The HiT Series Page 5

  Ben says, “Approximately two hours ago, the St. Cloud police department intercepted a truck that was suspected of carrying illegal firearms. Upon inspection, we discovered the truck actually contained a large amount of cocaine. The street value of these drugs is in the vicinity of five million dollars. The St. Cloud PD has been working closely with other law enforcement agencies and even though we were expecting a shipment of guns, we’re happy to have prevented such a large quantity of drugs from hitting our streets. Thank you very much for your time.” Ben’s interview stops there.

  Ben Pearson is still beautiful. Even on TV he’s gorgeous, just delicious. He must’ve returned to St. Cloud soon after I left him. But he had asked me to dinner. Maybe his vacation was cut short and he was called back because of the raid on that truck.

  The one thing I know for sure is now, Ben Pearson has become a target for more than just the man who’s hired me to kill him.

  Just then there’s a knock on the door and I hear, “Room service.” I can never be too careful. One of my Glocks is in the waistband at the back of my jeans and I open the door, standing to the side, cautious as usual. The young boy brings in my meal and places it on the table. He’s fine, no threat. I pull out five dollars and tip him. “Thank you, Ma’am,” he says. His eyes are on the floor and he scoots out of the door at record speed. Maybe reception chick told him about me; maybe that’s just the way he is.

  Once I finish my dinner, I brush my teeth and head to bed. It’s still early, only nine, but I’m very tired. Actually, I’m exhausted and I still need to make it to St. Cloud tomorrow. I lay my head on the pillow and I’m consumed by one thought. One person’s face fills every part of my mind.

  Deep blue eyes.

  Dark brown, sex-tousled hair.

  Lips to die for.

  A tasty mouth.

  Soft hands.

  Strong arms.

  Toned legs.

  Ben Pearson.

  Beep

  Beep

  Beep

  Fucking alarm. My dream of Ben Pearson is destroyed by a fucking alarm. Damn this bullshit.

  I get out of bed and start getting ready for the last leg of my trip back to St. Cloud. I start making a mental list of everything I need to do before I get to the cabin. I know there are limited supplies there, so I’ll need to stop off at the local supermarket and pick up a few things. But I have my babies in the trunk of the car and there’s no way I’ll be leaving them out in the open.

  If someone stole my car they’d certainly shit themselves if they opened the trunk. Not that it’s possible to steal my car, but still, I don’t want to lose my weapons. I’ll head to the cabin first to store my artillery and then head to the supermarket.

  When I leave the room and go to the front desk, I’m not surprised to find that reception chick’s there. Her blouse is a different color and her hair’s down today, which tells me she’s been home and is back for the day shift.

  It’s ten in the morning and I’m checking out. I should be in St. Cloud by seven tonight. I head to the counter and hold my key out to reception chick. Today she stands tall with her shoulders back and smiles at me, “Good morning, Miss Smith. I trust your stay with us was enjoyable?” Kudos to you, reception chick, you’re not scared of me after yesterday’s show.

  “Thank you, it was exactly as it should be.” My mask is back in place. I’m cold, but this time not angry or harsh with my words.

  “Ma’am, if I may speak openly?” She waits for confirmation I’ll allow her to speak to me about anything unrelated to my hotel stay.

  I simply nod my head once.

  “Ma’am, after what you said to me last night, I went home and thought about your words. No one’s ever called me out or acknowledged me the way you did. I realized what you said was the truth and that’s why it hurt me so much. After crying all night, I decided to return to school and study so I can manage a place like this one day rather than just work behind the desk. I know this may sound unconventional but…” She stops and she looks like she’s fighting with herself. It appears like she’s about to burst into tears. My eyes haven’t left her. Her body is nervous, she’s fidgeting.

  “Get on with it,” I growl. She’s starting to bore me. Really, reception chick, just spit it out.

  “Thank you,” she says and looks me straight in the eyes. Wow, it must have taken a lot of courage for her to say that.

  I actually smile at her. Her demeanor relaxes immediately. She takes a huge breath in. “You’re welcome. Work hard at what you do. Now do you have my bill ready?” Again ending this peculiar show of emotion that reception chick’s showing me.

