July 4th
Returning the boat to its rightful place and heading to the hotel, Red wrapped his arm casually about Lizzy's waist as the woman tittered softly for the crude, off-color joke he whispered in her ear.
Rounding the corner to their room the couple pulled up short as Mark exited a side door, a concerned look on his face.
Noticing the man's state, Red frowned as they approached. "What's wrong?" ready to be complicit with any problem.
"Francis..." Mark frowned, shaking his head once more.
"Never mind, I don't want to know." Red began to steer Lizzy far, far away, until she tsked softly, squeezing his arm.
"...Red," she implored.
By the confusion and disbelief on Mark's face... Red knew he would regret it, but asked anyway.
"What's the fool done now?" Red sighed lightly.
"He hit it off with some chick at the carnival," Mark nodded slowly, as though coming to grips with what he just witnessed.
"Well, that's good... right?" Liz looked between the two men.
"Yeah, sure, "Mark allowed, "but he's in there," he hooked a thumb behind him, "wrapping himself in cotton candy to entice her, if you get my drift."
"Say no more..." Red rubbed weary eyes, processing yet another bout of 'too much information'. He glanced at Lizzy, chuckling his mirth for the woman's askew expression.
Liz's frown deepened, hooking a thumb towards Francis' door, "Won't it melt by the time she–"
"That's the part you focus on?" Red laughed his consternation.
"I mean," Mark shrugged, "the girl did like the cotton candy a lot, but..." he was ready to make concessions.
"Well, I think he should get points for creativity." Liz shrugged wanly.
Red looked at Lizzy askew. "...Okay."
"I'm serious," Liz was. "He paid attention, he took note of the girl's preferences."
"You're a good friend, Lizzy." was all Red could think to say.
"It's kinda sweet," Liz suddenly saw the humor in the situation.
"In more ways than one." Red commented drily.
Lizzy's laughter softened his world.
"Should we stop him?" she asked advice.
"And spoil all his fun?" Red tsked. "Who would do such a mean thing, Lizzy?"
"You're horrible." she fell against his side, her head laying on his shoulder. "I have a sudden yearning for cotton candy."
"I'll borrow a cup from Francis."
"Uh, no you won't." Mark vetoed that idea, all humor aside. "When I say he was wrapping himself in it," the man gestured to his nether regions, "...I mean he was wrapping himself in it."
Grimacing for the unwanted visual, Red hooked Lizzy's elbow, continuing on their original path. "On that note... we're going."
Mark had seen a lot in his time as an Entrepreneur... and sometimes, he learned it was better to live and let live... before continuing on his merry way.
"Oh, Red," Mark called out, stopping the man in his tracks. "The meeting is scheduled around twelve, maybe one? We're waiting on a couple people to arrive."
Red sighed heavily, wishing he had more time with Lizzy, but then he supposed he should let the woman get a little rest.
"All right," Red acknowledged, "I assume Dembe will bring me up to speed?"
"Of course," Mark scoffed at the very idea Dembe wasn't aware of all pertinent details. "Good night, Lizzy."
"Good night," she smiled, then frowned up at Red. "He isn't talking about tonight, is he?"
"Yes, unfortunately." Red pulled the keycard from his pocket, swiping it.
"Oh..." her frown deepened, "but, Red, you have to be exhausted."
She had kept Red up rather late last night, after all.
"I'm used to last minute schedule changes, Lizzy," Red ushered her into their room, glancing at his watch. Maybe he could crash a short spell?
"I don't understand why this can't wait until morning." Liz didn't, kicking her shoes off as Red flicked the lights on.
"That's the nature of our business," Red shrugged, heading to the bar. "Considering we're all on different time zones, it's not easy to coincide our schedules."
"I thought you weren't going to work this week." Liz almost whined.
The man came close with a couple drinks in his hands, grinning at her. "I thought you weren't going to pout."
"We made no such pact!" Liz pouted.
