Chapter 7
Parker
I’m so floored she’s actually agreed, I’m half-convinced I misheard her.
But I know for certain she’s serious when she starts packing up her gear all with a resignation that makes me uneasy.
I can’t figure her out. Just when I think she’ll try to stay; she’s doing the exact opposite.
I’m beginning to wonder if that’s why Carlos suddenly decided he wants her back. She’s wildly unpredictable, uncontrollable even.
And I can imagine it would get a little old on a daily basis, but the idea of not having her in my life is almost worse.
With my eyes on her, I grab my clothes and pack up what little gear I brought and unpacked.
Since most of the time spent here was either naked, or showering, I’m dressed, and waiting for her before she’s ready.
Her voice is clipped as she zips up an overnight bag and holds up a paperback in each hand. “Since you’ll be taking my place, I’ll leave you a few books. What would you prefer? A thriller or a spy novel?”
It takes me a few seconds to acknowledge what she’s saying. But when my brain catches up, it’s all I can do to slowly shake my head.
“I don’t know if I can come back here.”
She tosses the books on the bed and glares at me. “You have to. That’s the agreement isn’t it?”
My pulse speeds as I think about returning here without her. “I’m not sure I’m adhering to the agreement. I’m still in the dark about a lot of things. And I’m not making a call until I see Carlos face to face.”
Her expression remains pinched, but she nods and leaves the books where they are. “I’m ready to go then. You should contact base and let them know you might miss the ten am check-in.”
When I don’t move, she just takes the initiative and does what I’m no longer sure I want to do.
She picks up her bag and walks right past me and out the door.
Rather than risk her stealing my ride, I dismiss the radio idea and intercept her before she can get behind the wheel.
The rain is down to a drizzle as we slowly walk to my mud-splattered Jeep. I take the bag from her and toss it in the back.
Her movements are defeated as she climbs in the passenger side. I glance at the lookout, at her as she buckles her seat belt and feel as anxious as I did on my first maneuver fresh out of training.
Caught in between telling her to get out, and wanting to drive her somewhere else, I finally slide in beside her.
She doesn’t acknowledge me, just looks out the window, and takes a hold of the handrail above her.
I start the engine and fasten my own seat belt. When she still won’t look at me, I release a sigh, and spin the wheel to head back down to the main highway.
Usually I’d appreciate the scenery, but with each mile we drive, the less I find myself thinking about the landscape and the more I revert back to thinking about the woman beside me.
I sneak a look and have to remind myself I’m doing the right thing. Her entire body seems to be tensed. Like she’s already preparing for a physical attack.
When we hit the turn off to the highway, I chance asking her something I should have done earlier. “Did he ever hit you?”
She looks over at me and narrows her eyes. “Why? Would that make you change your mind?”
I frown at her and direct my attention back to the road. “It would make me ask more questions,” I mutter under my breath.
Her reply comes in a bitter tone. “No. He never hit me. He didn’t need to.”
When she doesn’t elaborate, I let it go, with the aim to find out for myself. Ignoring every impulse to reassure her it’ll be okay, I keep driving, and try not to think about what I might possibly be losing if I take her to Carlos.
I start to prepare myself. Mentally planning for every eventuality my appearance will bring with it.
I scowl at the road ahead as I try to see past that point. I what? I work for Carlos, poke around all the while knowing I forced the woman I have feelings for back into his arms and God knows what else?
The closer we get back to the city, the further away I want to be. I want to turn the Jeep around and head to the nearest airport.
I could do that. I could put her on a plane. Do what I said I would, pretend she gave me the slip. Carlos wouldn’t hire me, but I could go meet Laurie later on.
A smile curls my lip as I think about her on some tropical beach, wearing a bikini, and drinking a cocktail.
I can almost feel the sun on my skin, and the sand between my toes, when reality knocks into me.
The lookout was in theory the perfect place to hideaway. But Carlos not only knew where she was, he sent her there for eight weeks.
The more I think about it, the more bizarre it seems.
She said she owed him. And maybe she did. But if that’s the case, then why the hell didn’t Carlos just tell me?
Why invent a story about how unbalanced she was?
I’m still perplexed by the time we reach the city.
And judging by the tension on Laurie’s face and in my own body, getting the answers may be even tougher than taking her back to him.
