Wild Keepers

by Dee Bridgnorth

  Zach’s face darkened. “Another irredeemable person. She’s his wingman, you know. I watched them together the other night. He sent her to Sienna to prod her for information.” He paused. “What did she say?”

  “She wanted to tell you that the case is off,” he said. “That Sienna had been found. She thanked me for doing her the favour, and that was pretty much it.”

  Zach raised an eyebrow. “What did you say?”

  Thad sighed. “I said no problem.” He looked up through the skylight. “That I was sorry we hadn’t had any luck. Basically, what we discussed the other night. It looks like she isn’t aware that you found Sienna before she was taken back there, and we need to keep it that way.”

  “Okay,” said Zach through gritted teeth. “I understand. If I see her again at the mansion, I’ll keep a wide berth. I won’t confront her.” He took a deep breath. “It might be difficult, though. Especially if I am now one of his minders. If she just turns up, I can’t very well run and hide.”

  Thad nodded. “I get it, but as much as possible try to avoid her. For starters, you aren’t supposed to be there. She thinks you didn’t even find Sienna, let alone know what Fitzpatrick is up to.” He paused. “She’s not trustworthy. We know that now. And I don’t want her blabbing to him that she knows who you really are.”

  “It’s okay, Thad,” said Zach. “I’ll be careful.”

  Thad frowned. “I’m disappointed in myself even more than her. I should never have let her in here. Now she knows where we live, and she’s a loose cannon. She could use that information against us if she gets angry that we’ve lied to her.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve compromised our security. I’ve let the pack down.”

  Zach stared at the alpha leader. Thad looked devastated. Not for the first time, he realised the heavy burden that Thad always carried. It wasn’t easy being the leader of such a pack. It was a lot of responsibility. Thad had to carefully weigh up situations all the time. The fact that most of the time he did an exemplary job didn’t change the fact that even a small slip up could have damaging consequences, and the buck ultimately stopped with him.

  “You haven’t let the pack down,” whispered Zach fiercely. “You are the best leader we could ever have. We respect you, Thad. And Julia followed you here without your knowledge. Even if you hadn’t let her in, she would still have suspected that we live here.”

  Thad grimaced. “Another mistake. I should have realised that I was being followed. It’s kind of like Wild Keeper protocol 101 to always check that.” He ran a hand through his hair distractedly. “This isn’t like me. Maybe I need a break.”

  Zach stared at him, a bit fearfully. What was he saying? They couldn’t do without him. They all relied on Thad to guide them. He was an awesome leader, and he needed to be reminded of that.

  “We all make mistakes,” Zach reminded him. “I sometimes forget to check, and I know the others have as well. You are human, Thad.” He grinned suddenly. “Well, half human, anyway.”

  Thad didn’t smile. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but the fact remains I stuffed up. I wasn’t aware that I was being followed, and then I let her in here.”

  Zach sighed. “It could have happened to any of us. We all have people in our lives who know who we are, and we can’t control that. At the end of the day, it comes down to trust, and we have to just live with it.” He stared at Thad. “You were unlucky, that’s all, that the person who followed you and you let in here turned out to be untrustworthy. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

  Thad sighed, standing up. “I’ll try,” he said, walking to the stairs. Then he glanced back. “Were you about to call someone? You still have your phone in your hand.”

  Zach jumped a little. He had forgotten all about the fact that he was going to call Crystal.

  “You’d better do it,” Thad said slowly, as if he knew. “She deserves to know, brother. Just swallow your medicine down in one gulp.” He walked down the stairs.

  Zach sighed. Thad was right, as always. He pressed her number and, with a thumping heart, waited for the call to connect.

  ***

  Sienna slid the hook of the earring through her ear, watching herself in the mirror. She had dragged her feet over her toilette this morning, barely able to go through the motions. Not for the first time she felt a stab of irritation that she always had to go through this ritual. Why couldn’t she just put on a pair of jeans and run a brush through her hair like a normal person, rather than truss herself up like a real housewife of Covenester? It wasn’t as if she ever left this goddamn house. Or if she did, it was just to be bundled up in another prison. Like the boat.

