In the midst of a rural neighborhood, just north of Orlando, a spacious development supported more than ten houses, spread out over the land in such a way as to offer the maximum amount of privacy possible. The place was relatively quiet, subdued. The surrounding unassuming occupants would never have guessed that one of the latest endeavors of the FBI was taking place at the end of a lengthly cul-de-sac; antique rose bushes planted along the walk leading up to an ordinary, but beautiful, two story residence. A black sedan was parked in the driveway, an unmarked van at the curb. From the exterior, the house was peaceful, a vision of serenity. The interior was a different scenario all together....
“Are you sure this is going to work?” Miranda asked hesitantly, unable to keep the nervousness from tinging her voice. Kevin slipped a comforting arm around her waist, pulling her close to his body. Casting a thankful glance up at him, Miranda snuggled against his chest, her hand grasping a fist full of his shirt. Beside them, Harris shrugged.
“It’s got to. Whatever company this guy is with, it’s leader is notorious for getting things done his way. Who better to accomplish this, than the big man himself?”
“But what makes you certain that he’ll show?”
“Nothing. That’s what’s wrong with this cockamamie plan,” Amy interjected harshly. A deep scowl creased her features, lending them a fierce glow. If looks could kill, Harris would have long been dead.
“We’ve been through this all ready,” he sighed. Amy rolled her eyes, and if anything, her distaste for the plan showed even more prominently in her expression. “This is a mistake, Harris.”
Grabbing her arm, the older man rapidly steered her away from Kevin and Miranda. “Don’t do this in front of them, they’re scared enough.”
“Harris, I’m terrified! Something is going to go wrong. We’re playing on too many hunches and half baked theories. What if something happens to either of them?”
“Nothing will happen.”
“Who are you to say? Are you a fortune teller? No, and the truth of the matter is, you’re playing this by ear!” she cried defiantly. Harris’ grip tightened on her arm, pulling her near.
“You’re right! I admit it, I don’t have any solid idea how this is going to pan out. But it’s our only chance, Amy. We can get this guy! Not just his hit men, or lackeys, but HIM. The guy at the top of the pyramid, and maybe some of his connections as well. Though we may not know his name, you know as well as I do, that this guy works like clockwork. Whenever a witness is involved, he’s always there. He shows up to make the kill, because he doesn’t trust anyone else to do the job. This time is no different.”
“I want to go on record as opposed to this set up,” Amy replied. Harris’ jaw developed a hard edge, the muscles contracting in frustration.
“Fine,” he conceded tersely.
“But I’ll be here to help.” she added softly. Her partner turned surprised eyes on her. “We’re in this together, for better or for worse, remember? I won’t skip out on you now.”
*@*
Miranda’s gaze darted about anxiously, fear welling within her as their plan became a reality. No longer just words, Harris’ strategy was unfolding, taking form in earnest. Everything would be underway in no time. There was no turning back, a fact which clenched Miranda’s heart with a cold, terrifying grip.
As if sensing her apprehension, Kevin’s focus averted from the hurried activities of those surrounding them, coming to rest upon the face of the woman beside him. Her features were pinched, taunt with anxiety. To spite this, a certain amount of bravery shone in her eyes; a determination which she had developed over the past two years. Miranda wasn’t about to remain the victim any longer, she was going to fight.
Silky ebony strands of hair brushed against the soft skin of her cheek, capturing his attention. He could still see her as she once was, fiery curls not withstanding. Hopefully, their time together would be extended long enough for him to see her tresses regain their ruby hue.
Miranda felt Kevin’s eyes on her, prompting her to glance up into his countenance. That one look silenced the words forming on the tip of her tongue as she saw the expression playing across his face. He was frightened; for her, for himself, for everyone involved. Love surged through her being as she realized yet again the sacrifice he was making.
Without a word, Miranda grasped Kevin’s hand, drawing him down the hallway, then leading him through a door on the left. Shutting the portal behind them, she pulled herself close to him, burrowing into his chest.
