She couldn’t.
As head of Temple’s security, if Luther truly believed she could learn things about people, see their lives and secrets, he’d have no choice but to kill her.
That chilled her ardor faster than anything else could have.
Luther sensed the change in her and pulled back. “What’s wrong?”
“This. Us. It can’t happen.” She gave him one final look and then concentrated. “Wake up,” she ordered herself.
Luther was calling her name when her eyes snapped open. She automatically turned and looked at him. His eyes flew open, and he stared at her. “You left,” he accused. He kept his voice low, almost a whisper.
Victoria swallowed hard and forced herself to lie. “What are you talking about?” She sat upright and fussed with the blanket. It wasn’t easy to act nonchalant, not with her body humming with low-level arousal.
Luther covered one of her hands with his much larger one. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She could hear his frustration, but she wasn’t going to admit to anything.
She shook her head. She couldn’t talk about this, not now. Maybe not ever.
“This is the captain speaking.” She almost cried with relief when the announcement began. “We’re beginning to make our approach and will land in fifteen minutes.”
She’d slept much longer than she’d planned. “Excuse me. I have to go to the bathroom.” She wasn’t sure he’d release her hand, and she was almost sad when he did.
“This isn’t over,” he muttered low enough so only she could hear.
She ignored him and took refuge in the bathroom, grateful to close the door behind her. She needed the space to pull herself together. Her body was still humming with arousal. She shivered and braced her hands on the small sink. “You can do this,” she told herself, needing the pep talk. It wasn’t like she had any other choice.
She splashed cold water on her face and used the facilities. Then she took an extra moment to fix some of the pins in her hair. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do.
When she finally finished, she took a deep breath and opened the door. After gearing herself up to face him, she was both relieved and disappointed to discover Luther was no longer in the seat beside hers.
She glanced toward the back of the plane and noticed Saunders leering at her. Jenkins was still half asleep. But Oscar Denning was watching her intently. He nodded in greeting.
She nodded back at him before taking her seat. There was no sign of Luther, which meant he was either in the cockpit speaking with the pilot or back with Mr. Temple. The latter was more likely.
Victoria did her best to ignore the chasm of fear opening up inside her, the one that Luther’s presence had kept at bay. She shouldn’t trust him, shouldn’t want to, but there was no denying she felt safer when he was near.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she fastened her seat belt, making the task much harder than it should be. She forced herself to focus on her goal, to think of Sergei and Katherine, to remember why she’d taken the job with Mr. Temple in the first place.
She took a deep breath and then another. Her hands steadied, and she was filled with renewed determination.
It took every ounce of self-control not to turn and see where Luther was. This was going to be the most difficult few days of her life.
…
Victoria was hiding something.
Of course, so was he, so was Temple and Oscar and everyone else involved with the Knights of the Dragon. They all had secrets. But Luther was driven to know hers.
He’d bet anything they’d actually shared the same dream or vision or whatever it was, even though she’d acted as though she had no idea what he was talking about. That would change. He planned to speak to her later, once they were settled in the hotel. He wouldn’t let her put him off any longer. She’d had a very visible reaction both times he’d brought up his dreams.
Most men would probably put them off as nothing more than sleep-induced fantasies. He had the first time it had happened. But twice was more than coincidence. Something was happening between them, and he needed to know exactly what it was.
In the meantime, he had to get his head on straight and deal with the situation at hand. He stood beside Temple and watched him sleep. His boss was sprawled out on the bed in his private room at the back of the plane with a throw cover on him. Temple looked old and tired.
It would be so easy to kill him now, a pillow over his face would end him, but that wouldn’t get Luther any closer to finding the Knight who’d stolen those he loved from him.
Finally, some sense of self-protection seemed to kick in, and Temple’s eyelids fluttered.
“We’re landing in a few minutes, sir.”
Temple nodded.
That was as close to a thank you as Luther would get. He turned on his heel and started to leave.
“Wait.”
Luther turned and faced his boss.
“Once we land, I need you to keep a watch on Victoria.”
That was a very unusual and unexpected request. Temple didn’t care about anyone but himself. Of course, maybe it wasn’t her safety he was concerned with, but his own. She couldn’t be allowed to learn anything about the Knights. So why is she here?
Luther stared at Temple and decided to ask the question that had nagged at him from the beginning. “Why did you bring her?”
Temple shrugged. “She might be useful.” He paused and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “During negotiations.” He stood and tossed the throw aside. “Do I make myself clear? I need you to make sure she doesn’t do anything that might upset my business with Caine. Negotiations will be delicate.”
“I understand.” And he did. His blood ran cold. The bastard was going to dangle Victoria in front of Caine like some prize or bonus if a bargain was struck. Had Caine expressed an interest in her, did he just like beautiful women, or was this just a gamble on Temple’s part? Either way, it didn’t matter.
He’d watch Victoria all right. He’d be damned if he’d let Temple use her or Caine have her. Saunders and Jenkins would be no help, but he suspected Oscar might.
