“Uragan signed a truce with my brother,” he mumbled, knowing she was right. When he started toward the front of the cottage, she followed.
She turned to him, small hands on his waist. “Where’re you going?”
He opened the front door, shrugging her aside. “I told you, I need to speak with your father.”
The waves outside crashed against the island shore. Maya’s face skewed, and suddenly he was knee deep in water.
The centers of her green eyes stormed. “You won’t tell me what to do. Are we clear?”
Salt water soaked his clean jeans.
He lit his fire power, dried the rising water, and steam sizzled about them.
“Fine.” He fumed. “By the way, you ruined the kitchen.”
She smiled and said with a sweet voice, “The floor and lower walls are fully salt water resistant. Tiled. Mom insisted. The whole family has a bit of a temper.”
He shook his head, breathing out heavily, then followed her outside to where they’d hidden the boat under a canopy of plastic jungle ferns.
The small craft was a hell of a lot faster than he imagined as she pushed the throttle to max. Her red hair flew about her head and she laughed.
Still a bit irritated, he grabbed hold of the seat as they bounced over the tops of waves.
When she drifted to the dock in front of her father’s hotel, he made her cover her head in a huge brimmed straw hat stored onboard. He found sunglasses, the best he could do for disguises to get them into the hotel. He was sure the Russians had the place staked out.
He helped her out of the boat, his body instantly warming at the touch. How was he supposed to think clearly when she was around?
Turning toward the hotel, he froze.
Two men stood on the pier in front of the hotel. Dressed in matching black suits and sunglasses, their intent was clear.
The wind picked up, whipping off her hat as they upped their magic. They reached into the back of their jeans, no doubt armed with weapons.
Josh grabbed her by the arm and threw her into the water, then followed.
She came up sputtering, but he ducked her head back under the water and made her look at him. He pointed and indicated she should swim under the next dock. At the fifth, he checked where the two scoured the water, guns in hand.
“My dad–”
“Assumes we’re safely tucked away in the safe house.”
“No, look.” She nodded in the direction of the hotel.
Daniel O’Connor emerged, arms raised, a terrifying scowl on his face.
“Get down,” she yelled, covering them with a water shield.
At the same time, the dock suddenly cracked in two, split by a waterspout the size of small tornado. The men flew six feet into the air, then were dropped into the wreckage.
Maya smiled. “They shouldn’t piss off my father.”
“Yeah, neither should we.” He dreaded explaining to her old man how he had been talked into letting his willful daughter off the island.
Chapter 14
Her family’s suite on the eighth floor of the hotel held every amenity of the penthouse. Boasting four bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a living room, it was more like a second home.
Maya luxuriated under multiple showerheads, rummaged through her closet, and settled on skinny jeans with a light blue tank top. Towel drying her hair, she sat down next to her father and poured a thick cup of coffee.
Josh, still wet from their unexpected swim, glanced up and continued his explanation. “So you see sir, I had no choice but to bring her here.”
“It’s really not his fault.” Maya reached under the oak table, patted her dad’s hand, and hoped to put his fears to rest.
Grim-faced, her father glanced over at the two Russian witches. They still lay quiet on the living room floor, tied, gagged, and sedated. “I’ll bring them with me to the Council meeting.”
His eyes lowered to his watch and he stood. “I should’ve left already, but with the location so close this year–”
“It’s close?” Josh attempted to hide his interest behind a white ceramic mug. He swallowed, studied the contents, and swirled the liquid within.
Of course, her dad bristled at the probing breach of security. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the location changes every year.”
This was not going well. She tried to redirect the conversation to more neutral territory as she struggled with the tangles in her hair. Using her fingers as a comb, droplets flew everywhere.
“Don’t you think that’s a weird coincidence?”
“I don’t believe in coincidences. Gregor’s planning something.” Josh frowned thoughtfully as he wiped his wet face with a napkin.
She shrugged an apology.
Her father placed his hands in his pockets and sighed. “You may be right, but without any real evidence there isn’t anything we can do. I’ll inform the Council about what we know. Maybe they’ll be able to get more information from those two.”
One of the thugs stirred, tightening the knots in her stomach. “I don’t want you going, dad.” She stood and gave him a big bear-hug. “I’ve got this really bad feeling. If you go, I’m coming with you.”
A palm cupped her chin, forcing her gaze up to his gentle eyes. “You’ve always been too stubborn for your own good.”
At that, Josh snorted and stood with them.
Her dad raised his eyebrows. “I take it you’ve become acquainted with her stubborn streak?”
“I’m right here. I can hear you.” Maya’s arms crossed of their own accord and a pout formed on her lips.
Josh shot a smoldering gaze in her direction. “Your daughter is a very capable woman, but there are times when caution should prevail. This is one of them.”
“Caution is just another word for cowardice.” With a snarky grin, she made the puddle beneath Josh swirl about the room and settle into the sink with a splash.
Her father sighed. “We’ve talked about this. Do not tempt fate.”
“But you are.”
“I can’t run from my responsibilities, Peanut.” He smiled and shook his head. “Plus, no matter how powerful this Gregor fellow is, there’s not much he can do against The Whisperer of the Seas. The ship was built to survive the apocalypse.”
