Randle's Princess (12 page)

“Oh Lia, there you are,” he let out as soon as he reached her.  “I’ve been so worried.”

“Why?  What’s happened?” she asked now beginning to worry herself.

“There’s been a robbery.  One of the cashier cages was hit.”

Lia looked back in shock.  “Was anyone hurt?”

“No but I would really feel better if you would go to your room until we find the person responsible.  He’s still on the loose.”

“Oh, okay,” she replied not at all rebelling.

Finally she made her way up the elevator and turned to walk the hall to her room.  To her surprise there was no security on the floor tonight.  Probably downstairs with everyone else she only thought.

She faced her room door now and inserted the key card.  She heard the room door behind her open but ignored it.  She opened her door and began to step inside but when she reached out to close the door she saw a man’s hand grab it first and slam it shut.  He was now in the room with her.  She turned to face him and tried to run backward but he grabbed her left arm and she began to struggle with him.  Her purse fell to the floor and he kept her now from reaching for it. 

“Who are you?  What do want?”

She didn’t recognize him.  He spun her around and her entire body froze as soon as she felt the hard round barrel of his gun poke into her side rib cage, his left arm now around her chest.

“You make one stupid move and I’ll kill you.  Now we’re gonna go out the front door of this hotel with you right in front of me.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she stated but was in fear for her life now.

“I’m not playing here lady.  If you make one stupid move before we get outside I’ll drop you where you stand.”

She could tell he meant it.  This man definitely didn’t work for Randle she knew now.  Randle might be mad at her but would never have her treated this way.  Now she only feared it may be someone who detests Randle and knew she had best do as he said or he would kill her just to spite him.

He placed the gun in his lower jacket pocket and turned her toward the door.  She walked slowly as he followed her to the elevators and then across the huge foyer.  He kept just behind her so close she could feel his body touching hers.

The automatic doors opened and now she didn’t know what to do.  “Straight ahead,” he whispered in her ear.  “Just keep going, all the way to the blue sedan just ahead.”

Now she was really afraid.  He was taking her away and she had no idea where.  Before they reached the car the back door opened and she could see another man’s arm from inside surely awaiting her arrival.  The man behind her put his hand on her head and shoved into the back seat, climbed in next to her and slammed the door at the same time the car took off.

Lia looked around but didn’t recognize the other man or the driver.  Clearly not Randle’s people she was sure.  Or were they?  Maybe he was just trying to scare the hell out of her for running off.  If this was the case he was doing a good job of it.

“Who are you?” she then demanded.  “Where are we going?”

“You just keep quiet little lady,” the second man then ordered.  “If all goes well you’ll be just fine.”

She had now idea what he meant but it didn’t sound good.  Now she was even more afraid as they drove for a few minutes to the edge of town.  The car pulled up just outside of what looked to be a big empty warehouse.  She was pulled from the car and led inside.  The man holding her arm kept walking and all you could hear was the clicking of her heels on the concrete floor echoing throughout the empty building.

They came to another door on the side wall of the building and he opened it and slung her inside immediately slamming it closed again behind her and she heard the click as he locked the bolt from outside. 

Lia stood stiffly for a moment then scanned the tiny room.  It looked as if it used to be an office of some kind.  To the rear was another door and going with her first instinct she walked over and opened it but only to reveal a small bathroom.  She was hoping for an exit or at least another room with a window so she could make her escape but no such luck.

Now with much more fear she was wondering what was to happen next, Lia slid down the wall in one corner of the room and began to shiver.  There was a chill in the air and it was getting colder.  She came to sit on the floor and bent her knees and folded her arms in front her. 

Finally it was apparent she would be here for a while.  She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes trying so hard not to be afraid and kept telling herself she would be fine.

Lia’s body jumped and she now awoke to the sounds of footsteps and voices outside the door.  She had no idea how long she was asleep but it felt like hours.  Finally the bolt lock clicked and the door opened.  The same man from the night before came in and quickly yanked her to her feet and pulled her out into the warehouse.  She looked around and scanned the second story balconies above, one on each side of the room with their simple medal railing seeing no one else, just the two of them. 

Then as she heard the front door opening the man grasped her around her throat from behind and aimed his gun directly at her head.  It was Thomas who was entering now and her eyes widened at his sight.  What possibly could he have to do with this? she wondered again. 

“Did you bring my money?” the man then asked him.

So now she knew it was Thomas this man sought revenge from…not Randle.  She was no more relieved to realize this…her life was still in danger regardless.

Thomas bent slowly only a few feet away and carefully placed a small suit case on the floor.

 “I have your money,” he stated.  “Now let her go.”

“Not so quickly,” the man warned.  “Open it.”

Thomas was looking around nervously.  Lia was again scanning the room looking for the quickest way out.  As the man spoke with Thomas and held her firmly she looked straight ahead and noticed another door just in front her on the side of the building.  If he were to ever let her go she would run for it.

