“You don’t need me to conquer Godfrey. I taught you all that I can. There’s nothing left to learn.” Pride warmed his chest. “You’re a good team. The best. You’re exactly what I knew you’d be. I have faith in you.”
Lann regarded him with an understanding light in his eyes. “You always knew it was going to happen like this.”
He may have guessed, but he didn’t know for sure until he’d seen the intention in Godfrey’s thoughts.
“What about Olivia and the child?” Josselin asked, his hands clenched on the tabletop.
“Godfrey is too jealous to let them go. He’ll be back for them. Sean, send the tracker to Australia or Africa. I don’t care where, as long as it’s as far away from here as possible. Olivia will need protection.” His gaze pierced Josselin’s. “You can take that as my last wish.”
Every person on the team knew a last wish was sacred. They’d protect Olivia with their lives.
“As for the boy,” Cain gave Josselin a dark look, “you’ll have to keep an eye on him.”
Josselin answered with a nod. He’d understood the unspoken message.
“Who will stay to watch over Olivia and the boy?” Sky asked.
“We’ll take them with us,” Josselin said, stepping into his role as the team’s new commander.
It was exactly what Cain would’ve done. Nowhere were they safer than with the team.
“What’s your plan of action?” Maya asked.
“I’m going to pay Alice a visit.” He checked his watch. “Then I’ll take a private plane to South Africa. There’s not enough time to make it with a normal flight.”
“Bon voyage, Cain,” Josselin said quietly.
The words were charged. It was Josselin’s way of saying farewell. There was no point in dragging this out. With a last look around the table, he left the room.
After checking on Olivia, who was still unconscious, he took the necessary safety precautions not to be followed and drove to the safe house.
A tense Ivan waited for him on the landing. “I saw you coming on the security system.” He looked over his shoulder toward the closed door. “Josselin briefed me. Cain…” There was turmoil in his eyes. “What do I tell Alice?”
“Nothing. I’ll tell her myself.”
Ivan gripped his shoulder. “You’re a good man. Have I told you that?”
“No.” He gave a half-smile. “But it’s never too late. Did I ever apologize for killing you?”
Ivan’s lips twitched. “No.”
“Consider us even.”
Entering the apartment, he ran into Eve.
She pulled him aside. “I heard when Josselin briefed Ivan. You said it wasn’t goodbye.”
“I said until we meet again,” he raised his arms, “and here I am. You’re a good doctor, Eve. I know your ambition may be bigger than remaining a small paranormal team doctor for the rest of your life. If you ever want to climb the ranks, there will always be a research position for you at the paranormal headquarters in government. I’ve already put in a favor with my sponsors. All you have to do is say the word.”
“You’re talking like someone who’s tying up loose ends.”
“I am. I don’t have the answers to how my granddaughter’s future is going to evolve, but I know if she’s in your hands, she’ll be fine. Keep an eye on Alice for me, too, will you?”
Alice’s voice came from the end of the hallway. “Did I hear my name?”
Eve held his eyes for another second, an unspoken farewell passing between them, before taking him into a hug. Turning a tearful face away from him, she disappeared into the kitchen.
Alice approached him. “What’s going on, Dad?” There was apprehension in her voice.
Taking his daughter’s hand, he led her to the lounge and pulled her down next to him on the sofa. Alice was strong. She could handle the truth. More than that, she deserved the truth.
“Is there news from the Kat and Asia? And the poor children?”
“I’m leaving.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m flying to Johannesburg, tonight.”
“Shouldn’t you be flying to Chile?”
“The rest of the team will be going to Santiago on a rescue mission. Ivan stays here to protect you.”
“What do you mean the rest of the team? Why are you leaving them in the middle of this crisis?”
As he was searching for the most appropriate words, understanding dawned on her face.
“It’s a trade-off,” she said, her face contorting with shock. “You in exchange for them.”
All her scrambling thoughts lashed at him simultaneously. There were denial and pain, and the unfounded notion that she could’ve prevented his fate by killing Godfrey when she’d had the chance.
