WindSwept Narrows: #5 Sophie Addison Read online

  “Shut up and get over here,” he motioned her closer. “I’ve been on five interviews…all because of you, bitch.”

  “Not…absolutely not my fault,” she shot back quickly, wincing when he grabbed her arm and shook. “Hey…oww…damn it…”

  ****

  “I want visuals, people!” Cassidy shouted into her mic, running full out with three of her people down the corridors and stairs.

  “They’re in Seth’s office, boss…and yeah, he’s got a gun…got her by the arm…far right side of the room…”

  “How the hell did he get on-site?” She shot back angrily.

  ****

  “You know that’s gonna leave a bruise…” Sophie growled.

  “We’re going to find some cash and get out of here before anyone knows I’ve even been here,” he assured her, his fingers tightening on her arm.

  “How’d you get here? You’re wearing a uniform like the construction guys…” Sophie grit her teeth against the pain. “Could you lighten up on the arm? Idiot…this is maintenance, not accounting…no money down here…we operate on pass keys and…and signed authorization forms for payment…no one uses cash these days…”

  “Shut up!” He shook her again, dragging her toward the door. He stuck his head out and pulled her along after him. “Guards just count heads…no one looks at faces…”

  “Yeah, well that’s gonna get fixed…” Cassidy growled, coming to a slow skid and putting her hand up. “I really hate guns…on other people.”

  Mac and Nate paced Mac’s office, listening to the chatter.

  “So where are you dragging me? You think I have money?” Sophie noticed the signs. “I don’t even have my purse…and you’re making me late for my lunch date…”

  “You an’ that kid? Give me a break…you shoulda gone with me…”

  “Sorry…not into the whole Bonnie and Clyde thing…”

  “Stop dragging your feet, damn it!”

  “Yeah…I hate it when she does that…” Nate mumbled, hands dragged through his hair. “Where are they? Damn it…”

  “Putting transmitters into those corridors was my best idea ever,” Mac commented, walking to his console and tapping over the keys. A schematic of the underground corridors appeared on the screen, a tiny blip piping up every second. “Cass…they’re coming your way…”

  “Thanks…”

  “Got pictures, boss…gun’s in his right hand…Sophie’s in his left…forty feet from the corner turn…”

  “So…where we going?” Sophie asked casually. “Let me…dang shoes…” she hopped and bent, taking one heel into each hand. “That’s much better.”

  William Fender was never sure exactly what happened next.

  Sophie used the hook between the heel and sole of her shoe, grabbing his wrist and pulling it down hard to the ground at the same time her right elbow pulled forward slightly only to slam hard into his rib cage. The gun skittered onto the floor and across the concrete as he buckled in half. Both Sophie’s hands joined above his head, bringing them down against the center of his shoulders.

  “Boss…you’re gonna love this tape…” Laughter shot around the security office at the same time Cassidy rounded the corner.

  She immediately stepped onto the gun as Sophie was casually working her heels back onto her feet, her hand in her pocket and phone pulled out.

  “I am so glad we use these things,” Sophie leaned against the wall, easing slowly to the floor, her phone sliding over the concrete.

  “Nate…you might want to come down here…” Cassidy dropped to her heels, raised one palm and checked her pulse. “She’s out cold and she did it so gracefully…”

  Nate and Mac took off at a full run, dodging people as they ran, taking the stairs several at a time and sliding on some of the corners.

  “Make a copy of the whole thing, Carl…the police will need it,” Cassidy had a pair of handcuffs on the silent Fender. “I don’t know where she learned the moves, but she’s good…except for the fainting part.”

  Nate was on his heels, hands framing her face and lifting it slowly. “Sophie?” He lifted her in his arms, following the others to the main area and laying her on the sofa in her office. “You think we should call Anya? I know she’s working on setting things up…”

  Cassidy lifted a bottle of cold water from Sophie’s desk. “Let’s try this first…” She poured a little water in each hand, dabbing gently over Sophie’s face. She was rewarded with a groan.

  “Oh god…I hate when I do that…” Sophie blinked, the five people standing over her slowly coming into view. “Did you get him?”

  “He’s waiting for the cops now…where’d you learn those moves?” Cassidy asked, handing her the bottle and perching on the edge of her desk.

  “I grew up in zoos…father thought it was important to know self defense….and every where we went, people had different ideas on how a girl should defend herself…I had a lot of teachers.” Sophie drained the bottle. “I just…the fainting part…kind of ruins the winning the battle thing at the end, you know?”

  Laughter went around, people grinning and going off to their offices. Nate sat with her awhile longer, shaking his head.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so pissed and scared at the same time,” he told her honestly.

  “Yeah…life’ll do that to you…” Sophie stood up slowly, Nate’s hands instantly on her waist when she swayed. “I think I’m okay…I got tons of work and we have to finish getting your things to the house tonight.”

  “Yeah…move in day,” Nate kissed her, backing away with a slight wave.

  “Tons to do…”

  “Later…”

  Move in day, his mind repeat several times during the afternoon. Usually after he sent a text to Sophie checking to make sure she was alright. He didn’t have much stuff and they finished loading her car and his before five, since he’d gradually been taking things to her place every night the last several weeks. He had signed out and turned in the key card before running lightly to his car, driving the short distance to his new residence.

  Nothing had ever felt so natural before, he thought, parking behind the house at the sliding doors to her quarters.

  Thank you for reading and laughing along with Sophie Addison. You’ll continue the journey with Eve Hastings, the Director for the Child Care Center in the WindSwept Narrows Resort and Casino. I hope you were entertained and thrilled by the romance and fun of the people you’re meeting. Enjoy!