“Look, I wouldn’t risk her life.  The money is there,” Thomas insisted still acting nervously and looking around as if he were expecting someone else to join them.

“Open it!” the man then yelled louder growing more impatient.

Then so suddenly six men now appeared on the balconies above three on each side.  The clattering sounds as they cocked their rifles and all aimed directly at Lia and this man was near deafening.   She closed her eyes for a second before opening them again knowing she was sure to die now. 

Then she got the nerve to look again. 
These
men she recognized.  A small glimmer of hope overtook her.  He was here somewhere she knew and just the thought of it was giving her more faith now.

Then she jerked again hearing a loud bang and the side door she had targeted for her own escape flew open.  A small sigh of relief filled her.  The man’s leg came to the ground quickly after kicking in the door and he now stepped forward from the small hallway and the shadow that covered his face lifted as he entered the room.

“Randle?” the man asked.  Now it was he that had fear in his voice.  “What the hell are you doing here?”

Lia had no idea how this man new Randle and she didn’t care.  Even knowing a huge fight between them was coming soon she was never more elated to see him even though his eyes were filled with rage as they came down hard on this man.

“Let her go,” Randle demanded in a light but demanding tone, his gun now drawn and aimed at them as well.

“This is none of your business Randle,” the man insisted.

“You made it my business when you took Princess out of that hotel,” he then stated firmly.  “Now let her go!”  This time his voice was louder and more demanding.

“Princess?” the man asked unknowingly.  “
Your
Princess?”  Lia felt his body begin to tremble as he held her and she laughed inside now.  Not so tough
now
are you she thought.

Finally she felt his hold loosen, and now she thought she had it all figured out.  Thomas owed this man money but he had no idea she was connected to Randle.  She only prayed now it was enough to save her but her own anger at him was starting to build for putting her through this.  For some reason this always seemed to happen when Randle was with her, she felt braver and more powerful.

Finally the man let go and put his hands in the air.  “Randle please believe me, I had no idea, really,” he pleaded.

Lia turned and angrily kicked him in the shin.  He lost his balance and fell to the floor with his head toward Randle and his feet facing Lia.  He hit the concrete with such force his gun flew from his hand.  He started to rise.

“Stay down!” Randle demanded.

Lia started toward him.  “And don’t you move either,” he then warned as he looked back to her.  She stopped instantly.

Her fear was building.  What was this all about and now what was to happen?  Randle bent his knees and crouched down placing his own gun on the floor.  With great force he shoved it and she watched as it spun in circles as it slid across the floor and landed at her feet.

With eyes widened she looked straight into his face as if pleading for help. 

“Pick it up,” he then ordered with such a tone she dared not go against him.

Now it was Lia who bent her knees slowly crouching and reaching for the weapon.  With her right hand she took ahold of it and came again to stand staring back at Randle.  She already knew what was next and wasn’t sure she could handle this.  Was this her punishment? 

“Now do to him exactly what he was about to do to you,” he demanded again, his eyes never leaving hers.

“Randle look.  I didn’t’ know,” the man pleaded again but with so many guns on him he dared not to move.

Randle ignored his plea only staring down Lia now.  “I said do it!” he then stated more powerfully than ever.

Lia brought her left hand on the gun as well to help her steady her aim.  She lifted it quickly, pulled the trigger then closed her eyes and turned her head not knowing for sure if she had done it, but she heard the bang and knew full well she indeed had.

Then she heard footsteps coming at her and opened her eyes.  Randle grabbed the gun from her hand and placed it back under his jacket.  He took hold of her arm and started back toward the door.

“Clean this mess up!” he then ordered to his other men and he continued out the door quickly.

“Randle why’d you make that girl do that?” she then heard Thomas’s voice from behind.

Randle continued toward the waiting car outside.  “It’s about time she learns take care of business,” is all he muttered back.  He pushed her angrily into the backseat and got in next her.  They drove away leaving Thomas standing there.

The car was driving quickly and Lia could only sit still afraid to speak or move.  She couldn’t believe what had just happened and wasn’t sure if she should cry about actually killing someone or begin to apologize to Randle.  She chose to stay quiet.  And what was worse…Randle never spoke the entire trip back to the Malia either, just sat and steamed.

They now made their way to the elevators inside but Randle punched the penthouse button and the elevator began to move swiftly.  Finally they were making their way to the luxurious suite with Randle still tugging her by the arm faster now as they entered the suite and made their way through another door opening into the master bedroom she could tell by its furnishings.

He kept pulling her all the way to the bathroom.  “Take those damn clothes off and hurry,” he then ordered as she looked down over herself realizing now she was covered with blood.

“Close the door,” she ordered as she reached for it.