GraceinMoonlight

by Stephane Julian

  Catching sight of the clock on the bedside table, she yawned reflexively. Seven a.m. was ungodly early. Especially after last night.

  Though she wouldn’t give up that memory for anything in the world.

  Since Kaisie wasn’t in bed with her—and she couldn’t decide if she was pissed off about that or not—she figured she’d have to go find him.

  Dressed in a t-shirt that was at least two sizes too big, she figured she was covered well enough if the kids happened to see her before she could find her clothes.

  Which didn’t appear to be in the room.

  And she thought she smelled coffee. She would give her right arm for coffee at the moment.

  Opening the door to the room slowly, she checked out the living area.

  No one around. But the scent of that coffee made her mouth water so she headed for the kitchen.

  She found a mug and poured herself a healthy amount. Her eyes closed as the caffeine jolted her system into wakefulness.

  After a few minutes of simply enjoying the jolt, she set her now-empty mug on the counter and headed for the other bedroom. The door was already open. She only had to give it a little nudge to allow her to see inside.

  Her son and daughter lay back to back on the queen-size bed, sound asleep. They looked more alike in sleep than they did when they were awake.

  “They look so peaceful, don’t they?”

  Grace yelped, unable to help herself as a beautiful blonde stepped toward the bed from the far corner of the room.

  Amazingly, the kids didn’t stir.

  “Oh, don’t worry. They can’t hear us.” The blonde smiled but Grace could see she didn’t really mean it. “And don’t bother yelling for anyone. No one will hear you. Besides, I’m not going to hurt you.”

  The beautiful woman didn’t look very threatening but Grace couldn’t get over the fear that made her heart pound against her ribs.

  “Who are you?”

  The blonde rolled her eyes and sighed theatrically. “I wondered if you’d recognize me. Guess the Mal really are uneducated and unworthy. And here I thought I’d give you the benefit of the doubt.”

  Through the fog of her fear, Grace realized the woman’s face looked familiar. As her brain finally clicked, Grace dropped into a low curtsey. “Lady of the Hammer. My apologies. You startled me and I…I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you right away.”

  “Well, damn. I guess Lucy’s going to have to pay up.” Nortia, Etruscan Goddess of Fate, headed for the living room, leaving Grace to follow in her wake. “She was sure you wouldn’t know who I was.”

  “I…I… No, of course, I recognize you, Lady. I just—”

  Nortia waved a hand in front of her face, cutting off her apology as if it didn’t matter. And it probably didn’t. Few deities bothered with the Mal anymore. Mostly because the Mal didn’t bother with them.

  “Not here to talk about you, though I’m sure you’re an interesting person. We have something else to discuss.”

  “We do?” With a last glance back at the children, still asleep and oblivious, Grace followed Nortia to the couch, where she’d draped herself elegantly across the center of it.

  What could the Goddess of Fate possibly have to discuss with her? Unless she was here to warn her away from Kaisie?

  “Wouldn’t be here otherwise,” Nortia said, and Grace wasn’t sure if the goddess was answering her spoken question or her unspoken one.

  Grace decided it was in her best interest to shut her mouth and simply listen to what Nortia had to say as she settled onto the edge of the chair across from the couch.

  “So,” Nortia said, “you want to stay with Kaisie.”

  “Uh…” Grace’s mind went blank.

  Nortia raised one sleek, perfect eyebrow. “I need a yes or no. Answer carefully and speak the truth.”

  The answer was easy enough. She wanted to say yes, which was the absolute truth. But the truth of the matter was so much more complicated. “Lady, I don’t… I mean—”

  “Grace.” The goddess huffed. “There are only two choices here. Choose wisely.”

  Nortia’s blue eyes burned into hers until Grace wanted to run and hide in the bedroom.

  Well, fuck that. She was done running.

  She didn’t want that life for her children. She didn’t want it for her.

  Taking a deep breath, she sat up and looked straight at the goddess who held the fate of the Etruscans in her hands.

  “Yes.

