First Love (18 page)

I
T WAS
so late last night after everyone finally left. I decided to come into work a little later this morning. If I am being honest, I think some of it has to do with Jax. I’m a little nervous to see him today. I’m still not sure he is the one who set Kyle's truck on fire. I know he’s been acting strange lately, but this just doesn't seem like something he would do.

Kyle comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. He watches me in the mirror as I am finishing up my make-up. Even the littlest touches from him send sparks through my body and make me want to crawl right back into bed with him.

"How about I go into the center with you today, Princess?" he asks while placing kisses along my neck.

"Sweetie, you can't follow me everywhere I go."

“I know. I just wouldn't be able to stand it if anything ever happened to you."

I turn around in his arms and place my arms around his neck. He leans down to kiss me. I love kissing him. It's like everything around us disappears. I reluctantly break away from his lips.

“I love you."

"I love you, too"

“You have nothing to worry about. I’m never alone at the center, so if Jax does anything that makes me nervous, I will let someone know. Okay?” I smile up at him.

“Okay. But I am coming in at two to bring you lunch." He kisses me on the forehead and lets me get back to getting ready.

It is about nine o'clock when I pull into the center. Jax's car is parked in his spot. As I walk through the center to the stairs, I see Jax out back with a group of preschoolers. I go to put my purse away in my office. On my way back down, I see that Angel is here for the music classes today. I decide walk over to say hi before the kids come in. Shocked doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt the first time he asked me if he could volunteer to do music classes. I was even more surprised when I asked him what ages he was comfortable with and he told me all ages. He just never struck me as a kid person. Just goes to show that looks can be deceiving. He comes off as your typical badass rocker. He is always hanging out with a different girl or several different girls, but he is great with the kids and they really love him.

“Morning, Angel."

“Well hello there, beautiful. How ya doing today?"

"Pretty good, busy as usual and the school kids haven't even gotten here yet."

"No problems with Jax this morning?"

"Nope, I haven't even seen him yet." All of the little four and five year olds start to walk into the room. “I’ll let you get started. I just wanted to say hi," I say as I start to walk out. He grabs my arm and gets closer so no one else can hear him.

“Amber, if you have any problems, let me know. Even if you just have an odd feeling, okay?” He looks so serious. Did everyone get a bad vibe from Jax? If so, why was I the only one who didn't see it?

“I will. Thank you." I give him a kiss on the cheek which makes all the kids giggle and Angel blush.

I head back to my office and tackle the pile of paperwork that waits on my desk. I am so engrossed in what I am doing, the knock on my door startles me. I glance at the clock to see what time it is. It was only one o'clock. Too early to be Kyle.

"Come in!” I yell. Darcie walks through my door. Just what I don't need is a dose of her. I am not in the mood for her bullshit today. She has her usual shit-eating grin on her face as she waltzes right in and sits in the chair across from me.

"What can I do for you, Darcie?"

"How was your party last night? I heard it ended with a big bang." She laughs.

"You bitch!" I stand up and bolt around my desk ready to yank her out of her chair. Before I can get to her, she stands up and pulls a gun out of her purse. All of the anger is gone, instantly replaced with ice cold fear. I slip back in my chair. I knew she has a few screws loose, but I didn't see something like this coming. What the hell is she going to do? Shoot me here, in my office? If so, she'll never get out of the building before someone gets to her.

"You are going to quietly come with me. I swear to God, Amber, if you try to tip anyone off or get away from me, I will shoot the first kid I see." Her voice is deathly serious as she creeps closer to me. "Do you understand?"

"Yes," I comply.

"Good. Now, grab your purse, leave your cell phone on your desk, and let’s go." I do as she asks. I don't want any of the children to get hurt. I walk along with her following me and try to look as normal as possible. I smile as I pass the kids and their counselors. As we walk out of the front doors, Darcie leads me to her car and tells me to get in the driver’s side.

"Where are you taking me?” I ask as I start her car.

"You are going to be so surprised," she says with an eerie laugh.

"Do you really think by killing me, Kyle will be with you?" I know I shouldn't poke the bear, but I think I’m still in shock.

"Anything is possible. I’m going to be there to help him pick up the pieces of his broken heart when you leave him again. Most of all, you are my ticket to finally being free."

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Free from what? I don’t have time to ask, she directs me to drive a couple miles until there is nothing around and tells me to pull over. This is it I thought to myself, she took me here to shoot me. Darcie tells me to get in the back seat. Before I can figure out what she is doing, she puts a cloth over my face, and everything is black.

