Chapter Three

"Boss, we just got word that the plane landed. The Drew woman should be here within the hour."

Taking a sip of his bourbon, the boss glanced out into the darkness, his smile chilling in the reflection of the window. Excitement coursed through his body like an electrical charge, starting from his feet and tingling all the way to his head. He felt as if he was a child on Christmas morning, about to receive the one gift he'd been wishing for all year.

Three years had been too long to wait for this moment. Three years of sitting in a prison, just waiting for the day he could finally have his revenge. Three years of careful planning and longing.

It was hard for him to believe that in an hour, he would finally have her in his grasp. "Welcome to the parlor," said the spider to the fly.

"Thank you," the boss said, dismissing the other man. "Let me know when they arrive at the main gate."

"Yes, sir."

The boss turned and watched as the other man left the room, leaving him alone to finish his drink. Walking over to his desk, he picked up a surveillance photo showing Nancy smiling brightly, oblivious to the fact that anyone is watching her. He traced a finger along her face, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Are you ready for me, Nancy?" he murmured. "I'm ready for you."

"Wake up, Miss Drew."

Nancy jerked awake at the sound of Max's voice, blinking rapidly as a wave of confusion hit her. It took a moment for her to realize she was still on the plane and another full moment to notice they were no longer flying. Glancing out the window, she saw that it was pitch black outside with only a few lights here and there dotting the runway. She felt a slight twinge of disappointment when she didn't see anyone outside, except a few airport workers.

Whoever she was being brought to obviously wasn't here, which could only mean more traveling. Not to be overdramatic, but the suspense was killing her. She just wanted to know who she could personally thank for this nightmare she was currently trapped in. And, boy did she want to thank him…or her. Normally, Nancy wasn't one to resort to violence, but she was really reconsidering her stance on it, wanting nothing more than to throttle the person responsible.

Nancy swallowed nervously as she looked up at Max. "I guess I'm supposed to come quietly with you?"

"It would work out better for you if you did." Max held up another cable tie and Nancy felt her stomach drop. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to tie you up once more."

"You sound really heartbroken about it." Nancy moved her hands to her seatbelt, keeping her eyes on Max the entire time. She was only going to have one shot at getting away from him, and she had to do it before he tied her hands together.

"Not really, no. Like I told you before—it's just a job."

"I'm not just a job. I'm a human being. You have to realize that what you're doing is wrong!" Her finger pressed down on the button and she felt the buckle release, though she didn't react to it. She had to keep him distracted if she had any hope.

"Depends on your definition of wrong, I suppose," Max answered. He had completely changed from the person he had been during the flight. He was almost cold, his face expressionless as he glared at Nancy. "We're wasting time. I have a deadline we have to meet if I want to get paid."

"Oh, God forbid I keep you from meeting your deadline."

"Glad you see it my way." He took a step towards her. "Hold out your hands in front of you and put them together."

Nancy held her hands up in front of her, but just as she was bringing them together, she launched herself out of her seat. Making a fist with both of her hands, she hit Max across the face and pushed him out of her way. She wasted no time as she bolted to the door just as the stairs were being lowered to the ground.

She was only about a foot from the door when she was grabbed around her waist and yanked back. Nancy let out a terrified scream, struggling desperately against Max's grip. "No! Let me go, you son of a bitch!"

Max growled as he whirled her around and backhanded her across the face. Nancy let out a cry as she fell to the ground, her face stinging from the blow. Max was beside her in an instant, taking her hands and binding them tightly with the plastic tie, even as she still fought wildly beneath him. Standing up, he jerked her up from the ground and threw her into chair, breathing heavily as he glowered at her.

"Why can't you just make this easier on yourself and stop fighting me?" He demanded, wiping away blood from his lip. He shook his head when Nancy didn't answer. "I understand a thing or two about self preservation, but if you keep insisting on fighting me every step of the way, then it's only going to get worse for you."

"Get the hell over it," Nancy bit out, gritting her teeth. She was still working hard to get her breathing under control, her heart thundering heavily in her chest.

"Don't worry. I'll get over it as soon as I deliver you." He smiled sweetly at her as he leaned in front of her. "Just think of it this way, Miss Drew. In just another hour or so, you won't have to see me again."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart."

Nancy looked up as Olivia appeared, clearing her throat. "The car is here, Mr. Grey."

