Sara Thacker's Blog: Red Skhye In Morning, page 8
July 9, 2011
Chapter 15: Part 4
The second Amanda stepped into the police station she spotted Bill. His face was red and some guy in the room with him was yelling. It was Samuel Taylor, the face that had come to her first after waking up in the hospital. Her legs felt week and her head spun. She moved forward, keeping her gaze zeroed in on Sam.
The desk sergeant looked at her funny but didn't try to stop her. Could be because he could hear the damning words Sam was saying or maybe he didn't care. She pushed open the door and they both turned to her. Sam's anger blazed through his gaze, Bill's look of pity there for the taking. But she didn't want pity any longer.
"Bill, Sam, I could here you out there, and so could the desk sergeant. Those were some harsh words."
"Amanda, nice to see you. Glad you're alive."
"Not glad that I fingered you as the guy who attacked me, but I'm sure you'll forgive me at some point."
"Already forgiven." Sam tried to smile but the movement was quick and the anger burning in his eyes was quick to return.
She did her best to raise her eyebrow and look sardonic but her face felt tight. It must have worked because his face went white before he bent down to kiss her cheek. His lips felt soft against her leathery skin. She couldn't believe anyone would ever want to get close to her again. The way she used to look haunted her. Her body had been ravaged by the sun and salt. Her skin was destroyed. People stared, it made her uncomfortable.
"So, Bill, Sam, why all the yelling?"
Both men ducked their heads and did their best to avoid answering her question. She hadn't seen this much squirming since she put on a yellow mini skirt ensemble and asked how it looked. Yellow wasn't her color, she looked washed out and crappy. She needed to take charge, but doubt circled around her thoughts. Damn that little fucker for making her doubt herself. That one trait had taken her from barroom singer to mega-hit star.
"Sam, talk."
"Delanie is being used as a pawn to capture the freak who did this to you."
"What? Delanie Skhye?"
"Yes, Ms. Skhye came up with the idea, no me. She wants to capture this guy. We have people in place to keep her safe. I don't–"
"It's not enough." Sam interrupted.
Amanda pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Amanda, we have the situation under control."
"Really? Why are you here talking if she's out there alone?"
Sam straightened, his face a mixture of pain and anger. "I'm on my way out to go get her."
"Sam, I can't believe you went along with this." Amanda wagged her finger in Sam's face.
"I didn't. Delanie wouldn't be talked out of it."
Amanda wanted to shout and scream but her voice was still raw. "Bill, seriously, you didn't suggest that she go alone to find the bastard."
"She's the one who came up with the idea and wanted to do this. And she's not alone."
Exhaustion hit her like a gale force wind. "I can't believe that either of you went along with her. She's notoriously pigheaded. You have to fight fire with fire when dealing with Delanie."
Bill closed in on her, making her feel claustrophobic. "This guy needs to be caught. Delanie wanted to help. We have it under control. Delanie isn't alone. I'm headed out there in just a bit to help."
"Of course she wanted to help. That's who she is. She does all those action movies because of the thrill."
Sam slammed his fist down on the desk, causing papers to fly and a stapler to flip to the floor. "Damn, I can't believe I fell for this. She's going to die and her death will be on my head."
"No, Sam. I'm responsible for letting her go." Bill ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a huge breath.
"You both need to realize that every minute this guy has to attack Delanie the less chance she has to live." Amanda wanted them to understand how desperate Delanie's situation was. If this guy got her, there would be no happy ending for Delanie ever again. "Don't you realize how much an attack like this would fuck Delanie up?"
Bill drew her into his arms. He held on tight even when she tried to push him away.
"Amanda, I'm sorry. I know you've been hurt."
"You don't understand what this guy is capable of." Sobs racked her body.
"Shhh, we have a plan. You were alone. Delanie isn't. She knows what to do. She won't be taken captive. It will work...Trust me."
She swiped at the tears streaking her face. She wanted to say so much more but her throat squeezed with anguish wouldn't let the words come.
After a minute she felt she would be able to speak. She pushed out of Bill's arms immediately wanting to return to his save embrace. "Since you are going through with your plan I want you to find this guy and kill him. He doesn't need a trial. He needs to go away."
Bill reached out and grabbed her shoulder, his eyes bore into hers. "I can't shoot him unless provoked. It's more than just the law, it's my conscious."
She turned, her gaze zeroing in on Sam, "Fine, then Sam you kill him and say he was attacking you."
He said nothing, only the smallest movement of his head. She took it as a nod, confirmation that he would take matters into his own hands and do away with the bastard if he had the chance.
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
The desk sergeant looked at her funny but didn't try to stop her. Could be because he could hear the damning words Sam was saying or maybe he didn't care. She pushed open the door and they both turned to her. Sam's anger blazed through his gaze, Bill's look of pity there for the taking. But she didn't want pity any longer.
"Bill, Sam, I could here you out there, and so could the desk sergeant. Those were some harsh words."
"Amanda, nice to see you. Glad you're alive."
"Not glad that I fingered you as the guy who attacked me, but I'm sure you'll forgive me at some point."
"Already forgiven." Sam tried to smile but the movement was quick and the anger burning in his eyes was quick to return.
She did her best to raise her eyebrow and look sardonic but her face felt tight. It must have worked because his face went white before he bent down to kiss her cheek. His lips felt soft against her leathery skin. She couldn't believe anyone would ever want to get close to her again. The way she used to look haunted her. Her body had been ravaged by the sun and salt. Her skin was destroyed. People stared, it made her uncomfortable.
"So, Bill, Sam, why all the yelling?"
Both men ducked their heads and did their best to avoid answering her question. She hadn't seen this much squirming since she put on a yellow mini skirt ensemble and asked how it looked. Yellow wasn't her color, she looked washed out and crappy. She needed to take charge, but doubt circled around her thoughts. Damn that little fucker for making her doubt herself. That one trait had taken her from barroom singer to mega-hit star.
"Sam, talk."
"Delanie is being used as a pawn to capture the freak who did this to you."
"What? Delanie Skhye?"
"Yes, Ms. Skhye came up with the idea, no me. She wants to capture this guy. We have people in place to keep her safe. I don't–"
"It's not enough." Sam interrupted.
Amanda pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Amanda, we have the situation under control."
"Really? Why are you here talking if she's out there alone?"
Sam straightened, his face a mixture of pain and anger. "I'm on my way out to go get her."
"Sam, I can't believe you went along with this." Amanda wagged her finger in Sam's face.
"I didn't. Delanie wouldn't be talked out of it."
Amanda wanted to shout and scream but her voice was still raw. "Bill, seriously, you didn't suggest that she go alone to find the bastard."
"She's the one who came up with the idea and wanted to do this. And she's not alone."
Exhaustion hit her like a gale force wind. "I can't believe that either of you went along with her. She's notoriously pigheaded. You have to fight fire with fire when dealing with Delanie."
Bill closed in on her, making her feel claustrophobic. "This guy needs to be caught. Delanie wanted to help. We have it under control. Delanie isn't alone. I'm headed out there in just a bit to help."
"Of course she wanted to help. That's who she is. She does all those action movies because of the thrill."
Sam slammed his fist down on the desk, causing papers to fly and a stapler to flip to the floor. "Damn, I can't believe I fell for this. She's going to die and her death will be on my head."
"No, Sam. I'm responsible for letting her go." Bill ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a huge breath.
"You both need to realize that every minute this guy has to attack Delanie the less chance she has to live." Amanda wanted them to understand how desperate Delanie's situation was. If this guy got her, there would be no happy ending for Delanie ever again. "Don't you realize how much an attack like this would fuck Delanie up?"
Bill drew her into his arms. He held on tight even when she tried to push him away.
"Amanda, I'm sorry. I know you've been hurt."
"You don't understand what this guy is capable of." Sobs racked her body.
"Shhh, we have a plan. You were alone. Delanie isn't. She knows what to do. She won't be taken captive. It will work...Trust me."
She swiped at the tears streaking her face. She wanted to say so much more but her throat squeezed with anguish wouldn't let the words come.
After a minute she felt she would be able to speak. She pushed out of Bill's arms immediately wanting to return to his save embrace. "Since you are going through with your plan I want you to find this guy and kill him. He doesn't need a trial. He needs to go away."
Bill reached out and grabbed her shoulder, his eyes bore into hers. "I can't shoot him unless provoked. It's more than just the law, it's my conscious."
She turned, her gaze zeroing in on Sam, "Fine, then Sam you kill him and say he was attacking you."
He said nothing, only the smallest movement of his head. She took it as a nod, confirmation that he would take matters into his own hands and do away with the bastard if he had the chance.
