“That dog’s always nuts.” He sat back, making sure she was settled into her seat as the shuttle drifted to the ground.
“Do you think landing in the front yard’s a good idea?” Dani took one more look out the window, wondering if she was ready to face so many people.
Lateef remained silent.
She tore her gaze from the window to stare at him. “What’re you trying to hide from me this time?”
He bit his lip, closing his eyes with an expression of pain for a long moment before meeting her gaze. “It’s the safest way to do a stupid thing.”
“Don’t give me any more of the ‘you’re too weak to go home crap’. I got more than enough from your boss.” Dani felt the heat rise in her face.
“You won’t let us help you…”
“Enough, children.” Amman’s sharp retort carried over the whine of the shuttle’s engines, making both of them throw guilty glances over their shoulders. “Blame is pointless. Danielle Hamilton is back to her home where she will allow us to ensure she is returned to good health. Further discussion is unnecessary.”
The Hatti Matriarch sniffed and settled back into her padded seat, shooting Dani a final warning glare before ostentatiously turning to stare out of her window.
“Yes, Madame Amman.” Dani resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at the overbearing woman. Rebellion was futile. She might as well save her energy for a fight she could win. Like coming home when everyone told her she couldn’t. Satisfaction flitted across her lips.
“I would’ve teleported you home, if it wasn’t too dangerous.” Lateef captured her hand and whispered his confession in her ear. “I’ll do anything to make you all better.”
Dani relaxed into the shuttle seat with a sigh. “I know. Thank you.”
As hard as she still found belief in teleportation and other psychic abilities, Dani had been forced to admit they did exist. The fact she could feel her legs, much less walk after her spine had been shattered, made any denial stupid. Unfortunately, the poison that had nearly killed the Hatti Thane had made her ultra-sensitive to the psychic energy used to teleport. That’s why she was on a space shuttle, exposing all of her friends to potential scrutiny by the US government.
“Don’t worry about the military.” She met Lateef’s amused glance. “I don’t have to read your mind to know you feel guilty, my love. It’s your normal condition. Your government doesn’t have the technology to track the transport. There’s nothing to worry about.”
She rolled her eyes and turned her head to watch their final descent. He was only partially correct. She had worried about the military, but her biggest fear was what Anna and Charlie would think. Would they hate her for unleashing this alien horde on their small mountain town?
****
Dani shook her head, clasping her hands firmly in her lap to avoid any misunderstanding. “No thank you, sweetie. I’ve had more than enough tea. If I drink any more, I’ll float down the mountain.” She smiled to take the sting out of her refusal to the helpful Hatti adolescent holding out yet another mug of ‘restorative’ tea Amman insisted she drink. She and Lateef sat on the front porch rockers as the impromptu party that began with her arrival a couple of hours ago continued around them. “I would like some more of those spice cookies, though.”
The youngster’s expression changed from disappointment to happiness before he tore off in the direction of the kitchen, carefully holding the untouched mug of tea.
“Kid’s got talent. I’d be wearing tea if I tried that.” Lateef reached over to hold her hand, subtly monitoring her pulse.
“I’m fine, Lateef.” Dani gently took her hand back. “I’ve got another hour or so in me. Especially if I get more of those cookies. I can’t believe how many people have moved in here.”
Madame Amman strode up the porch steps, a swarm of assistants trailing behind her. “We are clan, Danielle Hamilton. We take care of our own. The tea will do you more good than cookies.”
“I’ll spend the night in the bathroom if I drink another drop.” Dani fought the urge to squirm like a guilty schoolgirl. She didn’t know if she could handle much more help as she recovered. It would be so much easier to just curl up in her bed and sleep instead of trying not to offend the wonderful people who cared so much about her for reasons she still couldn’t fathom.
“Your color is still off.” Amman peered into her face, lifted her eyelids and then sniffed her breath.
