"What the …?" No wonder Geo had kept it from her, because now she wanted names and blood.
"Indeed. Some high-profile assassins 'ave been deployed, very lethal bounty hunters as well. I suggest you take a long trip, without yer family."
"You know I hate running."
"Why d'you think I suggest it?" His accent became very strong. "Not only's the Oracle an' yer blood family at stake. Do you forget?"
Was he getting angry with her? "Never," she growled, not believing his nerve.
"Forgive me." He dropped his head. "It's been very … 'ard lately."
"Don't drop your head," she instructed him. After he held up his head, she continued, "I understand. This is a bad time for all of us. You do what you must, but let me handle my own. And if things go bad, I don't expect any of you to bail me out. I never do. It is safer that way."
"Ye're our blood as much as ye're theirs. We can'--"
"Damn it, Georgie Porgy, I hate when y'all worry. So don't!" she shouted, and he laughed.
The wind kicked up, blowing his neatly combed, short, dark-brown hair into curls, while making her hair dance into her face. He grinned wickedly, brushing back her wild hair with his hands. He always did think her hair was the funniest thing in the world.
"George." Geo's voice cut through the air like a steel blade.
"Bloody 'ell." George looked at Ollie in fear, cupping her face with his hands. "Good-bye, Loon." He kissed her on the forehead before taking in a deep breath and jumping into the air, disappearing into the black night.
"He could have at least stayed to let me thank him for his people's help." Geo was behind her, giving her the creeps.
She turned to face him. "So you could beat his ass? No way."
"Why was he here?"
"He's worried."
"Aren't we all? But you know as well as I do that George only comes when called. And only if he knows it is safe." Geo was so close now that she already felt the first blow. Any moment now.
"Maybe he knew y'all would need help."
Geo sighed, stepping back. "So this is about me keeping you in the dark and not allowing you to fight back. Ollie?"
"Don't worry. I understand now why you did it. It's worse than I thought. But I'll keep cool." She watched as her brother's eyes looked into hers, searching for her truth. And whether she showed it or not, it was the truth. This wasn't about her; it was about her family. All of them.
()()()
11
Before the cleanup crew came, Ollie watched as Granger searched everyone to make sure that no one had been tagged by trackers. It wasn't clear yet how they had found the place or even how the ambush had been accomplished, but three things were extremely possible: either they had an excellent prophet, excellent intel, or an even better tracker. Granger was still going over the information he had gathered. One thing was certain: they were all House of River.
What intrigued her most was how Granger had shifted from being the relaxed, gorgeous soul possessor to being the tight, controlled business mogul. There was a fine line between the two. And she wished she had the time to disrupt that line.
Ollie grabbed her guns and headed downstairs to her truck. They were no longer safe there. She would head back to Mama's to say good-bye before she left for the coast. Geo had talked Granger into keeping her on his yacht, because it was harder to track than them sitting on their asses. Though she didn't like being handled like luggage, she couldn't agree more.
"My cell?" Ollie held out her hand to Geo, who reached into his pocket and pulled it out. "Bitch." She'd known he had it the whole time. He'd probably taken it a couple of nights ago when she was passed out drunk. Payback for snatching his keys.
When they got to the condo, Miko and Bones greeted her with hugs as she held back her groans of pain. She went to O-no's room, where he was sitting in his favorite chair at his computer terminal while Sunny studied on the floor. He looked up from his books and smiled. Wow, she was going to miss all of this. Her family would move on. And though she wouldn't be gone long, it would be long enough to miss the good stuff.
And Mama.
Would this be the last time? Ollie wiped the thoughts from her mind. First things first: their safety.
"Hey." O-no looked up from his main computer screen and smiled. He got up. "How is everything? No one is telling me anything." He grinned with relief, showing off his cute cheeks.
"Good, but I'm going away for awhile." She smiled. "I have to go pack. Walk with me."
O-no rose from his chair. They walked out into the hallway.