“No,” he said, urgency infusing his tone, “you will not blame yourself. I’d never want Godfrey’s blood on your conscience. You’re too good for that.”
She pulled her hand from his with a gasp. “It’s true. You can read my mind. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s not something I advertise. I didn’t think you needed to know.”
“Why let me know now?”
She already knew the answer. He could see it in her mind. She just wasn’t ready to admit it.
“You inherited my anomaly, Alice. Only, with you it’s much stronger. Where mine is limited to the living, yours expands beyond all physical borders. I didn’t know until you mentioned that you’d seen your late mom.”
“You think this is why I can feel and see spirits?”
“I do. It takes a certain kind of sensitivity.”
“If we’re susceptible to that kind of energy, why can’t I read your mind?”
“I’m sure you can. You haven’t really tried up to now.”
“I haven’t tried to see ghosts, either.”
“Spirits have a way of tossing their sentiments at you until you don’t have a choice but to hear and see. People are more discreet. No one wants his mind invaded. It’s a dangerous ability, because it’s easy to abuse. I won’t lie and say I’ve never abused it.” Thoughts of trying to break through Olivia’s barriers assaulted his conscience. “Try not to use it invasively. I have no doubt if I’m no longer around, you’ll make a valuable asset to the team.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “What will I do without you?”
“Live. Be happy.” He pulled her into an embrace and whispered in her hair, “Don’t make it harder than what it already is. You’re one of the better things I’ve done in my life. Make me proud. Now, where’s that beautiful grandchild of mine? Let me hold her.”
Turmoil played on her face as she got to her feet. When she returned with Clara in her arms, her expression was forced back to a schooled mask, but there was also something like hope in her eyes. Turning all his attention on Clara, he rose to embrace his grandchild. She was even bigger than the previous day. Her hair was several inches longer and she’d gain in height. He lifted her sturdy little body in the air, inviting a squeal.
“Be a good girl, Clara. You’re destined for great things. I can tell.”
Revealing the reason for the hope he’d glimpsed earlier, Alice said, “Let Eve inject you with the seven cells.” She grabbed his arm. “Let her make you a quantumancist.”
“If I do that, I’ll be condoning the very weapon I’m trying to destroy. It’s like dropping a chemical bomb on an enemy to prevent him from constructing a chemical bomb. It’ll betray every moral value I believe in. Besides, I have no desire to become immortal. I was always destined to be a man.”
“So that you can give your mortal life to save the world from ending?” she asked angrily.
“I wouldn’t put it quite so dramatically. I’m giving my life for a team who’ll save the world. That has always been my life purpose, and we both know it. Any one of them would’ve done the same if they’d been in my shoes.” He brushed a thumb over the tears that wet her cheek. “Anyway, I’m not here to justify my decision to you. I’m here to tell you that even if I
have to leave, I’ll always be with you.”
She pressed her face to his palm, the tears running faster over her cheeks. The anguish she’d been grappling with for the past few months mounted to the surface, giving him insight into her struggle with what Ivan had become. The question tormenting her popped into his mind. What would happen if she grew old and Ivan stayed young?
“Ivan loves you,” he said. “You’ve got to trust that it’s enough.”
“I do,” she said with a tremulous smile, hugging him tight with Clara pressed between them.
It was time. He couldn’t delay it longer. Freeing himself gently, he walked to the door. In the frame, he turned, offering her a bright smile instead of the anguish that mounted in his chest. “I’ll see you around.”
Their faces imprinted in his mind, he exited into the sunshine, looking straight ahead.
Olivia woke with a start. She was in a strange room. The cut in her neck throbbed and her muscles cramped. She tried to stretch, but couldn’t move. Her hands and feet were tied. Her last memories flooded her mind. Godfrey had taken those poor people hostage. Cain was going to exchange her and the child for his team’s families.
