“I asked Toni why Catherine would alter the file? I mean, you broke off your engagement two hundred years ago. Toni thinks she’s a witch scorned.”
“In a manner of speaking, yes, she is, but I see her more as a black widow. When I broke it off with her, she was enraged and told me she should have killed me like all her other lovers. That is what she does. She lures men with her love spells and kills them after she is done with them. I am afraid there is more. A witch achieves immortality if they kill another witch. Catherine killed her mother.”
Sam gasped. “Why?”
“My informants believe it was because of jealousy. Her mother was paying more attention to Catherine’s new born sister at the time. In any case, after that happened, Catherine’s father left with the baby, leaving Catherine to fend of herself. The year was 1312.” His face darkened. “Sam, Catherine is a sadist and I fear when we do arrest her one day, no rehabilitator will be able to help her. She will remain in our prison for eternity.”
Sam shivered. “This is all very alarming, Leo.”
“This is our reality, Sam.” He rose from the table. “Matt said he will pick us up at the airport when we arrive in New York.”
“Oh, good,” she said, absentmindedly. She was still pondering over all he’d told her. Something on her face must have shown her distress because Leo’s tone was gentle.
“Sam, I won’t let anything happen to you. I will always keep you safe.”
“What about yourself? You have a madman after you.”
“We’ve destroyed every other rebel leader in the past few centuries, and I will destroy Garos, as well.”
She wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t tell him so. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You will not lose me, Sam. Of that, you have my word.”
She drew in a shaky breath as she picked up her empty plate and reached for Leo’s. “I’m…I’m going to clear the table. I think I need time to take everything in.”
“You asked for the truth, Sam.”
“And I appreciate you giving it to me. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Let me put these in the dishwasher. I’ll be right back.”
****
Leo stared at her back as Sam carried the plates out of the room. He grimaced, knowing he hadn’t been completely open with her. He cursed under his breath. Matt’s phone call had come with the grave information that Garos had a sudden interest in her, and the less Sam knew for now, the better.
He had to keep her safe.
Sam’s life was in danger and the heaven’s would have to fall before he let anything happen to her. She returned from the kitchen with a smile on her face.
“I just spent five minutes arguing with Maria to let me clear the table.”
Leo nodded, but he was still distracted by his thoughts. “Would you like to take a walk down to the port? It is a beautiful night.”
“That would be lovely.”
The night always calmed him, and he needed to clear his mind. Garos was obviously trying to get to him through Sam. He took her hand as they strolled toward the port where the yachts were lined up. Sam smiled, remarking on all the lovely boats.
He suggested a drink at one of the outdoor bistros and she nodded happily, her smile dazzling him. Leo was unmanned. God, he loved her, he thought, and he squeezed her hand. Leo knew he had to tell Sam about Garos soon, but tonight, he would let her live in blissful unawareness. She’d had to get accustomed to so many life altering things in the past few days, he didn’t want to add to her worries tonight.
After one drink, Leo paid for the bill and took her hand. They walked back to the house and he led her upstairs to the bedroom.
Leo made love to her with a tenderness he never knew existed in him. He resisted his own needs, taking his time as he explored Sam’s lovely curves. Finally, when he couldn’t contain his enamoured beast any longer, he spent his seed in her and held her close.
She lay snuggled up against his chest, his arms drawn protectively around her, and she sighed.
“What a lovely evening,” she said.
“I love you, Sam.” Leo’s eyes burned with uncharacteristic emotion.
She nestled closer to him. “I love you, too, Leo.”
He wrestled with his worry. Should he wait until tomorrow to tell her the truth? He had given her his word he wouldn’t withhold anymore truth from her. Guilt coursed through his frame. Seconds stretched into minutes until he couldn’t take it any longer.
“Sam, are you asleep?” He asked quietly.
She didn’t respond and he exhaled slowly. Leo kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes.
Chapter Six
“Enjoy your day at the beach,” Leo said the next morning. “Give my best to the young boy.”
