The Principal's Daughter Page 9

  There was a deathly silence with only the sound of wailing sirens adding to the already tense situation. There was no immediate movement from inside the vehicle. Then suddenly Richard observed the front passenger door open a few inches, a hand gripping a pistol, then a shoulder appeared. Richard stepped forward with his left foot to steady his stance, prepared to fire. Then from his right the sound of Tori screaming aloud.

  "Armed police throw down your weapon or we will fire!"

  After a short pause the weapon was dropped and the kidnapper emerged from the vehicle.

  "Place your hands behind your head and get down on your knees!" came the command from Tori. The militant complied, and Tori continued. "Lay face down on the ground!" she screamed.

  Adopting the prone position, the terrorist turned his face to the side to look in the direction of the voice. The look in his eyes was one of pure hatred.

  Richard moved his position to he could observe the driver, his hands frozen on the steering wheel. His eyes were drawn to movement in the rear of the vehicle, as the offside door was flung open. The shape of a hugely built bloke dragging something behind him with one hand, the other brandishing a semi-automatic machine pistol came into his peripheral vision. The sleek black hair and ghost white face of Pandora still dressed in her tennis clothing was unmistakeable. She looked in Richard’s direction, her eyes imploring him to help her.

  Again, a raised voice announced an armed police warning. This time it came from one of the surveillance unit who had rammed the Nissan from the rear. He had his MP5 machine pistol raised pointing directly at the kidnapper.

  Turning to face the threat, the militant pulled Pandora like a rag doll in front of his body, using her as a shield. With his weapon raised at the police officer he presented a perfect side on target to Richard.

  Without a second thought and with both Pandora and the officer's lives in mortal danger, Richard squeezed the trigger of his Glock. Everything went into slow motion as the round left the barrel of the pistol. The hostage taker was unaware of his impending death, as the bullet slammed into his right temple. The left side of his head exploded his cranium left exposed to the elements. Cerebral tissue flew out in all directions, as his grip on Pandora loosened. He slumped to the ground his legs twitching in his death throe. A pool of crimson blood quickly spread across the road. As he breathed his last breath, his body went still.

  Pandora stood looking around her, not knowing what had just happened. Armed officers rushed from all directions to secure the area. The two remaining terrorists were taken away, bound in cuffs.

  Richard quickly headed around the vehicle, and on seeing him, Pandora burst into a flood of tears. She rushed into his arms, and he surrounded her in an embrace. Her hair still smelled as if she had stepped out of the shower, and that first time she had visited his room. For all of her seductive games she had embarked on, she actually had formed something more than just lust towards this rather rugged looking British guy. She felt safe as he held her close, feeling his heart beat against her breast. Safe, secure, and protected, she begged him not to let her go, Richard simply stroked her sleek hair she sobbed.

  The wailing of the sirens abated as Richard looked down at Pandora. The tears had caused her mascara to run, and she resembled a prettier version of the rock singer Marilyn Manson. Taking his thumb, he gently wiped her away her tears and removing the smudge marks. She smiled at him her lips slightly open. He leaned forward without thinking, and their lips met.

  The kiss tasted sweet as their tongues met, encircling one another. Pandora could feel the passion in its delivery and matched it with her own. Not wanting it to end, she felt something wrap around her shoulders. Richard broke the kiss stepping back slightly to let the paramedic cover her with a blanket.

  The medic led her away to a waiting ambulance, and Richard’s gaze followed her. It was then that he saw the figures of Hank and Clarissa. They were both beaming, but he could tell that Clarissa had been crying. How long had they been there, and had they witnessed the embrace and kiss between the two? As Richard walked towards them, his question was answered by the look that he received from Hank.

  Holding out his hand Hank greeted him. There was more than just a warmth to it. Richard could feel the steely grip that he had not felt on their first meeting.

  "I have not got the words to thank you enough for what you have done today. I will forever be in your debt, but I think it may be time for us to part company"

  This was not a question or request that required an answer. Richard simply nodded and attempted a smile. He had broken the golden rule for a close protection officer. He had become emotionally attached to a member of his client’s family.

  As he released Hanks grip, and turned away, he wondered if he would ever be offered a contract again, for so high a profile principal. Reputation was everything, and his was now tarnished. He walked away towards Tori, took the Glock from his holster, and handed it to her. She leaned forward and planted kiss on his cheek, and wished him all the best for the future. With that he walked away from the scene without another look back.

  Other books by the Author

  Explosive Chemistry

  Undercover Liaisons