CHAPTER 181 A Bee Sting or a Stroke

*Pete*

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

I blinked and the Colonel's face came into view.

*Was this a premonition*? *Was I going to die soon*? *Was the Colonel one of the Tres Caballeros*?

The Colonel couldn't possibly be one of the three gentlemen. He was friends with Noah.

*Get a grip, Pete*. *What's wrong with you*?

"I'm fine. Just a bit traumatized from the attack," I lied. "Sorry, Colonel, what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to stick this in your ear," the Colonel said, handing me a small earpiece. "As you can see, Mr. Ortiz has one too. This will enable me to listen in on your conversation with Liam and converse with you. I'd like you to know that several of my men are already at New Salem disguised as locals. They will help you if something were to unexpectedly happen."

"What about you?" Lorenzo asked, concerned.

"I'll be supervising. But don't worry, Brix here will serve as your personal bodyguard," the Colonel promised. "Oh, before I forget, keep your earpiece with you at all times. They also serve as trackers. Just in case, you want to be found." He chuckled at his own joke before pointing to a dark blue pickup truck parked at the side of the road. "Brix, drop me off here. Then proceed to Main St. and escort them to Liam Cohen. He has been spotted near the parade floats parked in front of the commercial complex. Both the Sheriff and the Undersheriff are with Liam, so be on guard. If anything unusual happens, we'll distract them while you pull these two to safety. Look for smoke."

"Copy that, Colonel," Brix replied, nodding his head. The Colonel stepped out and quickly switched vehicles while we drove off, exiting the highway and entering New Salem.

As much as I disliked the idea of seeing Liam, there was something I was looking forward to.

*I was finally going to see Virtue*.

I felt my heart skip a beat at the possibility of seeing her, assuming she was also at the parade.

But if neither of our paths crossed, I was willing to wait until later tonight.

As they say, "*Patience is a virtue*."

*Which reminds me*, *I needed to come up with a plan*. If I were to meet the delivery man tonight, I had to get away from Noah and the Colonel.

The only way was to get lost in the crowd. I secretly took out my phone and sent a short text message to Kate, the haggard waitress at the diner, leaving her with instructions. She quickly replied, knowing full well if she didn't comply to my request, her daughter would be next on my list.

I was in the middle of finalizing my plans when I noticed Brix entering an open field near Main St. to park the car.

From where we were parked, it looked like the whole town had come out to watch the parade.

"Sirs, unfortunately, we'll have to walk it. Also, I need you both to wear these," Brix instructed, handing us yellow black scarves and sunglasses. "These may seem inadequate for a proper disguise, but I assure you, these items have a purpose. From here, we will go through the crowd and make our way to the floats parked near the commercial complex. Whatever you do, don't draw any attention to yourselves. Just keep your heads down and avoid law enforcement at all costs. When you're done fixing yourselves, you can exit the vehicle. I will wait for you outside."

I placed the sunglasses over my eyes, wrapped the scarf around my neck and was about to exit the car when suddenly, my spidey sense tingled.

*What if Joy Taylor was here*?

I looked down at what I was wearing. Even with the scarf, I stood out like a sore thumb. I needed to blend in.

I took off my beige jacket and black tie, placed my gun in my ankle holster, and rolled up the sleeves of my white shirt, somewhat glad I wore black trousers instead of the matching beige pants that came with the jacket.

After unbuttoning the top button of my white shirt, I wrapped the scarf twice around my neck so I can use it as a mask.

Using the rearview mirror, I checked my appearance. I was pleased to see that now, I could pass as a local and blend in with everyone else.

I glanced at the Consigliere. He was busy fixing his hair, his scarf loosely draped around the collar of his jacket. I grimaced. It was quite obvious he wanted to stand out.

When he was done fussing over his hair, he took something out of his inner jacket pocket.

"Pedro, take this for safe keeping," the Consigliere said, handing me a gold brooch which had the crest of the Angels of Darkness engraved on it. It was one of a kind, a brooch given to the Consigliere after induction. "If anything were to happen to me, give the brooch to Doña Ortiz. It is important you give it to her."

"Yes, Consigliere. You can count on me," I promised, pocketing the brooch. "With regards to our business, I have to ask... What am I to do?"

"After *we* have negotiated with Mayor Cohen, you may go and collect our new hireling," Lorenzo said in code. "I will explain your absence to Nestor."

"Alright then," I replied, pretending I was willing to execute his plans. He didn't need to know I had no desire to negotiate with Liam.

"Since everything is in order, let's-"

"Wait. I have something else to ask you," I blurted. "Do you think Joy Taylor and her team are here?"

