by D T Strange
“That same scent is here, as you said Rico. There’s another that was in the safehouse though. I don’t know for sure whose, but I’d be willing to bet it’s Joseph’s.”
Zep came in then, a frown creasing his brows as he seemed to consider what Cam had just said. “Cameron, I know that learning of your mother’s disappearance was difficult for you and that you’ve been through a lot these last couple days. But, you’re trying to implicate people whom you have no actual proof against.”
Cam’s wolf wanted to snap, highly unusual since Cam wasn’t an alpha and Zep wasn’t really challenging them. Gritting his teeth, he drew in a breath to steady himself and his wolf. Zep was right; Cam had no idea if Joseph had even been at the safehouse before, so the other familiar scent could belong to any number of others he didn’t know.
“Yeah, you're right. There’s one thing I do know for certain though. Fianna’s scent isn’t here. Come on, I want to check out my place as well. While we’re there, I’ll hand over the last stone to you Zep.”
They all jogged the block or so down and over to Cam’s place. Cutting the alarm, he let them in and headed to the kitchen. In one corner was the door that led into the wine cellar. It wasn’t a cellar, but it was a temperature-controlled room set to keep wine the perfect temp as it laid upon the racks.
There were a couple casks of whiskey in there as well and that’s where Cam headed. With a muscle burning shove, Cam hoisted one of the casks aside and knelt onto the floor. Wiping away some dust, he pressed his hand onto the stone.
A humming was heard, and Cam felt the warmth of a beam running along his palm, identifying him. A soft beep and a click was heard next as the stone sunk down, then slid aside. Cam took out a contact box, and carefully placed a contact lens in his left eye, then looked down at the control panel of the safe that sat beneath where the stone had been. A green beam ran over the lens, not only identifying Cam’s own retina, but several other key pieces of data needed to open the safe.
With a satisfying hiss, the door of the safe unlocked. Reaching down, Cam pulled it open, then reached in and retrieved an old, well-oiled leather bag containing the stone. Closing the safe up, he made sure all was back to rights, even scuffing the dust of the floor all around the area so no one would be able to tell anything particular had been disturbed. Turning, he handed the stone to Zep. “Keep it safe until I can get the other three back.”
Zep took the stone and gave a nod. “I’ll speak with the others and together, we’ll decide how to keep it safe.” They all moved back out of the wine cellar and Cam closed the door behind him. Standing in the middle of the kitchen, Cam tried texting Fianna once more, but got no reply. With a resigned sigh, he pulled up contact information for Gerri Wilder and hit call. Not even a full two rings later, Gerri herself answered.
“Hello Gerri, this is Cameron Bishop. I was hoping you might be able to help me obtain some information.”
Gerri’s voice was heard by all the others standing around him. “Hello Cameron, how are you and Fianna doing and Zeke and your mother?”
Cam had to clear his throat to keep from biting out how he thought Fianna was, instead, he pressed on. Well, I’m not sure how any of them are. It seems she and my mother are missing.”
Gerri’s gasp was heard. “Missing you say? That’s awful, you must be worried sick.”
Not sure how to respond to that one in a completely honest way, he avoided a full answer. Yes, which is why I was hoping you could help me by giving me Fianna’s address maybe? I never made it to her place, we ended up in Venice, Italy you see.”
Cam didn’t get another word out for several heartbeats as Gerri made it known why she wouldn’t give him the information over the phone. With a resigned tone, he agreed to come by her place in an hour.
After getting off the phone with Gerri, he turned to meet the expecting gazes of the other three men. “Merrick, I need to know all that you were able to dig up on Fianna, her guardian Joseph and her grandfather. I’m hoping that you also managed to get information about households and other properties they are all invested in.”
Merrick gave a nod. “I have the file at my place. Cam, who was that you just called?” Cam sighed, weariness coming through.