Sam’s face fell. “I will.” She was going to say goodbye to Alek. She’d met him only two weeks ago on the beach, but her connection to the shy, lonely fifteen year old was strong.
Leo’s mouth firmed. “I know you worry about Alek and you care for him, but he is a strong young man and he will find his way in life. You put the package I gave you for him in your bag?”
She nodded, her lower lip quivering with the rising threat of tears.
Leo sighed and he pulled her in his arms. “Do not worry, my love. He is going to be fine.” He kissed her on the top of her head and pulled away. “I am picking up Veronica at four, so I should be back here with her by dinner.”
Even with the heavy weight of Alek on her mind, a tiny thread of apprehension ran down her back. Sam couldn’t lie to herself. She was more than a little intimidated by meeting Veronica.
“I’m stopping at the pharmacy on my way home from the beach. Did you want me to pick you up anything?”
He smiled. “No. Thank you.”
A half hour later, she was lying on the beach. Sam looked up and saw Alek strolling toward her. He was wearing one of the T-shirts and bathing trunks she’d bought him last week and he was grinning. Her gaze went to the drawing pad he carried.
“Hey, Sam,” he smiled, dropping down beside her.
“Hi, Alek. I see we’re going to do some more drawing today.”
“Yeah. I was hoping you’d teach me more about capturing light.”
“Sure, I’d love to,” she said, smiling. Sam wanted to ask him how his last couple of days at the orphanage was, but she refrained. Talking about his life was a sore spot for him and she respected his silence. Sam had really grown to love him the past couple of weeks and with her departure looming closer, she didn’t know how she was going to say goodbye.
They drew for a bit, ate the lunch Sam had packed, and swam in the ocean. His mood dimmed as her time to leave drew near. Sam had met him on this very beach, and she was going to say goodbye to him on this very beach. She hated goodbyes.
“So, you’re leaving for New York tomorrow,” he said solemnly.
“Yes, but we’re going to keep in touch, Alek.”
He gave her a look that saddened her. He didn’t believe her, she realised with dismay. “Alek, this isn’t goodbye forever. I promise you, Leo and I will be back and we’ll spend more time together.”
He shrugged. “That’s okay. I’m used to people leaving me.”
He was attempting a casual manner, but Sam knew better. Alek was hurting. At fifteen, his chances of being adopted were next to nil, and foster care was even harder because of the limited families on the islands.
Sam wished she could do something. Her mother and father had been foster parents for years back home, but Alek lived in Greece and Sam was certain there were legalities in place that prevented her parents from taking him in.
“Well, I’m not most people, and I promise I’ll be back,” she said.
She certainly wasn’t like most people, she thought ruefully. She was a lycan now and that was something she could never tell Alek. She hid a scowl. What was she supposed to tell him? Oh, by the way, Alek, since you last saw me a few days ago, Leo turned me into a lycan. For the rest of h
er immortal life, Sam would live in secret.
Pushing her unsettling thoughts aside, she grabbed her bag and pulled out the package Leo had given her this morning. Leo’s thoughtfulness still touched a deep cord within her and a rush of warmth filled her heart for him. For a man who was trying to save the world, he still had time to think of a fifteen year old orphan he’d only met last week.
Sam opened the manila envelope and pulled out a smaller, white envelope. “This is from Leo. It’s money for more art supplies you may need, and this…” she fumbled in the manila envelope again and pulled out a small bank book, “…is for you. Leo opened an account for you at the bank around the corner from the orphanage. He’s already deposited money in there for you. He told me to tell you he’ll wire a monthly allowance in here, so you’ll never be without the things you need.”
Alek was visibly touched, and she slid her hand back into the manila envelope. Her throat was choked up. “And this cell phone is for you. Leo will pay for it and he wants you to use it whenever you want to call us or anyone else, for that matter. All the information you need is on this paper, the phone number, instruction how to use it, everything.”
Alek’s eyes were shiny and she could see the tears welling behind his dark gaze. “You guys didn’t have to do this,” he said gruffly.
