Claimed by The Rogue Alpha
Claimed By The Rogue Alpha Chapter 60

Lyons drew an arrow from the quiver and stood poised. His full attention on the target circle. He realised his grip and the arrow pierced through the air. It made a perfect hit with the bullseye. With his eyes still fixed on the target circle, he slipped out another arrow, positioned it against the bow string, and pulled taut. He let go, getting the same result.

The afternoon sun was at its peak. Hot rays burned his neck, but that was the least of Lyons' problems. He took of his baseball hat, and raked his fingers through his sweat-soaked hair. Having let in some air to his scalp, he repositioned the hat. He moved to the target circle and began taking out the arrows. He'd made three perfect hits. And now, while his skin was beginning to cry out in agony, he was going to spend the next ten minutes or so archering. He was going to shoot out his frustration, his indignation and overall discontentment with the world. Footsteps drew close. Lyons didn't bother to inquire.

"Excuse me, sir. There are people looking for you."

Lyons stilled, and then, turned to him. He'd warned that every visitor should be sent back. The guard picked up Lyons' disapproving stare. "They're cops. They insisted on meeting you."

Lyons' glare softened. It morphed into much more...pitiful. Cops? Had they gotten a lead, perhaps? Lyons chose to keep his cool. He wasn't an over thinker. Whatever it was, he hoped would be resolved quickly. Quickly enough to let him do his thing in peace. "I'd be right there," he said and watched as the guard walked away. Again, what did the cops want from him? What information was there they needed that Leah couldn't give? He fought really hard not to thread in the direction his mind considered threading. He plucked out the remaining arrows and dropped them into the quiver. He left the field in casual steps, as though his brain wasn't working overtime. As though his nervous system wasn't in full sympathetic mood.

Far across the ranch, close to the crosswire fence, were two men. Both buffy and dressed in black suits. One of them was Officer Grant. The police chief that subtly crept Lyons out.

Lyons walked through the fence and stopped. He had no desire to stay close to them.

"Mr. Fredrickson," Officer Grant called. His croaked smile in accompaniment.

"Officer Grant." The impassive tone his voice carried surprised him. But then, that could be of help. Hopefully, this nosy police officer would be discouraged by it.

"I'm Detective Carl Grant." Lyons held himself. A brave battle was what it was to resist rolling his eyes. Talk about unnecessary formalities. "And this is my partner, Dylan Anderson." Lyons nodded. Cool. "Nice meeting you. What do you need me for?"

Detective Grant smiled. The ultimate nerve-wrecking smile. And now, that smile seemed more ominous than ever. Yes, even when it had reached Grant's eyes, summoning up crinkles at the corners. "Do you mind if we ask you some questions?"

"..." Lyons sighed mentally. "Two minutes. That's all I can offer."

"We'll be over before you know it."

Lyons gave in, ushering them in. He led them to a shade. They took their seats.

"Mr. Fredrickson-"

"Just call me Lyons."

Detective Grant nodded and drew close. "What's your relationship with Olivia."

I knew it. Lyons shut his eyes. Of course, it was about her. He sighed again, aloud this time. Reestablishing eye contact with Officer Grant, he said, in the most matter-of-fact tone ever, "A friend." "Could you elaborate?"

"What do you mean? She's a friend. What does that tell you?"

"How close were you two?"

He but back his irritation. He mustn't appear annoyed. "Well, not really close. But we had a good relationship."

The officer held his gaze. His grey eyes seemingly peeling off every layer of Lyons' body. Just when Lyons was about to call him out for it, the officer tore his gaze away, nodding as he watched his partner scribble away. He looked back at Lyons. "The same thing can be said for her father?"

It was Lyons turn to look away. His focus was the table.

What the f**k was Officer Grant driving at? He couldn't say. But come what the f**k may, Lyons wasn't going to slip. Nobody dared guilt-trap him.

"Yes. The same thing goes for Pete. In fact, we knew on a very personal level."

"Does that include signing off deals with him?"

Bullseye. This had been their quest after all. No, they weren't here to solicit for his help. Rather, they were building a case against him. Holy f*****g f**k!

"I'm afraid, I can't answer that."

"Why not?"

That was it. He glared at the officer. His brows pulling close.. "Because I don't want to!" He rose up. "Look, detective. I was in the middle of something when you interrupted. I'd like to be allowed to return to it now." Detective Grant made to speak, but Lyons cut him short. "And why the hell are you questioning me about Pete. Does he have anything to do with her disappearance?"

"You are in the best position to answer that, Lyons. You had a personal relationship with him, didn't you?"

Lyons pinned his lips. "Good bye, Detective." And with that, he walked off. Never once glancing back.

***

Earbuds hanging in place, Leah typed away at her laptop. The seminar work, thankfully, was almost done. She couldn't have accomplished the task in such a short time hadn't it been for music. The sweet-sounding melody of jazz not only kept her relaxed, but also fast-tracked time.

