‘Kevin, I’d like you to meet Pete Rodgers. Pete this is Kevin Richardson and his bodyguard and friend Carlos.’
They all shook hands and Kevin studied the SWAT team leader. A compact muscular built man of medium height and cropped brown hair that was starting to grey at the edges of his temples regarded him back steadily.
He possessed a pair of soft brown eyes that had witnessed too much and what he had seen stamped its mark on him. His face was lined and weather beaten but his handshake was firm and he clapped Kevin on the back as they walked into the back room of the local police station that the SWAT team had commandeered for their use as a command centre. ‘I’d like to say nice to meet you Kevin but you’ll probably wish me to hell.’
He walked over and poured a cup of coffee for himself from pot that was always standing ready. ‘Want some? Feel free to help yourself, it’s a foul brew but it’s hot.’ He grinned at them and the years fell away from his face. ‘Ok down to business, pull up a chair and I’ll tell you what I’ve arranged so far.’
They pulled up chairs as and arranged themselves around a table with a map spread out in the middle. ‘Ok, this is the harbour, and the boat with your wife on is here.’ Pete pointed with his finger. ‘Just beyond the harbour entrance is a smallish cove shield by a steep cliff face, we’ve two coast guard vessels waiting to close off the entrance of the harbour when we give them the green light to move into position. There is no moon tonight, and under the cover of darkness and using stealth we will take up flanking positions on either side of the boat for cover while we put an extraction team which I’ll be leading on it. We will have a back up team on the wharf.’
‘What if he makes a move to leave before nightfall?’ Kevin asked as he stroked his goatee deep in thought. He thought of Jac so close but still not within reach. Was she terrified, did she know he was close, would he ever see her alive again? These thoughts raced through his mind. But he pushed them away as he tried to concentrate on what Pete was telling them.
‘Well we’ll have to make a move, we would still have the upper hand because he doesn’t know we are here. It’ll be more difficult, but we can do it. Surprise is the key.’ He looked Kevin square in the eyes reading in them Kevin’s concern ‘This operation isn’t without risks Kevin, I can make no promises, give you no guarantees, but only that I will do everything in my power to try and get your wife back safe. There probably will be casualties as much as we try to be careful.’
‘Thank you Pete, I appreciate the fact that there are lives on the line here and I’m so grateful for your efforts. It’s all a bit too surreal to think we’re stuck in the middle of this drama, it’s like a nightmarish dream and I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and she’ll be there asleep beside me, but it’s not, it’s all to real and people have already been killed.’
‘I’ve a good team of men here, they’re skilled, highly trained and they know the dangers and the risks, but they do their job well, we’ll do our best Kevin.’
‘What can I say, but I thank you and your men from the bottom of my heart.’
‘It’s our job Kevin, but I’ll pass on your thanks to the fellas.’ Pete turned to Steve and asked ‘ Steve I take it you’re gonna be here at the command centre?’
‘Ummm that’s a no Pete, I will be on the harbour front with one of the teams. Dave will be here in the command centre with Kev…..’
‘I’m coming as well, I’m not sitting here waiting, no way.’ Kevin jumped in straight away. ‘You can’t ask me to stay here, not while Jax is on that boat with that maniac, I won’t get in the way I promise. But I have to be there….whatever the outcome.’ Kevin’s voice trailed off as his eyes pleaded. Steve looked over at Pete. He too had heard the underlying panic in Kevin voice at the thought he would be made to stay behind.
‘I need to be there for her Steve.’ Kevin sounded strained. ‘I promise I won’t get in the way. Being there is the one and only thing I can do for her fellas, I’m not a trained police officer or a soldier, but it’s my wife in that boat and she’s all I’ve got and she needs me and I feel so goddamn helpless.’
Steve looked at Kevin and came to a decision. ‘Ok Kev.’ Pete went to protest and Steve held his hand up stopping him from speaking. ‘He has the right Pete, if it was your wife in this predicament what would you do?’ Pete pulled a face. ‘Yeah exactly. Ok Kev you come, but for god sake if the bullets start flying, keep your head down and for Christ’s sake don’t do anything crazy.’
