| The Hitman By Ladybug |
| Chapter 7 Later that evening, Rachel pulled into the driveway of her house, parking the car in the garage and cutting the engine. Hitting the electronic door-opener button to close the garage door, she climbed out and popped the trunk. She gathered up the two large canvas bags that she’d crammed all of her purchases into in order to carry them onto the plane and headed towards the side door. The garage was separate from the house so that when she exited, she was at the back of the house. Rachel suddenly stopped as she looked up at the big, dark house. Her heart began to beat rapidly in her chest as she cursed herself softly. “Rachel, you idiot,” she said aloud to dispel the eerie silence of the late evening. “You forgot to leave a light on.” Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to move forward – keys in hand. There shouldn’t be anything to be afraid of, she told herself silently. Gabriel is gone and Martin is in Atlanta throwing a temper tantrum. So why were her hands shaking all of a sudden and why did she have this eerie sense of foreboding? Her hands were shaking so bad that she had to put the two canvas bags down in order to get the key into the lock of the back door. After several attempts, she finally got the door open and stepped into the kitchen. Reaching off to the left, she flipped the light switch on and the kitchen lit up brightly. She glanced around and after deciding that nothing was going to jump out at her, she turned and picked up her two bags and carried them in, setting them on the kitchen table. Turning towards the dark hallway that led from the kitchen to the rest of the house, she hesitated. “For God’s sakes, Rachel, you are being ridiculous!” she scolded herself softly under her breath. Taking a deep breath and putting on a false front of bravery, she stepped into the dark hallway – flipped on the light switch and proceeded to check the rest of the house. She checked all the locks on the windows and doors, checked each room in the house until she was satisfied that she was still quite alone. By the time she was finished she stood in her bedroom, staring quietly at the large empty bed. Gabriel Still, her thoughts were of him. Of how tenderly he’d touched her, of how gentle he’d been. She could still see them clearly – on the bed – making slow passionate love. He’d brought her to heights she’d never experienced before. Not even with Martin. Not even in the beginning of their marriage when things had been good between them. Her body tingled at the thought of his hands roaming, stroking over every inch of her body as they had several nights before. His mouth and tongue tasting her, creating that tight electrical pull deep inside her that threatened to consume her. She moaned softly, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to dispel the vision. Shaking her head gently, she signed heavily and turned to go retrieve her packages from the kitchen. “Well, isn’t this an interesting sight?” Rachel shrieked at the sudden appearance of her husband before her. Her hands jerked up nervously in a protective stance before her. “Martin!” her hand fluttered up to her throat. “What are you doing here?” She could feel her heart slamming wildly in her chest. “I came home to take care of some unfinished business.” His neatly cut blonde hair was combed and his mustache was trimmed. He looked like the perfect husband, except for the cold, deadly gleam in his blue eyes and the gun in his hand. Rachel took a step back, her eyes widening when she spotted the gun. “What are you going to do, Martin?” She asked, her voice shaking. “What does it look like I’m going to do, Rachel? I am going to take care of what I paid a good amount of money for a professional to take care of, but apparently didn’t. I am going to kill you.” He moved towards her, forcing her back until the backs of her legs hit against the side of the bed. “The police will know you did this, Martin. They will have the cassette.” She tried to reason with him, tried to distract him from his goal of ending her life. Oh God, Gabriel! Why didn’t I listen to you? Martin stopped before her and sneered. “They will never convict me. I’ll have the best lawyers money can buy and I’ll get off on some technicality.” Tears welled up in Rachel’s eyes. His voice was so cold – so filled with hate. When had things changed? When had they stopped loving each other? “What happened to us, Martin? We used to love each other. What did I do to make you hate me, so?” For a moment, his eyes softened. He reached up his left hand and caressed her cheek, wiping a tear away. “I had forgotten how beautiful you were, Rachel.” Rachel wanted to shrink away from his touch, but forced herself to stand still. She needed a distraction, anything to cause him to lower his guard so that she could escape. Suddenly, he leaned forward and kissed her. She closed her eyes and forced herself to return his kiss – even when he forced his tongue into her mouth, she forced herself to pretend she was enjoying it. Slipping her arms around his neck, she moved closer to him. Martin groaned, his arms circling her waist. She could feel the hard metal of the gun pushing against her lower back as he forced her against the length of his body – his erection pressing against the softness of her belly. Hoping that she knew what she was doing, she rubbed herself seductively against him and had to swallow back the bile that threaten to rise up her throat. Martin pressed her back onto the bed - his body moving over hers – he straddled her hips. Reaching for the front of her blouse, he ripped it