by Rivi Jacks
As I round the end of the chip rack, I come face to face with Nicholas Sinclair. I stop abruptly. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how he two-timed me with Bobbi Shay Lynn or how he tried to kidnap me or how he—well, let’s just say I don’t have much use for the man. It’s an awkward situation though since he and my uncle have remained friends.
“Uh… hi, Nick.”
“Sofie.” His eyes move over me. “You look lovely today.”
I almost bust out laughing. I don’t have a speck of makeup on, and my hair is pulled up into one of those messy ponytail buns. You know… half up, half down. I’m wearing faded jeans and an old Dark Side of the Moon t-shirt from my Uncle Ben’s college days. I manage to control the impulse, though. I also control the urge to ask him where Bobbi is. After all, I do owe him a thank you.
“I’d like to say thanks for the other night. I appreciate that Jake was able to get back here so quickly.” Nick’s uncanny ability to—sense trouble is a blessing in disguise—I guess. His ability to sense my troubles, in particular, is a bit of an annoyance to me, considering our history. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for his help but… I just wish that help wasn’t so personal to him. He thinks he’s my savior or something.
He smiles. “I’ll always look out for you, Sofie.”
“I don’t need you to look out for me, Nick.” I know I sound a bit of a bitch. I take a deep breath. “Just the same, I thank you for your help.” I step around him and head for the dining room before he has a chance to respond.
“Hey,” I say to Emma Rae as I join her and Diane.
“I’m gone for a few hours, and all hell breaks loose around here,” she teases. “Seems that I can’t leave the two of you alone.”
“A good reason for you to never leave,” I spout right back, grinning at Diane before looking back at Emma Rae. “Tell us about your weekend.” I know that will keep her busy for a bit, delaying Diane and I having to relive our nightmare.
Emma Rae’s just finishing the juicy details of her and Andy’s boating excursion when Sawyer sits down next to her across from Diane and me.
“Ladies.”
“Hi, Sawyer. What are you up to?” I ask as he reaches for my burger. “Hey, I’m still eating that.”
“I’ll split mine with you when it gets here.”
I push my plate across to him. “You might as well have fries with that burger.”
“Thanks. Do you mind getting me a cup of coffee?” he asks between bites of burger and fries.
I raise my brow. “No problem, cuz. That’s what I’m here for.” Emma Rae laughs as I stand.
“Hey, Emma Rae, can you get me some pickles?” We all look across the dining room at the table where Leroy Benton sits.
“Leroy, do I look like I’m workin’?” Emma Rae holds her arms out so he can see she’s not in work clothes.
“Sofie will bring you some pickles on her way back with my coffee, Leroy,” Sawyer offers. I give him a look, but he just grins.
Shaking my head, I murmur, “I’m so glad you’ve graced us with your presence, Sawyer.” I hear him chuckle as I cross the room on my way to fetch coffee and pickles.
On my way back, I edge around a couple who has entered and stands by the front door looking around. After I’ve made my way past them, I feel a static spark diffuse along my spine. My first instinct is to turn around, but I steel myself to move one foot in front of the other, crossing the dining room back to the table.
“Who’s that?” Sawyer asks.
I frown. “Why do you ask?”
“Because of the expression on your face.”
Good thing my back was to them and again, it’s all I can do to not look their way. “I have no idea who they are. Sunday drivers, I guess.”
“Uh… my pickles?” Leroy calls out.
“Oh! Sorry, Leroy.” Taking him the small dish of pickles delivers the perfect opportunity to look toward the front of the store and at the couple. But they’re nowhere in sight.
“Ewww, Sawyer!” Diane says as I sit back down beside her.
“What?” he asks. “There’s not been much road kill lately. I suspect the Kihn are scarfing it all up.”
Emma Rae snorts, and Diane looks at me with pleading in her eyes. “Make him stop!”
I’m not sure what Sawyer’s talking about, but he loves to gross Diane out. “If only I could,” I say as I feel the tingling sensation again.
Sawyer looks up from his plate, his attention focused across the room before turning his gaze on me. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure, but they’ve scanned me,” I whisper.
He gives me a peculiar look. “Scanned you?”
I shrug. “Something like that.”
“Who? Can I look?” Diane whispers.
“Nope,” Sawyer says as he stands. “I’m not about to let someone you don’t know scan you, cuz.”
“Sawyer, this isn’t a joke. Don’t,” I hiss. I suspect they’re witches, but I really have no idea who or what they are, and I don’t want him to do anything rash, but he’s already striding across the dining room.
“Where’s he going?” Emma Rae asks. “He just went out the front door.”
Crap! What is he doing? “Is there a couple of strangers, a man and woman, still standing up at the front?” I ask her.
“Dark haired man and blonde-haired woman looking this way?”
“Yeah.”
She nods. “Sawyer’s coming back in, and Fletcher’s with him.”
“Oh.” I’d forgotten about the vampires being right outside.
Diane and I both turn to look at that point, and we see Fletcher talking to the couple. The woman smiles, and then the sound of her musical laughter carries across the room. Fletcher doesn’t look happy, though. I’m a little surprised when he moves to open the front door, ushering the couple out. Sawyer says something to Mary Burns behind the counter and then heads back to our table.