"This will only take an hour, at most." Red assured. "Honestly, I'm happy to get a couple free hours beforehand." he said, directing her to the couch. "You should have seen me in my heyday starting up the business. I looked like one of the walking dead."
Liz sat, tucking her feet under her before taking her drink. "It doesn't seem to have slacked off much, if you ask me."
"It's not always my side of things. A couple weeks ago," he turned towards her, "when Dembe and I had the back-to-back trips, Ressler kept calling on the hour, waking us." he said, his tone an aggravated one. "I put a contract out on him, did I tell you?"
"He wouldn't let you rest?" she reached, idly playing with his fingers.
"I think the little asshole was doing it deliberately." Red sipped his Scotch thoughtfully.
Red fell silent for a few seconds, an old memory surfacing.
"When I was in the Navy, we were sent to extract a defense contractor," he couldn't remember who now, "out of Libya," he frowned, "or was it Lebanon? No, no it was Libya." he was pretty sure.
"Since we were also tasked with eliminating hostile insurgents," he arched a brow. "You can understand why the details are hazy."
Liz nodded her understanding. "Was Silas with you then?" she was already invested in the story, wanting all the details.
"Yes, Silas and Joe," the faces were blurred for some missions. "Anyway, we had been tracking the bastards for days," he vaguely recalled, "and with everything going on... we got maybe an hour or two of sleep over a three, maybe four day period."
She couldn't imagine how hellish that had been for them. That, added to the stress of their mission, had to be intense. It hurt her to think of the hardships they faced.
"I do remember," Red idly tapped his finger against his tumbler, "by the third day my eyesight went tunnel vision and I was working on instinct."
His eyes hurt even now remembering that time. It felt every time he blinked, sandpaper scraped his eyes... leaving a deep-seated ache that left his head pounding relentlessly.
"The worst part," he continued, "when all was said and done, I was so exhausted... I couldn't sleep for two days."
Liz's heart ached for the man and the suffering he experienced.
"My body was so wired and hypersensitive to sound, I couldn't shut down." he vividly remembered the resulting anger he experienced. "It felt like I mainlined a couple dozen pots of coffee."
He lay his head back, resting it on the cushion of the couch. Even now, if he closed his eyes; he could still smell the gunpowder, blood and death around him.
The long distant memory of Silas bitching as bullets ricocheted off the wall between them, echoed in Red's brain. The vision and sounds so real, he instinctually turned his cheek from the stucco he remembered dusting them in grainy fragments.
"How did you ever make it through?" Liz drew him to the present, unsure she wanted to know the answer.
Visions of the last twenty years flashed by in tiring snippets. There were so many times he'd been a 'guest' to less than hospitable situations. It had been hell sleeping in thirty minute intervals, if at all, but it did make him determined to return the favor to his 'hosts' in the end.
Which he did... most happily.
"You just do..." he replied, drumming his fingers on the couch cushion.
"So, you're not going to tell me." she understood his reluctance.
"Not if I want you to sleep tonight," Red replied with more honesty than he intended.
Glancing down at their clasped hands, Liz allowed the silence, before offering a change of topic.
"Happy anniversary, Red," she smiled softly, lifting gentle eyes.
Returning the gentle smile, Red leaned, meeting the woman in the middle, accepting her loving kiss.
"Happy anniversary, sweetheart." he said, kissing her brow before the woman scrambled off the couch.
"I have something," she had waited all day, excitement in her voice and mannerisms.
"I-I didn't know what to buy the man who has everything," she hurried to a couple of bags, hastily looking through them, "but I wanted to give you something to commemorate the occasion."
"Baby, you gave me the greatest gift I could receive when you said, yes." Red said, his eyes trailing after the woman.
"With that said," she blushed a charming pink, "I bet it didn't stop you from getting me something."
Red pushed himself erect, making his way to the safe. "Just a little something."
