a Touch of Intrigue

by L. j. Charles

  Memories tumbled through my mind. “I asked for a cookie, and got the standard mom-response about eating dinner first. And then I touched her, watched an internal video of her putting them in the cupboard earlier that afternoon, and helped myself.”

  Pierce stifled a chuckle. “You were a pain in the parental ass.”

  I smiled. Sweetly. “The formula would have affected my DNA, so it’s not surprising that my fingertips were active at an early age. I think I was about two when that happened.” I shivered. “I can’t stomach the horror of Eamon Grady forcing my mother to drink that stuff, and I’m going to do everything in my power to destroy it.”

  Grandfather shut down. Blank eyes. Expressionless face. When would I learn to censor my thoughts? It had to be horrible for him to remember what had happened to his daughter. I started to apologize, then thought better of it. No words could make it better. Move on, Everly. Let it go.

  When my mind returned to the present, I relaxed into the moment, and was hit with another memory. I saw myself on the sofa right after the explosion, and Mom’s voice came through.

  Loyria: “We have to do everything we can to provide all the facts she’ll need to protect herself. I created a cache site near the Amazon camp that holds the equations for the toxin, the antidote, and my healing formula. They’re obviously not perfect, because…planned to give her the coordinates when she was ready.”

  I bolted up from the sofa. “What I need, everything I need is hidden at my mother’s old Amazon camp.”

  What the hell had I done with Fred’s business card?

  TWELVE

  AUKELE TOUCHED MY HAND, THEN shared a look with Pierce. My emotions dipped from a burst of hope to shattering despair. I gave them both the evil eye. “What? I saw that look.”

  Pierce cringed. “That area has been in a tribal war for months. No access.”

  Like I would fall for that. “Your people don’t have boundaries like that. A tribal war, hell, no kind of war stops them. They’re all like you: determined, stubborn, fearless, dedicated, crazy, and trained until their warrior and survival skills are honed far beyond normal human limitations.”

  “True. I’m going. You’re not.” There was an irritating thread of steel behind his words.

  I jumped up, stood over him. “You’re not getting it, Pierce. This issue is attached to my DNA. Even if you found my mother’s notes you wouldn’t know what to do with them. There are plants, and possibly native inhabitants, in that jungle who I’ll need to touch. I’m going.”

  Aukele hummed a soft note. “Neither of you are traveling to the Amazon.”

  Both of us shifted, drilling a what-the-hell stare into my grandfather.

  He smiled. “Everything you need is here. In Loyria’s garden. When the situation with Fred and her former coworkers became unstable, she made several trips to South America. Your mother created a safe environment for you to complete her work should you ever choose to do so.”

  Deflated. My hope of touching Mom’s papers before anyone else smudged the images were destroyed with a few innocent words from Aukele. But maybe… “I want the notes Mom left in the Amazon for me. Do you know where they are, Grandfather?”

  His shoulders sagged. “No. On her rare visits home she shared very little with us about her work. Makani and I knew she was planting the garden, that the rainfall here was perfect for nourishing the seedlings, but she kept the details of her work from us.”

  “Protecting you,” Pierce said, nodding. “Loyria wouldn’t have trusted Fred, and his covert team had already located this property.”

  “You weren’t part of—” The words popped out before I could stop them.

  He grinned. “Not that old, Belisama. Those agents would be from your parents’ generation. Could have even been Fred, depending on how deep he hid Loyria’s work from the rest of the team.”

  Heat flared in my cheeks. “Stupid. Of course. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “What’s your plan, Everly?” Pierce’s tone was so gentle, it was almost my undoing.

  I dropped to the sofa, blowing out a whoosh of air. “Set up camp in the living laboratory until I figure out how to finish Loyria Gray’s work.” I looked deep into his eyes. “I didn’t plan to become my mother.”

  Aukele broke into a full-blown chuckle. “Not likely, Granddaughter.” He stood, rested his hand on the crown of my head. “I’ll return when you need me.”

  And he was gone.