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
July 8, 2011
Chapter 15: Part 3
Sam watched Delanie's boat sail away. It would have only been made worse if the sun was setting and romantic music filtered through the city. As it was the bittersweet goodbye had hurt worse than he though it would. The loud squawk of birds and the banging and clanking of the typical wharf atmosphere kept the situation real for him. Hopefully her attacker had seen the sendoff. She'd done a convincing job of playing the independent woman who could take on the world without worry.
Instead he'd been the one to worry. If someone had been watching they were sure to be convinced that Delanie would once again be going out to the island alone and would stay alone for the rest of her trip.
He turned away from the harbor and stopped watching the sailboat. Letting her go went against his deep-seated need to protect Delanie. He wanted to hold her tight and keep everything from hurting the precious woman he'd connected so deeply with.
On his way back to the police station he switched cabs twice, both times going through some elaborate rigmarole to keep anyone from following him. He doubted the attacker would follow him instead of Delanie. That worried him more than he wanted to admit.
The thought of Delanie alone out there with the attacker following her boat chilled his bones. The man could attack at any time, but they'd gambled that he wouldn't until she hit the island. Bill was willing to risk Delanie's life based on his profile of the attacker.
Sam's anger had risen to new heights by the time he hit the police station. He felt his blood pressure rise and his thoughts spin out of control. He wanted blood and he wanted it now.
Bill met him in the front office and motioned for him to follow. Sam's staccato steps echoed down the halls telegraphing his anger to those who could hear. He slammed the door behind him, not giving Bill a chance to speak. "You know what you did was stupid."
"Sam, please calm down."
"Calm down? How the fuck am I supposed to calm down when Delanie could be dead."
"She isn't dead. First off we have surveillance equipment on the boat she's on. Also we have a tracker on her."
"A tracker? How long before it goes out of range?"
"We need to stay close, about five miles is the furthest we can get."
Panic crawled through Sam's gut. "Five miles. A lot can happen over a five mile distance."
"Sam, believe it or not I've done this type of operation before."
"Yeah, but have you ever used the local police to run the operation?"
Bill shook his head. "No, it's usually the FBI."
"Do you know how these people operate?"
"I know how I operate. We're leaving in a few hours. Are you coming with us?"
"Hours, no way. I'm taking off right now."
"If you are too close you could spook the guy."
His head ached and his stomach churned. Sam couldn't stand Delanie being in danger. "I don't care anymore. I don't want Delanie left alone for longer than she needs to be."
"Sam, don't get in the way of the police. This isn't the United States. If you die down here no one will care."
"I'm not going to die. I'm going to save Delanie and talk her into leaving with me. Screw this guy and screw this operation. Delanie needs to be safe."
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
Instead he'd been the one to worry. If someone had been watching they were sure to be convinced that Delanie would once again be going out to the island alone and would stay alone for the rest of her trip.
He turned away from the harbor and stopped watching the sailboat. Letting her go went against his deep-seated need to protect Delanie. He wanted to hold her tight and keep everything from hurting the precious woman he'd connected so deeply with.
On his way back to the police station he switched cabs twice, both times going through some elaborate rigmarole to keep anyone from following him. He doubted the attacker would follow him instead of Delanie. That worried him more than he wanted to admit.
The thought of Delanie alone out there with the attacker following her boat chilled his bones. The man could attack at any time, but they'd gambled that he wouldn't until she hit the island. Bill was willing to risk Delanie's life based on his profile of the attacker.
Sam's anger had risen to new heights by the time he hit the police station. He felt his blood pressure rise and his thoughts spin out of control. He wanted blood and he wanted it now.
Bill met him in the front office and motioned for him to follow. Sam's staccato steps echoed down the halls telegraphing his anger to those who could hear. He slammed the door behind him, not giving Bill a chance to speak. "You know what you did was stupid."
"Sam, please calm down."
"Calm down? How the fuck am I supposed to calm down when Delanie could be dead."
"She isn't dead. First off we have surveillance equipment on the boat she's on. Also we have a tracker on her."
"A tracker? How long before it goes out of range?"
"We need to stay close, about five miles is the furthest we can get."
Panic crawled through Sam's gut. "Five miles. A lot can happen over a five mile distance."
"Sam, believe it or not I've done this type of operation before."
"Yeah, but have you ever used the local police to run the operation?"
Bill shook his head. "No, it's usually the FBI."
"Do you know how these people operate?"
"I know how I operate. We're leaving in a few hours. Are you coming with us?"
"Hours, no way. I'm taking off right now."
"If you are too close you could spook the guy."
His head ached and his stomach churned. Sam couldn't stand Delanie being in danger. "I don't care anymore. I don't want Delanie left alone for longer than she needs to be."
"Sam, don't get in the way of the police. This isn't the United States. If you die down here no one will care."
"I'm not going to die. I'm going to save Delanie and talk her into leaving with me. Screw this guy and screw this operation. Delanie needs to be safe."
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
July 7, 2011
Last chance to enter
Last Day To Enter
Over 180 participating blogs are offering a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another. The hop runs from July 1 through July 7th.
This week I'm giving away a copy of Vampiric Assignations in PDF format and one ecopy of Murder Stalks.
When evil vampire, Vlas, sets his sites on the Amber Black he will stop at nothing to take her. The Protectorate can't let her fall into the wrong hands, but Maverick's structured ways mangle the operation.
She runs off, scared of what she is becoming and what's happening to her. Maverick has to change his ways to save Amber and keep her from changing the balance of power in the vampire world. Amber doesn't know who to believe or what she wants now that she's a vampire. In the end, Maverick overcomes Vlas, and wins Amber's love.
Purchase Vampiric Assignations
When young women start dying, lead detective Tony Santos is drawn into a web of deceit and revenge that forces him out of the police department and directly into the sights of the killer. His wife walked out, and he's glad for that fact after a dead body winds up in his bed. Now he needs Marissa more than ever, but she's got her defenses up and his charm isn't working on her.
Marissa has never been physically strong, but threats to her personal safety force her to prepare for a fight. She hires a personal trainer to help her get in shape. But can Marissa get her emotions in shape and stop her overwhelming desire for Tony? He's too close for comfort but her body begs to differ. She wants him but living in a small hotel room with Tony may prove to be more dangerous than the murders happening close to home
Come back each day to read more of Red Skye in Morning.
Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then fill out the form below.
Last Day to Enter is 7/7/11
Freedom Blog Hop
Loading...
Over 180 participating blogs are offering a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another. The hop runs from July 1 through July 7th.
This week I'm giving away a copy of Vampiric Assignations in PDF format and one ecopy of Murder Stalks.
When evil vampire, Vlas, sets his sites on the Amber Black he will stop at nothing to take her. The Protectorate can't let her fall into the wrong hands, but Maverick's structured ways mangle the operation.She runs off, scared of what she is becoming and what's happening to her. Maverick has to change his ways to save Amber and keep her from changing the balance of power in the vampire world. Amber doesn't know who to believe or what she wants now that she's a vampire. In the end, Maverick overcomes Vlas, and wins Amber's love.
Purchase Vampiric Assignations
When young women start dying, lead detective Tony Santos is drawn into a web of deceit and revenge that forces him out of the police department and directly into the sights of the killer. His wife walked out, and he's glad for that fact after a dead body winds up in his bed. Now he needs Marissa more than ever, but she's got her defenses up and his charm isn't working on her.Marissa has never been physically strong, but threats to her personal safety force her to prepare for a fight. She hires a personal trainer to help her get in shape. But can Marissa get her emotions in shape and stop her overwhelming desire for Tony? He's too close for comfort but her body begs to differ. She wants him but living in a small hotel room with Tony may prove to be more dangerous than the murders happening close to home
Come back each day to read more of Red Skye in Morning.
Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then fill out the form below.
Last Day to Enter is 7/7/11
Freedom Blog Hop
Loading...
Chapter 15: Part 2
Delanie's heart hammered against her chest. She was a fool to do this. She might pretend to be brave with Sam, but she was scared to death.
The bastard needed to be stopped and that meant she needed to do this. Although she'd played in multiple movies where the girl caught the bad guy, this was nothing like the movies. During intense filming scenes the camera was always pointed at the action, but she could see the fat-ass director or the crazy cameraman who made the entire experience less real.
At some point cut would be called and her life would go back to normal. This wasn't like that. There would be no cut and no second takes. The camera guy wouldn't crack a totally obnoxious joke and there wouldn't be any fans to sign autographs for just outside of the set.
No multitude of people crowding the area. Only her alone on the island she'd thought of as a paradise and now could only cringe at the thought of returning to. Would she ever be able to spend time alone again?
