Cara Mia

by Denise Verrico

  I retrieved the disks from under the floor. Kurt popped the first disk into his hard drive. A screen, bearing the she-wolf logo popped up. His eyes flitted over the menu as he took the mouse in hand, scrolling down to the words, sequence codes. He clicked and another screen came up. Kurt gasped as lines upon lines of letters appeared. It made no sense to me, but Kurt’s face flushed with excitement as he began to scroll down the pages rapidly, his eyes growing very, very wide.

  “Mia, do you have any idea what you have here?”

  “Some kind of code?”

  “Exactly, genetic code, this is a DNA sequence!” He pulled out his cell phone. “I must call Brovik.”

  I grabbed his arm to stop him. “Wait! It’s proof of what I did!”

  “We can’t let Gaius crack this before we do. Brovik will keep this secret. Trust me.”

  “Maybe it’s not what you think, maybe its DNA from a guinea pig or something.”

  “Gaius wouldn’t send Dirk here for that. Of course, an expert must examine it. We may have isolated the agent, but if they’ve mapped the mutation. The two pieces put together could turn the tide. This is the real thing Mia, I’m sure of it. We must tell Brovik.”

  I grabbed his arm again. “No, he’s never liked me. It’s a perfect excuse to get rid of me.”

  “He’ll reward you for your foresight.”

  “Maybe we can make use of it ourselves.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Mia. We haven’t the resources.”

  “No, but you have access.”

  He suddenly looked suspicious. “Who put this preposterous idea into your head?” It dawned on him. “You have seen her.”

  “Three months ago. She has a line on this biotech firm.”

  “Which she proposes to steal from under Brovik! He turned his eyes back to the screen, closing out the file. “I never heard this.”

  “I’m not as optimistic as you about Brovik’s vision for the future. I try to see myself in it but I can’t. At the moment our relationship is convenient, but he could easily change his mind. We’ll sell the diamonds and run away!”

  He had that same stricken look as when I’d stolen his essence. “Have you gone mad? I’m already risking my neck for you. There’s only so much influence I have, it’s wearing thin.”

  “Exactly, you’re sick of all this. If Dirk had killed you, all Gaius would have to do is pay Brovik off for his losses. Yet, because I killed the scum of the earth I could be executed. Is that fair?”

  “Of course it’s not fair! But we must survive until things change!”

  “I’m offering an alternative. Think about it.”

  “Impossible! We’d never make it without Brovik!”

  “Which one of us do you love?”

  Shadows of pain fell over him. “You know how it is… He’s my maker, but I’d give my life for you.” He popped the disc out of the computer, looking around furtively. “We can’t risk being caught with these.”

  “You’ll have to leave him someday.”

  “Not now, Mia, please, we must get you through this ordeal.”

  “He’s threatened that something bad will happen to me if you don’t bring me to him?”

  I’d never seen Kurt so close to losing it. “If I don’t deliver you, he’ll give Gaius leave to do as he pleases. Okay, we’ll lock the discs up for now, and decide later what to do with them.”

  He called Brovik to tell him that he’d be bringing me back to Norway the following night. Then we made love, in the mad, abandoned and ultimately sad way you do, when you know it might be your last time.

  TWENTY-ONE

  My jeans and leather jacket provided little protection against the sub-zero wind, as we boarded the ferry to Brovik’s island. Kurt held me close to both keep me warm and from running away in terror. His eyes were troubled, but he smiled encouragement.

  “Do as I say, we’ll get you through this. They’re very big on form. Even a slave gets the opportunity to plead her case and Brovik doesn’t want trouble with Gaius any more than you do. Keep your head.”

  “I fully intend to.”

  I hadn’t seen either elder in years. Brovik stood in front of the huge fireplace. Long, pale hair streamed over his shoulders, reflecting orange flames. Gaius sat casually, all in black, with four of his alphas standing behind, waiting to give me thumbs down. The alphas wore the usual dark clothing and grim expressions. It was meant to intimidate— and it was working. I struggled to maintain composure as Ethan had taught, Kurt clinging to my hand to steady me.

