“Baby, I’m so sorry. I know he meant a great deal to you. How did it happen?”
Verity wiped her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m sorry, Dominic, I can’t go with you. I have to go back.”
A string of emotions flashed across his face. He sighed and nodded. “I understand. Do you want me to come with you?”
“Be with your family and please tell them I’m sorry it didn’t work out this time. But, I have to go back. It’s my fault he’s dead.”
“It’s not your fault, Verity. Look at me,” he ordered when she dropped her gaze. When she did, he brushed his lips over hers. “This is some sick person who’s doing this. Not you. This is not your fault. Are we clear?”
“Clear,” she whispered even though she didn’t believe it. “I have to go get a ticket back to Kríti.”
“Okay.” He stood and drew her to her feet and embraced her. “You know all you have to do is call and I’ll be right there.”
“I know. Thank you for that, Dominic. I mean it. And have a wonderful Christmas.”
He kissed her and she sank into him, grateful for his strength. Dominic walked with her a short way and kissed her one more time. “I’ll be seeing you soon, baby.”
She waved and headed off to find the first flight back to Kríti. Before too long she was buckled in her seat and taxiing down the runway. I make it to the States and still don’t get outside. Verity closed her eyes and fought the tears as the guilt of Yusuf’s death weighed heavier and heavier upon her mind.
Back in Kríti, after a day of delay, Verity hustled to her car and called Larry to find out where the body was. Heading for the funeral home she ignored the fact she’d just flown to and from the United States. Clean clothing didn’t matter, seeing Yusuf for herself did. Hands clasped tight before her, she waited for the proprietor of the place to come for her.
“I’m sorry for the delay, Dr. Andrews,” the elderly man stated. “They had his viewing earlier today so I just had to put him in a private room. If you’re ready, follow me.”
Ready? I’ll never be ready to see Yusuf’s dead body. Getting to her feet, she nodded and squared her shoulders. “Yes sir.”
She followed him into a darker room lined with flowers and in the center sat a shiny cherry coffin. The top was open and Verity hardly noticed the escort leave her. Lower lip sucked into her mouth, she moved with slow, hesitant steps to the side and looked in. Yusuf laid there, a peaceful expression on his face.
Tears spilled over. “I’m so sorry, my friend. Had I not allowed you to go retrieve my stuff you wouldn’t be laying there.” She sagged forward and rested her arm along the edge of the coffin. “I’m worthless. This is all my fault. I’m to blame for you lying there.”
‘Yes, you are!” a voice behind her agreed in a tone laced with venom.
Whipping around, Verity froze at the sight before her. There was such hatred upon the face staring back at her. “I’m so sorry—”
“Shut up, bitch! You don’t get to talk. You should be dead. Not him.” A gun was shown before being pocketed. “We’re going for a ride.”
“Why?” Verity couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“No talking. Let’s go.”
She was silent walking out to her car and that was the last thing she remembered for something clipped her in the back of her head.
Dominic hugged his mother tight and smiled as she fussed over him. Stepping back, he hugged his father and well. Even so, his mind was on Verity. I should have gone back with her.
“Big bro!”
He looked over and saw one brother, Air Force Major Erich Stark heading toward him at a jog. They met and hugged. “Damn it’s good to see you, Erich.”
“Likewise, you’re looking good...you know, for a Navy man.”
Dominic chuckled. “And you’re still ugly, even for an Air Force flyboy.”
“I heard you were bringing your woman, where is she?”
He sobered. “She headed back when we reached Indianapolis. Something happened back in Crete.”
“Something?” a different male voice asked.
Dominic glanced to his right and grinned at the sight of the youngest Stark brother. Marine pilot Captain Garrick Stark. “Howdy, Garrick.”
“Where’s your woman? Ours are in the house.” Garrick held his gaze.
“A friend of hers died and...” he trailed off when his mother stepped up beside them.
“Come inside boys.”
