, her hands are on my face. I watch her in shock as she feels over my face. Her soft touch slowly leaves as she seems to be looking at me but not seeing me. “Wow, I have never felt anything like that before. Who are you?” All I can do is stare at her, dumbfounded. “You are no repairman.”
Stepping back, I realize why she never seems to notice the world around her, so I decide to try something new. Leaning in close I hold my hand tenderly against her cheek as I breathe against her ear. “Yes I am. Show me where I can find your phone’s central system.” Her smile is breathtaking, but shockingly she takes my hand and leads me to where I need to go. I watch her closely as she counts her steps and turns the whole way, blindly leading me to where I need to go. Taking her hand I bring her back close to me, “Thank you …”
“Samantha … Samantha Bailey.”
“Thank you Samantha.” I say, enjoying her scent before she shyly leaves me alone. It takes me a few seconds to shake off the images of her, but I do and install what I need to.
Before I can wire up Welch’s office, I am interrupted by Welch returning early and I carefully sneak back out before he suspects anything. I leave out the side door, but somehow Samantha senses my departure and reappears at the end of the hallway. No words are spoken but the smiles exchanged are felt between us both. Oh yes, I am going to have to put in some overtime with her.
I spend the rest of the afternoon setting up at the hotel across the street, to make sure the signals are coming in clear from Welch’s phone lines. After a long day, I happen to end my day when she ends hers. Well, Nick wanted me to get someone on the inside, and I think I have found her.
Over the next few days, I continue my watch over Welch, but at the end of each day I follow Samantha home. She is careful about where she goes. She takes the long way home to avoid the bad areas. She has a particular routine of picking up her groceries from an elderly man from the corner store, then she buys some flowers from the lady just outside. With her groceries in hand and her flowers placed carefully in her bag, she makes her way blindly down the street and up the steps to her apartment building. Amazing. She is amazingly beautiful.
Welch is exhaustively boring. If not for Samantha, I would beg Nick to take me off this assignment. When Samantha leaves for lunch, I crash into a chair and throw a ball against the wall while I listen to Welch’s dull conversations. “Okay, so now on to the next matter. Coulton has almost assured me the position, so now I want to start thinking about getting us both elected. The idea we discussed the other night, do we still have that option open?”
“Sure, I can have him ready to go tonight if you want. Are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean …”
“I know, but what can create more sympathy than someone close to you being attacked by one of the scumbags of the city. I can take on her medical bills and support her, and take a huge stand on finding the scum and bringing him to justice. A huge win for the campaign, I would think. Who wouldn’t love a man helping out a poor blind woman after she has been attacked?” Welch says with satisfaction.
“Sure, okay, but how far do you want to take this?”
“Well, I don’t want her dead. I need her for pictures, but make it as close to that as possible. Hell, let him have his way with her. Perhaps some rough sex will loosen her up a bit.” Welch says with a disgusting chuckle.
“She isn’t bad looking, maybe I will take this one on myself then.” The bastard on the other end laughs.
“Be my guest, have fun. I will be glad to get her out of my office, the blind bitch can only do so much. Plus, she is always asking me where I am going. As if she expects me to be fucking her only. Hell, I haven’t fucked that rigid bitch in months.”
“You’re dating her, wouldn’t you worry if she didn’t ask?”
“I suppose, but I doubt she wants to hear that I am meeting with Mallory so I can fuck someone in the ass instead of sitting around being miserable with her. If it wasn’t for her disability, I would have kicked her to the curb a long time ago. Make sure to do her up enough to give me some relief from her constant questions for a while.” Welch confirms with the man and has the balls to leave Samantha with a sweet good-bye as he walks out the door.
I know what Nick would say, so I am not even going to ask for permission. I make the arrangements myself and do it without ever telling him. Samantha sticks to her usual routine, which clearly is familiar to more than only me. There is only one place that she is vulnerable without witnesses. Samantha pauses at that corner and takes a breath, as if she knows her vulnerability. Two steps off the curb, a man jumps out at her and pulls her into the alleyway. He is quick and excited to get her down, so much so he doesn’t see me coming. With my gun drawn, I walk up to him and push the gun into his head. “You have less than a second to put your knife down.” I say, calmly. He quickly does as asked and slowly raises his hands up.