open sending buttons scattering everywhere. Rachel gasped unable to hide the fear showing in her eyes. Martin’s eyes narrowed in anger. “You little bitch! Are you playing games with me?” He raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face. Rachel felt her head explode as stars danced before her eyes. It was several seconds before she realized that Martin had shoved her bra up and was roughly crushing her breasts with his hands. His fingers bruised her creamy white skin as they pinched and rubbed. “I’ll have you, Rachel. I’ll fuck you good before I put a bullet between your eyes,” he growled as he bent over to take a nipple into his mouth. “No,” she whispered in denial. She couldn’t let him do this to her – wouldn’t let him! He was crushing her down into the mattress and she knew that she’d never get any force behind kneeing him. She had to get him to raise up a bit. Fighting back a repulsive gag, she wiggled her hand between them and cupped his erection through his pants with the palm of her hand. “Let me touch you, Martin.” She heard his sharp intake of breath as he groaned softly. Automatically, he raised his hips without thought to give her more room to stroke him. “Undo my pants,” he whispered breathlessly. “I want to feel your hands wrapped around me.” He was breathing heavily into her ear, raising himself a bit higher as she fumbled around with his pants all the while positioning her knee in just the right spot. She wanted him completely delirious so that he wouldn’t suspect her true intent. She slipped her hand inside his briefs and closed her fingers around his engorged member, receiving a sharp hiss as the air escaped between his clenched teeth. She stroked him several more times and knew it was time to make her move when his hands began to move down to slide up her skirt. Martin grunted and felt the air suck out of his lungs as an excruciating pain exploded in his loins. He rolled off Rachel and moaned as he doubled over on the bed next to her. Rachel rolled in the opposite direction and landed on her feet. Without a second thought, she was out the bedroom door and running down the hall. She had just made it to the front door when she heard a crash and loud cursing coming from the bedroom. Her breath coming in sharp gasps and her heart pounding wildly, she fumbled with the locks and nearly screamed out her frustration when they didn’t want to cooperate. Finally, she wrenched the door open and rushed outside. The warm night air was rather balmy and only served to irritate her more. Not sure where to go, she ran out into the middle of the street and turned just in time to see a pair of headlights rushing at her. She screamed as the truck skidded to a halt. “Rachel!” She heard a familiar voice. “Gabriel!” She cried out and rushed into his arms. “Easy, piccola.” His hand came up to stroke her hair. “I’m so-so sorry, Gabriel. You-you were right!” “Rachel, what has happened, cara mia?” His hands framed her face and forced her to look up at him. “It’s Martin. He’s in the house and he has a gun.” Gabriel touched her bruised cheek gently with his fingers. “That son of a bitch,” he hissed. “He did this?” Rachel only nodded as he drew her into the warmth of his arms; her body was shaking violently against his. Anger stirred deep within him. Martin Stone was going to pay dearly. Gabriel saw movement out of the corner of his eye. His head turned just in time to see Martin staggering out of the house with his gun raised. He pushed Rachel down to the asphalt as a bullet whizzed by them. Rachel screamed. “Get in the truck.” He whispered roughly and pushed her towards the passenger door as another bullet struck the truck just above his head. “Son of a bitch!” He growled as he looked at the bullet hole in the frame. Gabriel looked up in time to see Martin bending over and puking into the bushes. He used the opportunity to climb into the cab of the truck and get them the hell out of there. Throwing it into drive, he slammed his foot against the gas pedal and his tires squealed loudly as they sped away. Glancing into the rearview mirror, Gabriel saw Martin stumble into the street and fire off a couple more rounds, but they were too far away now. He made a couple of quick turns and after a few minutes; he pulled into a parking lot and parked the truck. Turning the engine off, he turned to Rachel. “Are you all right, bellezza?” he asked softly. For the first time he noticed that her blouse was hanging open. He frowned as his fingers slipped underneath her chin and turned her to look at him. “Talk to me, Rachel.” She was lost in the warmth of his gaze – in the gentle touch of his fingers on her face. Tears burned her eyes as her bottom lip trembled. “He was going to rape me.” For a long moment, Gabriel couldn’t breathe. The rage that swept through him at that moment stole his breath. “I’ll kill him.” He hadn’t even realized he’d spoken aloud until he felt Rachel squeezing his arm, fear in her eyes. “No, Gabriel!” His dark eyes blazed angrily at her. “Please,” she whispered. Gabriel had to stamp down the fury that was blowing around wildly inside him. He turned his whole body towards her and reached out to gather her in his arms. Rachel pressed her face into his chest and began to cry. He held her for a long time, stroking her hair, comforting her. He couldn’t let himself think of what could have happened if he hadn’t arrived when he did. He couldn’t let himself think of Martin Stone touching her – hurting her. If he let himself think too much, he’d go berserk. Finally, after she had quieted he lifted her chin again to look at her face. “Come