Page 104 of Boss

Chapter 21

Later –

The sound poked and probed at the edges of her peace. It kept sleep at arm’s length. She rolled to her side, thinking at first it was part of a waking dream. Someone kept knocking to get inside. It was all a terrible dream. One she had suffered over and over for the past two days.

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap....

She heard it again and again. A little more of her drowsiness sloughed away. Kassidy opened her eyes. She looked over to her left, and her gaze focused on the window.

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap....

Kassidy went for her gun and scrambled off the bed. She held it out in front of her with both hands firm to the grip. At first she slept upstairs. But her paranoia drove down to the first floor, to the guest room with the windows she could escape through. All she kept thinking about was her escape.

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap....

She glanced to her bedroom door. It was open and every light in her townhome was left on. It was the only thing to give her a sense of safety when the sun set. She feared the darkness and shadows. When she was sleepy she feared everything.

The knocking at her window happened again. It reminded her of how the tree branches scraped against the windows of the Marshall ranch during the storm. Alarmed she raised the gun to the window, and with her heart racing she released the safety. She squinted at the shadow behind the blinds. It was too bright in her room to make out the form. Kassidy reached over and turned off the lamplight next to her bed. The shadow of a male could be clearly seen. He wore a cap and a wide fisherman’s collar to his coat.

Kassidy eased out of bed and kept the gun held out in front of her as she crept to the window. The silhouette of the man behind the blinds stood unnaturally still like that of a statue. It unnerved her. She went to the other window next to the one he faced and moved the blinds to peek out. Even in the shadows with a cap pulled down on his head she recognized him.

“Tarek?”

She lowered her gun and went to the other window. She drew up the blinds. She released the latch and let it open a degree. He lifted his head and she could see the swelling to the side of his face.

“What are you doing out here?” she asked. It had to be at least thirty degrees outside.

“Do you have a back door?” he asked.

“Why?”

“Question me later. Let me in.”

“Why?” she asked again.

“Because I asked,” he answered.

Unmoved Kassidy pressed her lips together. She stared into his eyes. Part of her wanted to tell him to run and keep running. But the other part of her wanted him trapped, just like she felt she was. And that was the part that spoke for her. “Go to the side of the house. There’s a gate. It’s open. I’ll meet you in the backyard,” she said.

He left. She closed the window and fastened the latch. Kassidy slid on her slippers and went through her home to the back door, turning off the lights as she did. She opened the door and stepped out into her yard. It was dark and quiet, but mostly cold. When Tarek stepped out of the shadows and approached a flood of relief went through her. She went into his arms immediately. He gave her a gentle kiss to her lips and let her go. She let him pass her and go inside. She looked around her yard making sure nothing stirred. But she knew they were out there. She was certain of it. She went back inside and made sure to lock the door. She turned and before she could ask a single question he grabbed her by the face and kissed her properly. The touch of his lips swept her from her memory and returned her to a place where she felt sane again. It had been two long days and she was desperate to see him.

Strange that he would be her prince and her devil, all in one. Her arms lifted and circled his neck. Her body pressed against his. Their tongues swirled and darted out of each other’s mouths before their kiss came to a natural end. It felt like he needed that welcome.

“Are you okay?” she asked with genuine concern.

“Not sure. I suppose not.” He ran his hand down her back to cup her backside. “Are you okay?”

“I think so. At least physically I’m healing. What are you doing here? I know you're in trouble.” She kissed him once more and then let him go. He went to the living room and turned off the few lamplights she forgot to turn down. She watched him as he peeked out of her window to the street.

“They’ve been with you since you left the police station?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“They don’t look like the normal security guys we use,” Tarek said.

“Normal? Is anything about this normal?”

He turned his gaze from the window over to her. “I guess not.”

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