  Nortia’s smile transformed her face from coldly beautiful to warm and stunning. And when she reached over and patted Grace’s hand, Grace felt as if she’d pleased her favorite teacher.

  “Good answer. Now the problem, of course, is that your daughter will always be under attack from the Mal.”

  And that was something not even a goddess could change. Amy had been born Mal. No one could strip it from her.

  “Lady, was that a question? Because if it was, I don’t know what answer you’re looking to find.”

  Nortia’s mouth curved in a hard smile. “Actually, right now, I’m just laying out the situation. We’ll get to the tough part in a minute.”

  The tough part? Was this where the goddess offered to take the Mal curse from her daughter in exchange for Grace’s life?

  Nortia grimaced as if she’d read her mind. “Yeah, don’t look so hopeful. The answer’s not as easy as you would hope. Then again, nothing ever is. And you don’t know the entire extent of the problem yet.”

  Okay, now she was totally confused. Her daughter had been born with the Mal curse. What could be worse? “Lady Nortia—”

  “Yes, yes. I know. You don’t understand. And I’m not doing a very good job of explaining, am I?” Nortia sighed, a short harsh exclamation of breath. “There are things about your daughter you’re not aware of. Aspects of her…personality that won’t be apparent until later in her life. Not even to her.”

  Okay, that sounded totally ominous. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me, Lady.”

  “I know that. And I’m trying not to scare the crap out of you but obviously I’m not doing a very good job.”

  “Maybe if you just told me—”

  “No.” Nortia shook her head. “I can’t. That information is only for Amalia and only when she’s ready. Or I am.” Nortia sighed again, sounding disgusted with herself. “Look, Grace, I know this must be totally confusing. I understand your desire to protect your children. I actually admire it and there’s not much left in this world that I admire. The problem is…you can’t protect Amalia from everything. Amalia’s going to have issues to deal with as she gets older. Huge issues that you won’t be able to help her with.”

  The thought made her sick to her stomach. As if a doctor had told her Amy would develop a brain tumor in a few years and there’d be no cure or treatment. “If I can’t help her with them, then why are you telling me any of this?”

  “Because even though Fate’s a bitch, she’s not without a heart.” Nortia leaned forward and patted her on the knee. “Try not to lose your faith in those around you, Grace. Sometimes there truly is more than one path.”

  Nortia watched her expectantly, waiting for a response. And since Grace had no idea what to say other than “Okay” that’s what she said.

  Which seemed to please Nortia, who smiled. “Okay! Wow, I’m so glad we had this little chat. Now I need to go. Kaisie will be back in a minute. Don’t be too hard on him. He’s only a man, after all.”

  With the grace of a cat, Nortia rose from the couch and headed out the front door, leaving Grace confused as all hell and wondering if maybe she wasn’t still asleep.

  Rising from the chair, she walked back into the kitchen to get another shot of caffeine. She’d just taken a sip when Kaisie walked in the door.

  His gaze went to her right away, as if he had a sixth sense where she was concerned. Or it could just be her scent.

  She let herself stare at him, really look. From his shaggy brown hair that
curled at the ends where it covered his nape to the slightly crooked nose. The mouth that made her long for his kiss. That alone was something of a revelation.

  Growing up, she’d never fantasized about a fairytale prince coming to sweep her off her feet to a life of romance and happily ever after. She hadn’t known that romance novels existed until she’d gone to high school and, even then, she’d only had a vague notion in the back of her mind that there was such a thing.

  Her life had been consumed by her parents’ demands for the outward appearance of the perfect Mal child—demure, quiet, brilliant and obedient. They’d cowed her with threats and punishments. Through fear. Fear of her grandmother, in particular.

  Kaisie didn’t scare her. He fought with her and pushed her, made her so angry she wanted to scream. And he’d made her crave him.

  He held her gaze as he approached. He didn’t walk with a swagger, like younger men tended to. He had a natural grace and a confidence that showed through his deceptively laid-back exterior. And even though he seemed to see nothing but her, she knew he’d checked out every square inch of the place.

