CHAPTER SEVEN
Todd cruised back to the bungalow in record time. The windshield wipers were furiously swiping back and forth. All he could see was a solid wall of water. He sighed worriedly. The roads would be washed out at the rate the rain was coming down.
At least Starr was safe with Rosa. He had spoken to her not more than thirty minutes ago, and she was on her way to the cabin. The weather was clear and driving conditions were fine.
He smiled softly. Starr was excited; she was to see the snow! She chatted on for five minutes on how she was going to build a snowman and go sledding. He hung up, promising to call them later.
Todd thought of his “houseguest” back at the bungalow. He pulled his lip through his teeth and smiled slyly. Karinna must be as mad as a hornet. Too Bad.
She was asking for it. Todd couldn’t get the delicious little memory from earlier this morning, out of his head. He was tempted to make her beg him to make love to her. Soon, he thought. It was just a matter of time. He didn’t trust her an inch. She was holding something over Forsythe’s head, he was sure of it. And he had every intention of finding out what that was; whatever way, whatever method it took.
This was no spurned lover looking for his girlfriend. He wanted her dead, and was willing to kill him as well. His jaw tightened. Forsythe made a fatal mistake crossing him. Todd was ruthless; he knew that much about his character.
When crossed, he went after that person relentlessly. He knew one thing with a certainly. After this was over, there would be one man left standing, and it wasn’t gonna be Forsythe.
He parked the Shelby and hefted two shopping backs out of the car. By the time he reached the door he was drenched. He balanced the bags on his hip and opened the door.
Karinna was breathless and perspiring. She had tried for the better part of an hour to free herself, with absolutely no luck. She was exhausted, hot, thirsty, and starving.
“You ASSHOLE!” She screeched, at the top of her lungs. She was hot-blooded and had a volatile temper. It had spilled over and she glared at Todd. If looks could kill, he’d be six feet under.
“Hi honey…I’m home,” he called. He set the bags on the table and faced her. He bit his lip and tried to hold back the laughter. His shoulders were shaking. Finally he clutched his sides and laughed helplessly. It echoed through the small room.
Karinna gasped. “Don’t you dare laugh at me you son of a bitch!” Hot, angry tears welled in her eyes.
“Now is that any way to treat me after I went out in all this rain and got us some food?”
Karinna’s stomach rumbled in protest. She hadn’t had a thing to eat since yesterday morning, and all that was, was just a measly cup of yogurt. “I hate you! How could you leave me here tied up like a dog?”
Todd shrugged off his wet coat. “Because you cannot be trusted. Does this morning ring a bell, sweetheart? And since you’re in such a foul mood, you’re gonna have to wait to eat until I get outta the shower.”
He stripped down to his underwear and strolled to a small dresser. He pulled out a pair of faded jeans and shirt.
Karinna watched him in amazement. Had he no shame? He strutted around half naked like it was the most natural thing in the world. He wasn’t embarrassed or self-conscious in the slightest. She bit her lip. He was beautiful. And his body was incredible. She shook her head angrily. He was a pig. A…a… beast!
He gathered his clean clothes and headed towards the bathroom. “I really hope you’re in a better mood when I come out,” he remarked. He shut the door smartly behind him.
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Todd emerged looking clean, refreshed and cozy. His long hair was wet and combed. His faded 501’s looked worn, and velvety soft. He left the top button undone. They were slung low in the front. She cut her eyes to his crotch. The cotton gloved his sex snugly. He had on an ancient flannel shirt that had the sleeves ripped out. It maybe had three buttons on it, holding it together. Most of his muscled chest was exposed. He was barefoot. He looked like a big, dangerous cat.
Karinna narrowed her eyes and said nothing. She watched him calmly take the grocery’s out of the bags and store them in the cupboard and ‘fridge. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?” He inquired with a smirk, knowing full well she was famished and had to be dying of thirst.
“No,” she said stonily. She licked her dry lips.
Todd looked at her. “No?” He mocked. “Huh. I know I am. Guess you have more stamina than I do.” He pulled out a bottle of water and a small carton of ruby red strawberries out of the refrigerator. He slammed it shut with his elbow and sauntered to the bed.
He carefully set the carton down on the nightstand. Karinna eyed them. They looked succulent. Big, dark red, and shiny. Some still had crystal droplets of dew on them. She forced back a moan.
