by Alexa Verde
She was perceptive, he had to give her that. He shifted in the hospital bed, and pain resonated inside his body. It was obvious Soledad wanted to reconnect with her father badly, and he hated to make her suffer. “He couldn’t. He had to go through medical treatments or he'd die.”
She breathed in sharply. “He got better, right? Right?”
“No. The treatments didn’t work. He decided not to undergo new ones but spend the rest of his time with you.”
Her eyes filled with tears. His own heart was breaking at losing his mentor, his best friend, the person he owed so much to. That pain was much worse than the pain in his shoulder. After all Sergey had done for him, James hadn’t even prevented his kidnapping. A zing of guilt ripped through him.
Worry for the same person created an unexpected bond between him and Soledad, and James wasn’t sure whether he liked it or not.
A lonely tear ran down her cheek. He fisted his fingers to stop himself from reaching out to swipe it away. Unlike Melissa’s crocodile tears, Soledad’s were obviously real.
“Why would anyone kidnap him?” Her voice was hoarse. “Because of the Fabergé egg? But why would anyone go to so much trouble for a replica?”
“News about you and his illness made him check on the replica. Even though it wasn’t the real treasure, he thought it might be worth something. Imagine his surprise when he found out it was worth millions.”
She gasped. “So it was the real Fabergé egg?”
“Exactly. My guess is that the family created the rumor, supported by newspaper articles, to stop burglary attempts and protect their little boy. Looks like it worked for them. Now, Sergey’s discovery set in motion many inquiries to sell. He refused them all.”
“But somebody wasn’t taking no for an answer, right?” she was quick to guess again.
“Let’s say I received some information through my channels. Criminals were after the Russian treasure. As soon as I got the news, I called Sergey. He wasn’t answering. So I took off after him to Rios Azules.”
“You must have some suspects, some leads.” The hope in her eyes made him wish he had more information to give her.
He told her everything he’d been able to dig up. As soon as he finished, his phone rang. He recognized Brian’s number on the screen. “I have to take this call. It’s from an art dealer in Austin. I might get some new information.”
“Of course.” She seemed to be filing away what he’d told her.
“Hello, Brian.”
“Hey, James. I don’t have much, but this is what I’ve got. Plenty of establishments and people are extremely interested in the Fabergé egg and not very particular how they obtain it. Three of my colleagues were approached numerous times with requests to reach out to Eliseev. They did, but unsuccessfully. The rest of information might not be very reliable. It’s just rumors.”
“I’m interested in those, too,” James said.
“Well, rumor has it that several high-class thieves already checked Eliseev’s residence and his office at the university but left with nothing. About a dozen con artists tried to get close to Eliseev. A young, attractive woman with red hair seemed to be the most successful. She’s not local, but the word on the street is she already has an extremely interested and wealthy buyer. That’s all I have right now.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Anytime. I remember what you’ve done for me.” Brian hung up.
James also remembered well rescuing Brian from drowning in his teen years, but he didn’t like pulling that particular string.
Hmm, a young redhead female con artist. Probably the one who used the alias Lola Rogers. Suspicion crawled inside his mind. Could it be?
He relayed the conversation with Brian to Soledad.
She rubbed her forehead in thought. “All this still doesn’t explain why I’m being blackmailed. I have no way of knowing where the Fabergé egg is.”
“Maybe you do,” he said quietly. He hated that Sergey had dragged her into this mess, though not on purpose.
Her eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Remember the family tradition of the treasure hunt? While going through treatments, Sergey set up something like that with the Fabergé egg, sort of a game for you. He told me he relied on the Internet, his memory, and calls to local businesses in Rios Azules to find clues connected to three Russian fairy tales from the book.”
“Why make it so complicated?” She blinked rapidly, as if to prevent any more tears from falling.
Again, he fought the urge to comfort her. “The way Sergey explained it, he wanted to give you not only the inheritance but also the spiritual heritage of family traditions, love, and cultural identity. He thought that was a good way to connect to you. He was going to send you the old book and the letter with the explanation, and email you the instructions if his condition got worse. And he hoped to help you along the way. That was before he found out the real worth of the Fabergé egg.”
“I haven’t received anything by mail. As for the email, if it went to a spam folder, I probably deleted it. What am I supposed to do now?” The misery in her eyes tugged at his heart. Then her face brightened. “I know something I can do. I’ll pray for Sergey Eliseev.”
“I take it you’re a believer?” he asked carefully.
“Yes. I gave my life to God. Are you?”
“I was once.” He left it at that.
Melissa had taught him of God’s mercy. But after her betrayal, he’d had difficulty praying again.
“By the way, thank you for saving the day. I owe you my life,” he said.
“You owe your life to God.” She looked away. “Frankly, I was scared out of my mind. I prayed a lot.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m just happy you’re doing better.” The smile illuminated her face.
His imagination played a trick on him, showing Soledad at a candlelit dinner at an expensive restaurant, dressed in a red evening gown, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkling in dim light. His pulse kicked up. Judging by her modest house, dreary clothes, and simple food, she could use some nice things in life. Had she ever been courted the way she deserved to be? Had she even been kissed the way she deserved to be?