Kevin’s shoulders sagged visibly in relief. ‘Steve, thank you I’ll…’ But before he could finish Carlos interrupted, entering the conversation for the first time ‘I’ll make sure he behaves himself fellas. Or else I’ll shoot him.’
Kevin glared at his bodyguard. ‘ I bet you frigging would too.’
‘Yeah well just so you know Kevin, no silly stuff, no heroic’s.’
Kevin eyed Carlos warily but he saw the amused looks on Steve and Pete’s faces and he told them. ‘Hey I said I’d stay out of the way.’
Steve slapped him on the back. ‘It’s ok Kev, come on lets go drop our gear at the motel and grab a bite to eat and then we can get back here and prepare.’
‘Yeah ok, I guess I need to take my mind off the next couple of hours anyway.’ Kevin said picking up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. ‘ And I should make you stay here and drink that coffee.’ He nudged Carlos with his elbow on his way out.
Carlos laughed at his retreating back. ‘I’d like to see you make me.’ And picking up his bag he followed Steve and Kev out into the fading evening light.
*************************
I must have fallen asleep because I awoke with a start unsure of my surroundings for a moment, but a gentle lapping of water against the side of the rocking boat as I lay there on the bunk brought all the memories flooding back. I took stock of my cabin prison. I scrambled up to a sitting position and my stomach rumbled with hunger, I had not eaten anything since those sandwiches earlier, and to be truthful, I had lost track of the days, and how long I’d been held captive. I had no idea how long I had been unconscious while drugged.
Again I looked out of the window, it was getting darker now. The sun was setting painting the water with a myriad of colours. Its orange hues as it slowly set pushed their way through the gathering storm clouds that were brewing broodingly dark in the distance. I hope he had no plans of sailing in that. I was a good sailor but not good enough to stand a wild storm. I craned my neck around to get a better view of the outside.
The kids in the boat had long gone, but they were replaced by a couple more with older men in them fishing. I could hear their faint indistinct chatter and laughter carry across the water. I tried to force the porthole open but to no avail. I gave up on the idea of yelling for help. ‘Well that was a stupid idea anyhow.’ I muttered to myself with a sigh. ‘Yeah like Rambo out there is going to make it easy for you Jac.’ I climbed off the bed and explored around the cabin looking into every nook and cranny.
I had nothing better to do and boredom was my worst enemy, it dulls your thinking edge. And I needed to think. At least I felt a bit more refreshed after my nap. I found my spirits not so depressed. I was still scared, frightened even. But I had come to the decision that if this was the end of the road for me that I would go down fighting. I was not going to a make things easy for my kidnapper. The thought of him made my blood boil, but I took a deep breath and tried to release the rage. I remembered James telling me that to be angry was ok, but to be angry in cold blood. Blind rage got you nowhere he said. I felt hot tears fill my eyes. ‘Oh James, I’m so sorry.’ I choked and whispered. ‘I’m so sorry.’ I didn’t even have time to mourn his loss and that made me angry. James gave his life for me and I wanted time to honour his memory. Maybe by trying to live through this would make his sacrifice endurable.
I climbed back up and drew my knees up tight against my chest and rested my chin on them. I closed my eyes and thought of everyone that had touched my life lately.
Kez my partner in crime from my school days and now my agent and oldest friend. Sue the first person to accept me on a movie set as a peer. She accepted me with no judgements, just friendship as she guided a novice stage and theatre actor from treading the boards to working a scene on film.
My father, who I loved dearly, and who wasn’t half as entrenched in the world of our class structure as I thought he might have been, but who straddled both worlds with the ease I couldn’t find. My elder brother Richard who was entrenched, and who found me utterly incomprehensible, but still put up with my quirks and eccentric ways because I was his baby sister.
Kevin’s family, who had eyed me askance and with fear at first, and who could blame them, but they had gradually accepted me as one of their own. It brought a smile to my face when I remembered my first meeting with Ann, Kevin’s mother. She didn’t know whether to curtsy, shake hands or just say hello when Kevin mischievously introduced me using my full title in that soft spoken southern drawl that was so much a part of him. I could have strangled him for doing it, and he knew it as well, but he delighted in teasing me, his crazy sense of humour often hidden under that serious front he wore.
