Dream Date (47 page)

“I’ll throw this away when we leave,” Ashton said, and then reached into his pocket.

“What are you doing?” Grecia asked. Before she could say anything, Ashton whipped out his smartphone and snapped a quick photo. Grecia blinked, confused.

“What was that for?”

“I just couldn’t
not
shoot that photo,” he said, turning the screen of his phone towards Grecia. She saw herself staring back at her with a puzzled look, a spot of melted cheese on the corner of her mouth, near her cheek.

“You clown.”

“I’m definitely setting this as my caller ID photo for you. It’s
perfect
.”

“As you wish. But you watch. I’m going to get you back for this,” said Grecia with a grin on her face, poking his shoulder with her index finger.

The game ended with the Redwings winning.

“We did it,” said Ashton, taking Grecia’s hand and leading her back to the parking lot.

“
We
did not do it. Our team did.”

“It was a figure of speech, you smart mouth.”

Grecia couldn’t shake the smile off her face as Ashton opened the door for her. She got in and he walked around the front of the car to the driver side. Ashton entered.

“Thanks for bringing me,” Grecia said to him. “I had a lot of fun.”

“Anytime,” said Ashton, revving the engine.

Grecia leaned towards him. Ashton turned to look at her and was met with a kiss.

“Sorry for avoiding you these past few days,” she said when she pulled away. “But you have to understand me. I get jealous when you flirt with other women.”

“Back before I met you, I only flirted with women when I wanted to be in bed with them. Now, I may only flirt for fun.”

“No,” said Grecia, shaking her head. “Please stop it. I want to be the only woman in your life.”

Ashton sighed.

“As long as I’m with you, I’ll be faithful,” Ashton said. “But a little temptation is harmless.”

“Just don’t take it far, okay?”

“Okay,” said Ashton, kissing Grecia. He then broke the kiss, placing his hand on the side of her face. “You’re lovely, did you know that?”

“I may have heard it before.”

They laughed together. Then Ashton pulled out of his parking space and drove back to Ithaca.

Amanda sat in the living room, reading a book. She was waiting for Kellan to leave her alone. As soon as she had an opportunity, she walked towards his bedroom. Before entering, Amanda looked around to make sure no one saw her. She closed the door behind her, being careful not to make noise.

Kellan was highly protective of her, particularly at the moment, so Amanda knew she didn’t have much time. Amanda looked in his closet. She found suits of varying colors, particularly dark ones, as well as dress shirts and a few casual clothes. The closet had two sections, as Kellan shared the room with Grayson.

Amanda looked at the top part of the closet, where there was a section to store stuff. She saw nondescript boxes in there. Amanda gingerly took one and put it on the floor. She opened it, and saw smaller boxes inside. Several ones were clearly of ammunition. The larger box to the side contained a gun.

Amanda closed the box and put it back where it had been. She then grabbed another one. On opening it, she thought she’d found what she was after.

The box contained a pair of walkie-talkies, as well as other tiny equipment that wouldn’t be out of place in a spy or CIA movie.

With her ears alert for any sign of Kellan approaching, Amanda grabbed a small device from the box. It appeared to be some sort of spy microphone.

This is just what I need.

Amanda put the microphone in her jacket pocket. She then looked at the other items. Amanda was not familiar with that stuff, so she had no idea what all those other devices were for.

Thinking she’d already lingered long enough, Amanda closed the box and put it back. She listened for sounds outside the door. The coast was clear, so she walked back to her bedroom.

Once inside, Amanda removed the tiny microphone from her pocket. She took off her jacket and then her two blouses. Amanda had only seen stuff like it in movies, so she hooked the device to the strap linking the cups of her bra. Amanda didn’t know how to tell if the device was listening, but she wasn’t a Luddite. There was a little button that made a faint green dot of light turn on atop it when pressed.

After putting her clothes back on, Amanda walked to her bathroom. She looked in the mirror and fixed her hair, then decided that washing her face with water would be a good idea. The day had tired her.

Amanda dried her face with the towel. Just when she finished, she went out in search of Kellan. Amanda saw him when she walked into the living room.

“Amanda, where were you?”

“I was in the bathroom,” Amanda replied. She walked past him. “I’m really kind of exhausted right now. I’ll sleep early today.”

“You go rest. I’ll hold the fort.”

Amanda smiled, and she walked to her bedroom. She needed to think about the plan she was going to put into motion. Hilbert would fall soon.

An unknown amount of time later, Amanda woke with a start. She felt a hand covering her mouth. Before she could register what was happening, someone lifted her up. Amanda tried to scream, but couldn’t.

“Make one sound and you’re dead,” a voice warned. With dismay, Amanda recognized it as Hilbert’s. He was using a rag to keep Amanda from trying to bite him.