She knew he was battling tears. “We wanted to, Alek. I know we just met, but you’re very special to me. I hope you know that.”
He nodded, unable to speak.
Sam wiped an errant tear that fell from her eyes and she leaned forward to give him a big hug. Her throat was burning. “I’ll see you again before you know it,” she said, her tone husky.
He remained stiff for a moment, and then he returned her hug. “I hope so.”
Sam left the beach, her expression glum. She felt like she had just kicked a puppy.
****
Two hours later, she was helping Maria cook dinner. Sam had so many things running through her mind, she welcomed the chopping and the dicing mingled with the light conversation Maria always supplied. The dinner was finally cooking in the oven and they began to make bread.
“My daughter loves my home made bread. She will be very happy when I bring her a few loaves tomorrow.”
“How’s Nitsa doing, by the way?”
“She is wonderful and the baby is wonderful.”
Sam smiled, her gaze darting to clock on the wall behind Maria. Leo would be on his way back with Veronica soon and Sam couldn’t help feeling nervous. She wasn’t paying attention to what she was doing and she pushed down on the dough, sending up a cloud of flour on her face. Maria laughed.
“My dear, knead the dough. Do not pound it.”
Sam smiled. “I’m sorry.” She wiped her hands on the oversized apron she wore and pushed back a loose tendril from her cheek with her wrist. “I need some water. I’m thirsty.”
“Yes, my dear, go ahead. There is nothing left for you to do. All I need to do now is let this dough sit.”
Sam was drinking a glass of water as she stared out of the kitchen window above the sink. She froze at the sound of Leo’s deep voice behind her.
“Ah, here you are.”
Slowly, she turned around and smiled briefly at Leo, her gaze resting on who was the most striking woman she had ever seen. Veronica stood tall and slim next to Leo, her arm draped through his as she smiled at Sam.
“So lovely to meet you, Sam. Leo never told me how beautiful his one was,” Veronica said, disengaging her arm from Leo’s as she stepped forward.
More like glided forward, Sam thought, taking in Veronica’s striking blues eyes, her long, silky back hair, her high cheekbones. There was something elegant and regal about her that Sam immediately envied. Veronica moved with grace, her white, flowing summer dress billowing around her, her warm smile never wavering. Sam knew she didn’t look her best, with flour on her face, an oversized apron, and a messy bun. Was Veronica serious when she said Sam was beautiful?
Veronica was gorgeous, Sam admitted, feeling an immediate stab of insecurity. This woman had a long history with Leo and Sam could never compete with that.
Veronica’s face softened. “Oh, Sam, it is everyone else who can never compete with you. You are Leo’s one. Your connection to him transcends time and space. Your souls breathe as one. ”
Sam gasped and Leo released a frustrated breath.
“Veronica, tell me you did not,” he said.
“I did, my darling, but not to worry. I won’t do it again,” Veronica replied, tossing him a placating smile.
Sam stiffened. “Did you…did you just read my mind?”
Veronica reached out and took Sam’s hands in her own. “Of course I did. I am what you would call a hybrid, half vampire, half lycan. I needed to know of any immediate misunderstandings so I could eliminate them right away. It is a habit of mine. Saves a lot of time when I meet people for the first time. And since Leo is very important to me, I wanted to make sure you and I got off on the right foot.” She paused, gently squeezing Sam’s hands. “I think of Leo as my brother, and I hope you will allow me to think of you as my sister.”
Sam sensed only sincerity from Veronica. “I…I would like that.”
“Wonderful!” Veronica glanced at the dough and rested her gaze on the housekeeper. “Maria, it seems I came at the right time. Is that your famous bread you’re making?”
Maria smiled and with arms outstretched, walked toward Veronica. “Yes, my girl. Come here. Shame on you for waiting so long to visit. I will give you a loaf to take with you before you leave.”
Sam’s gaze went to Leo, but he wasn’t looking at the two women hugging, he was staring at Sam with a thoughtful look on his face.
“The chicken and potatoes will be ready in fifteen minutes,” Maria announced. “Why don’t you all go into the dining room and get to know each other,” she said, smiling at Sam. “I will serve dinner in a short while.”
