Keep Me Safe (15 page)

Brains pulls herself free before reaching up on tip-toes to wrap her hands around his neck. She smiles suggestively before gently skimming her lips across his mouth. As a groan rumbles in his throat, she nips her teeth into his lower lip, her words vibrating against the skin. “So not going to happen, big man.”

They leap apart as the office door slams into its frame. Kane stands before them a balled fist on each hip and his mouth twisted reflecting his dire mood. “Either get it on or don’t…..I don’t give a shit.
Just leave the flirting outside the office fucking door!”

The three team members each share a glance before seating themselves ready for the morning de-brief. Kane pours himself a coffee, tosses his mobile onto the desk and rakes a hand through his hair. He looks up to find three faces staring intently in his direction. Storm is the first to challenge his mood.

“What’s eating you…..or do we get three guesses?”

Brains shakes her head. “I don’t need three guesses. I know what’s eating you.”

Kane lurches forward, his face taut. “And what’s that?”

She
shakes her head slowly. “Not what. Who.”

Chapter Twenty

“And she will be there? You are certain?” Natalya rolls the stocking over her tanned thigh securing it in place with the lace clip of the suspender. She eyes him in the reflection of her mirror as she checks her make-up. She doesn’t recognise herself under the disguise. She smirks before turning to face him.

“Of course she will be there. She is the guest of honour.” Georgy barks in response.

Natalya sways across the room before stopping before him. He casts his eyes over her
body, his eyes instantly hooded with lust. “Calm yourself, my darling. I will finish it tonight.” She twirls a finger through her mousy blonde wig. “Now fix the gun into my garter.”

She bends her leg allowing him access watching as he slides a chubby hand slowly along her thigh towards her sex. Resisting the urge to wince at his repulsive touch, she forces a sweet smile. He continues caressing her until his hand cups the sexual mound. Adjusting the silken material of her panties with a thumb, he roughly inserts two fingers into the folds
beginning to pump and grate against the skin of her channel.

Natalya gasps as he fucks his fingers deeper into her. His round face spreads into a wide smile releasing a chuckle. “I will give you pleasure, my Natalya, then you must pay me in kind.”

She grinds her teeth in her clenched jaw. “Yes, Georgy. Always.”

***

I nervously palm the imaginary crease out of my Roland Mouret baby pink dress for the umpteenth time managing to avoid staining the silk material with my clammy hand. All around me the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement as the time soon approaches for the official announcement and launch of
my signature Make Up line. I feel my knees trembling as I clock watch each minute as they drag towards the hour. I need another glass of champagne, and almost as though she mind read my thoughts, a waitress appears at my elbow with flutes balancing upon a silver platter.

I offer a grateful smile as she lifts the tray in offering. For a fleeting moment, I am distracted by the incongruence of her appearance; dirty mousy blonde
hair against olive skin and dark green eyes which I assume are a bad choice of contacts. I give my head a slight shake before reaching for a glass. She smiles wide before taking her leave, disappearing into the mass of media junkies.

I look around the venue, still hoping after these three weeks have passed, that I will see his face, feel his presence looking out for me.
Keeping Me Safe.
The WYLD bar in the W Hotel in central Leicester Square is the destination bar with a secret entrance providing the ultimate party venue by night and alternative media space by day. Banquette seating forms the edge of this circular lounge to face the performance or party. WYLD is
the
place to host premier events, receptions or product launches. And tonight the place is filled to the rafters with bitching beauty editors, journalists and all the
beautiful people
. But despite my wishing it were so, I cannot see him. Instead, I see the anonymous suited men hidden amongst the party crowd.

***

The microphone screeches alerting us to the moment of the announcement. I am ushered onto the platform and duly paraded for the cameras. Flash bulbs blind my eyes as I smile and twirl into every pose as instructed
. I take my place in front of the stage holding the microphone ready for the ‘big sell’.

As she inches her way through the throng in front of the stage, no-one notices a waitress, instead stepping
aside to allow her passage. Natalya slides a subtle hand down her uniform reaching for the cold metal hidden inside her garter.

I look out into the crowd as my eyes are drawn to the
champagne waitress who eagerly pushes her way through to the front. She seems intent to reach the stage. I smile directly at her until the look of hatred becomes evident in her eyes. Feeling suddenly fearful, I try to peel my eyes away but I am frozen. I can hear voices around me ushering me to speak but my whole being is focused in her direction. As she raises her hand the object gripped within her fingers is reflected against the chrome of the bar surroundings. I raise my hands in defense as the sound of the shot vibrates through the air.

