Heat in the Kitchen (21 page)

*

'Wow, this place looks busy.' Tess and Ronnie headed off to a table whilst their brothers went to the bar.

'Good evening. Matt and Zander isn't it?' They both turned away from the bar.

'Daniel,' Matt acknowledged.

'I confess you have me at a slight disadvantage because I'm not sure who is who.'

Matt laughed and reached out to shake his hand. 'Matt. I'm the talent in the family. That's all you need to know.'

'Yeah, he's just about learnt how to crack an egg. I'm the brains that keeps the company afloat and his feet on the ground.' Zander also shook his hand.

'Hah,' Matt was getting into this now. He loved sparring with his brother. 'If he didn't have me to show him some fun he'd be pasty white and humped back from stooping over his computer all day and night.'

A voice tutted to their right. 'At it again I see boys.' Mr Brown laughed and clapped them both on the shoulder.

'Hi Mr Brown. Mrs Brown. What can we get you all to drink?'

Daniel experienced a moment of disappointment as he sat down at their table. He'd been so sure from the little Ella had shared that she was seeing Matt and yet he and his brother had both brought dates tonight. He was so lost in his thoughts that he missed the warmth of the greeting between the two young women and the Browns.

'Daniel, let me introduce Thérèse and Véronique Duval-Adams.'

He turned to his friend and then towards the two girls.

'Tess, please, and this is Ronnie.'

Mr Brown continued with the introductions. 'As you can see, Tess and Ronnie, like their brothers, are also identical twins.'

Daniel smiled in welcome and swallowed a sigh of relief. He had misjudged Matt.

After ten minutes of listening to the banter between the siblings he excused himself. Their enthusiasm and open affection for each other was infectious but exhausting. When Tess had discovered who he was, he'd learnt that Ella was one of their dearest friends. From what he'd heard of Ella's mother and half-sisters he was pleased that she had these good people as friends.

Daniel made his way towards the gents' cloakroom. He stopped as he heard Ella's name being whispered furiously between two women.

'You what?'

'I arranged for a friend to detain her at her apartment.'

Kelly looked at her half-sister as if she'd sprouted a second head. 'What the…! Why?'

'It was supposed to show her up - to have people think she didn't see this as important and couldn't be bothered to turn up. The press would have had a field day.' Bianca didn't look as happy about it as Kelly expected.

'But I asked if she'd do this Bianca. I didn't mind going along with the hair colour but the college Principal actually looked at me with respect when I said Ella would be here. You've gone too far this time Bianca. Phone your friend, now, and get her brought here.'

'I don't think I can.' Bianca looked worried.

'Why not? What's the problem? Just tell whoever it is you've changed your mind.'

'I phoned earlier to make sure he'd done it. He sounded weird. He said something about the rules changing.' Bianca started to get agitated and grabbed Kelly's hand. 'I think he's got a gun with him Kell!'

Daniel darted back to the table, unable to believe what he'd just heard. Taking a deep breath he repeated it to everyone as quickly as he could. Saying the words out loud made it all seem completely unreal. As they sat there in stunned silence he was beginning to think he'd imagined it, then Matt shot from his seat.

*

Matt barely noticed Kelly or the woman stood beside her as he grabbed Bianca by the arm and demanded to know what was going on.

She stared at him in fear. Her arm was hurting where he'd shoved it up her back.

'I… I….' She stuttered. For the first time in her life she was really frightened.

'Phone your 'friend' and tell him to get the hell out of there.' Matt growled at her. He was just about rational enough to realise he was attracting attention. He let go of her arm. 'Phone him!' He hissed.

Bianca fumbled around for her phone and with shaking fingers made the call.

After exchanging a few sentences her face went white and the phone dropped to the ground.

Matt shook her. 'What? WHAT?'

'She's tied up. That's all I asked him to do. Honestly! I never intended for him to do anything else!' Bianca sounded frantic.

'For Christ's sake woman. What's he done?' Matt could feel his fingers digging hard into her flesh. He couldn't relax the tension held there.

