Parker was just plain sick of roaming around the arena. She and the rest of the security team had been around the entire place more times than she cared to count. Now that she was finally satisfied that the venue was secure, she returned to the dressing room with Nathaniel and Jackson following her.
Despite the fact that the backstage area was a buzzing hub of activity, the Boys sat lethargically in folding metal chairs, staring off into space. Parker sensed that this lack of enthusiasm was definitely not the norm for them just before a show. It had to be a direct result of the phone call Kevin had received an hour ago. Parker sighed and glanced at each of them. Wait a minute...one, two, three, four?
"Where's Howie?." she demanded, her dark eyes narrowing into glittering slits.
"He's in the green room with Claudia," Michael explained quickly, not wanting to feel the full force of Parker's wrath. "I just peeked in on them a few minutes ago. Claud had her nose buried in some wires and Howie was pretending to be interested in what she was talking about but I really think that he's more interested in her and-"
"Enough babble Michael," Parker said. "I get the picture."
Howie was safe with Claudia...Parker visibly relaxed and stopped worrying. Her sympathy got the best of her as she looked at the solemn faces surrounding her...particularly Kevin's. His eyes were fixed on the wall...his face pale and drawn.
"How are you guys holding up?," she asked quietly. "Okay?"
Four heads nodded. Parker sighed. "Claudia will be tapping your cell phones as soon as possible, as well as the phones in your hotel rooms," she said, hoping to reassure them somehow.
"So you'll be able to hear our conversations?," Kevin asked.
"If we need to. But the important thing is that we'll be able to trace where the calls are coming from."
"I haven't found my phone yet," AJ said.
Parker gave him a wry smile, "Good. You won't be getting any calls then. Okay guys...I need to get a few things I left on the bus. I'll be back in a few minutes...sit tight until I get back."
"Can I go with you?," AJ asked.
Parker eyed him suspiciously,"What for?"
AJ shrugged, "I'm bored."
"Alright," Parker said, understanding the restlessness he felt. Together they walked out to the loading entrance, where the buses were parked. AJ followed Parker onto the bus she and Claudia called home. He grinned as he surveyed his surroundings. Claudia's bunk and the area around it was a riot of clothing and various other discarded items. An open suitcase sat on the mattress, with socks and sweaters spilling out. The blankets were thrown back and hanging over into the narrow aisle. On the other side, Parker's bunk was immaculate, with absolutely nothing out of place.
He was still smiling as he stepped into the entertainment room turned office. Parker had settled three large metal cases onto the sofa, and was opening the first.
"What's that?," AJ asked, curious.
"My blades," Parker replied, lifting the lid of the first case. AJ's eyes widened. Inside the case, several different knives of every color and type of metal and steel rested against black velvet. Each blade had its own niche...he noticed that they were all the same length. Parker seemed to read his thoughts.
"These are all six inches," she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement as she lovingly handled one of the knives. "Those are all eights...and those are tens," she supplied, gesturing to the other cases. He watched with growing interest as Parker removed her trench coat, revealing the black tank top she wore beneath it.
He noticed the tattoos immediately...it was hard not to. "Nice work," he said. "Who did them?"
Parker's lips curved into a smile as she thought of her big cousin. "Pedro Mendoza... otherwise known as Cyrus Mendoza."
"Oh yeah! I've seen some of his stuff...isn't he down in Texas?"
"Yes."
"Mendoza huh? Is that a coincidence?," he asked, surprised to see the soft look on her face. "You aren't...I mean...he's not your husband is he?"
Parker actually emitted a quick laugh. "God no...he's my cousin."
AJ couldn't explain the relief he felt. Instead of thinking about it too much, he prodded a little more, extremely curious about the mysterious woman standing before him.
"So...you're from Texas?," he asked, as she flipped open the other two cases and examined the blades they contained. Parker glanced at him through her black lashes, knowing exactly what he was doing.
"Yes," she answered, playing it safe by sticking with one word answers.
"Houston?"
"San Antonio."
