Two Of A Kind

Chapter 7 – Determination

Hearing the crash Alex immediately rolled off of Shane just as two men filed into the room. One was fairly young, mid-twenties, with sandy brown hair. The other man was older. Probably in his forties. Jet-black hair with streaks of grey here and there. When Alex stared into his grey eyes she felt a shiver creep up her spine. Both men were wearing black suits and black ties. And both men were holding semi automatics. Alex eyes flicked to the nightstand where she had hidden the gun but she knew she wouldnt be able to get it in time. This is not going to good, she thought. Then her thoughts immediately went to Shane. She had to protect Shane.

Shane was still in shock. Just a few moments ago she was having the time of her life and now She looked at the two men apprehensively. If they had wanted them dead theyd probably have shot them already, she reasoned. Then she looked at Alex who was looking very tense. There was an expression on her face that Shane hadnt seen before. Alex looked cold and detached. It surprised her. Just a few moments ago her face had been so passionate and now there was nothing. How could anyone change so quickly? It reminded her of when she had overheard Alex phone conversation. She really didnt know this woman at all, did she?

So do we just stay like this for the rest of the day?, Shane said licking her lips nervously. She had to say something to break the tension. Alex glanced back at her and was about to give her an angry look when she saw how white Shanes face had gotten. She could kick herself for getting them into this position. Now we have a little chat, a husky voice sounded from the doorway causing Alex to turn back towards the door. When Shane saw the woman enter the room, she took her breath away. The woman was gorgeous. Her hair was almost blood red and brought out the dark green of her eyes. She was tall, but not too tall. Her dress was almost as red as her hair and it showed off her long shapely legs. As the woman walked further into the room, the two men moved to the side their guns still trained on the women sitting on the bed.

Alex got up and started to walk towards the woman taking the lead and drawing attention away from Shane. She stopped right in front of her. And what would we need to talk about?, Alex said her voice completely disinterested as if armed gunmen busted into her bedroom every day. Then again maybe they did Shane thought. The woman crossed her arms. Marina Ferrer. A little birdie tells me you two are looking for her. Not us, Alex said a smirk gracing her face, Im looking for Marina Ferrer. She, she said pointing to Shane, shes just along for the ride. Shane glared at Alex. As much as she wanted to correct her, she knew what Alex was doing. She was ensuring that if things went badly theyd leave her alone. That knowledge infuriated her a little. She could take care of herself. At the same time it warmed her to know that Alex was trying to protect her.

The woman stepped around Alex and sat on the corner of the bed openly admiring Shane whose shirt was still unbuttoned. I can see how she could have some entertainment value, the woman said her gaze back on Alex. Alex looked at Shane who just sat there completely at ease and she laughed to herself. God, this woman was something. Now if only she could get both of them out of this mess in one piece So are you going to tell us where she is?. The woman looked at Alex mockingly. This was a game and they both knew it. The first one to lose her cool would lose the game. Im here to tell you that Marina is off limits to you. I just want to talk to her. If she tells me to get lost, Ill get lost. She looked into those hard green eyes and added a little more harshly, But only when she tells me. For a moment the woman seemed to be contemplating this. Then she just nodded and got up. I strongly advise you to stop looking for Marina. Next time I wont ask so nicely, she said briefly glancing at the two men. Alex immediately understood the underlying threat, but stood her ground. The next time I wont reply so nicely. The woman just smiled. She didnt know whether this woman was as tough as she acted or whether she was just plain stupid. She nodded at the young guy who immediately stepped forward and grabbed Alex arm. Alex saw him coming and when his hand touched her arm, she twisted from his grasp grabbing his arm and twisting it. She kicked him hard in the knee hearing something pop as he yelled and fell to one knee. Immediately her free hand went for the gun in his other hand. She twisted his wrist and grabbed the gun aiming it at the womans head, her other hand still holding the man down to the ground. She felt the cold steel of a gun brush her temple.

Shane was staring at the scene breathlessly. Alex aiming a gun at the woman. The older guy aiming his gun at Alex. An old fashioned stand off. I believe you know where the door is, Alex said letting go of the younger man moving away from all three of them so they were between her and the door her gun still aimed at the woman. The woman glared at Alex furious at how shed lost the upper hand. This was not over yet and both women knew it. The woman motioned to the two men. The younger man got to his feet and winced as he tried to put weight on the leg Alex had kicked. The woman walked out the door first the two men following her. The older guy supporting the younger who was limping now. Alex followed the three of them through the living area to the door her gun still aimed at them. The woman opened the door and then turned back to Alex smiling. Until we meet again. And then they were gone. Alex closed the door behind them and locked it. Not that it would do them much good. She sighed. She had known this was going to get violent. She just hadnt thought it would happen so quickly.

Are you ok?, Shane asked from behind her. Alex turned around and saw Shane had straightened her clothes. She was starting to get angry now. Only seeing Shane she wasnt sure anymore whether it was because someone had just threatened to kill her or whether it was because they had interrupted them. I should be asking you that. Shane just shrugged and pushed her hands in her pockets. Im not the one they pointed a gun at. Alex would have laughed if the situation hadnt been so serious. She placed the gun on the table next to the door and walked over to Shane and placed her hands on her shoulders. Immediately Shane felt some of the tension leaking away from her. Somehow feeling the warmth of Alex touch calmed her. It made her feel safe and she quickly pulled Alex into a hug. They just stood like that for a while until Shanes phone rang. Alex pulled back. You should get that. Shane just nodded and pulled her phone out of her pocket. Yeah. Shane laughed at hearing Alices voice. After everything that had happened it felt good to hear her friend. Its Alice she mouthed to Alex and went to sit on the couch.