  Brovik nodded coolly. “Thank you, Kurt. Leave us now.”

  Kurt looked him dead on, standing his ground. “No.”

  In spite of Kurt’s defiance, Brovik’s expression remained calm. “We’ll discuss this later.”

  Kurt didn’t budge. “You gave her to me.”

  Diego, an alpha with overly coiffed hair and a waxed black moustache sneered. “This isn’t form. The boy has no right.”

  Brovik was at his chilliest. “He does if I give it to him.”

  Gaius’s oily smile slid over his face as he leaned slightly forward in his seat to take the drama in. “Let the boy stay. His presence adds to the atmosphere.”

  Kurt would have killed him if he could. Gaius wanted Kurt in a bad way, and I do mean bad, involving sharp implements and chains.

  Brovik was annoyed, but kept his considerable cool. “Let’s get this over with. Mia, I’m sure Kurt has filled you in on why you’re here. Did you have anything to do with Dirk’s murder?”

  “No.”

  Gaius put in his two cents. “Mortals describe a girl fitting your description with Dirk outside a hotel.”

  “There are lots of petite, dark-haired girls in New York, in case you never noticed. He hired a hooker, who looks like me—that surprises you?”

  “Gaius, are you satisfied? She claims innocence.”

  The Wolf was nonplussed. “She’s learned subtlety and deception from Ethan. It grieves me to harm this lovely, talented child but I’ve lost my second and some very expensive property.”

  “You’ve no proof the girl was there.”

  “Old friend, you want to spare the feelings of your beloved servant but the girl must be bled. We’ll see if she tells the truth.”

  Brovik sighed, as if the entire thing were an annoying inconvenience to his nightly walk in the woods. “Mia, now is the time to confess. I offer you a swift and painless death.”

  “I didn’t do it.”

  “You leave me no alternative.”

  Kurt retorted, “You heard her! She’s innocent. All of his alphas despised Dirk. They hired a girl to make it appear Mia was behind it. Look to your alphas, Gaius!”

  Uproar started among the alphas. Gaius just sat there chuckling.

  Brovik’s voice dropped into a deadly register, “Consider what you’re saying, Kurt.”

  “I’ve withstood their insults for years. Dirk was the worst of them. The world is well rid of him.”

  Gaius was highly amused. He gestured casually toward Kurt. “This pretty one is worth more than the lot of you dogs.”

  Diego’s pasty face went red. “I won’t be insulted by this rent boy.”

  Wow, they’d struck the heart of Kurt’s deepest demon, and I’d seen what happens when this one awakened. Kurt trembled from head to foot. I worried he’d spring at Diego, but instead he lashed out at him verbally, “I’ve met your victims—living in sewers. One who takes children isn’t fit to live!”

  Gaius chuckled. “Who would have guessed the boy capable of such passion?”

  Kurt turned, North Sea cold, “You’re a pestilence on this earth.”

  Brovik stepped between them. “Kurt, you overstep your bounds! Let’s get this done.”

  Kurt whirled on his master. “No, you won’t do this!” Blue pinpoints of rage burned in his eye sockets. “Why must you constantly torment her?”

  Brovik’s chill overtook the room. “Restrain her.”

  Diego came forward
bearing a pair of shackles. Kurt stepped between us. “Don’t you dare!”

  Brovik dragged Kurt by the arm to my side. I’d never seen him so close to rage, seething, but on so tight a leash, that emotion escaped as a low, growl, “You claim her? Then it’s your duty! Bleed her!”

  Utter disbelief flooded Kurt’s eyes. “You can’t make me.”

  “It’s clear your loyalty is compromised.”

  A realization finally struck Kurt, his voice fell to a shocked whisper, “You’re afraid of her!”

  “I fear nothing, especially not this woman. Do it or I’ll give her to Gaius to do as he sees fit!”

  I laid my hand on Kurt’s arm. “I’d rather none of them lay hands on me.”

  Kurt took my face in his hands. “I swore to never hurt you, from the first night we were together.”

  “I told you not to make promises you couldn’t keep.”

  Diego called out, impatiently. “How long will this take? Get on with it!”

