Fateful Attractions

by Lucretia Stanhope

  “The same staff running things now can handle a few more days, weeks. I’m not leaving you, okay?” He looked at her red, teary eyes. “I couldn’t leave you like this.”

  That had been a theme, and the idea of someone digging in and staying when things got hard took her by surprise. “It’s more complicated, things with me are not what they seem.”

  He knew what she was getting at, but didn’t want to let on that he knew in any way. She could never connect him to Dmitry. “Unless you are a voodoo queen or practice dark magic, whatever complications we hit, we can get beyond them.”

  “I’m serious.” She stopped walking and turned to look at him.

  He looked back at her with thoughtful eyes. “I’m serious too. You don’t have to do this alone.”

  She wrapped both of her arms around him. “Thank you. Mel, Kathy, Dillon, I need to keep them safe.”

  “And I will help you with that, while I keep you safe.” He nuzzled into her hair, breathing in her roses and peace. Staying didn’t seem so much like a task right then. The vibration in his pocket reminded him he had some explaining to do back home, later. “You ready to go in and see what Dillon found out?”

  She agreed and stayed close under his arm. Inside, Ronda looked at them with sad eyes. She pulled the pen out from behind her ear, and chewed the end. “His line is still lit.”

  “It’s okay, Ronda, we’ll wait,” Gwen said and sat on the hard, wooden bench.

  Shane sat beside her and she leaned against him.

  After a few minutes, she ended up curled beside him with her head in his lap. She made soft sounds as she struggled with dark dreams once she drifted.

  He brushed her hair and twirled it in his fingers while he waited.

  Dillon came in and paused, looking at them and pursing his lips, before stepping fully into the room.

  “You need her awake?” Shane asked in a soft voice.

  “No, they are sending in a special team to look at this. Take her home. Make sure the place is locked tight. I’ll call Sebastian here in a bit and fill him in.” Dillon rubbed his fingertips together and looked from the gray tiles to the sleeping Gwen. It hadn’t been that long since she rested her head in his lap, even though right then it felt like ages ago.

  Shane could feel the tension in the air. “I’ll take care of her. You want to take care of yourself. Eat something, before you settle in for the all-nighter I see in your eyes. We’ll have that beer later.”

  “She’s seen too much already. This, whatever this is, I can’t let it touch her.” Dillon let out an audible breath. He’d never forget how hard and long she struggled to put Curtis behind her. She still suffered with each request for funds and refused visit with him. He wouldn’t let another psychopath hurt her.

  “Let me know what I can do.” Shane brushed her hair a little more firmly so she could wake up gently.

  Her eyes fluttered opened. “Dillon?”

  One word crushed the two men, but both recovered without missing a beat.

  “He’s here, honey. We can go now.” Shane helped her sit up.

  She stretched and looked from one to the other and landed on Dillon. “What did you find out?”

  “Nothing yet. I’m getting a special team. Go home with Shane, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Shane pulled out a card from his wallet and handed it to Dillon. “The second number is my cell. If you need anything call. I expect a call soon about a watering hole.”

  Chapter Four

  “W

  hatever it is, you can tell me.” Shane sank into the soft down pillows and thick comforter. The lush feeling made him think back to their tour of her house. He’d never been in a home with so many rooms, office building sure, but not a place where people lived. Person, one person.

  All of this for one person.

  Gwen rested her head on his lap and closed her eyes. Could she tell him anything? He was a stranger and that made the idea somewhat easier. He was also a witch, which added another layer of security. She started to tell him about Fannie a few times, but every time she felt like she might be able to open up she sensed Sergei moving around. “It’s so complicated.”

  “Okay, start with the man they found.” His fingers brushed the side of her face.

  He wondered what it must be like to live in a life like hers. Everywhere he looked there was decadence, but she still seemed so down to earth and sweet. Timid even. The room they were in had white, high-gloss furniture with pink trimmings, like what he would have imagined for a little girl.