***
Laurie
Numbness is creeping through my body. Hands clenched so tight; I’ve lost feeling.
I can’t look at Parker. If I do, I know I’ll beg him to turn around. When Carlos’ apartment complex comes into view, bile rises to my throat, and the enormity of what I agreed to, slams into me.
As if I’m watching from a distance, I see Parker press the button on the gate, and speak to the guard on duty.
The gate opens, and I feel the vehicle edge forward.
While I’m inwardly frozen, my body is still operating on autopilot, going through the motions of removing my seatbelt and opening the door.
But when I take a step out of the Jeep, my legs betray me, and I nearly buckle in the underground car park.
At the sound of footsteps, I turn, hoping to find Parker beside me, ready to prop me up, but it’s not an olive-skinned SEAL walking towards me, it’s a slender blonde, with icy grey eyes, and a weapon at her side.
Amaya. Head of security, and the woman who was my bodyguard for a month.
Her eyes shift to me, then to Parker, now at my side, before she gives me a nod. “Carlos is waiting for you both.”
I swallow hard. But can’t seem to find anything to say as I begin my long walk across the private car park.
Amaya’s heels clip clop as she walks, her eyes never moving from me as if she thinks I’ll try to run.
Parker is silent as we enter the building that I’ve come to loathe, and barely looks at me when we climb into the elevator.
My hands are shaking so much, I have to jam them in my jean pockets but somehow, I make it to the penthouse without so much as a word to either of them.
Amaya looks as stiff and unyielding as always when she looks at me. “Carlos has requested you return to your room while he speaks with Mr. Novak.”
My voice comes as a harsh whisper as I force myself to reply. “Fine.”
She smiles, but I know it’s for Parker’s benefit and not for any real empathy or out of kindness.
Since my room is at the end of the hall, I pause, unsure of what to say to Parker as he hovers at my side, his eyes locked on mine.
“I guess this is goodbye,” he says.
My lungs constrict as uncertainty flickers over his face. For his sake, I try for a smile. “Not if you end up working for Carlos.”
Parker’s head tilts, and his brows knit together, he moves a step closer as if he wants to say something, but Amaya clears her throat.
“Carlos is waiting,” Amaya prods.
Irritation sweeps across his face. “He’s waited two months; five more minutes won’t matter.
I exchange a glance with Amaya, and at the tense look on her face, I force a smile.
“You need to go.”
He sighs heavily. “Looks that way.”
I can’t go with him, if I do, I’ll make it worse, so I just spin on my heel before I give myself away.
Tears stinging at my eyes, I take leaden steps back to the lavish bedroom I came to view as a gilded cage.
I push open the door, and step inside my enormous room complete with an adjoining bathroom and walk in wardrobe.
I push the door closed and press my spine against it in the vain hope I can stop anyone from entering.
Nerves increasing, I scan the room for signs anything has changed since I’ve been gone.
But just as I knew it would, everything is the same. The enormous bed, the satin sheets, the four posters, and the red roses Carlos always made sure were on my nightstand.
To the casual passer-by, it looks like a room fit for royalty. But just like a princess locked away in a tower, behind the plush curtains, the windows are barred, and every exit is locked.
There is no escape. No way to leave. Not unless Carlos gives me permission to.
I take a cautious step towards the dresser, and flinch as I see a dress laid out on the bed, and just as I knew it would be elaborate and extremely expensive underwear.
Fear creeps through me, dread so thick I can taste it.
I close my eyes and squeeze them shut as I try to find an ounce of hope to cling to.
I slump on the bed and stare at my worn sneakers. Carlos would never permit me to dress like this now that I’m back.
He has standards. And even when I’m here, and no one but the staff can see me, I’m on display and a reflection of him.
I blink back angry tears and scowl at the underwear he’s picked out. Like I’m a doll to be dressed up.
And worse than knowing what is to come, is knowing that there’s little I can do about it.
He’ll get what he wants. He always does.
Nothing I can say or do will stop him.
My only hope is that Parker will find a way to help me get away once and for all.
But until then, I’ll have to do what I’ve always done to survive.
I’ll have to pretend I enjoy what Carlos gives me as much as I enjoyed Parker’s touch.
I stumble towards the bathroom and grimace at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is lank, my complexion washed out and there are dark circles under my eyes.
With a sigh, I turn on the massaging head in the tiled shower and try not to think about the last time I showered and with who.
