Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

S edona

Life was unsettling. I’d experienced that tenfold over the last few years. While I was happy with the life I’d chosen, there were constant reminders of the past.

Maybe everyone was supposed to remember so as not to repeat the same mistakes.

At least I’d left my old life and the man who’d tried to drag me down for new adventures.

But there were headaches.

I continued seeing the wolf card and sighed. I knew it had been a bad idea to walk into that shop.

Lucia’s reaction continued to weigh heavily on my mind. The entire situation was surreal to say the least.

Here I was a scientist and I had no decent explanation.

Answers weren’t going to be found on a Sunday night.

I knocked on the turquoise door of the quaint Cape Cod hesitantly and waited. There was never any indication of how my almost sister-in-law’s mood would be. Emily Abbott was, from what I could tell, a decent person. She was a true aunt with all the trimmings to my daughter. She was also family.

But she was close to the man I’d left behind in Virginia, a part of her loathing me even to this day.

Maybe I’d made a bad choice in choosing to move here, but I wanted Britney to have family around her. Plus, Cartersville was safe and the school system considered one of the best in the country.

Safe except for the night before. I couldn’t get the incident out of my mind.

Or the handsome man.

I bit my lower lip and fanned my face. He was Mr. McHottie all the way.

Get a grip, girl.

Emily opened the door, taking a deep breath as she usually did when she was forced to deal with me. “I thought you weren’t coming. I was just getting ready to call you.”

“I had a break-in at the office today. The police were called. A report given. Just another day.” I’d decided to contact the police for a bogus report, which part of me felt bad about. However, I would never be able to explain to the staff why the location had been torn apart if I hadn’t. People talked in this town and with the FBI involved, I couldn’t risk bizarre and very unwanted stories being told.

At least her expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that. I did go ahead and give Britney dinner.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate you doing that.” She let me in, although she backed away as if I was toxic.

“She’s coloring right now. Do you… want anything to drink?”

“No, I’m fine. As you might imagine, it’s been a long day.” And it had been. My mind still couldn’t process all the events. For now, I had to push everything out of my mind.

Britney always knew when something was wrong. She was a mini-me, taking after her mother in every aspect. Including pushing questions until she received the answers she wanted.

“Of course.”

Emily and I stood face to face, two decent individuals. Sadly, it always felt like our meetings were confrontations. This evening was no exception.

“I heard about the restraining order,” she finally said. Her anger was just below the surface. We couldn’t carry on a decent conversation without comments about her brother. They weren’t that close. Another reason I’d elected to move here.

“I felt it was necessary.”

“Because he wants to see his daughter?”

“Because he continuously called at all hours of the night. He refused to take no for an answer and was determined to take his daughter far away. His words. Not mine. What was I supposed to do?”

“Maybe have a little compassion for a change. My brother has gone through a lot. You left him when he needed you the most.”

Her accusations were the same and they were getting old. “We’ve been through this, Emily. I left Daniel only after he refused to get help for his pill addiction and trashed the house. Not once but twice. I couldn’t and will never allow my daughter to live in an environment like that.”

“She’s his daughter too.”

I didn’t need that reminder. Just the effort of sighing brought a sarcastic chuckle from the woman. “Yes, she is and I want Daniel to get better, but he has to make the first move and want to. I tried doing that for him for almost two years. Two. Years. All I was doing was enabling him.”

“Mama. Is everything okay?”

Britney had a vocabulary of a much older child. Maybe that was because her mother talked too much shop. Not this go-around. I refused to give her nightmares.

“Of course, baby girl. Did you have fun with Aunt Emily?” I scooped her up, booping her nose before tickling her tummy.

She giggled and nodded as only happy kids could do.

“Well, it’s time to go home, baby girl. Say goodnight to your aunt.”

“Bye, Auntie!” Britney waved as I moved toward the door. The last thing I could tolerate was another round of being berated.

“Incidentally. Happy birthday,” Emily said. It was her way of continuing the light harassment.

I said nothing as I left her house. Yes, I was grateful I could count on her for overnight stays, but with the restraining order in place, I sensed her loyalty would continue creeping in his direction.