She rolled her eyes.
“My brothers will be there.” Josh patted her hands, turned to her father and said, “I should come, too.”
“They’ll never let you onboard, son. The meeting is exclusively clan leaders, their spouses, and Council members.”
Josh scowled, clenched his fist, and began to pace. Clearly, he felt as uneasy as she did. But when dad got stubborn like this, no one could change his mind. They’d just have to decide what to do later, without his permission.
Thinking Josh might spontaneously combust, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the hallway. “Why not shower and then we’ll talk some more? Besides, we need to question Abigail about her connection with Gregor.”
The muscle in Josh’s jaw twitched. He nodded and started toward the door, pausing at the sound of helicopter blades outside the window.
“That would be your brothers,” dad said, grabbing a black leather bag from the couch and slinging it over his shoulder.
Josh’s eyebrows went up. “They fly?”
“All my kids do. I taught them myself.” He nodded proudly, opened the door, and waited.
Combat ready, her brothers rushed into the suite. It took all four men to drag the heavy thugs into the elevator. When they finished, and with the helicopter idling on the roof, her father pulled her into his chest.
“Be safe.”
“I always am.” She smiled up at him, causing him to grunt back.
A quick nod to Josh followed. “I trust you’ll take care of her.”
Her new lover nodded solemnly.
“I’ll be just fine,” she said, kissing his cheek. “You be careful too.”
Maya couldn’t dismiss the anxiety that squeezed her ch
est as the whirling blades turned into small specks.
On the far side of the roof, Josh spoke to her brothers One of them should have gone with their father just to be safe. But the man wouldn’t have it. And he wondered where she got her stubborn streak from.
Still gazing at the blue sky, she wrapped her arms around her chest as Josh approached. “We should go.”
He nodded, following her silently to the parking garage.
They took one of her dad’s Jeeps and drove to the small tidy suburb where Abigail lived with her mother and younger sister while attending University. The same University that Alex Williams taught at.
“Hello Maya.” Dressed in a floral dress, Abigail’s mother met them at the door of their small bungalow. She frowned, dried her fingers on a towel, and glanced over her shoulder at Josh. “Can I help you?”
“I was hoping to speak with Abby.”
“Of course. Come in. She’s just finishing her packing.”
“Packing?” Maya frowned and stared at the large suitcase sitting in the middle of the living room floor.
The woman’s face lit up. “I’m so proud of her. I know she doesn’t like me to brag, but I can’t help it. She was chosen to participate in a study abroad program. I’m going to miss her like crazy, but it’s a once in a life opportunity.”
Maya glanced at Josh, her thoughts mirrored on his worried face.
“Where’s she going?”
“She doesn’t know yet. That’s the exciting part.” The woman walked them down the hall and knocked on a bedroom door, then opened it. “Abby you have visitors.”
Abby squealed, jumped off the bed when she saw Maya, then ran to hug her. “Did my mom tell you?”
“She did.” Maya glanced at Abby’s mom. “Do you mind if we talk to Abby alone for a moment?”
The woman’s brows drew down, but she nodded and left them alone.
In the small bedroom covered with posters of rugby stars, Abby’s eyes danced over Josh. Maya couldn’t help but smile. It was hard not to appreciate Josh’s dark, brooding good looks.
“Abby, this is my friend Josh.”
“Hi.” Abby smiled up at him, brown eyes sparking.
“Josh and Dr. Williams are…acquaintances.” A shiver ran down Maya’s back at the memory of the two of them together. “She was telling him about the research that she’s been conducting.”
Abby’s eyes scrunched up for a moment. “Well, isn’t that just like a Prof? To tell the students to say mum and then spill the beans?”
Maya laughed, trying to sound genuine. “I know. The study sounds interesting.”
“Totally awesome, right? So, what did you think of the first storm? Can you believe we could create something so huge? I mean, I know it’s probably nothing for you, but with my limited powers, it’s so cool to be part of something so big.”
From the corner of her eye, Maya saw Josh’s mouth drop open. Yeah, she felt the same way. They’d pretty much just gotten a full confession that Alex Williams was responsible for the weather disturbances.
Maya took a deep breath, keeping a smile plastered on her face. “Alex was so proud of you all.”
The girl beamed. “I know. Pretty soon we’ll be able to make it rain at will. Can you imagine? We’ll begin to change the world. Starvation will be a thing of the past. We can change global warming. And all with half-breeds. No pure witches allowed. Dr. Williams said it would make the storms too powerful. And I met this most amazing guy. From California. He’s over the top to die for. And he has this friend from the UK who might hook up with Kelly. Remember her? It’s so exciting. But I need to get packed. We’re all taking off soon.”
“Aren’t you worried someone might get hurt?” Josh asked, eyes narrowed on the girl.
Maya coughed and gave him a lethal glare, then turned back to Abby who was frowning up at him.
“Josh is just a little worried that the storms might get out of hand.”
“The last one was a fluke.” Abby shook her head, turning back to a smaller suitcase. “This time we’re flying to the middle of the Atlantic. Landing on an aircraft carrier.” She froze, then looked over her shoulder, concern flashing in her brown eyes. “Shoot. I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone that.”