Todd hid a smile and opened up the ice-cold water. He lifted it to his mouth and took a long satisfying pull. He left a drop or two on his lips and straddled her again. He put his mouth on hers. “All you have to do is ask nicely,” he whispered.
His lips were cold and wet. They felt so good against hers. She brought her tongue out and licked a precious drop of water from his bottom lip. It evaporated almost immediately.
He reached over and pulled a berry from the carton and traced her lips with it. “Come on, baby… you know you want to. Look…I’ll take a bite then you…” He bit into the large strawberry. He leaned down and hovered over her mouth.
It was just to tempting. Karinna raised her head and took the piece from his lips. She was trembling. His lips brushed over hers in an erotic, wet, sticky-sweet, kiss. “Want another taste?” He asked softly. She nodded. He bit another piece off and this time he pressed his open mouth against hers and kissed her deeply. They kissed and shared the berry. He drew his head back and looked unsmilingly at her. His eyes darkened, something unreadable flashed in them.
He reached in his pocket and flipped open his pocketknife. He cut the tape from her wrists. He lightly rubbed the circulation back into them. He lifted her arms and arranged them comfortably on her side. “If you promise to behave, I’ll let you shower and get into some clothes,” he whispered roughly. His voice sounded like satin over gravel.
She smiled at him as a tear slipped down her face. “I promise, Todd.” He stared at her intensely. “Go ahead then…get in the shower and I’ll get your suitcase.
She wrapped the sheet around her and shuffled into the bathroom. As she closed the door, she glanced at him. He was still sitting on the bed looking at her, with that same unreadable expression on his face.
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Todd sprinted out into the driving rain and made it to the Shelby without getting totally soaked. “Jesus!” He exclaimed. He had never seen it come down this hard before. He reached in and grabbed her suitcase. He dropped his car keys on the wet pavement. Naturally, they slid under the car. “Shit,” he muttered.
He squatted down and peered under the car to get his keys. “What the hell?” He said in disbelieve. A tiny red light was flashing weakly. He yanked it off and stood. It was a tiny homing device.
Forsythe.
“Motherfucker,” he whispered, furious. He dropped it and crushed it with his boot. The fact that it was transmitting weakly was the only good thing in his favor. They were deep in the woods and the bad weather was now a godsend. It’d slow them down. But Todd knew it was just a matter of time before he’d come face to face with Forsythe. “Come on down Lucas,” he said in a deadly voice. “I’m waiting for you…”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Todd stalked back in from the rain and slammed the suitcase on the table. He could hear the shower water running. He unzipped the case and began to systematically go through it. There was nothing in it but clothes. No ID, no credit cards, drivers license…nothing.
“Shit!” he growled in frustration, running his fingers through his hair. There had to be something here. Something valuable that Forsythe was willing to kill for. He was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn’t hear the bathroom door open.
“Hey!” Karinna shouted. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Todd looked up and bunched his jaw. “Looking in you’re suitcase,” he snapped.
She strode over to him, and slapped him sharply across his face. Her eyes were blazing. “Don’t you ever go through my personal belongings again.” Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She clutched the towel around herself and glared at him. He mustn’t find it, if he did, then she was sunk.
Todd’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He gently brushed a lock of hair from her face. He closed his hand behind her neck, and roughly yanked her to him. “Was I just hallucinating, or did you slap me…hard?” His lips barely moved as he spoke, and it raised goose bumps on her arms. His hand tightened on her neck. “I could snap you’re neck like a toothpick,” he threatened. He stared hard at her for several tense seconds. He released her with a little push. “Get some clothes on. Then you and I are gonna have a little question and answer session.”
Karinna stood where she was. “I don’t take orders from you, Mr. Manning,” she sneered.
Todd shook his head in amazement. The woman had a pair of stones on her like a bull moose. “Do it, or I will,” he whispered darkly.
Karinna snatched up her bag. She was beginning to recognize that look. He would do it too…in a heartbeat. The man never bluffed. “I’m doing it because I want to, not because you said to,” she said haughtily. She lugged the suitcase into the bathroom and slammed the door.
“Smartass broad,” he muttered in exasperation. Karinna was a one of a kind original that was for sure. He smiled slightly. She was a toughie; he’d never met a woman like her. She was…beautiful and a little wild. God, that red hair on her was incredible. Disturbed with this line of thought, he stalked to the door and banged on it.
