Mesmerized (15 page)

She obeyed and let her eyes roam over his body. She could see him squirm involuntarily. Raising her eyes, she met his and felt the pull of sexual attraction. "You don't want to do this."

"No, I don't, but it's my job." 

Her eyes bore into his and she had to physically stop herself from reaching out and caressing his face. She was momentarily surprised. She usually had more control of herself. She wasn't prepared for this instant attraction. "Take me inside."

The man looked over his shoulder. "Clear. Go back to work." The men scattered back into the darkness. 

"Follow me." 

Sandra followed behind the man trying not to stare at his broad back and trim waist.
Snap out of it.

He reached the massive door and entered a code into a panel on the side of the doorway. A low beep sounded and they entered. 

The hairs on the back of Sandra’s neck stood up. She had a feeling bad things happened here. Sandra rushed to keep up as he led her through the expansive mansion. The ceiling was at least eleven feet high and a huge crystal chandelier hung down in the main foyer. Antiques and exotic art dominated the room. He led her down a long, dark hallway. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. The deeper they went, the cooler the air got. She wondered where he was taking her, and if she should have insisted Camille come with her. 

Finally, he stopped in front of a massive wooden door. He knocked rapidly three times and stood back.

"Come in." A deep voice sounded from nowhere. 

Sandra didn't bother to look for it. She needed to be alert when she came face to face with him.

The guard swung opened the door allowing Sandra to go in first. She walked into a gigantic study. Old maps covered the walls.

Sitting behind a large wooden desk was an older man with a full head of grey hair and dancing blue eyes. He had a strong jaw and sensual full lips that curled upward when she walked in. He didn't look very menacing to her. Of course looks are often deceiving. 

She walked forward seductively, never taken her eyes off his. She held her hand out to him. "You must be Henry." 

He took her hand in his and kissed the top sending shivers down her spine. "And you are?"

"Sandra." She gazed into his eyes and gently pulled back her hand as she sunk into the leather seat. 

"Adam. You can leave us," he said without looking up. 

The guard looked surprised. "Are you sure?"

"Do not second guess me! Leave and close the door behind you."

"Yes, Sir." He turned on his heel and left the room. 

Sandra was a bit disappointed. Adam was a pleasure to look at. 

"May I ask how you evaded my guards, and what you are doing in my home? Not that I would turn away the company of such a striking woman." His voice was deeper than she expected. 

"Unfortunately Henry, I am not here for pleasure." 

"What a shame." He folded his hands on top of the desk. "Well, what can I do for you?"

"It seems you kidnapped my daughter not too long ago." She slowly crossed her legs and ran her fingers on the side of the chair caressing the worn leather. 

"Your daughter?" He sounded surprised. 

"Yes, she was with a boy named Jake. Apparently, you want something from him. You inadvertently stirred up more trouble than you know."

He chuckled softly. "You are a pleasant surprise. I was rather bored until you walked in. I apologize for taking your daughter. It was not her we were after. She was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. There was no harm done to the child, and as you know, they managed to escape." He paused. "That's something I still can't figure out. How they could have gotten past my guards. Much like how did you get into my office?" 

"It's hard to tell some women no." 

"A truer statement has never been spoken. What exactly do you want from me? Are you here to kill me? Because that would be a shame. I would enjoy getting to know you better." 

"Oh Henry, I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with you just yet." She laughed her throaty laugh—the one that drove men crazy. 

Sandra leaned forward. Her hands placed firmly on the desk, she stared deeply into his eyes. "You will leave with me and tell the guards not to follow. You will not resist me."

Henry stood up and waved his arm forward. "After you, my dear."

She stood up and sauntered out of the room swaying her hips as she increased her stride. She didn't like the feel of the house and wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. 

Adam, the guard, met them in the main entryway. "Are we going out?" 

"I'm going out. You and the rest of the guards will be staying here," Henry said firmly.

"But sir, you never leave without an escort. We can follow discreetly behind."