“It’s okay. We won’t tell Dr. Williams you said anything. But best you don’t mention our conversation.”
“Okay.” A small frown crinkled the girl’s brow.
“Be safe.” Maya gave her a hug, then indicated with a nod that Josh should follow her out of the house.
Maya took a deep breath as they got back in the jeep. “She’s clueless.”
“You did good not to stop her. If anything appeared off, we’d never catch them.” He put the key in the ignition, started the car, then backed out of the driveway.
“I know. But you saw those men on the yacht. They aren’t a bunch of college kids. I don’t get it. What’s Alex Williams up to?”
Josh turned at the light, and the tires squealed as he headed out of the suburbs, back toward her father’s hotel.
“Think, Maya. She’s gathering a crew in the middle of the Pacific.”
Suddenly everything clicked into place. “My dad is out there.”
He glanced over. “And my brothers and their wives.”
“They’re just a group of college kids. Half-breeds. She can’t seriously think they could take on the Council and clan leaders.”
“I have a suspicion she doesn’t.” His knuckles whitened over the steering wheel.
They needed to alert them. But how? The location of their yearly gathering was probably one of the most guarded secrets on the planet.
Chapter 15
Back at the hotel, Maya and her family gathered in the living area while Josh spoke to his father in Jersey. All eyes were glued to the screen as CNN reported on the ‘Storm of the Century,’ which was brewing in the middle of the South Pacific.
Josh’s suspicions were confirmed as the meteorologist spoke about the rare event, displaying moment by moment satellite images.
The storm appeared to be increasing exponentially.
“Okay. Bye. Thanks dad. Me too.” Josh ended his call and looked into Maya’s worried face as she clung to her mom’s arm. “I’ve got an emergency contact number for my brothers.” He picked up the phone, dialed, and nothing. “Shit.”
“I tried my dad, same thing.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “You don’t think…”
Josh held her gaze. “I don’t know what to think right now. But we need to go. Did your dad file a flight plan?”
“Heli’s don’t need to file a plan, mate.” Brian, Maya’s oldest brother, ran for his computer bag and opened a laptop. “But he took our bird and we can track it. The old man insisted in case we ever got into trouble.”
“We need to follow as soon as possible.” Josh scrubbed his hand over the scruff on his jaw.
He regretted wasting an extra day searching for more evidence to bring against Gregor and Williams. Even now, he wondered if it was too late to warn the Council and his brothers about the Russian’s plans.
“I’m going with Josh.” Maya addressed them all, raising her hand when her oldest brother started to protest. “Celia and Mari, I need you all to stay here with mom and take care of the business. I’ll contact you if I find anything.”
“We’re coming with you.” The youngest sister stood, wringing her hands. “This is bad.”
“No. I mean it, Mari. You need to listen to me. It’s dangerous. We don’t even know if they’re going to let us board the ship.” Maya gave her a look that wasn’t to be argued with.
A deep frown crossed the girl’s expression, but she sat back down, wrapping her arms around her chest and turning her attention back to the television.
“Brian. Chance. I’ll need your help.” Maya motioned for her brothers to follow.
Despite being older than her, the men obeyed her every instruction, leaving Josh in awe. Even among his brothers there was still a play for power. J
osh hated to admit it, but being the oldest, his ego had taken a beating when his younger brother proved more powerful than him.
It took them less than thirty minutes to track down where her father’s craft had landed.
“How far can we get by helicopter?” Josh asked.
“With how powerful the storm is…” Maya pointed at the computer screen. “Probably about there.”
“That’s not even close.” He shook his head.
“Yeah, I know.” She bit her lower lip, eyes darting over the map. “We’re going to need to get as far as we can, then drop an inflatable. I can calm the storm enough to take it from there.”
Josh’s stomach turned. An inflatable in the middle of the Atlantic during a paranormal superstorm sounded like a really bad idea.
Brian nodded, like the idea wasn’t a suicide mission. “I’ll call and get a heli ready. I’ll pilot.”
Chance crossed his arms, his face grim. “You’re going to need someone to help get your gear down to you. I’m coming as well.”
When Josh stared incredulously, Brian winked and said, “Special Air Service Regiment at your service.”
In two hours, they were airborne.
Maya tried the satellite phone again, and shook her head no.
The ocean waves disappeared underneath as they gained altitude.
In his headset, Josh heard, “It’s going to be a rough ride.”
Maya looked up at him, eyes worried, jaw clenched. “We’re going to stop these bastards.”
He nodded and his hand went instinctively to her face and soothed the tic in her jaw. But hell, he was just as worried as she was.
Closing his eyes, he thought of his brothers the last time he’d seen them and moaned at all the lost time. He’d been such an idiot to waste a moment. Life was so precious and could change in an instant. Not having slept much for days, he fell into a troubled sleep with Maya’s head on his shoulder.
“This is as far as we go.” Brian’s voice crackled in his headset, waking him.
The helicopter was shuddering madly when Josh opened his eyes. Maya’s were already wide. They pulled on their scuba skins and the harness that would let them down.
Dark Tide (A Mated by Magic Novel) Page 8
