by Robyn DeHart
He cracked the closet door to peek out into the room. The woman pushed the man onto the bed with a lusty laugh, then proceeded to push down her bodice to uncover her ample breasts. Max pressed the door closed. This would be interesting.
“Who is it?” Sabine whispered.
“Just a man and a woman.”
“What do they want?”
“Each other,” he said simply.
Recognition lit Sabine’s molten eyes and her features softened. “Oh,” she said soundlessly.
As if punctuating his meaning, sounds of passion began seeping through the door. Sabine’s lips parted, and color stained her lovely neck. Blood surged through Max, intensifying his arousal.
“Oh, yes!” the woman yelled. Another moan, and then several trills of laughter. “You’re so naughty,” she said, then giggled again.
Moments before, Sabine had been in Max’s arms, kissing him back. And though he knew she desired him, she’d pulled back. Their work was nearly done. He’d helped her find the dove, and it was only a matter of time before they were able to stop this Chosen One. She wouldn’t need him anymore after that. And hadn’t she just said it was a role she had played, his seductress?
With other women, he had always been the one to slip from the bed after a night of passion. Last night had been different, though. And it had stung when she’d closed the door behind her. True, they had argued, and he’d been angry. Still, she had just walked away.
Damn but he wanted her again. And it didn’t help that the noises of the other couple’s lovemaking were growing louder and more pronounced. The wooden headboard slammed against the wall in rhythmic beats. The man grunted, and the woman continued with her chorus of “yeses.”
Sabine had closed her eyes. Max didn’t know if it was to try to remove herself from the potentially embarrassing situation or if she was attempting to listen, closing out everything else to focus on the amorous noises just beyond the door. Perhaps she was aroused as well, standing there wondering when he would reach out and touch her, kiss her.
He stepped closer to her, and still she did not open her eyes. The woman in the bedchamber released a throaty moan and Sabine’s breath caught. Bloody hell! She was listening to every sinful moan. Her lips parted, and her tongue darted out, moistening her bottom lip, then she bit down. A sensual flush spread across the flesh exposed at Sabine’s throat, and the appealing blush disappeared beneath her gown.
She looked lovely tonight, wearing the blue gown he’d bought her. He’d known it would look perfect on her.
The pounding of the headboard became faster; the man’s grunts more steady. Max’s erection pressed painfully against his trousers. Sabine still stood completely still, though her fists had gathered fabric from her skirts.
He had to have her. Right now.
He swiftly pulled Sabine to him and slammed his mouth onto hers. Her breath caught in surprise, but she kissed him back. Fervently, passionately. She snaked her hands up his neck, and her fingers slid into his hair, pulling him down to her. Harder, firmer. She wanted him.
Again the woman outside moaned louder and louder, this time releasing a litany of curses as the bed groaned in rhythm with their thrusting. Max reached into Sabine’s bodice and found her nipples already hardened for him. She moaned into his mouth. He pushed the dress down as far as he could and freed her breasts. Slowly he laved kisses down her throat to her collarbone and finally onto her breast, where he suckled her nipple hard in his mouth.
He slipped his free hand up under her skirts, feeling along her long, shapely leg until he found the slit in her drawers. She was slick with desire for him, the surrounding fabric saturated with her need. He nearly went mad with want. She sucked in her breath sharply as his finger entered her. She bucked against him as he slid his finger in and out. With his other hand, he unfastened his own pants and freed himself.
In one swift movement, he bunched her skirts up, then pressed himself into her. She wrapped her legs around him and her fingernails bit into his back through his jacket and shirt. She was up against the wall, wrapped tightly around him. And he took her with no mercy.
There was no control, no patience, only want and need as he thrust into her. But she met him with a passion that was only Sabine. He felt her climax around him as she tossed back her head and cried out. His own release was not even a moment behind hers and rocked through him so fast and so hard he nearly fell to his knees. But he kept his stance and kept her bundled around him.
