by Krysta Scott
Except for the police report and the divorce pleadings, her sole source of information came from an eight-year-old child. With Lori’s mother unconscious, Amy couldn’t be interviewed. Nikki pursed her lips. She needed to speak to Parker Hanover. And that required going through Garrett.
She scrunched further into her chair unable to ignore the inevitable. Every time she saw the man, things got screwy. No matter how uncomfortable Garrett made her, she had to deal with him for the sake of the child in her charge. Building up her nerve, she reached for the phone. It rang before she picked up the receiver. She snatched it up.
“Hello?”
“Let’s try this again. Nikki, are you ready to see me now?”
Nikki started at the sound of the superior gravelly voice at the other end. Her heart beat with dread, though she needed to speak with him. She sucked in a deep breath and said coolly, “Mr. Songe what took you so long to call back?”
A deep chuckle answered her. “As I recall you hung up on me.”
“True,” she admitted. “But I didn’t understand the Guild the first time you called.”
“And you do now?” Amusement tinged his gruffness.
“Not really. But I am willing to listen.” In fact, she was more than willing. She was desperate to find out why she was having those strange dreams. It was hard to believe that a few days ago she was a normal member of the human race, only to find out that she belonged to a secret society. So secret, salient details were undiscoverable. But Mr. Songe and Garrett had the inside track into her newly found lineage. It was her turn to learn how the Guild affected her life.
“Good. Meet me at—”
She cut him off. “Forget it. I’m not waiting another minute. I demand to know why I’m hearing from you now.”
“So demanding for someone who isn’t in a good bargaining position.”
She let that go. “I suspect you don’t hold all the cards either.” His self-assured manner irritated her. He acted as if he did her a favor rather than manipulating her into doing what he wanted. If this was his attempt at playing some nasty game to bend her to his will, he could think again. She hadn’t spoken to him enough to know whether her instincts were correct, but her job as Guardian Ad litem taught her enough to rely on her own instincts. “Frankly, I don’t trust you. And until I learn more, it isn’t the safest bet for me to run off and meet you.”
“Fair enough sweetheart, but I have nothing to give you so that you’ll feel safe. You’re going to have to take it on faith that I am here to help.”
A tremor rushed through her at the endearment. It was too intimate for someone she’d just met. Yet, there was a quality in how he said the word. It flowed easily from his tongue in a way that signaled the frequency he called someone this nickname. Who was she kidding? It sounded as if he had often used the term to refer to her. But he was a stranger. “Who are you?”
“William Songe.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She paused allowing the notion to take root. An odd sense of déjà vu seized her with an electric anticipation that refused to let go. “Who are you to me?” she demanded softly.
“I am the one who looks out for you.”
She swallowed hard. It wasn’t fear unfolding but something else. “What are you talking about?”
“Meet me at the corner café at 5:30.” The connection severed.
Nikki stared at the receiver in her hand. She didn’t need any further coaxing. If she wanted answers, cooperating with this strange man was necessary. It was as if a strong gust of wind shoved her from behind.
It was essential to know why the amulet had come to her, and there was more she had to know. Could he explain her dreams? But it wasn’t only the dreams that plagued her. What she really wanted was to eyeball Mr. Songe. That was the only way she would know for certain if he had truly visited her last night or if it was indeed just a dream.
****
Garrett spent most of the afternoon finishing a trial brief defending his client’s property lines. Not that he intended to rely on the finesse of the written word. But it was important to keep up appearances, and it gave him something to do while he waited for Barnes to return to the office. The minutes ticked by. What kind of hold did the Guild have over the senior partner? The prosperity of the firm certainly. In return, surely Barnes solicited favors for elite members from time to time. He’d hired Garrett as a favor, and that didn’t seem so bad. Garrett had been an asset to this firm. But twenty-five years ago, Barnes had enacted something far more nefarious than blatant nepotism. He had broken the law to help a Guild member kidnap an innocent child, and Garrett needed to learn who that person was.