One more semester and she'd be done. Or rather, half done...quarterly done. Whatever. The idea was that come September, she'd be in her final year. Phew. She couldn't wait to have this over with. The hours of study, lengthy lectures and heaps of projects. Leah turned to her warm cup of coffee and took a sip. Nice. As she set the cup down, her doorbell rang. She turned to the door, a little frown on her face. Was it the pizza guy? That wasn't possible. How could that be, when the parlour she'd ordered from was at least five minutes from here? Or had she lost track of time? She squinted at the time piece on the monitor. But before she could bask in the fact she'd been right, the ringing came again. It was much more louder, dithering bolstering her belief.

She took off her earbuds and went for the door. Too bad she'd got no peephole. She could only hope for the best.

She gripped the door handle and pulled it slightly. Looking up at the person in front of her, her brows rose. Lyons? What the...

"Can I come in?"

There was annoyance...fury laced in his voice, and there was no way in this world Leah was going to let him in. Not in this state.

So, without replying to his question, she crept away from his view and attempted to shut the door. It didn't shut, but remained ajar. Held in place by Lyons.

Leah frowned, her mouth rounded to give out a cry. Or worse, a shriek. This most have rung in Lyons' head, because he pushed the door and forced himself into the apartment.

Leah stumbled back. Like she hadn't even put up a resistance.

And before she could come to her full senses, Lyons barked, "What the f**k did you just do?"

She blinked, initially blindsided by his guts. But soon enough, rage possessed her. So much so that she stomped forward and leapt to smack him across the face. Lyons caught her hand and tossed it away. She stumbled. Her anger getting mixed with fear. She hadn't seen Lyons in this light. However, she wasn't going to make a fear known.

"How dare you? Who the f**k do you think you are to barge into my house, assault me and stand boldy to ask me stupid questions?"

"You went to the cops, didn't you? You fed them that trash and you think I'll sit back and have some weird a*s police officer bully me into admitting to what I have no bloody idea about?"

Leah gaped. Shocked. She couldn't believe what was playing out. This dumbass. This pig snort had stormed into her apartment, interrupted her studying and for all was worth, rained obscenities on her.

A little laugh escaped her lips. Unbelievable. No, on a more serious note. This couldn't be happening.

"Get out."

"What?"

"Get the f**k out, Lyons." Her voice as low as ever. As calm as ever.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw him shake his head. "We need to talk this ou-"

"I said get the f**k out of my house!" This time, she lost it. "Out, Lyons. This instant!" He made to speak.

"Don't let me call security. Get out." She pointed at the door. Her glare fired at him.

Lyons maintained his gaze before turning on his heels. He strode to the door and stopped.

"What you watching for? Out!" But he wouldn't move. Still fuming, she stomped to the dining and picked her phone. She dialed up the condo's security.

With the line going through, Leah, said, "Hell-"

She didn't get to finish the words, because some force spurn her around and before her brain could process the information, her lips was locked to something. Lyons'.

His lips had claimed hers, muffling up her yell. She squirmed, doing everything possible to wriggle free. Lyons felt like a lead block. He pushed her to the wall, while still clamping her lips together.

She was trapped. She was f*****g trapped and she couldn't do anything. She set her fingers in motion, clawing deep at his chest. Leave me the f**k alone! But as always, Lyons wasn't backing down.

And there cane the fast breathing on Lyons' part. That could with the rough nature of the kiss weakened Leah. That kiss was the kind she fantasised about. The kind that opened up to her secret world of s****l vices.

She couldn't catch her breath. He wasn't giving her a chance to. Hence, gradually, she succumbed.

Lyons hitched up her skirt, as he caressed her thighs. The movement sent shock waves down her spine and even though Leah's instinct told her that this wasn't right, she continued in the act.

His hands made it into her panties, just as his kisses had descended to her neck. Leah moaned in outright delight. She tried, tried so damn much to bottle in the moan, but the burst of pleasure emanating from her crotch was too f*****g much. Lyons began ramming into her, and Leah...she was lost. He yanked off her panties, pulling her dress further up. Leah shut her eyes open.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to have s*x, but then again, it wasn't as if she had a choice. Or the power to pull away. Lyons' whole weight was on her. With him still banging into her with momentum like that of a released torpedo, Leah got hold of his cargo pants. She fondled with the zip, frantically trying to get it down.

Lyons got the signal, as his hand left her groin and settled in his zip. In no time, he'd wriggled out if his pants and his underwear, and resumed in slamming her to the wall. His erect p***s cut through her, drawing out a yelp from her. She moaned, her throat pleading for mercy.

As o****m neared, Leah slumped on Lyons' embrace. She was a mess, a cruel mess and it was all because of him.