AJ shifted uncomfortably...this was going no where fast. Parker was obviously not one for conversation. He couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't outright offend her. Instead he watched her swift, efficient movements as she strapped various blades to her body. She sensed his discomfort...she herself felt a little of it. Her luck with men was horrible, and at 25, she'd only had two affairs. One with a fellow rookie cop when she was on the police force, and another with a secret service agent. Both men had been married.
Thinking to ease he odd tension between them, she asked, "You wanna see something really cool?"
AJ noticed the bright spark of excitement in her eyes and couldn't resist. God she was beautiful...especially with her eyes shining like that. "Sure," he said, smiling at her.
She reached behind the sofa, where he couldn't help but notice two other silver cases, and withdrew a long, slim metal case that matched the others. AJ watched with interest as she popped the three latches open and stood back, allowing him to see what was inside. There, against bedding of red satin, was an exquisite Oriental sword, complete with its sheath. AJ had never seen anything quite like it before. It was ornately decorated in shades of red and black, with ancient Chinese characters etched into the smooth ivory handle.
Parker lifted it carefully from the case, pausing to run her fingers slowly over the wicked looking blade. AJ's mouth went dry as he watched her. Parker was caressing the blade as she would a lover's skin. At that moment, he would've gladly given up everything he owned to be that blade.
"I collect these," she said quietly, her voice suddenly hoarse with some unspoken emotion. "This one was my very first...and my favorite. My brother gave it to me for my 18th birthday." Her voice had dropped to a whisper, a wistful look of sadness crossed her features. "When I travel...I take this one with me."
Subconsciously, he stepped closer to her and brought his hand up to lightly trace his fingers over the cold steel of the blade. "Kinda like a good luck charm?," he whispered, meeting her eyes.
"I've never had good luck."
His fingers brushed over her hand. Parker's first instinct was to flinch away...but when his fingers slowly circled the sensitive veins of her wrists, she simply watched his movements through perceptive eyes. He has nice hands, she thought, watching his strong fingers brush over her skin.
He was a shade darker than she...Parker's tan was fading from her natural olive complexion. She was suddenly fascinated by the contact of warm skin against skin. It had been a long time since she had felt that kind of warmth...on the rare occurrence that someone actually touched her, it was usually in a violent manor. Heat spread from his hand to her, until it consumed her entire body.
Parker suddenly felt detached from herself, as if she was watching this minor connection from above. She was hypnotized by the soft touch of his hand smoothing over hers, not even noticing that their hands had left the blade. Now he was simply holding her hand in his, entwining their fingers and circling his thumb in the center of her palm. She vaguely realized that he had moved to stand closer to her...she felt his breath on her cheek.
AJ felt as though he were taming a wild panther. Step one was gaining the cat's trust. His lips curved into a slight smile at the thought...he definitely wanted to tame this one. Parker had simply captivated him. Her tough as nails exterior wasn't intimidating to him...he sensed something deeper within her, something he wanted to know. She kept herself well guarded...he wanted to get past that wall to the woman inside.
Parker's hand moved within his, startling him out of his thoughts. He glanced down at her, seeing her eyes closed, the dark lashes resting against her cheeks. Her cheeks were flushed...she held a look of silent rapture on her face. AJ watched her lips quiver slightly and fought the urge to cover those lips with his own. Just as her fingers began bushing over his, a voice sounded in her ear, shattering the poignant moment.
"Detective?"
Parker moved away from AJ so quickly that he wasn't quite sure if the entire scene had been a figment of his imagination. Gone was the pliant woman he'd stood so close to moments before. In her place was the usual indifferent woman with eyes harder than stone.
"Go ahead," she called into her radio.
"Ten minutes left."
"Thank you Michael."
Gathering her composure again, she turned to AJ. "You've got ten minutes until you go on stage," she told him, returning to her brisk, no nonsense manner. He only nodded at her. She closed all the cases and returned them to their place on the floor. Before settling the trench coat around her body again, she strapped and odd contraption containing four of the six inch blades to her left wrist. He watched her adjust the blades so that they rested comfortably, halfway up her forearm.