Henry raised his hand in a motion to stop the man from speaking any further. "Who pays you? And rather handsomely at that? Do not follow me." 

Adam bowed his head like a child that had been reprimanded. 

Sandra pushed the heavy double doors open. The brisk air was welcoming on her skin. She felt a rush of excitement as she led Henry to the waiting car. She hadn't realized how much she missed the thrill.

Camille stuck her head out of the driver’s side window and frowned. "It's about time. I was about to throw some juju on that damn mansion and go in after you. There are some bad vibes coming from there."

"Camille, this is Henry." Sandra said, sliding into the back seat with him. 

Camille put the car into gear and pulled away from the house. “Wonderful to meet you, Henry.”

Their captive watched his house slowly disappear behind them before he turned around and clapped his hands. Without the slightest hint of alarm, he asked, “So. Where are you taking me?"

Chapter Nineteen

Lily paced the room like a caged animal ready to pounce. She wrung her hands together. "Where are they? What's taking so long?"

"Calm down. Your mother knows what she's doing." 

"Sure she does. She's probably having sex with the guy."

Her father inhaled sharply. "That's enough, Lily. Your mother is risking her life to help you."

Lily's face crumbled and she covered it with her hands. "Oh my God. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I'm just worried."

Jake put his arm around her. She shrugged it off. "Not now."

Jake walked away and sat on a metal chair, looking at the door. The bright fluorescent lights were bothering his eyes. Sandra had been gone so long he was also starting to get worried. If anything happened to Lily's mother he would never be able to live with himself. 

Just then, they heard a loud creak as the door opened. Sandra blew in like a tornado. She always had to make an entrance. Her eyes were lit with excitement, and her cheeks were flushed. She looked even more beautiful than usual. Henry and Camille lingered behind. "I brought you something, dear." 

Gregory walked past his wife and towards Henry.  John was ever present to the right of him. Lily watched with interest, unsure of what her father would do next. 

Gregory glanced at John. "Bring him to the back room."

John nodded and grabbed Henry from behind twisting his arm in an odd angle. He winced. "I'll go willingly."

John pushed him forward without saying a word. 

Lily and Jake went to follow, but her father turned. "You two are to stay out here," he said firmly. "John, keep an eye on them."

"What? That's not fair," Lily complained.

Sandra gave her a look. "Listen to your father. We'll be back shortly." 

Lily folded her arms across her chest and pouted. 

Jake threw his head back. "This sucks."

Camille walked around the chair Henry was strapped to and drank him in with her intense dark eyes. 

"This one is evil," she spat. "He enjoys torturing people and has a fondness for girls much too young for him. Why are you after Jake? Don't bother lying. I can find out the truth."  

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Henry looked amused. 

"Really?" She narrowed her eyes and started chanting what sounded like gibberish to everyone else. 

Henry sat up straighter in the chair and his face was contorted in pain, but no sound escaped. Suddenly his body slumped forward relaxed. 

"Want to try that again? What do you want with Jake?"

Henry twisted his head side to side to see Sandra or Gregory. "What the hell is she?"

"Answer her. I assure you that she will win," Sandra said flatly.

"You people are crazy. Is it money you want? I have plenty."

"We don't have time for this nonsense."

Sweat started to drip off Henry's brow and moisture soaked through his shirt. He squirmed in the chair. "Why is it so hot?"

"Your body temperature is rising. 102, 103,104, 105. Gregory when does the brain damage set in?" Camille asked casually. 

Gregory stood up and walked in front of Henry. "I believe it's 107, but that could be brain dead. I'm not quite sure."

"Okay, Okay. I'll tell you what you want to know, just turn down the damn heat." 

As Sandra walked forward, her heels echoed in the small room. She held a glass of water in her hand. Henry licked his lips and his eyes glistened. 

"Would you like a sip?" Sandra parted her lips slightly and stared at him. She took a long, slow drink. She leaned forward and placed the cup at his lips. He greedily swallowed. "Tell us everything or Camille will finish what she started. She is not known for her patience." 