“She’s the wildcard in all of this. She’s the woman that runs the Paranormal Dating Agency and has the very impressive, if somewhat intriguing reputation for always finding a person’s mate for them. She’s also possibly the only person that might understand Fianna’s motivations in all of this and someone I feel I can trust.”
As crazy as it sounded, that seemed to satisfy the others. They filed out of the house, Cam and Rico going with Merrick to retrieve the file and Zep taking the stone somewhere safe.
Twenty-Seven
Betrayal in the Family
Fi looked down at the note Caitlin had written for a long moment before she looked up frowning at Caitlin. Why would she say something like that? Joseph wouldn’t do anything to hurt either her or her grandfather. They were family. “I don’t understand Caitlin. What has he done to…”
Fi’s words trailed off when Joseph gave a quick knock on the door and stepped into the room.
“Dinner is ready ladies.” He looked over at the bed then to Fi. “He’s got some color back.” Fi looked at her grandfather then back at him.
“He does. Let me wash up some and I’ll be right down.” She gave Joseph a tired smile and he nodded stepping out of the room.
Later, Fi tossed and turned in the strange bed, trying to will her mind and body to relax. It felt like days since she’d slept, really slept, where her mind shut down completely. But now, all she could do was think of Cameron and what she’d done, trying to come up with a plan to free them all and thinking about what Caitlin had written.
She had hoped that she would actually get to talk to the man who was holding them all when she and Caitlin had gone down to the dining room, but there were only three plates set. When she questioned Joseph, he’d said he had no idea where the man was. They had been communicating by phone all day and only knew what he had shared with them before. After dinner, Caitlin had said she had a headache and was going to her room, leaving Fi and Joseph alone. She’d studied him across the table for a moment then started to question him.
“Joseph who is this man? What does he want with the stones? Did you know Papa was alive all this time?”
In his normal cool, calm and collected demeanor he set his glass of wine down and looked at her. “If I had known your grandfather was still alive I would have done everything I could to find him for you. I saw how you were, searching, never giving up hope. It broke my heart to see you like that.”
He sounded sincere to Fi and she didn’t know why Caitlin’s simple message had her doubting the one man who had stayed with her, helped raise her, finished raising her and supported her all her life. What would he gain by doing all this? For that matter, if he was behind it, who was the man who had called her and made her leave Sicily to come back to the states?
Fi punched the pillow one more time and sighed. She might as well give up trying to sleep. At this point, she knew it wouldn't come. She had too much to figure out and the need to be by her grandfather’s side was too much. Kicking off the covers, she walked through the bathroom that adjoined their rooms, and into the room he lay in.
There was a soft light on beside the bed. Fi was sure that it was Caitlin’s doing. The woman had more compassion and caring than anyone she ever remembered meeting. She could see her influence in Cameron too. Thinking of Cameron had her chest tightening and her heart hurting, feeling broken and bruised for what she’d done.
Fi pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down, taking her grandfather’s hand, she listened for his breathing, her finger on the pulse in his wrist, reassuring herself that he really was still alive. Her mind drifted back to Cameron. She loved him. She would never have admitted it to Caitlin if she hadn’t, but she wouldn’t regret what she’d done. She couldn’t. It had brought her
grandfather back to her. Now, if he would only wake up so she could tell him how much she’d missed him, ask him why he’d stayed away.
Sighing she laid her head down on the bed beside him, closing her eyes. If she could only get them all free then find Cameron and explain what had happened, maybe he would forgive her. Her eyes stung with unshed tears.
She was done crying over all this, but it hurt to think that her one chance at love had been taken away from her before it even really began. Was she destined to be alone the rest of her life? She loved tracking down relics and writing up lore and myths, but did she really want to do that all her life without anyone to share it all with?
Fi heard the door open then close softly. Raising her head, she watched as Caitlin came in. She looked at Patrick first then at her. “Honey you need to sleep. I can tell from here how tired you are.”
She smiled at Caitlin as the woman approached her then sat on the bed facing her. “I couldn’t turn my mind off. I’m worried about my grandfather, trying to figure out how to get all of us out of this situation and…” Fi’s voice trailed off as she turned away to look at her grandfather.
