June 10
Red eased his passenger to the floor, removing the wet jacket from Lizzy's shoulders.
"We'll get the bags." Joe stepped back into the fray, as the remaining men exited the vehicle.
"Would you like some tea?" Nora frowned sympathetically, seeing Lizzy's condition.
"Please," Red nodded his gratitude, "thank you, Nora." he tipped his hat, a trickle of water running in a stream from the brim.
"Dammit..." he tossed his hat to a nearby holder, hoping the damn thing would retain its shape after all the damage done.
"I'm okay, Nora." Liz stated quietly. "It's good to be home though."
Liz shivered involuntarily when the door swung open, a gust of wind and misty rain filling the grand foyer.
Red stepped up quickly, taking a bag from Francis' hand.
Francis sent a 'kiss' Nora's way, sitting more luggage down before disappearing into the storm, bypassing Ben setting another couple bags aside.
"Lizzy, I'll grab your things," Red pointed for her to move away from the entry, "get out of those wet clothes and lay down."
Nora guided the younger woman, "Here you go, dear." she smiled kindly. "Let's go to your room, hum? Then I'll fetch a tray for you."
"Go on," Red pushed gently at Lizzy's back, urging her on, "I'll be along in a minute."
Liz dipped her head gratefully, slowly trailing after the older woman.
Red exited through the front, pulling up his determined steps under the cover of the small portico covering the entrance to the house.
They were still out there. He could sense it.
The man stared out into the blur of the sheeted rain, his mind brooding.
"Good idea." Silas sauntered up beside him, both men making way as Joe returned from the vehicle, several packages in hand.
"Make a hole." the man strongly suggested as he muscled through the two stationary individuals.
"Standing here," Silas looked at Red, ignoring his second-in-command, "out in the open, making for a perfect target. I approve."
"You got a cigarette?" Red grumbled, sluicing rain off the shoulder of his sodden jacket.
"You got a death wish?" Silas countered. "If Liz smells that–"
"Do you have one?" Red narrowed his eyes.
Silas cut him a disgruntled look, "Excuse me... wasn't it you that kept harping I quit the fucking things? Why would I have any on me?"
Red snapped impatient fingers, holding his hand aloft.
Silas sighed, slapping a pack of Camels in his palm just as Dembe stepped in beside them.
Red grinned at both men, taking the gift offered.
"I thought you quit?" Dembe frowned.
"I was holding them for Joe." Silas snapped brusquely.
Red and Dembe glanced knowingly at the guard, as Red slipped one from the box.
"Elizabeth will not be pleased." Dembe proclaimed.
"Got a light?" Red was patting his pockets which he knew for certain did not contain the requested item.
"You're funny." Silas looked longingly at the cigarette dangling from the man's mouth. "You want me to smoke it for you too?"
"You wish." Red looked about aimlessly.
Dembe produced a lighter.
"You're aiding and abetting." Silas threw up his hands, snatching the lighter away. "What the hell?" he snapped as Dembe offered another, handing it to Red. "Are you a former boy scout?"
"You of all people," Dembe seemed to find the remark amusing, "should know, I always come prepared."
Chuckling, Red took the offering, cupping his hand about the flame as it flickered to life.
"Oh my God," Silas was unhappy again, "are you never going to let me forget that little incident in Mexico City?"
Red ignored the squabbling, his interest returning to the darkness of night. He drew in a breath, sighing as the rush of nicotine hummed in his system.
Dembe's low chuckle for Silas' discontent somehow soothed Red's frayed nerves.
All fell silent.
The rainfall continued.
Red's eyes scanned the surrounding terrain, hesitating over distant shadows.
Exhaling slowly, he trailed the billowing smoke rolling unhindered through the driving rain as it floated up to the trees whipping maniacally about.
The area lit with a startling flash of lightning, the ground vibrating with the thunderous crash.
"They're out there." Silas nodded minutely, his gaze traveling the same paths as his associates.
"Why now?" Dembe pondered.
"Maybe they just found us." Silas shrugged. "No matter... we're ready."
"Are we?" Red asked, a rolling cloud of smoke escaping his mouth. "Before... it was just us. Now..." he let it trail away.
"We can vacate." Dembe reminded.
"Which puts off the inevitable." Silas reminded in kind. "Besides, are you gonna break the news to Liz she has to leave her tub... her closet?"
Dembe shifted a noncommital look.
"I didn't think so," Silas gloated, "you pansy."
