by Wendy Stone
A noise from the second floor broke their conversation and Marshal looked up at the ceiling. “The dulcet sounds of my bride-to-be,” he muttered just as a high pitched scream rang through the house.
Lukah couldn't hide the grin on his face, though he tried. Marshal would be good for Lucinda. Once they were mated, he would take her in hand and cure her of the wandering lust. He couldn't wait. Then maybe he wouldn't have to worry about Marissa's safety.
A crash in the trees outside sent a shower of twigs and leaves to the ground. A few moments later, another scream and another crash.
"Perhaps I should see to her now,” Marshal said, rising from the table, a sly grin playing around his handsome features. He was an older man. Lucinda would be his second mate, his first having died during a mishap in birthing their first litter some two hundred years ago. He hadn't been able to stomach the thought of remarrying, not until he'd caught a glimpse of Lucinda with her wicked ways and her long-stemmed beauty.
Now, the thought of bringing her back to the island, of wooing her and showering her with attentions had his pulse racing. He headed toward the back door, dropping his clothes in the laundry room. The change twisted his body and he stifled a moan as bones broken and knitted from attacks and accidents pained him a bit. Then he was lost in the scent of the wild, smelling his mate in the grounds before him. He took off at a ground-eating lope, hearing her scream once more.
* * * *
Julius smiled as Lukah settled himself on the chair that Marshal vacated. “You seem happy, nephew. Has some feline finally caught your eye?"
"You could say that, Uncle.” Lukah sipped at his water, not wishing to apprise his uncle of exactly who he was courting. His uncle would never understand him wanting to mate with a human.
"So who is the lucky girl?” Julius asked, slapping Lukah on the back and spilling his water. “Someone from our clan I hope?"
"No, Uncle. I don't wish to discuss it yet. Our relationship is still new.” He rose, excusing himself. “I think I'll go for a run before spending some time in the office. Is there anything you need?"
"No. I do need to find Lucinda. She needs to go for her fitting today and we have to go to the bank. I wish her to wear her mother's necklace for the ceremony.” He held out his hand to his nephew, not shaking it, but holding it tightly for a moment. “Thank you, Lukah, for everything."
"It was my pleasure, Uncle.” He squeezed his uncle's hand before setting down his water and leaving the room.
* * * *
Lucinda raced through the thick forest, hearing the other panther following her. She knew who he was, she could smell his scent. Marshal, her intended. Couldn't he leave her be?
With a low throated growl, she raced around one tree, quickly scaling the rough bark and then slid back toward the house through the towering branches, determined to escape Marshal. Standing absolutely still on a branch a hundred feet or so above the ground, she watched as he passed below her, a stocky, well muscled animal, his pelt shining almost blue in the sun. A scar marred his back quarter. The hair around it had turned white, leaving a jagged pattern in the otherwise beautiful hair.
He didn't look up, or make any sign he knew she was above him, so she waited a few moments then jumped to the ground, running full tilt back to the house. She would dress and leave before either he or her father could find her. She had business to conduct.
Her escape was made, her father having gone to his own room to make business calls. She dressed quickly, brushing out her hair as she headed down to the garage. Her little red Miata was there, the keys in the ignition as she'd left it.
She zoomed off, the top down, and her long dark hair fluttering in the breeze behind her like a flag. A carefree wave of her fingers was all the indication she gave that she noticed the panther that stood in the drive behind her.
The trip through the city didn't take long, mostly because she didn't care about red lights or stop signs. Those were there for mortals, not for panthers. She zipped into a parking spot, cutting off a woman with four children in a minivan. Ignoring the curses sent her way as well as the screams coming from the youngest of the children, she got out of the car, smoothing down the short dress she wore before bundling her hair in a messy bun on top of her head.
The sign on the glass of the door she opened read “Hunter Investigations". She smiled, a predatory grin as she pushed past a group of men in business suits and made her way to the receptionist desk. She could feel their eyes on her and she added a bit more wiggle to her walk, loving the way it felt to know she was center of their attention. Glancing over her shoulder confirmed that their eyes were on her, and she blew them a kiss before turning back to the receptionist.
