Part 4
“I hate leaving you, Christopher, we’re only just beginning to get close.” Allycia said as she ran her hands over his strong bare shoulders.
“Then let me come with you.” Chris said as he put up with her ministrations. They lay together on a soft white blanket, the waves lapping at the sand, the moon sending golden rays across the ocean. ‘A perfect setting for romance,’ the blond thought angrily.
“I told you why you can’t come. Daddy won’t allow it.”
“I’m going to miss you.” Larabee said as he turned to take her in his arms. He ran his fingers through her raven hair and stared into her blue eyes.
“I’ll miss you too but it’s only for a week. I’ll be back before you know it.” she said.
‘I’m hoping I won’t be here,’ he thought. “I’ll be counting the hours.” he said.
“Would you like some more wine?”
“Please.” he said as she poured the amber liquid into the crystal goblet. He sipped from the glass and then held it to her lips. She drank greedily leaving a ruby red stain on the edge.
“Thank you.” she said as she watched her father make his way towards them.
“It’s time for us to leave, my dear.” Marseilles told her.
“Already.” Chris asked, not missing the smile that broadened on the woman’s face as he tried and succeeded in making his voice sound wanting.
“Can’t we take him with us, Daddy?” she asked petulantly.
“We’ve been all through this, Allycia, he may seem compliant but I believe Mr. Larabee is either a great actor or he thinks we’re fools. I’m not a fool, Larabee, so give up the act. Jake take him back to his room.”
“Yes, Sir.” Simpson said from his perch on the dock. “Let’s go.” he ordered, smiling maliciously at his charge.
Chris got to his feet, wiping the sand from his bare legs. He stepped off the blanket but was stopped by a hand on his arm. He found himself staring into the ice-cold sapphire eyes again.
“For your sake I hope Daddy is wrong, Christopher. If the past few days have been an act you’ll pay for it when I get back.” she said as she relinquished her hold on him.
Chris could feel the anger spread through his body at her threat. At the moment there was nothing he could do about it. His bodyguard was like a shadow except it didn’t just stay with him while the sun was out. This shadow was permanent and never seemed to diminish in stature. He knew if Allycia ordered Simpson to do something the man would do it without question.
“Let’s go.” Simpson said as he grabbed Chris’s arm and shoved him forward.
Chris stumbled but kept his footing in the wet sand. His anger mounted as the feelings of helplessness once again assaulted his mind. He knew he’d have to find a way off the island before the Marseilles family returned. He was a good actor but the cold, calculating woman caused him to want to lash out at her and her father. He would not give into her, not if he could help it.
~~~~~~~~~
“Charles, you are to continue to drug him at night.” Marseilles told his friend.
“Yes, Francois.” Shale said as he removed the needle from the blond man’s arms. He watched as the man struggled with the drug but as always his eyes closed and his features relaxed.
“Jake will be staying as well. I don’t want this man escaping. He is even more dangerous than I first believed.”
“I warned you about him.” Shale said as he closed up his kit.
“I know you did, Charles but he’s the one Allycia wanted. I will return in seven days and for your sake he’d better still be here. Jake.” Marseilles said turning to the large man. “Make sure he doesn’t escape.”
“Yes, Sir.” Simpson said as he held the door for the two men to leave. ‘I’d love for him to try something,’ he thought as he gazed back at the man on the bed. A tiny smile turned his face evil as he thought, ‘Maybe I’ll just give him the chance to try something.
“Any word from the others?” Tanner asked as he rubbed his exhausted eyes.
“Josiah said they were in position but there’s been little movement in the compound. He was surprised to find it was almost an exact replica of the one outside Vegas.” Wilmington said.
“When are they going to make their move?” Jackson asked.
“They’re waiting for the authorities to send more manpower then they’ll take the compound.” Buck told the two men. “Vin, what’s wrong?” Wilmington asked as he noticed the dazed look on the younger man’s face.
Tanner stood up and walk to the TV screen that glowed with the picture of a young woman and an older man. Something in the woman eyes caused him to shudder and he wondered where he’d seen them before.
“Vin, you still with us?” Jackson asked.
“Huh, yeah, guess so.” Tanner said as he shook his head and turned away from the screen and the cold eyes of the woman.
“You looked like you were a million miles away, Pard.” Buck said.
“Do either of you know that woman?” Tanner asked as he pointed at the screen.
“Not me.” Jackson said.
“I don’t but I wouldn’t mind getting to know her.” Wilmington said as he watched the couple on the screen. “Why?”
