Catch Page 3
He throws me over his shoulder and pins my legs against his chest. Now not only am I lost. I’m also stuck. June’s words echo in my head. “One day, Max, you’re going to run into someone who will be able to get the better of you.”
Damn me and my ego.
When we reach the entrance of the plane hangar he sets me on my feet, and I look up into his eyes. I’m shocked to see sympathy. I decide to let my defenses down, take a chance and sending him a silent plea. I hope that he can see that he doesn’t have to do this.
He releases a long sigh, and then pulls a folding knife from his pocket. Reaching around me he cuts my wrists loose, and then over laps the tape to make it look as if I’m still firmly restrained. Then he bends over and does the same thing with the tape on my ankles.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers in my ear before banging on the door. I look up at him confused. “I’ve done what I can. If you get out, run for the water.”
Awesome. Max, it appears you may be going for a swim later.
The heavy door slides open and my kidnapper’s spine stiffens. A tall, heavy set man with full facial hair steps out and smiles at us. It’s even scarier than the smile on the Mardi Gras mask. Beads of sweat are rolling off his forehead, as he takes out an old yellow cloth to mop it up before it reaches his eyes. He has to be at least six and a half feet tall, and over three hundred pounds. I try to take a step back, but my kidnapper holds tight to my elbow. My heart jerks violently inside my chest.
The fat man eyes me up and down drinking in every ounce of my body, lingering on parts of my flesh that are exposed. He’s wearing a perverted smile that make my insides crawl, and the bile rise in my throat. Instinctively my body shifts slightly towards the man that kidnapped me. He tightens his grip on my elbow, and I think that maybe I feel him pull me closer.
“Ah, you should be fun to interrogate,” he grumbles as he runs a finger across my cheek. The moment his skin makes contact with my skin I snap out of the scared haze I’ve fallen into. My fight or flight instincts kick in, and I am almost always a fighter.
I can feel my nostrils flaring. The moment I get out of this duct tape I’m going to break that finger.
“Bring her this way.” Fat man spins on his heel and heads deeper into the hangar.
My kidnapper throws me over his shoulder again and walks me into the very large building. There is one small plane to the right. He veers left and sits me down in a chair. A table to my right catches my eye. It’s cluttered with instruments that will surely hurt if fat man has plans to use them on me. I swallow a lump of fear that has gathered in my throat. My knees start to shake and it takes every muscle I have to keep them still.
“You can go, but not far. I may call you when I’m done. I may not. Depends on my mood when I get started,” the fat man says with a chuckle.
Wow, he must really enjoy torturing people.
I look over at my kidnapper and plead with my eyes for him to not leave me with this man. Begging isn’t my thing, but I’ve never been threatened with the instruments on the table to my right. So, silent begging it is.
But he only shakes his head, turns on his heel, and jogs out of the hangar. The heavy door closes with a loud thud that sends panicked shockwaves rolling through my system.
****
Catch
I shouldn’t have spoken to her. I should have never removed the tape from her mouth. I don’t know what I was trying to accomplish. I only wanted her to tell me what had gotten her into this mess, but she seemed—to a certain extent—to be confused. And maybe I just wanted to hear her, to have her voice in my head when her beautiful face enters my mind.
“Forget about her, Catch,” I mumble to myself.
It takes all of my self-control not to put my fist through something. Talking to myself won’t erase the images of the tools that were on that table, or the pleading look in her eyes. Dragging my hands through my hair I jog over to the decaying building where I stashed my bike. I stick the mask in my backpack, and then I start pacing.
This will all be over soon and I can collect my money. Then I can disappear and put this whole mess behind me. Forget her face and those eyes. But the thought of pushing her out of my mind sends a burning sensation straight through to my stomach.