“DeMarco!” He yelled, pounding hard. “You have exactly two minutes to finish dressing and haul you’re carcass out here!” Feeling marginally satisfied that he once again had established order; he crossed the room and slouched into a chair, drumming his fingers impatiently on the small kitchen table.
Karinna stepped out of the bathroom smartly. She had on a pair of soft, baggy, tan slacks and cream silk blouse. Her damp hair curled wildly around her face and down her back. She looked small and defenseless.
Todd knew better. The mutinous expression on her face was mule-stubborn. She was gazing coolly at him as she crossed the room. Todd watched her silently. She was up to something. He was on guard for any sudden dashes out the door.
She slid in her chair and faced him. “Well?” She asked softly, spreading her hands. “Go ahead…ask you’re nosy questions.”
Todd leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. A slow, lazy grin spread across his face. Two could play at this. “That must have been an awful cold shower you took there, DeMarco,” he remarked. “Cooled down that vicious temper of yours, ya know?”
Karinna smiled. He wasn’t going to needle her again. She continued to gaze at him.
Todd returned the stare, not backing down an inch. His gaze was steady and unwavering. He smirked when Karinna dropped her eyes first. “What have you got on Forsythe?” He rapped out. No trace of humor was in his face.
Karinna felt herself flush. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit,” he snapped.
“I don’t. What would make you think a thing like that for, anyway?” She forced herself to remain collected.
Todd bunched his jaw. “I can always tell when a woman’s lying, Karinna. Believe me, I’ve been lied to by the best,” he said bitterly. “And you’re lying right now.” He looked at her with disgust.
Karinna’s cool was slipping rapidly. “You don’t know me well enough to accuse me of lying, Todd.”
“I think I know you pretty well,” he replied silkily. He was remembering the feel of her smooth, olive skin against his mouth.
She flushed. His eyes were glittering. The memory of a few hours ago blazed in front her. She behaved like a harlot. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mumbled.
Todd snickered unpleasantly. “Yeah…whatever. I gonna ask you again, what are you holding over Lucas’s head?”
“And I gonna tell you again…nothing!” She shouted.
Todd scraped back his chair so swiftly, that it fell backwards. He grabbed her by the upper arms and jerked her up on her feet. He put his face in hers. He looked dark and angry. “I am through fucking around with you, Karinna,” he snarled. He pulled out the crushed homing device and held it front of her nose. “Guess where I found this tracking device? Underneath my ride, that’s where. Lucas knows where to start looking for you. And you know what? He wants you dead, lady and I’m not goin down with you.”
Karinna felt her heart drop to her feet. She thought she might’ve had a chance to get away from Lucas, but now…he would not stop until he got what he wanted. Her life wasn’t worth a damn.
They stood toe to toe. She licked her dry lips. “Okay, I’ll tell you. I swear this is the truth.”
Todd still had a grip on her upper arms. “It had better be,” he whispered.
“Go on…I’m listening.”
She took deep breath. “Lucas is a very scary man, Todd. He is ruthless and…intimidating. We had an affair and I broke it off. He…he was furious. He’s the one who ends relationships, not the other way around. He began making threats. Saying if I ever dared leave him he’d kill me.” She paused to take a trembling breath.
“I couldn’t stay in that sick situation….”
“Why?” Todd interrupted. His grasp on her loosened, their bodies were touching all the way down to their feet. He could the smell the soap on her. His breathing quickened. He slid his hand smoothly down her arm. He couldn’t get close to her without wanting to touch her. “Why was it sick?” He asked.
Her face flushed with embarrassment. “I don’t want to say,” she whispered.
He lifted her chin up with his thumb. “You have too.”
She briefly closed her eyes. Tears leaked out the corners of them. “He…he liked…he became bored with just making love. He wanted…he needed more to arouse him.” She bowed her head in shame.
Todd felt a fierce pulse beat in his head. “What did he do?” He asked in a low voice.
Karinna sighed. “He wanted to… watch me with another woman,” she breathed. “He it set the whole thing up without me knowing. He had hired this prostitute and…and she came to the house. He began to pressure me…if I loved him I would do this small thing. I refused,” she trembled.