My eye lids are heavy. I try so hard to open them, but they just won't cooperate. I hear voices off in a distance, but I can't tell who they are. I try moving my arms, hoping I’ll be able to feel something, anything, that tells me where I am, but they are tied tightly. My heart is thudding in my chest, I can feel the blood rushing in my ears, and a cold sweat breaks out over my skin. Terror and panic consume me. I try to calm my breathing, deep, steady breaths, and concentrate on opening my eyes. When my eyes finally open, everything is blurry, unfocused. I blink several times, trying to adjust. As soon as they come into focus, I look around, taking in my surroundings. I am bound by my wrists and ankles to a bed. I look around the small bedroom. The walls are painted white and lack any paintings or decor. There is one small window that allows light to filter in. I can see it is nailed shut. The hardwood floors are scratched and worn. A small dresser is the only piece of furniture in the room. The place reminds me of some of the fishing cabins we visited when I was younger.

I hear footsteps coming closer. The door opens and Darcie walks in with Beau trailing behind her.

"What the fuck is going on?" I yell. Beau sits next to me on the bed. I try to move away, but can't. He starts running his hand through my hair and my stomach rolls, the bile rising in my throat.

"Calm down, darlin’. You and I never had a chance to get to know each other all those years ago thanks to that asshole Kyle. Well, now we will. I got Darcie here to help me. In return, she gets her freedom from me and her shot at Kyle. Everyone is happy."

"You both are sick! I want nothing to do with you, and Kyle will never want her!" I turn my head so I don't have to look at him

"Don't be that way. We had something back in school. I know you liked me." He grips my chin in his hand and forcefully turns my face back to him.

"I
never
liked you like that. The thought of being with you makes my stomach turn," I say and spit in his face. A sharp pain radiates through my head as his fist connects with the side of my face. I can taste the blood in my mouth. Shit … that hurt.

"I don't like doing that to you, darlin’. You are going to have to learn to be nice. I know you will love me. It may just take a little while for you to come around. It's a good thing I’m a patient man. I will punish you if I have to, though. Won't I Darcie?"

He turns my head to face her and I can see the fear in her eyes. "She can tell you. If you don’t behave, you will be disciplined. I do not tolerate bad behavior.” He gets so close to my face, I feel his hot breath on my skin, the putrid smell invading my nostrils. I gag and force myself to swallow the bile that rises further. It takes everything in me to be still and keep my mouth shut. "Don't worry I am going to let you get good and rested before all of the fun starts." He leans back down and kisses my cheek and I control the urge to head-butt the son of a bitch. As soon as the two of them are out the door and it closes behind them, I let the tears flow. I have no idea where I am. How is anyone going to find me? I would rather Beau kill me before he lays one filthy hand on me. The last thing I think about before falling asleep is how happy I’ve been these last few months with Kyle.

I
TRY
calling Amber to see what she wants for lunch, but she doesn’t answer. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal. After last night, though, I am a little on edge. I push the thought away, she’s probably just busy and left her phone in her office. I decide to drive a little out of the way to get her favorite grilled scallops to surprise her. I pull into the youth center and see her and Jax's cars parked in their spots. I park my rental car and head inside. I see Angel in one of the music rooms with a group of little kids. I never would have pegged him for a kid friendly kind of guy. I wave to him on my way upstairs to Amber's office.

I knock on her office door. When I don't hear anything, I check to see if it's locked. It's not, so I open the door to find it empty. I put the bag of food on her desk. I check Jax's office, his door is open, and no one is in there either. I go back down the stairs, heading to see if she’s downstairs or outside. Angel walks out of the room he was working in.

"Hey. Have you seen Amber?"

"I saw her when she came in this morning. She wasn't in her office?"

"No and she knew I was coming at two o'clock."

"I'll look around in here, why don't you check outside." He gives me a reassuring look.

He knows I’m on edge after last night and I appreciate him not calling me out on probably overreacting. I walk down the hallway to the back doors. When I get outside, I see Jax and another counselor with a couple groups of kids. As much as I don't want to, I need to find out if he has seen Amber today. He notices me and starts walking my way.

"Hey, Jax. Have you seen Amber today?"

"No, I haven't. I have been out here all day. Is something wrong?"

Before I could answer, Angel comes barreling out of the back doors. By the look on his face, he hasn’t found her either. This feeling that something is terribly wrong slams into me like a freight train.