"Ready?," she asked, not looking at him.
"Yeah."
She strode from the room, leaving him to trail behind her...wondering what the hell had just happened.
Parker and AJ walked silently back into the arena side by side, with at least two feet of distance between them. Parker was highly aware that she'd just made an ass of herself, and she hated herself for it. She'd lived with her suppressed vulnerabilities for most of her adult life... why would they surface now? She didn't find AJ particularly attractive...she didn't have room in her life for anything like that. Oh sure...she recognized that he was good looking...better than that. In fact, this kid was downright gorgeous...but it wasn't her place to notice things like that.
Besides, he was still a baby...only 21 with the heart of a child. It didn't matter that she was only four years his senior...her experiences in life had left her with the mind of someone much older. She certainly felt 25 going on 50. Why was she thinking about this anyway? She was here to do a job...once that job was completed, she would return to her mundane life waiting in Texas and never lay eyes on these people again. As a rule, she never got attached to the people she was hired to protect. That rule would be enforced now more than ever. AJ McLean, with his honeyed skin and soulful eyes...would not be a distraction.
Parker didn't say a word to anyone as she entered the venue. Instead, she simply took her position in the wings of the stage, where she could easily monitor the Boys. Her first surprise came upon seeing the mass of humanity waiting to see their performance. She hadn't realized just how popular these guys really were. Thousands of screaming faces anxiously anticipated the arrival of five young men. Parker shook her head in disbelief.
Her next surprise came when she actually saw the Boys perform. The energy that radiated off of them, even in their current distressed situation, could be felt by every person in the arena. The beat of the music was infectious, the magnitude of talent possessed by these five people was astonishing. Each one of them held Parker's interest in their own right...but it was AJ that had her captivated.
His voice sounding like pure silk, rough with just the right amount of sensuality. He was absolutely crazy on stage...thrusting his hips wildly, gyrating somewhat suggestively to the music, tearing his shirt off. Parker couldn't help but smile. AJ was obviously in his element, he'd found his place in the sun on that stage. Parker suddenly saw him through different eyes... through the eyes of his many fans. He was a charismatic ball of fire out there...Parker admired his obvious dedication tremendously.
It was while she was still held in this state of wonder that Claudia's terrified voice echoed through her headset. Parker reacted immediately, muttering, "On my way Claud," into her radio. Within seconds she was at Claudia's side. Parker had developed a certain kind of affection for the smaller woman, and hearing the sheer terror in her voice had sent chills down her spine. When she reached Claudia, the other woman's emerald eyes were wide with a mixture of shock and fear. Her normal peaches and cream complexion was a shade paler than usual, her lower lip was trembling slightly.
"What's up?," Parker asked over the loud music.
Claudia lifted her eyes to meet Parker's dark ones. "I...I...um...my computer...."
It took a few minutes, but Claudia was eventually able to speak coherently. Parker didn't rush her...it was obvious that she was just plain terrified. Finally, when the whole story was out...Parker's eyes narrowed dangerously. Any doubts she'd previously had that this person was on the inside were completely wiped away. First by Kevin's mysterious phone call, and now by Claudia's creepy online experience. It was all too apparent that they were being watched, knowledge that made Parker's blood run cold.
"Damn," she hissed between her teeth. "They've got us right where they fucking want us. We're nothing more than sitting ducks."
"So what now?," Claudia inquired.
"Now we wait. We've done everything that we can...until this person, or persons, decide to make a move, we're stuck. Have you gotten the tracking devices in yet?"
Claudia shook her head, "I'm hoping they'll get here soon...probably tomorrow."
Parker nodded. "We'll be better off as soon as they get here." Claudia still looked a little shaken. Parker's face softened as concern set in.
"You okay? Stay here...I'll get you some water."
Parker walked off before Claudia could reply, then returned a few minutes later with a cold bottled water. Claudia had calmed some by the time Parker came back, but she still accepted the water gratefully.
"Thank you," she mumbled, unscrewing the cap and drinking deeply. "I think I'm okay now."