“He became angry. Really angry…he hit me and forced me into his bedroom. I struggled with him but he was just too strong.”
She paused to take a trembling breath. Todd was staring at her expressionlessly. “He left the bedroom…to get the woman and bring her in. And that’s when I knew I had to get out of there. I waited behind the door, he collects African artifacts and I picked up a heavy wood statue. When he came in…I…I hit him with it and ran out. I’ve been running ever since.” Todd scrutinized her face. “And you’re telling me the truth? About everything? You’ve left nothing out?”
Karinna nodded. “I swear it on my life, Todd.” She wiped a tear from her cheek.
Todd felt a twinge of guilt. She looked so scared and alone. He bent down and licked a salty teardrop from her cheekbone. He was about to kiss her lush mouth when a sharp knock on the door broke the intimate moment. Karinna panicked. “Oh my God! It’s Lucas!”
Todd released her. “Calm down, it’s not Forsythe. I am expecting this person.” He walked to the door and opened it. He smiled. “Hey, Darce…thanks for comin in this lousy weather.”
A sultry, husky voice answered back. “No problem, Todd. But it WILL cost you.”
Todd laughed in amusement. “I know…but you are worth every dime…”
Karinna gaped, as a giant of a woman strode through the door. She was easily six feet tall, and incredibly stunning. Her white-blonde hair was cut severely short. It was spiky on top and shaved close on the sides. Jet-black eyebrows were high and perfect. It only made her pale blue eyes look more piercing.
She sported a tiny nose and full, pouty lips…blood red and inviting. She slung her jacket off, and Karinna was treated to the sight of her splendid upper torso. She wore a white tank top that showed off her full breasts. She wore no bra. Karinna clenched her fists. Not that they needed the support. They were firm and high. She had a tattoo on her muscled upper arm…Christ on the cross. She had on tight jeans and army boots. She was ripped, and in shape, she looked like a dangerous supermodel.
Todd observed the range of emotions flash across Karinna’s face. He smiled slightly. “Karinna? I’d like to introduce a friend of mine…Darcy? This is Karinna…Karinna? This is Darcy.”
Darcy moved across the room like a panther. “Nice to meet you,” she said coolly, extending a long, slender hand. Darcy closed her long fingers around her hand and squeezed. Karinna could feel the strength behind it.
“A pleasure,” Karinna said faintly. Up close, the girl was even more beautiful and dangerous looking. She glanced at Todd. He was leaning against the refrigerator with an unreadable look on his face. He pushed himself away from the fridge. “Do you have the information?” He asked. Darcy turned from Karinna and pulled out a sheet of paper from her jacket pocket. She cut her eyes to Karinna. “It’s all in here.”
Todd took the paper and read. His face changed. He slowly raised his eyes and stared a hole through Karinna. “You Goddamn liar,” he whispered. Karinna’s face lost what little color it had. She tried another tack..
“Whatever she gave you, it’s not true,” she said calmly.
Darcy smiled like a wolverine. “It’s all true, Miss DeMarco. I assure you,” she said lightly. Her voice was soft and pleasant, but her eyes were chips of blue ice. She and Todd were two of a kind…they were ruthless predators.
Karinna shuddered slightly, but held her steady gaze.
Darcy glanced at Todd. “I’m gonna head out, I had a bitch of a time going through these roads. I want to get back to the city before I’m stuck here.”
Todd tore his gaze from Karinna. He nodded. “Yeah…get out, before the roads wash out.” He walked her to the door. He glanced a Karinna. “Thanks Darcy,” he said. He stepped in and held Darcy’s head steady. He brought his mouth down on hers in a scorching, opened mouth kiss. He released her.
Karinna gasped and glared at the two of them. Jealousy coiled around her gut like battery acid.
Darcy ran her tongue over her lips; she didn’t bat an eyelash over the steamy kiss. She raised a perfect brow in a “Just what the hell was that about?” question. She rolled her eyes slightly and grinned. “See ya.” She walked out the door laughing.
Todd slammed the door shut and faced her. His face was a tight, angry mask. He snatched up the paper and grabbed her by the arm. He propelled her across the room and backed her against the wall. “You’re just like every Other woman I’ve come across,” he growled. “A liar and a user. I’m gonna make you regret lying to me, Karinna. That’s a promise.”
To be continued…