Retrieving the boxes... he hesitated, replacing the third bigger gift into the recesses of the spacious lead lined box. Elizabeth would have to wait to get that present, he decided.
Returning post-haste, the man resumed his former position, facing an anxiously awaiting Elizabeth.
"I love my lighter by the way," Red made mention, looking over the gaily wrapped gifts at her sides.
Smiling happily for the man's compliment, Liz's eyes brightened as Red held a decorative box out for her to take.
"Oh, me first?" she wriggled in her seat. "Really? Well... okay." she hastily agreed, grabbing the pretty box.
Chuckling for her eagerness, Red sipped his drink as Lizzy hastily tore at the ribbon, then slowly eased the box open.
"Oh, Red!" her entire manner altered to glowing radiance. "Red, it is just... amazing!" she struggled to place the watch on her wrist.
"I thought you might wear this to work." Red took over the task, describing the watch's features. "It also has the moon phases... and it's bullet proof."
He held his smile as the woman's head jerked upright, her eyes widening, "...Really?"
Laughing his delight, Red kissed the woman's palm, "I just wanted to see if you were paying attention." he glanced over the thick casing. "Do you like the style? I can return–"
Tsking, Liz kissed the man once more. "You know my style better that anyone, even me! Anything you chose is always perfect."
Red's eyes lit as Lizzy studied the boxes for a long moment before finally picking the smallest of the bunch.
It warmed him in ways he hadn't imagined... this gift exchange. It had been so long since he shared something of a personal nature, such as this, with a lover.
Oh, he gifted Madeline and others lovers with gifts, but the sentiment was never returned. Funny how he never noticed...
Until now.
Lizzy seemed to delight in giving just as much as the getting.
"This was supposed to complement your lighter," Liz said, handing it to him.
Red's heart warmed for the woman when she bit anxiously at her nail, waiting on his verdict as he swiftly unveiled his present.
Pulling the titanium Swiss army knife and cigar cutter free from their box, Red beamed his appreciation.
"This is perfection," he turned the object in his hand, seeking out its intricacies and secrets. "This will be very useful to me, sweetheart."
"The man said it wouldn't rust or break," Liz relaxed some, recognizing Red's reaction was an honest one. "It doesn't reflect light so if you ever need to use them for some clandestine reason... you can do so undetected."
"And you know I will." Flicking open the options available, Red grinned as he stumbled over the corkscrew, bottle opener and various blades. This would serve his needs very well indeed.
"You chose well," Red assured, holding his toy up. "Look at that, as black as Silas' moods, no light reflection at all, as promised."
The blade on the cigar cutter was also sharp as hell, which he preferred. Pocketing his new accouterments, he offered his next gift... a little anxious himself.
He wasn't sure if she would like it, rethinking his previous choices.
While Elizabeth had been more bold here of late in regards to her attire and jewelry... she held a touch of classic style beneath the youthful slant.
Though he did chose a watch befitting that style, it was rather startling, now that he thought about it.
She gasped her awe, gently running her fingers over the delicate band and faceplate. "It's gorgeous!"
Easing the timepiece from its perch, Liz gawked at the intricate design and details. "It's so beautiful..."
She lay it across her wrist, swiveling it under the lamp beside her, her eyes shining as bright as the exquisite faceplate.
His shoulders relaxed from their tense perch as the woman's lips trembled and tears dotted her lashes.
"I don't know what to say," her eyes searched his face, floundering. She leaned, kissing the man softly.
"You said exactly what I wanted to hear," Red returned the affection, brushing a delicate finger against her flushed cheek.
If anyone would have asked her if Red could top their first anniversary, Liz wouldn't have believed it possible.
But now, it was apparent, their commitment to each other had deepened, surpassing her wildest expectations.
She was to be Red's wife... his wife. The thought filled her with warmth and amazement.
Red's face gentled as the woman sniffled, the quiet of the room a perfect backdrop for the intimate moment.