  I tossed my hands up. “I’ll never figure out how he does that. Here one minute, then gone. I see him move, but then the image blurs and I can’t pinpoint where he actually goes.”

  “Not a priority, Belisama.”

  I opened my mouth, unsure what to say. And then snapped it closed. There wasn’t anything to say—until Pierce’s stomach let out the mother of all rumbles. “Hungry?” I asked.

  He nodded, then checked his phone. “Meet’s set up. Let’s head into town, make the drop, eat…”

  My stomach was in agreement with his plans, but more important, so was my mind and spirit. “Yeah. That’s good. It might help to get away from here for a while, be with normal people, and relax. Yesterday, this morning, it’s all been so intense. Maybe we just need to have some fun.”

  He blinked. Twice. And then grinned at me. All imp. All trouble. “Not sure I know how to do that. Lead the way, Belisama.”

  TWO HOURS LATER WE’D SUCCESSFULLY handed off the silicone implant, our bellies were full of fish tacos, fries, and Hapa Brown Ale that tasted faintly of caramel and smelled like toffee. Both my tummy and my mind had relaxed. Hand in hand we strolled toward the Kapiolani Park Art Fest. “This is perfect. Maybe we’ll find something for our new home. Our first purchase.” I’d gotten lost in couple-itis. It was a tad embarrassing, but I still wanted to share the experience with Pierce.

  He shuddered. “Lot’s of people.”

  My insides did a summersault. “It’s dangerous for you. We shouldn’t even be walking.” I turned in a frantic circle, checking for… I had no idea what.

  He stopped me in mid-turn, grabbed my wrists, and tucked my hands behind my back. “We’re fine. How about we cruise along the outside, skip the interior?”

  “Are you sure? It’s not that important.” But it was. Something had called to me.

  Pierce must have read my expression. He released my hand, and rested his left arm over my shoulders. “You have that look. Let’s go…shop, but stay on my left.”

  I bit down a chuckle. “Bet you’ve never said the S word before.”

  “Been a while. Any idea what we’re after?”

  I stopped walking, grounded myself, and listened to my intuition. “Not sure, but it’s close. One of these first tents, I think. How about we stroll by, and I’ll skim my fingers over a few items, see what happens.”

  Pierce dropped his arm to his side, taking a “ready” stance. He continuously scanned any and all areas around us, but I’d never seen him this alert when we weren’t in a crisis situation. “You’re sure it’s okay?”

  “It’s a go.”

  I hesitated, but whatever had been calling to me was getting more persistent, so I hurried toward the first tent. Baskets. Deep breath. I picked up a gorgeous oval-shaped design, and images flashed about the artist in charge of the display. “Did you make this?”

  Hope sparkled behind her eyes, and she smiled, soft and gentle. “Yes, Miss. They’re leaves from the hala.”

  “I’d like the smaller one with the lid, please.” I dug the correct change from my handbag, we made the exchange, and I tucked my new basket into my bag. Then I adjusted my purchase to the bottom so my .380 was readily accessible. No point in being careless, although there was no way I’d be shooting anyone in this crowd. Too dangerous. And not the kind of attention either Pierce or I needed. I shook the woman’s hand. “Thank you. It’s really lovely work.” But it wasn’t what had been beckoning me.

  I skipped the next two tents because the tingling on the edge of my aura hadn’t gi
ven me a “buy” signal. I turned to Pierce. “I hope I’m right about this. My spidey sense is still running wild, but these last few vendors almost had a dampening effect.”

  He held my gaze. “Take a breath. Try again.”

  I loved this man. Big, dangerous, skilled in all things lethal, and he still completely believed in my gifts. “You’re perfect.”

  He barked a laugh. “I’ll remind you of that when I piss you off.”

  “Yeah. I know. I have to learn to keep those thoughts to myself or they’ll come back and bite me.” I spun around and headed for the last tent in the row. There were a few customers in front of me, and I had to peer around them to see what was on sale. Jewelry, maybe? I nudged Pierce. “You’re tall. Can you see what she’s selling?”