"Excellent. Thank you, Olivia." He straightened up, pulling Nancy up along with him, keeping a tight grip on her. "I don't want any more theatrics from you, especially once we get off of this plane. There is nowhere for you to run and no one here to help you."

"Keep sweet talking me, Max, and I'll never want to leave you," Nancy smirked as he began ushering her towards the door. She glanced back at the flight staff as they moved out of the way to let them by. "I hope all of you sleep well tonight, knowing what he's doing with me and not doing a damn thing about it."

"You're seriously not trying to guilt them, are you, Miss Drew?"

"I'm pretty sure they're paid very well not to feel guilty about anything that happens on that plane."

"And you would be correct with your assumption," Max agreed as he helped her down the stairs. "Besides, they understand the consequences if they betray their boss."

"You mean you?"

"I never said I was their boss. I only just met them tonight."

"Olivia really seemed to be friendly with you."

"I just happen to have that affect on women. I'm afraid it just happens to be my burden that I must carry with me." He smiled down at Nancy as they reached the tarmac. "I'm sure you would feel the same way about me if we had met under different circumstances."

"I wouldn't bet on it," Nancy said, a faint blush creeping up into her cheeks. She knew it was a lie as soon as she had said it. There was no denying that Max was a very handsome man, and she supposed if she had met him under better terms, she would definitely be interested in him.

"It's okay—you can deny it if you want. It's just too bad that your body betrayed you as soon as you said it."

Nancy wished more than anything she could wipe the smirk off his face. Who the hell did he think he was anyway?

The wind was blowing a steady breeze, whipping Nancy's long hair into her face as Max pulled her towards another waiting Tahoe. It must be the professional kidnapper's vehicle of choice, she thought wryly. Another muscled thug with a buzz cut was standing guard outside the opened back door, his face showing no emotion as Max came to a stop with Nancy.

"In you go," he said, nudging Nancy forward, his hand still gripping her arm. She imagined she was going to have a pretty impressive bruise there in the morning. "And remember, I am right behind you."

"How could I forget," Nancy muttered as she climbed into the vehicle, the door slamming shut behind them with a resounding thud. Max reached over and pulled Nancy's seatbelt across her lap, buckling her in securely. "I guess it would be too much to ask to die in an unfortunate car accident on the way there, wouldn't it?"

"I'm not about to let anything happen to you, Miss Drew." Max's eyes glowed brightly as he stared at her. "At least, not until we arrive at our destination."

"And for a second there, I actually thought you cared about me." Nancy looked forward as the car made a wide U-turn and began moving down the road.

"I do care about you."

"Until you get your money, anyway." Nancy watched as Max reached into his pocket and pulled out a long piece of black fabric. A slight twinge of fear stabbed through her as she saw him loop either end around his hands.

"I'm not allowed to spoil the surprise for you," Max said, watching her expression. "It's either this or I put the bag over your head once more. There's no need to fight me, Miss Drew. I won't hurt you if I can help it."

Nancy didn't want the bag covering her head again. It had made her feel as if she was suffocating during the car ride to the airport hangar, not to mention a little claustrophobic. "I don't want the bag."

"Then we'll go with this." Leaning over in his seat, Max placed the fabric over her eyes before tying it off behind her head. "Can you see anything?"

Nancy shook her head, her eyes closed tightly against the soft cloth. Now that she couldn't use her eyes, her ears became even more alert for any distinguishing noises. Besides the occasional sounds of passing motorists, she could have sworn she heard the blaring horn of a train in the distance. It wasn't exactly going to help her get out of her situation, considering she'd only been to San Diego a few times.

For a while, the only sound Nancy could hear inside the vehicle was the thudding of her own heart. Every once in a while, she would catch Max humming to himself, though she couldn't identify which song he was performing. He had a nice timbre to his voice, and she couldn't help but feel soothed by it, even though she felt anything but.

Finally, the silence became too much for her.

"Why don't you use any weapons?" She had been curious about it since he'd grabbed her from the street back in Illinois. Never once had he threatened her with one, even when she had been fighting him.

"What makes you think I don't?"

"You had every opportunity to use one on me tonight, but you didn't."

Max let out a soft sigh. "I only use weapons when the situation warrants it. I've never liked them to be honest—I've always used my hands. I've become very adept at using my hands."