Taking a bracing breath, staunchly wiping at her eyes, Liz determined to move matters along. There would be time for sentiment... they had the rest of their lives, after all.
"You have another gift." she sniffled impishly, hefting the heavy weight for the man to take. "I can't take all the credit for this one, Dembe and Silas helped me pick and chose."
Frowning slightly, Red had no idea of the suggestions those two could offer. Were it just Silas, he might have had a hunch what was in this box... and that it would be of an adult nature.
But with Dembe involved...
Red's curiosity was more than piqued. Pulling the bow, he lifted the lid...
"...Elizabeth," he stared down at the antique weaponry, actually at a loss for words. His brows lifted with shock and delight.
"Dembe intimated you had wished to begin a gun collection, but considering your nomadic lifestyle, there was no way to make that happen," she babbled to fill the silence, "well, not and enjoy seeing it when you wanted."
Red ran his finger over the rich, smooth wood; inhaling the soft traces of walnut.
"I thought, since we have a home, maybe now... you could start one?" she trailed off as the man continued to stare at the large box on his lap.
Pulling one of two German Flintlock Pistols from their original factory case, Red turned the heavyweight in his hands, not quite believing he held such a treasure.
Everything from the intricate engraving to their condition was extraordinary. The craftsmanship superb.
There were also some known to be well into the tens of thousands of dollars. How the hell had Lizzy afforded something so expensive?
He looked back and forth between the very generous gift and Elizabeth. "How did you..."
"Silas heard the guy that owned them needed to sell them," she said. "Dembe acted as my negotiator, we settled on a deal and... I got them." she shrugged wanly.
"Elizabeth," he smoothed a hand over the smooth wood and brass embellishments, his brow darkening, "these things are rare, they must have cost..."
He did feel better knowing Dembe brokered the deal though, as the man would know not to bankrupt the woman. Though Red made sure Elizabeth had access to his money for whatever she desired, he knew without doubt, she would have wished to purchase the gift herself.
"Oh, the guy was in trouble, needed some quick cash," Liz shrugged carelessly, "or something like that." she waved off any concern. "We had to throw in a place for him to lie low for a while... and a weapon."
Blinking his shock, Red couldn't quite grasp Lizzy sat in on such a transaction... for him.
"Dembe assured me the guy's weakness is gambling," she continued on as though she brokered these types of deals everyday, "and the weapon was for protection from a guy named Big Mario... Big Luigi... something like that."
Rubbing his eyes, Red chuckled, enjoying the story as much as the gift itself.
"Oh, speaking of which," she remembered, "Dembe told me to tell you, this guy is holed up in your apartment in Reno for a couple weeks? You're not using it, right, so..."
Utterly charmed by the gift and Elizabeth's uncanny knack to conform to any situation... Red had to smile.
After several moments of silence, Liz grimaced, "Do... do you like them?"
"I love them, baby," Red set them aside, gathering Lizzy in his arms, "... and I love you."
Red kissed the woman for some countless moments before finally allowing her a chance to breath properly.
"Thank you, for such a thoughtful gift." Red held her eyes, hoping to convey how deeply thankful he was. Not only for the gifts... but for the reason they were exchanging gifts in the first place.
"Really?" she brightened, settling more into his lap, resting her arm along his shoulder. "You, sir, are hard to buy for, let me tell ya!"
"Be that as it may," he assured wholeheartedly, "I absolutely love your choices."
"I was so hoping you would." Liz clasped her hands together.
"You'll be hard pressed to top this one next month." he teased.
"We'll see," she gestured somewhere behind her, "I have one more."
"I have one more gift for you, as well," he murmured softly, "but intended to surprise you, and would still like to do so... if that's all right with you?"
Suddenly intrigued by the mystique of this gift, Liz nodded slowly, already feeling the anticipation build, wondering what was so special about this gift and why he was demanding she suffer the agony of having to wait.
"All right," she agreed to Red's relief, "but I have a good mind to make you wait as well."
