Part1:
Alexis Morell Carrington loved yachts.
Well she loved other people's large expensive yachts that chauffeured her around the Caribbean or between jet setting hot spots such as St Barts or Acapulco. She especially loved the fit young ship hands that usually came along with them, and who with a little flirting were more than happy to keep Alexis entertained after her affair with their boss had long since lost its sizzle.
What she didn't like was being stuck on a yacht in a damn dock due some problem with a permit of all things and having to put up with the leering glances of the heavyweight military officials who kept having to come on board for some reason. God why had the USA ever agreed to start handing over control of the canal back to the Panama government, Alexis would never understand it?
What she did understand was that this damn delay might mean she missed the party of the season. It had taken more than a little of her best persuasive tactics to secure her invitation to a certain Hollywood movie star's exclusive private retreat. Isla Taborcillo was a reported paradise and only the crème de la crème of European and American society would be there. So when her newest conquest, a blue blooded Spanish don who had more money than sense thanks to his mining operations in Brazil and Columbia, offered the use of his fifty foot personal yacht to ferry her there in style Alexis could hardly have refused.
Now however Alexis was having second thoughts.
Yes she would have savoured her sister's green face when she turned up in a yacht bigger than Zach Powers, but now she ran the risk of not seeing Cassey whatsoever and Alexis flatly refused to allow her little sister the pleasure of rubbing that fact in her face the next time they bumped into one another.
Her mind made up Alexis jumped up from her sun bed causing the young man who was massaging her feet and shooting her puppy dog eyes to start in surprise.
"Señora…I do…wrong something?"
Waving him aside, Alexis didn't have the time to waste or the slightest inclination to sooth his ruffled feathers….Then again as she took in his toned tanned physique, perhaps she might find a use for him after all. Catching his hand Alexis all but dragged the smiling boy back to her cabin. His smile quickly sliding from his face at Alexis's next command.
"My bags…mis maletas…pack them."
Part 2:
It was a testament to her own determination and just how much she wanted to get to this party that saw Alexis arrive in Panama city late into the evening, having almost lost her lunch and dinner when the light aircraft she had been travelling seemed to bounce up and down in the air like she was on a fairground ride. It was far too late to take a car from the city down to Punta Chame from where you could catch a boat out to the island.
Besides the prospect of arriving at such an exclusive retreat on some fisherman's scow was so far beneath Alexis's sense of dignity not to mention there would be no living with Cassy if Alexis turned up like any old commercial traveller!
It was already dark and Alexis had been travelling for hours and was exhausted. It wasn't she had been able to catch her beauty sleep on the plane. Checking into a hotel was always an option but that simply put off the problem of how to arrive at Isla Taborcillo in style… something to make her sister's jaw drop with shock and jealousy…But also complete with an escort that would manage to make the handsome millionaire Zach Powers seem like a consolation prize.
For any other woman it would have been impossible but then Alexis Morell Carrington wasn't like other women and her little black book was an extensive list of the most handsome and well-connected men in the world. There had to be someone in its pages who could fill that tall order?
Smirking as her eyes fell upon one name in particular, who after that little spat with his father had withdrawn over here to lick his wounds. Alexis strode over to the public telephone booths, fumbling in her purse for what little currency she had bothered to change. It wasn't until moments like this that Alexis ever needed her own money; normally her companion of choice took care of such little details. It had enabled her to invest her funds in far more important things, like her wardrobe!
Finally able to find something that would fit in the phone booth, god knows how long it would give her, Alexis dialled the number, relieved when the private number was picked up an answered. "Ahmed Residence."
"This is Alexis Carrington put me through to Rashid." Alexis never bothered with niceties like please with the hired help.
A moment later a familiar voice caressed her ears. "Alexis! How wonderful to hear from you, what can I do for you my darling? The last time we parted you were off to sail the Caribbean with Don Pedro don't tell me the poor man is a wash up in bed as he is at the roulette table?"