"You okay?" O-no asked, sounding like he had a million questions.
"Fine."
"If you are as you say, then why did you ask me to … you know?" Sadness tinged his voice. She continued walking through the condo.
"Because if anything should happen, I want my affairs in order." He had a problem with becoming one of her beneficiaries. Like most people, he still hadn't come to terms with the idea of death.
"But it's your account. I don't want my name on it."
"Actually, all of your names are on it. But hey, listen, don't worry. I doubt I'll be going anywhere anytime soon. I think death has had its fill of me for a while."
"Oll--"
"Do you have any information for me?" She cut him off, not wanting him to mull over it. A change of subject would be good for him.
"The name Demon's Wrath keeps popping up, Ollie. And something else keeps nagging at me." Grim was his mood. "I dug up something that you need to know."
"Someone wants me dead. Yeah, I already know." That change-of-subject idea went to hell fast.
"Ollie--"
"Hey, don't worry about me." She ran her hand over his wavy hair. "Come on."
They went upstairs to her condo and all the way down the hall to the last room. Her exercise room was where she kept the majority of her arsenal. She reached up to a long shelf along the front wall and pulled down a small metal case.
"No, Ollie--"
"Take it. I want you to use it if you need to protect your family," she said, shoving the case at him. "Don't make me slug you," she told him when he tried to push it away.
He held the box, shaking. "But Troy will be here."
"I don't know what to expect--do you? This is just in case."
"I can't."
"You know how to use it. We made sure of that. And hopefully you won't have to. But O-no, you must think of your family, not of your fears."
O-no shot a surprised look at Ollie as his grip tightened on the case. He was getting the idea. O-no wasn't a kid anymore. Though she hated to see him grow up, she didn't have the luxury of babying him.
Slowly he nodded, accepting his duties. She kissed O-no on the cheek before pushing him toward the door. Out in the hallway, she found Granger on the phone. She motioned for O-no to go ahead of her.
"Someone wants to talk to you." Granger held out the phone. Ollie looked at him, puzzled, before taking the phone. Who did he know outside of her family that knew her? Then again, the man knew everyone.
"Yeah?" Ollie said into the phone.
"Hello, dear, it's Uncle Falco. I want to sincerely apologize for this whole debacle. It was that mission I sent you on to find Gregory that gave you such attention." Falco's highborn British accent was thick and polite. The multimillionaire of House Sun was such a gentleman.
"It's no problem--"
"If it was not for me, they would not have your picture all over the place."
My what?
"It was because of me that they tracked you to Gregory--and from Gregory, to your residence. I feared the worst."
Greg didn't … "Falco, it's no problem. Don't worry, we're handling it." She tried to stay calm while thinking of beating something, anything, to a bloody heap. Granger looked at her intently, clearly hearing her thoughts.
"You do not understand, dear. You are very important to me."
Ollie tuned out the man's rambling as she contemplated why Geo hadn't
told her that the secret of her identity had been compromised by Greg Hooser. Why hadn't George? She was ready to hunt down that son of a bitch Hooser and rip flesh from bone.
Her hand began to shake and jerk. She balled it into a fist to steady herself. The pain in her back began to build, and Granger's eyes followed her reaction.
"You see, Ollie, I pride myself in keeping all business deals as legitimate as possible--"
"I don't mean to cut you off, Falco, my man--" Yeah, right, "--but you don't need to apologize. If you wanna do me a favor, try to keep the heat off me and the fam." Ollie felt her frustration rising. She needed to kill something. Preferably Greg Hooser to start with; then she could work her way up to River and maybe every imbecile trying to hunt Mama and her. Get it under control, Ollie.
"I'm actually working on that. But Mary Alexander is hell-bent on finding you."
So House of River's Mary was behind all of the recent activity. Mary was ambitious, but to go to such lengths … Then again, she never had been subtle. Neither had Ollie. And the need to kick down the woman's front door itched under her skin, shot up her back, and had her seeing double.
