Chapter Four

From the kitchen, Lisa could hear Jackson arguing with Rupert about the newly formed plan. Lisa was surprised at the fact that he had left her alone with her father in the living room. Maybe he thought she was too scared to take a chance at running from him, or maybe it was just a careless mistake.

She stroked her father's sore face. How could someone inflict so much pain on another? He didn't deserve this, and it was only happening to him because of her. No, I won't let this happen to him any longer... she thought. Then she moved behind her father where she could work with the rope that tied him to the chair. Still keeping an ear on Jackson's still angry voice.

"What are you doing, Lisa?" Joe tried to turn his head to see her but couldn't."You're going to get yourself hurt."

"Sssh, Dad. I won't let them hurt you again."She never looked up from her fingers."They only need me."

"I'm not going anywhere without you."His whisper sounded demanding, but the look in his eyes showed him pleading.

The knot came loose, and Lisa tossed the rope to the floor. Joe took her in his embrace, then started for the window, clenching his daughters hand, never wanting to let go.

"I can't go, they'll just keep coming after us."She stood her ground, not letting him move her.

"Lisa, this is not the time for this." He let go of her hand and opened the window. The window made very little noise, but Joe tried his best to muffle what noise it did make.

"Dad, just go."She helped push out the screen. All she cared about, was that her father made it out.

"I don't think so..."The raspy voice of Jackson warned. Lisa turned to him. His face was inches from hers. Suddenly, she found herself unable to breathe, her hands shaky, her head spinning. How did I not hear him come in?

Joe pulled his daughter behind him. Using his body to shield her from Jackson. Jackson smilled, and threw a fist at Joe's face, knocking him to the floor. Lisa screamed, and ran for Jackson, her fists flying. He was ready for her, and restrained her wrists, criss-crossing them in front of her chest, forcing her back against his chest.

"You monster!"She screamed, struggling to get free."I hate you!"

"I could guess that much..."He scoffed at her, leaning in closer than he already was. Joe stood up, and lunged at Jackson, only to be landed back on the ground as Jackson dodged his body. Rupert showed in the door way then, hearing the racket all the way in the kitchen. Quickly, he threw Joe back in the chair, picking the discarded rope off the floor boards.

"Let him go! You don't need him!"She cried out."He's not part of the plan!"

"In a way he is, Leese..."Jackson informed harshly."Would you really go through this plan if it was just your life on the line?"

Pain shot through her body, as the dagger of truth pierced her. Her gaze focused on her father, who was asking her with his eyes to stop fighting, to stop making it harder, and more painful on herself. The other two hitman watched from the door.

"That's what I thought..."Jackson gave out a small, half-sigh, half-laugh."Why do you keep fighting me then? You should know better than anyone here...that I always get what I want."

The room seemed to disappear, taking everyone but Jackson and her with it. A cold, sick realization, overtook Lisa's mind. She could never get away from this nightmare. Jackson had his claws in her, and was not letting go. There was no escaping from this, cruel, heartless man. And until she did what he wanted, he would punish her, cause pain to her, then when he was done with her, he would simply discard her like she was nothing. It was useless to run or try to hide.

Then she was brought back to reality, where everyone stared at her and Jackson. He had been saying something, and she had not heard. Not cared to hear what more cruel remarks he had for her.

"Leese?"Jackson's voice was irritated, he hated to be ignored. Lisa did it all too well."Did you hear me?"

"I-I...didn't."Her voice was just loud enough for Jackson to hear, no one else. And he did not like the answer he had been given. Turning her violently and quickly around, he shoved her onto the couch, pinning her with his body. Lisa let out a small shreik of pain. Jackson started whispering in her ear, so only she could hear.

Impatiently he said, "Stop doing this to yourself Lisa, there are too many lives at stake. Just do what I say, and I might reconsider what I plan on doing to you..."Lisa tried to look at him but could not turn her head toward him. He was too close, his cheek touching hers. Fear made her unable to breathe.

"What the hell is that suppose to mean!"She snapped back."You don't give a damn what happens to me! All you care about is your own hide!"

