Page 3 of The Soul of Archer
“After the meeting with his dad, we broke up. Sam was about to start applying for law school and I was finishing up my own degree and we agreed to end it. So, I graduated and returned to my hometown of Houston. I started working at a cake shop and stayed on for about six years before deciding I was ready to strike out on my own.” Alora continued.
She reached for the glass of water Krista had got for her and took a long swallow. “Anyway, I moved here to Austin and started Sassy Explosions. I only bought my storefront two years ago. It was about that time I ran into Sam again. We started talking and not long after started dating again. But over the last few months he’s…changed.”
“Changed how Alora?” Nick questioned.
“Distracted. Quick to anger. Paranoid almost. He was constantly checking over his shoulder. When he would come to my house he would prowl around like he was expecting to find me with someone. At first, I thought he was cheating but then I pushed that aside. He wasn’t acting like a cheater, but something was going on.” Alora replied.
“Walk us through Friday night when he came to your house.” Ethan spoke up.
Alora shivered as she remembered. “I had been home about an hour. He had called the bakery earlier that day saying he wanted to have dinner. I called him back saying I wouldn’t be able to make it. I got home, grabbed a shower, and had planned to read for a bit then turn in. Sam showed up at about nine fifteen or so. We started arguing. I told him in the real world I couldn’t just drop everything because he wanted me to. He grabbed me and had me up against the wall before I could even blink.
“I got loose and pushed him away. I told him to get out, that we were through. Not to call or text, to stay away. He…god his eyes…. he just lost it. He threw me to the floor and started kicking me. I begged him to stop. He pulled me up by my hair and said the he would decide when we were finished. He left after that.”
“What else happened sweetie?” Krista pushed.
“I…. I watched Sam…. I watched Sam Malconi kill a man.” Alora stated.
Chapter 2
Lance stood a little straighter after hearing those words. What in the world had this woman gotten herself into? He glanced at his teammates and they all wore similar expressions. He turned back toward the monitor and listened as Alora described in exacting detail what she had seen. He was impressed at her descriptions and the fact that she was keeping it together.
"I told Ryan and Jacquie that I was scared Sam would come after me because of what I saw." Alora said.
"What do you mean by that Darlin'?" Grant asked gently.
Alora took a slow breath, "He has security cameras everywhere. It's only a matter of time before he sees me on them and then what's to stop him from coming for me?"
That was all Lance could take. Before the others could stop him, he was out the door and pushing into the room. He ignored the surprised look on Ethan's face at him barging in. He didn't care. His eyes zeroed in on Alora and her eyes locked with his. He frowned when he saw her shift closer to Krista and the fear beginning to creep in. Oh, hell no, he wasn't having that. Lance moved slowly toward her then took a knee.
"Um, Alora this is Lance Archer. He works with my husband and Grant." Krista introduced, shooting him a quizzical look.
"Oh. Well, hello Mr. Archer." Alora managed.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore. Blackout can and will protect you." Lance stated.
"But he'll know soon, if he doesn't already, that I was there and what I saw. Sam has people everywhere. He'll find me and..."
"No, no Ms. St. James, he won't hurt you again. I promise." Lance vowed.
***
Alora couldn't explain it, but she believed Lance. Her gaze still locked with his deep turquoise eyes, she reached up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. "What am I going to do then Mr. Archer? I have a business to run, people who depend on me. I can't just up and leave because of Sam. I WON'T hide! You hear me?"
She was shocked at the sudden outburst of anger, but it was how she felt. She was no coward and damned if she would turn into one of those cliché damsels in distress. No, she would fight back and prove that she was a fighter. She felt a flutter when Lance gave her a slight smirk.
"And there's the tigress." Lance teased, making her heart flutter once more. "With what you have told A.D.A. Jameson, Sam Malconi's days are numbered."
"Hawk is right Alora." Ethan added. "I told you before I brought you in here that we would be recording this conversation. I have two friends with the F.B.I., and a brother-in-law in the DEA. I will send them copies of this and together with Nick we'll lock Sam Malconi in a cage." Ethan stated.
For an unknown reason, Alora looked back at Lance, almost as if seeking validation to Ethan's words. Lance nodded and that seemed to calm her and build her resolve more. "Alright. So, what happens now?"
"Alora, does Sam have a key to your house?" Annabelle asked.
"I don't think so. I mean I never gave him one and he never asked. But with how connected he is I wouldn't put it past him to have one." Alora replied.
"Then that's our first move. The rest of Alpha team and I will go to your home and take care of surveillance. We'll change your locks, add our security system, and such. Tomorrow we can do the same at your bakery." Ethan explained.
"Okay, let's do it." Alora agreed but worried her bottom lip.