Alex walked back into the bedroom and started packing her things in her suitcase. Then she picked up her phone and made a few calls of her own. When Shane walked in she saw Alex closing her suitcase. Alex looked up. Pack your things. Were leaving?, Shane asked feeling disappointed. They hadnt even seen Marina yet and Alex was already throwing in the towel. Alex moved towards the connecting door. Were not. You are. What?!. Shane followed Alex into her own bedroom. Alex started picking up Shanes clothes, or what little there was of them and putting it in her suitcase. Shane walked over to Alex and yanked the shirt she was holding out of her hands. If youre staying, Im staying, she said with such determination it made Alex smile.

Youve seen what these people are capable of. I cant let you stay. If they hurt you, Alex said letting her voice trail off. The thought of Shane getting hurt unsettled her. And what if they hurt you?, Shane replied angrily. Alex simply shrugged and continued packing. Shane grabbed Alex arm. I am NOT leaving. Do you hear me?. Alex sighed. She was about to say something else when she realized this was going to be useless. If it had been her looking for a friend, she wouldnt have let anyone bully her into leaving either. Ok, she finally conceded and she saw a satisfied look cross Shanes face. Besides theyre not going to hurt me after all Im only the entertainment, she quipped. Alex stared at her and then they started laughing uncontrollably releasing all the tension that had built up and collapsed on the bed.

****

Shane was skimming through the file Alex had given her. She was sitting in one of the largest hotel suites she had ever seen. After the little incident with the goon squad Alex had suggested they move to another hotel not wanting a repeat episode of what had happened. So she had gotten them the penthouse suite at the Carlton Tower, one of the most prestigious hotels in London. Shane had felt it was a bit extravagant, but Alex had said it would be a lot harder for anyone to get to them with all the security that was present in the hotel protecting all the celebrities who liked to stay there. She had also insisted on the two of them sharing a suite. And now they were working on their plan of action. So, now what man?, Shane asked still reeling from all the information she had just read on the Cabals. When Alex had said these people were dangerous, she hadnt been kidding. Not only were the Ferrer Cabals into all kinds of illegal things. They could also be linked to nearly two dozen missing people in the last five years alone. It seemed that crossing the Ferrers was very dangerous indeed. Now we try to find Marina. Shes probably been stashed away somewhere by her sister. Alex searched through the stack of papers and pulled out the folder Bobby had given her. These are a few addresses we should check out, and she handed the folder to Shane. Its funny though. Whats funny?. Shane looked up. Well, Marina and her sister look nothing like each other. When Alex didnt say anything, Shane continued, I mean Marina is like an exotic beauty, and her sister. Well, you saw her. Red hair, green eyes. Its hard to think of them as sisters. Suddenly Alex laughed. She and Shane hadnt yet really discussed what had happened, but maybe she should have said something. Babes, thats cause that wasnt Marinas sister. What? But then who was she?. Alex shrugged. I dont know, but that wasnt her. How can you be so sure?, Shane asked. Because Angelina Ferrer would never demean herself by getting so physical. People like her have people for that. The redhead and her gruesome twosome are just hired help, Alex replied. She had dealt with people like the Ferrers before. Not one of the highpoints of her life. One of many.

Alex walked over to where Shane was sitting and knelt in front of her taking her hands in hers. When she stared into those eyes for a moment she felt lost again. Her thoughts automatically went back to what had happened in the hotel room and she could feel the heat building in her again. Shed never felt like this before. She couldnt figure out what scared her more. This feeling or the thought that Shane could get hurt. Are you sure you want to do this?. Shane sighed and placed her hands on either side of Alex face. Shes my friend and I have to at least try to find her. Are you sure?. Alex thought about that for a moment. She was about to risk her life for someone she had never even met. But she had never been surer of anything in her life. She wanted to help Shane find her friend. She simply nodded. Why? Why are you helping me?. Alex leaned forward her arms slipping around Shanes waist till her face was level with Shanes. Shanes lips parted slightly. Seeing that Alex lost the last ounce of control she had left and softly she kissed Shane. Their lips brushing together. She kissed her again. Harder this time. Her tongue slowly licked Shanes lower lip making her produce a soft moaning sound. Because I like you, Alex whispered in her ear her lips brushing against Shanes ear. Then Shane felt Alex lips on her earlobe and her tongue flicking over it. Alex pulled back looking at Shane. Shane breathed deeper and then she leaned in and kissed her tasting the heat of Alex mouth. Alex kissed her back, hard and insistent, blanking out any other thoughts and let the taste and warmth of her wash over her. Their mouths fit perfectly and Shane trembled when she felt Alex tongue against her, hot and demanding. When she pulled away she felt breathless and hot and dizzy. Then she pulled Alex closer to her and kissed her again as she fell back on the bed pulling Alex with her. Shane felt Alex hand on her waist, sliding hot under her shirt. Still kissing, their tongues in a heated battle Shanes hand found its way to Alex zipper. She tugged it down and her hand moved against the waistband of Alex panties. Alex could sense her wetness growing feeling Shanes hand touching her. Just as Shane was about to slip her hand into her panties, her phone rang. Shane swore under her breath and reached for her phone with her other hand as Alex mouth went to work on her neck. Kissing and licking slowly, driving her completely insane. Breathlessly she answered the phone, Shane. She listened for a moment trying to focus while Alex hand moved to her breast. Slowly pushing Alex upright she said with regret in her voice, Its Alice. I have to take this. For a moment Alex looked at her incredulously. Bloody *****! Dont these people have lives?!, Alex exclaimed exasperated. Im going to take a shower, and she got up and walked towards the bathroom shaking her head, a cold one. Shane sighed and decided that when she got home she was gonna give it good to Alice.