on,” he said quietly. “Let’s go inside.” Rachel looked around for the first time. “Where are we?” “My apartment,” he answered and opened the driver side door. He slid out and offered his hand to help Rachel out. She took it and slid across the seat. Lacing his fingers through hers, he led her to his apartment door. Unlocking it, he led her inside, flipped on a light, then closed the door and locked it. “You have an apartment?” She turned to give him a curious look, then turned back to glance around the barely furnished living room. Conscientious of her blouse hanging open, she held it together tightly with clenched fists. Noticing the action, Gabriel moved off towards a room and disappeared for a moment. He reappeared moments later with one of his shirts. “I needed to be close to you and unfortunately there are no motels in this neighborhood. Here, put this on.” He handed her the shirt. “Thank you,” she replied softly. She pushed her useless blouse from her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground then she slipped his shirt on. Immediately, Rachel felt herself relax, she closed her eyes as her fingers worked the buttons. She could smell him on the shirt and it comforted her – making her feel as if he held her safe in his arms. She jumped when she felt his touch on her arm. “Let me roll up the sleeves for you,” he offered when her gaze shot up to meet his. She glanced down at the cuffs that hung down past her hands – effectively swallowing her up. She gave him a small smile and nodded – holding up one arm then the other as he rolled the sleeves back just past her wrists. Gabriel desperately held himself in check. He wanted to gather her up and carry her to bed, but he knew that with Stone’s rape attempt, a move like that from him might not be welcomed. “I thought you left town,” she finally whispered. “I tried,” he answered as he turned and walked towards the kitchen. He couldn’t stand the haunted look in her eyes – it tore at him – making him feel guilty for not having been there sooner to stop Stone from touching her. He returned from the kitchen a few moments later with a drink in his hands. “Here, drink this.” “What is it?” she asked as she took the shot glass of dark liquid from him. “Whiskey.” Rachel felt it burned all the way down her throat and when she’d finally stopped coughing long enough to draw in a breath, she caught him smiling at her. “What?” Her eyes were watery and she had to clear her throat several times. Gabriel just shook his head and directed her to the couch. “Sit down before you fall on your face.” Rachel sighed as she settled onto the couch. “Prince Charming you are not, however-” she gazed up at him with an unreadable look. “You have managed to become my knight in shining armor and-” She broke off as tears clogged her throat. Gabriel groaned loudly as he sat down beside her and gathered her once more in his arms. “Shshsh, non cry prego, l' innamorata.” (Please don’t cry, sweetheart) Rachel buried her face against his chest even as he buried his in the thickness of her hair and they clung to each other. “You came back for me,” her whispered words were muffled by his shirt as she pressed closer too him. His arms tightened more around her as he tried to inhale the scent of her – her very essence into his lungs. “I never left you, dolcezza. I was with you the entire time.” “What?” Rachel lifted her head and looked up into his handsome face. “What do you mean?” He caressed her bruised cheek gently with his fingers as his gaze wandered lovingly over her face as if memorizing every feature. “I mean, that I followed you to Atlanta. You were never out of my sight except when you went into Stone Enterprises and when you left the airport to come home.” He sighed as guilt washed over him. He should have been there to protect her from Stone. He should have gotten there sooner, but instead she’d been forced to defend herself and escape on her own while he’d been screwing around trying to find the fastest way out to the long-term parking lot where he’d left his truck. “Perdóneme, bella. I should have been there sooner to help you. I’m no knight in shining armor, Rachel. A knight would have rescued you before you had to defend yourself, not after.” Rachel could see the regret and guilt in his eyes. “Oh Gabriel,” she whispered, her fingers coming up to stroke feather light across his bearded chin. “The point is you came. You came for me and you did rescue me!” He desperately wanted to kiss her. He wanted it so bad, he could almost taste her, but he was afraid she’d turn away. Gabriel considered himself a strong man – able to handle any task given too him, but this beautiful woman in his arms turned him inside out and he was afraid that if she rejected him – if he saw revulsion and disgust in her eyes because of what he was – because of the things he’d done, he knew he would not be able to handle it. Knowing he needed to get his mind off of kissing her, he decided to distract himself with anger by asking her what happened. “Tell me what happened.” He blinked in surprise when Rachel seemed to hang her head down in shame. Her fingers played with a button on the shirt he was wearing and she refused to look up at him. “Rachel-” She jumped startled at the sound of his voice so close to her ear. “What are you afraid of, cara mia?” “Of what you will think of me when you learn what I did to escape him.” He barely heard her whispered words. His eyes widened in surprise then followed with a soft string of curses in Italian. “Look at me, dolcezza.” He waited for her to comply. After what seemed an eternity, she lifted