She took his hand, tugging him upward.
Following her lead, Red trailed after the woman as she guided him to their room.
"Just remember," she placed a package on the bed she pulled from the closet, "I was the better man and allowed you your fun even though you're being mean to me." the woman gestured he should open it.
"I am not being mean... and you are the furthest thing from 'a man', I have ever imagined." Red was more than a little intrigued, admittedly.
Tugging the large bow free... a slow smile lighted his features as he pulled back the colorful sheets of paper lining the box.
"Well," he teased, holding the delicate, filmy garment aloft to better see the full picture, "it's lovely... but I don't think it'll fit me, sweetheart."
Liz pursed her lips to hold her smile. "But it will fit me." she blinked innocent eyes.
Red held the black satin slip against Lizzy's frame, nodding critically. "Let's put it on... and see."
Liz smiled, pleased by the raspy warmth of Red's voice and the way he was looking at her now.
"I was tinkering with the idea of presenting you with a new teddy," she bit her lip thoughtfully, "or a pair of crotchless panties...but I saw this and thought you may enjoy its added benefits."
"I like the way you tinker," he approved of those items as well.
Though, if the way he was fingering the satiny fabric said anything... he appeared just as eager and aroused by the little satin half-slip, as if he had been gifted something more risqué.
"You're supposed to pull these here," she pointed to the sides where long satin ties fell in a sensual drape, "to unwrap your actual gift, which would be... well... me."
"Then this is a perfect choice for me," Red rumbled intimately, "as I could think of no better gift to receive... than you."
"You know it.." she lifted a tart brow.
Lifting the scrap of fabric which were questionable panties, questionable because so little fabric existed... he noted another layer to explore.
"Well, well... what do we have here?" he unsettled the tissue paper beneath, unveiling a new array of toys.
Unlike past lovers, Liz knew Red was more than accepting of sex toys and welcomed their presence in their bedroom, for which she was eternally grateful.
Not that she couldn't climax with Red without the assistance of toys, she could, repeatedly.
No, what she loved about Red was he wholeheartedly encouraged her to orgasm without restraint when they made love. If she wished to use toys to achieve that goal, Red approved.
"There are some exquisite choices here." he knew Lizzy was up for exploring with him, but he had been unaware the willingness was to this extent.
Aside from a handful of sleek design vibrators he could control by touch... a line of anal plugs lay beside them.
The sleek orbs increased in size to better help her learn to accommodate... well... him, he hoped.
In the course of their playtime, they would learn to what extent she wished to pursue the activity, especially with this array of paraphernalia.
In any case, Red enjoyed the visual of a well-placed toy to be highly erotic in nature.
"We can move at our own pace." her nervousness eased for the man had accepted the subtle suggestion.
A dozen emotions inundated Red Reddington; the most prevalent being excitement and arousal.
A small sliver of trepidation followed, however.
He was terrified he would somehow inadvertently harm the woman.
It was such a delicate, sensitive area he played with often... the thought of causing Elizabeth pain or discomfort in any way upset him greatly.
Especially knowing how arousing such activities could be. He desired to take and claim that virgin territory as his own, of course, but...
It would take extreme willpower on his part to go slow and prepare her properly... no matter how powerful his arousal.
"Would you like to me slip this on for you," her fingers danced lightly over the wispy négligée. "Won't that be fun?" she offered, trying and failing to hide a small yawn.
Red's eyes gentled on the woman, "I would love nothing more," he spoke the truth, "and yes, fun would be had by all."
Standing docilely, she watched as Red slowly removed her clothing before tugging her to the bathroom where he quickly shed his own thin veneer of civilization.
"I fear though," he continued, directing the woman to the shower, "you may have over-exerted yourself today."
"Me?" she scoffed at the notion. "No way, Jose."
Turning the water on, Red moved them backwards under the heated spray... Liz sighed her contentment.
