by Jules River
Chapter 14
When Cenric saw the blood dripping down Faye’s cheek, he threw his head back and let out an anguish-filled bellow, startling everyone on the plane, before he reached out, scooped Faye into his arms, and cradled her in his lap. He gently moved her hair aside to see the damage the bullet had done to her. There was so much blood; she was pale and limp in his arms. A security team member came over to render first aid, but when he tried to touch Faye, Cenric growled viciously, “Don’t touch her!” “Sir, we’re all trained medics. Let me assess her and see if I can clean her wound.”
Cenric looked him in the eye for a moment, then nodded and held Faye’s hair out of the way. The team member cleaned the blood away from the wound and held gauze to her temple until the bleeding stopped, then he put butterfly strips where he could. There was a small gash on her temple leading into her hair, and it was hard to say if it needed stitches. Cenric said, “So much blood for such a small cut.” The medic informed Cenric, “Head wounds bleed like a mother, sir. She is very fortunate that it is only a flesh wound. It must have glanced off her temple just right and knocked her unconscious. Her pulse is strong and steady. She should be waking up soon. She will probably have a bad headache, sir.” He got up and stepped away, giving Cenric some privacy with Faye.
Cenric was stroking Faye’s cheek while still holding her in his lap. He bent over and kissed her forehead. Just then, Faye’s lashes fluttered and she blinked opened her eyes. She stared into Cenric’s eyes and then it came back to her. They were rushing onto the plane under gunfire when she felt a stinging pain at her temple, suddenly she was very dizzy so she sat in the first seat she came to -- and that was all she remembered. She tried to sit up, but her head felt like it was splitting open. “Cenric, what happened?” She reached to touch the spot on her temple, and the medic brought her some pain reliever and a bottle of water. “Thank you,” Faye nearly moaned with gratitude. He just nodded and left them alone, as Faye quickly swallowed the pills.
“You were grazed by a bullet...Hell, Faye! You were almost killed! I should have protected you!” He kissed her on the forehead, cheeks, and lips all the while. “I won’t let you get hurt again. I swear it, Faye! You are mine to protect.” Cenric was visibly disturbed. Faye was speechless at how upset and shaken Cenric was about her being injured. She tried again to sit up, and this time the throbbing in her head was not as severe. Faye slid over to the seat beside Cenric, “It’s not your responsibility to protect me; I can do it myself or hire someone. And I’m fine, Cenric, really. It was nothing. This is not the first or the last time someone will shoot at me. If I had not passed out, it would not have freaked you out so much. It was only a scratch.” She held his hand and caressed it soothingly.
She saw anger flash across Cenric’s face. “You are my responsibility, Faye, and I will do whatever it takes to protect you in the future. You will not be in harm’s way again,” Cenric vowed.
Faye was not in the mood to argue with Cenric at the moment, so she changed the subject, “Were you able to get the spell?” she asked. Cenric reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a rolled-up, very old piece of animal hide, and handed it to her. Faye handled it very delicately as she unrolled it to see what the writing looked like inside, before carefully re-rolling it.
“Oh this is amazing!” exclaimed Faye. “I can’t wait to get back and translate the spell. I have to call my sisters.” She pulled out her phone and called Lyra to let her know how things had turned out, omitting the little encounter with a bullet, and said they were on their way back to Germany. Cenric was still upset and broody; he wanted to keep Faye close to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and held her close to him while she talked to her sister on the phone.
***
Lyra answered her phone, “Lyra speaking.”
“Hello Lyra, this is Olivia Sugarson,” the elderly collector almost trilled into the phone. “Mrs. Sugarson, it is good to hear back from you, do you have anything for us?” Lyra inquired, with a devilish smile directed at Dunstin. He groaned and ran his hand down his face. “Yes, I believe I do. I would like to meet Mr. Faust in person to give him the information, and I do expect to be greatly compensated,” Olivia cooed. Lyra made arrangements to meet at Olivia’s hotel suite later that evening and hung up the phone.
