by Leah Brooke
Ian appeared to consider that.
“So, this afternoon, you focused on Carello and your cousin?”
Serena paused, licking her dry lips. She drew a deep breath and let it out in a rush.
“I knew what Carello and Elise were thinking.”
Forcing herself to look at both of them, she swallowed heavily. “I could feel their anger. That alone wouldn’t have surprised me. I can feel things like that.”
After a glance at each other, Ian and Alastair turned to her, their gazes sharpening as they waited expectantly.
Looking away, she clenched her hands into fists. “Carello recited the alphabet.”
“What?” Both men spoke at the same time, their eyes wide with shock.
Ian sat forward, his stockinged feet hitting the floor. “Did you say he recited the alphabet? And you heard it?”
Serena forced a smile while her insides twisted in knots. “I guess he was trying to block me from knowing what he was thinking, but he doesn’t realize that the harder you try not to think about something, the harder you actually think about it.”
Taking her hand from Alastair’s, she ran it through her hair. “Look, I know you want me to help you. I know you want me to give you an edge in knowing what people are thinking and what’s going to happen in the future, but I just can’t control it the way you think I can. My abilities seem to be…changing. I know what I know. I’ll do what I can to help you with Carello, but then I’m done. I’m going back home. I need some time alone.”
Alastair threaded his hand through her hair, tilting her head back to stare into her eyes.
“And what about us?”
Lowering her eyes, she swallowed the lump in her throat. “What about us?”
Covering her breast with his other hand, Alastair tugged her hair until she met his eyes again. “Don’t play stupid. We both know you’re not.”
Aroused by his caress, she gripped his wrist with the intention of pushing his hand away, and instead found herself holding on to it, moaning when he focused his attention on her nipple.
Gritting her teeth, she sucked in a breath. “Oh, that feels good.” She closed her eyes, biting her lip to hold back a moan. Every time one of them touched her, it thrilled her. It excited her.
It reached deep inside her, making her feel more than just desired, and got harder and harder to resist. “Damn it, Alastair. I can’t live in your world and you’d never live in mine. There’s no point in pretending otherwise.”
Pushing out of his arms, she got to her feet and started toward the doorway. “I’m hungry. I’ll fix something for dinner.”
“No.” Alastair got to his feet, holding out a hand to her. “We’re going out. There’s something for you to wear laid out on the bed.”
“I don’t feel like going anywhere.”
Wrapping his arms around her, Alastair rocked her, his movements slow and gentle.
“I know you’re feeling a little vulnerable right now, but I think we should put in an appearance. It’s the fundraiser that Carello’s using for his alibi tonight. I thought maybe the two of us could shake him up a little.”
Torn between wanting to do whatever it took to get her cousin’s husband locked away so she could get back to her life, and delaying it to give her more time with Ian and Alastair, Serena sighed.
“Okay. Are you sure those undercover policemen know they’re walking into an ambush?”
Alastair smiled, turning her toward the doorway and patting her bottom. “They know. They’re prepared for it. Don’t worry about them. Carello’s going to be feeling confident tonight that he outsmarted the cops. I want to shake that confidence and see if we can figure out what he’s planning next. I want him to make a mistake. I’ve never seen him lose control the way he did earlier. You upset him. Seeing you again so soon might be just what we need to push him over the edge.”
Wanting nothing more than to curl up again, Serena nodded and forced a smile. “Of course.”
Since she’d already showered and her hair had dried, it didn’t take Serena long at all to get ready. Other than a light coat of mascara and a red gloss on her lips that she hoped gave her a sophisticated look, she didn’t bother with makeup.
While shopping, she’d bought a package of elastic bands with the intention of tying back her hair while she painted, and she used one now, hoping it gave her the polished look so many women at the reception seemed to have perfected.
She loved the short, black dress Alastair chose and knew she looked good in it. The material felt expensive and sensuous as it slid over her skin with every step she took, and she felt sexy as hell in it.
Expecting a pair of high-heeled sandals, she opened the shoe box and frowned down at the dainty flat shoes. Feeling Alastair’s presence, she looked up to find him watching her.
“Ian insisted. He’s right. If you have to run, it’s better to be wearing comfortable shoes.” He bent to touch his lips to hers. “Besides, you’re not used to heels and I don’t want you to twist your ankle.”
Slack-jawed, she stared at him, unable to look away.
Dressed in a black tuxedo that had been tailored to perfection, he looked magnificent, his masculine good looks a sharp reminder of the way Ian had looked the night he’d kidnapped her. He’d tied his shoulder-length hair back, emphasizing his too-handsome features, and the result was nothing short of breathtaking.
He looked rich and intimidating, the wicked gleam in his eyes making him appear a little wild. He exuded a confidence that she’d never seen on any other man except Ian, a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
The man of her dreams.
Men of her dreams.
Ian came up behind him. “You had enough trouble walking in the shoes you wore to the reception.”
Inwardly wincing at the reminder, she bent to put the shoes on, hoping that neither noticed her red face.