  She picked up her lipstick, applying it to her mouth with a shaking hand. The thought of the boat had unrattled her. Was Lola being held prisoner on it, or had he dragged her somewhere else? She gripped the lipstick harder. She had to find out. Before it was too late. But how could she get out of this room without them being aware of it? As she was pondering how to do it, she heard a knock on the door.

  She frowned. Was it Fitzpatrick? He never usually consulted her this early. With a heavy heart she left the bathroom and walked to the door.

  It wasn’t him. Instead, it was one of his burly minders, dressed all in black as usual. She gazed at him expectantly.

  “The boss wants you in his office in half an hour,” the man grunted, his eyes flicking over her. “He told me to remind you that he will be watching the clock.”

  Sienna sighed. “I’ll be there on time, don’t worry.”

  The man nodded, and she closed the door, leaning against it.

  His office. He didn’t usually meet with her there. Most of the time it was in his private sitting room. Her heart started to beat a little faster. His office was where he would probably keep any details about where Lola might be. In a file or on his computer. This might be her chance.

  But just as she started feeling hopeful, the reality of it crashed down on her. Just because she would be in his office didn’t mean that she would be left alone in there at any point. And if she was, probably one of his minders would be told to watch her.

  Irritation flared in her. How on earth was she ever going to do this? She was watched twenty-four-seven. And that was when she thought of Zach.

  She shouldn’t have sent him away like that. He had told her that the only reason that he was here was to help her. She hadn’t believed him, of course; and then he had gone and kissed her, which had blown up the whole thing entirely. But what if maybe, just maybe, he was telling the truth?

  If he was telling the truth then he could help her find Lola, she thought excitedly. He had way more freedom in this house than she did. He might be able to find out more than she ever could.

  She walked to the window quickly, gazing down at the grounds. She could see a security guard on duty, patrolling the front area. Was it him? But then the man turned around, and she saw that it was just Ted. Zach was either not on duty today or was stationed somewhere else.

  Now that she had made up her mind to ask him to do this for her she was raring to go. Perhaps she could wave to him or something? Anything to let him know that she had changed her mind and wanted to see him again.

  Her heart stilled with fear. Had he left the house entirely? She had been very insistent that she didn’t want to see him again or need his help. Had he given up and left her to her fate? But then she remembered what he had said to her before he had left the room.

  I’m not giving up on you. I’m staying until you realise that I am telling the truth.

  Her heart swelled for a moment. Did he mean it? Her eyes swept over the grounds impatiently. Where was he?

  ***

  Zach stood at the back of the room, folding his hands together like the other minders. This seemed to be their default position: standing around with folded hands and an impassive face. He had only been in this new job for a little over two hours and he was already so bored it was almost killing him. He stifled a yawn and tried to focus.<
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  Fitzpatrick was sitting at his desk, scribbling away. He had just sent out his bevy of political advisors and sycophants who had clustered around him as if he were some kind of god. Basically, they had all shouted over each other and argued points back and forth, before sweeping out of the room like a collective tumbleweed. Zach was still unsure if any decisions had actually been made.

  There was another knock on the door. Fitzpatrick straightened. “Come in.”

  The door opened. Zach stifled a gasp of surprise. It was Sienna.

  She was looking beautiful, of course. Meticulously coiffed and dressed, as always. Today she was wearing a red jersey dress, which plunged dramatically at the neckline, showing off her creamy décolletage. He felt his blood grow warm just looking at her. She looked like she had just stepped off a runway.

  She tossed back her hair, gazing around the room. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him, but she kept her face studiously blank. It was hard, but he did the same. Their eyes met for a fleeting second before she turned around, fixing a smile on her face directed at Fitzpatrick.

  “You wanted to see me?” Her voice was slow but steady.

