"But the painting remained here." In a moment of reflection, Dave slipped the question in."Yes.""How about the real ring?""No, I have no idea about it, no one does," Arthit's reply was vacant as the man shook his head, knowing that this British guy knew something more and that the massive guards were after the ring of the keeper. "The ring does exist, but it has been missing since God knows when.""Maybe take it to a safe place?" Javier asked.The Thai grumbled something they didn't understand and nodded his head."Yes. The Buddha’s keepers kept their secret," he said, motioning at the wooden representation of the old Thai ancient chief. "They knew that the
Bangkok, Thailand. Shawn and Catherine stood waiting at the information desk in the welcome center of the ancient city museum. It was an hour ago when Richmond’s private jet arrived at the airport, Eddie and his men, however, went back to London for urgent business that involved Chelsea. The three were welcomed by one of the managers of Richmond’s hotel in Bangkok branch, who was now standing near the VIP car with their local driver. Since they’d arrived, no museum worker or staff had been seen. Ben had lingered in the entryway, checking text messages, more than likely from his nephew. "Odd, where is everybody?" Catherine asked as she looked around. "Yes, it is, but I think it's Labour Day," Shawn responded and held her hands as they entered the visitors' area. "How did you know that?" "Well, I know Thailand by heart. I had done my fair share of research. Did you know Thailand has a population of almost 70 million? It is bordered to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by La
The navigation system in the rented automobile made it simple to locate Lek-ancestral Mraphi's home. And Dave wasn't as happy or at ease as Javier had been. Two hours after leaving the ancient city, the Russians sped through the parking area of the vast ancient state of Lek-Mraphi, which appeared to be some recently reconstructed museum of some kind that looked like an old temple and had instead become a tourist attraction.There were probably a thousand phrases to explain what the men in the automobile were thinking as they peered at the huge structure. But all that was expressed was mute astonishment. Yes, he had to agree the place was a work of art. It was by far so remarkable that he gaped at it and by looking, he could not argue that it looked exactly li
"Would it be possible to get down into the basement for a closer look and see some of the original structure?" Dave asked. A slight chuckle ensued from the old man, "I don't think it's possible, my friend. No one is allowed in the basement. There is only one door that leads down into that area, and it is completely sealed off. It is quite impossible to get down there." "Why is it sealed off?" "I have no idea. It seems to me that it would be an interesting part of the temple’s history to include that as part of the tour, but for some reason, it was closed up long ago, before this final version of the building was ever completed. If I had to guess, I would say there must be some kind of safety or insurance concern with having people in that area." The answer seemed to be an honest one. Still, the mysterious Buddha statue and where the temple got its money were never made clear. "That Buddha was one of the replicas. It was not the legendary golden Buddha, but... yeah," the old man we
For a moment, everyone was frozen in a deadlock. Javier and Shawn looked at each other, as if they were waiting to see who would make the first move and fire the gun. Meanwhil, Dave smirked. There was an explosion in his brain... the good sort... the type that carries more possibilities than he could be conscious of. If Shawn was here, he might have had a chance of getting out of this mess alive, but there were hundreds of ideas there in that buzz of electricity. Dave could feel it. It was the calling card of adventure or death, of paths awaiting his feet. Whatever was ahead could be a great challenge, and there could be tears, but it was his adventure to take, and so he smiled. The ideas for how to get rid of the Russians who were holding him would come to him when he least expected it. Even though it was probably only a half-minute, it felt like a lifetime. Shawn was scared the old guy would be wounded if he fired a shot. However, the two Russians stood ready, both clutching Dave
Seven hours later, when Shawn regained consciousness, the first thing he noticed was an incredible ringing in his right ear. He had no recollection of what had occurred, but his eyes were closed. As he cautiously opened them, the dark cloud began to give way to fuzzy light. The high-pitched whining in his ear was joined by a throbbing in the back of his brain as if a jackhammer was striking concrete.Catherine?What the hell happened to Catherine? His silent panic was tense. What on earth happened to them? They were walking on the sidewalk to the hotel parking lot when something happened, and he wasn't sure if it was a bomb or if he had been assaulted. However, his confused mind was unable to accept what had occurred. His thoughts were clouded by concerns for his wife.The warmth of the evening's busy Bangkok streets against his face and body came next, followed by little points of stinging pain on various spots of his body. The rest of his senses began to return one by one. His nostr