“There’s something about her that seems familiar.” Tanner told his friends as he continued to stare at the screen.
“An old friend maybe?” Buck asked.
“No, I don’t think so.” Vin said, shaking his head and turning back to the work at hand.
“I’m sure it’ll come to you.” Jackson said.
“Probably.” Tanner said as he once more studied the case files on his desk.
~~~~~~~~~~
Shale examined the man on the bed. Allycia and her father had left three days ago and Shale was amazed that Larabee hadn’t tried anything. He’d almost seemed too docile and that had the doctor worried. He hated what was being done to the man but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. He owed Francois Marseilles too much to think about helping the blond. “Still sore I see.” he said.
“I’m fine.” Larabee answered, his breath coming in hitching gulps as the doctor pressed against his side.
“Now why don’t I believe you.” Shale said as he helped the man sit up.
Chris still felt the lingering effects of the drug Shale gave him each night. The dizziness that possessed his body when he woke seemed to take longer to shake off. He wondered what the man was using and why it would make him feel exhausted at the end of a long nights sleep. “I don’t care what you believe.” he said as he rubbed his eyes.
“I don’t blame you.” Shale said softly. “Breakfast is probably ready by now. Would you like to join me on the terrace?”
“Not hungry.” the blond told him.
“You have to eat, Mr. Larabee, otherwise you’ll become ill.” Shale said.
Chris looked the man in the eyes, anger apparent on his face, “So what do you care?” he asked but didn’t give the man a chance to answer. “Oh, I get it, if I get sick then the bitch will blame you and maybe you’ll have to face some of her attentions.”
“I’m sorry.” Shale said as he turned away. “I have to keep you healthy or she’ll have me killed as well.”
Chris heard the as well and wondered just how many people Allycia and her father had killed. He knew this man would help if he could but was held back by the real fear that he would be killed in Chris’s place. “I’ll come.” he said not wanting to be locked up in the room all day as he’d been since Allycia and her father had left. If he were to have any chance to escape he’d need access to the outside world.
Shale looked back at the man gratefully. “Then let’s go.” he said.
Chris strode to the door as Simpson took up position at his back.
~~~~~~~~~~
Breakfast was on the table as they walked onto the terrace. The morning promised to turn into another beautiful, tropical day but Chris had no interest in it. He ate what was served and drank the coffee, all the while watching for anything he could use to aid his escape. He was shocked when Shale suddenly stood up to leave.
“I’ll be back momentarily.” Shale said as he hurried into the house.
Chris stared at the empty place vacated by the older man. His eyes opened wide as they fell on the tiny cell phone sitting next to the man’s breakfast plate.
Chris made to reach for the cream as he palmed the tiny instrument that he hoped would be his salvation. He knew he wouldn’t have much time to put the instrument to good use before Shale realized it was missing. He poured cream into his coffee and then stood up.
“Where are you going?” Simpson asked.
“It’s personal.”
“Nothing’s going to be personal for you anymore.” Simpson laughed as he followed the blond.
Chris hurried towards the washroom, knowing it was the only place Simpson wouldn’t follow him. He hoped the tiny washroom on the ground floor was not equipped with any surveillance devices. He closed the door and leaned against it quickly pulling the tiny cell from his pocket. He hoped he was within range of the server as he pressed the power on button. He smiled as the screen lit up and he heard the connection go through. He dialed Vin Tanner’s number and prayed for it to ring through.
~~~~~~~~
Tanner reached into his pocket on the second ring. By the third ring the phone was activated and was pressed to his ear. “Tanner.” he said.
~~~~~~
Chris moved away from the door as he heard the third ring.
“Open this door! Now!” Simpson’s angry voice screamed.
Chris heard Tanner’s voice and spoke rapidly. “Paradesia, south of the US. Hurry, Vin.”
~~~~~~~~
“Chris!” Tanner said sharply, garnering the attention of Wilmington and Jackson. The two men watched the younger man’s face as he listened to the panicked voice on the other end of the conversation.
He could hear someone screaming for the door to be opened even as Chris was giving him the information. He heard a loud crash, a cry of pain and then nothing. He let the phone drop away from his ear and looked at the other men. “That was C...Chris.” he stammered.
“Thank God, he’s alive.” Wilmington said.
“Where is he, Vin?” Jackson asked as he watched the young agents face turn pasty white.
“Vin, what is it?” Wilmington asked as he noticed the worried look on his friends face.
“He’s somewhere south of here. Someplace called Paradesia.”
“Is he alright?” Jackson asked.
