Defenseless (27 page)

“We're in luck. This tub seems long enough for the two of us,” he whispered.

Sonya nodded and took a seat facing him on his right leg. She reached for the bar of soap lying in its dish and gently began rubbing his body until he was covered with white suds. Their eyes remained locked together. Neither spoke. Both just enjoyed the feel of one another.

Slowly Sonya brought the soap lower. She listened as Dwayne's breathing became shallow and his eyes closed in anticipation of her next move. Her fingers curled around his shaft as she proceeded to stroke and caress him.

She felt her own wave of desire at knowing she had aroused Dwayne to such a state. She studied the whole man—the broad shoulders, the firmly muscled midriff and slim hips—while her hand explored the silk and steel of his heavy arousal.

Sonya watched his intriguing expressions, then leaned in and kissed him hungrily. Dwayne returned her kiss. The fresh smell of soap enticed Sonya's senses.

In a flash, Dwayne switched positions with Sonya, sending a wave of water to cover the bathroom floor. “Try to tease me, will you?”

Sonya's fingers massaged his hair as he brought his mouth down to her breast and lightly touched the swollen tip with rhythmic, flicking motions of his tongue.

He drew her into his mouth, gradually expanding the circle his tongue made until Sonya closed her eyes against the exquisite sensations. Flashes of light played against her eyelids, and her heartbeat seemed to pulse whenever Dwayne moved his tongue.

“Love me, Dwayne,” she pleaded in a voice she hardly recognized.

His fingers raked gently over her abdomen, then lower to take her in a slow, intimate possession. She tightened her muscles at the pleasurable feeling. He relaxed his movements only to begin again. The tip of his tongue caught the edge of her mouth to outline the fullness of her lips before plunging inside.

Sonya released a deep moan and felt her body being lifted from the water. The next thing she knew, Dwayne had placed her on the bed. The silk sheets felt cool, but Dwayne's skin scorched her own.

“Please,” she whispered, reaching for him. She was full of sensations, but she felt empty without him.

Dwayne didn't know where he found the strength to be gentle, but with infinite care, he drew Sonya beneath him and entered her.

The first velvet thrust brought her hips upward and pulled him deeper. Again she moaned, surrendering to the fluid pulsing inside her body, the damp rush of hunger for him. Every nerve quivered to life, every impulse centered on the need to absorb him, to deliver herself to him. Sonya's legs twined around his, resisting him every time he drew back. His pace increased, driving her to a pinnacle, pushing her to a moment of perfect unity with him.

Dwayne paid homage to her perfection with his hands and mouth. He whispered words in the hollow of her throat. He closed his eyes and sank into the euphoria of ecstasy. Every inch of her body molded itself with his. He couldn't get enough of her. She was addictive as any drug, and Dwayne was in danger of an overdose.

The familiar wave of pleasure rippled through his body as he clutched her closer. He felt her body vibrate against him, then relax. Soon after, Sonya surrendered into a deep sleep.

 

Hours later, Sonya stood before her full-length mirror. She reached above her right breast to feel the tiny microphone. She was nervous.
Can I pull this off?
A tight ball of tension attacked her stomach. A soft, comforting hand from Dwayne appeared and gently rubbed her shoulders. She smiled and admired their reflection in the mirror.

“Are you nervous?” he asked.

“That's an understatement.” She attempted to laugh. She relaxed and enjoyed the magic his hands performed on her shoulders.

“It will be over soon,” he assured her. He placed a light kiss on the back of her head.

“I wish I could believe that.”

Dwayne turned her around to face him. “Believe it.”

Sonya smiled. “How's Bridget doing?”

“She's a little sore, but she's recovering nicely.”

“I'm sure she's happy to be home after a week of being in the hospital.”

Dwayne placed another kiss against her forehead. “I am, too.” When Dwayne pulled back, he stared into the soft glowing pools of her hazel eyes. There he saw exactly what he had been waiting to see when she looked at him: love. She had never said the words to him, but her actions spoke volumes. He kissed her again.

Sonya wished that she could remain in Dwayne's arms forever. How did this happen to her? She didn't need anybody. She had spent a great deal of her life convincing herself of that. Now she had this big, strong man who would do anything for her, including love her for the rest of her life.

She wanted to say the words to him, she needed to say it, but she was afraid. Afraid that suddenly he would turn into what she experienced all men to be like: dominating, demanding and violent. No, her heart screamed, he could never be that.

Sonya pulled away to look at him, “Did you get in contact with Anthony's family?”

“Yeah. The funeral is tomorrow. Carmen's is Wednesday,” he said solemnly.