Warning SPG +18Catherine was still confused and dazed. How they ended up with this mess was beyond her. How the manager told Shawn that someone wanted to meet them outside and, out of curiosity, her husband and Ben went out without even thinking about some sort of security. She was trailing behind them when it happened. The car sitting just outside the hotel entrance near the parking lot exploded."Ben was closest to it." She explained to the driver and turned her attention to the unconscious old man. Her face was grim as she looked out the windows, watching the buildings whiz by. "Someone was clearly trying to target us and I fear that the manager was on it." She added while Shawn nodded in agreement."I think you're right about that. I'll make sure to let my men handle it, but it will take time. Thailand branch is a bit difficult to handle for now...." he sighed as he continued. "Someone knew we were going to be there at that exact moment," Shawn stated. He tried to contain his an
Warning Rated SPG+18 Catherine knew this was a "get the husband to fuck her until she was too weak to even lift a finger" fuck and not a "Slow and savour it" fuck, so she tried to hurry him. "Shawn, move." Catherine put her heart into it, pumping her hips enthusiastically. It only took two or three minutes, and Shawn was cumming with a nice, wet finish. At that point, exhaustion claimed him, and with barely enough time to slide off, blackness overcame him and he fell into a sound sleep. If they had been in a much bigger bed he was sure he could have slept seven hours, but unfortunately, the bed was too small and uncomfortable for two people to sleep on for long, and Shawn woke up after about an hour. He saw immediately that Catherine was awake but not moving for fear of waking him. "I'm sorry I fell asleep, sweetheart," Shawn mumbled with a small smile that almost melted her heart, "but that sure seemed to work well." "I'm glad you got a little nap," Catherine added. "I wonder if y
Another rising moan. Chelsea chanted his name. Soft. A whimper. She threw her head back again, her soft hair sliding over his arms, her face flushed with arousal. Dave loved her like that. That perfect moment before her body clamped down like a vise on his, drawing out his hot release. Her unknowing song, her heat. The look on her face. It all combined to give him a fierce, primitive satisfaction and added to the wicked pleasure swamping his own body. The first wave hit her hard, consuming her. He drove deep, his shaft stretching her tight channel. A ripple went through her, from her womb to her belly and up to her breasts. He actually felt it. Another loud moan and her entire body locked around him, a vise that clamped down so hard for a moment that he couldn’t separate pain from pleasure. She shuddered again as another wave built. He felt the contraction move through her, through him, swelling like the tide, a shock wave jolting outward from her feminine sheath, surrounding him, vib
Over the next few weeks, I take Jane and Catherine’s advice and try to turn off my brain. Dave and I started going out together as a couple. Nothing explicit is said. We don’t wear little badges, but our interactions make it obvious. Jane and I were planning to finish the design of her gown, and I started going out with them. While Dave had started his own business, Christie and her son occupied our old apartment while I went to Dave's apartment in the city.When we’re out, Dave always touches me, but not in a way that makes me feel like he’s trying to mark his territory or show off. He’s just super physical. If I’m near him, his hand is somewhere on my body. Usually his palm is glued to the top of my ass, but sometimes he brushes my hair back or dangles his fingers over my shoulder. He kisses my temples and cheeks. Not once do I feel like he’s holding me back.The most important thing is that we’re happy—way happier than I’ve felt in a long time. Which is fucking mind-boggling. If so
40The trailer is damp and dark. Two solemn-looking officers sat on a table piled high with walkie-talkies, badges, and cold cups of coffee, facing a giant monitor. The fan in the corner does little to cool things down, and the whole place is wired shut like a prison cell, with no windows and thus no connection to the outside world. It's much smaller than I expected from the outside, and I find myself frozen in place for a few moments after entering."Chelsea," Christie says behind me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "Everything will be okay, sweetheart. The orphanage will not suffer, and Dave will be alright." She appears nervous but still manages to calm me down. That is my sister, brave as ever."They’re in!" shouts one of the agents. Christie and I shuffled our way around the table. We stare earnestly at the big screen, focusing on each movement while holding our breath. Inside the building, the two actors pretending to be investors are dressed to look the part perfectly. Thei
Dave encourages me not to worry on the way back to the flat, but it is difficult. No matter how many times he assures me that we will stop Sebastian, I have my doubts. I knew Sebastian was a horrible person, but I never dreamed he was capable of such atrocities, especially after Dave showed him the photographs of the community and the orphans. What will become of my darling children?! I push back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes. As we carefully ascend the stairs to the apartment, my fingers begin to tremble.Dave walks quietly beside me and grips my hand tightly, silently reassuring me that everything will be okay."Chelsea," he whispers as we stand face-to-face at my door. "Chelsea, look at me..." He slips a finger under my chin and lifts my head to gaze into his eyes. I finally let the tears flow, the gravity of the situation too strong to overcome.Chelsea, we're going to fight this. Trust me..." I sniffle and gaze into his piercing blue eyes that offer some comfort.
