Opposing Forces (29 page)

“Actually, she very much likes the sound of you.”

Philippe led her over to the sofa.  He had tackled one issue, now there was another larger one that needed to the dealt with.  He took hold of her hand and kissed it.  “I would dearly like to avoid this because I don’t want to cause you any more pain, but I can’t.  Marianne said one of my friends tried to force themselves on you?”

She looked away from him and nodded.

“Can you tell me what happened?” 

“He followed me from the bar, forced me up against a chalet and tried to kiss me.  He split my lip.”  She rested her head on his shoulder, his arms soothing her gently.  “I…I tried to fight him off but he was just too strong.  He attempted to get his revolting hands under my clothes but I eventually managed to knee him in the dick and get away.”

He stroked the side of her face.  “I need to know who it was.”  Actually he had a pretty good guess.  “It was Ricardo, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Just the thought of that vile man made her shiver.

Philippe stood up and paced up and down.  “Of course it was bloody him.  He was the one who had wound me up all evening, dropping little hints that you were just down here for a final fling before settling down to a staid married life, that you were so far out my league, that I would never meet anyone from your family.”  He let out an angry howl.  “He played me and I fell for it, driving you away, leaving you unprotected.  I’m going to kill him.”

Sabina shot up off the sofa.  “You’re going to do nothing of the sort, Philippe.  He almost succeeded in splitting us up, he’s not going to rob you of your career. He’s just not worth it.”

“But he hurt you, Sabina,” Philippe barked back. 

“So did you.” She bit back.  “But if you truly want my forgiveness you’re going to have to forget about getting even with Ricardo.”

Philippe pulled her to him.  “I hurt you physically?”

She shook her head.  “Just mentally. But that is even more painful.  A wound you can see, a bleeding heart you can’t.”

He kissed her ever so gently.  “Very well, do I have your permission to give Ricardo a couple of black eyes when I next see him?”

“As long as there are no other witnesses, yes.” She gave half a smile.

He ran his hand down the side of her face.  “So am I forgiven?”

“Yes, I missed you.” She slid her arms around his neck. 

“I love you, Sabina, and have been totally miserable without you.”  He lifted her up.  “Now if it’s alright with you, I plan to demonstrate just how much you mean to me.”

Sabina’s heart missed several beats as he carried her into the bedroom.  It was going to be a very memorable night.

Maisie was curled up next to Steffen in the living room, her head resting against his shoulder as he attempted to read some documents. 

“I know you’ll fly off the handle but I have to go out tomorrow.  There is a social function I just cannot miss,” she said softly, hoping he wasn’t really listening.

Sadly he was paying attention.  “You know that’s not possible.”

“I wasn’t asking for your permission, Steffen. I was just giving you due warning that I’m going out tomorrow morning.”

He put his papers down.  “And where are you intending to go?”

“It’s the Raiders annual match against their female partners and friends.  We play at the ice rink in Bloomfontaine Park which is just around the corner.”

“Are you insane?  You’re planning to be out in the open air with a killer on the loose?” he asked incredulously.

“I will be perfectly safe, Steffen.  It doesn’t take a genius to work out that if this assassin was any good, I would most probably be dead already.  I hardly think he’s going to start taking pot shots at me in the middle of an ice hockey game.”

“I will be the judge of that,” he scowled. “And the answer is still no.”

Maisie got up from the sofa in a huff.  “I’m not a bloody prisoner, Steffen.  I cannot stay shut up forever,” she shouted at him and stalked off.  Bloody man.  She had been here a few weeks and was starting to get cabin fever. She needed to get out and see her friends.  Julianne was expecting her and she would be there.  She might just have to be a little crafty and sneak out.  Steffen was not to know that the match was early morning, well in her world nine o’clock was early.

Luckily for her, Steffen was, as usual, up quite early and in his study, so she slipped to her room unnoticed and donned a couple of warm layers, jeans and thick socks.  Julianne was bringing her skates.  She tiptoed down the stairs silently, grabbed her jacket, scarf, gloves and woolly hat and picked up the keys to Steffen’s BMW.

Thankfully Madame Bodart wasn’t in the kitchen as she made her way undetected to the back door.  From there it was into the garage via the side door.  She started the BMW and waited for the garage doors to open automatically.  As she reversed out at speed, she prayed she wouldn’t scratch the car.  Steffen would probably shoot her himself if she did.  The main gates seemed to take forever to open.  She almost jumped out of her skin when the driver’s door flew open and one very angry Steffen removed the keys from the ignition.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he thundered at her.

“Going out,” was her equally angry reply.

“No, you’re bloody not.”

She got out the car and slammed the door.  “Keep the sodding car,” she flung at him and marched towards the gate.  It was half open, allowing her through.  If she had to walk, she damn well would.

Steffen let out a very frustrated howl and went after her.  Maisie squealed when he slung her over his shoulder and carried her back towards the house.  She was even more surprised when he deposited her next to the passenger door of the car.

“Get in,” he ordered.  “I need to get a few things then I’ll take you myself.” He sounded anything but thrilled.

He made a quick phone call to the station to arrange for four officers in plain clothes to be situated around the park.  Then all he needed was his gun, a warm jacket and plenty of patience not to throttle her himself.

They drove in silence, he was far too pissed to talk to her.  He could not believe that she had tried to sneak out with no security detail. 

Julianne, James, Frankie and many of the team were already at the rink.  Carlo, the owner of the rink side café, was supplying the coffee and everyone was in good spirits. 

Julianne threw her arms around Maisie.  “I have missed you so much.” She felt close to tears.

“Me too.”

“When is the Rottweiler going to let you leave?”