What time is it? Is Kellan here right now? Or is it already Grayson’s turn?

Amanda desperately tried to think of a way to get out of Hilbert’s grasp. She remembered that Kellan had made good on his promise to give her a Taser. It was now inside her purse, which was on the coffee table. Amanda hoped she could get to it.

Hilbert walked quietly through the living room. Amanda looked around. Everything was dark. It seemed the same outside, too. Amanda turned her glance towards the clock. It was after midnight.

Damn. I didn’t count on this.

Amanda was determined not to let Hilbert get away with it. She waited for him to walk past the coffee table. When he did, she grabbed her purse. Hilbert didn’t notice. He was too busy looking around.

Surreptitiously, Amanda slipped her hand inside her purse. She felt around, managing to find the Taser. With relief, she dropped the purse. Hilbert’s head whipped to look at her. He couldn’t protect himself in time. Amanda pressed the Taser into his side.

“Aaaarghh!”

Hilbert’s body jerked. Abruptly, he dropped Amanda. She landed on the floor. She quickly rolled away to prevent Hilbert from falling on top of her. Then Amanda stood up, looking at him.

Grayson came running into the room. He had his gun in hand.

“What the hell was that?”

Amanda looked at Grayson, then back at Hilbert. The former looked down, and understood. He gasped.

“The bastard’s here?”

Grayson quickly advanced towards Hilbert, kneeling down. He turned to Amanda.

“Go get me something to tie him with.”

Amanda nodded, leaving the room. She went into the bodyguard’s bedroom, looking for something suitable. She found a roll of duct tape and grabbed it. Then she returned to the living room. Amanda grabbed a pair of scissors from her bedroom along the way.

Grayson extended his hand when Amanda handed him the duct tape.

“You cut it.”

Amanda grabbed the tape again and extended a portion. She cut it.

Just then, Hilbert reacted. His hand knocked Grayson’s gun away. Then Hilbert aimed another punch. Grayson was barely able to dodge it. The blow grazed his jaw.

“Grayson!” Amanda gasped, dropping the tape and scissors. She stepped back as Hilbert got to his feet. He bent down and grabbed Grayson by his collar. The two started to fight. Grayson landed a number of blows on Hilbert’s body. He just seemed to shrug them off. They only had the effect of making him more furious. He kicked Grayson in the abdomen. The force threw him over the coffee table, crashing on the floor.

Amanda turned to bolt. Hilbert was too quick for her.

“No, you won’t,” Hilbert said. He grasped Amanda’s shoulder, stopping her.

“Don’t touch her, you bastard!” Grayson yelled. Hilbert held Amanda with an arm under her chest. With his free arm, he pulled out a gun.

“No one’s going to stop me from taking Amanda. She’s mine,” Hilbert declared.

“Let me go! You’re insane,” Amanda said. She struggled to free herself. Grayson stood watching them. He was waiting for an opportunity.

“Who knew women acted so hostile to a man wanting to give them the world?” Hilbert asked.

“You’re not a man, Hilbert. All your money and your status have given you a twisted perception of reality,” Amanda told him.

“My reality is that I love you.”

“I can’t love a man who sleeps with every young and innocent woman he can find!” she snapped.

Hilbert’s jaw fell. Grayson looked at Amanda with a mix of fear and shock.

“What did you say?” asked Hilbert, trying to mask his utter disbelief. “What did you say!?”

“I know what you do, Hilbert. You sexually harass almost every model at the agency.”

“What nonsense is this? Are you trying to buy yourself some time?”

“Don’t lie to me, Hilbert. I know the kind of greedy garbage you are.”

“You’re trying to play tricks with my head, right?”

“Does your dad know anything about what you really do with your time? He might have a heart attack if he found out his son is a serial rapist.”

“You’re lying!”

“And you thought you could seduce me as well. I’m such an idiot for having no idea what you really wanted me for.”

“I love you!”

“Stop saying that! All you wanted from me is sex. You see me as the ultimate conquest.”

“You’re completely mistaken, Amanda! None of those women have anything on you. You’re the only one who was able to make me fall in love.”

Amanda almost laughed. She thought Hilbert was being pathetic.

“Nothing that you can say will work on me. I’m on to you, Hilbert.”

 “Shut up! Let’s not waste any more time. You’re coming with me.”

“I won’t go anywhere with you!”

“Do you think I’ll let you keep living here? No. Not when that lowlife is just next door.”

Amanda struggled fruitlessly.

“Drop your weapon, Grayson,” Hilbert demanded.

“Let Amanda go.”

Hilbert pointed his weapon at Grayson and fired. He collapsed backward on the floor.

“No!” Amanda said in horror.