"The boy is immortal and I need to find out his secret. My family has been searching for generations to find the key to immortality." He paused. "Jake is closest we have come."

"He's cursed. It's not a big mystery."

"Damn it! I know he's cursed. We need to find the witch that placed the curse on him. He claims he doesn't know, that the secret died with his father. I don’t believe him. It's the only hope I have and I'm not getting any younger." Desperation crept into his voice. 

"How many people are in on the search?" Gregory asked. 

"I'm the last in the line. It has been passed on throughout the generations in my family. I'm an only child and I wasn't able to father children. Believe me I've tried."

"Others must be involved. Uncles, cousins, private investigators?"

"All dead. Do you think we would want people to know what we are searching for? If more people know, we would never have a chance."

"You keep saying we." Gregory tapped his finger to his lip.

"We as in my family legacy. I'm doing this for all of us. You have no idea what they went through trying to find the key. Just let me go and I will share the secret once we get it out of the boy."

"Tempting offer, but I think we'll have to pass." Sandra stood next to her husband. "You see our daughter is in love with the boy. To bring him harm is to bring her harm. I don't suppose you know anything about love." 

"I've told you all I know. I promise." 

"Are there journals? Any kind of information that has been passed on throughout the generations?"

"Of course. We have kept detailed documentations on the hunt for immortality."

"Where are they? Camille, I think it's getting cold in here," Gregory said in hushed voice.

She walked forward staring deeply into his soul. "99, 100, 101,102, 103."

"Stop it! I will tell you what you want to know. Although, it will do you no good. I have a secret room in my basement. Under a floorboard is a hidden compartment. It's all there."

Sandra looked over at Camille and raised an eyebrow. "Is he telling the truth?"

She closed her eyes and her breathing increased. Half a minute later, her eyes snapped open. "Yes. He is telling the truth." She pulled out a small vile from her smock and handed it to Henry. "Drink this, and it will take away the fever."

Henry tilted his head back and downed the sweet liquid. "Thank you," he whispered. 

Camille looked at Sandra and Gregory. "I shall burn down the house and all it's contents."

Gregory nodded. "What are we going to do with him?"

A loud noise caused Gregory to spring into action. 

***

John wondered what was going on behind the closed door. He'd rather be in there helping Greg then out here babysitting. Suddenly, the front door burst open and in charged four men with guns. 

“Where is Henry?” Adam, the main guard demanded. All of the men’s eyes searched the room.

John leveled his gun. They stared at each other each silently, daring the other to make the first move.

Lily and Jake stayed quiet. 

Swiftly, Adam reached out, grabbed Lily’s arm, and shoved a gun in her back. She shrieked in surprise and the door down the hall swung open. She felt relieved. Her father would not let anything happen to her. She wasn't ready to die. Her body shook under the man's grip. 

Her father stepped out and his eyes widened. “Let go of her!”

“Not until you give us Henry.” 

"Put down the gun, and we will discuss it." 

“That’s not going to happen.” Adam said sharply. 

“Why don’t you let her go and take me?”

Adam looked between the two of them. “She’s prettier. Makes for a better a hostage.”

Lily glanced at Jake who looked petrified. 

“It’s okay,” she told him.

Adam yanked her hair. “Shut up.”

“Ow! You don’t have to be nasty.” Tears sprang to Lily’s eyes.

Jake took a step towards Lily. One of the men behind Adam held their gun up. “Stop right there.” 

Jake glared at them. “You know the old guy wants me. Why don’t you just take me?”

“Tempting, but since we have guns pointed at all of you right now, I think we’ve got it covered.”

Jake thought about the situation. They all had guns; one was jammed in Lily’s back. He couldn’t die, but he was pretty sure Lily and her dad could if shot. However, he had a feeling that Lily’s father had skills and would go to any length to protect his daughter. Plus, they had John on their side. He made eye contact at Gregory and nodded. 

Adam turned to one of the other guards and pointed to the room behind where Gregory was standing. “Go find out what’s going on in that room.”