Escape From Obsession (21 page)

“He’s a dead man and Gianna will be in my bed by tomorrow night.”

He walked over to the phone and buzzed Pedro.

“Yes, sir?”

“Call Turk and Sully. I want any info they have on Gianna pronto. Did you book that flight to Houston?”

“Yes, sir, the plane leaves in three hours.”

“Good. Get my bags packed. Just for an overnight, I expect to be back with her immediately unless she’s stupid enough to not cooperate.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll call them now.”

Valdere disconnected the call.

He glanced at the picture of Gianna one more time.

He felt his cock harden and the determination to have her, touch her, begin to dominate his thoughts. She was such a lovely and sexy woman. He often fantasized about that evening he had come so close to having her, to touching those breasts and exploring her body. He understood Antonio’s obsession with her, for now he shared the same obsession. It was a problem he’d always had, but it was what made him such a success. Once he got an idea in his head or wanted to own something or someone, he didn’t budge until he possessed them. She would be no different. In fact, Gianna would symbolize much more than his mistress. She would be a constant reminder to never trust anyone. To always live for himself and his desires. Antonio would die in agony, knowing that Gianna was fucking him instead of Antonio. She was the one thing that Antonio lived for and strived to keep by his side and now Valdere would have her instead.

The smile formed on his lips and the pre-celebration began. In just a few hours, he would be lost inside of her, ultimately achieving his revenge and satisfying his own obsession.

* * * *

As Gunny arrived to pick Gia up from work, he kept an eye on their surroundings, being sure to remain observant of anything out of the ordinary.

As he placed his arm around her waist he kissed her cheek.

“How did it go?”

“Wonderfully. Everyone was very supportive.”

“That’s great. You’re not going back today, right?”

“Well, I’d like to, but honestly I’m tired. I was actually thinking that maybe I’ll go in tomorrow instead of sitting home and worrying about the court appearance. The lawyers should call to update me.”

He smiled at her. He was worried that she might consider going to Jeffrey’s court appearance. It wasn’t necessary and he didn’t want her anywhere near the guy.

“That sounds like a good idea. We’ll work it out tomorrow,” he said then headed toward the truck.

He took notice of the Mercedes-Benz parked across the way and the tinted windows. He didn’t like tinted windows. He didn’t know many cops who did. If you couldn’t see through the windows then you didn’t know what might or might not be going on inside the vehicle.

He focused on Gia as he opened the passenger door and admired her legs as she got into his truck.

“I think I should come shopping with you next time you’re looking for business clothes.”

She shook her head and chuckled.

He quickly ran around the front of his vehicle and got inside. Driving down the road and toward town he noticed that the Mercedes seemed to going in the same direction. His gut told him it wasn’t coincidence.

“What’s wrong?” Gia asked.

He reached for the CB radio and called in to dispatch.

He gave Gia a wink and hoped she understood that he didn’t want her to panic. He gave dispatch the license plate number just as the Mercedes turned the corner.

He placed the radio back down.

“Gunny, you’re making me nervous.”

He reached over and covered her thigh with his hand. He felt nervous as that gut instinct and feeling of anxiety filled him.

“Sorry, baby, I don’t like the way that Mercedes showed up and followed us. Just as a precaution I’m running the plates.”

She glanced back and then looked at him.

“What Mercedes?”

“They turned off two blocks back. I’m still not sure it’s nothing.”

“I’m sure it isn’t anything. I don’t know anyone who drives a Mercedes, do you?”

“No. What does Jeffrey drive?” he found himself asking. She appeared very nervous.

“A Porsche.”

A bit of relief filled him, but then again, it would be easy for a guy like Jeffrey to get another car. Perhaps a loaner or something. “Just relax. I’ll take you to lunch and we’ll head home.”

“Okay.”

* * * *

Gia sat in the restaurant with Gunny and he didn’t seem like himself at all. Even as he held her hand, he wasn’t focused on her but on two men who entered the restaurant and sat at the bar.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine. Let’s eat and then get going.”

This wasn’t exactly her idea of an enjoyable lunch and as she turned around to see who he was staring at, she caught sight of two men. Her belly tightened for some odd reason. Did she know them? Had she seen them before? As she thought about it, she vaguely remembered walking into work this morning with Gunny and seeing one of the men standing in the main lobby, reading a paper. The building had multiple businesses in it so she hadn’t given it any thought.

“Gia?”

“Yes?” She played with her fork. She didn’t have much of an appetite now.

“What is it?”

She hesitated only a moment then whispered to Gunny, “Are you watching those two men?” He nodded his head. “I’ve seen one of them before.”

He focused on her face. He looked very serious.

“Where?”

“Back at work this morning, in the lobby. The tall one was reading a paper and he looked right at me.”

“Have you ever seen him before then?”

She shook her head.

“Let’s go.” Gunny waved over the waitress so they could pay the check. As he did, the two men left the bar in kind of a hurry.

Gunny threw down more than enough money as they headed out of the restaurant.

As they exited she saw Gunny’s line of sight.

* * * *

Gunny immediately saw the Mercedes. While they were dining, it came up as registered under Valencio Corporation. He didn’t know who that was and was going to ask Gia when the men exited the bar area. The same two men stood outside the car and as Gia and Gunny walked closer, they began to get into the Mercedes. They were being obvious that they were watching.

“Hey!” Gunny yelled to them and then told Gia to remain where she was.

“Gunny, wait. It’s probably nothing,” she said, but he approached them anyway.

“Who are you?” Gunny asked.