When she lifted her head, it was to find both of them watching her.
As usual.
“Why are you both always staring at me?”
Alastair came forward with a purse in the same black material as her shoes. “For the same reason you’re always staring at us. We can’t help ourselves. Let’s go to the fundraiser and eat crappy food. I’m starving.”
She glanced over to see Ian watching her. “What about you?”
Pulling her close, he ran a hand over her bottom. “The fridge is full. Go. I’ve got some work to do, including moving your things back into my room.”
Melting under his touch, she involuntarily slid a glance at Alastair, who smiled and gathered her closer.
“I’ll be sleeping on the other side of you. Come on. Let’s go to this fundraiser and shake Carello.”
She turned to walk away, stopping short when Ian gripped her ponytail and tugged lightly. “Hurry back. I’ll be waiting for you. Don’t get into any trouble.”
* * * *
Serena used the time in the car to brace herself for the night ahead. Anxious to explore her newfound skill in blocking out unwanted interference, and just as nervous about learning some new ability she possessed, she avoided looking at Alastair.
He reached out to touch her hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you. We’ll dance and I’ll keep my arm around you all night.”
“No.” Serena turned her hand over, putting it in his. “I need to try to do this. I want to learn how to block what I need to block and focus when I need to.”
Squeezing her hand, Alastair glanced at her. “Being able to control your abilities would make your life much easier. I hate that you haven’t had much of a life because of them. I’m just hoping that once you do, you won’t be in a big hurry to leave.”
He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing her fingers before releasing her to put both hands on the wheel.
“You’re very special to me, Serena.”
Serena took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she turned to look out the window. “Alastair—I care about both you and Ian very mu
ch, but some things aren’t meant to be.”
“Serena—”
“No.” Shaking her head, she turned to face him. “Let me finish. We both know that one woman shared by two men, brothers for God’s sake, is just a recipe for trouble, especially if jealousy gets in the mix—which it will if either one of you really care for me.”
“We both care for you, Serena.”
Serena smiled. “Which will only make it even worse. Look, I know what I said about sex being fun, and I know how having sex with both you and Ian looks, but I don’t take sex lightly. Being with both of you is going to hurt all three of us. I won’t be the cause of a rift between you and your brother.”
“Serena—”
Cutting him off, she shook her head sharply. “No. Please don’t even pretend that I’m sophisticated enough for either one of you. The novelty will wear off and you’ll both wonder how you could have been attracted to someone so naïve. It sure as hell won’t take long before you and Ian push me away for knowing too much about you. Just leave it alone, Alastair. You’ll only make it worse.”
A muscle worked in his jaw, his anger showing clearly in his eyes and rough movements as he pulled up to the front of the fundraiser and slammed on the brakes.
He turned to her, his eyes glittering. “This conversation isn’t over, Serena. Not by a long shot. Now, smile. Carello expects you to be scared, and when he sees that you’re not, it’s going to piss him off.”
Thankful for the arm Alastair kept around her, Serena walked through the crowd, hiding a smile at the way people parted to make way for him. She couldn’t help but admire the grace in his stride as he moved through the room, a stride she knew he’d shortened because of her.
All eyes turned in his direction, his strong presence drawing the attention of everyone around them.
Aware of the covetous looks from the women they passed, she smiled politely, pretending not to notice the glare from her cousin and Anthony Carello.
Alastair bent close, the touch of his lips against her ear sending a shiver through her.
“Your cousin is ahead and to the right. She looks like she wants to scratch your eyes out and Carello looks like he wants to eat you alive.”
He straightened, inclining his head in their direction. “I can’t say that I blame him. I couldn’t wait to taste you and I can’t wait for a chance to do it again.”
The hand at her waist tightened. “It’s a taste Carello will never know.” He bent to touch his lips to her ear again. “Are you all right?”
Serena nodded, attempting to hide her shiver. “I’m fine.” She smiled politely as they continued through the crowd, amazed at the number of people who greeted Alastair.
“Do you know everyone here?”
Chuckling, he led her through the throng of well-dressed people. “Almost. I come to these things all the time.”
Raising his voice, he gestured toward the bar. “Let’s get you that drink, darling, and then we’ll find a nice quiet corner where we can get to know each other better.”
Allowing him to lead her to the bar, Serena took the opportunity to look around, stunned once again by the opulent surroundings.
Ignoring the curious stares from the people they passed, Serena kept her head high, focusing on blocking out the thoughts of those around her. Although Alastair blocked it now, she wanted to try to put the block up herself, figuring the more she practiced, the better she would get at it. Alastair’s presence gave her the confidence she needed to try in such a large crowd.
The thought that she could have some kind of normalcy in her life was a lure too impossible to resist.
Once they had their drinks, they strolled across the room, his hand never leaving her waist. He bent low again, nuzzling her neck.
“Everything still all right?”
“Yes. I don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s working. I’m trying to do it by myself, but I won’t know if I can until you let go.” She smiled at his dubious look. “You’re going to have to let go anyway if you want me to learn anything.”
