Chapter 18 #2
Emmeline wrinkled her nose, trying to find an answer. “There is such a thing as reverse kidnapping.”
“Of course there is. And I can tell my presence continues to bother you.”
“How so?”
The game was far too enticing. “By the way your pulse jumps every time I’m near.” I nuzzled into her neck and she tried once again to push me away. “And by the way your breath catches.”
“You are very full of yourself. And here I was trying very hard not to believe the rumors flying around New Orleans about you.”
“What rumors would those be?”
“That you treat women like objects. Pretty little collectibles you place on a shelf, replacing them from time to time when you grow bored.”
“Wow. I must admit I’m shocked in hearing such ridiculous allegations.”
“Are you? Or do you thrive on creating chaos wherever you go?”
“I thrive on beautiful women who try and ignore me when they’ve already tasted the merchandise.” Inching closer, I was rewarded with both a slight sigh and a tickle of a smile.
“You’ve just proven my intuition correct. You’re an arrogant ass, Mr. Giovanni.” Her voice was seductive, provocative enough my balls were tighter than before.
And she knew it, taking a quick glance to double check her influence over me had had the desired effect.
In response, I slid my hand under her dress, rolling my fingers along the inside of her thigh. She was obviously holding her breath, but not for the reason I’d hoped for.
When I pulled back, cocking my head, she winked.
“You have a knife strapped to your thigh?”
The next push was enough to break the connection. “A girl can’t be too careful. There are dangerous predators walking the streets of every city.” Her lilting laugh continued as she hurried up the stairs, stopping halfway to flash me a single view of her crimson thong.
She flashed me. Was the woman trying to drive me absolutely crazy?
“I also have my gun in my purse, so don’t try anything, buster.”
I threw up my hands. “I wouldn’t dream of it. At least while we’re outside.”
I was in no rush since she was going nowhere, at least until I did my duty in kidnapping her. I took my time while she rushed to get inside. I hadn’t smiled so much in as long as I could remember.
Once inside, I locked the door and sauntered into the kitchen since the light was on. She stood with her back turned to me and I instinctively knew something was wrong.
When she heard me, she spun around, placing her finger across her lips before pointing toward the partially open door, shaking her head.
I knew exactly what she meant. I’d watched her close the door before we’d left given my insistence. Instantly I pulled out my weapon and of course she was already reaching for the one in her purse.
Without hesitation, I pointed for her to get away from the glass door while I flicked off the light. I checked the pantry and the small utility closet, finding nothing. There was no other sign that anyone had been in the room other than the point of entry.
While keeping the weapon in both hands, I moved quickly toward the back door, standing off to the side. I slowly opened it, listening for any unusual sounds. Unfortunately, with the location of the house, there was extensive noise coming from the surrounding area. Traffic. Music. People laughing.
She faded into the shadows of the room, but I noticed the outline of her weapon. At this point, nowhere was safe inside the house. This was why her leaving New Orleans without taking security with her was a bad idea. I had no way of knowing what we were dealing with, the disadvantage dangerous.
I moved onto the deck, remaining close to the wall.
The lights in the pool provided enough contrast that after a few seconds I was able to get a clear view of the area below.
If there was anyone outside, they were hiding in the shrubs.
Very possible, but my instincts told me they’d prefer getting the jump inside.
Back inside, I noticed Emmeline was already standing near the kitchen door. I moved quickly, pulling her away and whispering harshly, “You’re going to remain right here.”
“No. I’m coming with you.”
“No, you are not. Do not move. Scream if anyone comes in. Do you hear me?” Yes, my voice was much harsher than perhaps she deserved, but I knew exactly what she would do as soon as my back was turned.
If something happened to her now, I’d not only need to burn down all of Rio to find the person responsible, I’d take my rage back to New Orleans with me and God help anyone who stood in my way.
“Fine. I’ll stay here.”
“Good girl.” Backing away, I darted my head out the kitchen door, seeing nothing in the darkness.
After taking a deep breath, I moved stealthily through the darkened house, stopping every few seconds to listen.
There were always telltale signs when someone had entered a location that they didn’t own.
No matter how professional the perpetrator, little things were missed such as the fact the pillow on the couch had been turned over.