  “I knew him. He wasn’t from here and that makes me think this is about me.” Her hand rubbed his thigh while she talked. “I haven’t seen him since middle school. It doesn’t add up.”

  His hand trailed to her hair. She was complicated. A sweet princess, who clearly had an innocence about her, but yet she was mistress to the head of all vampires, as far as Shane knew, and valued by him for some wicked powers she possessed.

  Part of him wanted to just take advantage of the situation, seal the deal, and get the hell out of there before he ended up dead. Another part really did want to protect her from whatever was happening with both the body and Dmitry. Then there was also a part that just started talking to him, one that said he could enjoy a cushy life if he stayed with her, and really did edge Dillon out.

  What was the hurry to get back to his little beachside condo with the broken air conditioner? She had a huge estate, a lake, and he thought back to the way she shopped on vacation, which said she had means. If he could really get her to like him, or even love him, he could be set. A man of leisure.

  He smiled and looked at her sweet face. She was more than pretty enough. “Okay, so thinking back to middle school. What was he to you, or your mom? Did he know your family?”

  “No, not that I know of. I mean, every single little girl liked the brooding English teacher, but that was it, giggles and daydreams.”

  He leaned down and kissed her hair. “So that’s what you daydream about, brooding men? That doesn’t bode well for a happy beach bum.”

  “I need to know why he was here. I need to know it’s not about me. I mean, there is a chance it was just coincidence.” Her voice trailed off. “Right?”

  “Two things, it’s a slim chance, sweetheart. I mean really, this isn’t the type of town people just come to.”

  “And the other thing?” She looked toward the door where she sensed Sergei moving, listening, likely getting ready to go report the whole incident to Dmitry.

  “What is it that makes you think it is about you? There is something you keep holding back.”

  “Voodoo.” Her voice cracked.

  “Explain?” He bent over to look at her.

  She rolled to look at him. His eyes, while still intense, looked more gentle than before. “Not me, but listen, if I tell you this, it could put you in danger.”

  “Go on, I’m not worried.”

  Her eyes searched his, seeing he wasn’t worried, even though he should be. “What sort of a witch are you for real?”

  “Empath. I told you that.”

  “That’s it? You feel more, more.” She sat up and tried to get a better feel of him. Looking deeper she did sense more power. He was magical, more than an empath.

  She wondered if he didn’t know, like she didn’t before Sebastian told her.

  He cupped her face and rubbed a thumb on her jaw. “I, my mom said as much. Look, I want to help. This is about you, not me.”

  Before she had a chance to change her mind again, she went for honesty. “There is a very powerful voodoo queen who wants me dead as part of some family debt. It’s real, all the awful things you hear about dark magic and things in the shadows. You should run now.” She waited for him to get up or laugh at her.

  “Maybe I should, but I’m not. Lay back down.” He tugged her back in his lap. “This voodoo lady, you think she left the teacher as a calling card of sorts?”

  She furrowed her brows and watched his relaxed ex
pression. Her fingers traced his jeans, looking for something tactile to ground herself with. “I don’t know. I, well, when my familiar left with her I just, I wanted to forget it and I stopped digging.”

  “Your familiar left with the voodoo lady?”

  “Fannie, yes.”

  He leaned back and made a whistling sound. “Okay.”

  “Not sunshine and seashells.”

  “Nope, not that, but we’ll get back there.” He traced her face with the tip of one finger. “Once this is sorted, I will take you on vacation again.”

  “Why?” She rolled so she could look at his face.

  “Why what?”

  “Why would you stay? I’m nothing to you.” Her eyes searched his. “I’ve had people who were everything to me leave for less.”

  “Not me. I’m not leaving you.” He surprised himself with the conviction in his voice. He shifted and tugged her up beside him.

  She nuzzled to his side. “But why?”

  Because to leave means I die. Because you are loaded. He had no answer since honesty wasn’t an option, so instead he kissed her. There was something there, had been since the first kiss. It was something different to what he felt with other women, different to Megan, powerful. He planted small kisses on her lips, cheeks and nose while repeating, “I’m not leaving.”