Parker nodded and turned to walk away, then on impulse, she spun back around. "If you need me...I'll be right over there," she said.
Claudia glanced up in surprise, then offered a brilliant smile. "I know," she replied. One corner of Parker's mouth turned up, then she returned to her previous position, her mind working a mile a minute. Her eyes scanned the audience again, then finally they settled on the five men singing their hearts out on the stage. Who would be sick enough to torment people who were so obviously loved by millions around the world?
What motive could someone possibly have? The usuals were obviously not a factor...not drugs, not adultery, certainly not gang activity. Parker could think of only one thing...money. Money drove people to insane heights of greed. And if Parker had learned anything at all over the last few days...it was that the Backstreet Boys were a well-oiled, money making machine. Still, she couldn't quite pinpoint the exact motive. All of the Boys' employees were well paid, everyone from their band to the road crew. The gears turned in her mind...something was eluding her. Patience...she had to have patience. Criminals always slipped up, and Parker would be ready and waiting when this one did. Until then, her hands were tied.
She was so engrossed in the thoughts occupying her mind, that she didn't even realize that the show had ended until the five of them rushed past her. She felt like kicking herself for being so unalert. They were still high from their performance as they bounced down the corridor to their dressing room. Parker and Claudia followed closely with the rest of the guards, amused. The Boys were yelling excitedly and teasing each other, releasing keyed up chemistry in one big explosion of noise and laughter. All evidence of their previous dark mood was gone... its place was an enthusiastic energy that didn't seem to be winding down. Apparently, performing for their fans had been exactly what they needed. Parker and Claudia shared a glance as they surveyed the boisterous scene before them.
"It's going to be a long night," Parker sighed.
Claudia's green eyes twinkled brightly. "You can say that again."
But despite their complaints, both woman were pleased to see their five charges in such a cheerful mood. It was the first time they'd seen them like this. Parker hoped their positive attitudes would hold out for the long haul.
*****
Claudia’s footsteps padded softly on the plush carpet covering the floor of the lobby as she strode toward the bank of elevators. A set of steel doors polished to a mirror sheen slid open slickly, allowing her to board. Quickly pressing the button for the eighth floor, she leaned against the wall, tipping her head back and closing her eyes. Claudia was thankful she had forgotten one of her components on the bus....the excursion to retrieve it had given her time to ponder.
The events of the day had been frightening, to say the least. Never before had she felt a terror so pure it was practically blinding in it’s intensity....at the pier, she had been able to see her assailants......now, their attacker was invisible. It appeared as if no holds were barred, and there was nothing she, or anyone else for that matter, could do about it. Parker had been right: they were sitting ducks. But somehow, that fact instilled in her a deeper desire to protect the Boys from whoever wanted to cause them harm. In the mean time, she was looking forward to having a relaxed evening, free come up with the devices necessary to tap the Boys’ cell phones.
The elevator doors glided open smoothly. Promptly, the sound of multiple furious voices assaulted her ears as a riotous scene unfurled. Claudia’s eyes widened, her hold on the component tightened. It had finally happened.....frustration had taken it’s toll.....
“There is NO way I’m going to be able to sleep! No way!” Nick shouted, red in the face and more than a little agitated. Parker responded by glowering wordlessly at him.
“Adreneline is rushing through my veins and I feel like....like I’m about to EXPLODE!” Brian exclaimed, jumping up and down, waving his arms erratically.
“I want to DO something, not just lay around like last week’s leftovers!” AJ added, shifting from one foot to the other in pent up excitement. “Let’s go to a club!”
“Out of the question, and you know it,” Jack snapped, his brow furrowing in disapproval. For once he and Parker were on the same team. In fact, it was obvious even to an outsider, the lines had been drawn.....security vs. pop stars.
“How about a bar?” Kevin chipped in hopefully. Jackson elbowed his charge in the ribs reproachfully, shaking his head.