She breathed in deep, preparing herself for Sam to come check on her. They'd met last night and agreed that she shouldn't be seen with Bill again. They'd hired a boat to take her back to the island, the driver was a cop, not that anyone would know.
If this didn't work then her life would be seriously screwed. She closed her eyes, praying that everything could change. That she'd be back home in her comfortable bed and none of this would have happened.
The door opened. "It's just me." Sam's voice soothed her. "You don't have to do this. They could find a double. Someone who could fill in for you."
"No, I can't put anyone else in danger."
"But they could get a police officer."
"Sam, have you looked at the police here on the Bahamas? And it would take too long to get someone who looks like me."
He took her hands and squeezed. "So you're not going to change your mind."
"No, I can't."
"What if I told you I needed you here with me?"
"You would be lying. You live alone on a boat. You've gotten the being by yourself part down pat."
"I can't fault you for that argument."
"When this is done and over with we'll get together."
Delanie watched Sam's face, hoping for a positive response. Did he really want to see her again, or would their relationship fizzle out once the real world hit.
"It'll be different. Out here on the water, with the calm ocean breezes and the crisp water your problems fall to the wayside. But once back in the real world it all changes."
Disappointment filled her. "Are you saying you don't want to see me once this is over."
"No, God no. I'm saying you may not want to see me, and I don't want you to feel pressure. You're on vacation, even if it has become a pain in the ass, you are still on vacation. This has been my life for the last few years."
"Why?"
"Loads of reasons." Sam closed his eyes, pain etched on his face. "Mainly I was an ass."
"Really, I don't believe it."
"It's true."
"I can't imagine you being an ass."
"Trust me, I'm the worst type of guy out there."
"I think my attacker is worse."
Sam let out a bark of a laugh. "You're right. I meant of the guys who aren't homicidal idiots."
"I'll give you that. Okay, so you weren't nice."
"I took advantage of people and loved it. I can't go back to that."
"What do you mean?"
"I've thought long and hard. I'm not sure I could go back to the real world."
Delanie sighed, trying to delay the depression of Sam leaving her. "I know I couldn't stay away from it."
Sam pulled her into a tight hug, his lips soothed her temple. "Exactly."
Copyright Sara Thacker2011
The bastard needed to be stopped and that meant she needed to do this. Although she'd played in multiple movies where the girl caught the bad guy, this was nothing like the movies. During intense filming scenes the camera was always pointed at the action, but she could see the fat-ass director or the crazy cameraman who made the entire experience less real.
At some point cut would be called and her life would go back to normal. This wasn't like that. There would be no cut and no second takes. The camera guy wouldn't crack a totally obnoxious joke and there wouldn't be any fans to sign autographs for just outside of the set.
No multitude of people crowding the area. Only her alone on the island she'd thought of as a paradise and now could only cringe at the thought of returning to. Would she ever be able to spend time alone again?
She breathed in deep, preparing herself for Sam to come check on her. They'd met last night and agreed that she shouldn't be seen with Bill again. They'd hired a boat to take her back to the island, the driver was a cop, not that anyone would know.
If this didn't work then her life would be seriously screwed. She closed her eyes, praying that everything could change. That she'd be back home in her comfortable bed and none of this would have happened.
The door opened. "It's just me." Sam's voice soothed her. "You don't have to do this. They could find a double. Someone who could fill in for you."
"No, I can't put anyone else in danger."
"But they could get a police officer."
"Sam, have you looked at the police here on the Bahamas? And it would take too long to get someone who looks like me."
He took her hands and squeezed. "So you're not going to change your mind."
"No, I can't."
"What if I told you I needed you here with me?"
"You would be lying. You live alone on a boat. You've gotten the being by yourself part down pat."
"I can't fault you for that argument."
"When this is done and over with we'll get together."
Delanie watched Sam's face, hoping for a positive response. Did he really want to see her again, or would their relationship fizzle out once the real world hit.
"It'll be different. Out here on the water, with the calm ocean breezes and the crisp water your problems fall to the wayside. But once back in the real world it all changes."
Disappointment filled her. "Are you saying you don't want to see me once this is over."
"No, God no. I'm saying you may not want to see me, and I don't want you to feel pressure. You're on vacation, even if it has become a pain in the ass, you are still on vacation. This has been my life for the last few years."
"Why?"
"Loads of reasons." Sam closed his eyes, pain etched on his face. "Mainly I was an ass."
"Really, I don't believe it."
"It's true."
"I can't imagine you being an ass."
"Trust me, I'm the worst type of guy out there."
"I think my attacker is worse."
Sam let out a bark of a laugh. "You're right. I meant of the guys who aren't homicidal idiots."
"I'll give you that. Okay, so you weren't nice."
"I took advantage of people and loved it. I can't go back to that."
"What do you mean?"
"I've thought long and hard. I'm not sure I could go back to the real world."
Delanie sighed, trying to delay the depression of Sam leaving her. "I know I couldn't stay away from it."
Sam pulled her into a tight hug, his lips soothed her temple. "Exactly."
Copyright Sara Thacker2011
July 6, 2011
Chapter 15: Part 1
Richard closed his eyes and imagined what it would be like to be with Amanda again. He shuddered, grossed out by the way she looked now. Being with her would rank up there is getting his tonsils out and having a tooth pulled. She looked skanky now, not at all like his new quarry.
Down the block a prostitute stood on the corner selling her body. Richard wouldn't touch the bitch. Only idiots paid for sex. It was a man's right to fuck. God wouldn't have built men with such raging fire in their veins if he hadn't meant for them to take what they wanted.
No, he'd go search the docks and find the bitch that he wanted. Then he would take her and make her his special lover. She'd never be the same. Maybe he could take the guy too and have him watch.
Richard checked his watch. Damn, he needed to calm down. Two hours had passed since he saw Delanie leave the police station. How the fuck had two hours disappeared. He tried to remember anything that had taken that long but he couldn't.
He ran through the city, ignoring angry drivers and pedestrians he knocked to the ground. The miles between the police station and the wharf disappeared. He'd almost made it to the dock where his boat sat when he tripped, almost falling to the ground. He caught himself and sunk to his knees.
What the fuck was he doing. This type of behavior would do him no good. He needed to calm down. Delanie couldn't have gone far.
Few people were on the street and those who saw him steered clear. A bar with its flashing neon signs beckoned him. He entered the place, ignoring the patrons. The bathrooms were indicated by a small sign. With purpose he headed back to the back of the place, hoping that his visage would keep questions at bay.
He could reset and take control of the emotions raging through him. The fucking bitch had gotten away. He couldn't change that now. But total focus would make everything all right.
Richard locked the bathroom door and slid to the floor. He breathed in then out, clearing his mind of the attack and the lost opportunity. If he had captured her he would be well on his way to Panama and no one here in the Bahamas would ever seen him again.
Sailing through the open ocean with Delanie by his side would make up for the losses he had suffered. He focused on the goal, thinking about how wonderful it would be to hold her in his arms after he disciplined her for a few hours.
Her body would be raw and aching. His salve would sooth her wounds. She would be so appreciative of his efforts. If she fought him he would tie her up. Restraints were necessary sometimes.
Just the thought of her being restrained was enough for him to almost come. He stood and fixed his mind the various ways he would subdue her. He unzipped his pants and released onto the wall.
The release was enough to easy his worries and calm his rage. She would be his. He could feel it now, the certainty he felt before each one of his previous girls rocked through his body. Well, he'd felt it before the successful ones. The unsuccessful girl had been a fluke. He hadn't had that feeling and he knew he never should have taken her. Changing his pattern had been a huge mistake. He should have stuck to his usual operating procedures.
The loss had thrown him off. Now he knew what he needed to do. He'd find Delanie, wait and watch and then once the perfect opportunity presented itself he'd pounce.
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
Down the block a prostitute stood on the corner selling her body. Richard wouldn't touch the bitch. Only idiots paid for sex. It was a man's right to fuck. God wouldn't have built men with such raging fire in their veins if he hadn't meant for them to take what they wanted.
No, he'd go search the docks and find the bitch that he wanted. Then he would take her and make her his special lover. She'd never be the same. Maybe he could take the guy too and have him watch.
Richard checked his watch. Damn, he needed to calm down. Two hours had passed since he saw Delanie leave the police station. How the fuck had two hours disappeared. He tried to remember anything that had taken that long but he couldn't.
He ran through the city, ignoring angry drivers and pedestrians he knocked to the ground. The miles between the police station and the wharf disappeared. He'd almost made it to the dock where his boat sat when he tripped, almost falling to the ground. He caught himself and sunk to his knees.
What the fuck was he doing. This type of behavior would do him no good. He needed to calm down. Delanie couldn't have gone far.