“ ‘Randa?” he asked hesitantly, “What are-”
Another utterance did not escape him, as her lips claimed his own in a passionate kiss. Miranda’s mouth melded against Kevin’s flesh, pressing insistently. He moaned deeply within his throat, pushing her back to the door, while planting one hand firmly on her hip, tugging her nearer in an effort to be inside her skin. His other had buried itself into the hair at the nape of her neck, forcing her lips to meet his more fully, if that was possible. Her arms snaked around his shoulders, urging his body tightly against hers. Their kisses and caresses were frantic, their sensations heightened in light of the circumstances bearing down upon them.
Finally, Kevin broke from her embrace, breathing heavily as his green orbs desperately searched Miranda’s.
“Thank you,” she whispered hoarsely.
“For what?” his voice was husky, sending shivers up and down her spine.
“For being you. For doing this,” she replied, leaning her forehead against his. Closing her eyes she concentrated on matching her breathing to his. Inhale....exhale....
“Tell me everything will work out just fine,” he bid her quietly.
“I can’t do that.” She stroked his cheek regretfully, thinking as she did that she would give anything for their divine removal from these circumstances. He sighed heavily.
“I was afraid of that.”
“Whatever happens, I love you.”
“I know, and trust me, the feeling is more than mutual. If we come out of this alive, I’m going to marry you.”
Her blue gray eyes widened in disbelief.
“Amy and Harris won’t let us die.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
“Then you’ll really have to marry me.”
“I’m planning on it.” Miranda opened her mouth to speak, but Kevin quickly pressed his lips to hers forestalling whatever words she was about to speak. “And before you say a thing, let me save you the trouble. Screw my career.” He chuckled softly as he awaited her reaction.
“I’ll hold you to that, Richardson.”
“And I’ll hold you for the rest of our lives.”
*****
“Amy, myself, and a few others will be in the house with you, though you’ll most likely not even be aware of our presence.”
“What about the others?” Miranda questioned uncertainly.
“They’ll be across the street, in the yellow residence. The businessman who owns that house is out of the country, leaving it free to our disposal.”
“So when it happens, they’ll.....”
“Move in to assist. Think of them as the cavalry,” Amy advised, still peeking out the bay window in the living room.
“So our role in this escapade is the...”
“Bait.”
“Comforting term,” Kevin’s mouth formed a grim line as his hold tightened on Miranda’s hand.
“If you wanna catch a fish....”
*****
Tony Guerelli insisted upon silence. No one was to say a single word, lest it disturb his thoughts. After all this time, she was literally at his fingertips. His heartbeat quickened in anticipation. Killing her would be a pleasure, to be sure. She had long eluded him like some sort of prey attempting to outsmart it’s predator. But the fact of the matter was, if you waited long enough, all wild things stepped from the underbrush eventually. And it looked as if that was finally happening.
He could have sent a hired hit man after her, or several of his men. But in all honesty, he would relish pressing the frigid barrel of a gun to her forehead, or running the slick edge of a knife across her throat. True, the latter option was messy, but it would certainly give a great amount of satisfaction.
Rubbing his palms together in anticipation, Mr. Guerelli’s keen eyes never strayed from the street as their navy sedan parked at the curb a block from the white little house offering refuge to the elusive girl. He wasn’t as young as he used to be, but he was most definitely not of such an age that he couldn’t come in stealth.
Stepping from the car, two men flanking him on either side, Tony Guerelli crossed to the wooded area on the other side of the street. The woods led right up to the house, offering the perfect protection from prying eyes. This was it. The culmination of a haunting quest for the blood of this girl who evaded him so adeptly. It had long ago ceased to be just about the scene she had witnessed at the Mariposa. No, it had become an issue of honor, of pride. Tony Guerelli had never lost his target.
And I’m not about to start now.
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