“And what dear?” Fi looked back up at Caitlin and sighed.
“...and try to convince Cameron that I wasn’t using him or setting him up just to get the stones.” Fi closed her eyes and dropped her head. “I just don’t know if I’ll be able to.”
“Fianna, let me tell you a little about my son.” Fi opened her eyes and look up at Caitlin again. Her eyes were soft but sharp as they assessed Fi. “He is exactly like his father. Passionate, loyal and stubborn. Family means everything and by family I don’t mean just me but the pack as well. I love my son, but he can be stubborn. Did I say stubborn?”
Fi laughed softly and nodded. “Yes, you did.”
Caitlin chuckled. “He was ten years old when his father died. He had snuck out with some friends to ride bikes. When his father found him gone he was furious and determined to go find him and bring him home. I went with him just to keep the peace between the two of them. Cameron came out of the woods to the road and his father swerved to miss them and we were in a terrible accident. His father was killed instantly, and I sustained some life-threatening injuries but was able to heal. Cameron blames himself.”
Fi’s hand went to her throat as her lips parted. She could see that Cameron would blame himself, lord knows she would have blamed herself too, even though it wasn’t his fault. “Oh my god. Poor Cameron.”
Caitlin nodded. “For the longest time I didn’t even entertain the idea of finding anyone else. His father was my mate, my whole life. Then, as the years past, I grew lonely and knew that I wanted someone in my life, but I didn’t want to do anything that would taint Cameron’s memory of his father. It wasn’t until we all went to Gerri that I finally met someone.”
Fi smiled and nodded. “Zeke. He seems like a wonderful man, Caitlin.”
Caitlin’s smile widened and Fi could see the pink creep across her face. “He is, and I really think we could have something. But again, I’m worried about what Cameron would think.”
“You can’t Caitlin. You deserve happiness too and if that’s with Zeke, then Cameron will just have to accept that.”
“I agree, and I was planning to have a long talk with Cameron when he returned. But that’s not my point. My point is, Cameron is very cautious. As an adult he is somewhat of a player. I think that’s the term these days.” Fi’s eyebrows shot up and she chuckled. “He has never told another female, other than me of course, that he loved them. If he told you then it’s real.”
Fi took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ve never told anyone either. I’ve lived a sheltered life, homeschooled, college online. I never really socialized until I turned 18 and was traveling. I’ve met a few men, one-night stands but never cared enough to even entertain saying the words. Until Cameron and then I go and blow it.”
“Don’t give up on Cameron. I think the two of you would make each other very happy. You would challenge him, keep him on his toes. That’s what he needs. What I’m saying is, you need to do whatever you can to convince him that you two belong together. I will help of course, but you may have to slap him upside the head to get him to listen to you. I have no doubt though, that he needs you.”
Fi started laughing at the image of her slapping the back of Cameron’s head and telling him to get over it because she loved him, and they were perfect for each other. Nodding, Fi stood and hugged Caitlin. “I’ll do my best, Caitlin. I promise.”
Caitlin returned her hug then stood. “Good. Now, I’m going to go back to bed.” She cupped Fi’s cheek and smiled. “You try and sleep too. We have a big day tomorrow and you’re going to need all your wits about you.” Fi nodded then watched as Caitlin left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Fi sat back down and took her grandfather’s hand again, laying her head down on the bed a moment. Her head snapped back up when she felt the weak squeeze of her hand, her eyes flying to look up at her grandfather. Blue eyes looked back at her, once a brilliant, they were now filled with pain. She struggled to catch her breath as she stood. “Papa! You’re awake.”
Patrick Arden gave her a weak smile and licked his lips. She picked up the glass of water sitting beside the bed and brought it to his lips, lifting his head to help him take a small drink. Lowering his head, she set the glass back down then reached out to brush her fingers across his stubbled cheek. “I never thought I’d see you again.” His voice was thick and hoarse, and tears sprang to her eyes to hear it.