“Did he find out who they were?” Diane asks as Sawyer sits back down.
He looks over at me. “Henry and Runa Solan. They said they stopped in to get directions to the Zelt’s.”
I nod. Witches. “That was right smart of you, Sawyer, to go out and get Fletcher.”
“What did you think I was going to do?” His eyebrows rise in mock surprise, and he leans across the table. “You didn’t think I was going to confront them, did you?” he whispers dramatically. I roll my eyes, and he laughs.
“Damn, you’re in an ornery ass mood,” Emma Rae tells him.
“You certainly are,” I add, narrowing my eyes at him.
He flashes a cocky grin before leaning back in his chair. His gaze flashes to someone, and I turn to see Mary bringing a Styrofoam container to our table.
“Your burger,” she says as she hands it to Sawyer.
I hear the front door open and turn to see Fletcher walk in, and by the expression on his face, I know it’s time to go. “Our rides here,” I tell Diane and Emma Rae as I stand.
I use my napkin to dab at my lips before smoothing the fabric across my lap, protecting the lace of my dress. When I returned to the cabin after my lunch with Diane and Emma Rae, it was to find the garment bag I thought was left behind in Wyoming, lying on the bed. The same one Lucas was so secretive about. It held the gorgeous, antique lace, floor-length gown I now wear. I feel very regal in it. It has a high collar and long sleeves, but it molds itself to my body, with a bit of train that trails behind me.
I look up meeting Lucas’ amused gaze. He’s been smiling all evening as if he has a secret.
“I hope you saved room for dessert,” he says. I glance over at the chef who has served us the most amazing meal. “Marcus has prepared a chocolate soufflé, just for you, my sweet.” Marcus looks up and smiles.<
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I groan inwardly. I don’t think I can eat another bite. Not even for chocolate. “Maybe in a bit; after my meal has settled.”
Lucas grins, his eyes flashing with amusement.
“What’s so funny?”
He shakes his head slightly and then stands, holding out his hand. “Dance with me.”
“I’d love to,” I say primly as I take his hand. Soft music, from a sound system strategically hidden somewhere in the clearing, has played while we’ve dined and now provides the sweet melody of a Spanish guitar for our dancing pleasure.
I step into his arms and can’t stop the giggle when he whirls me out, pulling me back against his hard body. I suddenly feel out of breath gazing up into his glowing eyes.
“You’re certainly in a good mood,” I say as I squint my eyes, giving him an assessing look.
My breath escapes in a small gasp when he suddenly dips me backward over his arm. He holds my gaze as his mouth hovers over mine. “I have every reason to be,” he says softly before pulling me upright.
It takes me a moment to get my bearings back. “So, your meeting went well earlier?”
He shrugs slightly as we move around the wooden platform that someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to move out into the middle of the woods. “I now have a definitive plan set for this new direction Ezra seems hell-bent on leading the Kihn.”
“So, it is Ezra?”
He looks down into my upturned face. “It’s always Ezra, my sweet. Have I told you how stunning you look tonight?” I feel the heat move over my face, and Lucas laughs softly.
“Are you trying to change the subject away from the Kihn?” I ask teasingly.
“Maybe.” His lips quirk at the corners of his mouth. “Are you disappointed?”
I frown. “About you changing the subject?”
“No. About where I’ve brought you for dinner.”
“Disappointed?” My voice holds surprise at his question. I look around the clearing that Lucas managed to transform into enchanted perfection. When he led me from the cabin to the Hummer earlier, I assumed we were on our way to a restaurant only to be surprised when he turned in the opposite direction, taking the road that winds through his property. He continued past the living quarters of his men, quickly turning onto a bumpy dirt road leading deeper into the woods. I noticed the glow of lights even before he drove the Hummer into the small clearing. Dozens of glass lanterns, glowing from the candles within, swung from tree branches and illuminated the pathway to our dining destination. Lavish swaths of sheer, billowy curtains hung at the corners of a pergola erected over a large wooden platform where a cozy table for two set draped in fine linen with gleaming china and sparkling crystal reflecting the lights of the candles. The magical aura of it all took my breath, and I truly felt bewitched as Lucas seated me at the table.
“Lucas.” I look up at him. “How could you even begin to imagine that I would be disappointed? This” —I laugh softly, glancing around again in awe— “I have no words.”
“Speechless—that’s good.”
I deliberately step on his toes, and he immediately dips me back so low I give a little squeal and clutch at his shoulders.
“You’re wicked,” I inform him as he laughs and twirls me quickly around the wooden floor. When he brings us to a stop beside the table, I’m laughing and out of breath.
“So—” He tips my chin up. His eyes are a clear, vivid green, and I’m mesmerized, so in love with this amazing man. “Have I redeemed myself?” I raise my eyebrow in true Lucas fashion. “I no longer suck at dating?” he asks, his mouth lifting at one corner.