The fellas and their girlfriends, who once the storm surrounding our sudden marriage had blown over, took our quirky relationship all in their stride. Till as Aj suggested to us, we got our shit together and we admitted that we did love one another and stopped all the pretending and faced up to our feelings instead of hiding behind a masquerade.
Gideon, who I prayed had survived his wounds received at the hands of my tormentor, I loved his booming laughter and his silly jokes that he incessantly told making me laugh. He was so different to James in personality, but just as caring.
Kenneth who had shown faith in my abilities and had given me the chance to stretch myself and my talent and who had been a rock through all the drama over the last few months while we filmed this movie. He had gambled on using me, and I hoped I had come through for him.
Then I remembered my losses, James and gentle Eric. Those two who paid the price for this man’s infatuation because they stood in the way of his goal, their deaths would forever weigh heavy on my heart.
And then I thought of Kevin as I rested my cheek against my knees. The tears rolled slowly down my face. I’d never thought it possible to love someone at first sight. But from the first moment of meeting, I knew he was special. He was strong, capable and loving, and despite the circumstances of our extraordinary marriage and the turmoil that followed, he was always the man for me.
Funny that, so different were we, from completely different worlds, but the bond was there. No one could so stir my heart like Kevin was able to, just one look, that certain smile, that light in his beautiful clear green eyes when he looked at me. The way he laughed that was so particular to him, that scrunching up of his face and nose and that crinkling around his eyes when he found something amusing. It was often unexpected, but more delightful because of that reason. The rich timbre of his voice and that slow deliberate way of speaking that made my body shiver with every word that left his lips.
To be with Kevin was to catch the wind, to touch the stars, to reach for the moon and to find yourself standing there looking out upon the universe. Loving him was like free falling from those very stars but knowing that somehow he would always be there to catch you, to steady you. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and I loved his every imperfection, as much as I loved the things that were perfect about him. And it was worth fighting to stay alive for.
‘I have to do something.’ I muttered to myself as I dashed the tears away with the back of my hand. ‘Sitting here crying isn’t going to help you get anywhere Jac.’
I heard the door of the cabin rattle and I sat up straighter and scrubbed at my face hoping there was no trace of my tears. I wanted to show no weakness to him. I sat back on the bunk and leaned against the wall and I schooled my face to look nonchalant.
He appeared in the doorway. ‘I’ve prepared us a meal, I thought you might be hungry.’
‘You got that right.’ I glared at him.
He walked over and took my chin in his hand and raised my face and said sardonically. ‘Tears Jacqueline? Oh what for, has the big bad man upset you? Surely you’re not missing that long haired wimp you call your husband, what do you want him for when you have a real man that's right in front of you?’
I twisted my chin out of his grasp and with contempt dripping from my voice told him.
‘I wouldn’t want you if you were the last man on earth.’
He reached down and dragged me to my feet pulling me close against the length of him and my stomach flipped in fear. ‘We’ll see about that.’ And he lowered his head and crashed his mouth onto mine. I was locked in a tight embrace from which I couldn’t break free. His mouth was hot and insistent and I was revolted by his kisses. Against my will he forced my lips open and thrust his tongue into my mouth. I’d had like to have bitten down on it but I could barely breathe and I didn’t want to enrage him further. It was an endless torture. There was no escaping the violation of my mouth and only by swallowing repeating could I keep from gagging at the feel and thrust of his penetrating tongue. I closed my eyes and tried to will my mind far away. His hands moved to my breasts and I saw red, pure white hot rage filled me and I lashed out with my foot, scraping it along the length of his shin. He released me suddenly and I staggered backwards as he howled in agony at my surprise attack. He backhanded me across the face and knocked me reeling. I reached out a hand to steady myself trying to stay upright and not fall over. My head was ringing from his blow and I knew that I would have a black eye, I could already feel the swelling and again taste fresh blood in my mouth. I blinked several times to try to clear the pain and to regain focus, for a moment everything in front of me went blurry and swam before my eyes. He grabbed hold of my shirt and pulled me roughly back in against him. His face wore a nasty expression and in his pale blue eyes was a look that had me cringing inside with fear as he held my face captive in his hand. Like a snake he flicked out his tongue and licked the blood off the corner of my mouth where he had reopened my split lip. I flinched and he laughed malevolently.