  As soon as things started to heat up she pulled back. “Did you want me to make you a guest room?”

  “No, this is fine.” His lips curled into a smile.

  “I, things are,” she was interrupted by another kiss. “Complicated.” She finished her thought as a whisper when he pulled away.

  “Just sleep. Relax safe in my arms. We can uncomplicate things.”

  R ather than wake Gwen, Shane let her sleep in while he paced the bottom floor and thought about the best way to proceed. There was one week, six more days before he had to be able to tell Dmitry he was in her arms and working on it. He stopped a few times to look at a piece of art, furniture, silver, or something else that was probably more valuable than a week of profits at his shop.

  Finally, he stopped in the industrial sized kitchen and rummaged around, looking for something that was food rather than ingredients. While he dug through things, he wondered why she didn’t have a cook, or at least some luxury foods. He finally found something and sat down at the island to eat.

  “What are you eating? The coffee smells great.” Gwen looked at Shane who smiled up at her with rested eyes.

  He tapped his spoon on the box of cereal. “I found some fruity pebbles. You want a bowl?”

  “Oh no, I’ll make you something real if you want. I had those for some cookies I was going to make, that’s not breakfast.” She rubbed her eyes and brushed her fingers through her hair.

  “It is, can be lunch or dinner in a pinch too.” He winked at her and stood up, walking over and hugging her. “How are you feeling? Let me pour you a bowl.”

  Her nose wrinkled as she hugged him back. “No, I’m not eating sugared candy flakes for breakfast.”

  “No? You eat doughnuts and cake at all hours, what’s the difference, snob.” He pulled out a bowl and poured her some cereal and milk. “Try it.”

  She looked at the bowl sat on the island and waved her hand at it, dismissing the idea. “I’m not a snob.”

  He took the spoon and made motor sounds.

  She laughed and took a bite. “It’s not awful, but we need crime solving fuel.”

  “Fine, make something else, but don’t deny you liked it.” He kissed her forehead and sat down on the stool at the island, eating his cereal like he’d missed several meals and then starting on hers as well. “What are we doing today?”

  “Finding out why he was here.”

  “Do I get a deerstalker and a cape?”

  She knew he was trying to lighten things up for her, and that made her feel a little better. She kissed him softly on the lips and started cooking eggs. “No, but you get real food.”

  While she cooked, she contemplated what to do. She wanted to get this done fast without dragging in any new monsters or friends.

  The best way to find out if her or her family were connected to the teacher was to talk to Jeremy, the council historian. Greta said she could come back and talk with him anytime. That would drag Dmitry into things. She didn’t want that, not yet, not with Dillon and Shane both so close.

  “You’re worrying.” Shane washed the two bowls and stepped beside her while she cooked.

  “You should really turn that gift off if you can.” She pulled down a plate. “Eggs?”

  “You eat, I’ll wash up.” He cleaned up and then watched while she picked at her food.

  She looked up to see him staring at her. “I need to call Dillon and see what he found out. He’s probably asleep at his desk.”

  Shane walked over and took her plate. “Go on, I’ll clean up here.” He watched her walk out and then frowned. When he came out of the kitchen he found Gwen in the glass room looking across the yard. “You okay?”

  “No, Dillon said he couldn’t tell me, but I gathered the teacher wasn’t here on business. The FBI is here and I need to go in again to answer more questions.” She turned to him and chewed her lip.

  He shook his head. “I can already hear it and the answer is no. I’m staying, let me drive you to the station. Should we take someone, council, attorney?”

  “I’m not a murderer. I have nothing to hide.” She stepped back.

  He stepped with her. “Of course not. I’ve never dealt with anything like this, that’s what they do on TV.”

  She reached up and touched his face. “You should go. My world is so much worse than TV.”

  He closed his eyes and took her hand. “Go get ready.”