"I'm fine," she said, stretching her arms languidly upward, pulling her hair out of the spray.
"You are that," he murmured, soaping them both quickly, mindful of Lizzy's exasperated sigh.
"Lizzy, when we venture into that area," he ran his hands down her body, rinsing her clean, "I want to give you my undivided attention."
Palming the small orb in his hand, he gingerly pet the area they discussed, holding her eyes willfully, "I will not rush this and risk harming you."
"I know that," she pouted, "but a gift is a gift."
She believed Red would be very cautious and extremely patient, which is why she wished to give him this gift... and experience it herself.
"Then let me be well-rested," he laid down his ground rules, "and attentive to your needs... and enjoy my gift to its fullest extent." he said.
"As much as I want to explore that with you even as I speak," he told the truth, "... I do not believe I'm at peak efficiency at this moment in time."
While she too wished to explore, she appreciated Red's open desire to be honest and forthright.
"You're a party pooper." she teased.
She had been nervous as hell broaching the subject. But on the same token, she was excited and proud she had come so far in the sexual game.
Taking things slow and giving her time to gear up for the adventure would be a wise move on their part. There was no need to jump the gun.
If she had learned nothing else in their relationship, a little anticipation and patience paid off in a big way.
This was something she would never share with anyone other than Red. She was happy to take their time so it would be a moment to be remembered and cherished... she could do whatever it took.
She momentarily forget...Red had to leave in a few short hours and needed all the rest he could get.
"All right, I'm being pushy" she acquiesced, "but soon, I want to try new things and push new boundaries."
"Try new things," Red murmured against her soft mouth, "... push new boundaries."
"That's what I said..." she kissed him right back.
"Don't lose that thought." Red pointed a stern finger her way.
Finishing their bedtime routine, Liz turned back the bedding, her muscles already limbering up in anticipation of laying down.
"You don't have to go to sleep on my account." Red said, shutting down a far light.
"I know it's early, but I'm wiped." she said, climbing into the luxurious bedding. "Not that I couldn't put out, mind you."
"Good to know," he chuckled. "You're also kind of pink," he traced the bridge of her nose and cheeks. "You didn't get burned did you?"
"Does it look stupid?" she sought a mirror, but Red held her back.
"You look beautifully sun kissed." he leaned, kissing the rosy flesh.
In fact, she reminded him of the women on the countless beaches whenever he pulled into port. All had free flowing hair, rosy skin and the most adorable freckles he'd ever seen.
Opening the balcony doors, Red sighed blissfully as a strong, fresh breeze blew through the room, billowing the curtains in a delightful dance.
Crawling into the bed, Red relished the comfort instantly, closing his eyes.
He smiled when Lizzy quietly curled up against him, running idle fingers over his torso.
"Red?" she whispered.
"Uh, hum?" he murmured, his fingers idly stroking the small of Lizzy's back.
"I had a good day," she kept her voice low.
"I'm glad," he smiled softly, pleasured beyond scope by her words. "I had a good day as well."
"I love you," she murmured sleepily, snuggling to Red's side. She sighed happily when the man pulled her cuddling form closer.
"I love you too, baby." he said, kissing the crown of her head.
July 5th
Jolting awake, Red grabbed for the phone vibrating against his hand, silencing it. Lifting his head off the pillow, he blearily blinked at the sudden bright light of the phones screen, groaning his despair.
It was a little after two in the morning, later than he expected.
"Yeah?" he murmured quietly, smoothing a hand over Lizzy's hip when the woman stirred.
"Raymond, the meeting starts soon." Dembe's crisp reply shook the cobwebs from Red's sleep-addled brain.
"Give me a few minutes," Red sighed, shutting down the phone.
Falling back into the comfort of his pillow, he rubbed a hand across his face, rubbing his weary eyes.
At least he got an extra hour's sleep he didn't expect, that was something.
Easing away from Elizabeth's warm body cuddled in the blankets, he slid gently from the bed, glancing back at the woman.