'He…. He says he's holding her at gunpoint.' Bianca started to crumble. 'He sounds drunk, out of control.' She put her head in her hands. 'Oh god, what have I done? What have I done?'

Everyone around him started talking at once. Matt looked round and realised his family were there, Daniel, the Browns and two other women he didn't recognise. One of them raised her voice above everyone else's.

'What about the concert?' She turned to the other woman. 'Kelly, all these people are here because you promised me Daniella Lewis-Cannon. What am I going to tell them all?'

Selfish bitch
, he thought.

'Tess, go on instead of Ella.' He turned to his sister. She looked like she was going to faint. 'Zander, get Tess on the stage. Go get the concert started.'

Zander put his arms round Tess and Ronnie and led them away. 'Don't do anything stupid. Phone me.'

Thank god for twin telepathy
. Zander understood without words, what needed to be done.

He handed Bianca to Mr Brown. 'Here, hold her 'til the police get here. Daniel, come on. We'll phone the police on the way.'

Daniel had a moment to admire Matt's performance. He was an impressive piece of work. He would do well for Ella - if they could only get to her in time.

*

Matt was frustrated at the lack of progress. By the time he and Daniel had arrived at Ella's apartment building, the police were already there. Shortly afterwards, armed police turned up with a hostage negotiator. They had spoken to the man holding Ella and deemed him to be unstable. They'd been on the phone with him a couple of times trying to talk him into giving himself up. The building had been cleared as a precaution and the press were beginning to arrive. It was turning into a three-ringed circus.

Matt paced up and down outside, not caring what anyone thought. His only concern was for Ella - getting her out in one piece. If he could have got inside, he'd have dragged the drunken lout out and killed him with his bare hands.

The police had warned him twice that if he tried to do anything stupid he would be ordered to leave.

They'd brought Bianca along at some point to see what she could tell them about the man who was inside. Matt had walked away in disgust, unable to take her snivelling apology any longer. She was facing a jail sentence for kidnap - worse, possible murder. No, he couldn't think like that. They'd get Ella out. They had to!

He had a tightness in his chest. It was a familiar feeling but the last time he'd had it, he'd been eighteen years old and he'd just learnt that his parents had been killed in a car crash.

He felt his muscles contract around his core. He was wrong, this feeling wasn't familiar, it was far worse than when he'd found out about his parents.

That was when it hit him. Ella was his life, his very reason for being. If he lost her, he lost everything.

He ran his hands through his hair. 'Come on, come on,' he chanted to himself. 'Do something!'

A shout went up and then all hell broke loose. Everyone seemed to rush into the building. Matt was right there behind them. No-one stopped him this time.

They burst their way into Ella's apartment and through to the kitchen where they'd been keeping tabs on the kidnapper through gun sights from an apartment opposite. Matt forced his way through them.

He sent up a silent prayer of thanks as he dropped to his knees in front of Ella and grasped the sides of her head. He wiped away her tears with his thumbs.

A policeman crouched behind her to cut through the tape that bound her and at last she was in his arms. She clung to him and welcomed his kiss. At that moment they were the only two people in existence.

Matt raised his head to look at her as if he couldn't take in that she was okay.

'I was so scared Matt,' she forced out in a whisper. 'He kept waving the gun around. Then he threatened to rape me.' A shuddering sob left her lips. Matt held her to him.

It's okay sweetheart. You're safe. You don't have to talk just now.'

Ella shook her head. 'Yes I do. I need to talk. That's what was wrong before. You've taught me to talk it out.' She sounded desperate to have him hear her out.

'Why didn't he go through with his threats?'

'I don't know. After he'd moved me in here and tied me up, he found the brandy and started drinking. He became delirious at times. There were so many times he pointed the gun at me, but he seemed to sway and mutter himself out of it.'

'Ahem, sorry to interrupt, but we'd like to get Miss Cannon checked out. Then we need a statement.'

Matt looked up and realised that it was just them and the policeman.

'Where's the kidnapper? Where's everyone else?'

'He's been taken to hospital. He collapsed, that's how we knew we could come in.'

Matt turned to Ella.