Later that night he stepped outside to the porch. He could hear the laughter from the women his brothers had brought with them. Both were very nice and in his mind, great compliments for his brothers. It was just his woman who wasn’t around. He tried her cell phone again, but got no answer. Dominic left yet another message and sighed, grabbing the rail of the porch. Something just didn’t feel right.
“What’s really going on, D?” Garrick asked as he leaned beside him, handing him a cup of steaming coffee.
Accepting the mug, Dominic took a drink. “Someone is trying to kill her. Poisonous snake in her bag, cut brake lines, and support pillars sawed so they’d collapse.”
“Damn. Do we know who’s behind it? And if we do, when do kick their ass?”
He smiled at his brother’s choice of words. We. Garrick had not even met Verity, but was already thinking of her as family and under his protection. Unfortunately that didn’t change the fact he still had no clue who the culprit was.
“No. Then with this call about Yusuf being killed. It’s either a trap to get her back there or Yusuf died in something that was meant for Verity. Which means they’ll try again.”
“So you want me to drive you to the airport?”
“Yes.” The second he said the word, he knew it was the right decision. Verity needed him and he needed to be there for her.
“I’ll have the car ready by the time you get your bags.” Garrick disappeared back into the house.
Dominic explained things to his parents and promised he’d do his best to make it back in time for Christmas, this time with Verity at his side. He said goodbye to everyone and he and Garrick headed off for the airport, his brother driving like he flew. Fast.
“I’ll see you when you get back. I can’t wait to meet her, D. I think she’s good for you. You look happier.”
Dominic smiled. “I know. I am happier, but same for you. Delaney is good for you.”
“Stay strong brother and call us if you need us. You know we’ll come.”
“See you in a few days.”
“I’m counting on it,” his brother informed him.
With a small salute, Garrick drove off into the night and Dominic headed inside to grab the first flight out he could. After securing a seat, he tried to call her again, both cell and home. Still no answer.
Once on the plane, worry set in. There had to be a reason she wasn’t answering her phone and none of them were ones he liked. Dominic made another attempt to contact her once he made it to Spain. His unease grew when both numbers resulted in nothing. Running a hand over the stubble on his face, he rolled his shoulders in an endeavor to get them to work out the knots and relax a bit.
He was impatient as he went through customs and hurried to grab a taxi. He gave the driver Verity’s address. Tossing him some money, he was out of the vehicle and hurrying up the steps. Her old SUV was in the driveway, but it’s presence didn’t alleviate any of his fears. Knocking on the door, he swore when there was no answer. Dominic dropped his bag and fished out her spare key from its hiding spot and let himself in, locking it behind him.
The house was a mess. Like a twister had moved through it. Dominic ensured there was no one else present in the house before he relaxed his guard. Verity would never allow her house to be in this condition. Where are you, baby? He searched for what seemed like hours for a clue of where she may be and came up empty. Upstairs, in her room, he put his bag in her closet and walked into the bathroom when he heard the front door open.
Shit!
Dominic ducked into her large closet and hid. Footsteps pounded up the stairs and he held his breath as the person entered the bedroom. He didn’t recognize the man. Whoever he was, he was on the phone and Dominic had no problem eavesdropping. It would have been much better if I spoke more Greek. All he could recognize were the names of two places. Eileithyia Cave and Stravomyti Cave.
He knew, thanks to spending time with Verity, the Eileithyia Cave was near Amnisos and the other was on the southwest slope of Mt. Juktas. Juktas is near Knossos palace and would offer some good cover for an archeologist. Dominic felt as if there were a huge clock hanging over him, counting down. If he made the wrong decision he’d lose her forever. He remained hidden until the man left and then he ventured out with cautious steps. Leaving his bag stashed in her closet, he headed down the stairs and called a taxi.
Dominic took the cab to a bus station where he hopped on one heading for Knossos. As he rode, he tried to relax, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he was going in the right direction. He was heading in the opposite one from where Amnisos was located. The closer he got the more tense he became. Pasting a calm look on his face, he disembarked with everyone else and headed to find a room.
