Part 8 (2/2)
A wry smile touched his mouth. ”Father told me there was truth even in fiction. Men often show two faces. He was always teaching a lesson.”
On the next-to-last page was a cryptic note, a penciled drawing of a wolf's head. Beside it was scribbled something in French.
”Gentleman buccaneer imbibes,” Damian murmured.
Dust motes drifted outward as he snapped the book shut. Damian tucked it beneath his black T-s.h.i.+rt, then grabbed Jamie's hand.
”What's wrong?” she asked.
His mouth thinned. ”Allons. Come on, let's get back.”
Outside, she blinked at the bright suns.h.i.+ne. People strolled the streets, pushed past them. Haunting sadness flickered in Damian's eyes as he glanced at the storefront. Jamie s.h.i.+fted her feet.
This six-foot male with his muscled body in the tight jeans and the hands that could snap her neck in half was a ruthless, arrogant killer. Yet now he looked like a lost little boy. Damian whirled around, caught her looking at him. She knew all about loss, and memories and regrets. And the blast of sorrow he emitted engulfed her, amplified her own sense of loss.
Chapter 6.
A short while later, Damian sat before the brick fireplace in her bedroom, feeding a fire. Flames licked at the leather-bound book. He'd explained to her the importance of burning the book so it would be destroyed and the Morphs wouldn't find the clue.
”What did the clue say?”
”The gentleman buccaneer. My father always added history into everything he did. He meant Jean Lafitte. The bar named after him is on Bourbon. The next clue is there.”
”No wonder your father didn't think you were old enough to follow the trail,” she observed. ”He was waiting until you were of legal age.”
”Which was more than sixty years ago,” he drawled. ”I'm quite legal now.”
”When are we going?”
”Tomorrow, after the funeral. I want to provide a diversion to throw Morphs off the trail.”
”What kind of diversion?” Jamie's curiosity stirred.
He playfully tapped her nose. ”You'll see, little one.”
He stood, stretching. Fascinated, she stared at his broad shoulders s.h.i.+fting beneath the tight T-s.h.i.+rt. Damian poked at the dying embers with the toe of one scuffed boot.
”I have things to do, so, against my better judgment, I'm sending two males Rafe trusts to guard you. They're from his pack and have sworn allegiance to me while I'm in town.” Damian gave her a level look. ”Two males warned against interacting with you. They're stoic and utterly loyal. You'll find them completely boring but you will not leave the house.”
A prisoner in her own home? No way. Jamie headed downstairs, taking her backpack, but Damian followed. As she reached the front gate, he snagged her wrist gently.
”I said you're not leaving.” His tone was steely.
”And I say you can't keep me here. I'm meeting someone.”
Now his gaze grew intent. ”Who?”
”NOYB,” Jamie taunted. None of Your Business. See if he could understand her slang.
He drew his thick eyebrows together. ”Who is this n.o.b?”
”A guy who knows what NOYB means.” She struggled to free herself and glared. ”Besides, he's from my world, a geek like me.”
He released her and she staggered backward. Damian's big shoulders tensed. His fingers extended, claws grew from the fingertips. He raked a hand over the green wooded gate, scoring marks, growling as if he wanted to carve up the man she mentioned.
She backed up, swallowed hard. With a deep breath, he dropped his hands, the claws retracting. When he spoke, his voice was mild.
”Your world, chere. You've left it behind. You can't return to it. You're in my world now, with my blood in you. I know it must be frightening, and confusing. With everything you know turned upside down, you want the familiar and the comfortable. But you must move on, because sometimes the familiar is dangerous.”
Jamie's lower lip wobbled. Damian pinpointed all the roller-coaster emotions she'd ridden since the day Mark died. She felt close to crumbling into a ball at his feet. Instead, she scowled. ”The familiar is not dangerous. Paul's a friend I met in cybers.p.a.ce. I did an in-depth background check on him. We've known each other for a year now and we're meeting in a very public place. Perfectly safe. I need to see him.”
Long, lean fingers trailed over her cheek. His green gaze burned possessively. ”You don't need another male. Or want one.”
s.e.xual heat poured off him. Her own body responded, desire rippling through her like a rock tossed into a tranquil pool. Why did she want him when he'd taken away everything she'd loved?
”You're wrong.”
”Jamie, I told you. You're my mate. Our body chemistries are intricately tied together. You can no more resist the desire than I can, and no other man will satisfy you as I will.”
”Maybe I should try.”
”You will not.” Male possessiveness flared in his eyes.
Jamie rolled her eyes.
He wrapped his fingers about her upper arms, holding her, but with absolute gentleness. His deep green eyes searched her face.
”Jamie, listen to me. This male, he could be a predator.” A hint of vulnerability flashed over his face. ”I can't bear to see you hurt. There's so much out there that can hurt you.”
The chest-beating male was gone. Confusion filled her. Why was he acting so protective? No one was interested in her welfare. Mark had been too absorbed in his television show.
She clutched his arms, feeling taut muscles flinch. And kissed him, just a peck, really, like she'd give a good friend.
He groaned and pulled her to him and delivered the real thing. Full body, mouth merging, tongue tangling, let's-have-s.e.x kiss. And wow, it was amazing. His mouth was warm, wet and he tasted like faint spices. Jamie licked the inside of his mouth, nipped his bottom lip.
Damian's eyes closed. Beneath her hands, she felt him quiver like a wild beast straining to be free. Jamie sucked on his tongue, siphoning his arousal, anything he gave her. He pulled her closer, thrust his tongue deep inside, as if trying to crawl inside her.
She opened her mouth wider. She didn't care, as long as she could touch him, feel his body against hers, find a way to ease this awful craving.
Werewolf. Killer. The thought flashed like a movie marquee. Danger. Warning. Steep grade ahead. Sheer drop. Brake hard. Now.
She froze. Fear leaked out of her like sweat.
<script>