Few people were on the street and those who saw him steered clear. A bar with its flashing neon signs beckoned him. He entered the place, ignoring the patrons. The bathrooms were indicated by a small sign. With purpose he headed back to the back of the place, hoping that his visage would keep questions at bay.
He could reset and take control of the emotions raging through him. The fucking bitch had gotten away. He couldn't change that now. But total focus would make everything all right.
Richard locked the bathroom door and slid to the floor. He breathed in then out, clearing his mind of the attack and the lost opportunity. If he had captured her he would be well on his way to Panama and no one here in the Bahamas would ever seen him again.
Sailing through the open ocean with Delanie by his side would make up for the losses he had suffered. He focused on the goal, thinking about how wonderful it would be to hold her in his arms after he disciplined her for a few hours.
Her body would be raw and aching. His salve would sooth her wounds. She would be so appreciative of his efforts. If she fought him he would tie her up. Restraints were necessary sometimes.
Just the thought of her being restrained was enough for him to almost come. He stood and fixed his mind the various ways he would subdue her. He unzipped his pants and released onto the wall.
The release was enough to easy his worries and calm his rage. She would be his. He could feel it now, the certainty he felt before each one of his previous girls rocked through his body. Well, he'd felt it before the successful ones. The unsuccessful girl had been a fluke. He hadn't had that feeling and he knew he never should have taken her. Changing his pattern had been a huge mistake. He should have stuck to his usual operating procedures.
The loss had thrown him off. Now he knew what he needed to do. He'd find Delanie, wait and watch and then once the perfect opportunity presented itself he'd pounce.
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
July 5, 2011
Chapter 14: Part 6
Samuel watched as Delanie prepared to return to the island. He hated her plan. Sure the FBI guy assured him that he'd have coverage. But where the fuck was the police coverage supposed to hide while the guy abducted the love of his life.
And since when had Delanie become the love of his life. How the hell was he supposed to think straight when all he could do was think about the danger?
She wanted to downplay what could happen and all he wanted to do was tell her over and over again how wrong returning to the island was. The impasse was driving him crazy.
"I don't wa–"
"I know. You've said it already. But I'm going to be safe. I know it will be coming."
"But what if it doesn't"
"Great, I can go home at the end of my vacation and never think about this place again."
Sam's shoulders slumped. He couldn't compete with Delanie's life or her past boyfriends. The stress of living in the shadows of a great past would do him in.
"Don't go there. Really, it's unbecoming."
"What are you talking about?"
"That depressed look you just displayed. I'm not saying I never want to think of you again, just this place. It's disturbing what's happened."
"I really don't like this."
Delanie wrapped her arms around him, cocooning him with her sweet love. "Neither do I."
"What if the police aren't there to help? What if he beats the plans we have in place. What if..."
"There are so many things that could happen."
"Exactly. That's why I don't want you to go."
"But what if this is the one chance to capture him and make him stop?"
"He could kill you."
"No, I'll have a tracking device with me. He keeps his victims for days, even weeks before he kills them."
"But what does he do to them in those two weeks? Bill didn't tell us that."
"I know you are worried, but it will work out. The bastard won't know this is a trap."
Sam dropped his arms from around Delanie. She let go and he slid away from her embrace. The warm tropic air did little to take the chill from his bones. Letting Delanie walk into this mess was wrong, but what could he do? She wasn't his wife and he couldn't demand that she not do this.
If he didn't participate then something else could go wrong. Either way he was caught between a rock and a hard place. He couldn't stand the thought of Delanie being out there alone with this bastard. He didn't trust the local police or the FBI. Bill could talk all he wanted to about setting a trap and throwing out a net of officers who could trap the man on the island but Sam knew plans were never fool proof.
Delanie's life was at risk, and he didn't want to be the person who was too pig headed to help her. She deserved the best and staying out of the operation wasn't an option.
"Sam, I know this is dangerous. I'm not saying that I plan on getting caught by the bastard, but I know the risks. This guy has to be caught and if it works then he'll be in jail. I can take that risk to save just one life."
"I don't like it."
She pulled him close and snuggled against his chest. He couldn't resist the softness she offered. She made him feel warm and happy. He didn't want to risk losing that happiness. The press of her breasts against his chest caused his blood to rush to parts he didn't need to think about. She needed more than a guy pawing at her, she needed someone strong. Someone willing to help her do whatever she needed done to get over the pain of what happened out there on that island.
"You aren't going to let this go?"
"No. I have to do this."
"I'll help you, but the first sign of major trouble..."
She stood up on her tip-toes and her lips connected with his. For a moment he was stunned, unable to respond. Once the shock wore off he opened his mouth and trailed his tongue across the slit between her lips. She moaned and opened her lips for him.
Their tongues slid together, her belly pressed against his crotch. He broke away first, both of them breathing heavy.
Delanie broke the silence. "Wow, that was some kiss."
"I don't want that to be our last kiss either. Promise you'll be careful."
"Yes, nothing bad will happen. Trust me."
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
And since when had Delanie become the love of his life. How the hell was he supposed to think straight when all he could do was think about the danger?
She wanted to downplay what could happen and all he wanted to do was tell her over and over again how wrong returning to the island was. The impasse was driving him crazy.
"I don't wa–"
"I know. You've said it already. But I'm going to be safe. I know it will be coming."
"But what if it doesn't"
"Great, I can go home at the end of my vacation and never think about this place again."
Sam's shoulders slumped. He couldn't compete with Delanie's life or her past boyfriends. The stress of living in the shadows of a great past would do him in.
"Don't go there. Really, it's unbecoming."
"What are you talking about?"
"That depressed look you just displayed. I'm not saying I never want to think of you again, just this place. It's disturbing what's happened."
"I really don't like this."
Delanie wrapped her arms around him, cocooning him with her sweet love. "Neither do I."
"What if the police aren't there to help? What if he beats the plans we have in place. What if..."
"There are so many things that could happen."
"Exactly. That's why I don't want you to go."
"But what if this is the one chance to capture him and make him stop?"
"He could kill you."
"No, I'll have a tracking device with me. He keeps his victims for days, even weeks before he kills them."
"But what does he do to them in those two weeks? Bill didn't tell us that."
"I know you are worried, but it will work out. The bastard won't know this is a trap."
Sam dropped his arms from around Delanie. She let go and he slid away from her embrace. The warm tropic air did little to take the chill from his bones. Letting Delanie walk into this mess was wrong, but what could he do? She wasn't his wife and he couldn't demand that she not do this.
If he didn't participate then something else could go wrong. Either way he was caught between a rock and a hard place. He couldn't stand the thought of Delanie being out there alone with this bastard. He didn't trust the local police or the FBI. Bill could talk all he wanted to about setting a trap and throwing out a net of officers who could trap the man on the island but Sam knew plans were never fool proof.
Delanie's life was at risk, and he didn't want to be the person who was too pig headed to help her. She deserved the best and staying out of the operation wasn't an option.
"Sam, I know this is dangerous. I'm not saying that I plan on getting caught by the bastard, but I know the risks. This guy has to be caught and if it works then he'll be in jail. I can take that risk to save just one life."
"I don't like it."
She pulled him close and snuggled against his chest. He couldn't resist the softness she offered. She made him feel warm and happy. He didn't want to risk losing that happiness. The press of her breasts against his chest caused his blood to rush to parts he didn't need to think about. She needed more than a guy pawing at her, she needed someone strong. Someone willing to help her do whatever she needed done to get over the pain of what happened out there on that island.
"You aren't going to let this go?"
"No. I have to do this."
"I'll help you, but the first sign of major trouble..."
She stood up on her tip-toes and her lips connected with his. For a moment he was stunned, unable to respond. Once the shock wore off he opened his mouth and trailed his tongue across the slit between her lips. She moaned and opened her lips for him.
Their tongues slid together, her belly pressed against his crotch. He broke away first, both of them breathing heavy.
Delanie broke the silence. "Wow, that was some kiss."
"I don't want that to be our last kiss either. Promise you'll be careful."
"Yes, nothing bad will happen. Trust me."
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
July 4, 2011
Freedom Blog Hop
Over 180 participating blogs are offering a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another. The hop runs from July 1 through July 7th.
This week I'm giving away a copy of Vampiric Assignations in PDF format and one ecopy of Murder Stalks.
When evil vampire, Vlas, sets his sites on the Amber Black he will stop at nothing to take her. The Protectorate can't let her fall into the wrong hands, but Maverick's structured ways mangle the operation.