For a moment they stayed like that, holding on to each other, breathing hard. Then she slowly lowered her legs to stand on her own. They’d given no thought to being discovered. But he doubted a couple making love in the closet would even raise an eyebrow at this party.
All he could think of was that he’d never lost control with a woman before. Never. Not even his first time; he’d always been able to keep his need at bay. It was easy to pretend he did so because he was a generous, patient lover. But that was a lie. He focused on a woman’s needs because it made it easier to keep his heart detached. But not tonight. Tonight he’d forgotten everything except how much he wanted her. Sabine. Only Sabine.
Sabine cracked the door to peer out into the bedchamber. “I think they’re gone,” she whispered.
He saw her reticule tossed aside on the floor and picked it up. He’d nearly handed it to her when he remembered what he’d once seen her pull from within. Quickly he stuck his hand inside the bag and felt around. It didn’t take long for his fingers to brush against the glass vial. He snagged it, then dropped it into his pocket.
“Sabine, don’t forget your bag.” He held it out to her.
Quickly they finished removing the sword, and it took all of Max’s strength to lift it from its anchors. Sneaking out of the party with a blade nearly as long as Max’s leg was tricky, but they managed to get back to their carriage without being seen.
Finally, they had the dove.
Only two more and then the military would finally be his. Tonight’s would be the most challenging. This man Spencer knew. Some of the others had recognized him because of his position, but had not truly known him. This man, though, was actually a friend. Well, as much as he was able to call any man friend.
He had been in this house many times before, so breaking in and making his way through the house had been simple. He’d made certain that none of his friend’s servants had seen him enter the man’s study. For the last two hours, Spencer had waited quietly in the dark, sipping on some borrowed and rather expensive port.
The room had been wired with electricity, something the man could afford with his family’s wealth and the additional commendations from her majesty. And the power crackled as the man turned on the switch. It took a moment for the light to fully illuminate the space, and still Spencer waited in the shadows, waited until the man walked completely into the room and closed the door behind him.
He was the perfect soldier, Spencer lamented. It really was a shame he could not afford to keep the man around. But Spencer knew this man in particular would not accept any such offer. His loyalty to the crown could not be tempted or purchased. So Spencer had no choice but to kill him.
The soldier stepped forward to his desk just as Spencer stepped out of the shadows. “Spencer,” the soldier said with great surprise. “Did we have a meeting set?”
“No.” He paused, waiting for fear to cross the man’s face. There was only caution in those slightly elevated eyebrows. “I wanted to discuss something with you. A proposition.” He knew the fear would come eventually.
The soldier nodded. “Have a seat.” Then he smiled. “I see you already helped yourself to the port.”
“Indeed.” Spencer allowed himself a slight chuckle. “I hope you don’t mind.” He enjoyed the pleasantries, knowing that in moments he’d watch as the man breathed his last.
Max stood at his study window watching Johns on the next block over, leaning against a brick building and trying to look in a different direction. He�
��d seen the same man following them on several other occasions, and now he realized how he knew him. It was the same man whom Max had caught Cassandra in bed with those many years ago. Her man Johns—not a man of title and wealth, but one who definitely turned the heads of the ladies with both his face and his body. Cassandra would never choose him in public, but in private he was, or had been, her lover.
Now Johns was evidently doing other tasks for Cassandra, namely following Max and Sabine as they searched for the dove. The man would make a wretched spy. For one, he stood out too much. He was at least a head taller than everyone else around him and broader than most men.
What interest would Cassandra have in an ancient weapon? Unless, of course, that’s not what she was after. Surely it wasn’t jealousy of Sabine. He hadn’t had a relationship with Cassandra in more than a decade.
No, it had to be something else.
Then Max remembered Sabine’s crème that was selling so quickly and how he’d seen Cassandra in her shop that first time purchasing some. She’d always been vain; anyone who knew her could see that. He’d been twenty-two when they’d been lovers and still devoted to his Atlantis research. He vaguely recollected speaking with her about Atlantis. Perhaps he had told her about the fountain of youth.