"Well I cannot attest to his gambling skills but he is lacking in other areas!" Alexis snorted, mentally adding the ability to get his paperwork in order being one of them. "Rashid I need your help…I've got this party to go to at Isla Taborcillo tomorrow and I am in need of dashingly handsome escort!"
"And you thought of me?"
"Who else?" Alexis teased. "I am in Panama City at the moment and I know you have a hideaway nearby…"
"And you were hoping I would put you up for the night…well we have to negotiate the rate for board and lodgings my dear Mrs Carrington…" Rashid drawled suggestively.
"I look forward to bartering with you darling." Alexis retorted her playful tone turning panicked as the damn phone started to pip and she didn't have any more change. "Rashid I can take a taxi from the airport but I am somewhat short of local currency…and I need your address."
"Oh don't worry my dear I will settle with the taxi driver when you arrive, we'll just add it on to your bill." Rashid drawled suggestively. "Just have him bring you to the Villa Lucra, San Miguel…."
"Rashid." Alexis called out but it was no use the pips had finished and the line was dead. Still she had the address and Rashid would compensate the driver for any detours needed to find the place.
Signalling to the porter who had been hovering with her luggage Alexis strode confidently out to the waiting taxi line, avoiding by instinct the dangerous looking hawk eyed younger men who immediately began to clamour for her business; approaching instead a short and portly older man who hadn't even glanced up from his paper.
Clearing her throat the old man all but had a heart attack yet he regained himself quickly. "Senora?"
"You speak English?" Alexis asked, her Spanish was tolerable and had improved after a few weeks with Don Pedro, although most of the new words she had learnt weren't really fit for polite conversation.
"Yes yes." The driver answer beaming and revealing a gummy mouth. "English…Queen Elizabeth…"
Curbing revulsion Alexis nodded politely and stepped into the cab after her driver opened the door and hurried to load his trunk with her copious luggage, in the end her small vanity case had to come inside the car with her as there simply wasn't enough room. Giving the driver Rashid's address Alexis finally allowed herself to relax and her mind to wander…imagining just what Rashid had in mind for payment.
Resting her head against the back of the seat she closed her eyes a wicked smile playing about her lips as she gently vibrations of the car and her exhausting schedule finally caught up with her and what Alexis had meant to be a moment to recollect and rest her eyes saw her drifting off to sleep.
Part 3:
The dim lights of the local taverna shone brighter and more welcoming than the bright gaudy lights of Las Vegas. However after days trekking through the thick jungle, afraid to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time for fear his pursuers or even the local wildlife might take a fancy to him, any sign of civilisation no matter how grubby would have been a welcome one.
Right now he needed a drink and something to eat and perhaps if he was lucky a room for the night but it probably didn't even need to be a room, he was so tired a chair or quiet corner would have been enough…although he would feel a damn sight safer resting behind a locked door until he could contact someone and get the hell out of this lawless sink hole.
Any county that could permit the routine capturing of hostages for ransom was not one he wanted to remain in for long…not with those rather angry kidnappers hot on his heels that was.
Still he had time for a drink and hopefully a hot meal…patting his pockets for the loose change that he had on him…he could only hope he had enough for that. God knows how he was going to pay for his transport out of here, and somehow the prospect of walking all the way to Panama didn't really appeal.
Yet if that was what it took he would walk every single step back to the United States rather than give those Columbian extortionists the satisfaction of getting their hands on any of his money.
Part 4:
It was the sudden braking that woke her. The driver having slammed on his brakes for some reason that had Alexis half siding off of the back seat. Having regained her balance before slamming into the back of the drivers seat Alexis retained her grip on her vanity case. Glancing out the window even in the darkness Alexis felt her confusion mounting.
All around her were tall dark looking trees, they were on a bumpy road in the middle of nowhere and squinting at her watch Alexis was aghast to realise four hours had passed since leaving the airport. She should have been at Rashid's hours ago; his villa was close to the airport.
Perhaps it was because she had just woken up but it took a good few moments for the thought to occur to her…She was being kidnapped.