"Well, thank you, Falco. I will talk to you when the dust settles."
"Dear, I also have a message from a friend of ours." His voice grew low. "You should know that if need be, there will be an intervention. Good day."
Pain grabbed her, nailing her in the spine. She staggered to keep her footing as she handed the phone back to Granger.
"You and my mother's uncle are buddies, huh?" She breathed, trying to focus. Reaching for the wall, Granger said nothing. He'd heard every word through her; she was sure of it. And he'd noticed her struggle as well. Taking hold of her arm, he guided her into her room, closing the door behind them.
He took her to the bed and sat her down on it as Ollie tried not to black out. She tried to block out the pain, but all she could hear were Falco's words. Damn, she didn't need to hear that. Friend of ours, my ass.
Breathing slowly, she let the pain travel over her body, spreading to even it out. Holding it in one place only made it worse. She let down her guard, knowing this would ease it more. She felt her shirt move on her right side. Opening her eyes in shock, she felt Granger's hand go under her shirt. He touched the skin lightly. A sting followed, one that she was sure would resonate, but instead it seemed to dull. Ollie looked at the man, perplexed. He was stooped, eyes closed, teeth gritted. Was he sharing her pain?
It made sense. He could possess souls, see memories, feel emotion, and read thoughts, so why not feel pain as well? Mesmerizing. Absolutely. His face tightened. Though Ollie still felt the pain, it was ebbing. So why such a stern expression? His thick eyebrows were drawn so tightly; his thick lips were pursed in concentration. His powerful jaw was clenched.
Finally he groaned, "Would you cut it out?"
She grinned. So that was the reason he looked on edge: she was staring. More like ogling.
"But I like looking at you." She wanted to laugh. Making Mr. Hard-as-Steel uncomfortable was becoming her new favorite hobby.
"I am not interesting."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not." Always so serious.
"Did you see the part in my life when I studied everything about you? And when I wanted you to do nothing but accept me?" She took his face in her hands, and his eyes shot open. "I think you're gorgeous." She kissed him on his bald head. "And your head is so sexy."
"Ollie." He pulled back, taking his warm hand from her side. He wanted her to get serious. But that was boring. Damn, he was sexy, beautiful, smart, powerful, and rich. What more could a woman want? "You're so frustrating."
He read her thoughts. "Okay, fine," she laughed.
He sat down on the bed beside her.
Well, ain't this new?
He didn't seem so rigid all of a sudden. He asked her, "Did Geo talk to you about moving the kids? He's afraid that they might find a way to get to them."
No, he hadn't, but Ollie had the same fear. They had tracked her so easily--too easily. River was known for its trackers and seers, but this was damned ridiculous. She was ready to kick down doors and kill every River--
"Not in your condition …" Granger's words trailed off.
"And what do you know about my condition?" She looked him in his eyes.
"I know it has something to do with your powers. And your seal. But I am still working out the details. I do know that the first time it happened was when that man, when you made him scream. The pain you felt in your foot and leg. He didn't cause that. Directly." Granger had an unusual look on his face. What was that look? A mixture of questions, concern, and …
Ollie stood up. If that was sympathy she saw, she could do without. He could choke on it, for all she cared. Time to pack. She walked into her closet.
"Hey, Oll--" Someone barged in. "Where is Ollie? Who are you, and why are you in her room?" By the small, young, uninhibited voice, it had to be Miko.
"In the closet, packing. Granger. And because we needed to talk." Granger sounded amused.
Miko giggled, then she stopped. "Wait … Granger? Augustus Granger, Level Four of House Heart? The most powerful in the Structure next to the Oracle? Wow."
Ollie walked out of the closet to see Miko looking up at the man in awe. Her little face was radiant with joy, and her pigtails were no longer braided, adding a wavy effect to her hair.
"And who are you?" Granger asked very professionally.
"You want to know my name?" She was amazed.
He chuckled. "Sure."
"But you're so powerful--don't you know it?" Uh-oh, she was testing him. I love this girl.