‘Does he make you squirm with desire? Do you call his name as you lay beneath him? I’m so curious to know what my rival is like as a lover.’
I closed my eyes and could feel a tear run slowly down my cheek. I refused to answer him.
‘Does he make you feel good, does he Jacqueline? How does he make you feel?’ he yelled as he squeezed my face tighter. Still I was silent.
He hit out again causing me to gasp in pain. My head jerked back from the blow and he grabbed hold of my shoulders and shook me back and forth. ‘Does he make you shudder in pleasure?’ he screamed into my face spittle flying from his mouth and wetting my cheeks. I opened my eyes and glared at him. Hatred was written all over my face. ‘I will tell you nothing.’ I whispered with loathing.
‘Hate is such a strong emotion my love. If I can’t make you love me, I’ll have you hating me. Whatever, it’s no matter, but I look forward with pleasure to subduing you my little hellcat. Your reckoning will come when I’ve more time to devote to your seduction.’ He barked out a laugh. ‘Now we eat so sheath those claws.’ He gripped my arm and pulled me from the cabin to the galley area where there was a table set for two.
‘How romantic.’ I said sarcastically. He pushed me none to gently into a chair and I touched a finger to my lip, it was stinging and my head was aching from his blows.
‘Want some ice for that?’ he asked as he placed a bowl of soup in front of me.
‘No.’ I spoke tonelessly.
‘If only you would do as I ask, I wouldn’t have to hurt you then.’ He said as he placed bread on the table. I looked at him with contempt and said nothing. I picked up my spoon and silently sipped at my soup. It stung my cut mouth but I was hungry. I dipped some bread in the soup to soften it so I could eat it without my mouth hurting. I’ve got to try and get off this boat and escape I thought, somehow, anyhow or at least attempt it. It was probably futile I thought with a sinking heart as I continued to eat in silence. He sat in front of me eating, he caught my eye and I just glared at him. He just laughed at my look of hatred and raised his wineglass in a silent salute before taking a sip and running his tongue across his lips taunting me. I suppressed a shudder of revulsion as I looked away and continued to eat in silence making sure I no longer made eye contact with him. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing his effect on me.
*******************************
‘Ok is everyone clear on their orders?’ Pete addressed the assembled group. Murmurs of assent flowed around the group. Kevin stood back watching silently as he leant against the wall. His long dark hair fell across his face shielding it from view as he looked down and studied the floor as he listened to Pete give out last minute instructions. He felt edgy, nervous and worried. He knew these men’s lives we on the line here tonight and he wasn’t comfortable with that, even though it was their job. He hoped to god that none of these men got killed or badly injured. He cursed this maniac for putting everyone in this position. Carlos tapped him on the shoulder.
‘Ready lad?’ he asked kindly
‘I guess so.’ He pushed off the wall as Steve joined them.
‘We move in, in an hour. Are you carrying Carlos?’ The big man patted his jacket where his gun was in it's harness. ‘Good, ok lets get ready to take up our positions. Are you ok Kev?’ Steve took one look at Kevin’s expressive face and read every thought and feeling.
‘No, I’m as nervous as hell, in fact I feel sick.’ He told them honestly.
‘Well you could stay here….’ Carlos clapped him on the back knowing he would get a reaction.
‘That’s not an option, I’m coming with you both.’ Carlos grinned knowing he was never going to stay behind.
‘The waiting is always the worst Kev.’ Steve reassured him.
Kevin sighed and muttered.’ I’m beginning to wonder if this nightmare’s ever going to end.’ He followed Carlos and Steve outside and the heavens open up. The three men looked at each other in disbelief.
‘The storm.’ Steve groaned. ‘Just great.’ He trotted through the rain towards the car Carlos not far behind.
Kevin’s heart sank. Would this hinder the rescue attempt? He hoped not but it seemed to be just another hurdle thrown in the way of getting Jax back safe and at a run through downpour he followed the others to the car.