'He just fell in a heap to the floor. He was muttering again, then his eyes rolled and he fell.'

'We'd like you to go to the hospital as a precaution. One of my officers will take a statement from you there.' He looked kindly at Ella and put a hand up to Matt in anticipation of his objection.

'We need to do this and then you can take Miss Cannon home. Not here though. My men will be here for a while processing the scene. I'd prefer it if you didn't return here until we say so.'

As they left the kitchen, Ella noticed Daniel. She ran into his arms. Matt watched as father and daughter at that moment created a bond he was sure would never waiver.

*

Matt lay in the darkness with Ella in his arms. He had her where she belonged and she was safe but there was still that tightness around his heart. He didn't think it would shift until he had a ring on her finger. Even thinking about getting married eased the pressure.

While Ella had been checked over and interviewed, Matt had spoken to Zander. Tess's performance had been nothing short of outstanding and Zander had hosted the whole evening. No-one seemed to have minded that the person they'd paid to see had been indisposed. Matt had asked Zander to keep the girls entertained in the morning. For some reason he wasn't ready to share the news that he and Ella were an item. Maybe it was because she was their friend. He couldn't explain it. Zander seemed to know exactly how he felt about her, but then he and Zander read each other so well. He wouldn't be surprised if Zander had known before he'd worked it out for himself.

The thought of losing her had been the catalyst he'd needed to see the reality of their relationship, the special bond they had together.

Daniel had come to the hospital too. He was another one who'd seemed to know. Without being asked, he'd given his blessing, telling Matt he would welcome him as a son-in-law. He'd given Matt hope too that Ella felt the same. Seemed Ella had loved him for a very long time.

She stirred in her sleep. Matt stroked her hair. She hadn't said much since they'd left the hospital. She'd been dead on her feet.

He'd tucked her into his bed, intending that they go to sleep, but Ella had turned to him for a kiss and he'd been lost. Their lovemaking had been so gentle - healing in a way.

He smiled. She was an amazing woman who had faced so much hurt in her life and yet she'd come through it. She was clever and beautiful, intelligent and funny, and once she'd overcome her inhibitions…! Matt was blown away by how sensual she was, how explosive their lovemaking was.

He felt himself harden as he thought about being inside her, driving them both to climax. He turned and kissed her, suddenly needing that connection with her.

Ella stirred as Matt took a nipple into his mouth and sucked. Her body bucked in response. His fingers found her inner heat. Already, she was wet for him. She would always be ready to receive him. She reached out and caressed his shaft up and down. He was rock hard, waiting to enter. She guided him in.

Matt groaned with pleasure as he sank deep inside her. He continued to suck her nipple, his fingers rubbing her most sensitive part while their bodies banged against each other. This coupling was hard and fast, a driving need to reaffirm life.

Matt lay panting on top of her and held her tight in his arms as if realisation had just hit that she was okay.

'God Ella, I'm marrying you and making you mine before anything else can happen to you.'

Having got that out there, Matt felt a peace settle over him and his eyes drifted shut.

Ella held her breath - had she heard him right? She slid out from under his body and stared at his outline. She must have heard sex talk. He wasn't a man who wanted marriage and he'd never said he loved her.

Ella was now wide awake. She left the bed and went to find a drink.

Matt found her in the lounge a couple of hours later. He'd woken and missed her warmth. He watched her as one of the outside lights illuminated her. She looked trapped in unhappy thoughts.

He sat down beside her. Ella threw herself into his arms and sobbed. The whole ordeal had finally caught up with her.

Matt held her as he kissed her and whispered words of reassurance. When she finally calmed, he brushed her hair away from her face and looked down at her red face with its puffy eyes. She needed sleep. He didn't know how to give her sleep.

'The police told me the gun wasn't loaded.' Ella finally spoke. 'I thought I was going to die Matt. He was rough to start with and then, once he started drinking, he became unstable. I was so scared. I kept thinking about you, about the wonderful few days we'd had in the desert.'

Matt kissed her eyelids. 'All I could think about was how empty my life would be Ella, if you weren't in it.'