After securing his lodging for the night, Dominic showered and paced the room. His adrenaline was pumping and he knew sleep would be elusive tonight, if it showed at all. After a few hours of mindless walking, he slipped on his boots and headed out the door.
Before long, he was walking up as close to the entrance as he could. She’s in there. Dominic could feel it deep within him. He didn’t know how he knew, but he did. I’m coming, baby. He returned to his room and fell into a restless sleep. The next morning, bright and early, he walked into the Stravomyti Cave. He walked along in silence and kept his eyes open for any sign of something that may lead to Verity.
There was a small narrow pathway and a tingling sensation ran up his spine. Dominic slipped away and walked down it. He heard a slight whimper and his heart stuttered, but then, when he peered around the corner, fury swamped him. Relief mingled in at the sight of seeing Verity alive, but her condition; beaten, bruised, and hanging by her arms enraged him. What shocked him the most was the person standing there.
Chapter Seven
Verity hurt all over. Time had lost all meaning. There was an intense stinging pain up her right arm and she struggled to open her eyes. And she was cold. Very cold. She fought to focus once her eyes were open and she winced when she tried to move. What the fuck? I’m hanging by my arms. The blurriness faded and she saw the venom-infused face of Kasey Schmidt.
“Why?” she rasped.
“You’re awake,” Kasey snapped. “Why what? Did I want to kill you? Or rather, why am I going to kill you?”
“I don’t understand,” she said, swallowing hard, attempting to remove some of the dust from her throat. “I thought we were friends.”
“How could we be? He preferred you to me. You! That wasn’t going to fly.”
Shaking her head, Verity wriggled her wrists and bit back the cry of pain. I won’t show you any weakness. “What are you talking about, Kasey? Who preferred me to you?” Could this be about Dominic?
“Yusuf,” she spat.
“What?” Verity was lost. “You’re mad because you think Yusuf liked me more?”
“I don’t think it, I know so.” Kasey stomped over to her and backhanded her across the face.
Blinding agony ripped through her as her head snapped back and forth. “Let me down, Kasey. We can talk about this. Yusuf didn’t play favorites.”
An insane look filled Kasey’s eyes and she poked Verity in the right arm. “Does that hurt? I broke your arm you know. Then strung you up. And you’re wrong, he did play favorites. Just with the wrong archeologist.”
“You did all those things?”
“Yes. And it’s your fault he’s dead. If you’d been the one to get your tools he’d still be alive and I’d be in my rightful place as his favorite.”
“I already feel guilty for his death, Kasey, but why are you obsessing over if he plays favorites or not?” The pain grew.
“Easy not to obsess when one is the favored one.”
“He didn’t favor me over you, Kasey. He loved us all.”
“He should have loved me more!”
“Why?”
“Yusuf was my father!”
Verity didn’t know what to say, so she just dangled there. Speechless. Yusuf was Kasey’s father? Had she a hand free, Verity would have covered her mouth in shock. Not to mention if she had been standing her legs may have given out on her. As it was, that wasn’t an issue, since she hung from a pulley system she’d helped put in to assist with the excavations.
Anger pooled in her belly and spread throughout her body. Working up some moisture in her mouth, she spat it at Kasey. “You bitch! You killed your own father!”
“You were supposed to be there. You were supposed to die, not him. This is your fault.”
Kasey punched her in the gut and she contorted with the pain. Verity shook her head and fought not to cry.
“No, Kasey. This is your doing. Not mine. I had no idea he was your father. And you knew, you knew Yusuf would just show up at digs unannounced. And yet you still set those traps. His death is on your hands.”
“Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!” Kasey screeched before smacking her again.
Kasey stumbled away from her toward a burlap sack on the dirt floor. Verity spit out the blood gathering in her mouth and knew she wasn’t going to make it out of here alive. Kasey lifted a pole with like a small gripper on the end and stuck it in the bag, pulling out a snake.
