Harry pulled the car up, the crunching gravel stopping, making everything deadly silent. He knew Adam was following and before he got there Harry reached across for Ruth and kissed her. She was slightly surprised but after a moment gave herself up to his touch. It wasn't about passion or want, it was about safety and reassurance. Adam pulled up next to them and Ruth reluctantly left his soft touch, the echo of feeling still on her lips. Adam knocked on Harry's window and they both got out of the car, but not before he reached into the glove compartment and made sure his hand gun was loaded, tucking it in his jacket.
"I want you to stay out here," Harry said to Adam. "If you hear anything like shots, I want you to call reinforcements and then follow us, in that order."
"But…" Adam looked between Ruth and Harry as their body language made it clear that she was going to follow Harry, and would until the ends of the earth.
"Before you say she isn't a field agent, I agree with you," Harry said. "But she's also my wife. And she won't be stopped. Reason doesn't seem to enter her mind."
"We don't have time for this," Ruth said, gripping Harry's arm tightly.
"That I agree with," Adam said. He leaned against his car, watching Harry and Ruth approach the building with wariness. About ten paces from the door Harry's phone rang.
"You came with company," Victor said icily.
"Just to make sure you keep your word," Harry replied, his fingers lacing with Ruth's as the sunlight disappeared into the dark confines of the hallway.
"One of my guards is watching that blonde man by the car, and if he makes a move to call anyone, I will not hesitate in shooting the beautiful blonde currently with me. And the very sweet blue eyed baby boy too."
"He won't," Harry said, gripping Ruth's hand even tighter. They approached a door which had two body guards outside who didn't move an inch when they saw them. "Are you going to let me in?"
"Tell me who is the charming brunette?" Victor asked. "What are you taking Harry? Beautiful women seem drawn to you for some reason."
"Let us in and I'll tell you," Harry said. He waited and clearly the guards had been given a signal because one of them opened the door (reinforced steel Harry was disappointed to see) and they were ushered inside.
"So, who is she?" Victor asked, as their eyes were adjusting to the dim light. Ruth looked around and could see Rose gripping Jamie tightly, who amazingly looked asleep. Apart from them, there was only one guard in the room, who was however holding a very large gun.
"Someone's been giving you incorrect information," Harry said after he'd seen Jamie's hand curl into a fist in his sleep. He was still alive, that much was a relief to him. "The charming brunette, as you call her is my wife." Rose was watching them intently, her eyes going from Harry to Ruth to Victor West in quick succession and then back again. "Rose isn't wearing a wedding ring, was that not a clue?"
"Yet you still came," Victor said once this had sunk in. "Why bother if I was wrong?" Everyone's eyes were drawn to the sleeping child who was nuzzling into his mothers chest.
"Ah, so I wasn't completely wrong," Victor said with a smile. "Blimey Harry Pearce, you do get through them don't you."
"Give Jamie to me and you'll get your triscadecal-propylene," Harry said.
"And lose my biggest bargaining chip?" Victor said. "I don't think so. Give me the propylene." The room was crackling with so much tension that it was as if no one was even breathing.
"Let them go." Everyone turned surprised as it was Ruth who had spoken in a quiet voice.
"Let them go and take me instead."
"No," Harry said instantly, incapable of refraining. His arms tightened around Ruth's waist unwilling or unable to let her go. "You can't do this," he whispered.
"I can," she said, her eyes boring into his. "What has that little six week old beautiful boy ever done wrong? Take me instead," Ruth said to Victor West. The man looked between both women and the baby, seeming to try and make up his mind between them.
I hadn't expected it to take this twist but anyway... I know I'm mean for leaving it there but the rest isn't written yet! Please leave a review as I am typing away as quick as possible. xxx