I needed his insight to help me past my anxieties.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. It's highly probable she's somewhere here, hiding in plain sight. Yet, I highly doubt she would involve the innocent as she was one herself," Lorenzo elaborated. "Honestly, if I were her, I would exact my revenge at the very place I was assaulted... to be... dramatic. But that's just me. So, are we done?" I nodded my head. "Good. Now, let's do this." He sounded a bit hesitant, but I couldn't blame him. We were walking into the lion's den.

Certain that my face was hidden by my scarf, I stepped out of the vehicle and proceeded behind Lorenzo.

As we were walking, I noticed a nearby vendor selling beekeeping hats and whatnots. I quickly walked over, threw a twenty dollar bill at the vendor and grabbed a black beekeeping hat, hoping to conceal the rest of my face.

"No sudden movements," Brix warned me from behind. I scoffed at him.

"I am not your concern. You, Brix, should be protecting the Consigliere," I reminded him, pointing to Lorenzo who was about to enter the crowd.

"Sir, wait!" Brix called out, rushing to Lorenzo's side. I chuckled, finding it hilarious that the Colonel would entrust the Consigliere to someone who lacked experience.

As I made my way through the throngs of boisterous people noisily chatting away, I decided it was best if I fled where the crowd was thickest.

However, Brix was a problem. He kept glancing at me to check if I was following them.

I had to come up with a distraction.

I was in the middle of deciding which A-list celebrity I could use to cause a ruckus when I noticed the huge colorful parade floats looming from up ahead. To my surprise, we had quickly made it through the throngs of people and had arrived at the commercial complex unnoticed.

Before I could scream the name of Ryan Reynolds or Anne Hathaway, from out of nowhere, I caught a whiff of a familiar scent, mesmerizing and expensive, the signature scent of the woman who invaded my dreams.

I pulled my scarf down and inhaled deeply, relishing the enticing floral scent that lingered in my nostrils. *Ah*, *her scent alone made my loins stir*.

I eagerly turned around to its source.

There, a few feet away, dressed in an off shoulder yellow polka-dotted black dress, her luscious blonde hair flowing over her bare, creamy shoulders, was Virtue Sullivan, a smile on her breathtakingly beautiful face, casually making her way to the parade floats parked along Main St.

There was no need for me to scream out a celebrity's name. Every head turned toward her in admiration, some screamed in delight while a few brave souls rushed to have their photo taken with her.

I adjusted my scarf over my nose, hoping to contain her scent, then I moved toward her from behind.

With an outstretched hand, I reached out, desperately wanting to touch her.

*All I needed was one touch to satisfy my urges from deep within*.

Yet, there were just too many people surrounding us. I was roughly jostled aside before I could touch a single strand of her beautiful blonde hair.

I moved my head sideways and caught a glimpse of Lorenzo, blatantly staring at Virtue as she smiled and waved at her adoring subjects. Enthralled, he began following her, acting like a lovesick puppy with Brix closely following him from behind.

I paused to think. Although it made me sad watching Virtue seemingly float away in a sea of people, I had to make a decision. If I followed her, there would be no way for me to get away. I would be stuck here with either Noah or Liam breathing down my neck. No doubt, Lorenzo could keep Noah in line, but Liam? Liam was a rogue and a rogue could never be trusted.

Plus, the Sheriff was with him. Liam probably knew we were coming to see him. Someone must have tipped him off... and my money was on Noah.

I surveyed the crowd and saw a number of the Sheriff's deputies approaching Virtue. I suspected they were going to assist her since she was Liam's fiancé after all.

Not wanting to be seen by them, I quickly turned around and went the opposite direction.

I looked back and took one last look at Virtue. I felt my penis stiffen as I gazed at her angelic face, sighing like a lovestruck teenager.

*How could someone be so beautiful*?

As I lusted over her, she suddenly stopped walking and twirled around, her long hair gracefully following her movement. She lifted her head, her blue eyes scanning the faces of the people around her, as if she was looking for someone.

I tried to look away, but I was captivated by her eyes that twinkled like sapphires under the sunlight.

Then, unexpectedly, her eyes met mine. The twinkling sapphires suddenly became ice.

*She recognized me*!

I pulled my hat over my eyes and scurried away with my hard on throbbing in my pants. *Oooh*, *that icy stare*!

*It will be so mucn fun breaking her in*.

"Pete, w-here... h-ell... go-ing?" I heard the Colonel's unmistakable voice from my earpiece amidst the static.

*He had eyes on me*.

I ducked down as the crowd began to cheer. I looked up and saw one of the floats making its way through the street. The parade had finally began.

It was tough, but I managed to push my way through the crowd, nicking a denim jacket and a black baseball cap from the backpacks of two male onlookers. I put on the jacket, using the collar to hide my face then I took off my hat, replacing it with the black baseball cap.

I was about to remove my scarf when my phone began to vibrate. I pulled out my phone to check who was calling me, then proceeded to a nearby tree to help block the noise from the marching band.

