Hold Me (25 page)

“Wait a minute...” My dad shakes his head. “That’s a terrible idea. My daughter has absolutely no experience...”

“Doesn’t matter.” She turns to me. “You’ll stay close, but not close enough that they spot you or hurt you, okay?”

“Sure.” I bob my head.

“Look, I understand how nerve-racking it is not to know what’s going on, but whatever happens, do not come out from your hiding place.” She gives me a stern look.

“Of course.”

My father sighs, then pulls me into a hug, planting a kiss on the top of my head. “Stay safe, honey.”

“I will.”

Victoria tosses the almost empty bag to me. “You can’t walk out of here like this. There’s a black wig inside. Make sure you look like me. My car is right across the street. Use the key and you won’t miss it. No matter what, follow Tim’s instructions. Oh, and give me your phone or anything else Raphael might use to track you or identify you.”

I grab the bag and pull out the wig. “I really hope this works.”

“Don’t worry,” she says. “It will.”

When I’m done applying makeup, I look at myself in the mirror and realize I seem like a completely another person. This better work or I don’t know what I’ll do.

I thread through the tall grass, careful not to be seen. Sweat is trickling down my back under my protective vest, but I do my best to ignore it. In front of me, I can see an old building with dilapidated walls surrounded by tall grass and trees. Four men who have come with me are silently and quickly wading through the grass. Their plan is to take out Raphael’s guards without alerting anyone while Victoria deals with Raphael.

I just hope that Raphael will assume that I’m not crazy enough to get anyone else involved with this and that I want Caleb enough to risk my own life. Or maybe he thinks I’m stupid and arrogant enough to come on my own thinking that money will protect me and that he won’t harm me. Well, if it hadn’t been for my father’s idea, maybe that’s exactly what I would’ve done... except I’d bring my father’s guns, too.

There’s absolutely no movement anywhere around the building, but I’ve never done this before, so chances are I’m not that good at spotting their hideouts. A click in my ear makes me pause, and I know Victoria has turned on her device. She has or is about enter the building, judging by the loud scrape of metal.

“There you are,” I hear Raphael’s voice. “I almost thought you weren’t coming.”

“Well, I’m here now,” she says. “Let’s get this over with.”

I wish I could see them, but since I don’t hear any shots, I guess she doesn’t have a clean target just yet. Or maybe Caleb is in there too.

“Your voice sounds a little... raspy,” he says.

“Really? You’re going to comment on my voice? That’s not why we’re here.”

“Indeed. Search her.”

“Nuh uh,” she says. “Don’t come anywhere near me. Just send Caleb over and I’ll give you the money.”

Victoria has to be standing far enough from Raphael, or maybe in a dark spot, or he would’ve already realized she isn’t me.

“Sir, we have company,” someone yells, and I swear under my breath.

“Who did you bring with you?” Raphael demands.

“No one. I guess you should’ve kept an eye on your enemies instead of me.”

I hear some rustling, and shots ring in my ears. Shit! Someone screams and I don’t know who.

“It’s not her!” Raphael says. “Get Caleb!”

As I look up, I see the rest of Victoria’s team is rushing toward the building, no longer having to hide. Pulling out of the holster the gun Victoria’s men gave me in case I needed to defend myself, I get to my feet and run.

I know I should stay back and wait, but I have to make sure Caleb is all right. The gravel crunches under my boots as I near one of the windows. Ducking underneath it, I peer through the glass, but all I see is an empty storage room. Shots can be heard from the other side of the building, so I stay where I am, trying to find an entrance.

The sound of breaking glass catches my attention and I press myself against the wall, my gun raised. Caleb jumps through one of the windows, followed by Raphael, who has his gun pointed at Caleb’s head. Raphael’s gaze meets mine, and as I aim at him, he pulls Caleb to himself and digs the barrel of the gun against his head.

“How nice of the real you to show up,” Raphael says, his eyes blazing with fury. “But at least you’ll get to see him die.” His fingers tighten on the trigger.

“Run, Lilith! Run!” Caleb yells, his eyes perfectly calm.

I took some shooting classes a couple of years ago, but I doubt I could hit Raphael on the first try. The risk of shooting Caleb instead is too big. Still, I don’t move a muscle.

“He cares about you. How pathetic is that?” Raphael says. “And all you ever wanted to do was take over my business.”

“What?” I stare at him, wondering how long I can keep my hand steady.

“Oh, I figured you out. Behind that innocent facade hides something else. You thought I wouldn’t find out that your friend bought Isaac. And then you intended to steal everyone else from me with the help of your cop friend. But you’re not smart enough to lead a business like mine. It takes years... It took my whole life to build up what I have... and you ruined it!” His expression turns into a sneer, and he points the gun at me.

I can’t believe he actually thinks I’ve been trying to become like him.

Caleb moves so fast that I almost drop my gun. Raphael yelps as Caleb elbows him, then quickly grabs his arm. The gun fires, and they both end up rolling on the ground. Caleb punches him in the face, and blood bursts from Raphael’s nose.

“Get off me, you little shit,” Raphael yells, trying to shove Caleb away, but Caleb slugs him in the stomach.