Britney jabbered all the way home. Her tiny quips and constant questions not only kept me entertained, but kept my mind off the video that I’d even stored on my phone. I wasn’t certain why, other than I had a feeling I needed to make copies of my report, which I’d already done.

As soon as I guided her from the car, I glanced at the sky. The clouds had dissipated, leaving a nearly full moon shining brightly over the town. My wacked-out mind drifted to every werewolf horror flick I’d ever seen, most of them bad representations of entertainment.

Based in lore? You bet.

Based on any real fact? Not a chance in hell.

I continued to remind myself of it.

“Okay, girlie. You have school tomorrow, so you need to get to bed and have the sweetest dreams in the world.”

“Mama,” Britney huffed. She placed her tiny hands on her hips, giving me the same kind of look I’d caught myself doing in the mirror.

I dreaded when she would become a teenager.

“I am almost five. I want to negotiate a different bedtime contract.”

If I’d had a drink in my hand, I would have spit it out all over everything. As it was, I coughed in an effort to keep from bursting into laughter. She was serious.

“I tell you what. We can have that discussion tomorrow, but only if you go to bed like a good little minion.”

“I’m not a minion. I am a princess.”

“Does that mean you agree?”

She wrinkled that cute little nose of hers as she debated. “Fine, but I want ice cream during our conversation.”

How did I get such a highly intelligent child?

“Deal. Now go get your PJs on.”

A bath would wait. Even Mama was tired and needed wine. Lots of wine. I required something to possibly dull the nightmares.

Because I knew they would arrive dead in the middle of the night.

Dead.

There was a word.

My little minion took her time getting ready for bed. She was still jabbering when I walked in, offering one of three different books to read.

“That one, Mommy. I love alligators. And wolves. Do we have any books on wolves?”

Only my daughter would prefer having me read a book about alligators instead of a happy dog or a teddy bear. But wolves?

“I don’t think we have any on wolves, but how about a doggie?”

She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Not the same.”

I couldn’t help but think about the autopsy as well as the tarot card. No, I wasn’t going there. I didn’t believe in the paranormal. Nope. Not this girl.

“Alligators it is. Scooch over, baby girl.” I turned the lights down low just like she liked them before piling onto her bed. She’d insisted on picking out her own comforter, a gift after we’d moved. She was a little princess at heart, but so wanted to be an adult.

At least her room still reflected her age at this point. I had a feeling that would change soon enough.

As I started reading, she laid her head on my arm. We’d always taken comfort in each other and I prayed it never stopped.

Page after page, her tiny breath sounds augmented the story. But I knew instantly when she was starting to fall asleep. I always lowered my voice, waiting until I was positive that she’d fallen into a deep slumber. I had a feeling Auntie Emily had worn her out. At least there was that.

The glow in the room had also given me comfort over these last few months. Reading and enjoying her company was a tangible good. Normal. It was what I’d needed after moving.

I headed to the kitchen, immediately tugging down the blinds. I’d never worried about it before. Why now? Did I really think a wolf was watching me through the window?

Get a grip, girl. You’re a professional.

One more reminder and I was going to go ballistic. Yes, I knew I was a medical doctor with special skills and there were scientific explanations for everything. I had to believe that or…

I poured wine. Wine was always a good deterrent to thinking about anything that took additional brain power. I wasn’t certain I had that tonight.

With the glass in my hand, I was ready to head to the living room to watch some comedy show. Maybe that would put me in a better frame of mind.

The fact my phone was ringing was both annoying and disturbing. Maybe Agent Drummand was finally going to grace me with her call.

What popped up on the screen wasn’t unknown or the number I remembered calling. I also debated not answering until I realized how ridiculous I was being. “Hello?”

“Sedona.” His voice was dark, deep, and sensual.

And the husky tone made me smile. “Jackson.”

“Jax, please. You make me feel old or in trouble when you use my given name.”

I settled against the counter, my mood already improving. “I’m curious. How did you get my number? You left without saying a word or bothering to ask.”