Jackson was tired of dealling with Lisa. He had given her so many chances. Each time she took advantage of him. A pain in his heart forced him to look at her, straight in the eye. Lisa...why do you make me feel this way? He then, got up off of her, motioning his head to the doorway. Lisa sat there, stunned, wondering what he meant. She could see a pained, betrayed look in his eyes.

"Lisa, get out."He could not look at her."Before I change my mind."

"Jackson! What the hell are you doing?!"Rupert walked over to Jackson, demanding for a reason.

"Untie her dad, and we will be leaving for the Lux Atlantic."Jackson stared Rupert in the eye, showing no emotion."This job will be done, just not with her."

"Are you out of your mind! This isn't your decision to make-!"Jackson cut Rupert off, signalling with his hand to stop.

"Don't question me...i'm still your boss, and it would be foolish of you to believe otherwise."Jackson unsheathed his knife from under his jacket, and brought it up to Rupert's worried face. Then walked over and cut the rope bonding Joe to the chair. "Now, let's get out of here."

Lisa still sat frozen on the couch, confused at what Jackson was doing. He had tried to hurt her, and wanted to kill her. Now that he had her, why was he walking away?

She stood as Jackson headed for the door, running to him, blocking his path. Saying nothing at all, just giving him a questioning look. Jackson took her by the arms, forcing her against the door frame. Not looking her in the face.

"Don't you have somewhere to go..."He kept two clenched fists on her."...or maybe even some wounds to go tend to?"He said, forcing his head in the direction of Joe, who was watching them with terrified eyes.

"W-Why?"She was afraid of his sudden change in behavior. Joe wanted to help his daughter, but Rupert shot him a glare. He had been standing behind Jackson, along with the other two hitmen.

"I ask the questions."With that, Jackson let go of her and walked out of the house. Leaving a confused Lisa behind. She doesn't get it...

In the small bathroom upstairs, Lisa cared for her fathers wounds on his face with a small, wet wash cloth. Every so often, Joe let out a small whimper from the stinging of his fresh cuts. It was silent, and for a long time neither Lisa or Joe talked. Her thoughts were coming and going non-stop. Why did he just leave, and let me go. I know his whole plan, and I am going to warn Adam. He has to know that...

"Lisa? Are you ok?"Joe put his hand under her chin.

"I'm fine, just a little confused. That's it."She assured him, all though she felt more than confussion."I should call Adam."

She set the wet cloth in the sink. A little dazed, she walked downstairs, to where the phone was. Lightly placing the phone up to her ear after dialling. The phone rang twice, and a calm voice answered from the other line.

"Hello?" Hawk answered

"Hi, it's Lisa."She said, her voice normal.

"Lisa, hi. You still plan on being part of the operation, right?"His voice changed from calm to a little worried.

"No, it's a trap...and you may be in grave danger."She looked out the window, clouds covered the sun, and rain poured down hard. Ever since Jackson had left, she couldn't stop thinking about him.

Jackson pulled the black BMW into the parking lot of the Lux Atlantic. He knew very well that Lisa most likely had already warned the detective, but he didn't care, he was going to finish this job no matter what.

"Jack, how do you plan on pulling this off?"Rupert asked. It was now only him and Jackson. They had sent the other two hitmen home.

"Well, I guess we will just see what happens...He replied, opening the door and stepping out into the rain. Nightfall had come an hour ago.

They seperated, Rupert was to take the front entrance, while Jackson would find a way in through the back. A few minutes later, after being soaked by the rain, Jackson found the back entrance. He picked at the lock till it finally gave way. Pushing the door opened, he was surprised to find no one waiting for him. He had been sure that the cops would be ready and take him down at the first chance.

Sneaking in to the lobby, he spotted her. He saw Lisa talking to Adam Hawk. Adam was holding her hands in his, and a sudden jealousy took over. It took Jackson by surprise, he wanted Lisa, but did not realize how much he truly cared about her being touched by another man.

Lisa seemed worried, from the look on her face. And then, Adam left, headed out of the hotel. What in the world do they plan on doing? Did you even tell him, Leese? He thought, but pushed it away, knowing there was some sort of trap awaiting him.