Without waiting to be dismissed, Luther left the small room and returned to the main area of the plane. He stopped beside Saunders. “You and Jenkins will ride with Mr. Temple when we arrive. Look sharp. We don’t know what to expect.” He glanced at Oscar. “You’re with me in the second car.”
When she heard his voice, Victoria swiveled in her seat. Her face was no longer flushed, and her hair was smoothed back. She appeared professional and controlled once again, not at all like the passionate woman who’d kissed him in the stairwell of her apartment or in his dream, if that was indeed real and not mere fantasy.
There were so many layers to her, so many secrets.
And he needed to know them all. Who is the real Victoria?
“Where will I be?” she asked.
“With me,” he told her. He wasn’t about to let her out of his sight, but he couldn’t be with her all the time. That meant he had to take someone into his confidence, at least to a small degree. It was a gamble, but one he had to take if he hoped to keep her safe.
“This is the captain.” The voice came over the intercom. “Please take your seats and prepare for landing.”
Luther strode toward Victoria and slipped into the chair beside her. She looked forward, her seat belt already fastened.
As the plane started to descend, he noticed her hands were wrapped around the armrest and her knuckles were white. He didn’t think it was flying that bothered her, but rather facing what lay ahead after they landed.
He covered her hand with his and gave a gentle squeeze. She didn’t look at him or give any indication she even noticed what he was doing. Then she slowly turned her hand in his and gripped it.
His chest expanded as he sucked in a breath. Such a small gesture, but it moved him deeply. She trusted him to keep her safe, and he wouldn’t let her down.
…
Victoria knew she shouldn’t take courage and strength from Luther’s presence beside her. It didn’t mean anything, not really. When it came down to it, he worked for Temple, just as she did. He was neck-deep in the business of the Knights.
But none of that meant anything. Not when he was holding her hand. He’d noticed she was afraid and was offering her silent comfort.
Or maybe he was afraid she’d jump out of her chair and start screaming. It was an option, was what she really wanted to do, but she drew on years of practice at hiding her emotions and projected a calm outer appearance.
Only she hadn’t truly succeeded. He’d noticed how tense she was.
She tried not to be moved by the simple gesture of him covering her hand, but it was impossible. She needed to not feel so alone, especially since she had no idea what they’d face once the plane landed.
Maybe she was making more of the situation than it deserved. Maybe they were simply here for some business negotiation.
Except this was unprecedented. So she didn’t think she was being overly dramatic by being scared out of her mind.
The plane hit the runway and began to slow. She clung to Luther’s hand for a few more seconds but released it as the plane began to taxi toward the small airport. He left his hand where it was, forcing her to clasp hers in her lap.
“Stay on board until I tell you otherwise,” he told her.
She nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally stood. She’d be glad to get off the plane. It was too enclosed, to confining. There was nowhere to run if things went bad.
She peered out the window but could see little beyond the lights of the airport. Everything was dark. She yawned and checked her watch before she realized it wouldn’t be accurate anyway since they’d flown partway across the country.
All she wanted was to get to the hotel and have a few minutes of privacy.
The plane came to a stop. Almost immediately, Luther was at the door. He opened it and let down the stairs. A cold wind whipped inside. She unlatched her seat belt and opened the overhead compartment to get her coat.
Luther was suddenly beside her. “Let me.” His voice was a low murmur in her ear. Rather than make a fuss, she allowed him to hold her coat for her.
“Thank you.” She fastened the buttons, needing to fortify herself for the drive ahead. As much as she would rather have Luther with her, sitting next to him in a dark car would be a test of endurance. The more time she spent with him, the closer to him she wanted to be. He’d slipped under the layer of ice she kept between her and the world, and there seemed to be no way to put him back on the other side. She was no longer sure she really wanted to.
Luther went down the stairs and over to the first vehicle. He opened the door and spoke to the driver. She tried not to be too obvious about watching him. He was intense and focused on the job at hand. Then he spent several minutes looking around the interior before returning to the plane.
Mr. Temple walked to the entrance just as Luther stepped back inside. “The vehicles are waiting.” He jerked his head at Saunders.
Saunders hurried down the stairs. Victoria watched out the window as he looked over both SUVs and the surrounding area. He opened the door to the lead car and then gave Luther a wave.
“Jenkins, you’re next.”
Jenkins exited the plane, his boots echoing on the metal stairs. He took up a post at the bottom of the stairs.
Luther nodded at their boss. “All good.” He ushered Mr. Temple out the door and down the stairs, moving quickly toward the waiting SUV. Only she and Oscar Denning remained on board. Since they’d never been formally introduced, she figured now was as good a time as any.
“I’m Victoria Marshall, Mr. Denning.” She didn’t hold out her hand, but she did nod at him.
“I know.”
Of course he knew. They all knew who she was. Just as she was beginning to regret not keeping her mouth shut, he added, “Call me Oscar.”
He studied her intently, as if searching for something. She didn’t know what, but his perusal was beginning to make her uncomfortable. It wasn’t the same as when Saunders and some of the other guards stared at her. That was sexual. This was something different, something deeper, as though he was trying to see her true character, who she really was.