“Hmmm—I’m not sure if being kidnapped and whisked off to the wilds of Wyoming—” When he reaches out and tugs my earlobe I laugh. “Okay.” I look down and then back up to meet the amusement in his eyes. “I’ve already told you that the hot air balloon ride to watch the sunrise over the Grand Tetons counts as one of the all-time best dates ever.” I look around the clearing. “And now this,” I say softly. I look back up into his eyes. “I’d say, you don’t suck anymore at dating. You’ve thoroughly redeemed yourself, Mr. Santiago.”
He pulls me back into his arms, his hand encircling the back of my neck as he lowers his head. His mouth is warm and spicy as I give myself over to the sensual pull that is always there between us. I lift my hands to his face, my fingertips gently stroking his sculpted jawline. As he deepens the kiss, my fingers delve into his dark hair. Abruptly he pulls his mouth from mine, and then buries his face in my hair, inhaling deeply.
I have a moment’s panic, not sure what it is that I’m picking up on. A deep emotion emanates from him, and I lean back to better look up at him. “Lucas?” His expression gives nothing away as he looks at me. “What’s wrong?” I ask, drawing my bottom lip between my teeth.
He laughs softly releasing me to reach for the wine bottle. “Nothing’s wrong, my sweet.” I watch as he pours wine into our glasses.
I know there’s something and I’m sure it has to do with the Kihn. He changed the subject earlier so—there’s something he doesn’t want to tell me. “What was decided at your meeting today?”
He looks up, flashing me a smile before he hands me a glass of wine. “There were several items discussed today.” He reaches for his glass.
“Such as?”
His mouth lifts in a slow smile as he raises his glass, his eyes glinting with humor. He looks at me over the rim as he drinks. He takes his time as he slowly returns his glass to the table.
I perch on the edge of my chair as I wait. He must find this amusing because his face breaks into a full smile. He sobers immediately when I scowl at him. I can tell he’s trying not to laugh, though. “We discussed your cousin’s idea about loud music for one thing.”
“What did you think about their little—experiment?”
He pulls his chair closer to mine before sitting. “I thought they were rather foolish—”
“I did too—the idiots!”
He smiles. “But it does merit further testing.”
I nod. I know Sawyer will want to be in on that. “What else?”
“Your cousins have come up with the plan to hang loudspeakers in different areas of the woods—if their, Confuse the Kihn, as they call it, idea pans out.”
“They have?” I narrow my eyes. “Are you making fun of them?”
He laughs. “I actually think they’re onto something. It would explain more than one incident. We’re discussing it further tomorrow night after training.”
He rests his arm on the back of my chair, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Are you cold?”
I glance over at the propane patio heater. “Not at all. You thought of everything.” His hand slides to my neck. “How long have you been planning this?”
His fingers stroke the side of my neck and I unconsciously lean closer. That secretively amused look comes over his face again.
“I really am happy you’re in a good mood today,” I say.
“How could I not be, my sweet?” He leans in until his mouth is close to my ear. “You make me a very happy man.” When he sits back, I stand, stepping over to the patio heater. There’s something I need to say to him, and I need to keep a clear head.
“I have to admit that I’ve been a little worried about what you might have decided to do,” I say softly, slanting him a look.
His brow lifts in surprise, and he stands, slipping his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. “Why is that?”
I turn to fully face him. “When you first came to the cabin last night” —I take a deep, steadying breath, not sure I should be bringing this up. “You were ready to rescind your promise that I wouldn’t have to live like a prisoner.”
He tips his head slightly from one side to the other as if weighing my question.
I wait with bated breath, afraid of what he’s going to say. I love him more than I ever dreamed I could, but I can’t live in hiding.
“To be honest—I have to admit that I would like nothing more than to take you somewhere safe.” He walks to the other side of the deck. “Or at least keep you confined here to the compound.” He turns, his eyes leveling on me. “I don’t want you involved in any of this, Sofie.” I frown as he slowly crosses back across the deck, his gaze holding mine. “I don’t want you working where I can’t guarantee your safety. I don’t want you traveling out to the Zelt’s.” His voice holds a measure of anger as he advances. “And I sure as hell don’t want you out running the countryside with your cousins.” He stops, standing directly in front of me. “I don’t want you anywhere—but here.”
I find it hard to draw a breath. “I can’t live like that, Lucas.” My gaze is trapped by his. “Not even for you,” I whisper, forcing the words past the lump in my throat.
“That’s what your cousin told me.”
I frown. What the hell did Sawyer tell him?
“He said you grew up pretending you were one of the Three Musketeers.” His lips twitch with a smile. “And I should think of you along the lines of a—pint-sized Amazon warrior.” I narrow my eyes, and he laughs.
“He told me you would do anything in your power to defend and protect your family and those you love.” His eyes smile down into mine. “He also said you were one of the most feminine, elegant tomboys I’d ever have the good fortune to know.” His lips lift in a smile.
“Sam,” I whisper. It was Sam who talked to Lucas.
Lucas reaches out to take hold of one of my hands. “He assured me that you would always have my back. He also said—which I’ve already discovered on my own—that you are one of the bravest people I’d ever know.”
“Or the dumbest,” I mumble, glancing away uncomfortably before looking back to meet his gaze. “I’m not brave, Lucas. I’m terrified of so many things.”