While the room is filling with steam, I haul out the makeup bag I left behind, the perfume, the nail polish, and lay them out on the vanity.
I take one last look at myself in the mirror, before I strip off my clothes, and step under the water.
***
Parker
Gut twisted in my middle I follow the petite blonde with an acidic smile down the hall.
When we reach the door, she turns and looks me up and down. “You look like shit.”
I ready a retort, but she just knocks on the door and pushes it open. “Laurie is in her room,” she says.
“Good,” a voice growls from inside the room.
I step into the room after her and come face to face with the man who sent me to retrieve what he believes is his.
Since I’ve never met the man, just spoken to him, it’s slightly unnerving that I bare more than a passing resemblance to him.
He’s muscled and deeply tanned, and aside from the silver at the sides of his hair, physically we’re way too similar.
Amaya gives me a wry smile and backs out of the room like Carlos is royalty. And given the suite I’m standing in; he may be just as wealthy.
He strides across the room but doesn’t extend his hand, just gestures to a leather couch.
For a man who sent me to collect Laurie, he seems way too relaxed about seeing her.
I take a seat and wait for him to speak first. His smile is about as warm as Amaya’s. “It seems you were able to convince her after all.”
I nod but don’t say another word just let him do the talking. He smiles again, this time it’s an amused smile like I’m a kid.
“I wish I could say I’m surprised. But the second I saw you; I knew you’d be the one to bring her home to me.”
That’s gets a reaction. As far as I know, he’s never seen me. “How is it that you knew what I looked like?”
He chuckles. “I saw your arrest record.”
I bristle and try not to look as rattled as I feel. “My lawyer assured me there would be no permanent record.”
His eyes narrow and I catch a glimpse of the power the man before me has. “How is it that you never faced jail time? You broke the man’s arm in three places and ruptured his spleen.”
I work my jaw as I try to keep my temper in check. I should have guessed he’d find out about my brush with the law. And if he were anyone else, I’d probably be a little more forthcoming.
“You tell me. You seem to have all the information.”
It’s a risk, talking to him like that, but I figure I may as well see how far his reach extends.
A smile creases his lips. “It doesn’t matter where you came from. What matters is I have your loyalty.”
At the use of the word I have to actively bite my tongue. I’m not loyal. Not to him.
“Amaya tells me, Laurie seems fond of you.”
It’s such an abrupt change of topic it takes my brain a few beats to catch up. When did Amaya have time to tell him that?
“You’ve been keeping tabs on Laurie?”
He nods, the smile still locked on his face. “Very much so.”
Shit. I thought she was alone at the lookout, but what if she wasn’t?
“By using more than the radio check in?”
Aside from narrowing his eyes slightly, he swerves around the question. “I believe you had questions for me?”
I steady my voice before I reply. “I do. I wanted to know what kind of business you’re in, and what you expect from me.”
He scratches his smooth chin. “What do you think I do?”
I know I need to tread lightly, so I shrug. “Far as I can tell, you’re in construction.”
He raises an eyebrow. “But you doubt that’s all I’m involved in?”
I infuse ice into my voice. “I’m just a little confused as to why you sent me when you have a security team in place.”
Carlos leans closer. “She’s an incredible liar, isn’t she? She can put on quite a show when she’s motivated to.”
He’s switched back to Laurie again. Either it’s an attempt to throw me, or he’s messing with my head.
“Despite that, there’s something about her that I can’t explain. It’s almost like she’s in a league of her own.”
Cold creeps along the base of my spine. Something isn’t sitting right. That’s a little too close to what I said to her this morning.
A warning sounds in my gut, and it takes everything I have not to give myself away. “I’d have thought you’d have wanted to see her immediately.”
His eyebrow rises and the smile falls from his tanned face. “I wanted to give her time to clean up. After two months of roughing it, I’m sure she’ll appreciate the shower here. Maybe the lack of sophistication at the lookout was why she came back?”
My heart starts to thump too fast. Is he talking about the lookout, or me? Despite my inner panic, I just shrug my shoulders. “Who knows. Like you said, she’s an incredible liar.”
The smile returns, but there’s nothing reassuring about it. It’s the smile of a man who knows he’s just gotten everything he wanted and is feeling shamelessly smug about it.