  “Sienna.” He stood up, walking to her. His eyes swept over her. “You look radiant.” He took her hands, kissing her on both cheeks.

  He turned to look at Zach. “Sienna, I don’t think you’ve met my new minder yet.” He paused, smiling. “Brad Miller, this is Sienna Carter. Sienna works for me as a…consultant.”

  Sienna turned and looked at him. “Pleased to meet you…Brad.” She held out her hand.

  “Likewise.” Zach shook her hand, trying not to make eye contact.

  Jack’s smile broadened, watching them.

  “Sit down, please.” He walked back to his chair behind his desk.

  Sienna sat down, her back to Zach. Zach resumed his position standing against the wall. He was appalled to see that his hands were shaking slightly. He clasped them firmly in front, willing the shaking to stop.

  He simply had to get it together. This was no time to betray that he knew her, or how he felt about her. He had a feeling that Fitzpatrick would sniff it out like a bloodhound if he gave him the slightest clue. And that would be very bad. For Sienna most of all.

  Jack tapped his fingers on the desk, as if he was thinking deeply. He suddenly beamed his megawatt smile at Sienna.

  “I have a plan,” he said slowly. “The weather has been so good, I have an itching to get out on the water.” He sighed. “But I have so much work to do. I was thinking I might go on a sailing trip this weekend and bring it along with me. A win-win, wouldn’t you say?”

  Sienna nodded but looked a little mystified. “If you say so.”

  “I do say so.” His voice was commanding. “And I think that you deserve a little break as well. You have been working so hard lately.” He leaned back in his chair, bringing his hands together in a steeple. “What do you think, Sienna? Fancy a little sailing trip with me?”

  “That sounds lovely,” she replied, in a neutral voice. “When are we leaving?”

  “Oh, later this afternoon.” He stared at her through the steeple of his hands. “That gives you time to pack a small bag. Just a few things appropriate for a weekend sailing.” He smiled. “Oh, and don’t forget your bathing suit—it’s going to be hot and you might like a swim! That white one piece would be perfect, I think.”

  Zach felt his face grow hot, and he clasped his hands tighter. The way that he spoke to her—ordering her around, telling her what to bring—made his blood boil. Did Fitzpatrick select all her clothes for her? He seemed to intimately know every detail of her wardrobe.

  “Of course.” Sienna smiled, tossing back her hair.

  Jack lurched forward in the chair suddenly. “I’m inviting a few very important guests as well. We will probably have a few cocktails on the deck of an evening. You will need to pack at least two evening dresses. I’d bring a few more, just to have a choice. Make sure that you include the black Oscar de la Renta dress.”

  Sienna nodded again. “I think I know what you require. Is that all?”

  He smiled again. “Yes, I think so!” He suddenly turned around to Zach, as if he had just remembered that he was still there. “Miller, I know you aren’t rostered on this weekend, but I’d like you to come as well if you can. It would be great experience for you working in a different environment to the house. Broaden your horizons, so to speak. You will be well recompensed for the inconvenience.”

  Zach started then cleared his throat. “That’s perfectly fine, sir. I wasn’t doing anything much anyway.”

  “Then it’s settled!” Jack looked smug, like the cat that had just caught the canary.

  Suddenly, the phone on his desk buzzed.

  “What is it?” he said, pressing the button and speaking into the intercom. He frowned slightly, listening. He stood up.

  “I won’t be a moment.” He walked swiftly out of the room, closing the door behind him.

  Zach couldn’t breathe for a moment. Should he speak to her?

  She had turned slightly in the chair, so that he could see the line of her profile. It seemed like she wanted to speak to him, too, but didn’t quite have the courage. Fitzpatrick would probably be back any second, and it wouldn’t be very smart if they were discovered talking.

  “How are you?” he whispered, across the room.

  For a minute he thought that she wasn’t going to answer him. But then she turned, fixing him with those velvet brown eyes.

  “You are one of his minders?” she whispered back, her eyes widening. “How on earth did you manage that?”