“Dwayne, I'm so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault. Tonight we're going to get the one who is responsible for all of this.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Sonya,” Laura called out.

Sonya rushed to answer it. “What's wrong?”

“You have to come see this.” Laura grabbed her hand and practically dragged her into the guest room where the news was on.

“This just in. The body of Sergeant Francis M.

Freeman, from the Atlanta Police Department, was found late last night in College Park. The police department has issued no official statement but is said to be baffled by the execution-style killing of one of their top men.”

 

“Dear God,” Sonya whispered. Suddenly she felt her knees weaken. “You don't think that Curtis killed Sergeant Freeman?”

“We doubt it,” Agent Rayford answered from the door's entrance. “Mr. Gaetano has been spotted in town.”

“How would you know that?” Dwayne asked with a frown.

“It's my job to know, Mr. Hamilton.”

“Mr. Gaetano?” Sonya asked Rayford.

“He's no one to tangle with. He claims his profession is a jack-of-all-trades, and none of them is legal.”

“Then why would he kill Freeman if he was working for him?” Laura asked.

Rayford's expression became serious. “Freeman couldn't deliver what Gaetano wanted—the Amaceo coin.”

Sonya shook her head.
Will this ever end?

“It's almost time. Are you ready, Miss Walters?”

“Do you think that he'll show up?” Sonya asked the agent.

“William's man said that he was more than willing to meet with you,” Rayford replied with an encouraging smile.

“But how safe will she be?” Dwayne asked, looping a protective arm around Sonya's shoulders.

“We have men placed all around the designated area. She'll be safe, Mr. Hamilton. You can trust me on this.”

“Well, let's get this over with,” Sonya said with fake enthusiasm.

Rayford smiled. “Let's go.”

 

Curtis smelled a rat. Something wasn't right. This was too easy, but what other choice did he have? He had to get his hands on that coin. Word of Mr. Gaetano's arrival had spread like wildfire on the streets. He knew that Gaetano had something to do with Frank's death—it was probably a warning to him. He needed that damn coin before he was next on Gaetano's hit list.

Frank had made the same mistake he had. He should never have dealt with an untouchable Mafia godfather.

Curtis went over his plan in his mind. He couldn't afford to allow anything else to go wrong. His men had already taken their places. He didn't believe in taking any chances. This could be a setup.

 

Underground Atlanta flowed with its usual crowd on a Saturday night. Couples passed Sonya while they held hands and laughed at the night's festivities. The crowd was exactly what Sonya had hoped for. She felt safer to do “the exchange” here.

She inhaled the fresh air, wanting desperately for the night to be over. She spotted Dwayne across the street. He wore a pair of baggy blue jeans with an oversized Falcon jersey. His matching cap was pointed backward to complete his disguise as he blended with the crowd perfectly.

Having him as a protector relaxed her even more. Nothing could go wrong.

“Hello, Sonya,” Curtis's familiar voice said from behind her.

He's early.
Sonya's eyes widened in horror, but before she could turn around he stopped her.

“Not so fast. Act normal,” he commanded.

A large crowd of people obstructed her view of Dwayne.
He can't see me.

“A nice ensemble of people you showed up with.”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Sonya lied.

“I'm sure you don't. Walk.”

Doesn't anybody see him? Where is everybody?

Sonya did as she was told. The moment she walked around a corner, everything went black.

Back at the FBI building…

“Y
our plan failed,” Dwayne roared, sending an empty glass to shatter against the office wall.

Rayford's men flinched from Dwayne's venomous tone.

The office grew quiet as Rayford stood up from his desk to glare at Dwayne. “You need to calm down, Mr. Hamilton. My men are on top of the situation right now.”

“Do your men know where Curtis took her?”

Rayford was silent.

“What happens to her when he discovers he has a fake coin? Have your men thought of that?”

“Fake? The coin was a fake?” Rayford shouted. His anger flared in his eyes.

“You don't think she was stupid enough to trust any of you idiots with the real thing, did you?”

“Then where in the hell in the real coin?”

Dwayne leaned over Rayford's desk with a balled fist. “I have it. I am the only one she trusts.”

Rayford came around his desk to stand in front of Dwayne. “Give me the coin, Mr. Hamilton.”

“Nobody gets anything until Sonya is found and returned safely to me.”

As Rayford glared, Dwayne watched the muscles along the agent's jaw twitch.

“I could have you arrested,” he finally retaliated.

“Then you will never find that coin.”

“Mr. Hamilton, it's my job—”

“Your job was to protect Sonya. Why in the hell couldn't you do your job then?”