“I h...heard him cry out. He didn’t have much time and t...the phone went dead.”
“It’s OK, Vin. Chris will be just fine.” Wilmington said, his voice lacking the confidence he wanted to convey.
“No it’s not, Buck. That cry I heard was a cry of pain. Real pain. It’s bad, Buck and I don’t know if he’s alive anymore.”
“Don’t you say that, Vin. You have to believe in him. Now let’s get the others back here and get to work on finding Paradesia.” Wilmington told him.
~~~~~~~~~~
Chris continued to talk into the phone as the door flew open and a large blur tackled him. He felt the crushing weight as he was thrown back against the wall. Ribs that had begun to heal quickly collapsed as he made contact with the tiny vanity. He cried out as the phone flew from his hands to shatter against the floor.
His vision blurred as two huge, meaty hands reached out for him. He tried to fight but couldn’t as the incredible pain made him nauseous. The tiny amount of food he’d eaten sprayed over the hulking giant holding him in his arms.
“You were warned.” the giant said as he dropped the smaller man to the floor. “Get up!”
Chris reached for the edge of the vanity and slowly pulled himself up. Through pain filled eyes he glared at the man before him. “Go to hell.” he said as he swayed unsteadily.
“It’s time you realized that you’re already there.” Simpson said as he pushed the injured man out the door.
Chris cried out as his injured side made contact with the door handle.
“What’s going on here?” Shale said as he saw the pale figure being pushed from the washroom.
“Ask him.” Chris said as he held his arm against his side.
“What’s going on Jake?” Shale asked again.
“He made a phone call.” Simpson said simply.
“What? How?” Shale said as he reached into his pocket for his cell phone. “You idiot, Larabee, do you realize what you’ve done?”
“Don’t care.” the blond said breathlessly.
“You will. Francois ordered you be confined to your room under lock and key if you tried anything.” Shale told him.
“I’m a prisoner anyway. What difference does it make whether I’m locked in the house or have him following me?” Chris said as he was pushed towards the stairs.
“The difference is that now I have to make sure you won’t try to escape again.”
Chris glared at the man. “Just how are you supposed to do that?” he asked, not really sure he wanted to know.
“From now on you’ll be kept sedated.” Shale said as he followed the man up the stairs.
“For how long?” Larabee asked finally realizing the danger he was in. Sedation meant he wouldn’t be thinking clearly and would lose any chance of getting off the island before the Marseilles family returned.
“Until Allycia and her father get back. I hate to think what she will want me to do.”
Chris moved into his room and headed for the bed. He remembered the promise on the woman’s psychotic face as she made her final threat before leaving. ‘For your sake I hope Daddy is wrong, Christopher. If the past few days have been an act you’ll pay for it when I get back.’ He shivered as the remembered words returned to haunt him.
“Let me look at those ribs.” Shale said as his anger dissipated.
“Just leave me alone.” the blond said as he sank onto the bed.
“Look, you’ve done this to yourself, Larabee...”
“How can you say that?” the blond yelled as he came off the bed. “Your lunatic employer and his crazy daughter did this to me, and you helped them! I didn’t ask to be here! I don’t want to be here!” he shouted as he held his arm against the knifing pain in his side.
“I had no choice.” Shale said averting his eyes from the younger man.
“We all have a choice.” Chris told him. “You just chose the wrong one.” he said as he gazed from the doctor to his personal guard.
“I wish I could have went the other way but I can’t change what I’ve done. Now sit down and let me look at those ribs.” Shale ordered.
“I said they’re fine.”
“Do I have to get Jake to hold you down.” the doctor asked.
Chris watched the smile come over the behemoth’s face and knew he didn’t want the man’s hands on him again. “I hate this.” he said as he began pulling the T-shirt from his body.
“I know but there’s nothing I can do.” Shale said as he grasped the edge and helped ease it up over the man’s shoulder and head. “Stay still.” he ordered as he removed the bandage that surrounded the man’s waist and part of his chest.
Chris held his breath as the doctor unwound the bandages.
“Lie back.” Shale ordered as he gently pushed the man into the pillows. He probed the ribs and wasn’t surprised to find not only the original two breaks but another one as well. “Looks like there’s three of them broken now.” he said. “Let’s sit you forward again so I can tape them back up. This is gonna hurt, Son, but at least it’ll be more comfortable.”
Chris sat on the edge of the bed as Shale re-wrapped his ribs. The pain he felt was minor compared to others he’d suffered but it was enough to make him wish Dr. Midland was there with her painkillers.
“All done.” Shale said. “Now lay back.”