Sam wiped her hands on her apron. “Er…I’m going to go upstairs and freshen up, if you all don’t mind.”
“Of course,” Leo said deeply. “Come, Veronica. Maria has your favourite wine chilling.”
It was evident Veronica was treated as a member of the family, Sam thought as she went upstairs. She wondered if anything romantic had ever transpired between Leo and his beautiful guest. Still, the woman had been very nice to her, she admitted. More than nice. Veronica had been friendly and warm.
Sam secured her hair under a towel and took a quick shower. She dried herself off and padded naked into the bedroom. After a few moments, Sam stood wearing her bra and panties, wondering what to wear. She grabbed her pale green, knee-length dress and slipped it on. She hunted in her suitcase for her cream sling backs and stepped into them.
She surveyed herself in the mirror. Satisfied, she applied some lip gloss and splashed a dab of perfume behind her ears.
She was brushing her hair when Leo walked in.
“Are you all right?” He asked.
“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Veronica likes you.”
“I like her, too. She was actually very nice.”
“Sam, there is no reason to feel threatened by Veronica. She is more like a sister to me.”
“I know. I felt it. You two are very close.” She frowned as she clipped the sides of her hair back with a gold hair clip. “Maybe that’s what’s bothering me. Your closeness.”
“Veronica is older than me and very powerful. We met when I was a fledgling and she took me under her wing and taught me everything she knows. She always said I reminded her of her younger brother who was killed in one of Garos’s raids.” He paused with an intent look in his eyes. “Sam, Veronica and I have always been very close friends. We never had an attraction for one another.”
Well, Leo squashed that annoying seed of doubt that had planted itself in her mind. Sam turned from the mirror and gave him an apologetic look. “I hate feeling like this. I know it’s childish and immature. I’
m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Veronica has always been an imposing figure. I have seen her turn strong, powerful men into mere mush.” His face softened and he smiled. “Soon, you’ll feel more comfortable with your new powers and you will start to feel more secure about yourself. You will be just as imposing as Veronica. Look what you did on your second day as a lycan? You saved a young boy’s life.” His face turned serious. “Come here.”
She walked into his outstretched arms. “Thanks for your vote of confidence,” she said as she pressed her cheek against his chest.
“Mm, you smell good,” he murmured. His embrace tightened and Sam was startled to feel his erection growing.
She laughed softly, her insides flaring to life. She pulled herself out of his arms and looked up at his handsome face. “We can’t,” she said.
“Why not? Veronica has Maria engrossed downstairs on one of her latest adventures. We have about fifteen minutes.”
Sam smiled and leaned up to kiss him on the mouth. “I’ve already been up here fifteen minutes, and it would be rude to keep your guest waiting.”
He dropped his hands to his sides. “You are right, but nothing will prevent me from taking you to bed right after dinner.”
Sam laughed as he reached for her hand and led her downstairs.
Dinner was promptly served after they all took their seats, with Leo at the head of the table and Sam and Veronica on each side.
“Veronica, you said you are a hybrid,” Sam commented, curious about the woman.
Veronica reached for her wine. “Yes. I was a lycan long before I met Van.” Her striking blue eyes clouded. “He was a beautiful vampire and I fell in love. I asked him to turn me so I could share with him his vampire ways. I had two hundred passionate years with him.”
“What happened?” Sam asked quietly.
Veronica’s face hardened. “He was killed with a stake through his heart during one of Desmond’s raids.” Sam looked confused and Veronica continued. “Desmond was Garos’s predecessor. He ruled for three hundred years before we destroyed him. During one intense battle, Leo shot Desmond with quicksilver. As Desmond lay on the ground reverting to his human form, one of Leo’s human soldiers stabbed him in the heart with silver. Leo was livid because he wanted to take Desmond as a prisoner and interrogate him. He wanted to find out if there were anymore of Desmond’s cells operating.”
Tall Dark Handsome Lycan, Book 2 Page 6