“Don’t do this, Kasey,” Verity begged as the young woman turned to her and showed her the reptile.
“I want you to say hi to him, Verity. You killed one of his family members too.”
Great, an adder.
“Put the snake back, Kasey,” a deep voice broke in.
A sob of relief flooded her at the masculine timbre of Dominic Stark’s voice, followed quickly by panic, she didn’t want him to be injured or killed either. Verity craned her neck and watched him walk into the small room. He had a few days worth of growth on his face, but to her, nothing had ever looked so good. He didn’t take his eyes from Kasey.
“Hang in there, Verity. We’ll be going home in just a bit.”
“You!” Kasey bit off. “Take this instead.” She threw the snake at him and it fell short. It curled up in an attack position.
Dominic froze. Although her eyes were dry and gritty, not to mention she had no glasses on, Verity saw a blur of movement behind him. “Behind you, Dominic!” she screamed.
He moved like a blur and soon she saw the large man down on the ground, screaming from the bite the adder gave him.
“Ricky!” Kasey hollered.
Verity stared in awe. Dominic approached the snake and within a moment had it safely in his hand. He looked at Kasey and threw the snake back to land at her feet, keeping the reptile between the two of them. “Next time you want to throw a snake, make sure it’s not at a man who grew up around them.” Dominic then crouched by the man named Ricky and ground out, “Hold still and stay calm. You panic and the venom moves faster. Each beat of your heart spreads it further throughout your body.”
“Help me,” the man begged.
“You’re not my concern.” He stood up and headed toward her. Taking her down from the pulley, Dominic gathered her close. “Verity, baby. I thought I’d lost you.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I love you, Verity Gemma. I love you.”
“Dominic,” she sobbed as he undid her ropes.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you and I’m never etting’ you go.”
The security of being in his embrace returned to her and Verity bit her lip to stop the tears. “What about them?”
“I don’t care. Are you okay?” he asked, staring into her eyes.
“My right arm’s broken and I look terrible.” Looking past him, she saw Kasey backe
d into a corner, a petrified look on her face as the snake slithered closer. Ricky lay like he had been carved out of stone.
“You look beautiful. Let’s get you out of here.”
“We can’t leave them here, Dominic.”
“Why not?” His tone told her he had absolutely no problem doing that.
She sank into him when he swept her up into his arms. “It’s not right.”
“Fine, we’ll tell someone but I’m not letting you go.”
“Sounds good to me. I’d really like some water.”
“Hang in there baby. We’ll get you all fixed up.”
* * * *
The smell of Dominic surrounding her along with his warmth lulled her into sleep. Verity didn’t remember much until after she got back from the hospital. She woke in her bed, with Dominic sitting beside her, watching her with love in his eyes.
“Hey,” he drawled.
“Hi.”
A frown marred his expression when he reached out to touch the bruise on her face. Verity stared at his clean-shaven face and longed to touch him, but she was just so comfortable finally. And warm.
“Glad you’re awake. Come on, we have to get going.”
“Where?”
“Texas.”
“I can’t meet your family looking like this, Dominic.”
“Baby, they want to meet you. I told mama I’d be home by Christmas. If we leave now, we’ll arrive about Christmas eve.”
He crawled over her and placed feather light kisses along her face and down her neck. With his teeth, he dragged the blanket down, exposing her breasts. She shuddered when he laved the tips and rolled them around in his mouth, nipping lightly at the nipples.
“Dominic,” she whimpered.
“I need to hear it, Verity,” he muttered around a turgid point, the vibrations sending spikes of longing through her. Her pussy throbbed and demanded attention.
“Yes.”
“Yes what?” He moved to the other nipple and drew hard on it.
Her back arched and her fingers dug into her palm. “I’ll go with you.”
Dominic moved up her chest and kissed her. “Thank you.”
Born To Fly Wild As The Wind Page 8