her head slowly and her eyes met his. “I’m a hitman, Rachel, a hired killer. Of all people, I understand what you had to do in order to escape. If anyone here should feel guilt and shame, it is I.” Rachel started to shake her head in denial, but he stopped her. “I love you, Rachel and I have no right to. You are everything that is good. You are kind and giving and I have nothing but the blood of the men I have killed on my hands. I don’t know how you can even stand to have me touch you!” His voice was gruff with disgust at himself and the whole situation he found himself in. Unable to sit still any longer, he pushed himself to his feet, but before he could take a step, Rachel was on her feet grabbing his arm. “Stop it!” she snapped at him as she jerked him around to face her. “Just stop it! I admit that I have been having trouble coming to grips with your profession, but it hasn’t stopped me from following my heart. I tried to deny it, Gabriel, I tried to push you away, but I can’t deny how I feel. I love you. I love you so much, that I hurt knowing that I wouldn’t ever see you again!” Gabriel was stunned. He could only stand there and stare at her blankly. His heart pounded wildly in his chest as he warily allowed himself to hope that there might be a chance for them. “What are you suggesting, Rachel?” he breathed the question in a combination of fear and excitement. “I’m not sure,” she responded softly. “It all depends on you.” “I already told you that I was planning to give that way of life up. That this last hit that I accepted was my last,” he snorted softly. “And I couldn’t even do that right.” Rachel stepped forward to press herself against his hard body. “Make love to me, Gabriel. Please,” she whispered it against his lips. “I need you – I need to feel you. I need you to take away the memory of Martin’s touch.” Gabriel groaned as he suddenly crushed her against him and claimed her mouth in a scorching kiss. His fury at what Stone had done to her caused him to be a little rougher with her than he’d intended, but she didn’t seem to mind. She seemed to be encouraging him with her soft sighs and knee-melting groans. His hands roamed fast and furious all over her body. It was as if he couldn’t touch her enough. Neither of them remembered unbuttoning the shirt she wore, but suddenly it was open and his mouth was tracing the upper swell of her breasts. His hands pushed the shirt off her shoulders along with the bra straps. Rachel fought to get her arms free of the straps as his head bent down to capture a peaked nipple between his teeth. Ever so gently he nibbled on the rosy-colored nub then he shocked a gasp out of her when he sucked it in so deep and hard that she nearly climaxed from the intensity of the current that shot from her breast to the ache between her legs. She fumbled with the belt at his waist and after several attempts she managed to get it undone. Unbuttoning his jeans, she slid them down over his hips along with his boxers. Gabriel groaned as his hands slid down her thighs to move up under her skirt. One hand glided over her derriere while the other slipped between her legs to find the heated treasure just the other side of her panties. His breath froze in his lungs, nearly forgetting to breathe when he felt her fingers wrap around his hard length. He groaned again, his hips jutting forward of their on volition. His fingers slipped the scrap of silk to one side and he slid one finger past the twin petals into her moist chamber. “Gabriel!” Her body clamped down hard on his finger. Neither one of them had been prepared for such a swift intense reaction. She thought she heard him swearing softly in Italian, but it was lost the moment he pressed her down onto the couch. His hands gripped her waist, dragging her to the edge as he knelt down between her legs. Pushing the skirt up around her waist, he once again swept the scrap of silk covering her hidden treasure to one side. Unable to wait a moment longer, he drove his hips forward and entered her in a single thrust. Rachel cried out. Her body already wound up as tight as it could go, exploded on his first thrust. Gripping her hips in his large hands, his dark gaze was frozen where they were joined together. He watched as if mesmerized by the act of their joining. His breathing came out in sharp gasps as his hips pounded into her – faster and faster until for a brief moment he felt suspended in mid-air and then he was falling. When he finally opened his eyes several minutes later, he found himself draped over Rachel; his head lie comfortably between her breasts. Her arms were circled around him, stroking his hair – his back. He blew lightly over the nipple that was inches from his mouth and felt her shiver beneath him. “For the first time in my life, I feel there may be hope for me, Rachel.” Her arms tightened around him and he felt the brush of her lips against the top of his head. “I feel as if I have a purpose now.” Slowly he lifted his head and looked up at her. “Do you think it possible for us to be a family, Rachel? You, Abigail and me?” She smiled lovingly at him, her fingers caressing his cheek. “Anything is possible, Gabriel. Anything is possible.” His dark gaze held hers a moment longer, then he gently eased out of her. Tenderly he rearranged her skirt and then he pulled up his boxers and jeans from around his knees. Rising from the couch and holding out his hand to her, he helped her to stand. “Come, I wish to spend the rest of the night making love to you.” And led her back to his bedroom. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Hitman - Chapter 8 |