Dunstin immediately yelled, “I am not going near that woman to be groped again, Lyra!” “Oh, come on, Dun, it’s a proven fact women hit their sexual peak later than men.” Lyra barely held back a smile. “She’s nearly eighty years old!” Dustin scoffed, “besides, I only want you groping me.”
“Just close your eyes, we are all the same to men anyway,” Lyra stated in a bored tone. “That is not so, Lyra. Where did you get such a jaded opinion of men?” He looked surprised by her comment. “That’s just been my observation,” Lyra said. “Come on, we must get you dressed for Olivia. I would wear layers, if I were you, make her work a little to get to some skin.” Dustin cringed, but reluctantly let Lyra pull him along to get ready to meet Mrs. Sugarson.
***
Mira and Warin were taking a break from research with a walk outside in the garden, Warin was telling her about his life before the curse when Mira's phone rang. “Hello, Mira Banks speaking.”
Hello, Mira my beauty, its Jonathan Highton,” he said flirtatiously.
“Oh...Jonathan...it’s been a while,” Mira said slowly, taken by surprise. She turned away from Warin and took a few steps away. “Yes, it has. Look, beautiful, my father has been called away, but he has some information he wanted me to exchange for the small, desktop statue, that will complete his collection. Can we meet tonight? I could come to you,” Jonathan said confidently.
Mira looked back at Warin, “Yes, that would be fine,” she said uncomfortably, then more confidently, “Eight o’clock, I’ll text you the address.” She hung up, and turned back to Warin with a contemplative look on her face. Mira thought, Well, this could get complicated. Hopefully Jonathan keeps his flirting to a minimum. Would it be too much to hope that he doesn’t mention that we went out a few times in front of Warin? This is going to be a problem, I just know it. But aloud, all she said was, “Warin, that was Teddy Highton’s son, Jonathan. He will be coming over this evening with the information we need. Isn’t that wonderful news?” Mira smiled up at him, then looked away.
Warin had been watching her the whole time, noting she had become tense as soon as she answered the phone. “What are you not telling me, Mira?” He stepped closer, taking her in his arms, and raised her chin with his hand so she was looking up at him. Mira closed her eyes and licked her lips, biding time as she wondered how much was necessary to reveal. Warin did not resist her invitation, he leaned down, and kissed Mira thoroughly. When he raised his head, he asked her again, “Mira?”
Mira opened her eyes, gave Warin a small smile, “It’s nothing really, I just was not expecting to hear from Jonathan…” Then she blurted out, “I went on a couple of dates with him last year. Nothing came of it. I became very busy with work and just did not make time to see him anymore.” She paused, “I just wanted to warn you that Jonathan is very flirty...with every woman, really. You don’t need to take offense if he flirts, because it doesn’t mean anything. So you need to behave.” She gave him a stern look meant to put an end to the topic.
She tried to pull away, but Warin held her firmly and very softly asked, “Do you have feelings for him?” Annoyed, unused to explaining her actions, Mira tried to pull out of his grasp. When she realized he was not going to let her go, she answered him, slightly irritated, “No, I told you nothing came of the couple of dates. We are just friends and business associates.” Warin then very quietly and without emotion asked, “Did you sleep with him or mess around with him, Mira?” Mira’s irritation was steadily growing. “That is none of your business, but if you must know, no, I did not sleep with him, and I only messed around with him a little. There, are you satisfied?”
She was angry now and tried to pull away agai
n, only to be held firm. “What is a little? Has he made you scream his name in pleasure?” He crudely demanded of her, “Has he seen your beautiful naked body?”
“How dare you!” Mira exclaimed in indignation. “I am not talking about this any further. I told you out of courtesy, so it would not be awkward if it came up in conversation tonight. Obviously I’m with you now, since you sleep in my bed every night. If that is not enough for you then you need to find somewhere else to sleep. Now let me go,” Mira demanded, as she glared at Warin.
Warin stared at her for a suspended moment, then finally he gave her a sinfully sexy smile, “I like very well where I sleep. You will not be rid of me, Mira. Out of courtesy, I will tell you this once. If he is inappropriate with you in speech or touch, I will snap his neck with my bare hands.” He captured her lips with his and gave her a branding kiss before he let her go.
