Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 38 [Cordelia]

I bite down on the attacker's hand but their fingers are protected by thick, leather gloves. There is nobody else around as they drag me towards the parking lot. Everyone is still inside making last-minute deals. Arching my back, I try to slam my head into his face, but he is too quick, too professional. He dodges every blow. I shift the weight in my body downward like I was taught to do in self- defense classes. It slows him for a moment, but not nearly long enough for anyone to see me being dragged towards a large, unmarked, white, van.

"No!" I try to shout but my cries are muffled.

As the van door opens behind us and another man, this one wearing a mask hiding all of his features, grabs my feet, I realize this might be my last memory.

Because wherever these men are taking me, I do not think they are going to let me leave alive.

I stop fighting. There is no point. These men are going to kidnap me and there is nothing I can do to stop

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The sound of air moving quickly around an object buzzes near my ear as an almost silent motor zooms by, flying into the eye of the kidnapper holding my feet. He drops me, my heels hitting the pavement with a hard crack.

Another small object joins the fight and aims itself directly at the face of my first kidnapper. He lets go of me, screaming as the object attacks over and over again.

"HELP!" I scream. "KIDNAPPERS! HELP"

As I run away the first kidnapper grabs my hair, pulling me back with a hard tug, my mouth snapping shut as I bite my tongue. There is a hard thunk right near my ear. Screaming, my attacker releases me and I fall to the ground, the wind knocked out of me Deciding I'm not worth all the effort, they turn around and run.

A set of footsteps give chase, while a miniature, flying miracle is hovering above me. One of Clark's drones.

"Clark," I speak to the drone.

"I'm right here!" he shouts out of breath, hearing everything I am saying to the drone and responding.

Strong arms scoop me up off of the ground.

"I've got you now, Cordy," Clark assures me, holding my body close to his chest.

"Clark..." I start to cry. "How did you know to find me out here"

"I have a confession to make," his face flushes as he walks us back to the convention center. I have had a mini drone following you since we arrived. I wanted to make sure I could keep you safe, and the best way I could do that is if one of my drones keep an eye on you fo everything they see. I realize that might seem creepy but..."

"Thank you," I interrupt, dismissing his explanation for his actions. He doesn't need to explain himself when his actions worked to keep me alive. "Thank you for caring enough to keep me safe." "Of course, Cordy I..."

"Because the truth is, I think they may have darkest fears, bringing my nightmares to life with my words. He listens attentively, his face going blank and pale as I mention some of the notes

Vir een kidnapping me to take me somewhere," I admit my

d images I have received over the last few months.

"I think I might have a stalker," I confess, finally voicing my fear. "Clark, can you help me find and stop

him?"

Clark goes from worried and concerned to completely still. "Stalker? Are...are you sure that's what it is?" "Creepy messages, photos of private moments....what else can it be?" I demand hysterically.

"So you're saying that someone has been sending you messages warning you..." Clark sounds baffled." Why would a stalker try to warn you?"

"I don't know," I admit. "What I do know is that they have been taking pictures of me and spying on those around me. How long have they been watching

me, waiting for an opportunity? I..." stumbling on my words, I capture Clark's gaze. "I don't feel safe anymore," I try to explain, "Between the stalker and this... What if whoever tried to kidnap me makes a second attempt?"

"Let's get you back inside," he changes the subject. "I don't feel safe with you out in the open."

I think all the stalker talk is making him nervous.

"Let's get your injuries checked out," Clark insists. Atlas' face falls when he sees his brother stumbling in, carrying me with scratches and bruises forming all over my arms and legs.

He takes a step forward.

Sydney, following Atlas' gaze, opens her mouth in shock. Staring me in the eyes, she begins to scream. "Aghhhh~!" her shout draws the attention of the others near the room. You'd think she'd just seen a ghost. "Sydney," Atlas moves towards her, "What's going on with you?"

"Just look at her!" She wails. "We are all in danger. She was attacked! Why would someone do that?" Her voice twists up incredulously. "Maybe someone is trying to get rid of the competition! It could be any of us next!" with one

hand clutching her chest Sydney turns in a circle pointing in all directions. "Sydney," Atlas tries again. "Take some deep breaths. You are having a panic attack. It will pass."

Just as he finishes his sentence, her eyes roll back and she falls backward into Atlas' arms. 1