The steady hum of an incoherent operator over Rayford's walkie-talkie filled the room. Dwayne fought for control. This man had guaranteed him Sonya's safety, and now she was gone. “I want her back.”

“We're doing all we can, Mr. Hamilton.”

Dwayne turned his back to the incompetent agent. He didn't want him to see the fear creeping into his eyes. He couldn't lose Sonya like this. Curtis Durden was a smart man—he proved that tonight—but he was also a desperate man, and that made him dangerous.

“You are making a big mistake by not handing over that coin. Perhaps I should give you some time alone to really think it over,” Rayford replied before he and his men left the office.

Dwayne heard the soft click of the door.
Is that it? We're doing the best we can. Sonya's life depends on these agents.

Dwayne sat in the empty office and listened to the agents buzz outside the door. There had to be more he could do. The doorknob turned, and Dwayne jumped to his feet. Slowly a small head peaked in.

“Bridget,” he whispered with outstretched arms.

She entered the room, then raced to him. They embraced. Dwayne was careful not to crush her bandaged shoulder. They held each other for a long moment as they both sought comfort from one another.

“I was so worried about you.” Bridget pulled away.

Dwayne touched her cheek gently. “Thank you.” He withdrew his hand, but she grabbed and held it in her own.

“I care about her, too.”

Dwayne stared at his daughter, who had fresh tears trailing down her face. “We're going to find her.”

Bridget nodded and forced a weak smile. “I hope so.”

Her simple statement touched Dwayne's heart. He squeezed Bridget's hand for added comfort. “Maybe this is a good time to talk. There is something I want to discuss with you. It's about Sonya.”

Bridget remained silent.

“I know this might come as a shock to you, or you may have a lot of questions—”

“Do you love her?” Bridget interrupted.

Dwayne's thumb gently massaged the knuckles of her hand. “More than anything.”

She smiled. “I do, too.”

Dwayne clutched his daughter again. “I'm so happy to hear you say that.”

“Dwayne?” Malik rushed into the room.

Dwayne and Bridget released their embrace.

“I have a lead,” Malik announced. “We gotta move. One of William's men spotted Curtis's crew out in Marietta. We'd better go if we want to catch them.”

“I'm coming.” Dwayne turned to his daughter. “You stay right here. Go stay with your aunt Sharon and uncle James downstairs until I get back.”

Bridget grabbed his arm. “Shouldn't we tell Agent Rayford?”

Dwayne looked at Malik, who in turn shook his head. “I think we ought to go alone on this one, sweetheart.”

“But, Daddy…”

“Bridget, trust me.”

“Daddy, I'm scared. What if something happens to you?”

“I'll be all right, honey.” Dwayne tried to reassure her, but her grip tightened.

“Why can't we inform Agent Rayford?”

“They've already botched one job,” Malik answered for Dwayne.

“Look, sweetheart, I'll make you a deal. If we're not back here in three hours, you can tell Rayford where we've gone. Deal?”

Bridget looked from her Dad to Malik, then nodded in agreement.

“Malik, where in Marietta are we headed?”

“The Cambridge Apartments off Atlanta Road.”

“You got that, Bridget?”

Bridget nodded again, then grabbed her father for another hug.

“I'll be back,” Dwayne whispered, kissing her forehead.

The two men left the office building and headed toward Malik's car.

 

“What are you planning to do with me?” Sonya asked, masking the fear in her voice.

“Stop it with all the questions,” Curtis shouted. He looked out the window for the millionth time.

“Are you nervous?” Sonya taunted.

“I'm not the one that needs to be nervous.” Curtis gave her a dangerous look, but Sonya forced a cool smile.

“I bet Gaetano's men are looking
mighty
hard for you. This is the second time you've cheated him out of his merchandise.”

“Shut up!”

Sonya's head reeled backward from Curtis's powerful backhand. She tasted the blood oozing into her mouth.

“He probably has men stationed at the airport and every bus station in the metro area,” she continued to taunt.

Curtis grabbed her arm and roughly lifted her out of the chair.

Sonya ignored the sharp stab of pain ricocheting throughout her body. She tilted her head up a notch.

“I'm warning you, Sonya. One more peep out of you, and I'll give you something to control that mouth of yours.”

Sonya gave him a hard glare. “I'm not afraid of you.”

Curtis's grip tightened. “You should be. You should be terrified.”

Sonya clenched her teeth in anger and resentment. Why was she pushing her luck?

Deep lines of aggravation penetrated his profile. Sonya felt proud to know the source of his frustration. Curtis was on the edge. He released her arm, letting Sonya fall back into her chair.

“I have to find another place,” he mumbled.