Claudia stepped hesitantly from the elevator. What had possessed them all to convene in the hall, anyway? People within a ten mile radius could probably hear them argue. She was surprised someone hadn’t called the hotel concierge to complain. Nathaniel spotted the little redhead as she cast her eyes on the curious situation before her.
“Hello, and welcome to hell. Red hot tempers to your left, butting heads on your right. If you should need anything during your stay, please don’t bother to ask,” he quipped as he came to stand at Claudia’s side. She giggled, confusion painted clearly on her face.
“Do I even want to know what’s going on?” she whispered.
“The Boys want to be active,” Nathaniel shrugged. “And it’s not safe for them to go anywhere.”
“Oh....right. Well, why don’t they just go to bed?” she asked innocently. Nathaniel chuckled softly.
“Try again, Red. You’d sooner convince a flock of seagulls not to shit on your newly washed car, than calm these five down after a performance.”
The two continued to watch the scene unfold before them, and just as Claudia was sure AJ was going to plant his fist alongside Jack’s jaw, Howie spoke softly from where he leaned against the wall.
“Why don’t we just find something around here to do? We’ve got an entire five star hotel at our disposal. Let’s take advantage of that.”
The small assembly hushed as each member of the party contemplated Howie’s logical suggestion. “Depends on what you have in mind,” Parker finally stated dubiously. The five in question exchanged glances, silently communicating in their uncanny way.
“A swim?” Nick hazarded. Every set of eyes turned to the head of the security team for confirmation. Parker mulled this thought over in her head for a moment. At last, she sighed and nodded her approval.
“Safe enough.”
A loud cheer resounded from the high strung men as they raced for their hotel rooms to change into more suitable attire.
*****
Fame was a good thing, Howie decided as his arms propelled him through the water in a graceful backstroke. Having a certain amount of respect attached to your name could come in handy.....and the special treatment wasn’t bad either. Granted, esteem could get tedious at times, but in the end, it was all worthwhile. How else would it have been possible to reserve the indoor pool for private use?
Pausing to tread water, Howie appraised the people around him. Kevin and Brian were engaged in a fierce freestyle race, while Nick and AJ were taking turns show casing their diving abilities. They were the closest thing he had to a family ten months of the year. Traveling pulled Howie away from his own flesh and blood more often than he liked to admit. And now, it seemed as if the already large Backstreet Family had been extended further. The arrival of the new heads of security had certainly changed things.....in more ways than one.
The intimidating Parker hadn’t exactly been welcomed with open arms, but the recent mysterious happenings made them all glad she was around. And Claudia.....well, to be honest, they’d all had doubts as to whether or not she could really be of much use. Howie’s earlier conversation with her in the green room had changed the flow of those thoughts.
Now, both women sat on the sidelines of the pool with the brawny men to whom their orders were issued. Jack was sulking near the entrance of the facility on the off chance that other hotel guests would decide to go for a late night swim. Jackson was recounting a tale of some sort to an uninterested Michael and an indifferent Parker as Nathaniel flipped through the latest Sports Illustrated. Claudia......it took Howie a moment to locate her, but his eyes finally rested on her form, sprawled on one of the lounge chairs. A smile tugged at his lips as he observed her. Without another thought, Howie swam over to the edge of the pool, hoisting himself from the water in one fluid motion.
As he approached Claudia, it became obvious that she had drifted off in light slumber, having been left to her own devices. He stood over her form, watching her chest rise and fall with every breath she took. Her curls flared in an arc about her head, spread out over the back of the chair. One of her hands rested lightly on her stomach, the other hanging limply off the side of the lounge. Howie took a tiny step closer, his foot coming into contact with something. Glancing down, he found her beat up tennis shoes tossed haphazardly on the floor. His eyes shifted to her stocking feet and he wondered if anything could be more delicate.
A droplet of water fell from his hair, landing wetly on her cheek. He expected the action to wake Claudia immediately, but she continued to sleep. His gaze followed the droplet as it slowly coursed a path across her creamy skin, snaking it’s way down the smooth contours of her neck. It took everything he had in him not to reach out and brush the water from her features. The droplet disappeared beneath the collar of her sweater, and as if to try his patience further, another bead of liquid splashed onto the bridge of her nose. This time, however, Claudia sighed in sleepy agitation, her eyes fluttering open.