  He scanned the general area, then focused on the tent. “Jewelry.”

  The people in front of me shifted to the side, then moved on. It was just me and the… “Oh. My.” I skimmed my fingers over several bracelets, and barely kept from gathering them all up. “Mine,” I whispered.

  The artist’s smile was all-knowing. “It’s sea glass from the North Shore, as wild and untamed as you are.”

  My body went into tingle overdrive. This woman knew me in a primal sense I’d never experienced with anyone but…no one. There wasn’t a single living person that had ever connected with me in this unusual way. Pierce had become my heart and soul in the most profound, beautiful sense. Annie understood my mind like no one else, but this woman, this artist…she understood my gift.

  “What piece calls to you?” she asked.

  They all did. How would I ever choose? “White. There’s something about the frosty glass and the white strap.” I selected a bracelet and wrapped the leather braid around my wrist. It was right. So very right.

  The artist leaned over the table and took my wrist. “Let me. The cord fits around like so, and the glass is wrapped in silver. They’re all my original designs.”

  I held my arm to the sun. Beams of light danced into the glass, then cascaded out in a rainbow of energy. Whirling, I grabbed Pierce’s hand. “It’s perfect.”

  He grinned, all male, and confident as hell. “Like me?”

  “Yeah. Like you.” There was no point in backtracking, not when I’d just told him he was perfect.

  He reached around me, inspected the display, selected several items, and handed them to the artist with a wad of cash. “We’ll take these.”

  “And this.” I pointed to my arm. No way was the bracelet leaving my arm.

  Pierce grunted. The happy one. “That one, too, please.”

  I didn’t argue. I wanted every damn piece of jewelry on the table, but that would be…conspicuous. “Do you have a website?”

  The artist nodded, handing Pierce his change. “Yes. It’s listed on my card. Here, let me wrap those—”

  He slipped the jewelry in his pocket. “Not necessary. Thanks.”

  Within seconds he’d led me away from the tent and the crowd.

  Panic shot through me. “What’s wrong?”

  His head turned right, then left, canvassing the area. “Not sure.”

  Against all common sense, I rested my fingertips on the back of his left hand. “Trade time. I’ll use your vision, you use my touch.”

  He stiffened, but didn’t move away. I closed my eyes and scanned the space around us. “No weapons in sight. No one appears to be threatening.” I looked at him, eyes open. “What do you want to touch?”

  “Already did. Jewelry. Touching the glass was—”

  “Like being submerged in the ocean. Could you feel the currents, taste the salt?”

  He licked his lips. “Yeah. Not my way of working yet. The danger I’m sensing is from home. We need to go, Everly.”

  My heart thudded with deep joy. “You called it home.”

  His grunt was a combination of amazement and agreement.

  I nudged him. “I’m learning to understand your grunts, you know. Soon you won’t be able to hide behind them.”

  “I’m teaching you.” I sensed the grin behind his words.

  “Seriously? How can you possibly do that?”

  My man was all sweet arrogance. “Deliberately. Now get a move on.”

  I shut up, put some oomph in my step, and fondled the sea glass gracing my wrist. Some things were best left to simmer in the back of my mind, especially when it came to Tynan Pierce, and besides, the sea glass held my attention. When I stroked the surface, it…sang. Vibrations poured into me, and I shook out my hands in confusion. What the hell?

  Pierce’s hand closed around my wrist, covering the bracelet, and he practically dragged me toward the car. His touch broke whatever communication I shared with the sea glass, so I matched his pace. “You’re really concerned?”

  “No. But we need to hustle.”

  It was a slow traffic day, so we made the trip back to Manoa in record time—to find a delivery truck waiting for us. Pierce broke into a jog, and hurried to meet the driver. They did the obligatory manly hug-backslap routine, unloaded the truck within minutes.

  I watched. There was something special about the interaction between them, and curiosity aside, whatever history they shared, I wasn’t meant to be a part of it. That realization is what kept me standing comfortably on the sidelines while they unloaded the boxes and stacked them inside the maze.