Mewling quietly, she turned in search of him, already missing his presence. Even in her sleep state, she sensed his scent in the vicinity, but couldn't find him. Grasping his pillow in lieu of his warmth, she snuggled to it, settling almost instantly.
Brushing a gentle caress across her cheek, the man sighed his lot in life... turning to the closet.
Quickly dressing and handling a few personal items, he stood over the woman, straightening his tie.
"Lizzy..." he murmured, shaking her gently so as to not startle her.
Slitting her eyes, Liz blinked sleepily at Red as he sat beside her. "You're going?"
He leaned, bracketing her with his arms, "Yes," he replied softly, "do you need anything before I go?"
"No," she stretched lazily, "...I'm good."
"Here's your phone, hit one if you need me." he slid the phone under her pillow as the woman hummed her answering reply and snuggled into the blankets he pulled up around her.
Leaning further, he kissed the curve of her neckline. "Sleep well, baby."
Knowing she had grown as fond of the wind sound as he, he pushed the balcony doors ajar.
The ghostly diaphanous curtains rippled in the gentle breeze as he dropped the door stops, keeping them in place.
Closing the bedroom door behind him, Red walked into the main room, grabbing his keycard and phone as he made his way into the corridor.
Dembe waited on the other side, holding a file at the ready, discussing what the evening would entail before Red even shut the door.
It was going to be a long night...
Groaning her discomfort, Liz shifted to a more comfortable position, but still found no relief for the pain radiating through back. Glancing forlornly at the clock, the light blue numbers glared back at her... mocking her.
Red had left a little under an hour ago. Since she wished more than anything he would walk through that door and put her out of her misery, the chances of that happening were slim to none, she knew.
Sighing despondently, she looked longingly at Red's pill bag sitting on the dresser across the way.
The desire to get the bag was strong, but the will was still lacking.
Hope sprang eternal as she heard the sound of the bedroom door click open, then close and light footsteps traversing the room.
The dark shadow of the man neared the bed, looming large in the room.
Liz's hackles rose, a sixth sense kicking in...her defenses on high alert; the sensation shocking her to the core.
That was not Red Reddington!
She inched backwards as the figure casually sat beside her, leaning into her position.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she screamed at her brain to wake up from the nightmare she was in... but the feeling in her gut told her... a nightmare was about to begin.
Reeling back, she hit the headboard. "What do you want?" her tone sounded firm. "The jewelry is in the safe... downstairs."
"That's funny, it really is."
Liz immediately recognized the voice, her stomach churned chaotically.
"Edward!" she was at once both stupefied yet stunned. "What the hell are you doing in here! Get the fuck out of–"
"Don't take that tone with me!" the frigid words chilled Liz's blood. "I may have to take it from his High and Mighty, but I don't from his whore!"
At first, Liz was taken aback by the sting of the insult, but then... "Are you insane! Red will kill you for–"
"He will have too much on his plate in a few days to worry about me... or you, for that matter." a sinister sneer accompanied the threat. "There's no better time for me to make my move."
Liz eyes' narrowed. Rule one of confronting a suspect, keep him talking. She clutched the sheet closer to her nakedness, sensing the creeps eyes on her every move.
Her weapon in the drawer, feet away. It was habit, move the gun from the night stand to a inconspicuous place in case housekeeping got it in mind to do a little snooping... it was human nature to open a drawer, a medicine cabinet... see how the other half lived.
Now she was damning herself for not putting it back.
"What do you mean?" she demanded, "He will have too much on his–"
"I don't talk business with whores..." he scoffed derisively.
"You call me that again," her eyes and tone hardened, "I'll kill you myself, you–"
She yelped a painful yell as the man back-handed her across the face, silencing the tirade effectively.
Liz reeled back from the blow, turning her face away, her teeth rattling as the shockwave filtered through her skull.
Taking a few seconds to acclimate, she sought out the idiot... her eyes ice-cold, "Enjoy the little time you have left... bastard."