"Tom," Red turned his eyes towards the street, "he's connected somehow."
"Possibly," Silas scratched at his jaw, "but... Tom is a tickle on the senses." the grey eyes searched the inky sky. "This is bigger than that little pissant." he jutted his chin in the needed direction. "This... it's unsettling."
"Carver?" Dembe's brows lifted.
Red's jaw pulsed, "I want continuous communication between security every–"
"Not amateurs, we know the drill." Silas placated. "Remember the good old days when all we had to worry about was the cops?" he lamented.
Francis and Ben stepped up, wiping the rain from their faces.
"Is that what I feel? The cops?" Francis questioned, having heard the last of Silas' remark. "They got you under surveillance or something cause..." the young man scrutinized the unseen edge of night, "I feel a like a bug under a magnifying glass."
"Magnifying glass?" Ben questioned. "Are we doing the 'who has the biggest cock' again?" the man glanced specifically at Francis' crotch, with a smirk on his face.
Francis self-consciously cupped his package, a fixed frown on his face.
Dembe's deep timbre sliced the night, "You know how that upsets Francis."
Ben chuckled happily, "Yeah, I know."
"You guys wanna kinda lend a hand?" Joe stopped on yet another trip to the car. "I'm not the bellboy."
The guard frowned, pulling up short seeing the cigarette hanging from Red's mouth. "Liz is gonna–"
"I know..." Red snapped. "I thought you quit." he countered.
"Just holding them for Justin." Joe shrugged.
"It's been a shitty day, leave him alone." Francis stood up for the man. "But yeah, Lizzy will gut you if she catches–"
Red hung his head dejectedly, taking a long hard drag from the cigarette before flicking it into a nearby potted plant.
"She's really gonna kill you now." Silas pointed to the smoldering butt. "Nora gave Liz that plant."
"Shut the hell up..." Red hunched his shoulders to the surging water flooding the gutters overhead, following Silas' lead. "And don't break Lizzy's stained glass or you'll be the one on the receiving end."
A short time later, they stood in the foyer, all soaked to the skin. The parcels dripped onto the expensive marble beneath their feet.
"As refreshing as that was," Francis ran a hand over his head, a rush of water running uncomfortably down his back, "I find myself wishing for a nice, hot shower."
Red cut his eyes towards the younger man, withholding his smile just as Nora came back through with her tray.
"Dinner will be in two hours?" she looked over the bedraggled bunch and the soaked floor.
"That sounds lovely, Nora," Red leaned, kissing the cook's soft cheek. "Thank you." he held the woman's eyes, grateful for her assistance.
"Even a duck knows to come in out of the rain after a while, boys." Nora smiled. "You'll catch your death if you stand there staring," she shooed them off, "...don't expect me to nurse the lot of you."
Ben and Dembe trudged up the stairs, intent on showering and changing.
Francis quickly stole a chaste kiss on the woman's cheek, "But you would take care of me, right?"
Nora winked teasingly, "Of course I would take care of you... you're special." she shared a small smile with Red before disappearing into the kitchen.
Francis was happy again, sprinting up the stairs, following in Ben and Dembe's tracks.
Red shook his head, hanging his jacket on a nearby hook before grasping Lizzy's bags, heading for the hallway.
"You know what would help Elizabeth, right?" Silas had hung back purposely.
Red turned a narrowed stare towards the guard, the grey eyes darkening.
"Don't give me the look." Silas rolled his eyes. "You know it will help the cramping."
Red couldn't argue with the man. Lizzy had been trembling the last hour due to the pain, so he could imagine how terrible she felt.
He had been in that much pain a time or two himself and the last damn thing on his mind was... what Silas was suggesting.
But in this instance... would it help?
"I doubt very much she's in the mood." his tone chilled.
"You feel like a louse for suggesting it, you mean to say." Silas corrected. "Your job is to make her feel better..." he secured his bag in hand, sparing Red a look, "so do your fucking job."
The guy took off towards the back which led to the guesthouse without a backward glance.
"Make her come." he called back over his shoulder, his tone a gruff one.
Red watched the man disappear into the shadows. He stood, pondering the cryptic suggestion.
"Easy for you to say." Red lifted his brow, muttering to himself.
He glanced about aimlessly, at length following those who had proceeded him.
No damned way was he going to bother Lizzy with something like that.
Red eased into the master, sitting the bags down. Lizzy's purse and computer delegated to a more honored spot on the dresser's edge.