The touch of something light and wet had drawn her from her languor, but as she looked up into the face of the man before her, she doubted her wakeful state....then he smiled. If Claudia felt her heartbeat quicken as Howie’s features lit up, her cardiovascular system plunged into overdrive when she realized he was naked from the waist up. His strong, well muscled torso was once again visible, snapping Claudia back into the memory of his arms holding her pressed tightly against his chest. His body fascinated her.....it was so hard and lean. She hadn’t been around men much, but those that she had been acquainted with certainly didn’t look like......well, like they belonged on the cover of a male model calendar. Claudia nearly groaned when she felt the ever present flush cover her cheeks.
“Hey there,” he greeted softly.
“Hi,” Claudia returned breathlessly, gesturing for Howie to sit beside her. And he did -though not on the available lounge next to the one on which she lay. Claudia tucked her knees beneath her chin and scooted over to the far edge of her chair to make room for him. He perched beside her, his back turned to the activities of the pool, his eyes riveted on her face.
“Sorry to interrupt your cat nap. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“No...I....that’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” In the position they were sitting, his thigh pressed against the side of her leg, making it difficult for Claudia to think clearly.
“You looked peaceful. Were you dreaming?”
For some reason, the fact that he had seen her asleep was mortifying. “I can’t remember,” she replied, averting her gaze. “Why aren’t you with the others?”
Howie shrugged, “I’m not much for rough housing. And you?” he asked, glancing over at the other members of security.
“I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m not exactly.....I don’t really fit in over there,” Claudia let her eyes linger on her coworkers, while Howie’s penetrating gaze focused on her.
“I think you do. They all appreciate what you do for them....for us, Claudia.”
“Oh! I know, it’s just....my stomach turns at some of the war stories they’re fond of telling, and I don’t have any fighting tips to contribute,” she paused for a moment in thought, “I’m not complaining, but I’m more used to dealing with people of my own profession, you know?”
Brief confusion clouded Howie’s expression. “I thought they were.....”
Claudia realized her mistake, and quickly nodded her head. “They are! It’s just.....I’m more technically inclined.”
“I can understand that. It’s behavioral. Just like the guys and I,” he concluded. Claudia gazed at Howie, her relief evident.
“Yeah....exactly.”
“So, did you catch any of the show tonight?” Howie inquired kindly. Claudia almost didn’t hear him....she couldn’t stop herself from starring at the place where their bodies met....the water from his wet thigh had gradually been transferring to her pants, soaking the material where their legs lay alongside...not that she minded. He followed her line of sight and cursed softly.
“Oh God, I’m sorry!” he exclaimed, shifting over slightly. Howie stood, then snagged a towel from the lounge next to them, wrapping it snugly around his waist. He settled back beside her, another towel in his hands.
“It’s okay...I don’t mind. To answer your question, no I didn’t get a chance to see you guys in action. I was backstage most of the time.” Her eyes followed his hand as he gently rubbed the water from his skin with the second towel...she wished fiercely that he hadn’t moved.
“Hey! Is anyone else ready for a drink?” AJ called loudly, breaking into Claudia’s thoughts. “D? Kev?”
Howie darted a look at the woman beside him, then politely refused. Kevin was more than agreeable to AJ’s proposition, so the two men and their respective body guards collected their things and headed for the elevator, presumably heading for the hotel bar.
“Have you always worked with computers?”
“Yes.....well, once I graduated high school. What about you? Were you always entertaining?”
“Pretty much.....I’m lucky to have something I’m passionate about. I’m even more fortunate in the sense that I get paid to do what I love.”
“I know how you feel,” Claudia sighed.
“So, where are you from, anyway? You’ve got an unfair advantage over me,” Howie smiled down at her gently.
“I traveled a lot growing up. But the most recent home for me was Seattle.”
“Great city.”
