Train is still the best way to get around without too many prying eyes or people asking questions. It's also the easiest way to travel without giving too much information. Information that can easily be faked with the right credentials.Most of my work is done overseas, but a call two months ago brought me back to the States. I had to travel by boat because chartering a private plane raises suspicions, and I always stay under the radar. In my line of work I have to be discreet; otherwise I'm not very good at my job.Bronson Dian is a German baron who sells the materials used in making space satellites. He's also tied to the Russian mob, which is how I came to meet him. Fifteen years ago Bronson's young daughter was kidnapped from her bed in the middle of the night and was never seen or heard from again. She was presumed dead because anyone taking her would have used her as leverage for a ransom.Bronson and his wife Freida reached out to some of my contacts as a last resort to find he
In the distance I can hear people talking, and I stop to see if I can make out what they're saying. It's getting closer, and I tighten my hold on my knife as I wait.Footsteps are loud against the pebbles on the path, but I keep my breathing shallow. Through the leaves of the roses I see two people just on the other side."Now that I've seen these pretty pink petals, why don't you show me yours?" I hear the man say."I'm sure my mom is wondering where I am." The girl's voice is so soft it's hard to hear, and I see her feet moving back, away from the man."She knows exactly where you are, Rissa, and she's more than aware of what I'm capable of." His feet move closer to her, and I clench my knife harder."What?" She pauses her retreat. "What are you saying, Brock?""Now you know I don't kiss and tell." His feet move closer to her, bringing him within arm's reach.I need to know if this is her, and I'm not stumbling on something that I should ignore."That's a sick joke," she says, and I
What the hell is happening? This has to be a bad dream or I'm hallucinating.The giant man pushes me down to the floor of the boat as the sound of gunfire starts to fill the air. I scream when I hear some of the shots hitting the boat, and glass shatters around me. I know it's my father's stupid guards, so why the hell are they shooting in my direction? For all they know they could have shot me.I stay down for now because I don't really have much of a choice. I'm stuck for the moment because if I get up, I'm afraid I'll become a target. I stare up at my captor and watch as he keeps one hand on the wheel and turns around to fire off a couple of shots. I close my eyes, praying to wake up from this nightmare.The boat bounces hard on the choppy water, and my stomach drops every time. It feels like we're going airborne on each bounce, and I come down hard on the floor. Water sprays all around us, but at least I don't hear any more gunfire.Slowly I try to sit up, but the man glares at me
"You're lying."She scowls at me, and she looks like a grumpy kitten after a bath. I want to laugh, but it's been so long since I've done it, I don't know if I remember how."Why would I lie?" I make sure to keep an even speed so that I don't draw attention."I don't know, so maybe you can kidnap me." She points to herself like it's obvious."I've already kidnapped you." I put the same emphasis on the word she does. "I have nothing to gain at this moment by lying to you.""So you might need to lie to me in the future.""Yes." I look at her like she's ridiculous, and her eyes widen in shock."This is crazy. Just tell me what's going on.""No." I put on my turn signal to merge onto the highway and curse the traffic."No?""Do you have water lodged in your ears?" I reach in the back for a towel and hand it to her. She jerks it out of my hand and wraps it around her. It's a pity, because I could see her delicious curves around the wet dress."Tell me why you think my parents aren't my rea
Preston keeps his hand tight around my wrist as he pulls me through the busy train station. My feet move on their own, letting him lead me through the throng of people. Everything he said bounces around inside of my head, and I don't know why I'm even considering it. Which is insane, because I know who my parents are.What if this is one of those crazy stories where the children were accidentally switched at birth? But then why would Preston be kidnapping me if that's what happened? Unless my parents didn't want to switch back with the right kid. Okay, now I'm being ridiculous, but who can blame me at this point? I've been tossed into a reality TV situation, and my brain is dizzy.Preston slows his pace as we near the train, and even though it's crowded, I notice people jump out of his way when they see him coming. A few women even stop to check him out, and maybe if he hadn't kidnapped me I might find him attractive too."Don't worry, ladies, he'll probably kidnap you too one day." I
Preston starts to say something else, but there's a knock at the door before someone calls out for tickets, and it slides open."Tickets?" the short man asks.Preston lifts me off his bench and puts me back over on the other one. He hands the man some papers and then the two American passports. The train guy goes through the papers then shoves one into his pocket before handing Preston the tickets back.Next I watch as he opens the passports then looks at me and then at Preston. After that, he slides the passport bars through a small machine and it beeps. He hands them back to Preston and nods to both of us."The beverage cart is open and there are snacks available too. Have a good trip," he says before stepping back out and closing the door behind him.I reach over and grab for the passport, but Preston holds it so I can't. "I want to see." I hold my hand out, and his lips twitch before he places it in my palm. I flip it over and see a picture of a woman that is clearly not me."But.
"Let's get you some food," I suggest, and her scowl softens long enough to nod. I want to tell her she's once again like a kitten because she's irritated when she's hungry. I somehow don't think that would go over well. "As long as you stay with me, you're safe.""Why does that sound like a warning?""Because the family you lived with had a reason for taking you, Rissa. They stole you, and they won't be pleased when they find out I've taken you. I have no doubt they'll come after you, and when they do, they won't be as gentle as I've been.""I don't think I'm hungry anymore." She wraps an arm around her stomach, but I reach out and take her hand."You'll need something, then you can sleep."She doesn't protest as I take her out of the sleep car and through the train. It's not made for people my size, and I'm constantly having to duck between doorways and where the trains connect. Once we get to the front, there is an empty table next to a window."Sit here." I point and hold her stead
I take Rissa's hand in mine to help steady her, and also because I like holding on to her. She's so small it would be easy for her to trip and fall over, and I'm strong and steady. She can use me to anchor her, and I like the way that feels.She pushes the button to open the door to our small room and then she looks back at me with wide eyes."We have a bed?""They probably made it up while we were at dinner. Use the bathroom if you need to. I had clothes left in there for you to sleep in."We go into the cramped space, and I see they've turned down the benches into one full-size bed. It would be hard for me to sleep on this alone, but it will be impossible for both of us to sleep on it together. But we'll have to, because there's literally nowhere else for me to sleep. There's not even enough room for me to sit on the floor.While Rissa is in the bathroom, I pull off my shirt and boots. I plan on sleeping in my underwear, but I'll wait and undress when the lights are off. I've alread