Pain slams into my chest
, metallic liquid flushes my mouth as my body falls and crashes backwards to the floor.

***

A weight is crushing every breath out of my lungs. I try to suck air inwards but my chest cannot respond against the restriction. A strangled cry traps in my throat as my eyes snap open. My nostrils fill with the scent
of……… him.

“Kane……” I whisper.

“Shhh. Lie still. You’re safe. I’ve got you.” He brushes gentle lips across my forehead. He adjusts his weight from on top of me to engulf me in his arms.

I squeeze my arms around him beginning to sob quietly into the warmth of his neck as he whispers words of comfort against my ear.

Chapter Twenty One

The office at Elite Defence is awash with Police Officers. DCI Jack Mercer is growling into his mobile. Although I am still dazed, I have been able to comprehend that the shot that rang out through the air was from the
firearm that Kane carries in his shoulder holster. The lethal bullet entered Natalya’s skull before her finger registered against the trigger of her own gun.

And i
n her purse within the employee locker at the Hotel was the room key of the run down hotel where she and Georgy had hidden. Georgy was now in Police custody singing like a canary and shoveling the entirety of the blame at Natalya’s door.

“Are we done? I need to get Sky out of here and away from all of this.” Kane gestures to the commotion within his office. The rest of the team nod their agreement.

“Yes, take Sky away, Kane. There’s nothing more we can do tonight. Sky, I’ll be in contact shortly but in the meantime, try to get some rest. The Liaison Officer will be available whenever you need her so don’t hesitate to call, ok?” Jack squeezes my hand.

I wrap Kane’s coat tightly around my shoulders as he leads me out of the door. “I don’t think I can face staying in my apartment, Kane.”

He opens the passenger door of his Brabus helping me slide into the seat and buckles me tightly in place. “I didn’t intend to take you there. We’re going to my place.”

“Back to the Safe House at Kingston?”

He shakes his head lightly. “No, baby. That’s a Safe House. You’re safe now. We’re going to my place.”

I peek at him through weary eyes. “Oh.” And that’s all I can manage.

***

A giggle
escapes out of my mouth as I wrap myself into Kane’s dressing gown. The sleeves fall several inches past my wrists and the extra material could almost clothe another person. Shrugging, I fold the extra cloth around me. The smell of frying eggs reaches my stomach before my nostrils have time to register the comforting aroma. I pad my way through the rooms until I reach the enticing sizzling sounds in the kitchen.

Kane turns as he hears me enter. “
Nice bath? Comfort food?”

I nod.
“Fried egg sandwich? And ketchup?” I peek over his shoulder.

“Great minds think alike. Park yourself at the breakfast bar. One fried egg sandwich coming right up, sweet cheeks.”
He sweeps into a deep playful bow.

A few moments later, I sink my teeth into the delicious comfort that only fried food can bring at times like these. Kane reaches across the bar to finger away ketchup from my chin.

“Kane?” I eye him shyly.

“Hmm?”

“I have a question I want to ask. Well, two actually.” I wipe away the grease from my fingers and fold my arms onto the granite work surface.

“Shoot, sweet cheeks.” He grins tossing his napkin onto his empty plate.

“Ok, first question. Have you been watching over me this whole time since I left the Safe House?”

“Yes. Next question.”  He doesn’t flinch from his intense look upon my face.

“Why?” I match his intensity.

He throws me
his boyish smirk. “Is this still part of the first question or have we moved on to the second one?”

“Just answer the damn question, big guy.” I scowl at him stabbing a finger in his arm.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ve developed a soft spot for you after all. Or maybe I am just destined to keep rescuing you, sweet cheeks.” He shrugs nonchalantly.

Swinging myself off my bar stool, I wrap my arms around his strong neck. “
Second question. Why do you insist on calling me sweet cheeks?”

He folds himself around me nuzzling his soft bristles against my neck. He cups my ass in his hands. “Now that answer is easy.” He squeezes
the cheeks causing me to squeal. “Because this ass drives me insane, sweet cheeks.”

I raise an eyebrow.
“Show me.” And I untie the gown letting it slip from my shoulders.

***

He claims my mouth so hungry for my taste that my knees buckle beneath me. Pinning me tight against his chest, he devours every inch of my mouth until wilting into him, I cave in submission. His tongue dances against mine and I whimper in pleasure.