She runs off, scared of what she is becoming and what's happening to her. Maverick has to change his ways to save Amber and keep her from changing the balance of power in the vampire world. Amber doesn't know who to believe or what she wants now that she's a vampire. In the end, Maverick overcomes Vlas, and wins Amber's love.
Purchase Vampiric Assignations
When young women start dying, lead detective Tony Santos is drawn into a web of deceit and revenge that forces him out of the police department and directly into the sights of the killer. His wife walked out, and he's glad for that fact after a dead body winds up in his bed. Now he needs Marissa more than ever, but she's got her defenses up and his charm isn't working on her.
Marissa has never been physically strong, but threats to her personal safety force her to prepare for a fight. She hires a personal trainer to help her get in shape. But can Marissa get her emotions in shape and stop her overwhelming desire for Tony? He's too close for comfort but her body begs to differ. She wants him but living in a small hotel room with Tony may prove to be more dangerous than the murders happening close to home
Come back each day to read more of Red Skye in Morning.
Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then fill out the form below.
Last Day to Enter is 7/7/11
Freedom Blog Hop
Loading...
This week I'm giving away a copy of Vampiric Assignations in PDF format and one ecopy of Murder Stalks.
When evil vampire, Vlas, sets his sites on the Amber Black he will stop at nothing to take her. The Protectorate can't let her fall into the wrong hands, but Maverick's structured ways mangle the operation.She runs off, scared of what she is becoming and what's happening to her. Maverick has to change his ways to save Amber and keep her from changing the balance of power in the vampire world. Amber doesn't know who to believe or what she wants now that she's a vampire. In the end, Maverick overcomes Vlas, and wins Amber's love.
Purchase Vampiric Assignations
When young women start dying, lead detective Tony Santos is drawn into a web of deceit and revenge that forces him out of the police department and directly into the sights of the killer. His wife walked out, and he's glad for that fact after a dead body winds up in his bed. Now he needs Marissa more than ever, but she's got her defenses up and his charm isn't working on her.Marissa has never been physically strong, but threats to her personal safety force her to prepare for a fight. She hires a personal trainer to help her get in shape. But can Marissa get her emotions in shape and stop her overwhelming desire for Tony? He's too close for comfort but her body begs to differ. She wants him but living in a small hotel room with Tony may prove to be more dangerous than the murders happening close to home
Come back each day to read more of Red Skye in Morning.
Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then fill out the form below.
Last Day to Enter is 7/7/11
Freedom Blog Hop
Loading...
Chapter 14: Part 5
Richard started walking then stopped. He turned back and watched the man. What the hell was the guy going to do? Could he possibly be playing a ruse? Maybe the woman and this man were trying to trick him.
The traffic flowed normally in the streets, still the jerk didn't move. With shoulders slumped the other man dropped to a bench and held his face in his hands.
Maybe this wasn't a ruse. It was the real thing. Delanie had run off leaving this jerk behind.
A woman getting out of a cab caught his eyes. She was blond but painfully thin. He moved closer, trying to catch a glimpse of her. She reminded him of someone. He couldn't place the girl. Her face had wrinkles and her skin looked like crap.
He turned away and moved ten steps before he whipped around, searching for the skinny bitch from the cab. Holy shit. It couldn't be. The woman he'd left for dead in the middle of the ocean couldn't have survived, but she had.
That couldn't be anyone else other than her. He staggered over to the shade-covered walkway and leaned against a building. She disappeared into the police station. Fuck, she knew what he looked like.
He closed his eyes, remembering how soft she felt in the beginning. Her supple arms and ample breasts had pleased him greatly. Now she looked like shit.
He blinked, wondering if she had spotted him. What would she do? He could take her again. It wouldn't be hard. Well, it might not be too hard.
Richard headed back to the bar across from the police station then chanced his mind. He could watch just as well from the street. No one cared what he was doing. No one had questioned him. The police had no idea he was near.
A local paper provided cover for him to watch without looking like he was watching. After a few minutes the futility of sticking around started to weigh heavy on his mind. What the hell was he doing?
Delanie waited for him, he'd already done all he could to the other woman. The dried up old bitch wouldn't be much danger. Could she be of any value to him alive? He tried as hard as he might to figure out a use but he couldn't come up with anything.
He'd had a great time with the girl, but now she disgusted him. Her body looked ragged, not at all like the woman who had attracted him a month ago.
Memories of their time together flooded his thoughts. They'd been beautiful together. Her body tied up so he could teach her how to respond the way he liked and her mouth held open with the ring were his favorite memories.
"Excuse me, are you okay sir."
Richard jumped, a little freaked out that someone had stopped to talk to him. He folded the paper and moved away from the guy. "Fine, fine," he muttered, trying to ignore the stares of the people he saw on the street.
His pants were tented over his rock solid hard-on. He needed a bitch to bend over and let him take charge. He needed Delanie. But the memories of time spent with the other woman had ignited his fire. She'd been special. More than special. Damn, why couldn't these women last longer than a few days or weeks at the most? They weren't resilient.
Fuck, he needed a woman and he needed a woman now. If the bitch came out of the station now he would do her, but what did that mean for Delanie?
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
The traffic flowed normally in the streets, still the jerk didn't move. With shoulders slumped the other man dropped to a bench and held his face in his hands.
Maybe this wasn't a ruse. It was the real thing. Delanie had run off leaving this jerk behind.
A woman getting out of a cab caught his eyes. She was blond but painfully thin. He moved closer, trying to catch a glimpse of her. She reminded him of someone. He couldn't place the girl. Her face had wrinkles and her skin looked like crap.
He turned away and moved ten steps before he whipped around, searching for the skinny bitch from the cab. Holy shit. It couldn't be. The woman he'd left for dead in the middle of the ocean couldn't have survived, but she had.
That couldn't be anyone else other than her. He staggered over to the shade-covered walkway and leaned against a building. She disappeared into the police station. Fuck, she knew what he looked like.
He closed his eyes, remembering how soft she felt in the beginning. Her supple arms and ample breasts had pleased him greatly. Now she looked like shit.
He blinked, wondering if she had spotted him. What would she do? He could take her again. It wouldn't be hard. Well, it might not be too hard.
Richard headed back to the bar across from the police station then chanced his mind. He could watch just as well from the street. No one cared what he was doing. No one had questioned him. The police had no idea he was near.
A local paper provided cover for him to watch without looking like he was watching. After a few minutes the futility of sticking around started to weigh heavy on his mind. What the hell was he doing?
Delanie waited for him, he'd already done all he could to the other woman. The dried up old bitch wouldn't be much danger. Could she be of any value to him alive? He tried as hard as he might to figure out a use but he couldn't come up with anything.
He'd had a great time with the girl, but now she disgusted him. Her body looked ragged, not at all like the woman who had attracted him a month ago.
Memories of their time together flooded his thoughts. They'd been beautiful together. Her body tied up so he could teach her how to respond the way he liked and her mouth held open with the ring were his favorite memories.
"Excuse me, are you okay sir."
Richard jumped, a little freaked out that someone had stopped to talk to him. He folded the paper and moved away from the guy. "Fine, fine," he muttered, trying to ignore the stares of the people he saw on the street.
His pants were tented over his rock solid hard-on. He needed a bitch to bend over and let him take charge. He needed Delanie. But the memories of time spent with the other woman had ignited his fire. She'd been special. More than special. Damn, why couldn't these women last longer than a few days or weeks at the most? They weren't resilient.
Fuck, he needed a woman and he needed a woman now. If the bitch came out of the station now he would do her, but what did that mean for Delanie?
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
July 3, 2011
Chapter 14: Part 4
Amanda stepped out of the cab, still favoring her left leg. The hospital had released her this morning and she'd slipped out unnoticed. Still amazed that no one knew where she was, Amanda moved through the city with little fuss. Of course she looked different. Her skin had aged at least ten years. She was painfully thin, almost anorexic. She could imagine the headlines the rags would publish. The next few years would be painful if she chose to remain in the public eye, or she could retire and get lost somewhere in America.
The glamour and the glitz were gone. No longer did she want to be the center of attention, letting the masses praise her every move. A small house in the center of the country would suit her just fine.
Amanda pushed through the doors of the police station looking for detective Bertrand. Louis Bertrand had wanted to speak to her at her earliest convenience after leaving the hospital. All the extra guards had been dismissed at her insistence. She would be fine. The guy who had attacked her was long gone. He probably sailed back to the states or off to another tropical location where another girl would be duped into torture.
The noise in the station overwhelmed her. Amanda closed her eyes and leaned against the cool wall. Nothing would ever be the same. Every man in the place was suspect. Never again would she really relax.
"Excuse me miss, do you need something?"