But was it possible that Cassandra had something to do with the deaths of the military officers? Johns was definitely strong enough to take those men down. What purpose would Cassandra have for such deeds?
Had she somehow found a copy of the prophecy and sought to play it out in hopes of gaining the elixir? Max doubted she was clever enough to come up with that sort of plan. But it would explain how the officers had been reached so easily. Any man would allow Cassandra a visit if she asked for one.
Perhaps it was time for Max to pay a visit to his former mistress and see what information she had for him.
Cassandra was tired of waiting for proof. She had also lost her patience with relying on others to do the job she’d hired them to do, and then never completing the task. It was past time she saw to matters herself and went after the fountain. She knew that woman, Sabine, had it. Soon Cassandra would possess it and all the magic it held.
Cassandra opened the shop door, and the bell jingled above her head.
“I’m sorry, we’re closing now,” came a voice from the back.
Cassandra ignored it and continued into the shop.
An older woman peeked around the corner. “I’m sorry, madam, but we are closed for the evening. We’ll reopen again tomorrow.”
Doing what she did best, Cassandra gave the woman her warmest smile. “I’m a friend of Sabine’s. I’ve only come for a brief discussion.”
“A friend of Sabine’s?” the older woman repeated. She nodded, but did not look convinced. “I’ll let her know you’re here.”
“I’m not expecting anyone, Calliope,” Sabine said as she walked around the curtain to the front of the store. Her eyes lit on Cassandra. “Oh, Madam St. James, how unexpected of you to drop by. Did you not receive the shipment I sent to your house?” The woman never missed a beat. She kept her smile in place and her tone friendly as she would for any customer, but Cassandra could see congeniality never made it to Sabine’s eyes.
“I did,” Cassandra said. “Why don’t the two of us skip the pleasantries. I can certainly tell you don’t like me any more than I like you.”
“Very well,” Sabine said. “What do you want?”
“I want the fountain of youth.” She smiled and held a hand up to stop Sabine from denying anything. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. It’s your secret ingredient for your facial crème, is it not?”
“You hired the chemist,” Sabine said.
Cassandra shook her head. “Worthless man. He actually had the audacity to threaten me.”
“And you killed him,” Sabine said.
“He might not have figured anything out, but I’m no fool. I know you have it. And I want it.” She punctuated the last sentence by pulling out her pistol and aiming it at Sabine.
Sabine visibly swallowed, but showed no other sign of fear. “I see,” she said slowly.
“What did she want?” Calliope asked as she stepped around the drape, then stopped short when she saw the gun. “Oh, dear.”
“Calliope,” Sabine hissed. “Why did you not stay behind there?”
“It matters not,” Cassandra announced. “We’re all going back together. Come along, ladies, nice and slowly.”
Together Sabine and the old woman walked into the storeroom, with Cassandra close behind. She couldn’t help but notice Sabine’s dress and her worn shoes. The woman was beautiful, Cassandra could tell that much, but her apparel did nothing to aid in her appearance. She also did not wear her hair in the appropriate manner. Instead of wearing her hair up as most women of good breeding did, she allowed her mahogany-colored locks to fall down her back in a cascade of waves. Highly improper. While her dress was not at the height of fashion, the green material fit the woman well, accenting her lush curves.
“I would think you would earn enough coin here to buy yourself some decent shoes and dresses,” she said disdainfully.
Sabine looked down at her feet. “I’m far too busy helping those with unfortunate complexions to go shopping.”
“You’ve got a cheeky mouth on you,” Cassandra snapped. “It’s not very becoming.”
“Have you come to give me lessons then? On how to be a courtesan?” Sabine asked.
