Free In Love by Design (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod) by Tracy Ellen Page B

doorway, Dickie’s shrill scream of startled fright pierced my eardrums. He threw up his hands and tottered back and forth in front of me on his heels. He resembled a chicken with his head cut off, clearly not knowing which way to turn.
    “I beg forgiveness, my Devil, for I know not what I do.” I tried to look suitably downcast, but that’s no easy feat when a girl’s bubbling over with relief and excitement.

Chapter IV
    “ My Boyfriend’s Back” by Paris Bennet
 
    Thursday 12/06/12
    11:25 PM
     
     
    Luke stepped into the light and didn’t take his eyes off Dickie, except for a brief glance in my direction that started my blood pounding. I’d be happy to see any friendly face at this point; but that it’s Luke’s hard face has me stunned.
    He, too, is dressed all in black, but the difference is amazing. My eyes drank in the sight of those broad shoulders in a leather jacket, those muscular legs in jeans, the boots, the tight gloves, and the deadly black gun. I’ve never seen him look so mean, so dangerous, and so unbelievably killer.
    ‘ Down, schoolgirl!’
    I am still tied up, but the weapon in Luke’s hand and the flames spreading like wildfire through my cold body make this a minor detail. All the voices cheered wildly in delight at this unexpected rescue by my Hero.
    Luke gestured with the gun. Dickie let out another shriek while pointing his hands higher in the air. The Fixer started loudly blustering that he was just about to untie me and to not hurt him or ruin his suit. Luke did his karate chop slicing move and Dickie’s words cut off instantly in mid squeal. Like always, I’m impressed how this move works like magic.
    “Shut the fuck up . Don’t talk unless I tell you to talk.” In the quiet of the freezing kitchen, Luke’s voice was deadly.
    My view was of the back of Dickie’s masked head bobbing in terrified obeisance and I couldn’t hold back my huge smile any longer.
    Luke’s black stare showed no response while he took a longer look at me tied to the chair, almost naked and shivering from the cold. Despite his calmness, when he turned that stare back on Dickie it’s obvious to me that he is going to hurt this guy. Luke was rarely out of control, but I’m learning to read the man beneath the tight leash he imposes on his emotions. Dickie’s in serious trouble.
    “Is this true, Anabel? Was he about to let you go?” Luke asked softly, not taking his cold gaze off the Fixer.
    “Nope, he was leaving me to freeze ,” I said regretfully. Wisely, Dickie didn’t speak, but he’s shaking in his heels in frightened agitation. I exclaimed, “I’d never guess that was you that I heard walking around and making so much noise in the other room!”
    A n expression of anger flashed briefly across Luke’s bold features. “Good, because of course it wasn’t me.”
    Earlier, I’d heard creaking noises in the rooms beyond the kitchen doorway that sounded distinctly like footsteps. When nobody showed up to join Dickie to finish me off, I let myself hope that meant help was on the way. I made all the noise crying and shouting a few minutes ago to distract Dickie. There is no way I’d ever seriously break down and cry like such a namby-pamby coward.
    Before I could ask him what he meant, Luke spoke out of the side of his mouth, “Okay, it’s clear.”
    My mouth dropped open in complete shock when Candy MacKenzie sauntered on stiletto heels into the room from behind Luke. My eyes probably bulged at that moment as much as hers do.
    F lipping open a small switchblade knife encased in hot pink metal, she glanced casually around the kitchen. Her knife accessorized perfectly with the hot pink suede shoe-boots and tight ski jacket that showcased her ginormous breasts. But not so much with the pastel lavender skinny jeans that actually bag on her stick legs. With her triangular-shaped face, rounded shoulders, and skinny limbs, she reminds me of a praying mantis. If a man stuck around Candy long