Page 10 of The Soul of Archer
Alora closed the door, locked it and sighed. Home. She was home again. After two days with Deb and Nick, she felt ready to come back home. She dropped her keys on the table in the entryway and headed for the stairs. Dumping the bag Krista had packed on the floor by her closet, she picked up her robe from the foot of her bed and walked to the bathroom.
It had been two days since Lance had kissed her, yet it still played in her mind. Like a song stuck on repeat. What was his problem? Was she repulsive to him? Not his type? He had been so hot then so cold. Turning on the shower, she stripped and with pulled her hair free of the bun she wore for work. The second she stepped under the hot raining water, all thoughts of Lance Archer and her long day washed off and down the drain.
Fifteen minutes later, she was dressed in only her fluffy robe and headed back downstairs. She entered the kitchen and quickly poured herself a glass of her favorite red wine then moved toward her living room. Grabbing her remote, she switched on the tv, loaded up her DVR and settled back to get caught up on her latest TV series.
Yet fate had other plans. Not two minutes into the show, someone was pounding on her front door. With a groan, Alora sat her glass down and rose from the sofa. She was nearly to the door when she heard a voice she desperately wanted to forget.
"Alora! Open up!" Sam yelled.
Without hesitation, she ran for her phone on the coffee table.
***
Lance had just pulled into his drive when his cell rang, "Archer."
"He's here!"
"Alora?"
"Sam's here. Oh god he's trying to kick in the door."Alora said, fear lacing her voice.
Lance was glad he hadn't shut off his truck yet. He threw it in reverse and roared out of the drive, "Alora listen to me, where are you?"
"The top of the stairs. Oh fuck, he's kicking the door harder."
"Go to your bathroom and lock the door. I'm on my way. I'll be there in less than a minute. Just stay with me Alora." Lance ordered. In the background he could hear faint yelling and the sound of Alora running down the hall. He had just turned onto her street when he heard her let out a strangled cry. "Alora, talk to me!"
"He's...I can hear him in the house."Alora answered, her voice barely a whisper.
Lance whipped into her drive, slammed the truck in park and jumped out. "I'm here. Stay quiet. I'm coming in. Hang up and call Ethan now."
Lance disconnected the call. Slipping his phone into his pocket, he upholstered his .357 and moved toward the house. Her front door was open, and the frame busted where Malconi had kicked it in. Staying calm, he silently moved inside. He could hear Sam yelling for Alora from the direction of her kitchen. As he made his way there, Sam stepped into the door way. The two men stood there staring at each other for a moment.
"Don't you fuckin' move Malconi." Lance warned.
Sam hissed, spun on his heel and bolted. Cursing Lance gave chase. He burst from the back door just in time to watch Sam vault over the short wooden fence separating Alora's yard from her neighbors. Lance cleared the fence and charged after Sam, urging his legs to move faster. Sam disappeared around the side of a house and by the time Lance got there, it was just as Sam jumped into a flashy blood red BMW and speed off.
"Dammit!" Lance panted, slipping his weapon back into his shoulder holster.
***
Alora jumped up when Lance walked back inside. "Did you catch him?"
"No, the fucker got away." Lance hissed.
Alora sank back to couch next to Tony and buried her face in her hands. "What am I going to do now? It's obvious I can't stay here."
Lance walked to her and knelt beside her, "Alora, look at me." She lifted her head and locked onto his turquoise eyes. "We will keep you safe. We'll find somewhere for you to stay."
Alora believed him. Something in his eyes told her she could trust not just Blackout, but Lance. This enigma of a man would keep her safe she just knew it. When he reached out and took her hand she felt both a shiver of desire and calmness wash over her. Both looked up when someone hurried into the room.
"Alora, you alright?" Krista asked rushing toward her.
"I'm fine." Alora assured her, breaking eye contact with Lance.
Alora stood and was quickly embraced by Krista. She watched Lance move off to talk with Ethan. Tony patted her back then joined Ethan and Lance. Krista released her and sat her back on the couch.
"Ethan and I got here as fast as we could. How did Tony beat us here?" Krista questioned.