"Where are you taking me?" Alexis screeched startling her driver as she leant forward and smacked him on the shoulder; causing him to swerve dangerously off the road, and come to a stop a hundred yards from some run down shack that probably passed for the social high life in this back of beyond.
"I…."
"Where am I…donde estoy?" Alexis repeated her question in Spanish when it became clear her driver really had no English to speak of, punctuating her question with another smack.
"San Miguel!" The Driver retorted hotly his tolerance for being slapped by his passengers far lower than expected.
"No this can't be San Miguel!" Alexis spat shaking her head as her dark curls bounced emphatically. "You're lying…mentiroso."
However if her driver objected to being slapped he took being called a liar to his face even harder. In fact he was so furious that he got out of the car and stomped round to open the passenger door, reaching inside to take Alexis by the arm and dragging her protesting form from the car.
Screaming out her outrage at being so manhandled Alexis smacked at the old man with her vanity case, yet despite his appearance the old driver was reasonable strong and had her out of the car and dumped at the side of the road.
"How dare you…." Alexis began her anger turning to disgust as her heel sank into something soft and moist sounding. "I demand you take me back to Panama City at once."
Huffing the driver shook his head, mumbling under his breath undoubtedly about crazy foreign ladies who didn't know where they wanted to go. Holding out his hand expectantly the driver rubbed his thumb and finger together. "Two hundred."
"Two hundred!" Alexis screeched.
"Dollar!"
Scoffing in disgust Alexis refused there was no way she was paying this incompetent senile old cretin two cents let alone two hundred dollars that she didn't even have on her.
"Money!"
"No."
Clearly that had been the wrong answer as the driver decided to cut his loses stomping back to his own door and getting back in. Hearing the engine start up Alexis began to panic, she was not about to let some old fool drive off and abandon her in the middle of nowhere…and certainly not with her luggage in the damn trunk!
Yet before she could stop him the old man had thrown the car into reverse, pulling back onto the road, before executing a high speed three point turn and speeding off back in the direction of Panama City without her. Shivering in the dark as the taillights of the car grew further and further away, and with it all hopes of a reunion with her one of a kind couture wardrobe housed inside her three Louis Vuitton suitcases. Alexis only had two options left to her, start walking…or the roadside shack.
Part 5:
He noticed her the moment she entered the bar.
Even if he hadn't been sat with his back to the wall facing the door, so as to keep an eye out for his own pursuers, he would have noticed her entrance. The general hubbub of men complaining in a variety of languages and the clink of glass against wood stopped the moment she entered the room.
She had balls, that was for certain…either that or she was as stupid as she was beautiful?
Still as she swallowed her fear and made her way towards the bar he couldn't help but admire the courage that must take, with every greedy male eye in the room on her, most of which would be less than welcoming.
Women…well decent women didn't exactly enter a place like this, and judging by the fine clothes and expensive jewellery this lady was a lady…or she was incredible successful at not being a lady. Either way it painted a large target on her and he couldn't help but be concerned…damn his heroic tendencies.
He was already half to his feet by the time the first drunken bastard made a grab for her. A few seconds later and his fist was connecting with the man's large face, the force of the blow causing his folded jowls to wobble as he slumped down from his seat to the floor unconscious.
That first victory was brief as several others got to their feet and he was forced to step back to avoid the blows.
His time in the jungle had made him sluggish and too many blows connected, but no one had said he had to fight fair and when down on the ground he used his legs to take the feet out from under a few of them before getting back to his feet and breaking a chair over their backs.
They had the sense to stay down then.
"Anyone else wanna give it a try?" He called out to the room grunting as the other men either retook their seats or avoided his gaze.
"Thank you perhaps you could help me, I…" Her voice was low and warm like honey the English accent most attractive but her thanks would only get them killed.
Right now the others had backed down because he had kicked their arses and because their drink was calling them. Yet given enough time they would whip themselves back into action and he didn't have the strength to take on all comers.