His eyes found the woman instantly. She was already curled up in the bed, her eyes closed.
Red noted Lizzy had not touched Nora's tea service or the small sampling of light appetizers the cook made to accompany dinner.
He rid himself of the wet clothes as he continued into the bath area. Washing up quickly, removing the smell of smoke, he dressed automatically in clean, dry boxers.
Grabbing his robe from the hook, he returned to Lizzy's side, his soft gaze flitting over the small frame.
She cuddled to a heating pad, the dark hair flayed sensually about the pillow.
The pills must have finally kicked in, thank goodness.
Red relieved the tension in his shoulders, his fingers kneading the spots almost angrily.
He stepped to the windows which overlooked his domain.
His eyes tracked one or two of his men making rounds. Others were about, he knew, but would never show their positions unless warranted.
It didn't make the eerie feeling subside.
He glanced back to a peacefully slumbering Elizabeth Keen.
So many times before, he had sensed this same foreboding.
It had never bothered him unduly. One prepared as best one could in such a situation but then, you had to let it go.
Trust in your men's abilities and your own.
That philosophy wasn't good enough now.
Once again, from this better vantage point, he scanned the outside perimeter.
Walking to the adjoining window, the sensation he had been experiencing, subsided.
The blue-grey eyes checked the woman once again.
His hackles rose instantly.
Stepping back towards his former position, his vigilance returned to the stormy night.
Red's eyes hardened as the penetrating scrutiny returned full force.
The sons-of-bitches weren't here for him at all. It had nothing to do with him.
An ominous unease settled in his gut.
"No." he muttered under his breath. "It's not good enough."
"What's not good enough?"
The soft voice startled him.
Red turned his head about, "I thought you were sleeping."
"I'm drifting." Elizabeth smiled gently. "What's not good enough?"
Red closed the blinds, blocking sight of Elizabeth before leaving his post.
Grasping the tea and snacks, he crossed slowly to peer down at the attractively disheveled woman in bed.
"Nothing." he quipped. "Nothing is good enough for you, not from my perspective."
Her brow furrowed, the cornflower blue eyes watching him drowsily.
"If I could," he made himself comfortable on the edge of the bed, "I would lay the entire world at your feet."
"And how sad is that," she held her amusement, "since I would settle for a new pair of flip-flops."
He smiled, "Exactly."
"I must be loopy." she sighed happily. "That made no sense what-so-ever."
Red's grin widened, "Made perfect sense to me."
"You're not on the pills you gave me, are you?" she questioned.
Red smiled, pouring them some tea, "Come on, baby." he coaxed the woman into a sitting position.
"...Red," she whined pitifully, taking the small cup in her hands, enjoying the warmth and light scent.
"Just a little," he sipped the Chamomile, praising Nora's foresight, "those pills will hit you hard without something on your stomach."
Liz gingerly sampled the mellow flavor, sighing her relief when it settled pleasantly in her stomach.
She reluctantly took the appetizer Red handed her, but dutifully nibbled the light snack until it was gone.
Red smiled when the woman blinked heavily, her body trying to assimilate the balance of medicine and food in her system.
"I think someone laced those gummy bears with LSD." she finished her tea, handing the cup to Red.
"They were from Francis." he chuckled.
She narrowed her eyes when the man didn't deny the possibility, which seemed to further his amusement.
"Whatever." she scowled darkly. "Would you believe I'm still hurting?"
Red's smile faded, watching the woman snuggle into the bed, "I know, baby."
"It's manageable now though." Liz breathed her relief.
"What has your doctor said about this?" he reached, stroking his hand along the curvature of her spine.
"...Oh, you know," she huffed. "I'm told this is 'normal'. Woman's lot in life."
"That..." he groused irritably, "is complete and utter bullshit."
"We know the drill by heart," she hummed appreciatively as Red eased the pain in her back, "take birth control pills, limit caffeine, exercise... stop drinking a quart of alcohol a day."
Red imagined women heard the same excuses countless times.
"Well, I'm not giving up booze, so..." Liz tried to make light of a sore subject.
Alternating between soft comforting strokes to kneading the tight muscles in her lower back, Red was grateful when she relaxed some after a few moments, though not enough for his liking.
"Have they ever run tests or..." Red murmured.
Liz scoffed, "Why would they bother running tests for 'cramps'." she air-quoted.
"There's period pain," Red conceded, "then there's suffering." he muttered tightly.
"Tell me about it." she chuckled lightly.
