by D T Strange
The hot water could have been scalding or a hundred below and Cam wouldn’t have noticed as he washed and rinsed off. His mind was still reeling from the whole fucking morning. Drying off, he dressed in a suit and was heading out the door when he remembered needing to reach out to Zep about the lion pride.
“There’s not time now, I’ll have to fill him in later.”
Cam shot off a text to Zep as he climbed into his jeep. He was halfway back to town when he got a message from Merrick saying he had a lead on the stone that his client had run across on the black market. Merrick wanted to meet with him in a couple hours to discuss what he’d learned. Cam shot a reply to Merrick.
{{TEXT}} There’s been an undetermined development with the new lion pride that’s coming into the territory. I’m going to be personally meeting with Asad, I’ll meet with you as soon as I get that straightened out. Merrick’s reply was a simple ‘Sounds good. Talk soon.’
Fifteen
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Disaster
Fianna barely brought the motorcycle to a complete stop before she was hopping off and putting the kickstand down. She ran into the large, red brick house in front of her that had been in her family for generations. Every childhood memory she had was wrapped up in the stoic looking building. She may have her own place now where she occasionally spent time, but this was home. It was also where all the family journals and artifacts were kept so she spent more time here than her place.
As she bounded through the front door, she had a nagging thought in the back of her head that if she didn’t find someone and have a family, then she’d be the last generation to live here and do what her family had done for years. It would all die off with her. Cameron Bishop’s face flashed in her mind at that thought. She could still feel the way his hands had touched her, brought her to the edge of ecstasy then his lips would push her over.
Shaking those thoughts from her head, she pushed the door closed behind her and pulled the package she’d received from her pocket as she took her jacket off. “Joseph!” Calling out the name, she first went to the library only to find it empty then headed toward the kitchen. Joseph was standing at the stove and turned, smiling at her.
“Hello Fianna. How was your date last night?”
That question had Fi practically sliding to a stop in front of him. How was her date? She felt heat creep into her cheeks and she cleared her throat, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Ummm it went well. I got plenty of information to add to the journals on Gerri Wilder and how she does what she does.”
Joseph shook his head as his grey eyes studied her. “Did you have fun? Was he a nice guy?”
“He was great.” Fi said absently as she held up the package. “I received this package this morning.” She pushed it into Joseph’s hands and reached in to pull out the note as Joseph looked at the stone nestled inside the box. “This note is from my grandfather!”
Joseph’s head snapped up from the stone, a look in his eyes that Fi wasn’t sure how to interpret as he reached for the note. Joseph unfolded it, reading silently, then look up at her, disbelief registering in his eyes. “I don’t understand.”
Fi took the note back and looked at it. “He’s alive, Joseph. Just like I’ve been saying all these years.”
“Fianna, if he had been alive he would have come home to you. He loved you. There was nothing that would have been able to keep him from you.”
She looked up at him, tears burning her eyes as she slowly shook her head. “Joseph, I know he’s alive. I know this to the depth of my soul that my grandfather is out there, that he sent this, and he has a good reason why he can’t be here with me.”
The two stared at each other a moment until Joseph sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. Fi gave him a big smile, her eyes brightening and turned to head toward her grandfather’s study. She threw open the doors and walked inside, instantly feeling her grandfather’s presence in the room even though it had been so long since he’d stepped foot into the room. The smell of the tobacco he used in his pipe still lingered in the air and had permeated the furniture so whenever she sat down she was surrounded by it.
The room wasn’t dark despite all the wood furniture. It was comfortable, and she had always felt safe and warm when she was in it. After her grandfather had disappeared, she had spent hours in there reading, going through his journals or just sitting trying to remember everything she could about him. She had never accepted that he was truly gone.
Fi walked to one of the bookcases behind the desk and pulled out one of the leather-bound journals that her grandfather kept then sat down at the desk. She remembered combing through it over and over, looking for clues, looking for anything that would tell her where he might have gone. Now, with the package, she might be able to pinpoint where to start looking.
Joseph set the package she’d handed him on the desk and sat down in one of two chairs in front of it watching her. Fi grabbed the package and looked at the address label. There was no return label, only where it had been shipped from. Venice, Italy. She frowned and looked up from the journal.
“Did my grandfather have any contacts that you were aware of in Venice? I know he had a safehouse there, but he never really talked about it.” Joseph shook his head, leaning forward.
“Not that he ever spoke to me about. I don’t even think he stayed at the safehouse very often. I was actually just thinking you should sell it.”
Fi let out a heavy sigh before she turned her attention back to the journals. She just knew that something would be in them to point her in the right direction. Joseph wasn’t being very forthcoming with any kind of information which was unusual. He was always a wealth of ideas and information when he was researching her trips. But, she couldn’t blame him. He had lost his oldest and closest friend, and this had to be dredging up all that hurt and loss again.
Focus. Fi told herself. Focus on the journals. Now that, in her eyes, she had her proof that her grandfather was alive, she was determined to find him. Looking at the package again, she reached in and pulled out the stone, holding it in her hands as if she could pull everything she needed to know from it.