Just then, Nathaniel tapped Howie on the shoulder. “Sorry to break this up, but the others are ready to head back to their rooms,” he informed them, yanking a thumb in Nick and Brian’s direction.
“Let me guess....Nintendo time?”
“Most likely,” Nathaniel agreed. Reluctantly, Howie stood, offering his hand to Claudia. She accepted with a minimum of hesitation, and the entire group gravitated in the direction of the elevators.
*****
“Hey man, I’m going down....you want anything?”
Nathaniel glanced up from his third magazine of the evening. “Yeah, an citrus soda if you can find one.....but not the off brand. Those are just plain nasty. I’m talking something like Sprite, or Citra, or Quench, or-”
Jackson’s mouth quirked as his eyebrows raised. “I get your drift. I’ll be back in,” he checked his watch swiftly, “five or ten minutes. I’m gonna catch a smoke, okay?”
“Sure, whatever. Just don’t take forever, I’ve gotta pee.” Nathaniel answered with a dismissive wave of his hand, his eyes focusing once again on the glossy pages.
“I’ll be sure to take my sweet time, then,” Jackson smirked, boarding the elevator. The door closed with a whoosh, making his stomach turn queasy at the sharp jolt of movement which came with the descent. Though he wouldn’t dream of admitting it to his fellow bodyguards, Jackson was prone to motion sickness in addition to being slightly claustrophobic. Elevators tended to make him break out in a cold sweat. If they knew, the fellas would never let him live it down.
The doors opened with a chime, the empty lobby stretching out before him. And why wouldn’t it be empty? It was past two am, no one in their right mind would be out and about. The evening cleaning crew bustled about the premises, readying the hotel for the next day. Jackson strode purposefully toward the front of the building.
Once outside, he took a deep breath of fresh air, loving the way the cold breeze felt in his lungs. As he walked toward the curb, Jackson gazed up at the stars....they were so bright. Keeping his eyes trained on the dark sky above, he searched for the pack of Marolboros he knew to be in his coat pocket. Look at that....Orion the hunter was clearly visible in the heavens; Jackson mentally patted himself on the back for remembering the name of that constellation from grade school. Damn....where were his-
“Oh SHIT!” A dull thud accompanied by the loud obscenity resounded through the quiet night. The concrete was cold and unyielding beneath his weight, as Jackson fell heavily to the frigid ground. His head smacked the pavement briefly, blood rushing in his ears. He landed stiffly, completely forgetting the training he had received when he was just a rookie. So much for remembering to go limp when you fall, he thought ruefully. As he tried to seat himself upright, Jackson gasped in pain. Slowly, he angled his head to look at his body....and cursed again. His right leg was bent under him in an unnatural position. Gritting his teeth in anguish, Jackson struggled to sit. Loud groans of agony tore from his throat as he reached for his radio.
“Nathaniel....oh shit, I need your help!”
*****
Thunderous rapping on the hard wood of the hotel room door pulled Claudia from her peaceful slumber. Nathaniel’s booming voice filtered through the panel.
“Claudia? Parker? Wake the fuck up!” Before Claudia had time to move a muscle, Parker was already yanking the door open.
“What’s going on?” she demanded coldly, her posture conveying her readiness for action.
“It’s Jackson....”
“What about him?” Claudia inquired over Parker’s shoulder, her eyes squinting from the sudden light pouring through the open portal.
“He went out for a break and.....I think he needs to get to a hospital,” Nathaniel finished anxiously. Parker snatched her black trench coat, tying the belt securely about her waist.
“It’s two thirty in the morning, people,” Michael remarked testily. “What’s up at this hour?” By now, Nathaniel’s plea for help had prompted the other groggy members of the security team to converge in the hall.
“Nathaniel and I are taking Jackson to the nearest doctor. Michael, you and Jack get to cover sentry in our absence.” Parker issued her orders brusquely as she and Nathaniel bolted for the elevator.
“What about me?” Claudia called after them.
“Try to get some sleep. Something tells me you’ll need it tomorrow.”
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