"Your symptoms are anything but normal..." his jaw tightened. "I want you to see my doctor."
"Don't expect miracles, Red." Liz murmured. "I gave up on them a long time ago."
"Rightfully so, I'm sure." he agreed.
"They said..." she hesitated, swallowing hard, "they could take everything out." the woman was instantly upset.
Red scowled, troubled by his conflicting thoughts.
While he dreamed of having a family with Lizzy...what the doctors offered would stop her pain, completely.
"But... what about a baby? I know you said..." Liz's mouth curved downward. "Do you? Want one, really?" she searched his face.
Red was beyond stunned she had considered such a... wondrous notion...and the fact she thought to discuss it with him, meant more than he could express.
"I would love to have that with you," he confided, realizing she would likely not recall much of this conversation. "I want that more than you will ever know, but... not at your expense."
Liz lost herself in silent thought, weighing her own pros and cons.
She had become so accustom to the idea of adoption, she seriously contemplated having the procedure.
But now, things had changed. The burdens she once carried were nonexistent. Her life was so different from what it was before.
"You just let me worry about this." Liz waved the issue aside, for now. "Millions of woman have to deal with this and ovarian cysts and–"
Red eyes darted to hers quickly, "Do you think you could–"
"No..." she floundered for his hand anxiously tightened about her hip, "no, I don't think so, I've heard that's worse than this." she had researched the symptoms herself out of desperation. "I'm fine."
Red sighed irritably, "You're not fine, Lizzy."
Kissing her brow and cheeks, Elizabeth titled her chin, waiting for him to move lower. He happily obliged the silent request for countless moments.
"Hey," she murmured against his mouth, "I read an article recently."
Red frowned superficially, teasing the woman, "Why didn't you just Google–"
"All right, I Googled this article." Liz's eyes softened. "There's a theory floating around that..." she hesitated, wondering how to broach the matter tactfully.
Leaning, Red captured her mouth in a gentle kiss, his lips working diligently against hers.
"If you really wanted to be a stand-up guy, you could help me here, you know... according to this article."
"That is my job... to help you." his eyes fell to the very alluring swell of her breast, half hidden by the covers. "What did this article detail, exactly?"
"A woman's time of the month." she followed his stare, shifting to allow the covers slip further until her nipple was almost exposed.
"What about a woman's time of the month?" he lifted interested eyes locking with the hazy blue ones that watched him so studiously.
"They've done studies apparently," she played with the sleeve of his robe unable to look him in the eye as yet, "Silas probably participated..."
Red shrugged indifferently, not faulting the man had he taken part in such a study.
"On how... well... having intercourse at that time..." the blue eyes searched him out, "contributes to the well-being of the female."
"Contributes to the male's well being too, I would imagine." Red was astounded Lizzy had broached the very subject he wished to bring up.
"They can't really explain their findings at present." Liz forged on now she had attacked the difficult part. "They just know it lessens the pain, and the woman feels better."
Red's lips pulled at the corner when Lizzy's sparkling eyes flit his way. He was pleased to see the pain her eyes reflected half the night had eased. The pills were working to her advantage now.
"So see, if you wanted to make me feel better... if you loved me," she scolded, "you'd try something."
"I see..." he nodded gravely.
He slowly pulled the sheet, revealing a luscious mound, his eyes feasting on the view of the firm breast with its already puckering little nipple.
"So what you're saying is..." he uncovered the other swell, his movements unhurried, almost leisurely in nature.
He sat, simply taking in the beauty revealed. His tone low, soothing and very... very involved.
"I've been neglectful in my duties toward you."
"You sure have, buddy." Elizabeth basked in the freedom of her nudity, enjoying the way the man's eyes heatedly swept her frame.
She squirmed under the sheet, wanting even more of the exquisite feeling of freedom it would allow.
Red assisted her efforts in a lackadaisical manner, more interested in the sensual movements of her plump breasts.
Outside, occasional flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder echoed in the otherwise silent room.
"I would do it for you." Liz reminded, her expression a rather earnest one. She relaxed into her pillow as Red eased his body into a reclined position beside her, finally.
"And I would appreciate your efforts on my behalf," he slid his hand beneath the sheet, feeling the warmth of her flesh.
His palm slid over the heated smoothness, inching his way to his objective.
"And I fully intend to hold up on my end of the deal..."
His fingers curved downward having found the inner part of her upper thigh, as they slipped between the heated alcove.