  Kurt took a deep breath. “Forgive me.”

  I sat in the heavy chair, placing my hands behind my back as Kurt shackled me. Gaius leaned forward in his chair, immensely turned-on.

  I looked up at Kurt’s anguished face. “I’m ready.”

  He kissed my throat, his tears running over my skin as he whispered, “I’m so sorry.” His lips searched for the artery. I braced for the pleasurable prick of his fangs, not wanting them to enjoy this any more than they did already. A quick sharp stab—I willed myself to not cry out. Kurt held me gently. Heaven at first— but then hell opened. I choked back a scream. Kurt pulled back.

  Brovik admonished him, “I’ll tell you when to stop!”

  I writhed in the chair as Kurt took more, struggling to remain quiet, but the pain was too great. A vise wrapped around my head and I screamed.

  Kurt pulled back again. “More will kill her!”

  Brovik nodded, “Enough, let her stay until she’s ready to speak.”

  I panted, weak, and in pain, but Kurt didn’t let go. “I’m here, Mia, tell them.”

  I gasped, “I did nothing wrong!”

  Gaius rose, staring at my face in fascination as he circled us. “Let her stay so for three hours…”

  Kurt was infuriated. “She’ll die!”

  Gaius wasn’t impressed. “She’s made of the iron of Vesuvius. She’ll withstand a great deal more.”

  Kurt soothed me, as I drifted in and out of consciousness, screaming with searing pain. No pain is greater to a vampire except the sun. Diego yawned loudly. Visions of Dirk’s severed head haunted me. I was terrified I’d scream out what I’d done, but the horror of his threat to Kurt made me hang on. I’d done nothing wrong. It was the truth.

  Finally Brovik put a stop to it. “Enough. She’s withstood a full fifteen minutes longer than most. Ask her again and be done with this.”

  Gaius rose, crossing the room. Kurt hovered protectively over me.

  “Move aside, little Amor.”

  Kurt’s eyes blazed. “No.”

  “You are bold, my beauty.” Gaius reached out to ruffle Kurt’s hair, but Kurt pushed the hand away. The alphas sprang to their feet. Gaius backed them off with a casual wave of his hand. “Very well, I’ll ask you a final time, Mia. Are you guilty of these crimes?”

  I struggled to look up at him. “No!”

  “Indeed?” Gaius took my chin in his hand, whispering, “You could’ve been an empress, girl.” He released me, straightening up. “She sticks to her story, I cannot ask you to prolong this torture without taking her life. But hear me Brovik, if I find evidence of her guilt, I’ll execute her myself.”

  “Understood.” Brovik stepped forward, laying his hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “Revive her.”

  Kurt gave his throat, breaking skin with a fingernail, because I was too weak to do so myself. The pounding, burning subsided, and I was soon able to breathe normally again. But Kurt’s uncontained rage swirled, a million screaming harpies inside me. Things would be very different with him from now on.

  Gaius called his alphas, “Come.” He clasped Brovik’s hand. “Thank you for your hospitality, and consideration in this matter.” Brovik nodded as the Wolf scrutinized his face. “You realize if such events come to pass it will be war between us?”

  Brovik remained ever serene. “Understood Gaius, but the woman is innocent.”

  The elders bowed politely to one another, but once Gaius’s party left the house, Brovik turned to Kurt and me, seething. “I don’t believe either of you for a moment. Mia killed Dirk, and stole something precious to Gaius. I allowed this little romance to blossom but it seems you’re both bent on defying me. I’ve given you freedom, boy, to come and go as you please, entrusting you with responsibility far above your state, never treating you as my thrall, demanding others respect you. Indeed, I’ve lavished love and protection I’d have given a son of my body. You want for nothing. I defied custom to grant you this concubine. Above all, I granted you eternal life. I deserve undying gratitude but instead you defy me.” He paused for a moment to let Kurt reply, but as usual my lover kept his counsel. “You say nothing?”

  Kurt shrugged. “Everything you say is true.”

  “Despite the old head on your shoulders, lust has rendered you adolescent. I can’t change your appetite, but I demand loyalty. Are you plotting against me?”

