Chapter 12

Danielle

The final drops of water trickle into the deep hotel bath. I sigh deeply, letting the heat sink into every inch of my body. This job, both as a whole and my current assignment, especially, has wreaked havoc on my muscles. I wish I had time to see a professional about it, but a journalist’s day never ends.

Of course, if Janus could just understand that I don’t need babysitting, we might have a real thing, and he could help me with it. But, of course, he had to be a jerk about it, though.

That’s just my luck. He should know damn well that I can handle myself. Sure, I like having him around because he makes me feel safer, and I’m sure there are plenty of situations I wouldn’t be able to get out of his help.

It doesn’t matter, though. He’s a jerk.

But imagine if you did let him close? I think to myself as I let a few drops of lavender oil drop into the bath.

Imagine his strong hands pressing into your shoulders, massaging the muscles deeply before running them all over your body?

My mind swirls as the scented water flows into my brain, and I let my own hand slide along my body, mimicking what Janus has been doing in my thoughts.

He would take his time, for sure. Running his fingertips across my sides, gently tickling me before returning to his duties lovingly, massaging my lower back, and inching the towel down just to tease his hands on my ass. I’d chastise him playfully, but he’d say he was just being thorough.

And before I know it, he would be plunging his tongue into me from behind, gripping my hips tight as I buck and moan. Oh, how his tongue would make me moan.

My own fingers run down my body through the water, my nipples hard as pebbles despite the hot water. I grip my breast and bite my lip as I remember the feeling of his warm, velvety tongue running across my thighs, my ass, my soaked pussy lips.

A moan escapes me involuntarily as I begin to slip my fingers up and down the lips, slick and soaked with much more than the scented water. As imaginary Janus begins to work his lips and tongue across my clit, so do my own fingers. As imaginary Janus turns me over and spreads me wide, positioning his incredible cock teasingly against my entrance, my fingers also do the same.

In my mind, he teases me, as I let my own fingers slide just inside me. My whole body feels the tension already the fantastic tension of an imminent orgasm already building, ready to break free as soon as imaginary Janus thrusts his veined, throbbing cock deep inside me.

He adjusts my legs for the perfect angle as he draws his hips back, staring me directly in the eyes as he…

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

“Fuck!” I shout, jumping hard and splashing water over the edges of the tub.

I lean out and scramble for the towel as my phone rings loudly. Who the hell is calling me right now?

I finally reach my phone with relatively dry hands. It’s a number I don’t recognize, but that’s not so strange for me. Ninety percent of the people I talk to operate on burner phones most days.

“Hello?” I ask, trying to push the annoyance from my voice.

“—ielle *crackle*”

“Hello?” I say, annoyed for a different reason now. “This better not be a prank call!”

“Danielle, don’t hang—*crackle* it’s Pandora. *crackle* truck with women and children *crackle*—”

“Pandora? Hey, I can’t hear you!”

“Sec—*crackle* clear spot, call back in—”

And it went silent.

What did she say? Truck with women and children? I hope she gets back to me soon, I don’t like being kept in suspense.

Just in case, I go ahead and shoot a text to Janus.

Source called. Sounds bad. Need to talk soon.

I look down at my bath, contemplating getting back in and resuming my little bit of self-care. But I decided that I’m too wound up. Plus, she could call back any moment—hopefully.

I drain the tub and towel myself off sluggishly. My brain is swimming, wondering what she’s talking about, what she’s doing, and if she’s okay or not. Minutes pass, my thoughts begin to fade, and the annoyance with Janus returns.

Why can’t he just understand? My job really matters to me! I catch myself as I begin to fume a little, shaking the thoughts from my head.

I toss a soft silk robe around my body and enjoy the smooth, cool feel of it, a lovely contrast to the hot bath and warm weather outside. I glance down at my phone. Blank, still.

With a shrug, I walk to the kitchen. I need a cup of tea to calm me down. Maybe a glass of wine, too.

I pick out an orange spice blend and pour out some hot water from the kettle. I stare into the liquid as it steeps, letting my mind wander again. The brown swirls begin to take shape, curling around, reminding me of days and months past.

What if? What if you and—

BEEP! BEE!P BEE!P

“Fuck!” I scream, nearly knocking the hot cup onto the floor. “I really need to change that ringer.”

I grab my phone and click the call.

“Hello? Pan...who’s this?”

“It’s me. Can you hear me now?” the familiar voice on the other end says.

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Yeah, yeah. I can hear you. Are you okay?”

“I’m…fine, for now. I don’t have long to chat, though. How much did you hear earlier?”

“Not much. Something about a truck? Women and children? What’s going on?”

“Calm down. It’s just…Bulgarian authorities seized a transport truck. It was carrying women and children—refugees—I assume to relative safety.” She pauses for a few moments.

“Pandora?” I say hesitantly.

“Sorry. I’m not in a secure spot. Gotta wrap this up. When they grabbed the truck I heard a few screams, a few shots, and saw a few bodies tossed out. Once they drove off, I was able to get a closer look. They weren’t in great shape, even for dead bodies. I don’t know what exactly is going on yet, but it’s bad, Danielle.”

“What do you mean? What about the kids on board?”

“Fuck! Look, I gotta go. I’ll try to touch base soon. Consider this number dead.”

Click.

I stare down at my tea, trying to process everything she had told me. I take a sip, but it doesn’t do anything to calm me.

I need to talk to Janus. Now.