"I need to speak to Mr. Hunter please,” she said.
"Do you have an appointment Miss...?"
"I wasn't aware that an Alexandros needed an appointment,” Lucinda said, managing to sound sexy and irate at the same time. “Call Mr. Hunter. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to see me."
The receptionist looked as if she'd rather eat dirt, but she obligingly picked up the phone, dialing an extension and speaking into her head piece.
"Mr. Hunter, I have a Miss Alexandros out here who wishes to speak with you. No, no sir, she doesn't have an appointment."
Lucinda leaned over the desk, giving the men behind her a luscious view of firm, tanned thighs. “Tell him that Lukah Alexandros is my cousin."
"Very well, sir,” the receptionist said. “I'll inform Miss Alexandros. Thank you sir.” She hung up the phone, glancing up at Lucinda. “If you'll have a seat, Miss Alexandros, someone will be right out to retrieve you.” Then, as if she'd dismissed the young woman, she turned away and went back to work.
Lucinda glared for a moment and then turned away, walking to a small but intimate grouping of chairs. She seated herself comfortably, crossing her long legs in a way that made every man in the lobby look. Settling her purse down next to her, she pushed her glasses on top of her head with a languid movement, her lips barely curving in a smile as she noted the stares she was getting.
"Miss Alexandros?"
Lucinda glanced up at the sound of the feminine voice, frowning. She'd expected Mr. Hunter to meet her. “Yes?"
"If you'll follow me, Mr. Hunter can slip you in to his schedule for a few moments."
"Slip me in?” she asked, rising and taking a step after the woman.
"Oh, you'll have to understand, Mr. Hunter is a busy man, especially now with his wife expecting their first child. He only works mornings so that he can spend the afternoons with Mrs. Hunter.” She turned her head, smiling back at Lucinda.
Pretentious bitch, Lucinda thought, following in her wake. She nodded, but found it hard to believe that a business man would take off in the afternoons just to spend the time with his wife. His mistress, perhaps. But his wife? Never. What was it with these humans?
She was led into a large office decorated in stylish golds and greens. A huge mahogany desk sat in the middle.
"Please, have a seat. Might I bring you something to drink?"
"No, thank you.” Lucinda managed to get it out politely enough, though she just wanted the woman to leave. The door closed behind her and another door opened, a tall man with longish dark hair entering.
"Miss Alexandros,” he said, reaching out his hand and shaking hers. “It's a pleasure. Your cousin and I have done a lot of business together. I hope you don't mind if we cut the pleasantries today. I'm a bit rushed. What can I do for you?"
Lucinda ran her eyes over his tall, muscular frame. He was a handsome man, his coloring reminding her a lot of the men of her clan, dark hair, gold eyes, tanned skin. “I understand, Mr. Hunter. I am in need of some information and I'm sure your company can acquire it for me."
"What sort of information?"
"My family is worth a lot of money, Mr. Hunter, as I am sure you are aware. We have to be cautious about the people we deal with, in business and out. There is a woman, an unsavory character,
who is trying to win my cousin's affections. I am sure that she is after his money and nothing else, but he refuses to listen to me. I need information. Anything you can dig up on her, the dirtier the better, to prove to him that she is no good for him.” She opened her purse and took out the slim folder she'd put together before Dimitri barged into her room this morning. “This is the woman. I'll pay your standard retainer and expect some results within three days. Is that a problem?"
"Three days? I will have to pull someone from another case,” he said, shuffling the folder onto a stack on his desk.
"That's fine.” She rose, held out her hand to the mortal, smiling charmingly up at him as he led her from the room. “My number is on the file.” Then she swept out of the office.