He looks me dead in the eye and infuses enough ice into his words for me to feel more than uneasy. “Did you like the view?”
My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”
His lip curls. “The mountains. The view from the lookout is quite breath-taking.”
I swallow hard as my muscles tense in preparation. “It is.”
His postures and expression shifts. “Well, now you’ve returned what is mine, you can enjoy it again for another month.”
When he extends his hand, I hesitate long enough for his posture to harden even further. “Is there a problem, Mr. Novak?”
I shake my head. “I’m a little unclear as to whether Laurie wanted to come back. I’m also unclear as to why you left her out there so long.”
His hand drops and a dark look replaces his smile. “I don’t like the insinuation. Nor do I like repeating myself. I was acting on the advice of her doctor.”
I keep my voice and posture as relaxed as possible. “I’m not insinuating anything. I’m just pointing out she seemed perfectly capable. And to me, it makes sense you knew that and that’s why you left her to cool off.”
He’s staying relaxed, but I’m pretty sure I just pushed a little too far considering.
“I’m not used to being questioned Mr. Novak. But since it appears you think you know better than I do, I’d be more than happy to set your mind at ease before you leave.”
Before I can utter another word, he shifts and presses the speaker beside him. “Amaya. Bring Laurie in here.”
My already rattled nerves increase as he sits back, and eyes me coolly. “I’ve known Laurie for a long time Mr. Novak. You’ve spent two days with her, what makes you think you’re qualified to assess her mental wellbeing?”
I shake my head. “I’m not saying I’m qualified. I’m just telling you what I observed. She doesn’t seem mentally unfit. Scared maybe.”
His face tightens slightly. “You think a woman living on her own in the wilderness is scared? Laurie is delusional. Nothing scares her. She’s so completely out of touch with reality it makes her fearless.”
There’s an element of mocking that makes my skin heat. But it’s the doubt creeping in that makes my voice come out clipped. “I guess I’ll see what she has to say, then.”
A flash of anger appears before the calm demeanor returns. “Yes, you will see.”
A knock at the door makes me jump in my seat. Carlos gets to his feet and returns to looking smug as Amaya appears.
But my eyes aren’t on the blonde in a pantsuit. They are on the almost unrecognizable brunette behind her.
Dressed in a skin-tight minidress, strappy heels, with her breasts pushed up and on display, Laurie looks like a high-class call girl.
Her every movement is so exaggeratedly sexual, her hips swinging as she crosses the room towards Carlos, she bears no resemblance to the fresh-faced natural beauty I spent time with at the lookout.
She doesn’t even look in my direction, just walks up to Carlos and stands waiting, like she’s a dog waiting for a command.
Carlos looks her over but it’s Amaya he’s addressing. “Make sure Mr. Novak’s vehicle is fuelled. He’ll be leaving.”
Laurie’s lips twitch but she doesn’t move as Carlos slowly runs his hands up her bare arms. “Mr. Novak seems to think you weren’t ready to come back home?”
I take a step closer, the desire to pull her away and tell Carlos where to stick his job, getting almost unbearable.
But she gives him a dazzling smile and her voice is like treacle when she replies. “I’m not sure what gave him that idea.”
Something in my chest snaps.
Not sure? How about every fucking thing she said to me inside that lookout?
As though he knows what I’m thinking Carlos turns and gestures to me. “You see? She doesn’t know her own mind. That’s why she needs me so much.”
Laurie’s shoulders stiffen but she gives me a tight smile. “I’m sorry I gave you so much trouble. I just needed some time to think.”
Heat blazes through my body as every last dirty thing we did crashes in. Was it all a lie? Some game she was playing to entertain herself?
I’m so pissed off; I can’t even look at her. It’s like a switch has flipped on her personality.
In the space of an hour, she’s taken every last trace of the woman I met and replaced her with someone entirely different.
But when Carlos slides his hands around her waist, and her shoulders tense, my gut warns me there’s more going on than I can deal with right now.
I need to put some distance between us, I need to think, and make a few phone calls before I do anything hasty.
But more than anything, I can’t let either Laurie or Carlos know I have no intention of playing their game.
I nod slowly, and make sure I sound half as pissed as I really am. “Guess I was wrong. I’ll head back to the lookout. See you in a month.”
When Laurie’s eyes widen and I see every ounce of panic on her face, it takes all my self-control not to grab her on my way out the door.