Minutes later Donna buzzed him that Barnes had returned. Garrett raced to the corner office nearly plowing into his quarry. He stopped and ran a flattened palm over his tie, allowing Barnes time enough to enter his domain.
“I hear you need to see me.” Barnes loosened the knot at his neck and eyed Garrett with curiosity. It was not considered a good thing to find yourself in the office of the senior partner. The general consensus was the less you saw of upper management the better for your career. To intentionally call a meeting with him—well, that was an act of professional suicide. Unless you were a Guild member.
“Yes.” Garrett clasped his hands behind his back and followed Barnes inside. “It’s my understanding that you handled an adoption several years ago.”
Barnes sat folding his hands underneath his chin scrutinizing Garrett. The old man didn’t speak for some time. A trick he used in depositions to cause discomfort and make the poor bastard he was questioning blurt out anything to fill the silence. Usually to the detriment of the deponent. Barnes wouldn’t be so lucky this time. Garrett accepted the silence waiting for his boss to respond.
“I’ve handled lots of adoptions. How long ago are we speaking about?”
“Twenty-five years.” he said, watching him carefully.
Barnes shifted in his seat, eyes twitching. He rubbed them before he returned his gaze to Garrett. “That was a long time ago. Much too long to remember off the top of my head. Did you check the closed files?”
Garrett rocked back on his heels. “Oh, I believe you might remember this particular case. The adoption wasn’t exactly above board. The child’s name was Nikki Angelus. Ring a bell?”
Barnes traced the edge of his desk with his fingers. “What could possibly be your interest in a case that old?”
“So, you do remember.” Garrett sat resting his elbows on the arms of the chair.
Barnes made no move to answer. Instead, he continued to rub his fingers along the side of his desk. A stall tactic.
The silence expanded like a deep crevasse. The next move was up to the man currently ignoring his presence. Barnes’ hands slid back and forth over and over before he finally made eye contact with Garrett.
“I don’t remember the case.”
Garrett flew from the chair, palms flat on the surface of Barnes’ desk. He leaned in against the cool mahogany scrutinizing the lying bastard’s face. “I don’t believe you.”
Barnes gave him a thin smile. “Such passion for dusty old records that have nothing to do with you.”
Garrett growled. “On the contrary, that case stinks of Guild business. And that has everything to do with me.”
Barnes frowned, a finger against his lips. His next words were uttered slowly. Thoughtfully. “You don’t know what you are talking about. What could you know of the facts of any case that occurred when you were a child?”
“You’d be surprised.”
Barnes’ eyes widened, shock evident. He dropped a trembling hand to the arm of his chair and gripped it so tightly his knuckles showed white. He said nothing further. But Garrett had the distinct impression that his boss knew exactly what his words meant. A restless quiet descended upon them. Although he didn’t deserve it, Garrett chose that moment to end Barnes’ discomfort. “Let me make this simple for you. All I need is a name.”<
br />
Barnes’ head shot up, his mouth twisted with hatred. “Simple? Last time I checked I was your boss. This matter is closed.”
“As you aren’t a member of the Guild and live off our largesse, in this matter I out rank you.”
Barnes pilfered through the paperwork on his desk, obviously dismissing Garrett. Garrett didn’t move. Until now, he hadn’t realized how beaten down by the Guild Barnes had become. Instead of being grateful for his prosperity, he appeared to resent it. The price tag attached to the organization’s assistance was too high. In trade for wealth, Barnes was required to follow the directives of the Guild without question. It was no secret Barnes hadn’t wanted to hire Garrett nor had he wanted to be the Guild’s lackey. But that was exactly the position the man had found himself in. Barnes didn’t have anything the Guild didn’t give him. What must that feel like?
But he already knew. Hadn’t Garrett felt the same way every time his mother brought up his birthright to lead the Guild? Unlike Barnes, however, Garrett refused to let anyone control his destiny. His life was fully in his charge. Now he was acting just like those dried up husks bending people to his will. A fact that left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He would have let the matter drop if it wasn’t so important.