Given Emmeline was a neat freak, she never left a room without ensuring everything inside was just so.
Whoever had passed had been heading into the bedrooms.
Hugging the wall, I inched forward slowly down the darkened hallway. A single sound caught my attention. While very subtle, I knew it well. A weapon being prepared to fire. That meant whoever was inside hadn’t broken in with theft in mind.
Emmeline’s location in Brazil had been compromised.
How the fuck had she been found unless something she’d brought with her had been bugged?
This was a way to change plans. Already in a surly mood, I moved forward quickly, reaching into the room. With ease, I grabbed some asshole by the shirt, yanking him closer just as a light was turned on.
Well, it would appear there was more than one asshole. While I had one in my hand, another came from inside another room where he was hiding, prepared to fire. I swung around just in time, his buddy taking the first two bullets while I fired off one of my own toward the one across the room.
Pop!
The single bullet was a dead hit, right between his eyes. But the asshole in my hands wasn’t dead yet, the fucker managing to elbow me. While he broke free, I wasn’t interesting in fighting the son of a bitch, firing off two shots in a row. That should kill the bastard.
While two were down, I heard additional noise, catching movement out of the corner of my eye.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Diving behind the couch, I rolled toward the end, able to see around the corner just as two more of them came rushing into the room.
Pop! Pop!
One ducked, the other flinging himself toward the kitchen.
Emmeline.
Anger rolled through me like a tidal wave. I wasn’t hesitant, firing off several shots in a row. The one asshole was peppered with bullet holes, his body pitched backward from side to side until he thumped onto the floor.
Emmeline’s scream yanked at everything inside of me, the need to protect her overriding everything else. When I threw myself over one body, I was shocked when he reached out, grabbing me by the ankle.
I went down hard, my gun knocked from my hand. Somehow, I was scrambling alongside the other asshole to get to my weapon. I managed to kick him in the face, which offered enough leverage I lunged forward, grabbing my gun. Spinning around, I fired indiscriminately, catching the fucker in the face.
Boom! Thud!
Her second yelp was more urgent and just before I reached the kitchen door, a single shot echoed in my ears.
Stunned, I threw myself into the kitchen, the weapon in both hands and prepared to fire.
Emmeline was being held by the asshole, his arm around her throat.
She’d managed to shoot him, blood soaking his shirt, yet he’d disarmed her. While the asshole was panting under his black mask, he wasn’t wavering in his firm hold.
“Hiya, honey. How are you enjoying the night?” I could tell she was ready to attack. Right now, a single wrong move and she’d be killed.
I should have known my little principessa wasn’t in the mood to be held hostage. “I don’t like the company we have tonight, honey bunchkins.” With that, she elbowed him, freeing herself so I could pull the trigger.
Just as I did, I was tackled from behind. How many of the assholes had been sent to kill or kidnap her? Maybe they’d known I was here. That didn’t bode well for getting the hell out of here if I was right.
Hearing a commotion and her primal yell, I was impressed, even as I struggled to get the fucker off me. We rolled several times, hitting the kitchen table. As soon as I made it to my feet, so did he, his gun pointed toward me at the same time I was aiming at him.
Pop!
A bullet went wild, coming from across the room. Then there was scuffling, which drew the attention of the asshole who was concentrating on ending my life.
Too close to shoot, I was forced to use physical violence. As soon as I issued a hard kick, he threw himself toward me, but I backed away in the nick of time, pummeling his chest with three bullets.
Just as she grunted.
I threw my head toward her, watching in awe as she brought the knife down twice.
On my feet, I rushed to her side, finally pulling her away from him before she turned him into Swiss cheese.
“That’s enough,” I said quietly while pulling her toward me. “He’s dead.”
“I don’t care. I…” Her breathing ragged, she fought me at first before I pulled her around to face me, cradling her body close.
She allowed a single sob as she clung to me, the bloody knife still in her hand. I took deep breaths while scanning the kitchen, on edge in case there was a sixth man.
While I held her, I assessed the situation. They were all dressed in black, all wearing masks. They’d been waiting for her or us to return home. If I had to guess, I’d say their intentions had been to take her with them.