  “There’s no place I could go, except to the Wolf, and I find him disgusting.”

  “You know enough to bring me down. If you plan to use whatever she took from Gaius against me, he’ll have all the proof he needs to take your heads. But there’ll be no need, because I’ll kill you both with my bare hands. Understand? You have thirty-six hours, my dear boy. Take her home, and then bring me what she stole. If not, I’ll unleash the dogs.”

  Brovik and Kurt stared at one another coldly, until Brovik turned to ascend to his tower. Kurt wrapped a sheepskin throw tenderly around my shoulders and led me to the elevator. During the drive to the airfield, he was in a bad state. He had much to lose from this breach with Brovik. I let him sort it out, waiting for him to unburden his mind. I was done with pushing him. This was ultimately his decision.

  Finally he spoke, ‘‘when I was fifteen, lying there while that mortal monster had his way with me, I tried to reason why. Why was I forced to suffer this? Why were my family loaded into trains and exterminated like cattle? Why was I living in hell on earth? Why had good people allowed these horrors to happen? I concluded there were no good people left. All were monsters because they did nothing. If we join Leisha, we don’t know if it will be better. It may be much worse, but I can’t stand by any longer without doing something. I hate Brovik for what he made me do to you. He doesn’t trust me anymore. What privileges and authority I have will disappear until I’m his slave in fact.” He continued to stare at the dark road ahead. “Whatever we do—it must be done very fast.”

  “Are you saying what I think you are?”

  He glanced at me and then turned his eyes back on the snow-covered pavement. “Call Leisha, I’ll get the money. We have thirty-six hours.”

  When we parted at the airstrip, I was terrified I’d never see him again.

  Leisha met me when I landed in New York. I explained everything that had happened with Dirk and about the discs but didn’t produce them yet on Kurt’s advice. She was very excited by the news. The necessary groundwork was already laid for the deal. It remained for her to fly west to close it.

  When Kurt called from Switzerland to get the routing information for the wire transfer, he had concerns about the deal and asked to speak to her.

  She took the phone and listened a moment then replied, “Fifty-fifty. I put this deal together… No, no way… I’m running this show… Sure, of course you can… You will, absolutely. I prepared the contracts myself… Good, see you soon… Oh and thanks, Kurt… I couldn’t do this without you.”

  I took the phone from her. Kurt didn’t sound convinced. “I don’t trust her. Whatever happens to me,
be strong. Don’t let her push you around.”

  I was confused. “You’re coming, right?”

  “I’ll do everything in my power. Just be careful. I love you.”

  “I love you. Kurt—” He’d already hung up.

  When I got off of the phone Leisha hugged me. “Well done, Mia.”

  “I had no control over what’s happened. It’s a quirk of fate.”

  “You made him love you. That’s all you needed to do.”

  “And he’s paying dearly for it. If anything happens to him, you’re on your own.”

  She kissed my cheek. “Mia, we’re sisters forever. If anything happens to Kurt, I’ll take care of you.”

  I pushed her away. “If he dies, so help me, I’ll kill myself.”

  “Don’t talk that way. He’ll be fine. He’s smart and has friends among the rats watching out for him. Just go and get the discs, we can get whatever you need later.” Her face was all sad and concerned, but her eyes were cold. I didn’t trust her either.

  Leisha and Kurt have very different ideas about how things should be done, Joe. That’s why she’s trying to cause problems between us now. Only if I back her, can she do whatever she wants. It’s that simple.”

  Joe tapped his pen against his clipboard. “You both agreed to this because you thought you had no other alternative?”

  “Neither of us are lawyers, nor were we in the position at the time to hire our own. We knew it was a bad deal, but we had no choice. The plan was, when Kurt landed in New York, we’d drive a rental car upstate to hide out until everything was ready here. We’d go over everything with her then—but nothing went according to plan.

  The next evening, I retrieved the discs, diamonds and gun, and then went back to the airport to pick up the rental car and wait for Kurt’s flight. But when it arrived, he didn’t get off. I panicked. I checked my cell. I’d turned it off while I slept. The screen lit up when I pressed the button. He’d left a voicemail.