Isaac hurried forward and secured the Gobel’s wrists with cuffs. Dante exhaled and shook his head. A throbbing pain flashed through his leg, but he kept holding the damn Gobel. The thing could be faking, hoping to have a chance to run.
“Everything all right in here?” Sin poked his head through the door. “We got ours even though he woke up the moment the door opened. He was the screamer.”
“Yeah, we’re good. We got our guy. Did Bram get his?” Dante hefted the Gobel and carried him toward the door.
“After he went through the window.” Sin grinned. “Let’s get these men in the vans, and we’ve got a few more computers.”
“You’re all fucked anyway.” The Gobel wrenched in his arms.
“We’re not the one in cuffs.” Dante dropped the Gobel to his feet and marched him out the door.
“If you have friends coming, then we’ll stop them, too.” Sin scowled.
The Gobel laughed.
Chapter Thirty Two
Yet another problem to deal with thanks to those damn Gobel. Dante strolled into Sin’s building. He checked his watch. Phoenix should be almost ready to meet him. Time for a field trip to see what they would need to do to clean up this mess.
A woman in a blue dress shifted on her feet, the skirt swaying around her legs as she waited near the black and deep brown wood reception desk. Dark blonde hair hung around her shoulders. Two white boxes rested on the counter next to her. Moriah. What is she doing here? She was supposed to be doing a last viewing of properties before she decided which one to pick.
He changed direction. She couldn’t know he was supposed to be here. He hadn’t. Not until he’d listened to what had been found and talked to Sin this morning. So who was she seeing at Sin’s business today?
“Hey, sunshine, what are you doing here?” He put his arm around her and leaned down to kiss her.
“Hi, Dante, I didn’t expect to see you here. You work in a whole other building.” She turned and hugged him.
“Yeah, I do, but I’m actually here for a couple reasons.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“What are they?” She blinked up at him.
“Not until you tell me why you’re here. I did ask you first.” He drew his finger down her nose.
She smiled and gestured to the boxes. “I’m here to deliver these and give a message to someone.”
“You deliver now? Your bakery isn’t even finished.” Dante raised an eyebrow. “And I thought we discussed the delivery of goodies already. I’m first on the list.”
“This is a special case. It’s an order, not a gift.” She lifted a shoulder.
“Who is this special case you’re delivering to?” He tilted his head. Who asked her to deliver the pies and a message? She was still new to the community and didn’t know many people.
“Apparently me or Bram. We’re the ones she asked for.” Sin’s voice came from behind them.
“You need to talk to Cim Sin or Cim Bram?” Dante turned at the same moment as Moriah.
“Yes, I was given a message to give to them.” She nodded.
“By who?” Sin’s head tilted to the side.
“By the same person who wanted me to bake these for them. Calista.” Moriah grinned and turned to grab the boxes.
“You’ve talked to Calista?” Sin straightened.
“Yeah, she called me.” Moriah shrugged.
“How did she know your number?” Dante frowned. Calista had only met her that one time. They hadn’t exchanged numbers then.
“At first, I assumed that she’d gotten it from her brother, but I learned they couldn’t communicate right now. So I don’t know, but it was her.” She tapped a finger on the side of one of the boxes.
“How can you be sure? You only met her that day at your bakery.” Sin’s fingers flexed and he clenched his hand.
“Well, the photo and video were of her.” Moriah rolled her eyes.
“The photo and video? Can I see them?” Sin leaned forward. His eyes locked on Moriah.
The question was probably more of a courtesy. Sin would see it one way or another. Proof of Calista’s well-being would be irresistible.
“Sure.” Moriah put the boxes down and dug in her purse. She pulled out her phone and swiped over the screen. “The picture looked sort of tropical to me. All that clear blue water and white sand.”
“She’s definitely at a beach.” Sin took the phone.
“Wearing too little.” Bram stepped up behind Sin. “When did you get this picture?”