Dillon glanced down at the file on his desk, opening it up to see a picture of an attractive red head in a killer dress being handed into a car by Lukah Alexandros. “Well, I can see the draw, very pretty.” He glanced at his watch and picked up the file, carrying it out to his secretary. “Jan, can you make sure that Conrad gets this right away. Miss Alexandros will be waiting for his call on what he's found out on Thursday. If you need me, I'll be at home with my wife."
He turned and, with a jaunty whistle, left for home.
* * * *
Marissa followed the cops to her door, holding it open for them. The entire interview had been a bust. She couldn't remember what any of the men looked like or what they'd been wearing. All she could remember was the sound of their laughter, the pain of their hands on her body and the way it had felt to be so terribly violated and helpless.
She was shaking. She couldn't seem to stop. They took her answering machine, playing the message again, and got her permission to put a tap on her phone. Then they asked her why she'd waited so long to report the crime. How do you tell someone of the humiliation and pain, and embarrassment at being in the position she'd been in?
"Rissa?"
She looked up, seeing Lukah coming from the elevator toward her door. One of the officers put his hand up to stop him. “It's all right, officer,” she said, stepping forward. “This is Lukah Alexandros, the man who saved me."
"Mr. Alexandros, I'm Officer James, this is Officer Stanz. We have a few questions for you.” The man held out his hand and Lukah took it, looking at Marissa in surprise.
"The police? Has something happened?"
Marissa wrapped her arms around herself, trying to still her shaking. She wanted badly to grab onto Lukah but if she did, she'd break down. “I ... There was a message on my answering machine when I got home. It was ... from one of ... them,” she said haltingly.
"Them? Them who ... You mean those men that..."
She nodded, turning to walk back into her apartment and missing the way he reached out to her. She sat down on the couch. “I called the police. They know where I live, Lukah."
"Then you can't stay here."
"It's my home.” She shrugged, refusing to look at Lukah.
"We just have a few questions for you, Mr. Alexandros,” James spoke up. He flipped open a small leather encased notebook. “How many men were there that night?"
"I really don't remember. Either seven or eight. I was a bit too busy to keep track."
"What were you doing down in that area of town, Mr. Alexandros? It's not exactly the business district."
"Am I a suspect now?” Lukah asked, looking from Marissa to the police.
Marissa shook her head emphatically. “No, there's no way you could have been involved with all of those men."
"No sir, it's just that with your reputation, it's a little strange for you to be in that area,” James said, his tone very suspicious.
"I'm working on urban renewal, a plan hatched by the mayor, if you remember. There's a warehouse down there that would be great for a restaurant with a bit of rehab. I was checking it out and decided to walk around to see what kind of area it was. I was walking by the bar when I heard her scream. I almost didn't go in."
Marissa stood and went to his side, taking his hand in hers. “He rescued me. They would have hurt me much worse and probably killed me if he hadn't."
Officer Stanz waved his hand, trying to calm them down. “Sir, we don't think you had anything to do with this. I've heard of the Mayor's plan. He has huge ideas. Let's hope he can actually put them to work.” He paused for a minute, glancing at his partner. “Do you remember what any of them look like? Anything? Caucasian, size, hair, anything?"
"No, I wasn't exactly worrying about appearance. But if I remember anything, I'll be sure to let you know. Have you tried actually going down to that bar and checking it out? Maybe you should confiscate that mattress. I'm sure Marissa wasn't the first girl to fight for her virtue on it.” Lukah pulled Marissa closer. “Why don't you go pack a bag? If you won't stay with me, I can let you stay at the cabin or put you up in a hotel."
"I was going to call Terry. She has an extra room.” Marissa pulled away slightly, though she felt safer in his arms then she had at any other time since listening to her messages.
"If you could let us know how to keep in touch with you, Miss Spencer, we'll let you know when we find something."
Marissa nodded, then let Lukah walk the police officers out of her apartment. She sank down onto the sofa, feeling more tired than she'd felt in a long time.
He was gone for a few minutes and she wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging herself. Being strong was exhausting. When Lukah returned, she stared at him silently, her eyes looking bruised and tortured.