I can’t shake the feeling that something is off, that this isn’t like any of my other assignments. I just want to get on my bike, speed off and never look back. But for some reason I know that I will never be able to close my eyes and not see her green eyes pleading with me to help her. Saying I can forget her is a lie, and I know it. I wish they would have just kept it simple. Shoot her from a distance, break her neck in a dark alley. But, the thought of doing those things to her makes me shudder.
I’m not a soft guy. I kill for a living and have very little remorse for the people who fall victim to me. When I want something I take it. I’m a determined person who doesn’t take shit from anyone, yet this assignment has me feeling like Timer dumped a whole load of it in my lap. I’ve never had a problem with my assignments before so maybe that is another reason I got the call.
I stop pacing and throw my leg over the bike. I need to get out of here. If they want her dead then they can do it themselves. I can’t be a part of this.
Kicking the kickstand up, I balance the bike between my legs. I bite down as her face once again violates my swirling thoughts. She said she wasn’t one to beg, but she looked absolutely terrified once that fat man walked through the door.
I let out a rough laugh as I grab fistfuls of my hair. I’m not being very professional.
The sound of car doors closing pulls me from my thoughts and I kick out the stand and let the bike rest. Peeking out of one of the busted windows I see a black town car and two men walking up to the hangar. They are dressed in business suits, but seem to give off more of the pansy, douche vibe rather than the aggressive interrogator vibe.
When they pull the hangar door open a blood curdling scream rips through the air. I don’t think or take into any consideration what I’m doing. I just run. I run straight for her.
****
Max
“Has the fun started yet?” I hear James Kelly ask with a chuckle, that girly voice making my skin crawl. When he is nervous or excited it goes up a couple of octaves.
Of course he knows that bastard has already started. He didn’t waste any time. He asked a question and when I shrugged the back of his hand connected with the side of my face. He even seemed to get some enjoyment out of my pain. I bet he masturbates after he’s done with his victims.
Yuk! Stop thinking like that, and focus on a way to get out of here.
“You motherfucker! I knew you were behind this,” I yell. It’s time to cause some commotion so maybe I can pull my ankles and hands free. Every time I move my wrist though pain sears through it so fiercely that I’m surprised at my own ability to bite back the painful moans. I need to just forget about my wrists and work on my ankles. My feet are what I need to carry myself out of here.
“Shut up, Max,” he spits as he approaches me. Leaning forward he palms the arm rests on the chair and puts his nose only an inch from mine. Stupid, considering his nose is broken because he got too close to me once already. “I know you were in my office. The next time you copy something off of my computer you might want to close out the windows indicating the transfer was complete.”
I suckin a harsh breath.Oops.
I didn’t matter what he said, it wasn’t going to make me admit what I did. “How many other people work in that office, James?”
His face turns red, obviously annoyed that I’m not going to give in that easily. He pushes the chair and it tips back on its legs. I school my expression even though I’m terrified that he is going to drop me. And I still don’t have my hands free yet. Hitting the back of my head on the concrete floor could knock me out cold.
He lowers the chair back down on all four legs. “Hand me that paddle,” he says without taking his eyes off me.
; “What are you going to do, spank me?” I ask sarcastically. “Because the last time I checked you were only good for a quick fuck.”
The corners of his mouth pull into a grim smile, as he ignores that last part. “Yeah, I’m going to spank you, but not in the way you’ll enjoy.” I open my mouth to voice a witty retort but he keeps talking. “This looks like a good spot.” He turns the paddle on its side so the hard edge is pressed against my knee. “Let’s see how many blows to the knee you can take before you decide to talk. Now, remember, Max, it’s very important that you tell me what you know, and who you gave information to.”
James takes a deep breath and flips the paddle in his hand and then raises it high in the air. This cannot happen. I need both of my knees to help carry my ass out of this mess. I can probably handle a few hits but he could easily break my knee. I start pulling my ankles apart using every muscle I have in my legs trying to get the tape to release me.
“Ah, ah…Hold still, Max,” he says as he reaches out and squeezes my chin.