“Caleb?” I call softly, and he stumbles to his feet, his hands bloody, his eyes glued to the man who is coughing on the ground. I step forward, my gun ready, and glance at Caleb. Something rustles and I realize Raphael has somehow reached his gun and is about to raise it toward Caleb.

“Watch out!” I yell, and Caleb barely manages to avoid the bullet.

Squeezing the trigger, I fire and don’t stop until my gun is empty and Raphael stops moving. My whole body is shaking, my heart stuck somewhere in my throat.

Caleb keeps his gaze on the ground, his eyes slightly wide, his lips parted, but then he looks up at me, and I drop the gun and throw myself into his arms. He holds me tightly, his hand roaming my back.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” he whispers. The clicking noise of the door behind me makes me jump, and we break apart.

I don’t have time to react when a man points his gun at me, but before he can pull the trigger, two bullets hit him in the chest and he slumps to the ground. Glancing above my shoulder, I see Caleb holding Raphael’s gun.

A moment later, Victoria burst through the door and immediately raises her hands. “Whoa, don’t shoot. We’re here to help.”

“She’s with us,” I say to Caleb, who lowers the gun, but doesn’t let go of it.

“Is that...?” Victoria crouches next to Raphael’s body.

“Yeah,” I say.

“Good.” She gets to her feet. “All Raphael’s men are down.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief, and Caleb snakes his arm around my waist.

“I can’t believe it’s finally over,” I say.

“Me neither.” A small smile tugs at his lips, and I turn to him, pressing my hands against his chest. We just look at each other for a moment, and I can see a mix of joy and sadness in his eyes. But when he lowers his lips to mine, I wrap my hands around his neck and kiss him like it might be the last kiss we’ll ever share.

It takes weeks to deal with the aftermath of what happened, but the cops have managed to take care of it... mostly. Raphael’s men have successfully destroyed most of the computers that held information about his business, but many of his accomplices have been caught. When my doorbell rings, I get up from the couch and go open it. My lips stretch into a smile when I see Caleb.

“Hey.” I pull him into my arms and press my lips against his. “How was work?”

“Fine.” He shrugs, then we start for the living room. Caleb has gotten a job as a waiter at a restaurant and rented an apartment not far from here, but he still comes to see me when his shift ends. I’m really happy and proud that he seems to be doing so well, Raphael’s shadow no longer hanging over him.

“The cops called me,” he says.

“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“They’re closer to finding Jade’s family, but they still can’t figure out anything about mine.” His voice is calm and steady, and I think part of him is relieved about that, although I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe he still believes Raphael’s words about his family not wanting him are true.

“That’s good,” I say. “How is she doing?”

“She’s pretty excited.” He grins. “Oh, and she’s thinking about going to college one day.”

“Really? That’s awesome.” Jade’s decided to live with Caleb because the apartment is big enough for both of them, and Caleb doesn’t want to be alone at night.

“Yeah, she just needs to pass some tests first, but she’s smart. She’ll manage.”

“I’m sure she will.” I lean my head on Caleb’s shoulder and sigh, but as his hand starts to slide under my dress, I tense.

“Is something wrong? You’re...” he says quietly.

“No, I just...” I pull back to look at him. “I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?” His face goes serious, and I regret mentioning anything.

“We’ve been taking things slow, and I... I just want to be sure that this is what you want... us... I mean, the circumstances under which we met... and if you think you owe me something... you don’t.”

He just watches me for a moment, then shifts so he can dip his mouth toward mine. I part my lips, but he doesn’t kiss me.

“For the first time in my life, I’m truly happy, and I know what I want... and I want you,” he says. “If you want me too...”

“I do,” I say softly.

“Then how we met doesn’t matter,” he says. “I’m grateful to you for what you did, yeah. But I’m grateful to Lloyd, Victoria, and everyone else, and I don’t want to kiss any of them.”

A smile spreads across my lips, and I tip my head forward. His fingers slide into my hair and his tongue slips between my lips for a long kiss, exploring and demanding. When we break apart, we’re both panting, but then I fist my hands into his shirt and lie down, pulling him on top of me.

“What do you want?” I look at him through my eyelashes, feeling his erection against my leg.

“I want...” He lowers his head and nips on my collarbone, then traces his hand across my breasts and down my stomach. “...your dress off.”

“Um, yeah, good idea.” I lift myself up on my elbows so he can reach the zipper.

He tugs down my dress, exposing my breasts. “I want my mouth here.” His tongue circles around my breast, then flicks over my sensitive nipple. Leaning my head back, a soft moan escapes my parted lips.

“And here.” His mouth follows a path down my stomach as he pulls down my panties.

I part my legs as he presses his lips against me and thrusts his tongue inside of me. A swirl of his tongue in all the right places sends tiny shudders of pleasure through my whole body and I close my eyes.

“Say my name. I love when you do it,” he whispers, and I can feel the tip of him straining against my opening.

“Caleb.” I look into his dark eyes and he slowly pushes himself inside me. As he fills me, he bends his mouth toward mine, and gently sucks on my lower lip.

Lifting my hips up, I meet his quick thrusts, my whole body tingling with pleasure that builds and builds until it we both cry out.

“That was...” I try to catch my breath.

“A nice beginning.” A wicked smile crosses his face and I pull him toward me until his lips brush mine. If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up. Ever.