Assassin Deception (25 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Chloe raced around to the back of the chalet. She was disappointed when there was no vehicle to be seen; she surmised they must have flown in and landed at the dock. No matter, she was free. She would pick a direction and head out. Chloe paused for a moment. The forest looked somewhat intimidating with its mixture of deciduous and massive coniferous trees. There was also an abundance of dense foliage.

Chloe knew from the angle of the sun that before long it would be getting dark. She grouched that the least Dirk could have done was let her have her watch. Another control aspect of kidnapping, always wondering how long you’ve been trapped.

She would need to set out at a good clip and then find somewhere to bed down for the long night. She would need to make certain to cover her tracks. If Dirk came looking for her there was no doubt in her mind he would get her eventually. He was relentless when it came to tracking. She planned on making it as difficult as possible.

Chloe had changed her clothing before she left. She had gone over her entire outfit, carefully removing any hanging threads or fibers. Her small shirt was tight fitting, nothing to snag or rip on branches or brush. There were no buttons to fall accidentally to the ground. Thankfully her sneakers were well worn, no visible tread.

Still, she kept to the top of many rocks, trying to leave no visible prints. She decided to set out at the lake's edge. Any stone she stepped on the water lapped over, leaving no telltale trace of her behind. She knew she couldn’t stay by the water out in plain view forever. She just wanted to make it difficult for Dirk to discover what direction she had originally taken, buying her some much needed time to get herself out of this mess and back to James.

When Chloe had followed the rocky water trail for over an hour, she headed inland. The pillowcase was heavy and it had been difficult to stay upright a few times on the slippery shore's edge. The leaves crunched beneath her footing and the ground became somewhat steep, but she climbed steadily higher up a small hill, hoping for a better view of the area. Breathing heavily, Chloe looked around as she reached the top. Everything looked the same to her.

“Trees, mountains, and more trees and mountains, great,” she mumbled.
Damn Dirk to hell!

Chloe grumbled as she slipped and skid down the other side of the hill. Dirk was going to pay for this. First she was going to slug him one, then she was going to scream at him, then she would kick him and throw sharp heavy objects at him, break a few bones…and then she would really get angry!

Once again her mind raged at the thought of yet another betrayal. Here she was, stuck out in the middle of nowhere. She only hoped she was still in the same country. She was alone, in danger from God knows what or whom. The last thought made her pause as she realized not only James was in danger. Someone had come at her with a knife in James’ home. Someone had tried to blow her up. For some reason, whoever it was most likely was after both James and herself.

She pondered the man with the knife. She sensed he had been about to kill her. Why had he hesitated? Why try and blow her up and then spare her life when the opportunity had presented itself? She had been alone, completely defenseless. No one was about or would have heard her scream. And why on earth did he want her dead? Revenge against James? Chloe had never harmed or angered anyone who would seek her demise. It was baffling.

Chloe trudged through the dense forest determinedly. The more she thought the more she realized once again someone was deceiving her about something. Why would someone be out to kill her and James, but not Damien and Dirk? Or was he after them as well? Why take out the weak first and alert the invincible? It was all so confusing.

Perhaps whomever it was just assumed because she was part of the family she was in the same line of work. Could someone really
assume
she was omnipotent, a hardened and relentless killer?

“Well now that would really make an ass out of them, while leaving me dead,” Chloe mumbled under her breath.

The sun was beginning to set before Chloe stopped for a rest. Spying a large, fallen pine tree that was semi-suspended from another sturdy tree, she pushed at some of the branches. She was able to seek refuge under the numerous overhanging branches, making a small shelter that would protect her against wind and rain if a storm were to hit during the night.

She wondered if she should start a fire. Deciding a tiny one would offer her light, warmth, and protection from the animals, she gathered armloads of dry wood and sticks, making herself a significant pile. She would be loath to wander, looking for wood in the dead of night.

She had grabbed a few garbage bags from the kitchen to use as a ground sheet, and after placing her blanket over them, she sat within her cozy little shelter. She removed her shoes and slung her wet socks over a branch near her tiny fire.

Using a metal, hand-held can opener, Chloe opened a can of ravioli and placed it over four rocks above the small fire to heat. While waiting, she drank sparingly from her water bottle, and devoured an orange, realizing just how hungry she actually was.

Night settled around her as the sun set red and orange in the distance, dipping lazily behind a large hill. Chloe pulled her blanket up around her shoulders, feeling the sudden drop in temperature. As the day animals began to slumber, the nocturnal ones emerged in search of food.

She wondered if she should suspend her pillowcase with all of its tasty items from a tree to avoid predators. She had no sooner wondered this when she heard the leaves crunch off to her left.

Chloe swallowed hard, listening. The noise was steady and sounded ominous. She could hear the telltale rustle of foliage. Something was coming in her direction, something very big and heavy. Chloe felt her body quiver. Hopefully if it were a bear or mountain lion, it would be kept at bay by the fire.

Chloe threw more branches onto the flames, building it up higher. The noises came closer. Again Chloe threw more wood onto the fire, her eyes searching the distance. Beyond her immediate vicinity, sight was nonexistent into the blackness; she could see nothing.