Blinking, she took stock of the room. It was decorated with ethnic artifacts and Brazilian masks. Cain’s unmistakable fragrance drowned everything in his masculinity. It was his quarters, without a doubt. Her throat ached from dryness. It was difficult to swallow. She tested the strength of the rope, but it was a thick and sturdy type that didn’t give. The knots were expertly tied.
She was breathing in and out to center herself when the door opened and Cain stepped inside.
“There you are,” he said, walking to the bed.
“Seeing that you tied me up here, where else would I be?”
He flashed her a smile and started undoing the knots. When she was free, he massaged her arms and feet to aid the circulation.
“Sorry about that,” he said, “but I couldn’t risk you running.”
“Where’s the boy?”
“Safe. Josselin is taking care of him.”
“I want to see him.”
“I won’t harm him.”
She uttered a wry laugh. “You expect me to trust you?”
“I didn’t have a choice. I had to remove the tracker.”
“Without my consent. Without giving me a choice. Not that it matters. I suppose you made your deal with Godfrey.”
“Yes, I did.”
“What kind of bargain did the two of you strike?”
“One that works best for everyone.”
“I see.”
“Not yet, but you will.” He stepped away, giving her space to breathe. “Can I get you anything? Are you thirsty?”
“Please. Just some water.”
He handed her a bottle from the nightstand with two aspirins. “Here. Take these for the pain. How do you feel?”
“I’m fine.” When she’d drunk her fill, she said, “Can I see the child, now?”
“Why hasn’t Godfrey named him?”
“He calls him Junior, but I said he could choose his own name. He’s still thinking about the name he wants.”
He regarded her silently for a few heartbeats. It was impossible to know what was going through his mind.
She cleared her throat. “May I use the bathroom, please?”
“Sure. It’s through there.” He pointed at an adjoining door. Pulling her up by the hand, he kissed her knuckles. “I’ll get you some clothes and something to eat.”
She used the facilities, washed her hands, and dabbed water on her cheeks. When she stepped out of the bathroom, there was a tray with cold meat cuts, cheese, and fruit on the nightstand and clothes laid out on the bed.
Cain leaned with his shoulder against the wall, his arms and ankles crossed. “I got you some of Maya’s clothes. You’re more or less the same size.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“Come here.”
She shouldn’t want to obey. She should be furious, but all she felt was pain at the knowledge that he’d chuck her aside so easily after what they’d shared. Of course the children were worth more than her life. That was understandable. What hurt was that she was only a means to an end when he’d come to mean everything to her. Despite her pride, she took those steps, closing the distance between them until they stood toe to toe.
“That’s better,” he said, his voice husky as he stared down at her with a soft light in his eyes. “I have one more thing to ask of you.”
She waited quietly while a war raged in her chest. Soon, she’d be submitted to her evil husband. She’d betrayed Godfrey. He wouldn’t be pleased. He’d make her pay in ways she didn’t want to consider. Worse, he’d discover the tracker gone and go on a rampage of killing. As God was her witness, this time, she’d kill Godfrey or die trying.
Cain straightened, his powerful energy surrounding her like a warm embrace. His request was tender. “Give me a kiss.”
She couldn’t deny him a last kiss as little as she could deny her feelings for him. He was the opposite of everything Godfrey was. The light in the dark. It didn’t matter what he’d done or what he was going to do, she needed this goodbye more than anything.
Going on tiptoes, she snaked her arms around his neck and pressed their lips together. The kiss was slow and full of worship. His mouth was cool and his tongue hot as he branded her lips with a scalding heat. Her body turned into a burning torch of cleansing light as he cupped her face between those manly hands and caressed her with so much reverence that everything dark fled her soul. He made her feel not only special, but cherished, like she was the only woman in the world. It was a beautiful fantasy, one she wasn’t too proud to keep. Instinctively, she knew she was going to need the quiet strength his embrace offered.
When he finally released her, his face was serene, his features peaceful. It seemed fitting that they didn’t speak. No bitter farewells or pondering what ifs. He didn’t say anything as he walked to the door. He only left her with the grand finale of his beautiful kiss.