“When the Guild is involved, I am in charge. Quit your posturing. Give me the name.”
“Thank you for that little reminder.” Barnes glowered opening a file, inviting Garrett to leave. “But you aren’t in charge, are you?”
“What are you driving at?”
He pierced him with a look of pure venom. “In matters of the Guild,” Barnes sneered. “I answer to Adelaide not you.”
Garrett stiffened, resisting the insinuation that he held no real power. Barnes was getting ahead of himself. Was he really that stupid? Garrett considered calling his bluff but that option had a serious downside. He couldn’t complain to his mother every time someone bucked his authority. He had other ways of getting the information he sought. All he needed was a little patience and a small item from Barnes’ office.
He grinned at Barnes. “We’re not through with this conversation.”
But Barnes ignored him, burying his nose in some inconsequential file. He palmed Barnes’ stress ball and headed for the door.
“Don’t bother visiting me tonight. You won’t get anywhere there either.”
Maybe not, but it was worth a try. Garrett seriously doubted anyone protected him. And if someone did? Well, that would be an interesting turn of events, because only a powerful caster could shield a mind.
“Until tonight, Barnes.” Garrett chuckled. He slapped his hand against the door frame. In the meantime, he had another avenue to check out.
Chapter Nine
Garrett entered the courtroom and scanned the area for Nikki. Almost quitting time. He hoped to catch her before she left for the day. He should have known. She was at the bench, her hands gesturing emphatically with Judge Weatherly intently focused on her. With each movement, she drew all attention to her like a magnet.
She stood tall, ready for anything. And why shouldn’t she? There wasn’t an eye that wasn’t watching her. Garrett couldn’t help being drawn to her passionate pleas in her recommended placement of a child. Her reasoning lucid. There was no hostility directed toward her today. No one argued against her. She tossed her hair behind her back. Her confidence was breathtaking.
Once the hearing ended, she stepped away from the bench, and was stopped by another attorney. The familiar way he whispered in her ear set Garrett’s teeth on edge. With a playful smile she pulled back, laughing and slapped him lightly on the shoulder. Garrett swallowed wishing she relaxed as easily with him.
But their case was not simple, routine, or easy which only increased her prickliness. Somehow, he would find a way to soften her attitude toward him. He followed her into the hallway of the courthouse complex. She leaned against a wall furiously scribbling on a notepad. In this domain, she was all business. But what occupied her time outside the office? Was there room in her life for play? For him?
“Nikki,” he called, giving a friendly wave.
Her shoulders flinched almost imperceptibly. She raised her head, face devoid of emotion. Only her eyes hinted at the annoyance beneath the surface.
“Are you stalking me now?” The words were smooth. Nothing that indicated his intrusion bothered her in the least—until he approached. As he neared, she dug in her purse. He smiled. She was bothered all right.
“No, I was serious about my offer of dinner. I especially don’t want any hard feelings after the way we left things this morning.” He took the apologetic approach, hoping it would be enough to coax her into a casual meal. If he no longer offended her, he might be able to insinuate himself into her daily routine. Then maybe he could find a clue as to her unusual resistance to his persuasion. At the very least he could learn about her family ties.
“No need. The incident is already forgotten.” She smiled brightly as she pulled out her keys and flung them around her wrist. Behind the action was a little too much force to convince him that she wasn’t still annoyed. “As for dinner, I already have plans and I’m late.”
Was she meeting a boyfriend? The idea of another man irritated him. He narrowed his gaze on her certain her refusal to have dinner was more than due to a scheduled date. She was evading him. After the debacle this morning, he couldn’t say he was surprised but he wanted…no needed a chance to explain.
Still, there was no indication that she was lying to him about meeting someone else. Innocent green eyes studied him. An urge to know the exact nature of her dinner appointment irked him. “I’m sure your boyfriend won’t mind if you’re a little late.” The words escaped his mouth before his brain kicked in.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not meeting my boyfriend. I have cases other than yours, you know. But if you wish to discuss more reasonable terms regarding the Hanover child, I will be in my office all day tomorrow.”