"You mentioned a change of plans," I heard the familiar voice of the delivery man say. Finally, he called.

I sent him a message earlier this morning after I kicked the hooker out of my bed. I had overheard Noah mention Liam was expected to make a short speech at the local high school before flying off for his honeymoon. After confirming through social media, I decided to change our previous arrangement.

New Salem High was the perfect place for a kidnapping. My plan was to abduct Virtue the same way I abducted Joan Summers.

"Yes. I apologize for the short notice, but I wanted to make things easier for you. I read a post on social media that the newlyweds are scheduled to make a stop at New Salem High. Instead of delivering her to Bismarck, I just need you to bring her out into the dense forest behind the school. You will find a small pouch with a syringe and other paraphernalia attached to the fire extinguisher near the west entrance of the school. I'll have someone lure your target to the ladies' restroom nearest that entrance. All you have to do is inject the sedative, wait for her to pass out, then carry her body into the forest."

"Got it," the delivery man replied without complaint. "Just don't forget my money."

"Will Cris be with you?" I asked. I expected the creepy delivery guy to answer me, but instead I heard a voice that made me truly happy.

"I will," Cris answered. I grinned. *Proof of life*! "I just need you to have the cash ready to pay off the delivery man."

"Sure," I answered, making my way toward the diner where a vehicle was waiting for me. "Keep this line open. I'll call you in a bit."

I was so ecstatic to hear Cris' voice that I was oblivious to the people around me. I was about to cross the street when something sharp pricked me on the arm.

"Ow!" I exclaimed, wincing. Upon inspection, I saw a small red dot on a portion of inflamed skin.

*Was I just stung by a bee*? How convenient.

Suddenly, my body went numb. I couldn't feel my legs and arms. I tried to open my mouth to cry for help, but I couldn't move my lips.

*I was paralyzed*!

"Excuse me, Sir, are you feeling okay?" A female voice asked, concerned. I tried to answer her by shaking my head, but I couldn't move.

I didn't even have the strength to keep myself upright. I felt my knees buckle beneath me causing me to fall forward.

"I got you," the woman said, grabbing both my arms to steady me. "I have to say, you're one lucky fellow. This here is the first aid station and I happen to be a nurse. Before I assess you, I better get you seated first."

Very gently, she lowered me onto a nearby wheelchair, then proceeded to place my feet on top of the foot plates, allowing me a glimpse of her face.

Although I was relieved to hear she was a professional healthcare worker, I didn't know who she was and I practically knew everyone in this town.

She was a young woman, pretty, with sparkling light blue eyes, pink lips, nice skin and long light brown hair. She was wearing blue scrubs with a St. Elizabeth's logo on it and her hair was styled in a neat ponytail behind her head.

Well, I've been gone for two weeks. Maybe she was hired as Ford's replacement. Anyway, she did have a soothing voice and she seemed genuinely concerned about me.

"Ems, what seems to be the problem?" I heard another female voice ask. I raised my eyes and saw a dark haired woman with a diamond stud nose ring wearing a paramedics uniform. She was also someone I didn't know.

"Fifty year old male presenting with symptoms of stroke," the woman named Ems answered. *Stroke*? My eyes widened in disbelief. "He needs to be rushed to the hospital."

"Okay. You need to give him some oxygen and start an IV drip," the female paramedic instructed. She bent down and flashed a light in my eyes. "Sir, we're going to put you on a stretcher and get you to the hospital. Don't you worry. We're going to take good care of you."

I wanted to argue with them, but I just couldn't move. I wasn't experiencing a stroke. I was experiencing a bad reaction to a bee sting. I needed to show Ems my arm.

*Mind over matter*. But as much as I tried, I couldn't move my arm. I was conscious, my mind fully awake, but my body wasn't responding.

It felt like I was trapped in my own body. It was so frustrating.

It took Ems and the paramedic a few moments to get me on a stretcher. While they wheeled my inside the ambulance, I could hear static coming from my earpiece.

Once I was able to speak, I would ask the Colonel for help. No one was going to keep me from being with Virtue. Not Ems or this paramedic.

With the sirens blaring, the ambulance drove off. While Ems placed an oxygen mask on me, I noticed the rather sinister smile on her pink lips.

*What the fuck*?!

"Don't you hate feeling trapped, Pete?" She asked, cackling wickedly. *She fucking knows who I am*! "The effects of the paralytic agent I administered will wear off in a couple of hours. When that happens, my bosses are going to make you talk. In the meantime, I suggest you lay back and enjoy the ride because where you're headed, I assure you, you aren't going to like it... not one bit."

My armpits began to sweat... that cold icky sweat of fear. I was able to escape this morning's attack only to find myself in another tight spot.

I prayed for a miracle. I prayed the Colonel would track me down.