Chloe eased herself backwards, deeper into her shelter as the noises grew louder. Her hand reached into the pillowcase behind her for Mitch’s weapon, but her hand kept closing over food items. She berated herself for not carrying the gun on her.

Giving up, Chloe grabbed at a large stick instead and put the tip to the flames, lighting it, preparing to jab at whatever it was that was about to attack her.

“Smoke signals?” Came a familiar, deep, comforting voice.

“Salvator?” Chloe inquired, incredulous. Every fiber of her being screamed to throw herself into his arms and weep. Instead she held him at bay with her fiery stick.

“Do I look like a blond, two hundred and forty-five pound marshmallow?” Damien responded dryly, eyeing the flames.

“Leave it to you to know when someone is cooking food,” Chloe retorted.

“Chloe put the stick down.”

“I did not harm James,” Chloe voiced angrily. “If you think that, shoot me now and be done with it.”

“I would never hurt you, Salvare. I love you. I know you would never hurt my dad,” Damien said in earnest. “It hurts to think you even thought otherwise.”

Chloe’s reserve faltered; the stick lowered a fraction. “How did you find me?”

“When I discovered you missing I howled the house down looking for you. Dirk finally explained where he had put you, and why, though he was mad as hell to do it. As I was flying in I saw you in the woods and which direction you had taken. I was wondering why you were all alone. I found Mitch half dead on the couch. Man, was he ripe! He smelled like an over-used outhouse had crawled up his ass. Chloe, was that really necessary?” Damien said with disapproval, and a small chuckle.

“If he would have let me just talk to Dirk, maybe we could have worked something out,” Chloe said defensively. “They turned me into a prisoner. Someone I trusted, someone I loved!”

“Love, Chloe. Don’t say it past tense, please.”

“He hurt me,” Chloe whimpered, finally succumbing to her pent up tears of hurtful frustration. “Why did he do that to me?” Her head dropped as her jaw quivered. She felt so alone, so hurt.

* * * *

Damien had her within his arms in seconds. The stick she held fell to the ground and Damien smothered the flame with his booted heel, conscious of her small, bare feet. His hands roamed over her hair and back, soothing her with soft sounds.

He was angry himself at his brother. He knew Dirk could never have imagined Chloe would somehow escape from Mitch. But the fact she had placed her in more danger. She could have been injured out here.

“I’m sorry he frightened you, sweetheart, I’m sorry he hurt you.” Damien knew it was emotional hurt she spoke of. He could see it in her eyes. He knew that would cause her as much distress as the physical kind, perhaps more so. Dirk had taken her away from everyone; whether or not he felt justified didn’t matter. The decision should not have been Dirk’s alone. He should also have sent Damien with her. His father would have wanted that, he would have understood.

“Why, Salvator?” Chloe begged.

Damien’s mouth found hers. “It’s all right,” he whispered as their lips drew apart.

Chloe continued to sob as he pulled her as closely as he could. She felt so warm against the chill of the evening. She smelled like outdoors, a clean woodsy sent that agreed with her.

She whispered she was so happy he had come for her, she was amazed he had found her. She had missed him so much, the feel of him. She needed him.

“Salvator, please,” she begged. Her warm breath slid across his neck at her whimpered plea.

Damien needed no encouragement. He could hear how badly she needed to be loved by him. He wanted her, he wanted to be pressed against her, he wanted to be inside her. He had been desperate to reach her when he found her gone; he never wanted to let her out of his sight again.

* * * *

With frantic desire they shed their clothing and dropped to their knees onto the blanket below. Their arms entwined, joining them. The darkness beyond ceased to exist; an owl hooted in the distance, but went unnoticed. Chloe heard only Damien’s heartbeat. It beat for her, calling to her own.

She tasted only his warm, soft breath. There was no fear of beyond when his strong powerful hands roamed her body. When she molded herself against him she was a perfect fit. Nothing was stronger than her Salvator, no one more important than the man she was destined to be with. She knew his heart had heard hers cry out through the distance; that was why he had come. The two beings melted into one, complete.

“Come to me, Salvare,” Damien demanded.

Chloe felt his body shift and she settled on top of his hard length. She knew the ground beneath him was hard and he didn’t want her soft body to be injured, pressed between two rock solid entities. He wanted her to feel him, only him. He felt beautiful beneath her touch. She could feel beauty. Her sightless eyes had seen through her sensitive fingers, teaching her new discoveries. Touch had become her gateway to arousing discoveries in so many ways.

“Dance with me, my love,” Damien whispered, his one hand clasped the back of her neck, pulling her up, while his other hand guided himself to her.

Slowly he stroked his hardened head against her moist, hot lips. His slick length dipped, sliding just one bare inch before retreating. She gasped at his entry. Her body tensed as more of him filled her with a leisurely teasing thrust and retreat. Until finally, finally he gifted her with his entire engorged length.

She felt his power building with her own as they rocked and writhed against one another. Chloe threw her head back as she rode him. Her hands grasped over his as they settled firmly onto her high breasts. He pulled and tormented her nipples deliciously between his thumb and forefinger.