  Zach shrugged his shoulders. “He asked me,” he said slowly. “But it’s good, Sienna. It means that I am closer to him, and maybe I can find out what happened to your friend.”

  The breath caught in her throat slightly, and he could see tears glimmering in her eyes. “You still want to help me? After everything I said the other day?”

  “I told you,” he said in a low voice. “I’m not giving up on you. I never will.”

  She gasped a little, staring at him. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I need all the help I can get.”

  The door flew open, and Fitzpatrick strode back into the room. Sienna quickly turned to the front, staring at the desk. Zach straightened, trying to quell the erratic beating of his heart.

  “Are you still here?” Jack barked at Sienna, frowning. “I thought you would have left to start packing for the weekend. Time is ticking, Sienna!”

  Zach felt his fists clench. It was going to be a sublime moment when he could finally sink his fist into the man’s face.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sienna stared out the car window as the streets of Covenester whizzed by. Suddenly, they turned a corner and the sea was before them, shimmering like a blue jewel. She could see the boats tethered to the pier as if they were silently waiting. Her heart clenched slightly when she spotted the Fitzpatrick boat.

  She was back. She had hoped that she would never have to set foot on that boat again in her life, and now here she was. She closed her eyes, briefly, remembering her desperate flight on that awful night. Running along the top deck and launching herself into the sea. She had been both wildly hopeful and scared at the same time.

  And it had all been for nothing. She had been recaptured and placed back in her cage. Her wings clipped. A wave of sadness, of hopelessness, overwhelmed her for a second; so intense that she almost felt dizzy with it.

  She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Yes, she was back, but hopefully it wouldn’t be in vain. She would find Lola and rescue her. And then they could both be free.

  The car glided to a stop, and she got out. The car in front had already pulled up and was waiting. Fitzpatrick’s car. He always insisted on travelling alone, with his minders, even though it would make more sense for her to just get in the same car as him. Delusions of grandeur, she thought sourly. He was such a two-bit emperor, ruling his kingdom like a despot.

&n
bsp; She watched Zach step out of the car, quickly running around to open the car door for him. He stepped out slowly, not even glancing at his minder, let alone saying thank you. His gaze swept over the sea, and he smiled.

  “Ah, there’s nothing like sea air!” he exclaimed. He turned to Zach. “Take out the trunks and place them in my room.”

  He spotted Sienna, watching him. “What do you think, my dear? Drinks by the pool to take advantage of the last of this magnificent afternoon?”

  Sienna forced a smile onto her face and nodded. It mystified her why he couched anything he said to her as a question. As if she had the right to say yes or no to it. If Jack Fitzpatrick said to her that they were climbing into a rocket and going to the moon she would still have to smile and nod.

  She turned her eyes to the boat. To even use the word was a vast understatement, of course. It was really like a mini ship. It reared up before her like a monster of doom, casting a shadow over the pier.

  She started to tremble as she walked towards it, her heart beating wildly. This was where she had last seen Lola. This was where she had watched as she was dragged out of that room, unconscious. This was where she had learned about his dirty little secret and what he was intending to do with Lola. The horror of it all was what had spurred her to run.

  She was almost there. One more step and she would be aboard. But suddenly, her mind flashed with the vision she had seen that night. Frightened people pressed together in a dark space. A circular window with bars on it. She could almost smell the fear and the despair like a black vapour that had materialised around her.

  She stumbled, putting out her hand to steady herself. Then she felt a hand underneath her arm, pulling her upwards.

  It was Zach. He must have run forward when he saw her stumble. She straightened, trying hard not to look him in the eye.

  “Thank you,” she said stiffly.

  “My pleasure,” he said, dropping her arm quickly.

  “Oh, well done, Miller,” said Jack, just behind him. “I do so admire a man who rushes forward to help a lady. Such old-fashioned chivalry! There should be more of it in the world.” He paused, smiling. “You’ll learn though that our Sienna is always stumbling and clutching at things. The clumsiest woman that I’ve ever met in my life.”