“Ouch. Well, you were dead asleep and I didn’t want to bother you.”

There was that word again. Dead. I wanted it erased from the dictionary and English language. “I had a good reason or two why.”

He laughed and it sent a thrill through me. “I am one of the most powerful men in the world. I can find any number I want.”

I heard the hint of a teasing voice and it was just what I needed. “Uh-huh. You’re actually checking on one of your plebs?”

“You are tenacious like a bulldog.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Am I calling too late?” he asked.

What man did that any longer? “Not at all.”

“Good. What are you doing tomorrow night?”

Locking myself in the house after being chased by werewolves. “I don’t have any plans.”

“I’m glad to hear it because I’m going to take you to dinner. A very special place in Chicago I think you’ll enjoy.”

First of all, he didn’t ask. He commanded. And Chicago? I was already fretting. What was I going to wear? Did he expect me to spend the night? Who was going to take care of my baby girl?

I had no intention of going through hoops again so soon with Emily. Nope. Not even for a hot man.

“So far?”

His laugh was right there again. Not chastising, just… pleasant, as if I was unexpected to him. “I’ll send a car.”

“You’ll send a car. What are you, some millionaire dude with dozens of servants hopping to your beck and call?”

“Yes, in the millionaire part plus a few bucks, but no on the servants. I can do things myself including repairing a toilet.”

“Well,” I told him in a cutesy little way. “I’ll know who to call for a plumber next time.”

“You do that. Happy to come over. I do have a driver so that would be no problem.”

“Afraid to be seen in a car with me?”

“I have a board meeting for Wolfen Industries tomorrow in Chicago. It could run late.”

“Ah. Don’t worry about it. I’ll drive.”

“That’s silly.”

“I’m a big girl. I think I can handle a forty-five-minute drive.”

His growl did what it was supposed to do: cause me to do a happy dance inside. “I’ll text you some details. Prepare to stay the night. I have a feeling our engaging conversations will run long.”

“Duly noted. I’m glad you called, even if what you did in obtaining my number was highly illegal.”

“I’ll do anything and everything to get what I want. I’d keep that in the back of your mind if I were you.”

“Thank you for the warning. Now, I should get to bed. I have a long day tomorrow.”

“A shame I can’t tuck you in.”

“Maybe next time.” It was good to finally have a conversation with a man where I felt wanted.

Even needed.

While I was under no illusion that what we were sharing meant anything more than a few dates and nights of delightful bliss, I was a pragmatist. I knew the score. I wasn’t the required bloodline for anything but wickedness between the sheets.

Not that I wanted anything to do with something serious.

Maybe ever again.

I held the phone against my chest for at least thirty seconds. A silly gesture, but it allowed me to continue wallowing in the desire he had a way of bringing to the surface.

At least I’d be smart and hire a babysitter. Ugh. Last minute. With a naughty smile on my face, I dialed Mattie’s number.

“Hey, girl. Tell me all about the drink.” Mattie had a way of demanding everything she wanted to.

“I will, but only if…” I was using my singsong voice, which she hated.

“Oh, God. What? Do you need me to fix a toilet or bring over Band-Aids for a scraped knee?”

She’d teased me of being helpless more than once just for fun. “I think I have my own private plumber in the future and we’re all good here. Very good in fact.” As if I was going to tell her about the incident at the morgue. Not a chance in hell. Since she was a doctor as well, she might have me committed to the local psyche ward. I certainly would if I heard a nutty story like mine.

“Ooh-la-la. I think you have juicy treats. What’s the favor?”

“Will you come over and spend the night with Britney tomorrow? Pretty please?”

Instead of issuing a snide remark, she burst into a typical squeal. This time it was so loud I had to jerk the phone away from my ear, wincing as I did so.

“That’s all you need to tell me about that hot man,” she finally purred like some big white Persian cat who was wearing a tiara. The visionary aspects had been something I’d done with her and only her since the beginning of our friendship. “Of course I will. But I do want details about this all-nightery later.”

That could require me to tell her about the first close to all-nighter. Maybe some dirty little secrets were meant to be kept locked away.