No there was only one way out of this without another beating, win the crowd…
Grabbing the back of her head he threaded his fingers into her hair yanking her mouth up to meet his as the bar patrons applauded their approval by banging their glasses on the table. Pulling her struggling body against his he pushed down the disgust at his own actions as he ran his hand suggestively over her curves.
Breaking for breathe he didn't waste any time, doing his best to ignore the way his ribs ached he lifted the struggling woman, slinging her over his shoulder, hiding his wince as she proceeded to kick and punch him. Catching her ankles he smacked her pert backside in punishment causing the drunks to laugh out loud before turning to the barman.
"Trastienda?"
Snorting the barman nodded over his shoulder and he followed the man's directions, taking his struggling prize out through the back of the bar into what could have been a kitchen or storeroom. Scanning the room he sighed in relief at the back door. Fumbling with the lock and stepping outside the fresh air was a blessed relief after the heat and stench of the bar.
Unloading his burden he winced as the woman used that opportunity to swing her vanity case and smack him hard about the shoulder before making a break for it.
"HELP…." She began to scream and seeing no other option he tackled her to the ground, covering her mouth with his hand.
"Shut up unless you want to kill us both…I am trying to help you….I just saved your life or at the very least stopped you from being raped…Jesus…" He hissed when sharp little teeth bit into the skin of his palm. "Well that's gratitude for you…Lady you had better do exactly as I say or I really will leave you to those dogs in there!"
Her answering glare told him exactly what she thought of that proposal yet having no other choice he hesitantly removed his hand.
"Dear god don't you ever wash your hands they are filthy!"
Of all the things he was expecting she might say that was not one of them and for a moment he could only stare down at the woman trapped beneath him in stunned surprise.
"Are you deaf as well as unhygienic?"
"Sorry Your Highness, next time I will be sure to wash and moisturise my hands before you bite them!" He retorted sarcastically rolling off of her. "Look I don't know what the hell you are doing out here but this is not a place you want to be staying in for long…What the hell are you doing in San Miguel anyway?"
"Not that it is any of your business but a friend of mind has a villa here…or at least I thought it was here." Alexis retorted finally calming down long enough to look at her kidnapper/rescuer.
The accent was American, or at least American sounding. Yet that ratty beard, greasy hair and bodily odour that smelt like he hadn't bathed for weeks were hardly that of a civilised man. Not to mention his breathe when he had forced that kiss on her was hardly minty fresh.
"Sounds to me like someone got their San Miguel and their San Miguelito mixed up!"
"Says the man who can't even find his way to nearest bathroom." Alexis spat her eyes narrowing in disgust. "I only hope you don't have anything contagious!"
"Well if I did now so do you….share and share alike as my dear old mother used to say. Look lady if you have a way out of this place may I suggest you take it now, before Manuel and Juan in there decide I've had you all to myself long enough!"
"Why do you think I entered that dive in the first place?" Alexis scoffed. "My taxi driver abandoned me here…drove off with all my luggage…where ever here really is." She added running her fingers through her hair before a sudden spark of an idea came to her.
"You could take me back…To Panama City…I'd pay you…well I don't have the cash on me but you could have my watch or ring."
"Look Your Highness I don't want your jewellery. I am as much stuck here as you are….although…"
Perhaps she might be of some use, if he could get her back to Panama City or even just further back towards civilisation La Palma wasn't that far away. If she really was supposed to be visiting a friend, then that friend was bound to be wealthy and have connections….connections that could help keep him safe from the very people out for his blood long enough for him to get out of the country.
"Alright I'll help you but you'll have to trust me and stay quiet…this isn't going to be entirely legal."
Frowning at the way he said that Alexis's better judgement warred against trusting this vagabond but then she really didn't have any other option. "I am not going anywhere with a stranger and what do you mean not entirely legal?"
Huffing at her incessant attitude and questions he rolled his eyes snapping back in a provocative tone. "People call me Dex…now tell me do you have much experience hot wiring cars?"
Part 6:
"I don't like this."
Gritting his teeth Dex tried to ignore the repetition, yet if his tag along was deliberately trying to get on his nerves she was succeeding beautifully.
