Chapter Six
“I ran a facial recognition software on Eden.” Tex explained.
“Eden?” Crash asked. “How’d you find a picture of her?”
Tex sighed while making an impatient sound in his throat. “Genius, remember?”
Crash rolled his eyes.
“Okay.” Tex continued. “She’s actually older than Anya and has been missing for about two years.”
“Wait,” Crash said. “How old is she?”
“Accordin’ to the records—which I had to dig to find, by the way—she’s ten now.”
Crash frowned. “Any luck?”
“Yeah,” Tex said. “I had to age her a bit but I found something.”
Crash could hear Tex tapping away at his keyboard.
“There’s nothing you guys can do tonight. I haven’t been able to find her for the last three months.”
“That’s not good,” Barbie said.
“No.” Tex agreed. “The longer she goes missing from the footage the less of a chance that...”
“We’ll find her alive.” Barbie finished for him.
Crash ground his teeth and rubbed his eyes. It was hard to hear of a child dying. No matter how it was laid out. But there were cameras everywhere. If she was alive, one of them would have footage of her. And if Tex can’t find said footage—
The anger that rose in him then caused his head to pulse but he controlled it all with a deep breath.
“In the meantime.” Tex continued. “I’m sendin’ directions to your phones. It’s a place to stay for a spell. A friend of mine owns it but he’s in Mexico right now on business. Go there and lay low. Once I have an idea of where you need to be I’ll hit you back.”
“When do we go?” Barbie asked.
“First thing in the mornin’—preferably before it’s fully light out. Leavin’ now will be too loud and might raise suspicion.”
With the talk with Tex over, Crash left Barbie alone and stripped down. He wasn’t sure when he’d get another shower so he might as well take one before they had to leave. Though he ran the water for a couple of minutes, at least, it soon dawned on him that he could probably let it got until Armageddon, the water wouldn’t warm up. Gritting his teeth, he climbed into the tub and pulled the flimsy curtain in place. The first drop of water caused him to gasp but after a quick few seconds, his body became accustomed to it.
He washed his hair then soaped his body and rinsed. But he didn’t leave the bathroom. If he stayed into the cold water, his body wouldn’t become hard at the thought of Barbie. But Crash knew he couldn’t stay there forever. Sooner or later reality would step in. With a frown, he turned off the water, pushed away the curtain and grabbed one of the folded towels on a stand above the toilet. Out of habit, he shook it, inspected it then dried his face, dragged it over his head before wrapping it around his hips. He wandered into the living space to grab his shirt when he noticed Barbie had been staring.
“What?” Crash asked.
“I wasn’t really paying close attention before. You have a number of new tattoos.”
Crash glanced down at the elaborate tattoo covering his left arm from the wrist all the way up to his shoulder. It wasn’t just one piece but four done at different times over the past couple of years. He gave her a small smile. “A few moments of madness, I suppose.” He shoved his arms into the shirt covering the ink and turned for the bedroom to find his pants.
“Wait!”
Though he wasn’t sure why, he stopped, Crash turned to look at her over his shoulder. Barbie took small steps toward him, almost like someone just learning to walk. She tilted her head to the side when she was close enough that he could feel her breath on his skin.
“You asked me to wait,” Crash said, his voice cracking. “Now what?”
“I’m going to kiss you.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” But Crash didn’t step back. No matter how loudly he willed his brain to tell his feet to move, nothing worked except his cock, pulsing at the thought of her mouth on his.
Barbie didn’t back down. Instead, she gripped his hips, pushed to her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his.
Although Crash knew this was a bad idea, he was weak to fight it. He stood still, holding his breath, feeing Barbie’s lips on his. Moaning, Crash lifted a hand to the back of Barbie’s neck, gave himself one last chance to rethink before plunging his tongue into Barbie’s mouth. The growl that escaped his body then, threatened to bring his to his knees.
She pulled into his chest and having her body pressed into his, the heat of it all conspired to drive Crash mad.