“The picture about two weeks ago when she first contacted me to see how I was doing.” Moriah lifted a shoulder.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Dante glanced down at her.
“I didn’t think you’d want to know or that it mattered. You never asked about the other Branal who called to talk me through lessons. That’s what Calista did. She checked on me and asked what I was learning, and if I had any difficulties with it. I told her I was having some. She gave me a few suggestions.” She wrinkled her nose. “This morning, she called and asked me to deliver these and the message.”
“This video, that’s the one you told me about?” Sin held up the phone and gestured to the video.
“Yeah, she just shows me one of the things that I was having trouble with. Seeing someone do it was helpful. She does it so quickly though that I had to rewind and watch it again and again.” She exhaled and looked at the floor, shaking her head.
“It would have been easier in person.” Sin smiled. “She wanted you to give us those and a message?”
“Yeah, she was very specific.” Moriah held out the boxes to him. “The top one goes to Cim Bram. The bottom is yours.”
“All right, what message did she want you to tell us?” Bram took the top box. He leaned down and inhaled. “Something peanut is in here.”
“She said that if you don’t answer the calls and messages from Europe, she’s going to stay away for longer than the six months she’s scheduled to.” She straightened.
Bram and Sin tensed. Their faces hardened. Threat rolled off of them. Dante put his hand in front of Moriah and urged her back as he stepped slightly in front of her. They wouldn’t hurt her, but he couldn’t simply stand there when their bodies tightened and their lips pulled back.
After a few moments, both of them took deep breaths. Sin rolled his shoulders. He shook his head.
“It was her. All this time. It was her trying to get us to answer the emails and calls from Europe, but why?” Sin glanced at the phone in his hand.
“I don’t know.” Moriah’s fingers clenched on his shirt. “That’s something you’re going to have to ask her.”
“We will as soon as we discover how to contact her. She isn’t answering the number we had for her. We’ll try the one on your phone. Dante, we’re sending this over to find out if they can get anything off the video or picture.” Sin held up the phone.
“But I need that.” Moriah stepped forward.
“You can have mine, sunshine. I’ll be with Phoenix for the rest of the day so it’s not as if I’ll need it. When I get back to my office, I can pick up one of the extras we keep there.” Dante handed her his phone.
She frowned. “All right. I hope you enjoy your desserts.”
“What did she have you make me?” Sin asked, lifting up the lid.
“A blueberry pie. She said that you liked fruit desserts like pies and cobblers the best, but that blueberry was one of your very favorites.” Moriah smiled.
“Well, she’s right. I don’t know how she realized that, because we haven’t even managed to have a brief meal together.” Sin frowned down at the box.
“I hope you discover whatever it is she wants you to find. I have to go, or I’ll be late for my meeting with the realtor.” Moriah stuffed Dante’s phone in her purse.
Dante watched her walk off and shook his head.
“Is she ready to buy yet?” Sin tilted his head.
“Almost. She’s narrowed it down to three almost perfect sites
and will be doing one last visit today to decide. Cael will be there if she runs into trouble.” Dante chuckled. “Calista probably realized that you’d take the phone. I don’t know if she’d throw the phone she had away, but it would be one way of making sure she didn’t have to talk or explain.”
“We’ll find her.” Sin waved his hand. “There’s Phoenix. You and he need to go check out the person behind the name on the list. See if they’re still safe. It might tell us if they’re here yet or not.”
“We will.” Dante nodded. He waved to Phoenix.
“Hey, Dante, are you ready to go?” Phoenix strolled over to him. “Are we going to the work or home?”
“The work address. She’s there.” Dante headed for the door.
Phoenix strolled along beside him. “How do you know that?”
“I had one of the secretaries call and ask for her as if she was a friend. They said yes, and went to get her. The secretary hung up before she could get on the phone.” Dante pushed open the door. “Do you mind texting Thane and Cael that Moriah has my phone?”
“Sure, I’ll send that. Why does she have your phone?” Phoenix glanced over, but started texting.