“That’s because I should be more pink than green.” Dani fought the urge to pull away, knowing such an action would insult the woman. This time she welcomed Lateef’s hand sliding into hers.
Amman grumbled under her breath. Her ears turned a darker green as she stepped back and adjusted her gown. Dani couldn’t believe she had made the outspoken matriarch speechless and decided to press her advantage.
A commotion started in the yard before she could open her mouth. The partiers turned to the long driveway, pointing at the cloud of dust from a black town car driving down the freshly graded dirt lane.
Dani’s heart raced as she recognized the far too familiar vehicle. She was dimly aware of Kyle erupting into a long string of swear words that would have impressed her at any other time. She knew who was in the car and her reptilian hindbrain screamed at her to flee. Her muscles quivered as she tried to decide which impulse to obey. The car made the final curve and glided to a halt in the circular turn-around. The Hatti surrounded the vehicle as she twitched, praying to awaken from this nightmare.
‘You’re not alone anymore.’ Lateef’s mental voice slid under her shaky shields and her muscles abruptly relaxed as he squeezed her hand. She stared at her lap, taking several deep breaths as the crowd around the car began to mutter angrily. She took great comfort from the strength, love, and acceptance that flowed from the brief contact with her soul mate. All things she’d never felt from Carl.
“Thank you.” She let her love shine in her expression, then settled into her chair, as rigidly upright as any queen on her throne, hands on the armrests and every trace of emotion wiped from her face. Don’t give the bastard anything.
Lateef gave her one startled glance as she pulled free and then copied her posture, waiting for the action to start.
Amman stepped to the side, making a brief gesture and the crowd parted, leaving a clear path between the car and the porch. The driver stepped out, nervously adjusting his blue uniform jacket, looking at the crowd before giving a minute shrug and moving to open a rear door. He held his body in a rigid half-bow as the other rear door popped open and a young woman hopped out, sweeping her phone camera across the surroundings.
“You’ve got to see this, Uncle Howard. These people are greenish!”
A male voice boomed from inside the car. “Enough of your foolishness, Mandy. Indulging your imagination will keep you from success.”
Dani bit her tongue to keep from reacting. Mandy was Carl’s only cousin, all grown up. The last time Dani had seen her, Mandy had been a gangly teen, all arms and legs heading to college, but this young lady was poised and confident. Hope he hasn’t turned her into a jerk like the rest of the family. Those fears vanished when the young woman bounded across the yard to give her a gentle hug and whisper into her ear.
“Missed you, cousin. Glad the rumors were wrong.”
Before Dani could do more than return the embrace, Mandy pulled away and bent down to introduce herself to the dog bouncing around her feet.
What rumors? Dani’s eyes were drawn to the car where long legs clad in immaculately pressed slacks swung out to place highly shined shoes on the dusty ground. Pale, well-manicured fingers grasped the edge of the car door. Dani’s heart hammered in her chest as the man rose to his full height, staring across the gathered crowd of people as if he owned the world.
Sweat gathered under Dani’s hair, trickling down the back of her neck in a sticky rivulet of f
ear, chasing all other questions from her mind.
‘You got this, my love. You’re so much stronger than you think.’
Dani shot Lateef a quick glance, but he watched the intruder, inscrutable as the Sphinx. She appreciated the current of support he held, available for her use whenever she needed it. She no longer had to face this particular demon alone. Her back stiffened and she sat up straighter, suddenly confident she would not be the one disappointed by today’s encounter.
The front passenger door opened and the senator’s long-time aide popped out, his nervous gaze darting between the crowd and the smartphone in his hands as he pranced around the car to join his boss.
“We have to hurry, sir. You’re live on the news tonight.”
The distinguished man nodded and gave a final glance around the crowd before sniffing disdainfully and striding towards the front porch. Agitated murmurs made him halt and glance at Dani.
She stared back, still as a grave, giving the man no emotion.
He took a tentative step forward, then resumed when nothing happened.