“Don’t shoot, I am sure we can work this out. No one is hurt here.” He continues to beg as I help Samantha up. I let him keep talking and to keep thinking he is going to be okay as I walk Samantha back to my car.
“Stay here and I will be right back.” I say to her before returning to the alleyway. I have two men making sure he stays put, “who hired you? And why?” I ask him.
“Estrella. Said he needs to do a favor for a friend.”
“And his friend is?” I ask, but he hesitates so I persuade him with a few punches to his jaw. Picking up his bloody face I ask him again.
“I don’t know! I was never told.” He spits out.
I click off my recorder and finish him off. “Get rid of him.” I say to the boys before walking back to my car. Samantha continues to shake nervously. “You’re okay now. Where do you live, I will take you home?” I ask taking her hand but already headed in the right direction.
Holding on to my hand with both of hers, “You know where I live. You follow me every night, don’t you?” She says settling into the seat of my car. She lives in a modest apartment building. I follow her into her pitch-black apartment, where she has no problem finding her way around. “Umm I know you are okay with this darkness but I can’t see a thing …”
“Oh, I’m sorry. No one with sight ever visits me here.” She finds a switch to turn a single light on. “Do you want something to drink or eat or … I don’t know what is suitable right now.”
“I’m fine. You however, should come here and sit down - you are still shaking,” I say, taking her hands and helping her to a seat next to me. I don’t want to push a girl who has just been through something traumatizing, but I can’t help myself. I have to kiss her. With a little restraint, I place my lips tenderly on her forehead and to my happy surprise Samantha moves in close to me and settles in under my arm. This job is getting easier and easier.
“You are so warm, and your heart beats so powerfully. Who are you?” Her voice softens me as do her hands, tenderly touching my chest.
“No one important. If you need a name, feel free to make one up. I will answer to anything as long as it is PG.” She laughs and I follow suit with a smile while settling into a soft corner and letting her curl up to me even tighter. A few strands of her hair fall across her face and I gently finger them back into the rest of her hair. This is easier than I could have ever anticipated. She is melting into me with no problem. “You should be careful, walking home so late by yourself.”
“But I knew you were nearby. I could feel you. I was only afraid that you would try to stay hidden from me.” She says, causing my jaw to drop.
“Hidden from you? Clearly I wasn’t doing a good job of that.”
Samantha takes my hand tight, “I can feel you, even when you are not touching me. Your presence is like no other. I hope you don’t mind me telling you this, but I have never felt …”
“Never felt what?” I smile, believing I understand what she is trying to say to me.
She sits up, pu
shing back on my chest. “Wow. You are cocky. Settle down, that is not what I meant at all. I only wanted to say that I have never felt such a strong warmth from someone before. You fascinate me, I can almost see you because of it.” I sneak a quick kiss and smile from the tingling sensation rushing through me. “See …” Sam touches my face feeling my smile gently. “Yes, you do see.” She says, smiling even wider.
“You know you shouldn’t trust me, I could have bad intentions here.” I joke, sweeping my finger across her lips.
“No, you don’t. No you have a pure heart … too pure too bad.” She said, reminding me of the same words my mother use to say to me.
I never left my mother’s side when she got sick, I stayed with her until the day she died. No one loved and cared for people like my mother. When she was sick in bed, she would hold my face up and tell me, “Your eyes are your father’s, but your heart is pure and that’s what makes you different from him. You’re too pure to be bad, Ryan.”
“Samantha, I should go.” I push her hands away from me.
She quickly takes hold of my shirt even tighter than before, “Don’t go, not yet please.” I try to resist turning to look at her, but it’s no use and my whole resistance towards her gives completely when she feels her way to my lips and purposely draws me in.
Waking up, I find myself still holding Samantha and what’s worse we are both still fully clothed. I must be out of my damn mind. I try to quietly edge out from underneath her, but I don’t get more than a step away.
“Leaving without saying good-bye?” She asks.
“I was going to leave a note … or … I guess that wouldn’t have worked.” Her sad face is hard to see. “Listen, Samantha.”
“Sam,” she says, smiling once again and forcing me to reveal mine.
“Okay … Sam, I don’t want you walking home alone anymore. In fact, I don’t want you doing anything that causes you to be alone for very long. Make sure you stay safe, don’t trust anyone especially your boss … boyfriend, whatever he is.”