"Yes but not tonight, maybe tomorrow," Dave said, shifting in his heels.The thought of him leaving without any intimate contact is driving Chelsea crazy. And I may just find myself running after him. I wait with bated breath for him to continue."Actually. I booked a room for a few days at a nearby hotel. I'd really like to see you tomorrow, Chelsea. Is that’s okay? I want to talk more about us." I stare at him like a young child opening presents on Christmas morning."Sure, I would like that," I say, releasing the smile I can no longer contain. "There's a great place just down the street where we can go for lunch." He grins. "Sounds great. I'll pick you up around 11? ""Sounds good.""Okay, well, have a good night's sleep, Chelsea.""Goodnight, Dave." I closed the door behind him and leaned back against it. My heart is giddy and my hands are shaky. He wants to talk about us? As in our relationship? Now that I am face-to-face with the reality of how much I want and miss him, it scar
Christie welcomes us to the living room. As we sit on the sofa, Dave takes another long breath before speaking. "I feel like we left a lot of things unanswered the last time we saw each other. I don't think anything was cleared up in the midst of all the yelling and screaming. But first and foremost, Christie, I need to apologise for Sebastian's harsh tone toward you. I can't claim to know what he was thinking at the time, but he had no right to speak to you in that manner.""He is an asshole, Dave, and the way he treated Christie is the same way he will treat those workers in Kenya." The animosity in my voice is clear. "Listen, Chelsea, I know you’re angry." He turns away from Christie and looks back at me. "But I need you to understand that I still care about you deeply and that everything we had was real. The truth is I know all about my partner’s activities in Kenya. But I'm not as involved in it as you think. I take care of the paperwork. But it doesn’t have much to do with me.
The space is considerably more apparent now that I am alone. Christie and I don't have any furniture, food, or money. And neither of us is employed. It will take months to restore this property to its previous glitzy splendour. I have no idea how to get us back on our feet, and I am quite frightened about starting the process. Christie, I'm sure, is as well. In that case, where are they?I get up from the floor mattress and walk to the bathroom. I let the water run over my fair skin and blond hair.Despite the heat, I find the water really calming.As it rushes over my body, the water represents my freedom. It envelops me, drop by drop, freeing my confined senses and conflicting emotions. It reminds me that I have returned home and am no longer burdened by the dreadful life I had at the mansion.I hurriedly exit the shower and grab my towel. I walk on tiptoe across the white tiles, around the empty flat, to my bag in the corner. I pull on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and my
"Chelsea, don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying." I feel Dave’s strong hands around my right arm tighten. I glare up into his blue eyes. Our eyes interlock, and for a brief second, I am contained by lust. But the moment ends swiftly, and I pull my hand away, pushing him violently against the wall."Don’t you touch me!" I hurl at him. I take a large step away from him and turn back to Christie. "Come on, sister. Let’s get out of here!""I can’t, Chelsea, Sebastian is my fiancée.""So you’re choosing a man over your own sister?" I stared at her in shock."Chelsea, please don’t do this," Christie cries, her tears running wild down her face.Now is the time for me to make a quick exit. My suitcases thud on each step as I hurl them down the stairs. My sister trails behind me, upset as ever."Chelsea, wait! Please do not leave! "Just as I reach the large white double doors, I drop my suitcases and turn to face her again."Why don’t you just ask Sebastian Christie? Ask him if he’
I do not recognise my voice. It is thick with animosity. My hands are shaky and tears are threatening to spill from my eyes. Appearing to realise the seriousness of the situation, Dave turns to his colleagues. "Gentleman, please excuse me for a moment?"He gets up and strides over to me, gripping my forearm as he gently pulls me out of the room. We walk down a short corridor and into an empty office. Dave shuts the door and glares at me, anger fueling his eyes. "What the hell was that, Chelsea?!" he states, his tone biting."Explain this to me!" I half-shout, flinging the documents into his hands. "You lied about what the company is doing in Kenya. You have plans to use children? and exploit the people in an area that is too damn close to the orphanage I volunteered at. And you plan to pay the workers practically nothing!"He begins to scan the papers, his eyes darting back and forth hastily."How did you get this?!" he asks, puzzled yet still furious."What does it matter? It’s out i