Vinny: Alvarez Security Series (16 page)

Vinny paced outside
of the building, his cell phone pressed to his ear.
Fuck, where’s Jobe when I need him?
Jobe had always been the friend that gave them true, honest advice when it came to women.
Well, not me ’cause I never wanted it. But he was spot on when helping Gabe and Tony.

Finally, Jobe answered.

“I’ve only got a moment and then have to talk to Tony, but I need…well, it’s just that…oh hell, Jobe.”

Jobe laughed, “Fuck me, don’t tell me that the great Vinny has fallen?”

“What makes you say that? I haven’t even asked you anything yet,” he quipped.

“You don’t have to. The blushing stammer is coming across loud and clear.”

“Goddamnit! Look I don’t have time for this, but you’ve always helped everyone else. I just thought maybe you had some advice for me.”

“Fuck, Vinny. I don’t just pull this stuff outta my ass. I don’t even know what’s going on, but I can guess that since you’ve never had a decent conversation with a woman other than ‘strip, spread, and thank you ma’am’, you are completely outta your league.”

“You make me sound like a royal prick,” Vinny complained, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Look, you’re one of the best soldiers I’ve ever worked with and by far, the best shot. You’ve got nerves of steel and an eagle eye. I always figured that one day, someone special would come into your sight and you’d totally fuck it up.”

“Are you just going to bust my chops, or are you gonna tell me how to make this right?”

Jobe chuckled. “So what did you do? Go too far too fast?”

“No,” Vinny almost shouted. “That’s the problem. She’s innocent. And actually willing. I just can’t…it’s just not right to…it needs to be perfect.”

“Good God, the great Vinny finally met a woman that he doesn’t want to bang and run,” Jobe said, astonishment in his voice. Then sobering, he continued, “Man, I’m glad for you. So what’s the problem?”

“She thinks I don’t want her. She knows a bit of my reputation and I think that she…well, she’s upset that I just walked away from her.”

“Have you explained what you want? If she thinks you’re just stringing her along, no wonder she’s pissed. From what we’ve learned about her over the past few days, she’s always got someone telling her what to do. And now you are. Maybe just meet her where she is. No making decisions for her. And then see where it all goes.”

Vinny sighed. Jobe made it seem so easy.
Could it really be that easy?

*

Suitably clothed and
armored, Annalissa watched as he came back into the small room. She turned her back to him and began quickly shoving things into her backpack once more. With a final zip, she slung it over her shoulder and faced him. “Is the car ready?” she asked, trying to still the tremor in her voice.

“Um…yeah. I…thought we’d eat some breakfast first and then leave.”

“We really ought to hit the road. I just want to get home,” she said with uncharacteristic force. Moving past him, she started through the door but he grabbed her arm as she was about to pass him.

“Babe,” he said softly, but she refused to look up. “Look, I thought it was best to—”

“No worries, Vinny,” she said quickly interrupting him.
The last thing I need is for you to tell me that I’m your job. Or your mission. Or worse, it’s not you, it’s me. Yeah, right.

She slid past and walked down the stairs. Giving Eugene a hug, she thanked him for his kindness.

“Oh, no need, miss. Your man paid me well for the car and the night’s lodging, although I’d have thrown that in for free. But he insisted.”

Nodding, she tossed her bag into the back seat and climbed into the passenger side.
It’s been a hell of a few days…I just want to get home.

Vinny stood outside the car and watched Annalissa buckle up, her body as stiff as a board. Nothing like the soft, pliant woman that had laid under him just thirty minutes earlier.
I am such a fuck up. I just wanted to do the right thing and all I’ve managed to do is drive her away.
Climbing into the car, he pulled out and began the next leg of their journey.

Trying to make conversation, he said, “I called Tony.” Getting no response, he continued. “The contact that was going to meet us at the last airfield is going to meet us in Huntington, West Virginia. That should be early afternoon.”

Still no response. Rubbing his hand over his face, he plunged in, not knowing how to make any of this right. “Babe, we gotta talk about what happened back there.” Already Vinny was in unchartered waters with no idea how to swim in them. Talking to a woman about feelings was as foreign to him as anything he had ever done.

She turned her face from the window to look at him, lifting her chin slightly. “There’s really nothing to talk about. I suppose correct behavior would have been for me to thank you profusely for your…limited…um…services this morning. How remiss of me.”

Whoa, she’s pissed. Limited services? What the fuck does she mean by that?

“Babe—,” he started.

“Under the circumstances I think from now on, you should drop the endearment.”

“What did I do that was so wrong?” he pleaded.

“Nothing. From what you have told me you’re a man used to getting…what he wants from just about any woman that comes along and I was willing to let that next woman be me. I’m just not…willing anymore,” she said, her voice breaking near the end.

“I don’t know wh—”

“Friendship…Vinny. That’s all…I’m willing to give. Nothing more.”

The silence that followed was deafening. The only sound was the highway as it rolled on by.