Amanda opened her eyes to see a smiling dark skinned man standing in front of her. She stepped back, putting more distance between the two of them. The man's smile faded.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spook you. Can I help you?"
"Detective Bertrand please."
"Yes, have a seat. You need water." The officer handed her an unopened bottle of water and pushed her into a chair.
Amanda didn't protest, instead she opened the bottle and drained half. She'd felt thirsty every waking moment since coming back to civilization.
The rest of the water sat in the bottle waiting for her to drink but she didn't. What if's spun through her mind. She needed to buy some more bottles and always keep one with her. No two.
She picked up the bottle and held it in front of her. She noticed that her hand shook. She closed her eyes and did her best to block out the racket from the police station but it did no good. There were too many people, too much talking.
A hand touched her shoulder and she jumped, it was Bill. "What are you doing still here? I thought you'd gone back to the states."
"Amanda," he knelt beside her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. She batted his hand away.
"You didn't come back to the hospital. You weren't there when they discharged me."
Bill's mouth turned down into a frown. "I'm sorry. Can we talk?"
"I don't know. I came her to talk to detective Bertrand."
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"The detective wanted to speak to me. I'm guessing he is trying to catch the scum who took me."
"Come with me, please. Let's talk. I'll bring in Louis, but I need to speak to you."
She followed him to a small room and immediately felt trapped when he closed the door. Part of her wanted to bolt. Why had he told her he was going to leave and stay? Did she not mean anything to him?
Was this how everything was going to be now that she no longer looked beautiful? Her head ached and her mouth felt dry. She held up the bottle, worried that less than half of the water remained. Her throat felt parched. She needed a sip, but what if she ran out.
"Here, take another one." Bill passed a bottle of water to her.
"No, I'm fine."
"Amanda, you went through a huge trauma. Take the water with you. You need to stay hydrated."
"You're just saying that because I look like an old leather purse."
He took a step forward, his fingers caressed her shoulder. "You are beautiful."
Tears formed in her eyes. She didn't want to cry. Crying would make her face blotchy. A blotchy face would look ugly. Bill pulled her into a tight hug making her tear up even more.
She pushed at his chest but he didn't budge. "Stop, I'm going to cry."
"It's okay if you cry."
"This isn't how it's supposed to be. I can't believe you told me you were going to leave."
"I'm married. Even if my wife is cheating on me I can't..."
Amanda wiped away the tears and pushed back a little. "I'm too pushy."
"Pushy? No, it's...it's difficult. I don't want to..."
"Don't say anything. I think I understand."
Bill tipped up her chin and "Do you?"
"You're not like the guys I usually date."
Bill's laughter echoed around the room. "No, I would never have rated in your previous life. I would have been one of the invisible."
"No."
"Amanda, really, I'm a nobody FBI agent who would never even have the chance of meeting you."
"Maybe."
"Ha, no maybe about it. Did you ever go grocery shopping for yourself?"
"No."
"What about to the mall?"
Amanda knew her life wasn't like others. She'd been different. Some would say special. "No."
"Me neither, can stand crowded stores." He made a face, squinting his brows together.
"You're just saying that to make me laugh. I bet you go shopping every extra minute you have."
"Ha, as if. Not me, not the shoppy kind of guy. I'm more into football and sailing."
"I see that. Actually, I feel that." She rubbed her hand down his shoulder, feeling the muscles under his shirtsleeves. "Nice muscles."
"Don't make me laugh."
"Really, you're like the real deal."
"Real deal? I'm not the real deal." Bill dropped his arms and turned around. His shoulders slumped. "My marriage is failing. My boss hates me. My family thinks I'm stupid. I need to solve this one or else...Hell, I don't know what will happen."
Should she put her hand on his shoulder? She wondered how he would react. "Your job?"
"I'm not the typical agent. It doesn't come off well with coworkers."
She moved around so he could look in her eyes. "You're great, just as you are."
"I have to find this killer. No more women can fall victim to this guy." He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I can't believe..."
She broke town, sobbing and shaking. She'd shed more tears in the last few days than she had in her life. Since regaining the ability to cry she'd cherished every tear, but crying in front of Bill sucked.
"I'm going to find this guy. I promise you that."
Her tears erupted again. Having Bill care for her hurt. She'd lived a long time without anyone caring for her. It was ironic that after her body had gone to crap and her skin looked like crinkled up crêpe paper she found Bill.
She swiped at her nose, knowing that she looked above and beyond crap. Bill handed her a tissue. Blowing her nose had been something she tried to never do in public. Mainly because she usually had a microphone in front of her. Really her life was an illusion. No one ever saw the real Amanda. Real pictures of singer ended up in the Star or the Globe told as desperate cries for help or drug induced binges.
"You're too nice." Amanda turned to blow her nose. "I'm a total mess. Really, you are being way to nice to me."
"No, not I'm not. Finding the guy is my job."
"But you checked in on me so many times. So much so that I relied on you being there."
"I shouldn't have dragged that out for you. It was unfair. I thought...never mind what I thought."
"No, Bill, I want to know."
"I thought I could handle having a relationship with you, but I'm still married and that wouldn't have been fair to you."
Amanda felt another round of tears gearing up. She didn't want to cry. Bill had been thinking of her. She'd never had a guy think of her and her needs. Most men didn't care. They only wanted to be seen on her arm so they could get bragging rights.
"Listen, I need every ounce of information about the guy who attacked you. I need to do my job. Then I'll go home and straighten out my personal life. After I get that finished I want to go for coffee with you. Get to know you."
Fear flashed through her mind. Maybe he was just like those other guys dying to be seen with her.
"And by go for coffee I meant to some quiet place where no one will know it's you, and if we can't find that we'll go somewhere like my back porch and sip our latte's there. How does that sound?"
"You really don't have any ulterior motive."
"No, what you see is what you get."
Amanda blushed, she liked what she saw. He had a great body and moreover he was kind and supportive. "This is strange. We're in a police station. No one can see us through this can they?" Amanda tapped the glass.
"They can see, but not hear."
"I would kiss you if we had more privacy."
Bill coughed and shuffled his feet.
"It would probably be better if I didn't. I'll give you some time. Solve this case."
"You need to get a body guard."
Amanda shook her head. "No."
"Listen to me, he's out there. I don't know where the jerk is though. I need to know you are safe. Please for me?"
"I don't want people to know who I am."
"Fine, stay in your room but have a body guard there with you. I need you to stay safe."
"Okay, I'll do it, but I'm not going to like it."
Bill pulled her into a tight hug. "I will do everything I can to stop this guy. And until..."
"All right, bodyguard. I'll get one."
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
The glamour and the glitz were gone. No longer did she want to be the center of attention, letting the masses praise her every move. A small house in the center of the country would suit her just fine.
Amanda pushed through the doors of the police station looking for detective Bertrand. Louis Bertrand had wanted to speak to her at her earliest convenience after leaving the hospital. All the extra guards had been dismissed at her insistence. She would be fine. The guy who had attacked her was long gone. He probably sailed back to the states or off to another tropical location where another girl would be duped into torture.
The noise in the station overwhelmed her. Amanda closed her eyes and leaned against the cool wall. Nothing would ever be the same. Every man in the place was suspect. Never again would she really relax.
"Excuse me miss, do you need something?"
Amanda opened her eyes to see a smiling dark skinned man standing in front of her. She stepped back, putting more distance between the two of them. The man's smile faded.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spook you. Can I help you?"
"Detective Bertrand please."
"Yes, have a seat. You need water." The officer handed her an unopened bottle of water and pushed her into a chair.
Amanda didn't protest, instead she opened the bottle and drained half. She'd felt thirsty every waking moment since coming back to civilization.
The rest of the water sat in the bottle waiting for her to drink but she didn't. What if's spun through her mind. She needed to buy some more bottles and always keep one with her. No two.
She picked up the bottle and held it in front of her. She noticed that her hand shook. She closed her eyes and did her best to block out the racket from the police station but it did no good. There were too many people, too much talking.
A hand touched her shoulder and she jumped, it was Bill. "What are you doing still here? I thought you'd gone back to the states."
"Amanda," he knelt beside her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. She batted his hand away.
"You didn't come back to the hospital. You weren't there when they discharged me."
Bill's mouth turned down into a frown. "I'm sorry. Can we talk?"
"I don't know. I came her to talk to detective Bertrand."
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"The detective wanted to speak to me. I'm guessing he is trying to catch the scum who took me."
"Come with me, please. Let's talk. I'll bring in Louis, but I need to speak to you."
She followed him to a small room and immediately felt trapped when he closed the door. Part of her wanted to bolt. Why had he told her he was going to leave and stay? Did she not mean anything to him?