"I said…"
"I heard what you said Your Highness." Dex snapped not caring if he bit her head off, all she was doing was standing their complaining not doing anything productive to help. She wasn't even doing her one job of keeping a look out properly, preferring instead to stand over him asking pointless questions and complaining about how long it was taking.
"Look you have two choices we walk or 'borrow' a car…of perhaps you'd like to head back inside and ask one of those charming gentlemen to give you a lift? So I suppose that would be three choices, it's up to you lady!" He added swearing as he banged his head on the damn steering wheel he was crouched under.
Still as the engine roared to life Dex forgot all about his sore head, letting out a whoop of excitement. "Nurse we have a pulse!"
"Thank goodness." Alexis sniffed making her way around the car and staring at the door expectantly even as Dex slipped behind the wheel, making no move to get the door for her.
"Well get in Your Highness." Dex huffed caving in and leaning across the cab to pop the other door, but that was as far as he was prepared to go, what more did she expect? For him to get out and hold the door open for her, perhaps lay down a red carpet as well?
Biting back her own petty comment Alexis struggled with the heavy door and the step up into the truck, something not exactly easy in a pencil skirt. The amused smirk of her would be rescuer irritating her further and she all but flung her vanity case at him in retribution.
"Jesus lady why are you carrying this thing around?" Dex muttered wincing as the surprisingly heavy case made contact with his already bruised side. "What do you have in here, gold bars?"
"My make up if you must know." Alexis huffed, choosing to omit the fact that along with her makeup there was also a whole tray of expensive jewellery, some of which had been leant to her so she could showcase it at the party….A party that right now it looked like she was going to miss.
"You need that much makeup?" Dex huffed his eyes raking over her features which even in the moonlight he could tell were pretty much flawless, why on earth would she need to trowel makeup on looking like that?
Choosing to ignore that question Alexis instead gazed around the truck, her delicate nose crinkling at the smell and the dust and dirt everywhere. Still since it was her only real option and so she chose to keep any comments about why he chose to steal this particularly old truck instead of any of the others parked outside the taverna to herself.
"Shit!"
The sudden vulgarity surprised Alexis as did the way the truck suddenly accelerated and she had to grip onto the door handle for support. Yet one glance in the wing mirror and Alexis understood the reason. The sight of a somewhat drunken bum waving his fist as he tried to chase them down was all the clue she needed.
"I think we might be getting a little company…."
Part 7:
Dex's grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles were white, yet his iron grip was necessary considering the way the old truck bounced around as it seemed to hit every pothole on the old road as he pushed the engine to its very limits. Even his verbal companion had the good sense to realise that now was not the time to interrupt him with inane comments…although the fact that he had told her to keep her opinions to herself might also have had some impact there.
In fact Alexis had her full lips pressed together tightly as her fingers dug into the edge of the seat and the door handle to try and keep herself from flying into the air at every little bump.
"Damn it." Dex huffed as one glance in the mirror confirmed his suspicion their pursers were catching up with them and Dex could only imagine the fate that would befall both of them if they were caught…and as much as a bitch as his companion was no woman deserved to go through that.
If they were going to get out of here he was going to have to do something drastic.
"Hold on I'm going to try something." Dex barked as the truck barely made a bend in the road and the headlights briefly illuminated a smaller track just up on the right. Reaching out he switched off the headlamps and swerved the car off of the main road and onto the dirt track, driving practically blind in an effort to lose their pursuers.
"Are you insane?" Alexis all but squealed as she bounced up and down like a jack in the box, her posterior sore and probably already bruising from the abuse.
"No and I don't recall you coming up with any other suggestions." Dex grunted as he stepped off the gas a little, squinting at the moonlight that managed to filter through the narrow gap in the trees. It seemed his idea had worked, at least for now as the trucks following them had carried on passed the small turning…Yet considering the way their luck was going that was unlikely to last.
"I distinctly remember a certain person telling me quite rudely to shut up!" Alexis spat back. "So forgive me if I thought I wasn't allowed to contribute ideas." She added testily, unable to contain her sigh of relief when this 'Dex' seemed to slow down a little.