He hadn’t been this interested in a woman since he’d said good-bye to Melissa. He moved his gaze away from Soledad’s full, pink lips that didn’t need lipstick. He had no business letting his imagination run wild when there was an important task at hand. “Your father asked me to protect you. I intend to do just that. As soon as I get out of here, of course. I can provide you with references, if you’d like.”
“You helped Mari. That’s all the reference that matters. But I don’t need protection.”
“If criminals think you might know how to find the treasure, you become a target. Remember, somebody tried to break into your room at the B and B?” He didn’t want to frighten her, but she needed to realize the full scope of the danger she might be in.
He’d talked to the owner of the Rios Azules B and B and offered a nice payment for increased security. He’d reached Aidan, who’d promised to patrol the street near the B and B as often as possible. Still, that didn’t seem enough. James needed to be out of the hospital in order to protect her.
She jumped to her feet and walked to the window.
He cleared his throat. “Please step away from the window.”
Her shoulders slumped, but she did as he asked. “I don’t want to hide, live in fear again,” she muttered.
“Again?” The scared look in her eyes reminded him of a bird with a broken wing. What, or more likely, who had put that fear there? Indignation rose inside him.
She didn’t answer, and he figured he’d better let it go for now.
“If you hire me, I’ll do it pro bono for you.” He gave her a charming smile. Normally, that smile worked well on women.
Apparently, not this woman. She shook her head. “You might do it for Eliseev, but you don’t even know me. I have friends
like that, too. I’d put my life on the line for Mari in a heartbeat. Or for any of the Danger Girls.”
“I always keep my word.” Especially considering it’d been given to a dying man.
The interesting combination of shyness and courage made him curious about her. Sergey was an extraordinary person, and James didn’t expect his daughter to be any different, even if she’d grown up far away from Sergey. What secrets hid behind those blue eyes?
He wanted to draw her closer. “I want to sit up higher. Of course, I could call a nurse. But would you mind helping me with this pillow, please?”
“Sure.” Leaning over, she rearranged the pillow behind his back.
Their breaths mixed. He breathed in her floral scent. Lavender.
Her cheeks flushed.
He placed his hand on hers, her skin feeling smooth underneath his fingertips. She winced but didn’t move away. If he moved any closer, his lips could touch hers. His pulse quickened.
“You have gorgeous eyes,” he whispered. “The most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. But an attractive woman like her should’ve been used to compliments.
He pondered over things he’d found out about her for Sergey. She was a bright woman with a university education who spoke several languages and was a talented artist. Why was she stuck working as a librarian in a small town? It didn’t add up.
“You’ve probably said that a thousand times.” She scoffed.
He smiled. She could be feisty, as well. “No. Only around thirty. And I mean it every time.”
A knock on the door interrupted him. A pretty blonde nurse in light-green scrubs entered the room.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. I was about to leave.” Soledad retreated to the door. “Mr. O’Hara seems to need some help with his pillow. Oh, and if he says you have the most gorgeous eyes he’s ever seen, please believe him. He tells it to every woman he meets and means it every time.”
He chuckled. Behind the shy exterior, Soledad Sokolova had spunk. He couldn’t wait to find out more about her.
Of course, he had to make sure she stayed alive for that.
* * *
The next morning, Soledad waited in the car near her home while Aidan checked the premises. The night had been uneventful, and her ragged nerves were calmer.
Her yard appeared so peaceful now that it was difficult to believe gunfire had thundered here just a day before. Near that old oak, O’Hara had shed his blood to protect her and Eliseev. Her heart squeezed painfully from worry about both of them. O’Hara had called her yesterday from the hospital three times to check up on her. His concern had touched something deep inside her heart. Something she used to keep hidden from the rest of the world…
Nowa, Mari’s beloved German shepherd, lifted her head and growled in the passenger seat, looking toward the oak. Soledad tensed and reached for her purse with her trusted .38.
“What is that, Nowa? What do you see?” She stared in the same direction the dog did.
Nowa stopped growling and put her head on her paws, and Soledad relaxed. Aidan had been taking care of Nowa during Mari’s honeymoon, and Soledad was grateful he’d suggested that the German shepherd should stay with her for protection.
Her phone rang, and Nowa gave out a short bark. Soledad’s heartbeat increased when she recognized James’s number on the screen. She hurried to press the answer button. “Hello.”
“Good morning.” His deep baritone made her breath shallow. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am.” Warmth spread inside her. But was he really concerned about her? Or about keeping his promise to Eliseev? Why did it matter so much to her? “I checked out of the B and B. I’m near my house right now.”
“Are you sure that was a good decision?”
“Looks like they found me in the B and B anyway. I’m not going to stay here long.” She lifted her chin.
“You live at the outskirts, with not a soul around for miles. Maybe you should stay with one of your friends?”
She raised her chin even higher, defiance surging through her. “And put them in danger? No way. Listen, I’m out of art supplies, and I need a fresh change of clothes. I also want to look through the family album, especially Mom’s pictures from the time she lived in Austin. Maybe I can find Eliseev in one of them. Maybe something will jump out at me.”