“Hers is going over to be looked over to see if we can learn how to contact Calista. I’d rather her not be walking around without one.” Dante chuckled. Huge understatement. If she hadn’t taken his, he’d still be arguing with her about it. And Cael and Thane would kick his ass if they couldn’t get hold of Moriah.
Dante drove them to the far end of the Gargoyle part of the city. Thankfully, the restaurant the woman worked at was there and not on the Branal side of town. The Branal would check it out, but might not believe the threat was one they should take seriously. Hell, he had trouble believing it.
They’d just have to watch the woman. She wouldn’t believe the danger that was coming her way. Their way, as well, but at least, they knew about it. They could take precautions to protect themselves and everyone around them.
Chapter Thirty Three
Moriah looked around as they drove up into the mountains. Dark, heavy clouds loomed overhead. It would probably rain or snow soon. Hopefully not before she discovered whatever Cael, Dante, and Thane had planned. All of this looked interesting, and they’d been very mysterious. The big pains wouldn’t even tell her where they were taking her. They were just lucky she liked surprises and that she loved them. Otherwise answers like “up there” and “somewhere” would have incited a snit.
“Are you doing good, Moriah?” Thane turned in his seat in the passenger side.
“Yeah, I’m getting excited, though.” Moriah grinned.
“I’ve been excited all day long.” Cael reached over and patted her thigh.
“If I’d known that you were planning something, I’d have been excited, too.” She turned to him.
“We like surprising you, and now that we can, we plan to do it regularly,” Dante said.
She glanced forward and caught his gaze through the rearview mirror. She smiled. They weren’t going to be the only ones with surprises in the future. She’d do the same to them, too.
A large wooden sign stood by the side of the road up ahead. Snow Top Inn and Cabins. Dante turned into the drive. An inn. Her heartbeat sped up, and butterfly wings fluttered in her stomach. Were they going to stay the night here?
Maybe they planned a day on the mountain. Skiing and hiking would hardly be practical, not with what she had on. Her dress pants and heels wouldn’t offer much protection. A little hint about how to dress would have been wonderful, but if she was over or underdressed, they would have said something.
“Don’t look so worried, sunshine. You’re going to have fun tonight.” Cael grasped her hand.
“I was just wondering about what you planned to do. I’ve heard of the skiing here. I’m not dressed for that.” She shook her head.
“Sunshine, you’ll have whatever you need to enjoy yourself. Relax and let go.” Thane turned and raised his eyebrows.
She stuck her tongue out at him.
“You’re teasing me, Moriah. I’ve got plenty of plans for that tongue later.” Thane pointed at her.
“I intend to enjoy all the things you want to do to me.” She lifted her shoulder. It was better every time.
“Good.” Dante didn’t stop in front of the inn. He drove around a corner and down a long lane.
She leaned forward. Trees bordered the road, adding to the secluded atmosphere. Maybe this was the way to one of the cabins.
“Sit back, sunshine, we’ll be there in a few minutes.” Dante guided the car along.
He turned off the road onto a little side lane. A few moments later, the trees cleared. A log cabin sat in a clearing. Her breath caught. A bay of windows lined the front, and a gray rock fireplace rose from the roof. Gorgeous.
“You like it?” Cael lifted her hand to his lips.
“Yes.” She blinked her eyes and smiled. “I’ve only ever seen something like this on television. We’re staying here?”
“Yes, sunshine, I picked up the key this afternoon.” Dante pulled into a garage.
“Very sneaky. I’m still not sure whether I should be mad at all the secrecy.” She exhaled and shook her head.
Dante turned in his seat. “You should be happy. Now, let’s go inside.”
“All right.” She reached out to open the door.
Dante somehow managed to get out of the car and to the back before she opened her door. He reached in. She put her hand in his and rose to her feet. His fingers tightened. Warmth and strength enveloped her hand.
She strolled beside him to the door. This was going to be fun. While he unlocked it, she turned. Cael and Thane pulled suitcases from the trunk.