Yet both of their relief was short lived. The sudden glow of headlights in the gloom behind them, even if it was further back than before, showed that they hadn't lost all of their pursers.
"Bloody hell." Dex spat cursing whatever divinity he had offended as he was forced to floor the accelerator and the already juddering truck groaned under the strain.
"For god's sake turn on the headlights before you drive us straight into a tree or something!" Alexis exclaimed, her horror growing as this maniac she had ended up with continued to drive like a maniac into the dark gloom of the jungle.
"I do that and they'll no for sure we are here!" Dex retorted, ignoring the fact that she might have a small point, there was little point of escaping if he was only going to kill them both. Yet as he hurtled around a bend at the last minute the decision about whether or not to turn the headlights back on suddenly became mute as the dense canopy of trees opened up…
Alexis's scream rang out clear and loud as the truck shot out, going to fast to stop and Dex struggled to straighten it out, yet there was no fighting gravity…
The front of the truck shot up into the air as the tyres smacked into the small rail that ran the length of the bridge. For a mocking moment the vehicle seemed poised for flight, and then the back tyres clipped something and the truck span in the air before plummeting like a stone into the river below.
Part 8:
The sudden coldness came as a shock, the darkness and feeling of panic Alexis had somewhat been expecting but for some reason the icy coldness that seemed to freeze her in place came as a shock. Yet as she gasped at the top of the truck's cab where there was a small pocket of air remaining even as the water level continued to rise it didn't take long fear to overcome even the paralysing cold.
Taking a breath Alexis ducked under the water struggling to see in the pitch blackness, feeling with her fingers for the door handle she first found her vanity case, then some floating cloth…cloth that had a limp arm inside…
Oh god what if he was dead….the moments leading up to their descent into the water were all one horrid blur but Alexis could distinctly remember the crack of Dex's head as it collided with the steering wheel.
Panic overwhelming her Alexis couldn't control her breathing, rising back to the rapidly diminishing air pocket she gulped for air before the rising water forced her back under. This time she knew she had to get out here. Finding the door she tried the handle but the damn thing just wouldn't open…then it hit her and she fumbled for the old fashioned wind down window.
The sudden inward rush of water as the last of the air escaped didn't phase her, how the hell she was going to get them both to the surface was far more worrying…
Inwardly screaming in frustration Alexis fumbled around in the dark her hand closing on a wrist, following it along to find a surprisingly toned bicep, then looping her arm around his muscular chest Alexis tugged with all her might surprised at how easily he moved. Squeezing them both out through the window was another matter entirely and for one panicked moment Alexis actually thought they were stuck and they would both drown.
In the end it came down to a choice and as Alexis reluctantly let go using her now free hand to push on the side of the truck, freedom was assured but at a price.
Kicking hard against the current, part of her wanted nothing more than to give up now…she was cold she was tired, the air burned in her lungs screaming at her to breathe…Then relief as she broke the surface, too tired to fight the current she let it take her where it wanted.
It felt like an age but when in fact it was probably only a few minutes later that the brush of foliage against her back made her realise how close she was to the bank. Groping for a branch with her free hand it was all Alexis could do to hang on at first, then using the last of her energy she kicked and crawled onto the low back, dragging her burden with her.
With little ceremony Alexis could only pound at Dex's back, willing the stupid idiot to live if for no other reason than she could yell at him. When that didn't work she turned him onto his back, smoothing back that disgusting beard and covering his lips with her own, breathing into him. The chocked splutter of water, followed by a rattling breathe was the first positive sign and Alexis didn't even care when most of it was spat up over her, she was already soaked to the bone what more could a little water do?
Sinking back beside him in the mud Alexis stared up at the stars twinkling in the sky, they were far brighter here than she could ever remember seeing them. It was like a thousand glittering eyes staring down at her, and with the stars keeping watch over her and Dex's slow but steady rattling breathing beside her Alexis Carrington fell into well-deserved and exhausted sleep.