“When my psycho killer has been apprehended.”

“Looking on the bright side, not everyone has such a fit minder.”  Julianne noticed Maisie turn a little pink.  She started to wonder if whatever had happened before between them had reoccurred.  It would be interesting to watch them around each other for tell-tale signs.

James stood on one of the tables.  “Welcome to the third annual Raiders versus Ladies game. The rules of the match are slightly different.  Apart from the goalkeepers, no protective gear is being worn and there will be no fights, no drilling of anyone into the barriers and definitely no high sticks. Are you clear on that, ladies? This is supposed to be a fun game, so let’s keep it that way.”

He jumped back down to cheers as everyone put their skates on and stepped onto the ice. 

Steffen was standing next to Maisie.  He had done a full sweep of the area and taken great note of who was here.  He recognised all the Raiders players, and the rest of the group seemed to be made up of wives, girlfriends and close friends.

Maisie squeezed his arm gently.  “Stop fretting, I’ll be fine.”

He grunted in response, he wasn’t so sure.

Leaning against the barrier, he watched play start.  He thought it would be a whitewash but the girls’ team was actually quite good.  Without their protective gear, the men weren’t that tough. But his gaze more often than not was on the perimeter, looking for anyone who seemed out of place.

Maisie was having a brilliant time. She had the puck and was being chased down by Frankie.  Just before she could shoot for goal, he slammed her into the barrier. Then kept her there.

“Frankie, you bastard, let me go,” she squealed.

“No, I kind of like having you where you are,” he laughed.

A familiar voice rang across the rink. “If you don’t release her as she has requested, Lavigne, I will have to shoot you.”

Frankie released her instantly.  “Your own personal guard dog, eh?” he smiled at her.

“Something like that.”  She winked at Steffen as she skated past. 

As the match progressed, Maisie started to feel quite weak.  Her body had still not fully recovered from the accident.  She noticed two boys watching the match; they were armed with skates and hockey sticks and apparently had come down to practice, unaware the rink had been reserved for a few hours.

She skated towards the exit.  “I need a substitute. Are either of you two up for taking my place?”

Both boys stared at her in amazement.  “You want one of us to play against the Raiders?” the taller of the boys asked incredulously.

“Yes.  Without their protective gear, they’re no tougher than us girls.” She looked at the taller child.  “What’s your name?”

“Henri, Miss.”

“Well, Henri, the match is in play so get on and take my place.” She handed him her red jersey.

The young boy attached his skates quickly and took to the ice.  The girls gave their new team mate a cheer.

She looked down at the other boy’s envious face.  “Don’t worry, my friend will be off soon so you can take her place too.”

As she leant against the barrier, Steffen stood behind her, resting his arms either side of her.  She enjoyed having him this close.

“That was very sweet of you to give the kids a chance to play.”

“It wasn’t a complete act of charity.  My body is still not up to full strength. It might be down to the fact that it gets well and truly drained each evening.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured in her ear.  “But I find you quite irresistible.”

Maisie felt her cheeks flush as he kissed the side of her neck discreetly.

Julianne came off the ice and let the other young boy take her place.  “I’m getting too old for this,” she groaned.

Maisie followed her onto the café’s terrace for another coffee.  “You and the Chief looked very cosy there,” Julianne teased.

“He’s just keeping me safe,” Maisie responded.

“Is that what it’s called now,” laughed Julianne.

Maisie ignored her.  A crowd of spectators was starting to develop and she had a plan formulating.  “I think this match could end up kids versus Raiders.  What do you think?”

“Great idea.”

She spotted a couple more kids who had hockey sticks.  “Do you boys want to play?  Our side needs all the help it can get?”

“Against the Raiders?” they asked in awe.

“Yes. They really weedy without their protection.”  She called out to one of her friends.  “Zara, do you fancy taking a break?  We have suitable replacements.”

It wasn’t quite a stampede, but close to it.  One by one the girls came off and were replaced by the kids watching.

“Now this makes far better viewing,” Maisie grinned as the kids managed to score many more goals than they had. 

Somehow even a film crew from the local station had appeared.  Julianne glanced at Carlo.  “That wouldn’t be your doing by any chance, would it Carlo?”

He smiled guiltily.  “It’s good for business.”

Julianne shook her head.  They couldn’t complain as Carlo had provided free coffee to them.

By the time the match was over, you couldn’t get near the rink. The entire place was packed.  The kids were absolutely ecstatic; it wasn’t every day they got to play against their idols.  And the Raiders players, they really had enjoyed themselves.

They watched James being interviewed by the local news crew.  “It’s an annual match we play against the girls. But this year, Maisie Carrington had to pull out due to injuries part way through and she decided a kid could do a better job.”  He smiled in her direction.  “And one by one the girls gave up their places to the youngster.” He looked down at the children he had played against. “I have to say these kids put up a much better fight.”

Several snowballs were thrown at him from the terrace.

Maisie knew Steffen was not happy, there were far too many people around for his liking.  She caught hold of Julianne’s arm.  “I need to go before Steffen bursts a blood vessel and shoots someone accidently.”

Julianne hugged her. “Call me. You’ve got a lot of confessing to do.”

Maisie giggled and let Steffen lead her away from the commotion.  He finally relaxed when he got her back in the car, he knew the glass was bullet-proof.

“Just a quiet game between friends, was it?” he glowered at her.

“Sorry,” she looked at him a little sheepishly. “It wasn’t meant to turn out quite like that.”

He shook his head and started the engine.  “You should come with a health warning.”

She leant over and kissed him.  “Life would be so boring if everything ran to schedule.”

“You’re forgetting I’m Swiss. We run our lives on a schedule,” he grunted.