Sonya's heart skipped a beat. She didn't like the sound of Curtis moving around so much. Her chances of rescue decreased with every move they made.

“We'll leave in an hour,” he said more to himself than to her.

Sonya held back her tears. She would not show him any weakness. She gave him a disgusted look. “They'll find you,” she said in a low, venomous voice.

“Who? That lawyer boyfriend of yours? I'm shaking in my boots.”

Sonya's eyes pierced him to the wall. “He
will
find me,” she answered confidently. In her heart, she knew that to be true. Dwayne would find her.

Curtis leaned into her profile until she could feel his breath against her cheek. “I can make it very easy for him, you know. It's up to you. Do you want him to find you dead or alive?”

 

Laura stood up from her chair in the break room and dropped two quarters in the drink machine. She silently wished she had something stronger than a Coke. They'd been sitting in the FBI's building, waiting to hear something about Sonya. She couldn't stand this waiting.
What will Curtis do with Sonya?

“Laura, please sit down,” Sharon pleaded.

“I can't. I'm too nervous.”

“Dwayne is talking to Agent Rayford right now. He'll be back to tell us what's going on,” Sharon reasoned.

“He's been up there for a while. Do you think we should go upstairs to make sure everything is all right?”

“He wanted us to stay down here in the break room until he returns.”

“She's
my
sister. I have every right to know what's going on.”

Sharon held up her hands. “I didn't mean to start up an argument. Let's wait until James comes back from the bathroom, and we'll walk upstairs with you.”

Laura ignored her plea. “I'm going up.”

Sharon stood up from her chair. “Well, wait for me.”

They made it to the bay and waited for an elevator to arrive. Laura smiled at Sharon as she tried to relax. Maybe she was nervous about nothing. Then Laura thought she saw a familiar face walk past the other end of the bay.

She walked around Sharon.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing. I just thought I saw someone I know.” A nagging feeling wouldn't let her dismiss what she saw.

“Where are you going?” Sharon asked as she followed Laura.

“I just want to see who that man is.”

“What man?”

Laura ignored her question and continued along the hallway, searching for the familiar face. Soon she came upon hushed yet angry voices.

“How in the hell was I to know that she gave me a fake coin? I'm no coin expert,” Rayford's voice boomed.

“Gaetano is not going to like this.”

“What are we going to do? Without that coin, we are two dead men.”

Laura gasped at what she heard.

“Oh my God,” Sharon whispered.

Laura placed a silencing finger over her lips, then continued to listen in on Rayford's conversation.

“You mean to tell me you replaced a fake with another fake?” the other man's voice boomed.

“Keep your damn voice down. You want the whole building to know what's going on?”

“What difference does it make? We're dead anyway.”

“We have to get that damn coin from Hamilton,” Rayford mumbled.

“And how do we do that?”

“Hell, we could take his daughter or sister. Take some damn body. All I know is, I didn't risk my job for this sh—”

Laura leaned against the door too hard. Before she knew it, she and Sharon tumbled into the room.

“What in the hell?” Rayford shouted, going around the women to shut the door.

Laura and Sharon quickly jumped to their feet.

“What in the hell do we do now?” the man Laura recognized as Benjamin said.

Rayford drew his gun. “You get back down to the Cambridge Apartments before Durden discovers you're missing. I'll handle everything here. Maybe we still have a chance of getting that coin.”

Laura remembered the gun she had found in Sonya's motel room and hid in her purse.

“Are you sure, man?”

“Yeah, I can handle these two with no problem.”

Benjamin looked to the women a final time, then slipped out of the door.

When it was just the three of them, Sharon spoke first. “So what's the real story here?”

Rayford shook his head. “I'm real sorry you've learned about this.”

“Spare me,” Laura said, crossing her arms. Hoping her movement wouldn't cause attention, she tried to snap open her purse.

“Since you're going to kill us, suppose you tell us the truth. Who are you?”

“I'm who I said I was. Special Agent Stephen Rayford.”

“So you really do work for the FBI?”

“If you must know, yes. I work for the FBI. I also work for Mr. Gaetano.”

“Damn. This man must have one hell of a payroll.” Laura sneered. She pulled open her purse then slowly reached inside. Rayford didn't seem to notice.

“Mr. Gaetano is a very powerful man. His eyes are everywhere.”

“Did he really kill Freeman?” Sharon wanted to know.

“Gaetano never dirties his hands.”

“So what happens now?” Sharon leveled her eyes with his.

“Now I get that coin from your brother, Mrs. Ellis. That's all. He hands over the coin, and everything will be all right.”

“What makes you think he has the coin?”