Was this how everything was going to be now that she no longer looked beautiful? Her head ached and her mouth felt dry. She held up the bottle, worried that less than half of the water remained. Her throat felt parched. She needed a sip, but what if she ran out.
"Here, take another one." Bill passed a bottle of water to her.
"No, I'm fine."
"Amanda, you went through a huge trauma. Take the water with you. You need to stay hydrated."
"You're just saying that because I look like an old leather purse."
He took a step forward, his fingers caressed her shoulder. "You are beautiful."
Tears formed in her eyes. She didn't want to cry. Crying would make her face blotchy. A blotchy face would look ugly. Bill pulled her into a tight hug making her tear up even more.
She pushed at his chest but he didn't budge. "Stop, I'm going to cry."
"It's okay if you cry."
"This isn't how it's supposed to be. I can't believe you told me you were going to leave."
"I'm married. Even if my wife is cheating on me I can't..."
Amanda wiped away the tears and pushed back a little. "I'm too pushy."
"Pushy? No, it's...it's difficult. I don't want to..."
"Don't say anything. I think I understand."
Bill tipped up her chin and "Do you?"
"You're not like the guys I usually date."
Bill's laughter echoed around the room. "No, I would never have rated in your previous life. I would have been one of the invisible."
"No."
"Amanda, really, I'm a nobody FBI agent who would never even have the chance of meeting you."
"Maybe."
"Ha, no maybe about it. Did you ever go grocery shopping for yourself?"
"No."
"What about to the mall?"
Amanda knew her life wasn't like others. She'd been different. Some would say special. "No."
"Me neither, can stand crowded stores." He made a face, squinting his brows together.
"You're just saying that to make me laugh. I bet you go shopping every extra minute you have."
"Ha, as if. Not me, not the shoppy kind of guy. I'm more into football and sailing."
"I see that. Actually, I feel that." She rubbed her hand down his shoulder, feeling the muscles under his shirtsleeves. "Nice muscles."
"Don't make me laugh."
"Really, you're like the real deal."
"Real deal? I'm not the real deal." Bill dropped his arms and turned around. His shoulders slumped. "My marriage is failing. My boss hates me. My family thinks I'm stupid. I need to solve this one or else...Hell, I don't know what will happen."
Should she put her hand on his shoulder? She wondered how he would react. "Your job?"
"I'm not the typical agent. It doesn't come off well with coworkers."
She moved around so he could look in her eyes. "You're great, just as you are."
"I have to find this killer. No more women can fall victim to this guy." He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I can't believe..."
She broke town, sobbing and shaking. She'd shed more tears in the last few days than she had in her life. Since regaining the ability to cry she'd cherished every tear, but crying in front of Bill sucked.
"I'm going to find this guy. I promise you that."
Her tears erupted again. Having Bill care for her hurt. She'd lived a long time without anyone caring for her. It was ironic that after her body had gone to crap and her skin looked like crinkled up crêpe paper she found Bill.
She swiped at her nose, knowing that she looked above and beyond crap. Bill handed her a tissue. Blowing her nose had been something she tried to never do in public. Mainly because she usually had a microphone in front of her. Really her life was an illusion. No one ever saw the real Amanda. Real pictures of singer ended up in the Star or the Globe told as desperate cries for help or drug induced binges.
"You're too nice." Amanda turned to blow her nose. "I'm a total mess. Really, you are being way to nice to me."
"No, not I'm not. Finding the guy is my job."
"But you checked in on me so many times. So much so that I relied on you being there."
"I shouldn't have dragged that out for you. It was unfair. I thought...never mind what I thought."
"No, Bill, I want to know."
"I thought I could handle having a relationship with you, but I'm still married and that wouldn't have been fair to you."
Amanda felt another round of tears gearing up. She didn't want to cry. Bill had been thinking of her. She'd never had a guy think of her and her needs. Most men didn't care. They only wanted to be seen on her arm so they could get bragging rights.
"Listen, I need every ounce of information about the guy who attacked you. I need to do my job. Then I'll go home and straighten out my personal life. After I get that finished I want to go for coffee with you. Get to know you."
Fear flashed through her mind. Maybe he was just like those other guys dying to be seen with her.
"And by go for coffee I meant to some quiet place where no one will know it's you, and if we can't find that we'll go somewhere like my back porch and sip our latte's there. How does that sound?"
"You really don't have any ulterior motive."
"No, what you see is what you get."
Amanda blushed, she liked what she saw. He had a great body and moreover he was kind and supportive. "This is strange. We're in a police station. No one can see us through this can they?" Amanda tapped the glass.
"They can see, but not hear."
"I would kiss you if we had more privacy."
Bill coughed and shuffled his feet.
"It would probably be better if I didn't. I'll give you some time. Solve this case."
"You need to get a body guard."
Amanda shook her head. "No."
"Listen to me, he's out there. I don't know where the jerk is though. I need to know you are safe. Please for me?"
"I don't want people to know who I am."
"Fine, stay in your room but have a body guard there with you. I need you to stay safe."
"Okay, I'll do it, but I'm not going to like it."
Bill pulled her into a tight hug. "I will do everything I can to stop this guy. And until..."
"All right, bodyguard. I'll get one."
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
July 2, 2011
Chapter 14: Part 3
Richard knew hanging out at the police station was tempting fate but what a rush. He wasn't really inside the station, more like across the street and down a ways, but from here he could see the front door and watch for Delanie to come out. He'd easily followed her earlier. The funny thing about being oblivious was that you didn't know you were being followed.
The luck of finding Delanie after losing her on the island had him humming a happy tune. That more than anything convinced him that this was meant to be. Tracking her on this island would be easy. She had no car, he had her id so she couldn't hop a plane, and he knew where the sailboat she'd come in on was berthed.
He opened a coke he'd picked up after he saw her run into the station. The liquid refreshed his throat, reminding him of a cool waterfall. Maybe he could keep this one alive for longer. Would she appreciate a game of prey and predator on an island? He'd always wanted to do that but had never found the perfect place.
Maybe he would try a hunting game with her after he took her aboard his boat. Now, how would he get her to come with him? She probably was already skittish. Just thinking of her cowering below him made his heart pump faster. Her delicate little arms tied up and her mouth gagged. Just the way he wanted her.
Richard noticed coke spilling down his arms and realized he'd crushed his can. He tossed the can into the garbage and wiped the liquid on his pants.
His tool was rock solid, ready to release into Delanie. The bitch needed to be tamed. If he could bend her to his will then he could master her and she'd be brought to her knees.
He started walking towards the police station, stopping every so often to look into a store window. The area was near desolate and run down. This was a far cry from the high-end shops at the other end of town. Few vacationers would make it down here, fewer would stick around once they arrived.
If the bitch didn't come out soon he'd look out of place. He needed to find a bar and waste some time. What the hell could she be doing in that place? It wasn't like she'd gotten a good look at him. Maybe she was trying to clear up her lack of identification.
A few police ran out of the station and down to their cars. They sped off with lights blaring and sirens blasting. A few shop owners came out and milled around the streets. Richard noticed that he was the only white guy milling around. He had to change his tactic.
He found a small bar one block from the station. They had a few tables that looked out over the street. He picked one that would allow him to keep an eye on the station.
They served a few brands of beer, most of them local labels. He ordered bottle and the waitress delivered a bowl of chips with his bottle of beer. The bar grew crowded as he sipped at his drink.
All of the tables were full with locals. Not one tourist darkened the door. Richard knew he would be remembered. He needed to cross the canal and get into some waters where no one would recognize him or remember him hanging about.
The noise level rose as three other groups sauntered in. Richard guessed that they weren't well liked based on the words flying around. Chairs screeched beside him just as the waitress came around with another drink. A short dark skinned guy jumped up and knocked into the waitress, sending her flying. The beer ejected from the mug and splashed across his lap.
Richard jumped up, blood pounding in his head, his fists clenched. His target pulled herself up off the floor, swiping away some dust from the front of her shirt. He would kill this one. Maybe not today, but he wouldn't let the bimbo live. What kind of woman waited tables in a dive like this anyways? She didn't deserve to live.
Richard took a step forward, focused only on the wench who has spilled the foul smelling liquid on him. Another man stepped blocked him. The guy who had knocked into the waitress was sniveling to the wench, asking for forgiveness. How stupid. It wasn't the guy's fault. The woman should have been looking where she was going.
Maybe the guy needed to be taught a lesson in how to treat women. Richard fantasized about tying the guy up to watch a discipline session. That's one thing he'd never done. No one else was allowed to watch. But with Delanie that might all change.
White-hot fear raced through Richard. He swung around, forgetting the serving wench and focusing on the police station across the street.