Mira stumbled as she gained her senses and her release, “Warin, you cannot be serious! He has probably never been in a fight in his life. He is not a savage. I will not allow you to hurt him.” He grabbed her arm to steady her and make sure he had her full attention. “You have not seen savage yet. Make no mistake, I protect and keep what is mine. And you, Mira, are most definitely mine,” he stated between clenched teeth.
The rest of the day was filled with strained silence, since Mira refused to have a conversation with Warin. She typed away on her laptop, doing her best to ignore him. She would answer work-related questions with as few words as possible. If others noticed, they did not comment. Todd informed them that he needed to go back to the States for a personal matter that evening, but would be back within a week. Steven had friends from out of the country he was going to meet in the city.
Dunstin and Lyra had their meeting with Olivia Sugarson, leaving Mira and Warin alone to wait for Jonathan to exchange the information for the statue.
***
It was nearly eight that evening when Mira came down after getting cleaned up from her workout; Warin was still feeling her cold shoulder when she entered the lounge. He could not take his eyes off of her as she walked across the room to pour herself a drink, wearing a simple pale blue slip dress that revealed as much as much as it concealed.
Despite her annoyance with him, Mira could not help but admire how attractive Warin looked in his tailored suit with his dark, strong, good looks and muscular physique. Coldly, she said to him, “It would do you well to remember you need something from Jonathan. Letting something as insignificant as jealousy get in the way of completing your task would be foolish. I am well aware you will do as you please; however, you don’t strike me as a fool.” She turned her back on him as she took another sip of her drink.
Warin came up to her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her flush with his chest. She tensed against him. He leaned in, placed his lips to her ear, and with his deep, rumbling voice said, “I will get the information any way I deem necessary. If he trespasses on what is mine, he will regret doing so.” Then he kissed her neck, just below her ear. Mira was as unsettled by his words as his actions, but he allowed her to step out of his embrace.
Just then, Jonathan was announced. Handsome as always, his stylish, light-grey suit complemented neat blond hair, attractive blue eyes, and a very flirty mouth. He was good looking and he knew it. He was several inches shorter than Warin and not nearly as muscled. Mira had never thought this before, but he seemed very domesticated now. He was all smiles and flattery as he walked toward her. “Mira, beautiful! How I have missed you! You are looking as radiant as ever.” Mira smiled in return, and met him with extended hand. “Jonathan, how have you been?” Instead of shaking her hand he held it between his and kissed it, then pulled her closer in an attempt to kiss her cheeks or lips. Mira resisted, pulled back slightly, and hurriedly introduced him, “Jonathan, I would like you to meet Warin Faust, my partner.” She gently disengaged herself from Jonathan. An aggravated look crossed Jonathan's face before he masked it with a smile.
Warin stepped close to Mira, placing a possessive arm around her waist as he extended his hand toward Jonathan. They watched each other closely all the while. “Hello,” Warin greeted, glancing down at him with a superior look on his face. “Mr. Faust,” Jonathan acknowledged, smile fading, as he extended his hand and they give each other overly firm handshakes.
Jonathan looked over the couple, then turned to Mira with a somewhat accusatory tone to his voice. “You did not mention you were seeing someone else the last time we spoke, Mira, my beauty. Just how serious are you with this man?” He cut his gaze over Warin; he was visibly aggravated, but trying his best to keep from showing it. Without hesitation, Warin answered for Mira. “Extremely,” and ended the subject. “You have information?” It was not quite a question, but more a demand. Jonathan responded by glaring at Warin.
Mira tried to smooth things over. “Jonathan, please come and have a seat.” They walked over to the two settees. Warin sat closely next to Mira, her hand in his, smoothing it with his thumb, while Jonathan sat opposite them. Mira continued, “I believe we have the statue your father has been searching for, and I hope we can help each other.” She smiled at him politely.