  “Yes, Ma’am.” She smiles and hands me my bill along with a copy of the credit card slip. I sign it and head down to the BMW and get back on the road.

  I’m back on the road, headed toward Minnesota. The events of the past few days keep going around in my head. I have not been able to turn it off. Images of Ben keep flitting around.

  Those eyes are just so hypnotic. His lips are so sensual, that mouth so warm and delicious. I’ve never thought about a man like this before. No man’s ever had that effect on me. I just don’t know how to respond to these feelings. I need to shut that part of my brain down before I do something stupid, like not kill him. Or worse still, like him. That would be dangerous for everyone involved.

  Before I even realize it, I’ve crossed the border into Minnesota and am traveling toward the cabin. I should be there within two or three hours, depending on traffic.

  I turn the stereo on and plug my iPhone in. I need something loud to burn away some of the shit swimming around in my head. AC/DC, I think, a bit of Thunderstruck. Yep, perfect. AC/DC Razor’s Edge. That’s exactly what I need. And I need it loud.

  I’m driving along and the music is blaring from my car’s sound system. I mean, people are turning to look at me as I cruise along. I’ve had my stereo on for a good two hours. The music’s possessing me and it’s starting to work, distracting me from everything I need distraction from. Maybe it’s distracting me too well because I look in my rear-view and I see the flash of red and blue lights. Shit, you have got to be kidding me. Being pulled over by police at this very moment isn’t good. Not with all my weapons in the trunk.

  I stop in the breakdown lane and watch as a man exits his vehicle. Is that who I think it is? My heart skips a beat as the man approaches my car. I smooth my hair and take a quick glance in the mirror to make sure I look okay. I usually look great, but I’ve been driving for hours. There’s a possibility I’ll look less than stellar.

  There’s a knock on my window and I look up to see…brown eyes. Nope not Ben. It’s okay. It’s okay. No, it’s not fucking okay. I put the window down, take a deep breath and look very sweetly at the officer.

  “Ma’am it appears your music was way too loud. I could hear you from where I was two cars behind. I had my lights on for a good minute before you saw me and pulled over. That’s really quite dangerous,” he states.

  He’s a nice-looking man. Tall, six-foot-one. Quite well-built. Dark hair. He has darker skin. Beautiful brown eyes. I look at his badge and it says EAC Ethan Martelli. Executive Assistant Chief. That means he’s second in charge. Which also means he knows and works with Ben. “License and registration, please.” He’s all business.

  “I’m sorry, Officer Martelli. I’ve been having a terrible day and all I want to do is get home and relax.” I’m hoping he doesn’t check over my car, because that’ll be an interesting situation to get out of. Who am I kidding? I’ll kill him and leave.

  “Ma’am, license and registration please,” he says again. Shit, I could be in trouble. Change that, he could be in trouble.

  I lean over to the glove box and take them both out. Of course they don’t have my real name on them. I’m Anna Moore in virtually all aspects of my life. I have my aliases and I have my work name and I have my real name. Only one person knows that name. Me.

  “Mrs. Moore,” he starts. This is my
opening.

  “It’s Miss Moore, Officer Martelli.” I interrupt with a smile. Yep, I turn on the Anna charm. I know I’m attractive; I won’t deny it. I use my looks to get what I want. I won’t sleep with a man unless I want to or need to, and I certainly don’t want to sleep with Officer Martelli.

  I just don’t want to kill him, which means I don’t want him looking around in the car.

  “Oh. Well, Miss Moore, where are you off to?” Yep, it’s worked. He’s going to say at the end of this conversation, “Hope to see you again.” Fool.

  “I’m thinking about purchasing a property in St. Cloud. I’ve passed by there before and would love to have a vacation home here that I could visit when work gets to be too much. So I’m here to see if I can find something I like.” I rake my eyes over his body, giving him a very blatant once-over, just enough to give him the idea I might be interested.

  “Well, I hope for St. Cloud’s sake you find what you’re looking for. We could always use a beautiful new addition.” His voice drops to a husky register while he gives me my license and registration back.