Chris relaxed against the softness of the satin pillows. He closed his eyes hoping Shale and Simpson would leave him alone. He heard Shale rummaging through his kit and opened his eyes in alarm. “Don’t.” he pleaded.
Shale made an insignificant move of his head in Simpson’s direction. “I don’t have a choice.” he said as he loaded a syringe.
“Please.” Chris said, hating the thought of being helpless again. He moved to the other side of the bed and tried to get up.
“Stay where you are.” Simpson said angrily as he pushed against the injured ribs.
Chris fell back on the bed and cried out as waves of pain once more erupted in his side. He tried to curl into a ball but felt a strong hand grasp his arm.
Simpson held the arm as Shale swabbed the area for injection.
Chris struggled feebly in an attempt to get away. The drug entered his body and he felt the pain swallowed up by the warmth of the drug.
~~~~~~~~~~
“ I may have something.” JD cried excitedly as he looked up from his computer screen.
“What is it, JD.” Wilmington asked as five men converged on the youngest member of the Firm.
“It’s a tiny privately owned Island southwest of the United States.” JD told them as he showed them a tiny map.
“Owned by who?” Tanner asked.
“Not sure.” JD said. “Looks like a bunch of holding companies and conglomerates.”
“Find out everything you can about it.” Tanner said as his eyes were drawn once more to the TV screen. Once again the eyes belonging to the woman on the screen captured his attention. ‘Who the hell are you?’ he thought.
“Brother Vin, are you alright?” Sanchez asked anxiously, worried that the young man was overdoing things.
“Huh, oh sorry, Josiah, I just can’t help thinking I know that woman.” Tanner said as he turned up the volume on the TV.
***Allycia Marseilles and her father will remain in Billings till Friday when they return home. No one knows exactly where that home is as the family refuses to divulge that information. However, this reporter was given some pictures of where this wealthy family prefers to dine when they visit...” Vin turned the volume down and looked away from the screen.***
“Hey, Vin, that’s you.” Wilmington said as he caught sight of the new picture on the screen.
Vin Tanner turned back to the screen, shocked to see his image sitting three tables from where the young lady in question sat with her father. Suddenly the night the seven men had gone to the restaurant on the screen flooded his mind. “She was there.” he said softly.
“What are you talking about, Vin?” Jackson asked.
“The night we went to celebrate with the girls. She was there at the restaurant.”
“So?” Wilmington asked.
“There was something about her.”
“You were probably just attracted to her beauty.” Wilmington suggested.
“No, Buck, it’s more than that. She was staring at Chris and Mary as they left. I remember thinking how something so beautiful could feel so deadly.”
“She was watching Mr. Larabee and Mrs. Travis?” Standish asked.
“Yeah, she seemed angry at the time.”
“It could be a coincidence, Vin.” Jackson said.
“I don’t think so, Nathan. Something tells me that woman knows where Chris is.”
“Did you catch her name?” Sanchez asked.
“Allycia something or other.” Tanner said as the picture on the screen went black.
“Marseilles.” Standish filled in. “Her father is Francois Marseilles. He’s one of the richest men in the world. He has holdings in just about any country you can name.”
“Does he own any of the companies that own Paradesia?” Wilmington asked Dunne.
“I’ll check, Buck.” Dunne said as he tapped the keys rhythmically.
~~~~~~~~~
“Things went better than expected, Allycia, we can go home tomorrow as soon as I finish my morning meeting.”
“Oh, Daddy, thank you.” the young woman said as she wrapped her arms around her father’s neck.
“Are you missing your young man?”
“Yes, Daddy, I want to get home and make him love me.” she said.
“What if he doesn’t want to admit he loves you?” Marseilles asked.
“Don’t say that, Daddy, he has to love me. We’re meant to be together.”
“I hope your right, my dear.”
“I am.” she said as she moved away from her father. “If he doesn’t admit it Charles can always give him something.”
“We have to be careful with Charles’s drugs. Remember what happened to Roy Gardner?”
“But Roy was weak, Daddy. Christopher is so much stronger. He’ll give you wonderful grandchildren.” she said coyly.
“It would be wonderful to have grandchildren. It’s late and I have an early meeting tomorrow. Why don’t we call it a night?”
“OK, Daddy, I’ll see you in the morning.” the young woman said as she walked into her own bedroom.
~~~~~~~~
“Anything, JD?” Wilmington asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“I’m working on it, Buck. There are so many dummy companies to uncover and it takes time. I don’t want to miss the real owner.”