Their lips parted but not for long. Somehow he had her against the wall, restraining her wrists against it and kissing her as if the world was ending. She whimpered for him, sighed for him, and gave him complete control of her mouth.
Crash lifted his head and when he looked down into her face, her eyes were still closed. He brushed his lips across her forehead, down between her eyes, over one cheek then the other.
“I’ve wanted this.” Barbie confessed. “For so long.”
“Don’t…” Crash dropped a kiss to her nose and stepped back. “When this is over we’re going to be right back where we started. Please—we just had a nice moment.”
Barbie nodded but didn’t move.
Crash released her and walked around her. “I’m going to get dressed and wander out to get some food.”
“No, I’ll do it,” she told him. “They won’t recognize me.”
Crash frowned. He’d wanted to free run, to clear his head and get rid of his hard-on. Still, she had a point. He couldn’t let emotions get involved in the decisions he made. Numb, he nodded and got dressed anyway. By the time he returned, Barbie was gone and every part of him went on high alert. He parked himself at the window, staring out while holding his burner phone in one hand. Finally, he gave in and called Tex.
“Yes, brother,” Tex said. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing right now,” Crash said. “Can you get me Benny?”
“Of course. But you’re sure nothin’ is wrong?” Tex pushed. “I can call in some favours and have Korps Commandotroepen on your doorsteps in ten minutes.”
Crash laughed. He didn’t doubt Tex had friends in the Netherlands’ Special Forces. “I’m sure. I just need a friend right now.”
“Okay—hang on.”
In no time at all, Benny’s worried voice came over the line.
“Everything all right?” Benny asked. “Tex tells me you’re not sounding right.”
“I’m no soldier, Benny. I’m not strong enough to be one. I um—I needed a friendly ear.”
“Well, don’t worry, Crash. I’m here.”
Under the cover of semi-darkness, Crash and Barbie left the hotel. Barbie took a moment to stop at the car to go through whatever Tex’s friend had left in the trunk. To her shock, it was a Steyr AUG A3 with extra magazines. The cop inside her wanted to ask Tex where he found it. But, the angry, sexually frustrated woman in her didn’t care.
Exhaling long and hard, she quickly stowed the bag across her shoulders and let the familiar weight of the gun fall to her back. She was looking into the car to make sure they hadn’t left anything behind, when she saw two helmets.
She smiled. “Bless you, Pitbull.”
After she grabbed them, she hurried back to Crash and offered him one of the protective head gear. He accepted it and instantly pulled it down over his stylish, dark hair.
“If we get separated, Tex will find us,” Crash said.
“We’re not getting separated.” Barbie pulled her hair back into a tighter, lower ponytail and slipped on the helmet.
Instead of saying anything else, Crash started the ignition of his cycle. After hers was purring as well, the two peeled from the parking space and made a left into the night traffic.
The house they’d be staying at was an hour and twenty five minutes away in Arnhem. Barbie knew the way so she led the charge in traffic periodically glancing back to ensure Crash was behind her. It was a battle to keep everything straight in her head. But she knew one thing was for sure. No matter what happened, she wasn’t going to let that man walk out of her life again. No matter what it cost her.
Exhaling, she signaled and switched lane so she could lead Crash onto the A20 once they hit Noord. After that, it would be a long haul that would carry them to Gouda to merge onto the A12 in order to reach the N224. She figured they could stop for a break, maybe grab something to eat. It was only an hour and since she was accustomed to motorcycles, it would be nothing for her. Maybe Crash would want a break. Then again, she didn’t even know he could ride a cycle.
About half an hour later, they stopped in the small village of Waarder. It was small but the two still managed to find a small diner to rest their weary bones for a bit.
“Let me treat you to lunch,” Barbie said. “It’s the least I can do for now.”
Crash arched a brow as he tucked the helmet under his arm but nodded and followed her into the small building. After they ordered, the two took a seat by the window overlooking the motorcycles outside.
She watched him—allowing her eyes to memorize his face, the contours and slopes of it. Inside her head she could still smell him, still feel his large palm fisting the shirt against her back. Crash had returned her kiss. That had to mean something.