She pulled her coat more tightly around her, suddenly chilled by more than the winter air wafting through the plane.
“Everything okay here?” Luther suddenly appeared inside the open door. For a big man, he moved silently. Or maybe she’d just been so caught up in the interaction with Oscar she hadn’t heard him.
“Everything is fine,” Oscar assured him. “I’ll make sure the luggage is loaded.” Then he gave her a nod and left the plane.
Luther held out his hand, and she took it, needing something to anchor her. “Stay with me,” he told her.
She followed him down the stairs, using her free hand to clasp the thin metal railing. The wind bit into her exposed skin. She ducked her head and huddled inside her wool coat. Luther swore and pulled her closer. It didn’t seem quite so chilly with him blocking the worst of the wind.
Oscar had the door open in the black SUV. She slid inside, and he closed the door behind her. The rich smell of leather surrounded her. There was no driver this time. Oscar got in on the driver’s side. The door opposite her opened, and Luther climbed in.
Luther made a call on his phone. “We’re good. Stick to the planned route. No deviations. If you see something you don’t like, contact me.”
Oscar put the vehicle in gear and pulled out, following an identical SUV containing Mr. Temple and the others.
They were all silent as they exited the airport and hit the road.
“Want to tell me why I’m driving this car and you sent the driver along with Temple and the others?” Oscar asked.
Luther had done that? Victoria looked at him, wishing she could see him better in the darkened interior. He was little more than a big shadow. It was a skill he seemed to possess, his ability to blend in wherever he happened to be. She imagined it came in handy in his chosen field of work.
“Things are going to be tense over the next couple of days,” Luther began. Big understatement there.
“Things are already tense,” Oscar pointed out. He turned right, staying close to the lead vehicle.
Luther ignored that and spoke directly to her. “I want you to stay with either myself or Oscar at all times.”
That did not sound reassuring in the least. “Why?”
Luther held up a hand, and she went silent. Oscar tensed. Luther pulled out a small flashlight and began to search.
“Have you ever been to Utah before?” Oscar asked.
She stared at the back of his head, wondering why he’d ask such an inane question. Luther shifted his attention to the front seat. He inhaled sharply and then turned to search behind their seat. He was looking for something. It suddenly occurred to her he believed their vehicle was bugged.
“Ah, no, I haven’t Oscar. But I doubt I’ll get to see much. This is a business trip, after all.” She tried to keep her tone even and cool, as she normally did at work.
Luther extended his arm behind her into the back area of the vehicle. When he sat back, he had a tiny black circle illuminated in the soft glow of his flashlight. He lowered the window and tossed it.
“We clear?” Oscar asked.
Luther put the window back up. “We’re clear.” He turned to her. “And to answer your earlier question, you should stay with one of us at all times, because Temple is conducting business you shouldn’t be involved in.” Oscar caught his breath at Luther’s words but said nothing.
Private jets, secret meetings, bugged cars—this was like something out of a spy movie. It had never occurred to her to assume there was a listening device in the vehicle. In whatever room the meeting with Mr. Caine was to be held in, absolutely, in the hotel room where he was staying, a definite possibility, but not here.
&nbs
p; She licked her dry lips and wanted to run. This confirmed what she’d suspected. This was Knight business. She might actually discover something that could help her find Sergei and Katherine. If nothing else, if one of the people they were meeting with knew something about them, she might get lucky enough to discover something in one of her dream visions.
“I’ll be fine.” She kept her tone level and prayed she sounded more confident than she felt.
“No, you won’t.” Luther’s blunt assessment should have gotten her hackles up. Instead, it scared her to death.
“What do you mean?”
Luther swore. “I’m trusting you with this, Denning.” The fact that he used Oscar’s last name when he always used his first brought home the gravity of the situation. Luther didn’t seem to expect any reply from the other man and kept going. “Victoria, you’re here because Temple thinks you might be beneficial for negotiations.”
When Oscar swore softly, Victoria was totally confused. “I don’t understand. I’m Mr. Temple’s assistant. Of course, I can help.”
Luther touched her cheek, barely brushing it with his fingers. The tenderness behind the action was more scary than reassuring. “You’re here because you’re a beautiful, desirable woman.”
Her stomach dropped, and her blood turned to ice in her veins. “What?” Surely she’d misheard him.
“I’m not sure if Caine asked for you to be brought along, if Temple is using his knowledge of Caine, or just hedging his bets. Either way, you’re never to be alone with him or one of his people.”
Victoria hadn’t felt this vulnerable since she was a child in the orphanage. Her life was spinning out of control, and the only thing standing between her and disaster was a man she wanted but couldn’t really trust.
“Don’t worry,” he told her. “Oscar and I will keep an eye on you. Won’t we, Oscar?”
“Absolutely.”
“You’ve worked for Temple for some time now.” Luther wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. The heat from his palm soaked into her chilled skin. Even though the heater was on full blast in the vehicle, she couldn’t get warm.
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