She saw the unaccustomed hesitation in his gait, but his face revealed only prideful arrogance. He placed his foot on the first step to the porch, but backed down as Madame Amman swayed toward him, a fierce look of determination on her round features.
“I see you have made some… interesting new friends, Danielle.” The politician smoothed the sleeves of his expensive suit coat, looking down his patrician nose at her.
She suppressed a snarky comment, realizing her continued silence made him far more uncomfortable than any words. Her spirits rose when she noticed the tiny beads of sweat around his hairline.
“Pretty neat, don’t you think?” Mandy elbowed Kyle and he jumped before giving the young woman a long, considering look.
Anna and Charlie pushed past the senator, unapologetically bumping into him as they came to stand at Dani’s side.
“Why are you here, Senator Weatherly?” Kyle stepped forward.
His shoulders were hunched, and he rocked onto the balls of his feet, as if preparing for a fight.
“I could ask you the same question, Manning. Have you forgotten you work for me?” Weatherly looked Kyle over then dismissed him as irrelevant.
“I returned your retainer. And I never gave you any information about this place.” He waited for his statement to sink in and then continued. “So why are you here?”
“I hired you to find my daughter-in-law. You did, and that’s all you need to know.” He glanced at his aide busy on his phone.
“The check was returned, Senator, but we declined to release him from the contract.”
Kyle let out an exasperated snort. “You can’t force me to work for you.”
“Should I authorize the investigation? The DA sounded very interested when you spoke with him.” The aide continued as if Kyle hadn’t spoken.
“I haven’t done anything wrong.” Kyle clenched his fists. “But I’ll fire the ass of whoever leaked this to you. Who was it?”
“What do you want, Howard?” Dani interrupted and everyone froze, the ping of the cooling engine the only noise to break the sudden silence.
“I am your father, Danielle. I wanted to be sure you were okay after the…” His voice stuttered and he closed his eyes briefly. When they opened his gaze was hard and bitterly cold. “You unexpectedly disappeared from the hospital and there are things you need to deal with.”
Anna stirred, but Charlie laid a hand on her shoulder. Kyle remained tense, ready to throw himself between Dani and the threatening interloper.
“You made it perfectly clear I wasn’t needed for anything, Howard. If I recall, you told me in that same hospital I should’ve had the good grace to die and save you the trouble of dealing with me. Seems you’d planned on Carl being a widower.”
He flinched when she used his name, and his mouth opened and closed as his eyes darted around at her accusation.
“Thought I was unconscious for that part, didn’t you?” Dani caught the flash of red on his assistant’s face, though her gaze never left Howard Weatherly. “I’m sorry to have disappointed you yet again, Dad, but you must be aware I took nothing with me, not even photos or my personal jewelry.”
Her voice caught at the unfairness of losing those memories, but she refused to let the odious man see her grief. The brief flash of satisfaction in his cold eyes reaffirmed her determination to end whatever game the bastard was playing.
“I don’t want you here, Howard. We used my name and my money to keep you from finding out about this place until Carl was ready to tell you. That means you have no claim to anything.”
He sputtered again. “Enough of this nonsense, Danielle.” He pulled his composure together, regaining his haughty expression. “Like it or not, you are a member of my family and still have obligations.”
Dani tipped her head to stare at him, frost dripping from her words. “You lost any claim on me when you buried my baby without me.”
His lip lifted in a sneer. “I took care of the funeral arrangements for my son and his daughter because you were incapable of making decisions at the time. Don’t try to make that my fault. Your foolish decision to travel in bad weather caused the tragedy.”
Dani swayed, and felt Lateef’s mental touch lending her strength. She fought the overwhelming desire to scratch the bastard’s eyes out. Howard could never know how much he affected her, or he’d continue to attempt to control her. She forced her tone to sound bored, rather than giving in to her fury. “I’m positive you have better things to do than annoy me, Howard. You should go now if you want to get back to Denver for your TV appearance. The weather can be pretty iffy this time of year. I’d hate to hear you crashed driving down the mountain.”