With a sigh, Alastair nodded, turning her in his arms to face him fully, his hands hot at her back. “I know. Try something first, though. While I’m still holding you, try to focus on Carello.”
Warmed by the encouragement in his eyes, she nodded and drew a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
“Okay.” Flattening her hands on his chest, she stared at his bow tie, breathing in the expensive, masculine scent that made her heart beat faster. “Okay.”
Closing her eyes, she made a conscious effort to keep her breathing even and steady, opening her mind by slow increments. Lowering the protective mental blanket she’d been practicing with, she stilled when she realized that another barrier stood in the way of her seeing anything, only this one appeared to be made of something like steel, and it stood between her and everyone else. Opening her eyes, she lifted her gaze, unsurprised to find him staring down at her, his eyes narrowed and searching.
“Al—Wyn, stop it.”
He smiled, a flash of white that made her heart skip a beat. “Stop what?”
“You know what. You’re blocking me.”
Out of view of the others, he slid his hands higher, reaching his thumbs out to caress the underside of her breasts.
“Sorry. I thought maybe you could push it away yourself. Perhaps next time.”
Clenching her jaw, she bristled at the challenge in his tone, surprised at the clarity of the images that raced through her mind. Hiding a wince, she closed her eyes again and focused on erecting the block again. “That arrogance of yours is going to get you into big trouble one day.”
He moved slightly, putting his body between hers and everyone else’s, reaching up to stroke her nipple. “I’m looking forward to it, darling. Now, can you get him or not?”
Inwardly wincing at that, Serena glared up at him, her nipple still tingling where he’d touched her. “Get him? Jeez.” She slapped his hand away when he moved to touch her again.
“Stop touching me.”
“That’s not what you said earlier.”
“Are you trying to be provocative?”
“With you, darling, it just comes naturally.”
Hiding a smile, she pushed against his chest, and did something she never would have had the courage to do a few days ago.
She let go of him. Bracing herself against the onslaught, she drew a deep breath and held it, focusing on weeding through the vast number of voices, trying to block out what she could.
If she failed, Alastair understood and would help her.
She’d counted on no one since her mother died, and didn’t want to, but she had to admit that it gave her a great deal of confidence to know that she wasn’t alone.
Glancing up at him through her lashes, she forced a smile, her stomach fluttering oddly at the encouragement and affection in his eyes.
Taking another deep breath, she turned away from him, her eyes meeting Carello’s across the room. Focusing on him took tremendous effort, but she managed to dim the other voices around her until only his came through.
“He hates me. He wants me. He’s scared of me. He’s convinced I know about the murders he’s committed. He’s afraid I’m going to get in the way of the gambling place he set up in a warehouse.”
“Can you tell me where the warehouse is?”
The address came to her almost immediately, and she rattled it off to him. “He’s making a lot of money there. He’s got to kill Charlie. Charlie’s stealing money.”
Serena shook her head to clear it, trying to put the random information in some kind of order.
“I can only tell what’s bothering him the most. He’s thinking about a lot of other things, such as how he can get me away from you without looking suspicious.”
He won’t get you away from me. Ever.
Serena smiled, laying a hand on his arm. “I appreciate the sentiment.” She frowned, turning to watch Carello pull out his cell phone. “He’s calling
someone now—he wants his men to try to run us off the road when we leave here. There’s something else, though. Not from him. Something.” Scared now, she tugged at his arm. “I think we should go. Now. Why are you looking at me that way?”
Taking her arm, Alastair shook his head, clenching his jaw, and pulled her out to the large deck. Cursing, he kept going, taking her down the stairs, around the corner of the building, and around a wall of large bushes until they were alone.
Alarmed, Serena tugged at him. “What the hell are you doing? He’ll come out here.” She whipped her head around, searching for anyone that might have followed them. “We need to go.”
Alastair shook her. “Stop it. No one followed us. You would know that if you tried. Do it.” He let go of her arm with an abruptness that startled her. “Go ahead. Do what you did in the mall.”
Not understanding his shift in mood, Serena did as he demanded, relieved to discover that the man Carello had ordered to follow them lost them. Careful to keep her voice at a whisper, she leaned close. “He lost us, but he’s still looking. What’s wrong? Why did you pull me out here?” She wished she could see his face better, but the dark shadows hid his features.
His voice, though, had a cold bite that was unmistakable. “What did you mean—you appreciate the sentiment?”
The tall bushes cut off most of the light, leaving them in almost total darkness. She held on to him, more than a little scared.
“You dragged me out here for that? Jeez. When you said that he wouldn’t get me away from you, I just—”
“I didn’t say a word, Serena.”
“What do you mean? I heard you—oh!” She stilled, bracing for his anger. She’d done it again, only this time she’d heard him clearly enough to answer him.
“Yeah. Oh.”
Chilled by his tone, Serena rubbed her arms. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Yes, I know, damn it! I can feel it, too.”
Serena blinked. “Excuse me?”
Gripping her upper arm again, Alastair led her to the front of the building. “I wasn’t talking to you.”