CHAPTER 29
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"Ma'am?" The deep voice behind her had Kagome gasping and whirling around as she clutched a fist to her chest. Franklin gave her an apologetic look and continued, "I received an emergency call just now. My wife has gone into labor and I need to be there. I've already notified the company and they're sending a replacement within the hour. In the interim, Lane will be more than capable of holding down the fort."
He paused, as if knowing that she'd protest, and resumed, "For your safety however, we are requesting that you remain inside from now until Mr. Taisho returns."
Kagome frowned. "But it's only 2pm," she argued. "Nothing is going to happen to me in broad daylight!"
"Still, ma'am," he replied stoically, "I take my job very seriously and I prefer leaving as little room for error as possible."
She huffed in exasperation and stood reluctantly. Glancing down at her dirt covered fingers, she shrugged. A bath would probably be a good idea at the moment and she could catch up on her reading while she was at it.
"Fine," she acquiesced. "Let's go."
"Thank you," Franklin nodded in appreciation of her surrender and they made their way from the gardens to back inside.
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Upon reaching her bedroom, she quickly stripped and stepped into the shower enclosure. Normally she would have taken a long, leisurely bath, but the prospect of impending danger, coupled with the fact that she had strangers in her home, forced her to complete her washing up in record time. Stepping out of the glass area, she wrapped a towel around her soaking body and made her way into the bedroom. Knowing that Inuyasha was returning in just over six hours helped settle her jumpy nerves and she perused the contents of her underwear drawer as she deliberated on what would tease her half-demon the most.
Finally, she settled on a dove grey set - complete with lace and silver threading. The bra cups were edged in the lacy material and while the panties were full coverage in the front, at the back, they tapered to practically nothing. It was the perfect combination of demure and sexy and she was confident that he'd love it. Over that, she pulled on a pair of white shorts and a pink oversized t-shirt, then slipped her feet into fuzzy white slippers. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen, where she found Lane, speaking sharply into a cell phone. She raised an eyebrow at the annoyance in the officer's voice and padded to the fridge, where she removed enough ingredients for sandwiches. With a huff, Lane disconnected the call, then came to join her.
"Problems?" Kagome asked.
Lane sighed harshly and rubbed her eyes. "The damn replacement got lost," she admitted.
Kagome bit back a smile at the disgust in the other woman's voice and slid a plate with a large sandwich on it, along with a large glass of orange juice across to her. Lane's eyes lit up and she murmured her thanks before picking it up and taking a huge bite.
Kagome nibbled a bit more delicately on her meal, and the two ate in silence for a while before she asked, "So how long before he arrives?"
Lane grimaced. "Apparently his GPS wasn't working and he neglected to inform HQ about that. So he headed in the wrong direction. He should be here in about two hours or so." She finished her meal and drink, then stood. "Thanks again for lunch. I'm going to run through some more checks on the house. Although we have the teams outside, I still don't like knowing that it's just us indoors for a while again." Kagome nodded and the officer left the kitchen.
Kagome drained her glass, then cleaned up the dishes and made her way back upstairs to the bedroom with the intention of completing her book. As soon as she sank into the bed however, fatigue washed over her and she curled up on the soft mattress. Closing her eyes, she soon sank into a deep sleep.
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Something soft was brushing against her cheek. Kagome murmured irritably and turned her head, trying to escape the ticklish sensation. A masculine chuckle sounded above her and the tickling was replaced by the feel of lips touching her skin. Kagome smiled sleepily and opened her eyes, anticipating the sight of her fiancé.
Instead of silver hair however, she was greeted with flashing red eyes and a head of black locks. She shrieked and reared back, looking around wildly. Her terrified gaze took in her surroundings and she relaxed slightly as she realized they were still in her bedroom.
"How did you get in here?" she demanded. Her limbs felt curiously heavy and she was unable to move them. "What did you do to me?"
Naraku chuckled darkly. "Did you really think I wouldn't have found out?" he smirked. "Pretending to be dead was extreme, but you made a fatal mistake by letting that dog back into your life." He moved in and whispered in her ear, his hot breath making her shudder in revulsion. "Now, I'll be killing two birds with one stone."
"W-What do you mean?" she stammered.
He stood and stared down at her. "Franklin never had a pregnant wife," he revealed. "He also drugged the pitchers of water and juice in your refrigerator before leaving. The other security guard was never late – he and a few other colleagues made sure and remove that sorry excuse for protection who were patrolling your grounds. Your female guard is also incapacitated. So, it's just you and me."
"But I never did anything to you!" she protested.
"Oh, really?" he sneered. "You feel that you're so pure and innocent and yet you allowed that insignificant half-demon to fuck you, to place a ring on your finger and," he trailed his finger over the scar at her neck, "- to mark you. You whore."
Fire flashed in her eyes as she glared at him. "He's a better man – and demon – than you can ever hope to be," she retorted.
Hatred filled his expression and he raised his hand, a small black object in his palm. "Let's see how good he'll be when he comes home, to find your house in pieces," he snarled. "I've been trying for years to break him….who knew the opportunity would be delivered straight into my hands?" He smiled at her. "And since you're basically paralyzed, then you'll be forced to remain here while the bomb that I planted downstairs detonates."
Kagome felt her throat constrict as she realized that this was the end. She fought back the tears at the triumphant glee on Naraku's face, refusing to give him the added satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"What about Lane?" she choked out, fearing the worst for her guard. "Where is she?"
"Oh her?" he shrugged, lifting his other hand. With horror, Kagome noted the blood on his claws. "I told you she was incapacitated. Permanently so, that is."
Swallowing her sorrow at that needless death of the other woman, Kagome glared at Naraku. "You murderer," she breathed.
He shrugged dismissing her fury. "I've set the bomb to detonate when Inuyasha arrives. I already know his estimated arrival time and I have people monitoring the road to here, As soon as he pulls into the driveway, I'll be notified and he'll get to see the destruction firsthand."
He smiled, then leaned over and brushed his lips over hers.
"Farewell, Kagome."