Her chest tightened as, instead of her grandfather, she thought of Cameron. Closing her eyes, a moment she could still feel his hands as he’d touched her as if he’d branded her. His touch had brought her body to life and had seemed to settle her soul. His kisses had scorched her, her body responding with a need she’d never felt before.
Struggling to take a breath, Fi reached into her pocket and pulled out the card he’d set down that had his name and phone number. She wanted to call him, wanted to apologize for the way she’d used her magic against him. But she wasn’t certain that it wouldn’t turn into another argument between them.
“What happen Fianna with the man from last night?” Fi looked up at Joseph and gave him a sad smile then looked at the card again.
“Honestly Joseph, he was wonderful. I went into it all thinking that I was only there for research, but I hadn’t expected him.” She didn’t say anymore, just looked at the card again then slipped it back into her pocket. Clearing her throat, pushing away the regret and sadness at how it had all worked out with Cameron, she turned her attention back to the journal. She’d find her grandfather and then, maybe, she could contact Cameron and apologize.
Sixteen
There’s Trouble Afoot
Cam pulled up at the hotel Asad was supposed to be staying at. Making his way into the lobby, he started for the desk, but stopped as Asad himself stepped out of the elevator. Their eyes locked and Cam knew instantly that something was very wrong. His long strides ate up the distance between them.
Cam stuck his hand out, letting Asad make the decision to acknowledge him or not. With some reservation, Asad took Cam’s hand and shook it, his grip firm, but a little shaky. “Asad, tell me what’s happened. I’ll help you in any way I can.”
Asad glanced around and shook his head. “No, there’s nothing you can do. I’ve
decided bringing my pack here is a mistake.” As Asad had spoke, he’d been typing on his phone. Before Cam could reply, Asad tipped his phone so Cam could see his screen. On it was an unsent message saying ‘The place could be bugged, or I could be watched. We need to talk somewhere secure.’
Cam didn’t need to be told twice. He’d play along with Asad since there seemed to be little other choice. Pretending disappointment, he dropped his head a moment then met Asad’s eyes. “Very well, I’ll head back to my office and shred the contracts I had drawn up. I wish you and your pride the best of luck.”
Cam had pulled his own phone out, pretending to have gotten a text. He typed a fake response back, then held it so that Asad saw the message saying to meet him at his office, it was more secure than Fort Knox.
They parted ways then, both heading back to Cam’s office. Cam arrived first and informed Nancy to show Asad in directly when he arrived. It was only moments later that Asad was shown in.
“Tell me what happened Asad.”
The story was short but extremely impactful for Cam. It seemed that Asad’s pride had a dagger that was a powerful talisman to them. It had been stolen the night before and Asad had no time for anything else aside from finding the dagger.
“This sounds too similar to what happened to my packs protection stones that were gifted to us over a century ago. Three of the four were stolen by someone. We suspect it was a pack member since they had to not only know where the stones were kept, but also be able to handle them without the magic of the stones making them forget what they were doing.”
Asad frowned at this news. “It sounds like there could be a bigger problem at hand. You aren’t the first one to tell me something has been taken. Another pride leader reached out to me just before I came here. He asked that I keep my eyes and ears open because he too had a relic taken from his pride.”
Cam didn’t like the sound of any of this. “You might be right. I’m meeting with someone that might have some information on one of the three stones stolen from my pack. I’ll keep you informed in what I learn. For now, though, send me a picture of your dagger and if you can, a picture of the relic this other pride had stolen from them. I’ll have my sources start looking into them as well.” Asad gave a nod.
“Asad, I want to extend the offer of kithship from my pack to yours until an agreement of territory has been settled upon and the deal signed.” Asad nodded, they shook, an unwritten bond formed right there between them, then he stood and departed Cam’s office.
Asad wasn’t gone even five minutes before Merrick walked in. “Cam, you aren’t going to believe this, but I think I’ve tracked down the stone that resurfaced on the black market but was snatched up. It was delivered this morning to one,” Cam growled, interrupting Merrick.
“It was delivered to Fionna Arden. Yes, I know, I was there when she signed for it. I had it in my damn hand, Merrick. Unfortunately, I pissed Anna off when I tried to take it. Let me tell you, unless you want to turn into a fireball, don’t mess with a witch that wants something as badly as you might.”
Merrick’s eyes had gone wide as he listened to Cam. “I’m going to go back to her place after you and I are done here. I need to apologize for my behavior and hopefully explain well enough so that she’ll consider returning the stone to me.”
That and maybe, just maybe try to convince her that they should keep seeing each other. Cam wasn’t about to tell her his wolf chose her as his mate, but he couldn’t deny that there was a strong connection, both physical and emotional between he and Anna. Merrick shook his head skeptically. “Keep me informed Cam and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help, man.”
Cam stood with Merrick and walked him out. Stopping at Nancy’s desk, he gave her instructions to clear the rest of his day. There was no huff or argument from her, she simply handled it. Cam decided Nancy needed a raise. He and Merrick walked to the elevator, but from there their paths would split ways.