“Alright, JD.” Wilmington said as he turned back to his own desk.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris had no idea how many times he’d been stuck with a needle. He was allowed to go outside for a few minutes a day. His meals were eaten in his room and as soon as he was finished a needle was stuck into him and he’d lose all sense of reality and fantasy. Nightmare images of a beautiful raven-haired woman invaded his dreams causing him to cry out in anger and fear.
~~~~~~~~~
“Vin, you really should be resting.” Jackson said as he placed new gauze over the young man’s shoulder wound.
“Slept a little, Nate.” Tanner said in a hoarse voice.
“Sure you did. You’re not gonna be in any shape to help Chris if you pass out from lack of sleep. Why don’t you go rest in Chris’s office and we’ll call you as soon as we find out anything.” Jackson suggested.
“Can’t sleep, Nathan, I keep hearing his scream.” the younger man said.
“I can give you something to help you sleep. Nothing too strong just something to help you relax.”
“No, thanks anyway, but I need to be able to focus.”
“Go lie down, Vin.” Jackson ordered and watched as the young man walked tiredly towards Larabee’s office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“We’ll be landing in fifteen minutes, Mr. Marseilles.” the steward informed the older man. “Please fasten your seatbelts.”
“Thank you, Phillip.” Marseilles said. “Well, my dear, are you happy to be home?”
“Yes, Daddy, I’ve missed Christopher.” Allycia said happily.
“I hope he behaved himself.” Marseilles said as he remembered the warning he’d given the man before he left.
“Of course he did. He was really enjoying being with me before we left.”
“I told you it could have been an act.”
“I don’t think so, Daddy.”
“We’ll know shortly.” Marseilles said as the pilot announced they were on final approach.
~~~~~~~~
“I found it.” JD shouted excitedly.
Four men rushed to his side, “What’d you find, JD?” Wilmington asked.
“Found out who owns Paradesia.” Dunne said with a grin.
“Marseilles.” a soft voice said and they turned to see a sluggish Vin Tanner walk towards them
“How’d you know?” JD asked.
“A feeling.” Tanner said as he dialed Travis’s number on his cell. The others watched as the tired man suddenly found his energy returned. They knew by the look on his face that he had a plan and was about to implement it.
“Mr. Travis, we need the jet fueled and ready as soon as possible.” Tanner said into the tiny instrument. “Yes, Sir, we know where he is... No, Sir, not a hundred percent... An island south of here... Yes, Sir, Francois Marseilles owns it... I think it’s more to do with his daughter...No, sir, can’t explain why. It’s just a feeling... We’ll be there.” he said as he hung up. “The jet will be ready by the time we get to the airport. Travis is coming with us. Grab your stuff and lets go get Chris.” Tanner said.
~~~~~~~~~
“Hello, Charles.” Marseilles said as he stepped off the private jet.
“Your back early, Francois.” Shale said. “How was the trip?”
“Very successful.” Marseilles told him.
“Where’s Christopher?” Allycia asked as she joined the two men.
“Sleeping.” Shale said simply.
“Sleeping? But it’s only one pm.” the raven-haired woman said.
“What happened, Charles?” Marseilles asked.
“He got hold of my phone and attempted to make a call.” Shale said and watched the woman’s face light up with fury.
“Did he manage to make any calls?” Marseilles asked furiously.
“I don’t think so. Jake broke down the door before he had a chance to.”
“Damn you, Charles, how could you be so stupid. You knew what this man was like and yet you left your phone where he could get his hands on it. I should kill you for that.” Marseilles said.
“Sometimes I wish you would, Francois. I’m tired of doing the things you and your daughter want.”
“You made you bed, Charles, now you have to lie in it.” Marseilles said.
“That was a long lifetime ago. Why can’t you just let that young man go? For once in your life say no to your daughter. That man never did anything to either of you.” Shale said, remembering the deaths of the other young men Allycia Marseilles had given her unwanted attention too.
“No! Daddy, don’t listen to him.” Allycia cried and wrapped her arms around her father.
“Don’t worry, my dear, I won’t release your young man and Charles is too much of a coward to do anything to help him. We both know my brother won’t do anything to lose his high paying role as our personal physician. Let’s go see your young man.” Marseilles said as he swept her tears away from her face.
‘You’re only my half brother, Francois, and someday I will find the courage to get out from under your influence,’ Shale vowed as he followed his last living relatives towards the house. ‘I’m sorry, Larabee,’ he thought sadly.
PART 1 / PART 2 / PART 3 / PART 5 / PART 6 / PART 7
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