  When everything was unloaded, Pierce waved his friend off, and watched the truck until it disappeared, then turned toward me. “Didn’t introduce you—”

  “I didn’t belong. It’s okay. Is that the stuff you ordered for our security system?”

  “Yes. I’ll be working on it all afternoon. Had him stop at your condo, pick up some clothes for you.” He looked down the empty road. “His brother was one of the men who didn’t…” Tynan choked up.

  I slid my arms around his waist and held on. “I trust you, Tynan Ailill Pierce. I’m here if you want to talk, but I’m fine if you don’t want to share anything about it. Ever.”

  His arms tightened around me. “Thanks.”

  “And thank you for thinking of bringing me clothes. I think it’ll be a while before I can leave here.”

  We stood there for the longest time, just being. Sharing. “It’s like our bones have melted together,” I whispered against his chest.

  He brushed my hair aside and kissed my neck. “I couldn’t love, didn’t know how, until you were ready for me.”

  Bits and pieces of our clothing were left in the maze as we made our way toward the house, but Pierce led me away from the front door. He picked me up, carried me to our natural pool, and slowly lowered me into the water. Every nerve tingled with anticipation. “I need you. Now.”

  There were no more words. Just the intense joining of our bodies, our souls…and the quiet murmur of the sea glass on my wrist.

  THIRTEEN

  WE SPOONED IN THE AFTERGLOW of sweet sex, and soaked in the peace surrounding the pool behind our home. It was our special paradise, and one I appreciated as a place for healing my spirit. I fingered my new sea glass bracelet, enjoying the bright hum of energy nestled in its core. “Thank you for my sea glass gifts. I want to go find your cargoes so I can play with my new jewelry, besides we were so rushed when you bought them, I didn’t see which ones you chose. Did you know I hate waiting for surprises?”

  “You’re welcome. I snagged the ones that belonged to you.”

  I bopped his chest with the back of my head. “That’s not helping my curiosity.” I rubbed my thumb over the flat surface of the weathered glass. “The energy in this single piece is so phenomenal, I can only guess how wild it would be if I wore all of the ones you bought for me at the same time.” I stretched my neck back, and kissed Tynan’s chin. “Seriously, thank you. Now that I’ve found these treasures, I can’t imaging being without them, or even taking them off. The man with the artist, looked like her husband, maybe, but that doesn’t matter. He said something about her never taking her necklace off. I get that. These
bracelets will always be a link to you, Tynan, especially if you have to go away they’ll—”

  “Not going away.” He lifted me, stood me on the rocks lining the pool, and then climbed out and joined me. “Want to find some clothes?”

  He stood there, muscles glistening with moisture, and wearing nothing but a satisfied smile. Hell no, I didn’t want to find any clothes. “Later.” I grabbed his hand, and dragged him to our screened porch to have my wicked way with him.

  He didn’t resist.

  WE WOKE WELL OVER AN hour later, and only then because Pierce’s phone was buzzing with annoying frequency. He snagged it off the floor, glanced at the screen. “Tail wind. Need to get started on the security system. Want it vetted before my parents get here.”

  And I needed to explore my mother’s living laboratory, but not quite yet. “About my presents…?”

  Pierce ruffled my hair. “Getting them now.”

  I grabbed a quick shower and dressed in clean cargoes and a long-sleeved, white t-shirt. No telling what I’d have to dig into out in the garden.

  Pierce was lounging in the bedroom doorway when I left the bathroom. “Long sleeves? Hot out there.”

  “Yeah, but who knows how those plants will affect me. I think I should be very careful until I get a handle on how Mom created her formula.”

  He handed me three bracelets. “Parents will be here before midnight.”

  I’d heard what he said, really I had, but the bracelets cradled in my palms were sending amazing chills through me. Good ones. I managed to give Pierce a nod. “These are…there are no words.” I glanced at him. “Did you feel anything when you were holding them?”