“Time to go,” Hilbert said, rushing towards the front door. Amanda could do nothing to prevent him from taking her.

Just as Hilbert was walking towards his car, there was the sound of screeching tires. He looked up to see Hayden arriving. He promptly blocked their way with his car.

“Damn it,” Hilbert said, fuming.

“Drop this, Mr. Melendez!” Hayden commanded.

“Get your hands off her, you bastard!” a voice yelled. Amanda gasped. She and Hilbert turned to look towards the sound. They saw Nathan walking towards them. He came from the direction of his building.

Hilbert turned southeast and ran. Hayden took off on foot in pursuit.

Amanda began to struggle.

“Stay put!” warned Hilbert, looking over his shoulder. He took cover behind a car and fired.

“No!” Amanda said, wrestling herself free of his grip. She then tried to run in Hayden’s and Nathan’s direction.

“Stop or I’ll shoot you! I promise I won’t hesitate.”

Amanda froze in her tracks. She slowly turned around to face Hilbert.

“Come with me.”

When Amanda got close enough, Hilbert hit her with the gun. She fell to the floor, unconscious. He picked her up and hoisted her on his shoulder.

Hayden was getting closer. Without thinking, Hilbert turned and ran the hell away. He turned around the next building without looking over his shoulder.

Back outside the apartment, Grayson had just gotten outside. He scanned the cars, seeing that Amanda’s and Hilbert’s were still there.

“Hilbert took her,” Nathan said to Grayson. He turned to look at him, and then cursed. “Don’t worry, Hayden’s in pursuit,” Nathan added.

“Where did they go?” Grayson asked.

“That way,” Nathan said. After Grayson called for backup, he and Nathan started walking to the right of the building. They rounded the corner. Halfway down, they stopped when they saw Hilbert running towards hem. He was carrying Amanda on his shoulder.

“Damn it!” Hilbert said, looking back. Hayden was closing in on him.

“Stop right there, Mr. Melendez!” Kellan commanded, his gun ready.

Hilbert ran towards his left. He curved his path down to try to get past Grayson and Nathan. They watched his progress.

“I think he wants to get to his car,” Nathan said.

“Oh, no he won’t.”

Grayson and Nathan advanced as the former fired at Hilbert’s feet. The latter changed direction, hiding behind another car.

“Let’s take cover behind his car,” Grayson told Nathan. “We won’t let him escape.”

At that moment, Hayden came into sight again.

“Yes. We’ve got Hilbert cornered,” Grayson said. Hilbert noticed Hayden approaching and moved to take better cover. He moved out of sight.

“Shit.”

A shot erupted. Hayden moved to stand behind a car. He exchanged fire with Hilbert.

“He needs support. Stay here.”

Grayson walked in a circle around Hilbert, moving between cars. He got closer towards Hayden. A few moments later, Grayson got within sight of Hilbert, who was no longer firing.

“Turn yourself in, Mr. Melendez. Drop your weapon and walk forward with your hands behind your head!” Hayden demanded.

There was silence. None of them were able to see what Hilbert was doing.

“Come on, bastard. Give up,” Grayson muttered.

Several minutes later, the door of the car behind which Hilbert was hiding opened. Hayden, Nathan, and Grayson saw him load Amanda into the passenger side.

“He’s not taking her,” said Grayson, standing up and firing in Hilbert’s direction.

“Hold your fire, Grayson!” Hayden yelled over. “You’ll hit Ms. Tilley!”

Hilbert kept the door open, crouching low behind it. He aimed and opened fire again. Hayden fired back.

“We need to blow the tires,” Grayson said. Hayden nodded. Together, they aimed at the tires and shot. Hilbert cursed.

“You’re not getting out of this, Mr. Melendez!”

Nathan watched the scene. He then looked around, wondering why no reinforcements had arrived yet.

Just then, Amanda woke up. She opened and closed her eyes, disoriented. She looked at where she was, and then remembered.

Hilbert’s got me.

Amanda moved her head slowly. She was able to catch a glimpse of Hilbert. He was kneeling behind the car door, using it as a shield.

I can escape.

In a sudden movement, Amanda aimed a kick at Hilbert’s head. He didn’t react fast enough to avoid it. Amanda heard a grunt of pain as Hilbert collapsed on his side. She took the opportunity to get herself out of the car.

“She’s escaping!” Hayden said. Nathan watched the car like a hawk. He spotted Amanda getting out and standing on her feet.

“Amanda!” he called.

As soon as she got on her feet, Amanda aimed another kick at Hilbert’s ribs. He yelled.

“Argh! You’ll pay!”

Amanda took off and ran. Hilbert stood up, clutching his side. His hand hung beside him, holding the gun.

Nathan watched with dread as Hilbert lifted his hand.