The tension in the air ratcheted up as her friends prepared for a fight. Weatherly’s assistant let his phone hand drop to watch the action in disbelief, his gaze darting back and forth like he was watching a high-speed tennis match.
Her father-in-law took one step forward and her anger morphed to fear. She resisted the urge to run, fascinated by the flush of anger slowly creeping up the man’s neck.
“You listen to me, you low-born guttersnipe. The only reason I’m here is because I wanted to extend you the courtesy of being present when Carl and his daughter are moved to their final resting place. The world would be a much better place if you had died instead of my son.”
A roaring filled Dani’s ears and she rose, only to be stopped by Anna’s hand on her arm. She took a deep breath as her head threatened to explode.
“How dare you disturb…”
“I’ve attempted to contact you.” Howard interrupted her. “I hired a private detective to inform you of the necessity of moving the remains.” The look he shot Kyle should have incinerated the man on the spot. “But apparently you managed to wrap the bastard around your finger, just like you twisted Carl…”
“That is enough from you.” Dani’s cold words cut through the growing babble. She was hyperaware of her surroundings, knowing the Hatti were at the limit of their patience, Kyle wanted to sink into the ground and Howard Weatherly felt he was the injured party she owed utter obedience to. He sincerely believed she owed him an appearance to boost his ratings in the polls. That’s why he was here. Well, that and a need to prove something? I can’t know any of this! She shook off the obvious fantasy, concentrating on the despicable man in front of her.
“You need to come with us for the ceremony, Danielle. It’s the least you can do to honor the memory of your husband. We need a public appearance to prove you’re still alive.” Weatherly gentled his tone and took another step onto the porch, attempting to intimidate her into obedience. “You can stay at the Palace with me tonight and we’ll have appropriate clothes brought in. The gossip rags are full of ridiculous stories of your murder as part of some conspiracy.”
N
ow she understood exactly why he’d spent so much effort to find her. He didn’t need her to play the pitiful widow. He needed the cloud of suspicion removed. “Sounds like your problem to me. I don’t care if strangers think I’m dead.” Dani looked up at the taller man, drawing courage from Lateef’s silent backing. “Your son was a bully exactly like you. I can’t believe I spent so many years terrified.” She shook her head in disgust at her own fears. “You’re here because you have another election and are behind in the polls because people think you had me killed. Everything Carl did was based on those damned polls. The only reason he agreed to have Caitlin was because he thought a grandchild would help your election chances.” She saw the barbs hit home and pressed her advantage. “I loved Carl, but he was every bit as incapable of the emotion as you are. Don’t try to tell me you’re acting out of grief, Senator.” She made the title a sneering insult.
The crowd in the yard stirred, and she saw his assistant sidle around to the open door, looking for a quick escape.
“How dare you speak to me like that? You are nothing but a trailer-trash, gold-digging, sorry excuse for a human being, willing to use the death of her own child as way to cash into my family’s wealth.”
Dead silence greeted the harsh words. Dani felt the blood drain from her face as fury slammed through her veins. She could feel Anna’s overwhelming desire to wipe the smug grin off the man’s face, nearly as strong as her own.
The sound of clapping drew all eyes to her cousin moving closer to the pair, her phone aimed at the senator as Kyle clapped. “Can I quote you, Uncle Howard? This’ll go viral. I can’t believe I didn’t want to come with you. This is so much better than that crazy woman at the last rally who accused you of being an alien.”
Silence descended until Dani spoke.
“I don’t want anything from you, Howard. I won’t be your prop.” She stumbled back to her chair, weariness weighting her limbs. “Carl and Caitlin are gone.” She closed her eyes against the old pain wrapping cold fingers around her heart. “They’re beyond your control. It doesn’t matter where their bones rest. You do whatever you need to give your twisted soul some peace, but I won’t play your game.”
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