“Did Aidan check the perimeter?” James asked.
“He is now. And knowing him, he’ll drive by often enough. Besides, Nowa is staying with me. And Nowa is a great and very loyal protector.”
“Who’s Noah?” James asked gruffly. “Have you known him for a long time?”
If she didn’t know any better, she’d think there were notes of jealousy in his voice. “Nowa is Mari’s German shepherd.”
The dog lifted her head and barked several times, as if in greeting.
“All right. I’ll try to get out of the hospital as soon as I can.” Urgency gave his voice a sharp edge.
Was he so eager to leave Rios Azules? Or to make sure she was safe? “Um, Mr. O’Hara…”
“James.”
Right. He’d asked her to call him by his first name several times already. “James.” She liked the way his name tasted on her tongue. No, it was better not to go there. That was the taste of danger. “I, well, might stop by the hospital again.”
“I’d like that.” His voice had warmth now, and her heart raced.
She winced from the knock on the car window and chided herself. She needed to be aware of her surroundings. Aidan nodded at her, and she opened the door.
“I have to go,” she whispered into the phone and disconnected.
“All clear,” Aidan said. “Let me carry your bag.”
“Thank you for watching out for me.” She handed him the duffel bag and followed him into her modest home, where she’d used to feel safe. Not anymore.
“I’ll make sure to pass by your place every hour or so until you leave.” He opened the entrance door for her, and Nowa and Soledad entered. Nowa sniffed the air, made a quick run, and settled near the couch, as if giving the place her silent approval.
“Anything happens, anything suspicious at all…” Aidan started.
“I’ll call you.” She waited for him to leave and locked the door behind him. A tinge of regret squeezed her heart. Why had she never been attracted to great, responsible, caring guys like Aidan Rowe instead of players? In this case, it didn’t matter anyway. Whether Aidan wanted to admit it or not, his heart belonged to Lydia Velasquez, her dear friend and one of the Danger Girls.
Would anybody ever love her as much as Aidan loved Lydia or Luke loved Mari? And why, when she asked that question, did James’s image appear in front of her eyes? The other Danger Girls had the wisdom to fall for the guys with souls as great as their looks, not a player like O’Hara.
Soledad unpacked her duffel bag and poured herself a generous glass of iced tea from the fridge. Tea, grapes, and cheese constituted her breakfast as she settled on the couch with Nowa at her feet. While munching on grapes, she leafed through three family albums. After some time, she was finished with breakfast and the albums, disappointment settling in the pit of her stomach.
Her phone rang, and she reached for it. The word Mom was on the screen. Yes! It was about time.
“How is the vacation, Mom?”
“Lo siento, mi hija. I’m so sorry.” Her mother sobbed. “I lied to you about Sergey’s death. Tuve miedo… I was afraid you’d never forgive me for leaving your real father and marrying that no good…” Several unflattering Spanish words followed. Then her mother’s voice broke. “Perdoname, por favor.”
“Of course I forgive you.” Soledad struggled to infuse her voice with certainty she didn’t feel. “I just wanted to know the truth.” She swallowed a hard lump in her throat. Her mother was her only family. She couldn’t let one lie tear them apart, as much as she wished she’d met Sergey years ago.
“I’m going ba
ck today, mi hija.”
“Don’t interrupt the vacation. Please. In fact, stay a week longer.” The last thing Soledad wanted was to put her mother smack in the middle of danger. And she wasn’t sure she could give her a welcoming hug. At least, not yet.
“¿Estás segura?” Her mother sounded surprised.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Is your father with you?”
Soledad paused, reluctant to lie like her mother had lied to her. She searched for words. “No. He… left. We’ll talk more when you return.”
A knock on the door made her flinch. But Nowa didn’t move a muscle, didn’t growl or bark. Hopefully, that meant Nowa knew the person outside.
“Soledad, it’s me.” Aidan’s voice filtered through the door, confirming her thoughts.
She jumped to her feet, grateful for an excuse to finish the call. “Aidan is here. I’ll talk to you later.” She hung up and opened the door.
Aidan stepped inside, holding a cardboard box with her name on it. “It took a lot of persuasion, but the chief agreed to give this to you. We found it in Eliseev’s vehicle.”
“Thank you.” Her curiosity piqued, she gestured for him to place the box on the coffee table, where Nowa gave it a through sniff. Soledad opened the box, and her hand flew to her mouth.
The antique book had golden Cyrillic alphabet letters worn out and barely visible on the binding that once might’ve been a fine leather.
“Russian fairy tales,” she whispered. With extreme caution, she opened the book, not surprised to find it was printed in 1905. “My legacy.” Her father had meant to give this to her. Gratitude blossomed inside her as she carefully studied the book.
Excitement bubbled inside her at discovering brand new bookmarks marking beginnings of three fairy tales. She’d read them before. At least now, she had some hints on the clues for the treasure hunt. She searched the box for a letter from Eliseev. As she found none, her excitement dimmed a bit.
“I can’t wait to tell James about this.” She leafed through pages for any handwritten notes and didn’t find any.