She braced herself for another blow, but it didn't come.
"At least you have a measure of spirit." Edward laughed cruelly. "I'll beat that out of you, given time."
"You don't have any time," she knew for certain. "When Red finds out–"
"We will be long gone by then... just you and me, but that damned meeting will go on for hours," the thought amused the man. "I wasn't invited, of course, I'm not a big enough fish, yet."
Bewilderment etched into Elizabeth's incredulous features as she realized the depth of depravity she was dealing with.
"I'll make my mark... they will have to recognize me after this!" Leering at the woman, Edwards's eyes lowered to the swell of Liz's hidden breasts.
"No one dares touch that which belongs to his High and Mighty. Well... I dare! I will take the one thing no one else has the balls to take!"
"You're fucking insane!" Liz got it finally. "You're really out of your mind! You've lost it!"
The man attempted to run a cold, icy finger across Liz's shoulder but she jerked away, revulsion allowed.
"You will become accustom to my touch," he dismissed the reaction. "You will begin to crave it... after a spell."
"The only thing I crave," Liz was absolutely sure, "is to put a bullet between your eyes!"
At first the man's face hardened, but then he seemed to relax. "Of course you will be... resistant at first. I will even allow you latitude. You are incredibly lovely, but you know that."
Liz seethed in silence, her brain working frantically, recalling every remark and drill... each lesson Silas taught.
She simply bided her time.
"I will prove myself a better man than Red Reddington," the jerk was saying. "I only wish we had more time tonight, as it is, I only have time to taste you. After I have you all to myself... our time will come."
"I agree with that much at least," Liz knew the outcome of this scenario, no matter what happened between her and the village idiot here... Red would avenge her. "Your time will come."
"I want to fuck you."
The words turned her stomach. "No!" she spat venomously. "Fuck you, you disgusting asshole!"
Moving quickly, Liz lashed out, catching the man directly in the nose with her open-palmed hand.
Unprepared for the hit, Edward jerked back, growling a disgruntled outcry, his eyes filling with a bite of tears. The sound, music to the woman's ears.
Rolling, Liz hastily kicked out of the sheets making a bee-line for the chest of drawers.
Misjudging the man's reaction time, she released a frustrated growl as Edward grasped her hair, jerking her back towards the bed.
"You rotten son-of-a-bitch!" her eyes stung with a threat of tears, the action painful.
She struggled and kicked with all her strength, but her foe was stronger, pining her back to the cool sheets.
"You're wasting time!" his hot breast smelled of whiskey and a sweet sickly something that made Liz want to gag. "Besides... you'll learn, I always get what I want."
"You'll get what you deserve!" she managed through clenched teeth, fighting against the weight his body exerted on hers.
His dark gaze scanned her nude form lasciviously. "I can smell Reddington on you," it seemed to heighten the man's growing passion. "After I'm done with you, he'll never want to touch you again!"
"Stop it, asshole!" Liz pushed his hands away at every possible vantage point. "Get the fuck off me!" there was hatred... loathing in her tone and manner.
Liz slid along the sheets wriggling frantically to escape the fucker's clutches.
A cool solid object slid alone her spine...
The phone!
Her brain screamed out. Her flip phone! A literal life-line!
Yanking her arm free from Edward's hurtful grasp, the woman frantically fumbled to retrieve the cell.
"Settle down..."
Liz sucked in a sharp breath as the distinct pressure of a cold blade raked her throat teasingly.
"I thought that might calm you down a bit." Edward chuckled, roughly pulling his belt from its loops. "Now..."
Liz controlled the tremor in her fingers, slowly opening the phone.
"Let's have some fun, okay?"
Mentally visualizing the keypad, Liz slid her fingers methodically along the raised bumps, measuring the buttons she needed to push.
She prayed she hit the correct ones...
She prayed like she had never prayed before...
Liz just prayed.