  A t the station, Gwen went back to speak with an agent. Dillon didn’t come out to greet them, leaving Shane alone with Ronda.

  “You going to be here long?” Ronda watched Shane as he paced the lobby.

  “Long as it takes.” He turned and walked over, leaning on the edge of the window that opened to her desk. She was a pretty woman, probably close to their age. “You been here long?”

  “I grew up here.” She smiled and reached down, putting Killer in her lap.

  “You been working here with Dillon long?” He tried not to look at her lap or legs inappropriately, since small towns were gossipy.

  She stroked the dog while she talked. “I was here before he came. I worked for Gwen’s uncle, Curtis.”

  Shane saw a look of panic in her eyes, like she said something she wasn’t supposed to. “Oh right, did you know Gwen before?”

  “Not really, the Hensley’s kept to themselves before she came back.”

  He watched her play with the dog’s collar. She was leaving out parts, deliberately perhaps. Was she fishing to see what was between him and Gwen? Could she like Dillon? That would be a nice thing to be able to play on. “Gwen’s friendly, it’s what drew me to her.” His eyes studied her, seeing a smile start to play on her lips. Now we are talking, he thought.

  “Have you been seeing each other long?” There was a little sparkle in her eyes.

  He shook his head and turned to see Gwen and Dillon walking out. They stopped just outside the door.

  “Call me after Yartist’s, I’ll pick you up for cake at Mel’s.” Dillon held her hand in his. “Try to relax.”

  Gwen stepped up on her toes and kissed his jaw. “You try to relax. Be careful, please.” She turned and smiled when she saw Shane.

  “No, not long, not yet.” He winked at her and tapped his fingers on the counter. “Thanks for the chat.”

  Ronda smiled at him and waved when Gwen came around the corner. They said good bye and walked out.

  “What’s the good news? You look better.” Shane asked as soon as the door closed.

  “Not good news at all. The man was due home a few days ago. His wife didn’t report him missing because they were fighting. Maybe she had him, well it could be about them, that would be g
ood for us, good for the town.” She let him lace his fingers in hers as they walked to the car. “I don’t hope she killed her husband, mind you, I just don’t want it to be something bad for the town.”

  Shane wasn’t sure how to feel. They hadn’t reached a point where he could stay if there was no drama. He almost found himself wishing it was related to Gwen, especially after the annoying exchange between her and Dillon. “What’s Yartist’s?”

  “My knitting group. We meet every Wednesday, why?”

  He opened her door and waited for her to get in before he closed it and walked around. “You think that is a good idea until you figure out for sure what’s happened?”

  “I always go. I even went when, I always go.” She looked out her window, watching the station.

  He knew she was distracted. A week was going to fly by. Six more nights, what could he do in six more nights? “I’ll take you. I wanted to do some shopping for my mom while I was in town. Why don’t we go to the city, shop, come back have dinner, dessert, whatever you want, and I’ll drop you at knitting night.”

  She agreed and they spent all day in the big city, shopping at the malls before they came back with his car loaded down with things for him, his mom, and her.

  When they walked into Mel’s they were greeted with hugs and cheek kisses.

  “So glad to see you again, Shane. You kids sit down, what can I get you?” Mel rushed them to a corner booth.

  Gwen didn’t even look at the menu. “I’ll have whatever is on special, and what’s the cake today?”

  Mel laughed “Has there ever been one you turned down? Spiced cake and pineapple upside down.”

  Gwen grinned. “How about coffee and a small piece of each for appetizers, two forks, Shane can help me.”

  “Got you, what do you want for proper food, sweetie?” Mel looked to Shane.

  He looked at the little menu and up to Gwen. “I’ll have the special, I trust her taste.”

  Mel disappeared and returned with a plate of cake and two cups of coffee. “Now I’m leaving you kids to cozy up, but we need to gossip before you leave.” She winked at Gwen.

  “I like her.” Shane waited for Gwen to take a bite and watched her face come alive while she chewed the pineapple cake.