“When did you pack?” She frowned.
“Cael did most of it. Thane and I had most of ours set out and waiting.” Dante put his hand on the small of her back and urged her inside. “Don’t worry. You do actually have some clothes though. We made sure, because we have plans for tomorrow.”
“What are they?” She spun to face him. Her heart pounded. Deep rich wood flooring gleamed, and pine scent drifted around them.
The kitchen was a dream. She ran her fingers over the granite countertop. He urged her through the house. A plush couch dominated the living room, but Dante didn’t pause. He kept going until they reached the back of the house. There he guided her into a sun room with a dining table set for four.
“Oh, my.” She put her hand on her chest.
“Why don’t you go freshen up? I’ll call and check on our meal.” Dante stroked her cheek. “Cael put the bags in our room. I believe he packed a pretty dress.”
She nodded and wandered back through the cabin, peeking into the rooms. Everything was gorgeous and beautifully furnished. The door at the end of the hall opened before she reached it. Cael stepped out.
“Hey, sunshine, Dante sent you to change? Good, take your time. We have a few things to finish before we’re ready. Take a bath if you want.” Cael leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.
“You know you’re just making me curious, don’t you?” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Yeah, give us twenty minutes, at the least.” Cael leaned down and nipped her neck.
She shivered. Her hands grasped his shirt, but he pulled back. A big smile curved his lips. Tease.
“We could do a lot in twenty minutes.” She raised her brows.
“No, not right now. We’ve got something good in store, and it won’t wait. Don’t hurry.” Cael traced the shape of her lips with his fingers.
She nipped at it. If he wasn’t going to play nice with her, she wouldn’t play nice with him.
He drew his finger back and laughed. What were they up to that needed a little time? She strode over to the suitcases and picked hers up. No mistaking which one belonged to her. They all had black cases. Hers was a deep rich maroon that she’d had for years.
Maybe it was just a few nights to get accustomed to normal again. Every
thing was so busy lately. A break would be a good thing. Dante and Cael had only come home one night this week on time, and that was yesterday. For once, they hadn’t gone to work. They’d had things to do at the community. Apparently, that was getting everything ready to leave.
Normal was changing so fast. Ford. With everything that had happened, he’d seemed to grow up so much. She wasn’t ready for that. Before the Gargoyle had come to her bakery, he’d planned to go to college and live at home while working part-time at the bakery for extra money. Now, that wasn’t in the plan. He’d wait to do college until after his training.
Her cousin was planning his future. He’d leave home sometime later in the year and join a few other men to live in a home while training. So fast. His progress made her both happy and sad.
She grabbed a pretty dress. If they planned something nice for dinner, she would doll up for them. She went into the bathroom and started the shower. A quick shower and she’d redo her makeup, because her makeup bag was nestled in the suitcase, as well.
She stepped into the shower. Water sluiced over her, perfectly warm. She washed her hair and lathered up her body with her favorite body wash. Wrapping her hair up and securing a towel around her body, she went out and pulled out her hair dryer. They’d thought of everything. How had they known exactly what to bring? She shrugged. Maybe Naomi had helped them.
She dried her hair and slipped on the rich purple dress, one of her favorites. Hopefully, they didn’t plan to go outside tonight. She certainly wouldn’t be dressed for it.
She applied makeup and slicked on a final coat of lipstick. Done. After she finished, she glanced at the clock on her phone. Well past twenty minutes. Maybe that was enough time for them to get everything ready. She slipped into some high heels. Time to go see what they had in store for her.
She strolled through the cabin, wandering from room to room. When she reached the sun room, she stopped in the doorway. Candles glowed on the table and around the room. She drew in a breath. All three men waited in the room, wearing suits. When had they changed? She hadn’t heard them come into the room.
“Hey, sunshine, you’re right on time. We just finished setting everything up.” Dante strolled over and slipped his arm around her.
Finding Their Flame [Stone Passions 2] Page 26