“There’s more going on here than just our stones going missing, Merrick, and I intend on finding out as much as I can. For now, though, I plan on getting my hands back on the stone that was delivered to Anna.”
Merrick’s smirk told Cam that Merrick had already deduced how Cam had known who the stone had been delivered to. That had Cam growing hot under the collar. Odd, because normally he didn’t care who knew he’d been out on a date or not. For some reason though, he didn’t want anyone thinking of Anna as one of his one-night stands.
“It wasn’t like that. Well, not exactly man. So, wipe that knowing smirk off your lips.” Merrick’s brows shot up, but he gave a respectful nod then headed to his office as Cam stepped into the elevator. He jabbed the button for the garage, his mind circling back to how fantastic of a night he and Anna had spent together. Then the damn stone had arrived, and everything had blown up in his face.
“Time to put things to right bubb. Before you lose out on not only the stone, but the woman as well.”
Stepping out of the elevator into the parking garage, Cam slid into his jeep and pulled out, destination, Fianna’s place. The time it took to get to Anna’s wasn’t long enough for him to figure out what he could possibly say to her that might make her see reason. For that matter, what could he say to her to keep from getting turned into a Cam-cabob the moment she opened the door and saw him?
Cam’s stomach rolled at the thought and getting out of his jeep to walk the short way up her sidewalk to her front door felt like he was trying to trudge through drying concrete. Each step he took felt like it was harder and harder to keep moving ahead. When he finally stood before her door, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to knock even.
Feeling like a fool just standing there, Cam started to raise his hand to knock. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a neighbor woman out watering her grass. Even as he knocked, he turned his head to regard the woman. She was staring right at him and hadn’t moved her hose from the same spot since he’d noticed her.
Giving a shake of his head, he knocked again, a little more impatiently this time. “She’s not home. Left with bags in hand about an hour ago lad.” Cam turned from Fianna’s door and headed across the lawn toward Fianna’s rather nosey neighbor.
“Are you looking after the place for her while she’s gone? Because I thought I was supposed to. She called saying she had to leave sooner than expected though and to come over and get the key.”
All a lie, but when Cam flashed the woman his smile, he knew she was putty in his hands. “Umm… no, I’m not watching her place and I don’t have a key for you either.” Cam shrugged, giving her an oh well smile.
“It’s all good. One of our other friends has a key, I’ll just get it from her. Thanks for letting me know she’s already left.”
Cam pulled out his phone, plastering on a smile as he did. “Yep, just what I figured, our text messages crossed. Her saying she had to go and to get ahold of Melanie for a key just came through.”
The woman smiled and kept smiling, still watering the same patch of grass as Cam made his way back to his jeep. He didn’t waste any time as he climbed in and pulled out of her drive. Tracking down Anna wasn’t something Merrick would be able to help him with. This was something Cam would have to call in a favor for.
As he headed down the road he dialed several another client that owed him a favor. “Hey Jessie, it’s Cameron Bishop.” There was a reply on the other end of the line. “Yeah, it has been a long time and yes, I’m calling in that favor you own me.”
Cam gave Jessie all he knew about Fianna as well as the address he’d seen on the package containing the stone. He heard Jessie working his fingers over a keyboard as they spoke. “Bingo, got her! She’s on the most direct flight to Venice she could get man and before you ask, it left about five minutes ago and there isn’t another flight leaving till tomorrow.”
Cam growled, then sighed. “Thanks Jessie, I’ll take it from here. The fact that I know she’s heading there is all I really need to be able to track her dow
n.” Cam ended the call with a sense of determination. All he needed to do was get a flight to Venice. One that, if all went right, would get him there before Fianna did.
One more call connected Cam to the alpha of his pack. “Zep, it’s Cam. I need to use the pack’s jet. I have to get to Venice before a commercial flight that left about five minutes ago.” Cam found himself on hold. When Zep came back on the line, Cam felt relief wash through him at being told everything was arranged and to head directly to the airstrip, the pilot would be waiting for him. A quick change in direction and Cam was heading to the pack’s airstrip, feeling for once today, that things might be working for him instead of against him.
Seventeen
Midnight Run
Fianna looked around the airport after stepping off the plane she’d just been on for the last twelve hours or so. She hated regular planes and airlines. Joseph said he wanted her to always be safe, so contracted with a company that flew her in a private plane but at such short notice, there hadn’t been one. Her muscles tight from sitting so long and a headache pounding behind her eyes from lack of sleep and her efforts not to think of Cameron. Twenty-four hours ago, she was in his arms having the best night of sex of her life. But, a little voice nagged her. It hadn't been just sex. It had been the first time she had felt that connected to a man in her whole life.
She’d dated but not much and she’d had sex, even though the two weren’t mutually connected. Fi had spent most of the last six years since turning 18 traveling, looking for magical artifacts and looking for her grandfather. When she’d been able to spend more than a few days in one place, she enjoyed herself, meeting guys and going out when she wasn’t researching for her next trip. But none of them had made her feel the way Cameron had left her feeling.