"And I do love you." his thumb lifted, slowly stroking the neatly trimmed fluff he so loved to play in.
Liz gasped, her body stiffening for the unexpected assault.
"Well... if you're gonna fight me," he teased, "this will go nowhere fast."
"Oh..." Liz instantly relaxed into his touch, her expression suddenly a thoughtful one. "Oh... yeah... well, it's gotta go somewhere."
"Yeah..." the man held his amusement, continuing his well-thought out frontal attack.
His fingers moved up her thigh, dancing lightly over the silk of her flesh.
Liz parted her legs, her eyes closing to the ecstacy the man elicited.
She moaned softly when those probing fingers stroked her folds lovingly.
Red observed the woman's face closely. He felt her wetness, knowing he was the cause.
Entering the snug depths with one thick finger, he enjoyed Lizzy's mewl of pleasure tremendously.
"You see," his tone washed over her like a soft spring rain, "I'll make it all better..."
His finger inched deep inside, seductively rubbing the swollen heat.
Liz squirmed about, trying to find the elusive release the pangs of awakening demanded.
Red inserted yet another digit, lovingly mimicking the slow caress of love-making.
His thumb incessantly circled the tiny nub which throbbed and swelled under his actions.
Lizzy's whimpers and breathy sighs were like music to his ears.
Her lovely mouth parted, her breaths becoming shallow, catching in her throat as he continued his efforts.
The medication had lessened not only the pain, but the woman's inhibitions.
Red smiled his own pleasure, seeing how responsive... how vitally alive and yearning Lizzy could be if given the proper stimulation.
He leaned, tenderly suckling the ripe little melons. Her little hole clenched about his fingers in rhythm with the gentle tug of his mouth.
She moved into the affection, sighing blissfully.
Within seconds, Lizzy gave over his reward.
The sweet, melodious drawn-out moan of her release caused the man's cock to expand painfully.
He felt the tight convulsions of her climax about his fingers, instantly easing the slow thrusting motions he had so painstakingly established to allow a natural release of the endorphins pulsing throughout Elizabeth's body.
Red reluctantly arose, the sight of the deliciously peaked nipples he had only just feasted on beckoning him back, were he honest with himself.
He fought the urge, gently removing himself from her body as he looked down at his handiwork. He shifted to ease the ache between his own legs, a puckered frown creasing his brow.
"Oh, my God, that felt so..." Liz refused to open her eyes, content to bask in the tingling warmth spreading through her limbs, "so... wonderful."
"Good." Red smiled retroactively at the awe in her voice. "We are a full service operation. If you ever need us just... whistle." he rolled from the bed. "You know how to whistle, don't you?"
Would she even catch the obscure reference, he wondered.
"Put my lips together over your cock." she shocked and delighted him with her dreamy response, "and just... blow."
He chuckled lowly, "Something to that affect."
Liz captured the sheet and blanket, tugging them about her chest.
Red was instantly disgruntled for the sight of her amazing breasts were now lost to his imagination.
He sighed as she snuggled into the warmth of the covers, laying back into her pillow, her eyes closing peacefully.
Overhead the storm rumbled on.
The man sighed for his lot in life. After a time gazing down on the thing he loved most, he traipsed off to the bath to wash up.
He knew his sleep would be a restless one this night.
There were too many things weighing on his mind. Unanswered questions, fearful doubts which plagued him, of the future with the woman laying just beyond that door.
She was always with him, of course.
In the beginning, he had tried to fight the reality but now; he welcomed it.
He looked at his reflection in the window as he neared it, his eyes following the driving rain skirting down the window's pane.
"...Red?"
Red frowned, glancing over his shoulder at the woman stretching leisurely on the bed.
"Come to bed now." Liz rolled to her elbow, idly tracing the sheet with her finger.
Red nodded slowly, fingering the blinds shut as the woman lifted the sheets in invitation.
"We have an entire hour before dinner." the full lips tilted mischievously. "Francis says God created the world in lesser time... let's see what you can do."
He settled into the space between her open legs, his sensual chuckle delighting her. He nuzzled the woman's neck lovingly, inhaling her rich aroma as he was enveloped in Elizabeth's warm hold.
"I do love you..." he husked roughly as their connection became complete.
Whatever tomorrow might bring, he knew without reservation, he would face down the dangers and uncertainties.
Anything he had to do would be done.
Red was determined to have a future with Elizabeth Keen.
Nothing would deter him from that goal.
Nothing.