The tension in his shoulder blades eased. She wasn’t meeting a boyfriend. Although he had no legitimate reason to care what engagements were on her social calendar, it appeared he did and it suited his needs just fine that she was going to a business dinner. Business dinners were much more flexible. “Good to know, but this is more pressing.”
“Not from where I stand.” She tapped her foot lightly, flicking her keys back and forth over her wrist. “There’s nothing about the Hanover case that can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“I disagree.”
She fixed him with an incredulous stare. “I guess that’s your prerogative but I really have to go. Call me tomorrow and we can discuss your issues.”
Garrett grabbed her arm. He pulled her in so close her subtle jasmine fragrance filled his nostrils. Her breath hitched. His fingers trailed the soft skin of her palm. The memory of that kiss they shared sent a rush of blood to his groin. He spoke softly into her ear. “Do I make you nervous?”
“No, you just irritate me.” The slight quiver in her voice belied the words. She drew in a deep breath and shrugged from his grasp. She turned on her heel and headed to the door.
His long strides quickly overtook her small steps. He eased in front of her, again stopping her progress. “Look, I’m not your enemy here.”
“Could have fooled me. Really, I don’t understand you. Don’t you have something better to do?”
He shot her a wicked grin. “Not at the moment.”
“Well, I do.” She maneuvered around him. “I don’t have the time for this right now.”
“Sure.” He stepped aside. “Later then.”
Later would be much sooner than she thought. He let her get ahead of him, then keeping a safe distance, he followed.
****
Nikki entered the Starlight Diner more than a little rattled by her brief meeting with Garrett. It was annoying how she let him get under her skin. For some reason, she couldn’t stop thinking about him, even when he wasn’t around
. That wasn’t like her. His broad shoulders and wicked grin captivated her. But there was something more disturbing about her preoccupation. He was growing on her almost as if she wanted him around. She gritted her teeth. Right now, she had more pressing matters than the puzzle of Garret’s inexplicable hold on her.
Inhaling deeply, she scanned the tables for the most likely candidate resembling her recollection of Mr. Songe. Most of the occupants could be dismissed easily. A short squat man with a full beard slurped his soup while the frizzy haired blonde across from him nibbled on a salad. A young couple in another booth shared a piece of pie while they gaped at one another with adoration. Her gaze narrowed in on an older gentleman at the corner booth in the back. Yep, that was him. He stood out from the rest of the crowd like a clown at a funeral.
His expensive tweed suit wasn’t the only thing that set him apart. His regal air was offset by a sharp angular chin accentuated by thin gaunt cheeks. Even white teeth appeared to be his own, not dentures or caps.
A cold tremor thundered through her at his familiar face. He was the man from her dream. She closed her eyes against the onslaught of this impossibility. They’d met briefly one time. How had his face become so definitely etched in her memory? Though curiosity played a partial role in her desire to meet him, she had the unsettling feeling that they’d met before that day in the courthouse. Long before he’d invaded her dreams.
His eyes fixed on her and he waved her over with a smile that reached his clear blue eyes. She slid into the booth opposite him. She wasted no time on semantics. She said, “I’m here, what do you need to tell me?”
“Wouldn’t you care to order first?”
“I’m not hungry.” She held back a groan at the petulance in her voice. But who could blame her? She’d had a rotten day. Garrett Nightshade had taken advantage of her. Not only did she fail to stop him, but she’d reveled in that sensual assault—responded to his touch.
The indignity of her weakness still burned. Now this smooth talking apparition from her dreams had details about the necklace. And he was taking his sweet time spitting it out. Nikki ignored the traitorous rumbling in her stomach. The knowledge that some supernatural power was restructuring her life, turned any appetite she had sour. She would stay long enough to get the information she craved. There was no point lingering over a meal.