  I smile sweetly. If only he really knew anything about me, he’d be running for the hills. “I hope so too.” I play along as I look at him from under my lashes. The patented Anna charm, turned on to maximum.

  “Well I’d appreciate it if you’d keep the volume turned down. I wouldn’t want you hurt in any way,” he says. This man clearly has no idea he’s the one in danger, not me. That’s okay; I can allow him his fantasy about me.

  “Of course, Officer Martelli. I do apologize. I’ll keep it turned down.”

  “Well, Miss Moore, I do hope to see you again…on different terms, of course. And please call me Ethan.” Fool. He says those words hoping I’ll give him my number. I won’t.

  “Thank you, Officer. I may see you around.” I know I’ll see him again. He may not see me, though. I need to do research on Ben Pearson, also known as Hit 149, but I’m sure I’ll see him too if he’s Ben’s second in command. I put my window up and leave. Ethan Martelli walks to his car and follows me for approximately two miles before he pulls into a gas station.

  Before long, I’m at the cabin. I haven’t stayed here before. It’s quite large, single story, with three bedrooms. Well, two now, because I’ve made the third room into a steel-boxed safe room. You can’t get into it from any angle you try. It’s a totally reinforced steel box. There are no windows, and it’ll house the guns and ammunition I have in the trunk.

  Except for my Glocks, of course. They stay with me.

  The cabin has a country kitchen, a large family room and a fire place. It looks like a normal cabin from the outside. You really need to know what you’re a looking for to see the surveillance equipment I’ve set up. The state-of-the-art alarm system protecting the property is exactly the same as for all the other properties I own. The safe rooms are the same in each and every house or apartment I own.

  They’re all linked into my laptop via the Internet. I can see everything that takes place in and around any of my properties. My safe rooms are all equipped with detonation devices so if I suspect the Feds are onto me I can blow the steel boxes up and contain the blast to within those walls. They are set with enough explosives to destroy any evidence they might be looking for. I deliberately designed these devices not to hurt anyone.

  Yeah, yeah, yeah, an assassin with a conscience. No, not really. I just kill the people I get paid to kill…or people that piss me the fuck off.

  I offload my equipment from the BMW, stow it all in the safe room, and head to the supermarket in St. Cloud to buy supplies. I’m really hungry and want to eat, but there’s nothing edible here. I also need some other personal products.

  I really want to go to Lionsgate Road and check out Ben’s house to see where it is in relation to my old home. I think I’ll leave Lionsgate until tomorrow when the sun’s up and I can access everything I need.

  I head into town and pull into the supermarket parking lot. It’s not huge, but it has everything I need. I walk through the fresh produce section and pick up some bananas, tomatoes, and cucumbers. I reach for the red peppers when I hear from behind me, “Anna Moore.” The voice is deep, smooth, and velvety – unmistakable.

  My heart immediately leaps up into my throat. My hands start shaking and excitement flutters around in my stomach. I turn around and see him immediately. He’s beautiful. Just the way I left him in the hotel room, only with more clothes. He’s wearing black jeans and a dark blue Henley shirt. Good God. This man is just so desirable to me. Calm Anna, breathe Anna. Think Anna.

  “Ben Pearson. What an absolute pleasure to see you standing in front of me.” I wish you were naked, though. Pounding into me up against the wall, or in the shower or over a chair.

  “Anna. What are you doing in St. Cloud?” he asks. If only he knew the real reason.

  I rattle off the same bullshit I told EAC Ethan Martelli when he pulled me over. Ben’s face has completely transformed. There’s a smile in his eyes and on those lickable lips. He looks so happy to see me. He’s right in front of me, gaping, and I think his brain must be processing the answer I just gave him.

  “I really hope you’ll have dinner with me now you’re in St. Cloud. Maybe I can convince you to stay.” He has such high hopes for us. This is where my plan changes and transforms. I’ll befriend him and see what he does and take him out in a way that won’t cause anyone any pain. This could work. I just can’t sleep with him. Or fall for him. He’s simply Hit 149. Not Ben Pearson. Just Hit 149.