*

After several more
hours of driving through the eastern part of Kentucky and into West Virginia, the mountainous terrain provided a different scene for Annalissa to look at. Dosing on and off helped pass the time and gave her an excuse to not make conversation; she felt the car slowing and opened her eyes once more. Pulling up to the designated airstrip, Vinny moved out of the car while telling Annalissa to wait in the car. She waited obediently for which he was grateful. He saw a man fitting the description walking toward him. Tall, dark hair cut in a military haircut, jeans and a leather jacket. The man pulled his sunglasses off as he approached. Sticking his hand out, he said, “Vinny? I’m Marc. I work for Jack Bryant. I understand you’ve had quite a mission?”

Vinny shook his hand, laughing. “Yeah, you could say that. We appreciate you helping us out. It’s taken us two full days to get this far and stay under the radar of whoever the hell is after her.”

He noticed Marc’s eyes glancing over to the car and light up appreciatively. A white-hot flash of jealousy shot through him. Marc’s gaze moved back to him and Vinny knew he had not covered the unfamiliar emotion. A slow grin spread over Marc’s face. “Well, alright,” he drawled. “Let’s get the two of you back to Virginia.”

Annalissa watched the two men as she sat quietly in the car. Not normally a vain woman, she noticed her sweat-stained clothes, scratched arms, sunburned face and she lifted her hand to tuck an errant curl behind her ear.
Whatever. Just please get me home.

Vinny walked over to the car and opened the passenger side. “It’s okay. He’s from our friend Jack’s company. He’ll fly us back home.” Seeing her nod, he held out his hand to assist her but wondered if she would take it.

She only glanced at it for a second before sliding her hand into his. He wrapped his fingers around hers and the tingling jolted all the way up her arm. Trying to ignore it, she gave him a cool nod.

Marc walked over and shook her hand introducing himself, as Vinny grabbed their bags…and glared at Marc, jealousy hitting him again. Walking over to them, he shoved one of the bags toward Marc, forcing him to drop Annalissa’s hand. Smirking, Marc said, “I’m in the small hanger over there.”

She looked around at the large hanger on one side of the airport, finding herself checking the area. It seemed strange to be so exposed after two days of running and hiding. Following Marc around the corner of the building she saw the plane inside. The small plane. She stopped dead in her tracks, causing Vinny to run into the back of her.

His eyes immediately darted to her, seeing the pale, wide-eyed expression on her face. He followed her line of vision and noted the four-seater Cessna.
And she hates flying. Fuck.
He felt her press her back into his front, as though instinctively seeking his protection. As much as he hated for her to be scared, knowing that she unconsciously turned to him…
fuck yeah.

She whirled around grabbing the front of his shirt. “I can’t do it, Vinny. I can’t go in that. Can’t we just drive? It won’t take too long. We could be in Richland by late tonight if we drive.”

He dropped the bag he was carrying and placed his hands over hers as they clutched his shirt. “We can do this. Marc will get us there and get us there safely. We won’t have to worry about someone finding us on the road.”

Tears pricked the back of her eyes, as she battled them back, not wanting to cry in front of them.

Vinny pulled her closely, wrapping his hand around the back of her head, pressing it to his chest. Sharing a glance with Marc who just nodded before bending and grabbing the dropped bag, Vinny whispered in her ear. “Girl, you got this. In the past three days you have walked through miles of woods, crossed a small river, slept in a tree, climbed out of windows, gone without sleep, and never once fell apart. Babe, if this scares you then know that I’m right here and I won’t let anything ever hurt you. We can do this…together.”

He held her gaze for a moment as she sucked in a huge breath, letting it out slowly. “You…you’ll be right with…me?” she asked.

“Babe, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be in the whole world, than right by your side. And I’m not just talking about this flight.” He continued to hold her gaze, watching the fear recede slightly, only to be replaced with a questioning expression. “You understand what I’m saying?”

She glared at him, giving him a small nod.
He wants to be with me. Me? Well, he sure has a funny way of showing it.
“Don’t lead me on, Vinny. It really is cruel.” Her eyes full of doubt, she started to turn away.

Dammit!
He followed her as she trailed along after Marc over to the aircraft. Knowing she was shaking inside, he admired her nerve. Marc smiled at both of them, giving Vinny a slight head jerk. He had placed their bags on the front passenger seat, allowing them to take the two back seats. As he offered his hand to Annalissa, assisting her trembling form into the plane, he assured her, “You’re gonna be fine, Ms. O’Brian. I promise to take care of both of you while you’re on my plane.”

She nodded nervously and sat in the seat indicated. Vinny hopped in next to her and made sure she was buckled. “You know, in the movies,” she said as Marc slid into the pilot’s seat, “the heroes always travel in one of those luxury aircrafts with a bar, couches, attendants in skimpy outfits, and even bathrooms.”

The two men laughed, glad that she was able to joke. Marc replied, “Afraid my aircraft isn’t quite what they show in the movies.”

She grinned nervously, leaning back in her seat, finally allowing Vinny to hold her hand. Taking a deep breath as they taxied to the end of the runway. Feeling the pressure of his fingers linked with hers sent another tingle through her arms.
I got this. With him…I got this.

*