I jerk back and at the same time press my ankles apart against the tape. I feel it give some and a little bit of relief sweeps over me. I could possibly take a couple of blows, and then hopefully I’ll have my feet free.
The moment he starts to bring the paddle down the door of the hangar opens with a loud bang. Someone dressed in black darts across the room.
“Who the hell?” the fat man starts to ask as he storms straight towards the intruder. The sound of bones crunching echoes through the empty building, and fat man hits the floor with a loud thud.
Just as I think I’m completely tapped out in the adrenaline department another wave courses through me hitting an all-time high. My ankles brake free and in one quick motion I kick the paddle from James’ hand. He makes some kind of pathetic sissy squeal and grips his wrist. I jump out of the chair forgetting about my bound hands and slam into his chest with my shoulder. We both topple to the ground as he wraps his arms around me, pinning me against his body.
I glance up to see my kidnapper-turn-helper squaring off against the third guy in a suit. He moves with the grace of a dancer, but packs a punch as powerful as a semi. His fist collides with the guy’s ribs and I hear the sound of bones breaking.
Holy crap! He just broke that dudes ribs with one hit.
James starts struggling under me, trying to get me to roll over. That is not happening. He will not get the upper hand on me. Not someone who squeals like a ten year old little girl.
In one quick motion I bring my knee up and nail him directly in the family jewels. He groans but surprisingly doesn’t loosen his grip on me. I look down at his face to see pain etched across its entire surface. I roll my eyes—totally sick of what a huge pussy he is—and then slam my forehead down on his already broken nose. I’m rewarded with a satisfying crunch.
Blood spurts and his arms go slack around me. Before I can roll off of him someone grabs me under my arms and pulls me to my feet. I throw my head back with every intention of nailing a good head-butt, but I miss my target. Two big, muscly arms wrap around me, pulling me tight against his hard chest. A warm, ragged breath hits my ear.
“You sure can hold your own, Blaze.” I recognize his voice immediately; it’s almost as if I’ve been hearing it for years. My shoulders relax and I try turning around. “Wait,” he says as takes hold of the tape around my wrist and rips it, setting me free.
I bring my sprained wrist to my chest and cradle it there. Instead of waiting for me to turn around he walks around to face me. My breath catches as I finally get the chance to see his face. A strong nose that is slightly crooked, broad cheek bones, and a strong, square jaw that is rough with dark stubble makes him look all man. And a gorgeous man at that. I’m having a really hard time not staring at him.
“What the hell do they think you have?” he asks. His tone isn’t something I would describe as nice.
I shake my head. “I won’t bring anyone into this.”
“Too late, I was involved when I agreed to take the assignment. We have to go,” he says, as he pulls on my elbow. I root my feet to the floor. He is crazy if the thinks I’m going to leave with him.
“Look, I’m really thankful that you came back to help, but that doesn’t change the fact that you did kidnapped me and brought me to those goons.”
“No, it doesn’t, but if I wouldn’t have done it they would have just gotten someone else to do it. And I can promise you, Blaze, they wouldn’t have done what I just did,” he replies. Blaze. It’s a nickname that I never liked. Right along with, ‘Flame’ and ‘Torch’. But for some reason I don’t mind hearing him say it.
“Someone else?” I ask confused.
“I know asking you to trust me is a rather large request, but you are in some deep, deep shit, and it’s not going to end here.” He puts his hand out for me to hold. I take a look around at the three men lying of the floor of the hangar. All are knocked out cold. When I hesitate he says, “There are other people like me, and they will be called to finish the job. You can walk away now, go home, and wait to see if anything happens. Something will happen. Or you can come with me, and we can figure this out together.”
****
Catch
We are in the same situation. Now that I have not held up my end of the bargain, I will not only not receive payment, but I will also be hunted. Timer will blow his fucking top when his client calls to let him know what happened. And the way she talked about James Kelly I can only assume he is the client. I’m also assuming that he is the guy lying on the floor with the horribly mangled nose.