“I never gave up. I never believed you were dead. What happened? Where were you? Why didn’t you come home to me?” Her voice broke on the last part, her heart clenching in her chest.
“There’s something you need to know Fi. It's about Joseph.” Fi could tell he was struggling, forcing the words out and she frowned at the mention of Joseph. She could feel a dull pounding starting right behind her eyes as her heart seemed to speed up.
“Later Papa. I need to let the nurse know so she can call the doctor.” She started to turn away, but he held tight to her hand and shook his head.
“No. You need to know.” He coughed, and she brought the water back, helping him to take another sip. “It was Joseph. He threatened me, said he would kill you if I didn’t do what he wanted. He forced me to stay away.”
Fi frowned, shaking her head. It didn’t make sense to her, none of this was making sense. Between the note Caitlin had written and what her grandfather was saying, she was confused, disbelieving all of it. “Why? Why would he do that? I don't understand.”
“Treasure. He wanted me to find and sell the items I searched for and give him the money, making him rich.” He squeezed her hand. “When you started traveling I tried to get to you but when I got too close, you were almost killed. Your airplane was tampered with. Luckily you had a good pilot and he avoided a crash without you even knowing. So, I stayed away. I’m sorry my sweet girl.
“Why didn’t you say something in the note you put in the package you sent me? Give me some clue as to what Joseph was up to? I took it all straight to him.” Fi shook her head, confusion written all over her face.
“I knew you would, that’s why I didn’t put anything in there. But Fi? It was Joseph who shot me. It’s because of him that I’m laying here in this bed, wounded.”
Fianna was speechless. What her grandfather had said made no sense to her whatsoever and she couldn’t seem to wrap her mind around any of it. She opened her mouth to try and say something when a voice interrupted her.
Her head swung around to find Joseph, wearing pajama pants, slippers and a robe. He pulled out a gun from the pocket of the robe and pointed it at both of them. “I came in to check on Patrick before I went to bed and, well, I see the cat’s out of the bag. It’s a shame really, I’d hoped to reveal myself to you as I shot that male you seemed to have shacked up with, killing him. Of course, I’d still have your grandfather here to compel you to take his p
lace in finding and selling treasures to keep making me rich.”
Fi sat there, speechless as she stared, unbelieving at the man that had all but raised her and been there for her all these years, coldly pointing a gun at her, telling her he’d planned on using her, like there had never been a moment's worth of care between them.
“Why Joseph?”
Twenty-Eight
Just How Far Up Have I Stuck My Head?
Cam left pack lands with a heavy heart, troubled mind and shredded soul. His mother was missing. The woman he professed his love to not only hadn’t returned his love but disappeared on him while he had been taking a shower. If that weren’t bad enough, she’d left with the stones that they’d gone to Italy to retrieve while looking for her grandfather. Had he been betrayed and used from the get go? He really didn’t know.
Cam couldn’t keep from thinking about it, which caused the trip back to town to fly by. Before he knew it, he had pulled into the apartment complex parking lot of Gerri’s building, easing into a front row visitors spot. He sat there a moment, thumbs drumming on the steering wheel while he looked up at the top floor, wondering if he’d made the right decision coming to Gerri for help. The women's service was renowned for finding her clients their mates.
What if Fi was his mate but wasn’t someone he could bring himself to mate? He had to be able to trust his mate, but this was the second time Fianna had taken off on him. This time, she’d not only left him, but taken what she’d freely helped him claim and given to him. There was no trust between them any longer. So how could he be expected to claim her as his mate? His wolf had no qualms about it. The damned beast still wanted Fianna and was going damn near ballistic over Fi being gone.
With that thought boppin’ around in his head and the feel of claws in his gut, Cam got out of the SUV and made his way to the building. The doorman gave him a look that felt as if he was being judged and found unworthy. Shaking the feeling off, he moved past the man and made his way over to the elevator.