For a while, she didn’t move, wishing him to return and knowing from a place deep in her heart he was gone. Forever.
He’d left her.
The blow was too much to bear. The loneliness and despair that engulfed her were so great she felt physically ill. Sick to her stomach. All she had to hold onto was that one last kiss. She suddenly understood the extent of the gift he’d offered with the embrace. If not for the lingering confirmation that what they’d shared had mattered on a fundamental level, she’d have fallen to her knees. Inhuman strength allowed her to carry on. She donned the jeans and T-shirt and sat down to wait.
She didn’t have to wait long. This time, it was Josselin who entered.
His eyes moved between the tray of food and her. “You haven’t eaten.”
“I’m not hungry, thank you.”
“Can I get you anything else?”
“Where is Cain?”
His gaze became guarded. “Gone.”
“Gone where?”
His silence only made not knowing worse. “Tell me.”
Still no answer.
She had no right to ask when she knew it was over, but she couldn’t help herself. “I want to speak to him.”
“That will be difficult.”
Apprehension tightened her muscles. “Why?”
“He’s a mile high in the sky.”
“He’s in a plane?”
Josselin crossed his arms. “Yes.”
“Is he on his way to Santiago?”
“To Johannesburg.”
“Why?”
“He made a deal. He’s giving himself up for everyone else, including you and the child.”
Her body turned hot and then cold. She’d thought nothing could be worse than his betrayal, but this was infinitely worse.
She jumped to her feet. “He’s sacrificing himself?”
“Yes.” Josselin didn’t hide his pained look from her. “I came to tell you
to get ready. We’re leaving for Santiago, soon.”
“You can’t just stand there and let Cain walk to his death,” she exclaimed. “Godfrey will have an assassin waiting for him.”
“I know.”
His calm acknowledgement made her fear escalate. “You’re not going to let Godfrey get away with it, are you?”
Sparked by her emotions, Josselin let his own show. “What do you propose we do?” he asked angrily. “If we split up, we weaken the team.”
“We can’t do nothing.”
“It’s done,” he gritted out. “Let it go. It’s hard enough as it is. Be ready to leave in five minutes.”
“You don’t have to take me with you.”
“I promised Cain to protect you. It was his last wish, therefore one I don’t take lightly.”
Pain lashed at her, flaying her raw. Cain had saved her. She gave Josselin a pleading look. “I’d rather die trying than do nothing. You can’t take that choice away from me, no matter what you promised Cain.”
“This isn’t what Cain wants. I admire your courage, but I wouldn’t be a friend if I didn’t respect his wishes.” He stepped aside, indicating for her to walk out ahead of him. “Your five minutes are up. We have a plane to catch.”
The air was thick with winter smog when Cain stepped from the private jet at the Lanseria airport north of Johannesburg. His sponsors had organized the transportation. A driver waited as agreed. He got into the back of the car and gave the driver the GPS coordinates Godfrey had sent.
Forty-five minutes later, they parked at the Mandela Square in Sandton. Already from the parking lot, the chanting of protesters was audible. Cain thanked the driver and made his way to the square. At the edge of the large space, he stopped dead. Thousands of Medusa supporters carrying flags and banners were gathered around the fountain. The angry mob was toy-toying––their word for a war dance––to the rhythm of whistles. The energy emanating from them was menacing. The masses were enraged. An organizer shouted anti-paranormal propaganda into a megaphone from a makeshift stage in the center of the commotion.
The weight of what Cain was about to walk into pressed down on him. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead while a fist closed around his heart. This is what Jesus had to have felt like in the garden of Gethsemane when he’d known the cross he was about to carry. Time taunted him as the seconds crawled closer to the agreed hour. Closing his eyes, he filled his mind with memories of Alice, Clara, and his team, allowing his last moments with Olivia to dominate everything.
Man (Seven Forbidden Arts Book 9) Page 21