  “You know, Ben,” I say, biting my lower lip hoping it’ll make him crazy and inflame his desire for me. But I won’t sleep with him. Hit 149. “I only got in tonight, and I’m rather hungry right now. I was just going to go back to cook dinner at my friend’s cabin where I’m staying but I’d rather have some company.” I cock an eye brow at him. I have to keep thinking, Hit 149.

  Ben swallows noisily as his eyes drift over my body as he takes me in. “Well, a good thing I haven’t eaten either. Perhaps I can take you to dinner at Mamma’s across the street?” He’s waiting for my answer. Hit 149. Keep the emotion out of it, Anna. Don’t think of him as Ben Pearson.

  “That sounds terrific. I’ll just finish up what I have to do here and I’ll meet you outside in ten minutes,” I say to him not really giving him the option to follow me around and watch what I put in my basket. He steps closer and kisses me on the cheek. That damn electricity is still jumping between us.

  The kiss is slow. He hovers longer then he’s supposed to. I close my eyes and lean into his kiss as I let out a low moan. His right hand finds the small of my back. It’s taking every ounce of strength I have in me not to throw him to the floor and fuck his brains out right here in the produce department. I need to find my bearings and pull away from him.

  There’s fire in his eyes. I can see his chest rising and falling, fast. His mouth is slightly open and his head’s tilted down just a little. He’s feeling exactly what I’m feeling. And I can see the obvious excitement tenting his jeans. I bite my lip to contain a whimper.

  He looks at me and murmurs, “Please don’t take too long.” I nod and walk off. That’s got to be the hardest thing I’ve done, walking away from him.

  I quickly get my breathing under control and finish picking up the things I need. When I exit the store, I see Ben sitting on the bench outside. He jumps up to grab my bags. We silently walk over to my BMW and I open the trunk. I’m glad I dropped my equipment at home before going shopping. Ben places the bags in the trunk and gives me with a perplexed, questioning look. “Didn’t you have a Mercedes?” He was paying attention to something other than my body that night.

  “I have two cars. I like to go fast and I like style.” Actually I’m lying to him. I have more than two cars and I have a few bikes. But again, that’s need-to-know information.

  Okay, time for some recon work. That’s what this is all about, right? Just as I’m thinking these words, Ben grabs my hand and interl
ocks our fingers. That heat immediately returns and radiates from our hands throughout my body. Ben looks down and slightly frowns at where our fingers are locked together.

  He turns to me and opens his mouth. He’s breathing shallow and hard. His eyes are dilated, pupils surrounded with a ring of deep, brilliant blue. The look is one of lust and desire. “How is this possible, Anna? It’s like it was that night. What you do to me is something I’ve never felt before.” He swallows hard and turns his head away, tugging me toward the restaurant. He’s still shaking his head and muttering as we walk. I can feel that familiar clenching in my stomach; the heat pooling in my panties is unbearable. I’m trying hard not to stop him and attack his mouth, and every other part of his body.

  My heart’s beating so rapidly it feels like I’ve just run the Boston marathon. We make it to the restaurant and Ben opens the door for me. As I pass him he slides his hand to the small of my back and continues lower to run his hand over my ass. I want him to continue but I have to detach from this.

  Hit 149 not Ben Pearson.

  We’re shown to a table at the back of the restaurant. The waitress is batting her eyes at Ben. He doesn’t even acknowledge her. Actually, I don’t think he’s even aware she’s standing there drooling over him.

  “Hello, my name’s Tammy and I’ll be your waitress tonight. I’ll give you a few minutes to look over the menu, Sir, and I’ll come back to get your order,” she says flashing her pearly whites at Ben. I mean Hit 149.

  Oh no you don’t, bitch. You do not ignore me.

  “Will you stop staring at my husband before I grab the nearest thing to me and bash your simpering face in?” I say with a huge smile, but a menacing look in my eyes.

  She gasps at me and then at Ben before she slithers away. Yes, bitch, you best leave before I do hurt you.