Nancy had noticed his hands when they were sitting on the plane across from her. They could easily swallow hers up, with fingers long and lean—they were hands that a musician would love to have. For a second, she wondered if Max played an instrument.

"What are you thinking?" Max asked, breaking into her thoughts. It surprised Nancy that there actually seemed to be genuine curiosity in his voice.

"I was wondering if you played an instrument."

Max chuckled. "With everything that's going on, you're curious if I play an instrument or not?"

Nancy shrugged, not sure if he could see the gesture in the dark.

"I play the piano." Max's voice was soft. "I taught myself when I was a kid."

"I've always liked the piano."

The rest of the car ride was silent. Nancy tried to think of anything to keep her mind off of what was awaiting her once they stopped. Mostly, she thought about her dad and Hannah, and how they would react when they found out she was missing. She honestly didn't know if she would ever get to speak to them again, and for the first time since her ordeal began, she truly felt afraid. While she was trying her best to remain optimistic, that she would find some way to get out of this mess, she couldn't help but think this was it. Here she was, ready to graduate college and take on the world, and she may never get that chance now.

It simply wasn't fair.

Nancy was so lost in her depressing thoughts, she didn't even realize the car had come to a stop until Max tapped her softly on the arm.

"We're here, Nancy."

She was so startled that he'd actually used her first name that she momentarily forgot about the fear she'd been feeling only moments before. Unfortunately, it came rushing back as she heard Max open his door. A few seconds later, she felt the warm spring breeze against her skin as her own door was opened and she was gently pulled out of the car.

"There's still time to change your mind about this, Max," Nancy said softly as he guided her along, causing her to stumble several times since she was unable to see in front of her.

"No, there isn't." If Nancy wasn't mistaken, she could have sworn she heard the slightest hint of remorse in his voice. "I was hired to do a job, and I plan on seeing it through."

"Do you even have any idea who you're working for?" Nancy asked as they came to a sudden stop. She never got to hear Max's answer as another voice interrupted them.

"We'll take her from here," a gruff voice said.

"Where's your boss?" Max asked, his grip tightening on her arm just slightly.

"Inside."

"I'd like to deliver her myself."

"That's not necessary."

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist." Max's voice was quiet, but Nancy didn't miss the deadly undercurrent to his tone—it allowed no room for argument.

The other man let out a sigh. "Fine. Follow me."

Nancy swallowed hard as she was once again ushered forward, cool air biting into her skin as they went inside a building. She still had no idea where they were headed, which only added to her uneasiness. She tried to focus on the route they were taking, but they were taking too many turns for her to even map out a possible escape. Finally, they came to another stop and Nancy heard a door open.

"Stay here," the gruff voice ordered. "The boss will be with you shortly."

There was a soft click as the door was closed behind them. Nancy could feel plush carpeting beneath her feet as she was guided across the room before being lowered onto a chair.

"Why didn't you just let them take me?" Nancy asked. She could still feel the warmth of Max's body as he stood close to her, and it soothed her in a strange way.

"Because that's not how I operate," Max said. "I don't like leaving a job unfinished."

Nancy never got the chance to say anything else as the door to the room opened once more. She felt a sudden chill tingle up her spine and it wasn't from the air conditioner. She leaned back in the chair, the anxiousness of what was about to happen to her nearly suffocating her as if a heavy weight was sitting on her chest.

She tried to bite back her gasp as fingers brushed against her face before the blindfold was pulled away from her eyes. She blinked against the sudden brightness before her eyes slowly adjusted, revealing the leering face in front of her.

"Hello, blue eyes." Randy Wolfe's smile was almost predatory as he looked down at her. "Long time, no see."

So, there's the boss—the one and only Randy Wolfe from The Nancy Drew Files #28 The Black Widow. He was a villain that always stuck out to me from the entire series and the first one that I think actually scared me with how cold and calculating he was. I've written one story a few years ago that featured him, but I just had to play around with him again—he's just that great.

I would like to thank the following for their kind comments on the previous chapter: Michelle Gallichio, AP, Alicia Hardy, and Angelvie S. I was really happy to see that you guys supported my choice by making this a standalone story for Nancy!

I also would like to thank the ones who have taken the time to read and add me to their alert lists.

I apologize for any mistakes!

Oh, and I forgot about that pesky little disclaimer at the beginning of the story—I own nothing expect Max and the potential dark thoughts that may run through my mind during the course of this story!

Until next time!