  As he walked over to her, she let her gaze slide down to his broad shoulders and chest. Long and lean, all muscle. Her mouth watered just looking at him. Damn gorgeous man.

  He stopped only inches from her, causing her to have to tilt her head back to look up at him. His expression showed nothing but warmth. For her. It put a smile on her lips that he dropped his mouth over and kissed away.

  Took her breath away too.

  When he pulled back, she knew she had a smile on her face. One he mirrored.

  “Good morning.” His voice made her want to lick along his throat. “Sorry I wasn’t here when you got up. Had to talk to Cole.”

  His kiss must’ve scrambled her typical fear response because the mention of the lucani king didn’t make a blip on her radar.

  “What did he want?”

  “Work. How’d you sleep?”

  “Fine.” How would she have slept any way other than fine with him in the same bed? She shivered as he ran one finger along her cheek, wishing she was the type of woman to grab his hand and suck his finger into her mouth. Then she blushed as she realized his mouth had twisted wryly. “Better than fine.”

  “Glad to hear it.” He leaned back against counter, his gaze never leaving hers. “I see you found the coffee.”

  “Yes. I thought I’d make breakfast, if that’s okay.”

  “Make yourself at home.”

  “I just didn’t want to overstep—”

  “Grace.” His gaze had the ability to soothe her and fire her up in equal measure. “What part of ‘my house is your house’ didn’t you understand?”

  She wanted that. So damn much. She couldn’t believe just how much she wanted it.

  “So what are you making?”

  He had the most beautiful eyes. They made her lose her train of thought. “Making?”

  And that smile… “For breakfast?”

  She blinked, a flush heating her cheeks. “Oh. I thought I’d make pancakes. Alex loves pancakes.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Chocolate chip pancakes?”

  “You like chocolate chips?”

  He shrugged. “I like anything chocolate. Cover broccoli in chocolate and I’ll eat it. I’ll drink beer but I prefer rum. I like steak and potatoes and I won’t touch asparagus or Brussels sprouts.”

  Her smile widened and, shutting off the part of her brain that was telling her to move cautiously, she stepped closer to him and let her arms wind around his waist. If she’d surprised him, he didn’t show it. Frankly, she’d surprised herself. “Anything else I need to know?”

  “Well.” He curved his arms around her shoulders and brought her even closer. “I’m an early riser, always have been. I’m pretty good about remembering to close the toilet seat and I usually hang my towel on the bar when I’m done with it. Alex likes me and Amy hasn’t shot me yet so I think I’m doing okay there. So, anything you want to tell me?”

  What should she say? No one had cared enough to ask her what she liked and didn’t like. It made her feel vulnerable. Exposed. But she was no coward. She bit into her bottom lip, worrying it. “Well, I’m kind of a slob, but you probably already figured that out.”

  He bent down to kiss her, sinking his teeth into her lip for a quick nip. “I won’t hold it against you.”

  “I’m not a very good cook either. I mean, I’d like to be, there’s just never enough time and I had to learn most of the basics myself. Growing up, my parents had a cook and so did Ettore. But when Alex and I were alone, I didn’t want anyone else in my home, so I had to learn.”

  “What’s your favorite dish?”

  She frowned, having to think too hard about the answer to that question. “I don’t know.” Food had never been high on her list of priorities except for finding things Alex would eat. “Alex likes my pancakes.”

  “Then you and I’ll split the cooking. I’m pretty good in the kitchen. I’m not looking for a maid, Grace.”

  She shook her head. “What are you looking for?”

  “Well, I pretty much think I’ve been looking for you.”

  She wanted to melt in a puddle at his feet at the warmth of his tone, the heat in his eyes. Wanted so much to believe she was what he needed. But… “I think you see what you want and not what’s really here.”

  “And I think you’ve been programmed not to see the woman you truly are. The loving mother. The brilliant scientist.” He bent and put his lips right up to her ear. “The hot woman who I want to bend over and fuck every opportunity I get. That’s what I see.”