I have no doubt that this beautiful woman can hold her own, but there is no way she will survive against people like me. I want her—no need her—to come with me. All she has to do is take my hand.
“What’s your n—” she begins but a sound coming from the fat guy gets her attention. He is starting to come around. She looks down at my hand, takes a deep breath, and then very tentatively slips her soft hand into mine.
Without wasting any more time I pull her through the hanger. As we pass the fat man she stops and pulls her hand free from mine. “What?” I try to reach for her.
“Hang on, I promised myself something,” she says. I watch curiously as she goes back over to the fat man. She bends at the knees, picks up his hand and breaks his index finger. A resounding crunch bounces off the walls. As he cries out in pain she says, “That’s for looking at me like I’m a piece of meat, and then thinking you had the right to touch me, you sick bastard.”
She then jogs back over to me, smiles, and slips her hand back into mine. My heart and dick both jerk simultaneously. This girl just keeps surprising me.
I return the smile then say, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
I pull her out into the setting sun, and start making my way over to where my bike is hidden.
“My things. I know you have my purse and shoes,” she says, trying to put the brakes on. I can’t believe she is worried about those things. I will buy her a new purse and shoes if it’s that big of a deal. For someone who can kick ass the way she can I’m surprised at how girly she’s being at the moment. “Just…there is something really important in my purse. Forget the shoes.”
By the look on her face I know it has something to do with what has gotten her into this mess. “Through the door of that building to the left is my bike. Put the helmet on and get on. I’ll get your purse.” She nods and runs. I can hear her release a few curses as she hobbles over the gravel in her bare feet.
When I yank the door open to the building she jerks with surprise. I take a moment and enjoy the view of her on the back of my bike. She has shed the dress jacket that is splattered with blood, and popped a few of the buttons at the collar of her white shirt exposing the swell of her breasts. Her skirt has ridden up her legs exposing a peek of her thighs.
“Are you coming or not?” she asks. Her voice is muffled through the helmet but I can still hear the exasperation in her tone. She flips the
visor up so I can see her face. “Because if you’ve changed your mind I will gladly take that SUV back to my car and handle this…”
I close the distance between us in three long strides. She inhales sharply and leans away from me. I smile enjoying the fact that I have that effect on her.
“Shut the fuck up,” I say, as I throw my leg over the bike. She opens her mouth to say something but I start the engine and rev it loud enough to drown out her words. Yeah, she’s beautiful, but I have a feeling that her mouth may start to become annoying.
4
Max
The bike springs forward and I throw my arms around him. My fingers spread over his chest, and just as I’m about to grab two fistfuls of his shirt I realize how hard his muscles are. Instead of grabbing his shirt I leave my fingers splayed across his abdomen. I pretend to readjust my hold so I can slide my hands down to feel the ripples through his T-shirt. His body tenses, but I’m not sure if it’s due to my touch or him driving the bike.
Right as we pass the hangar James comes running out the door with his hand pressed against his bloody nose. Against my better judgment I give him a taunting little finger wave. It sends a clear message.
Come and get me motherfucker.
The further the sun sinks the colder I become. Soon I’m shivering against his back and I can’t wait until we can get off the bike. We have been riding for at least an hour, and I’m ready to crawl inside his shirt. Maybe ditching my jacket wasn’t the best idea, but it had James’ blood on it, and that is just gross. At one point during the ride my kidnapper-turned-helper brings one of his large hands down and rubs friction against my arms trying to warm them. The contact starts a tingling low in my stomach. I pinch my eyes shut and try to wish the damn feeling away.
We drive into a part of DC that I’d never been and pull into a dark alleyway. Stopping right in front of a large rolling metal door, he settles the bike on its stand, and then goes to open the door. A small part of me is screaming that this might not be a good idea. I don’t even know the guy’s name yet, and here I am just going along with him.