“Excuse me,” the one guy said then looked at Gia. That made Gunny angrier.

“Look at me not at the woman,” Gunny stated firmly. The other guy remained by the driver side.

“I saw you two watching us and I saw your car outside the building downtown.”

“Yeah, and what’s it to you?”

Gunny stepped forward. “What’s your name? Where are you from?” he asked. Their New York accents were quite strong.

“None of your fucking business,” he said and then the other guy interrupted before Gunny could shake him up.

“We had business on the third floor with Colonial Enterprises. The owner suggested this restaurant. There’s nothing more here, Ranger,” he said kind of smugly.

“Come on, Gunny. Let’s go,” Gia said and Gunny gave the two men the stare down.

“I’m watching you.”

“Go ahead.”

Gia pulled him and they headed toward the truck. As they drove down the road, he was silent. He didn’t know what came over him. Maybe the guys were legit. He felt so suspicious and on edge. He wouldn’t calm down until Gia was safe and Jeffrey was behind bars.

“I’m sorry, baby. I thought they were following us.”

“It seemed so, but hey, I appreciate your protection.” She winked. She was trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

“Oh really?” He headed to his place.

“Yeah, it turns me on to see you in action, Ranger Gunny.”

“Ranger Gunny?” he asked and chuckled. She scooted closer to him and placed her hand over his thigh. She laid her head on his shoulder as she caressed his balls.

“What are you doing?”

“My own investigation. These seem very suspicious,” she whispered and he took a deep breath as she unzipped his pants and cupped his balls.

“Fuck, Gia, that isn’t fair.”

“What isn’t fair is that Garrett and Wes can’t join us back at the house for a long, hot bath.”

“Me and you in the bath?” he asked as she continued to rub his cock.

“Just me and you.” She lowered her head to his lap. The moment he felt her lips on his cock he knew he was done for.

“Holy shit, Gia, if doing my job gets you this turned on, I should take you to work with me on a regular basis.” She hummed against his cock as he tried to maintain control of the vehicle. Now he was the one who wished he had dark-tinted windows on his truck.

Kaleigh headed down to the parking garage. Johnny, the garage attendant, had called her saying that her car alarm was going off. She hurried out of the elevator and into the parking garage. She could hear the alarm blaring as embarrassment struck her. She wondered how it happened. She looked toward the security booth and didn’t see Johnny as she clicked the button on her car keys. Her cell phone rang and she answered it quickly.

“Yes, Sylvia, I’m downstairs. My car alarm was going off. Yep, I’ll be up in five minutes.” She disconnected the call. Damn was Sylvia in a mood today. She’d told her she needed to use the ladies’ room when she got the call from Johnny.

Turning around to head toward the elevator she smacked right into someone.

“Oh,” she gasped then looked up into Jeffrey’s bloodshot eyes.

“So predictable,” he said then stuck her with something. A needle?

She fell to the ground as darkness overtook her vision.

* * * *

Jeffrey smiled to himself as he opened the trunk of her car and placed her inside. No one would know what was going on. He took out the security cameras then knocked out Johnny. He never liked the way that asshole looked at him anyways. He hadn’t expected there to be so much blood when he struck Johnny in the back of the head with the crowbar. It didn’t matter now. Nothing mattered but getting to Gia.

He locked Kaleigh’s trunk and texted with her phone. He reread what he’d texted then pressed send. “Okay, now all we do is wait.”

* * * *

Teddy was working in his office with Shane when he got the call from Gunny. Gunny explained about the Mercedes and what had happened yesterday after picking Gia up at lunchtime.

“Well it turned out to be nothing, right?” Teddy asked.

“I’m not too sure. I forgot to ask Gia if she knew the name Valencio Corporation. I wasn’t going to bother her with this. Not with Jeffrey’s trial being this morning. I think she’s trying to keep it off her mind.”

“Valencio Corporation? That sounds familiar,” Teddy stated.

“It does? What was the last name of that guy she was involved with in New York?”

“Antonio Pelloni.”

“What about the other guy? The one who was partners with Antonio and tried to move in on her?” Gunny asked.

“What are you talking about?”

Gunny sounded worried. Teddy felt like Gunny knew something more. Maybe Gia shared something with him.

“Gunny, tell me. What didn’t Gia tell me?”

Gunny explained and now Teddy felt uptight.

“Shane, come over here. I have Gunny on the phone, can you check out this last name and corporation,” Teddy yelled to Shane and Gunny could hear the typing on the keyboard.

It felt like it took forever until Teddy was telling him what they found.

“Shit, Gunny, Valdere’s last name is Valencio. It’s his company, his car, and probably his men.”

“Fuck!” Gunny yelled.

“Call her and I’ll meet you at the office,” Teddy said then Gunny disconnected the call. He slammed his fist down on the desk. Everyone in his office looked at him. He turned to Sparta, a fellow Ranger, and explained the situation.

“I’ll come along with you.”

* * * *

Gia was smiling as she looked at the bouquet of wildflowers from Robert and the staff. Everyone was thrilled to see her back at work, but despite the cheery faces and upbeat atmosphere, she felt the anxiety in her belly, knowing that at any moment the attorney would call and inform her of the court hearing and about Jeffrey’s destiny.

Just as she gathered her files that needed to be put away, her cell phone went off. A text message. It had to be one of the guys. She looked at the screen. It was from Kaleigh. She asked her to meet her downstairs in the garage. She had a box of items for the office and needed help carrying it upstairs.

Gia headed out of her office, telling the main secretary where she was headed and what she was doing. As she entered the elevator her cell phone rang.