The old woman swallowed a giggle, which infuriated Cassandra even more. “Shut up.” She glared at Calliope, then turned back to Sabine. “Are you having trouble satisfying Max in bed? Or perhaps you can’t lure him between the sheets at all.” She smiled. “I suppose I could pass along a few tips.”
Sabine’s brows pinched together. “Max is quite satisfied, actually.”
Cassandra felt her temper rise. Her ears grew hot, and her palms itched. She forced herself not to take the bait. The bitch was lying, and Max was not the reason Cassandra was here.
“I don’t want to kill you, but I will. Now where is the fountain?”
“What fountain?” Calliope asked.
“She’s after the elixir,” Sabine said calmly, then faced Cassandra. “It’s not here.”
“What do you mean, it’s not here? Where is it?”
“I don’t have it,” Sabine said.
Cassandra was no fool; she knew when someone was lying to her. She walked up to the old woman and pressed the gun against her wrinkled neck. “Where is it, Sabine? Tell me, or your aunt will get a bullet in her skull.”
Sabine’s eyes darted to her aunt, then to her left, then quickly back to Cassandra. Sabine probably didn’t even know she’d done it, but she’d just shown Cassandra precisely where the precious elixir was.
Max watched Cassandra’s London estate come into view as the carriage made its way up the drive. Sabine had gone into the shop to help Calliope today, so Max had taken the opportunity to pay Cassandra a visit. It had been years since he’d been here, but the stone structure looked the same—still large and ornate and hideously grand. Ten years ago, he should have known simply by looking at her house that she was not the right sort of woman for him.
But there was no right kind of woman for him. He was only interested in a few nights of pleasure, here and there, nothing long-term, nothing serious. Though it seemed he would never tire of Sabine. But that had no bearing on anything. He’d promised himself a long time ago that he’d never have a family again.
He rapped on the heavy wooden door and waited. A few moments later, it swung open to reveal Johns. The man’s eyes widened. “What do you want?” he asked.
“Where is Cassandra?” Max asked. He elbowed his way into the foyer and walked down the hall.
“She’s out.” Johns’s voice echoed down the high-ceilinged hall.
Max turned to face the man. “And she left you here alone?”
“I don’t know where she went.”
Max started to argue, but for some reason he believed Johns was telling the truth. It could have been that he questioned whether the man was bright enough to formulate a lie, or perhaps it was simply the honesty in his expression.
Max stepped back over to the front door. “If I find out that you and Cassandra are behind all of these murders—” He paused and took a deep breath. “Leave Sabine and her aunts alone.” Then he strode out the door.
Chapter Twenty-one
Silly girl,” Cassandra spat as she walked over to the cabinet.
Cassandra was right, Sabine realized, she was a silly girl. Of course, they kept some of the elixir here at the shop to use when putting their concoctions together. A guardian could always separate the elixir, but the amphora with the main supply had to remain safe. She was thankful that was safely tucked away at Max’s house. Still it appeared the small amount here was in danger of being stolen.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sabine lied, though she knew it was too late to fool Cassandra.
Still aiming the gun at both Sabine and Calliope, Cassandra knelt at the cabinet and opened the drawers.
Sabine had never considered that the Chosen One might be a woman. Foolish, really, considering her mother and now aunt had been guardian. It would take Cassandra a while to locate the bottle; still it seemed unlikely that tonight would end well.
Cassandra had obviously figured out the connection Sabine had with Atlantis and thus believed she was the remaining guardian. Evidently she thought Sabine kept the entirety of the elixir here at the shop. Once she realized that the rest of it was elsewhere, she would, no doubt, return.
Or perhaps Cassandra would simply shoot both Sabine and Calliope and be done with it. Thankfully Agnes and Lydia had remained at the townhome today with Max’s guards to protect them. So at least they were safe.
Cassandra withdrew the baskets of scented oils, herbs, and other ingredients for the beauty products Sabine sold. With a basket in hand, Cassandra made her way to the table closest to Sabine and Calliope. She picked up a couple of bottles, examined them, then placed them back.