How long had he been distracted? Had she left or was she still somewhere ensconced in the bowels of the pigsty. He pushed away from the waitress apologizing for the disaster. Delanie needed his attention. He didn't know what he would do if she'd abandoned him.
"Excuse me sir, I'm so sorry about earlier. Could I get you something?"
Richard wanted to bat the annoying waitress away. Not only had she distracted his focus, she could have ruined his chance with Delanie.
"I'm fine."
"How about some food. I could get you a free burger or some nachos."
Richard turned to stare at the stupid chit. He wanted to make her pay for the trouble she'd caused him. For one brief moment he wondered if he should abandon his plans and move on to the Pacific. Just walk away and start over again in Borneo or Fiji. It would take a few weeks, maybe even months depending on the weather and how much he pushed.
"I'm fine. Not hungry at all."
She backed away. Richard realized he must be scowling and forced a smile. "Really, I'm fine. Just waiting for a friend."
To his immense relief the woman walked away and left him alone. Her ass swayed with each step. She wasn't his type or he would have seriously considered switching. No, he would rather be alone than with someone who didn't interest him.
But he knew he couldn't last months without some onboard entertainment. The lack of release had already forced him to make a few bad decisions. No, he needed Delanie. She would be the one to get him through the long weeks traveling over the open ocean.
Richard turned back to the window and spied Delanie. She looked angry. The man from the island followed her. They were arguing. Richard maneuvered through the crowded bar, pushing past the drunken jerks and stupid hookers littering the place. Once outside he tried to find Delanie again. She was lost to him, her blond head nowhere to be seen.
He frantically searched, looking for the woman who would become his next partner, the one to ease his burdens and inspire him. He moved closer to the police station, his blood thundering through his brain causing a tremendous amount of pain. He stopped and leaned against a palm tree. The air grew thick restricting his breathing.
If he lost her someone would pay. The waitress had to compensate him for his loss. The cost of losing Delanie was high. She'd been important, more than almost anyone else he'd ever shared that special part of his life with. Richard closed his eyes and counted to ten, calming his thoughts and bringing focus to his life.
Richard opened his eyes, his patients was rewarded with a view of Delanie leaving the area alone in a cab. "Hmm, interesting."
The man who had been on the island with Delanie stood at the curb across the street. He watched the cab roll away, anger marring his face. Richard felt victory surging through his body before defeat washed over him. What if Delanie returned to the states? No, she couldn't. He had her passport and her id. She'd be stuck until she could get a new document. He had her. Well, he would if he could find her again. Maybe he should go back to the dock and see if Delanie had returned to the sailboat.
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
The luck of finding Delanie after losing her on the island had him humming a happy tune. That more than anything convinced him that this was meant to be. Tracking her on this island would be easy. She had no car, he had her id so she couldn't hop a plane, and he knew where the sailboat she'd come in on was berthed.
He opened a coke he'd picked up after he saw her run into the station. The liquid refreshed his throat, reminding him of a cool waterfall. Maybe he could keep this one alive for longer. Would she appreciate a game of prey and predator on an island? He'd always wanted to do that but had never found the perfect place.
Maybe he would try a hunting game with her after he took her aboard his boat. Now, how would he get her to come with him? She probably was already skittish. Just thinking of her cowering below him made his heart pump faster. Her delicate little arms tied up and her mouth gagged. Just the way he wanted her.
Richard noticed coke spilling down his arms and realized he'd crushed his can. He tossed the can into the garbage and wiped the liquid on his pants.
His tool was rock solid, ready to release into Delanie. The bitch needed to be tamed. If he could bend her to his will then he could master her and she'd be brought to her knees.
He started walking towards the police station, stopping every so often to look into a store window. The area was near desolate and run down. This was a far cry from the high-end shops at the other end of town. Few vacationers would make it down here, fewer would stick around once they arrived.
If the bitch didn't come out soon he'd look out of place. He needed to find a bar and waste some time. What the hell could she be doing in that place? It wasn't like she'd gotten a good look at him. Maybe she was trying to clear up her lack of identification.
A few police ran out of the station and down to their cars. They sped off with lights blaring and sirens blasting. A few shop owners came out and milled around the streets. Richard noticed that he was the only white guy milling around. He had to change his tactic.
He found a small bar one block from the station. They had a few tables that looked out over the street. He picked one that would allow him to keep an eye on the station.
They served a few brands of beer, most of them local labels. He ordered bottle and the waitress delivered a bowl of chips with his bottle of beer. The bar grew crowded as he sipped at his drink.
All of the tables were full with locals. Not one tourist darkened the door. Richard knew he would be remembered. He needed to cross the canal and get into some waters where no one would recognize him or remember him hanging about.
The noise level rose as three other groups sauntered in. Richard guessed that they weren't well liked based on the words flying around. Chairs screeched beside him just as the waitress came around with another drink. A short dark skinned guy jumped up and knocked into the waitress, sending her flying. The beer ejected from the mug and splashed across his lap.
Richard jumped up, blood pounding in his head, his fists clenched. His target pulled herself up off the floor, swiping away some dust from the front of her shirt. He would kill this one. Maybe not today, but he wouldn't let the bimbo live. What kind of woman waited tables in a dive like this anyways? She didn't deserve to live.
Richard took a step forward, focused only on the wench who has spilled the foul smelling liquid on him. Another man stepped blocked him. The guy who had knocked into the waitress was sniveling to the wench, asking for forgiveness. How stupid. It wasn't the guy's fault. The woman should have been looking where she was going.
Maybe the guy needed to be taught a lesson in how to treat women. Richard fantasized about tying the guy up to watch a discipline session. That's one thing he'd never done. No one else was allowed to watch. But with Delanie that might all change.
White-hot fear raced through Richard. He swung around, forgetting the serving wench and focusing on the police station across the street.
How long had he been distracted? Had she left or was she still somewhere ensconced in the bowels of the pigsty. He pushed away from the waitress apologizing for the disaster. Delanie needed his attention. He didn't know what he would do if she'd abandoned him.
"Excuse me sir, I'm so sorry about earlier. Could I get you something?"
Richard wanted to bat the annoying waitress away. Not only had she distracted his focus, she could have ruined his chance with Delanie.
"I'm fine."
"How about some food. I could get you a free burger or some nachos."
Richard turned to stare at the stupid chit. He wanted to make her pay for the trouble she'd caused him. For one brief moment he wondered if he should abandon his plans and move on to the Pacific. Just walk away and start over again in Borneo or Fiji. It would take a few weeks, maybe even months depending on the weather and how much he pushed.
"I'm fine. Not hungry at all."
She backed away. Richard realized he must be scowling and forced a smile. "Really, I'm fine. Just waiting for a friend."
To his immense relief the woman walked away and left him alone. Her ass swayed with each step. She wasn't his type or he would have seriously considered switching. No, he would rather be alone than with someone who didn't interest him.
But he knew he couldn't last months without some onboard entertainment. The lack of release had already forced him to make a few bad decisions. No, he needed Delanie. She would be the one to get him through the long weeks traveling over the open ocean.
Richard turned back to the window and spied Delanie. She looked angry. The man from the island followed her. They were arguing. Richard maneuvered through the crowded bar, pushing past the drunken jerks and stupid hookers littering the place. Once outside he tried to find Delanie again. She was lost to him, her blond head nowhere to be seen.
He frantically searched, looking for the woman who would become his next partner, the one to ease his burdens and inspire him. He moved closer to the police station, his blood thundering through his brain causing a tremendous amount of pain. He stopped and leaned against a palm tree. The air grew thick restricting his breathing.
If he lost her someone would pay. The waitress had to compensate him for his loss. The cost of losing Delanie was high. She'd been important, more than almost anyone else he'd ever shared that special part of his life with. Richard closed his eyes and counted to ten, calming his thoughts and bringing focus to his life.
Richard opened his eyes, his patients was rewarded with a view of Delanie leaving the area alone in a cab. "Hmm, interesting."
The man who had been on the island with Delanie stood at the curb across the street. He watched the cab roll away, anger marring his face. Richard felt victory surging through his body before defeat washed over him. What if Delanie returned to the states? No, she couldn't. He had her passport and her id. She'd be stuck until she could get a new document. He had her. Well, he would if he could find her again. Maybe he should go back to the dock and see if Delanie had returned to the sailboat.
Copyright Sara Thacker 2011
Red Skhye In Morning
Introducing Red Skhye in Morning. Delanie Skhye is desperate for paparazzi free time. Samuel Taylor is on break from work. He finds Delanie alone on a private island, but something is wrong. A killer
...more
- Sara Thacker's profile
- 23 followers
Sara Thacker isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