  Her body shook as a wave of desire coursed through her. He’d just described exactly what she wanted to be.

  “Kaisie—”

  He pressed a kiss to her cheek, sending another shiver through her. “Grace. Why don’t you check the cabinets for the ingredients you need for the pancakes. I think I have some mix in there but I’m not sure. You get things started out here and I’ll roust the kids. Then…” He sighed. “I’m gonna have to take a trip.”

  The warmth she’d felt in his arms disappeared as quickly as it’d appeared. She stepped back, out of his arms, and he let her go, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “He’s not dead, is he?”

  Kaisie didn’t bother to sugarcoat his response but held her gaze steady. “No. We got confirmation this morning. I’ll find him, Grace.”

  She noticed he didn’t add anything to the rest of his statement and she didn’t know that she wanted to ask what he was going to do when he found him.

  He’d promised her he’d kill Ettore. That he’d make it safe for her and the children and Mara.

  She didn’t want to ask him for his promise again because she didn’t want him to tell her he had to break that promise.

  So she headed into the kitchen and started searching the cabinets. Behind her, she knew Kaisie watched her for several long seconds before he sighed and headed for the bedroom where the children slept.

  This nightmare would never end. Not until Ettore was dead.

  Kaisie pushed open the bedroom door, not surprised to see Amy sit up to check out who stood there.

  Leaning against the jamb, he let her look around the room, checking all the corners and making sure Alex remained asleep next to her.

  When her gaze came back to him, she lost just a little bit of that wariness she constantly wore.

  “Good morning, Amy. Sleep well?”

  After a brief pause, she nodded but didn’t speak.

  “Are you hungry? Your mom’s making pancakes.”

  Her head cocked to the side. “Do you think if you keep calling her that, it’ll make me believe it?”

  He shrugged. “It’s true. Just because you don’t want to believe it doesn’t make it not true.”

  A look he recognized from Grace covered her daughter’s features. “Well, I’m not ready to call her that yet so you need to back off.”

  “Okay.�
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  It was her turn to look dumbstruck. “Okay? That’s all you’ve got to say?”

  Nodding, he moved into the room to stand by the bed, his gaze caught on the crazy pattern of monkeys on her flannel pajamas. She’d seen them in the store and her eyes had lit up though she hadn’t reached for them, as if she’d learned not ask for things she truly wanted.

  Something else Marrucini would pay for.

  But Grace had seen Amy’s reaction and she’d casually picked up the bundle and placed it in the cart.

  He’d wondered if Amy would wear them. It gave him hope for the future that she had.

  “That’s all I’ve got to say. You and your mom are gonna have to work this out on your own. I just want you to give her the opportunity to become your mom. She had no chance before. Okay? That’s all I’m asking. And since I’m not going to be around for a couple of days, I need to make sure you understand how important it’s going to be for you to be on your toes.”

  He thought he saw genuine distress flash through her eyes. “Where are you going?”

  “I’ve got to take a trip. Work.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she let her gaze fall to Alex, still asleep on the other side of the queen-size bed, before she trained those dark eyes on him again. “He’s not dead, is he?”

  Kaisie refrained from shaking his head but, damn, when had he lost the ability to hide anything? Still, he wasn’t going to lie to the girl. “No. But like I promised your mom,” and, he used the word “promised” deliberately, “I’ll find him and I’ll take care of him.”

  Her mouth set in a flat line. “Will you kill him?”

  “I can’t. At least not right away. The lucani need to talk to him, find out what he knows. He may have information that could help us.”

  “Is that why you took me? For information?”

  Again, that hurt in her eyes, the emotion she tried to keep hidden. She looked exactly like Grace at the moment and it tore at his heart.

  “No, Amy. I took you because I made a promise to your mom. She wanted to find you. She was willing to give her life in exchange for you and Alex. You need to keep that in mind when you’re telling yourself she’s not really your mom.”

  He let the girl think about that for a moment before he reached out to ruffle her hair. She froze but didn’t move away as his hand brushed over her soft, dark hair.