Wanting to move a little closer, Jackson walked over to a bench, hidden by a plant on each side. On his way to the bench, he had grabbed a newspaper from a lobby table, so he could hide himself with its pages.

His stare was focused on Lisa, she was headed to a small bar that was near his bench. When she got there, he watched her order, what he guessed, a sea breeze. Since he had only seen her order that during the two months he had followed her. Except the one time she tried to lie to him and had ordered a bay breeze just before they had boarded the plane in Dallas.

She looked anxious, and nervous. Shifting in her seat, it made Jackson think she was part of the plan. What you so worried about, Leese? Afraid you might see me again? He chuckled to himself.

From across the lobby, Jackson spotted Rupert. He had his head hung low, and watching everyone in the hotel. Then Adam came back in, joining Lisa at the bar. Jackson tried to read their faces, to see what they could be saying. It looked to him like he was trying to give a pep talk to Lisa.

Another ten minutes passed by, and Rupert was waiting impatiently for Jackson to give the signal.

Finished with her drink, Lisa and Adam headed towards the elevator. He got up from his seat and signaled to Rupert, who slipped into the stairwell. Jackson followed behind the two, watching them chat. Till they got to the elevator, he waited behind a wall, until they got on it and left the lobby. His job was to make sure they never got back to the bottom floor, till the plan had been executed.

"This is the floor, Lisa. We will go to the room, according to plan, and then see what happens from there."Hawk said, sounding professional.

"Ok, what happens if things don't...go according to plan?"Lisa was very nervous and shaky.

The elevator stopped and the door's began to open. Adam looked at Lisa, locking her gaze with his.

"Then, I guess we hope for the best."He could not lie, he wasn't sure what was going to happen. Or even if Jackson would show up for that matter, he was relying on Lisa's word. Though he trusted her with his life, she had never lied to him. Earlier, she had agreed to have dinner with him if they successfully made it through the plan. Little did he know, he might never get the chance again to spend time with Lisa, who he so desperately wanted to know more about.

Adam turned back to the opened elevator door and stepped out, Lisa just a little behind.

The muffeled cough of a silenced gun sounded from the hall. Adam fell backwards into Lisa's arms, sending them both back into the elevator. Lisa held her hand on Adam's forehead, trying to calm him, even though she felt she needed the calming hand. She quickly reached for the elevator keypad in an attempt to close the doors. Her hand was snatched away by Rupert's rough, coarse hands.

"I would watch your back, girl."He put his other hand on the elevator door, stopping it from closing."You're lucky dear old Jack cares about you too much to let any harm come your way. Unfortunately, I've been ordered not to touch you. Too bad." He patted the side of her cheek.

Her mind dimmed with fear at the touch of his hand, as memories of her rape two years before invaded her mind. She moved her head away and struggled to free her hand from his grasp, still holding Adam in her lap. Rupert finally let go, looking at Adam's mortally wounded body.

"Maybe another time we can get together."He smirked, then ran out into the stairwell, holding his phone up to his ear. She couldn't catch what he was saying, but had a sick feeling he was talking to Jackson.

She tried to watch him, but her vision was blocked by the closing elevator doors. Adam fought for life a little longer, holding his hand over the deep wound in the middle of his chest. Lisa took his other hand from the floor, holding it in hers.

"Come on, Adam. Stay with me."She cried."Don't die on me. I won't let you."

Adam could not talk, blood flowed from the corners of his mouth, along with tears. Her heart pounded, and her breathing quickened. She tried hard not to cry for the fallen detective, tried to keep herself together. Blood soaked her clothes, and her eyes stung from trying to hold back tears. A blanket of guilt choked her. It's because of me that he is dying. I could have done something to stop Jack, when we were on that plane. I could have yelled to get someone's attention, or anything. But I didn't. Why didn't I just do something? None of this would be happening if it weren't for me...

Ok, this chapter was a challenge for me and I hope that you enjoy it. Poor Adam, will he die before it is too late? Guess you will just have to wait and see. Thanks for the reviews again and I hope to get chapter five up as soon as possible.