Jonathan dragged his hostile glare away from Warin to smile at Mira, “Yes, beautiful, I have the information on that particular talisman you are interested in. A wealthy Indian businessman and collector bought it from a colleague of my father’s about ten years ago. Here is his information.” He took a folded slip of paper from inside his suit pocket and handed it to her. Mira took the paper and glanced at the information it contained, “Thank you, Jonathan. The statue is over here.” She stood and walked over to a side table, the men quickly following suit. On the table sat a wooden box about the size of a sewing machine. She gestured for Jonathan to remove the lid.
Jonathan’s eyes lit up, “Well, my beautiful Mira, you have indeed found the last piece to my father’s collection. Wherever did you find it?” He admired the statue, his annoyance forgotten. “I have enclosed the details we have in the box,” and said, sincerely, “I am glad we were able to help each other, Jonathan. Please send my regards to your father.” Ignoring Warin’s presence altogether, Jonathan took her hand and implored, “I would like a word with you in private, beautiful.” He stroked her hand intimately.
Before Mira could speak, Warin pulled her hand from Jonathan. “No. She has nothing more to say to you, in private or otherwise. Your business here is finished,” he stated with finality. Privately, Mira was fuming, but she calmly and somewhat apologetically said to her friend, “Thank you again, Jonathan. It would be best if we concluded tonight.” She subtly tried to pull her hand out of Warin’s to gain some distance from both infuriating men. Warin with his possessive, controlling, antagonizing ways and Jonathan with his aggravating flirting and inability to realize there was no intimate relationship between them anymore. But Warin would not let her go. She stayed near him both to avoid making a scene and to keep Jonathan from getting hurt, and walked toward the front door. The silence was uncomfortable all the way.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you and your family, Jonathan. Have a safe drive back into the city.” Mira was calm and polite as she stood next to Warin, who held the front door open for Jonathan’s departure.
Jonathan gave Mira a lingering look, and just when it seemed as if he was going to pursue her further, Mira firmly said, “Good night, Jonathan.” She looked him directly in the eyes, and he nodded in understanding. “Next time, beautiful Mira,” leaving with arms full of the boxed statue, and not of the woman he desired.
As soon as the door closed, Mira jerked her hand out of Warin’s and turned to glare at him, “Could you have been more of a rude, antagonizing, controlling jackass?!” She fumed through clenched teeth, “There are plenty of rooms, find another one to sleep in, you will not be sleeping in mine.” After her angry declaration, she turned and headed upstairs, her heels loudly echoing her displeasure.
Warin was loath to let her go, bu
t realized prudence was the better tactic at the moment. He would give Mira time to calm herself, and maybe even to fall asleep. But then he would join her in their bed. He had absolutely no intention of ever sleeping anywhere but in Mira’s bed.
Chapter 15
The following afternoon, Mira and Warin were on a private jet with a four-man security team to New Delhi. They had an appointment later in the week with the Indian businessman Pranav Manda, the collector who was believed to own the talisman they sought.
Mira had been furious that morning when she awoke, draped on top of Warin with his arms wrapped around her. Needless to say, Mira had been in a bad mood ever since. She was doing her best to avoid Warin, and spent part of the flight talking with the security team. She had met some of them before; they always used the same reliable company, feeling secure under the protection of the highly skilled and well-trained professionals the company supplied. Warin knew what she was doing, but it did not keep him from experiencing jealousy. These were men who, like him, would fight to keep Mira safe. He enjoyed talking with them, as well, and being introduced to some of their fighting ‘‘toys,” impressive guns and weapons with every conceivable advantage.
After the long flight, everyone settled into the hotel for the night.
The next morning, Mira wanted to do some browsing and shopping along the busy streets near the hotel, and even though she was still mad at Warin, she wanted him to see some of India. “I’m going shopping at the market a few blocks from here,” Mira told Warin without inflection. “If you want to see India, this is your chance.”
“I go where you go, and I’d like that…to see India with you,” Warin said quietly. Mira stared at him for a moment before nodding assent, turning away to prepare for the trip. The four team members accompanied them for their protection. There was a chill in the air, which was helpful for Warin, who was able to hide the sword strapped to his back under a knee-length overcoat. The security team were similarly dressed in casual clothes, preferring their purpose and weapons to be discreet.