"Rissa,” he said, going to his knees in front of her. “It'll be all right. I'll make sure you're safe."
"I should have gone to the police that first day,” she murmured. “If I had, there might have been some kind of evidence that they could have collected or maybe there would have been a witness. I don't know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I'm sorry you're getting dragged into this, Lukah."
"Marissa,” he said, taking her hands in his, “don't you realize by now that there is no place I'd rather be than at your side? There's something in you that's calling to me. Something here,” he said, letting his hand rest against her chest in the vee of her neckline. “I'm right where I'm supposed to be."
A tear trickled down her cheek and she wiped it angrily away. “I really need to figure out where you learned to always say things like that at the right time."
Lukah smiled, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. “Do you still want to stay with Terry, or can I charm you into coming with me? We can stay either at the cabin or at my estate. If you're worried about me ... forcing myself on you..."
"Shh, no, I couldn't ever worry about that. I'll go with you,” she said, leaning forward and feeling his arms come around her, holding her gently. “Somehow I get the feeling you'd feed yourself to your cats before you'd hurt me, Lukah."
He smiled into her hair, kissing her head. “Definitely. Go pack a bag, I have to make a phone call and then we'll go to dinner, okay?"
She nodded, letting him help her up. Marissa walked into her bedroom, passing in front of the window without glancing outside. If she had, she'd have seen the man sitting in the car on the other side of the street from her building, staring up at her apartment with a camera with a huge lens on the front.
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Chapter Eight
"He's bringing her here?” Lucinda snarled, staring at her father. “He's bringing a human into the clan? How can you allow that father?"
"It is not for me to allow or disallow. He made his choice many years ago when he fought against his parents and left the island to come to this new land. We are his guests and will abide by his wishes, no matter how we feel in the matter.” Julius wagged his finger at his daughter, knowing what she was capable of far too well. “If you try anything, Lucinda, anything at all, I will be forced to allow punishment."
Lucinda waved away his words, her faith in her father's love and her ability to twist him around her finger, on any matter but Marshal, t
oo great to heed his words now. “She has nothing to fear from me,” she lied. “I shall be married in less than a week and then Marshal and I will be leaving.
Julius narrowed his eyes. “She knows nothing of the clan or our ways, Lucinda. Any trick you might think to pull involving the laws of the clan will not work, for she is not one of us and is not bound by our strictures. Promise me you won't do anything that will embarrass your mother or me."
"As if momma could be embarrassed,” Lucinda muttered under her breath. Her mother was half Julius's age and was probably ecstatic that her mate had left her on her own for as long as he had on the island full of single males. It was lucky that a female couldn't get pregnant by any male but her mate, for with Angelica's cattish ways she'd have a litter every nine months.
"Lucinda,” Julius warned, hearing the garage door opening and knowing that the moment was at hand. “Promise me,” he hissed.
"I promise I won't do anything that will embarrass you,” Lucinda said, reciting his words like a small child in school. “Just don't expect me to be nice to the little human."
"You will be respectful of your cousin.” Julius turned as the door opened, smiling a warm welcome.
"Uncle,” Lukah said warily, setting down a battered and well used suitcase and bringing Marissa forward. “This is Marissa Spencer, Marissa—this is my Uncle, Julius Alexandros."
Marissa smiled, holding out her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, sir."
"Julius, please,” the man said, taking her small hand in his and squeezing it gently. “Lukah says you are having problems with some gang? You'll be safe here."
"Yes,” Lucinda chimed in, rushing up with a fake smile of sympathy. “If someone tries to hurt you here, Lukah can just sic his panthers on him."
"Lucinda,” Julius growled, a warning in his tone.
"But it is true father, especially the big male. He's a wild one."
"Enough, Lucinda,” Lukah echoed his Uncle's tone, not trusting his cousin. She would spill the secret of their clan if she thought it would get rid of Marissa. He was sure of it. “I want to get Marissa settled."