He chuckled, clearly seeing right through her. "Yes, Miriam of Heart, I do know. I was just being polite. Some people don't like to know they are being read."
"Call me Miko, Mr. Granger. It means 'chief.'" She held out her hand.
"Fine, Miko Miriam it is." He took her hand and shook it, as if completing a business transaction.
"Well, damn." Ollie snickered. "I think you have a new business partner, Caesar."
"Since the girl is Heart, I think I can find her something to do. I could use someone who can decrypt--did you just call me Caesar?"
"He is so remarkable." Miko just stared at him.
"Miko, you needed me." The girl hadn't barged in to gawk at Granger. Besides, that was her job.
"Yes, Mama said to come downstairs. She wants a word with you. And she told me to tell you to bring your Caesar."
Granger's mouth opened in objection.
"I can't wait for the boys to meet you." Miko took Granger's hand and pulled him out of the room. Ollie followed.
Once downstairs, she saw Geo coming out of Mama' room, with his chin up and a pleased grin on his mug. Mama must have given him her blessing on his engagement. Ollie couldn't wait for the wedding; he was going to get the embarrassment of his life.
"Bones, Sunny, O-no!" Miko screamed. All the kids came running downstairs, and O-no walked in behind Ollie. Joc was sitting at the bar with Troy, while Ellis sat on the couch, reading. Miko began introducing Granger to the boys.
As Granger was being introduced to all of the children, Bones looked at the man who stood slightly taller than O-no. Bones was completely mesmerized by him.
"Bones, what's wrong?" Ollie finally asked as Granger approached the kid. Granger stared at the boy without any expression.
"You are older than you look," Bones said finally.
"True," Granger answered.
"And far wiser than you look," Bones continued.
Granger laughed and looked over at Ollie. "He's reading me?"
"He's our own personality test. Don't worry, he can't read your mind. But if you have anything in your pockets that you don't want him to know about, you're in trouble." She grinned.
"No, he's clean." Bones continued to look at him. "But he has the oddest glow, like … like he is really powerful." Bones reached out and touched Granger's hand. "And there is da
rkness." He smiled, clearly liking the darkness. "I like you, Mr. Granger," he said finally.
"I'm glad."
"You should be, because if he recoiled from you, we'd put a bullet in your brain," Ollie said, grabbing the kid in an embrace. Bones giggled.
"Funny," Granger chuckled.
"No joke," Cee said, coming down the steps. She walked through the living room to sit beside Wolfe on the loveseat. He immediately laid his head in her lap, draping his legs over the armrest.
Joc's and Granger's faces seemed to grow weary as they stared at the kid in disbelief.
"Keep that kid away from me." Joc frowned.
Troy said, "It's been established that he don't like you, Joc, after what you did to Ollie. We just keep you alive for Granger's sake and at Ollie's request." Troy frowned at the thug. "But I dare you to give me a reason to ignore them."
"Ollie." Geo waved her over with a clinched jaw and sober eyes. That meant not to keep Mama waiting. "I'm going to check out the area, see what we can find out," he told her.
"Fine." Ollie shrugged.
"I'm taking Joc with me. We'll be back before you leave."
"You're leaving the big guns here?" Ollie frowned, looking back at Granger and Wolfe. Among all of them, even herself, Wolfe was the best gunman. His aim and accuracy was next to none.
"If anything happens, they can handle things without you. And I plan on sending them with you."
Granger, she understood, because it was his yacht. But Wolfe …
Ollie stomped her foot. "No."
"You know he can handle himself."
"That ain't the issue. When the hell did you become a home wrecker? Keep him with Cee." She looked back at Cee, who seemed a little relieved by her words.
"Fine, then I'm sending Ellis." Naw, really? Geo sure knew how to suck the joy out of life. The only thing missing was a straw.
"I'm sure if you can dig someone else up, you'll send them too. Troy needs a vacation."
Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy) Page 17