“You’re quiet,” Crash said.
“I’m sorry. I was thinking.”
“Of?”
“A lot of things.” Barbie exhaled while nibbling on a piece of fish. “You know Beast and Miracle are together, right?”
“I’m aware.”
“And it hasn’t been too, too long but they love each other. Beast went rogue for this woman and she gave up her life for him. Not one day has she given us the impression she regrets it.”
“Regrets giving up her life or loving Beast?”
“Both. My point is—I find myself falling into a heavy case of the, what ifs, right now.” Barbie looked out the window to a car pulling up outside. “What if I’d gone with you? What if I’d spoken up at the airport? What if, instead of acting like a silly teenager, I’d taken your words, sat down with you and talked things out? Would we be happy together? Would you still love me?”
“I can answer that last question for you.” Crash’s voice was soft, hoarse. “The answer is yes. That’s the problem, Barbie. You see loving me as giving up something—as your life ending. That’s why you and I will never work.”
Barbie barely heard what Crash said. She was too busy watching a black car that had been parked across the street from them ever since their meals arrived. Two men stepped from the vehicle and made their way across the street toward the restaurant. They stopped at the motorcycles to inspect them before turning toward the joint. Barbie pulled money from her pocket and set it on the table. “Get ready to move,” Barbie said.
“What? Why?”
“We’ve been here twenty minutes.” Barbie whispered. “I think someone called us in. Don’t look now but two men are about to come through that door.
Crash pulled his bag onto his shoulders and Barbie did the same. When the men entered, they glanced around and made straight for Barbie and Crash. Together, Barbie and Crash bolted. Crash wasn’t fast enough and was grabbed by the shoulder. Barbie skidded to a halt and made to help Crash. But she didn’t need to worry. Crash reached for one of their plates, twisted and brought it crashing over the assailant’s head.
That freed Crash and the two of them made a dash for the door. Their exit was cut off by a third man Barbie had seen sitting at the counter when they entered. She reached for one of her guns and pressed it to the center of the man’s forehead.
“Your choice.” Barbie growled.
He didn’t move.
Barbie cocked the gun.
The man stumbled out of the way and she rushed through then looked back. Her heart almost leapt from her chest when she noticed Crash hadn’t exited with her. “Crash!” She shrieked, heading back inside.
Suddenly, there was the sharp sound of glass shattering. She came to a stop in time to see Crash sailing through the window. He hit the ground a top shards of glass but tucked his body in a roll like they would do in the movies. Rushing over, she was about to help him to his feet when the men burst out the door, weapon in hand.
She quickly grabbed her gun, aimed and fired, hitting one man in the knee and one other in the side of the gut. When they hit the ground, she hurried over and took their guns before rushing back to Crash as he was pulling himself off the ground.
“You okay?” Barbie asked.
“Fine,” Crash said, walking around her to the men.
She hurried after him as he hunched down beside the one bleeding from the side. Crash felt at his neck then looked back at Barbie with a grim expression. She knew that look all too well—this man was dead. The second man was still alive but clutching his leg with blood draining through his fingers.
Crash went down on his haunches again and met the man’s gaze. Barbie glanced around to see a small crowd had gathered. “Crash, we need to go,” Barbie said.
“Where is she?” Crash asked the man.
The man muttered something in German and Barbie frowned.
“What?” Barbie demanded. “Wiederholen Sie bitte.”
But instead of repeating what he’d said before, the man only spat in her direction.
“I would really like to stay and show you just how not pleased I am with you right now.” Barbie growled. “But we don’t have time for this.”
“It really is your lucky day,” Crash said.
“We have to go or we won’t be able to leave once the cops get here because it will be an international incident.”
She could tell Crash wanted to get what the man knew out of him by any means necessary but Crash took a picture of his face before rising to his full height. She followed his lead and did the same thing to the dead man. Without a word, the two hurried to their motorcycles and took off toward the highway with sirens wailing in the distance.