"One of the pants outfits and clean lingerie, please. My toiletries are in a bag in the bathroom. If you can grab that, too, I would appreciate it.”
Grigori smiled as Melisande got out of the bed and slowly walked into the bathroom. She smiled seductively and didn’t bother to cover her naked form. Her hips swayed provocatively. She flipped her hair back over her shoulders. Then she turned and winked at him as she stood poised in the doorway, taking time to gradually close the door.
Watching her tease him, Grigori grew hard and seriously thought about following her. He would show her exactly what her teasing accomplished. But Ralf Lewis would be arriving soon, and Grigori refused to share Melisande wearing nothing but a robe with him.
Grigori picked up Melisande's key card and left the suite, being careful to make sure the door locked behind him. The police officer Lewis had sent was leaning against the far wall and straightened as Grigori came out the door.
"Stay here. Miss Reule is still inside. No one goes in without me being present. Do you understand?" Grigori asked.
"Spot on, sir,” answered the officer.
"I won't be long. I'm getting a few things from Miss Reule's room.”
"Very good, sir," answered the officer.
Grigori took the elevator upstairs and walked to Melisande's room. He put in the keycard and pushed the door. As it swung open, Grigori stopped. The hair on the back of his neck lifted, and he felt a growl in his throat. Something wasn't right.
He walked into the room and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. The bed was still made, and everything looked the same, but Grigori smelled a difference in the air.
It was the smell of cigarette smoke and sick excitement. Grigori knew Melisande didn't smoke and had requested a non-smoking room. Someone had come into the room after they’d left last night.
He searched it quickly, checking the closet and bathroom, but didn't find anything disturbed or out of place. He knew, however, that undoubtedly a man had searched Melisande's room.
Which meant Lewis was indeed right. Funenko had found out about Melisande from the florist and targeted her. A sensation of fear ran down Grigori’s spine. What would have happened if Melisande had returned to her room last night? Would she have found unwanted visitors waiting for her?
Grigori found the items Melisande had asked for and placed them on her bed. He looked around the room again. He felt danger threatening but wasn't sure where it came from. One thing was certain: Melisande would need to be guarded at all times. It was time to call his pack for help.
Grigori picked up Melisande’s clothes and toiletries bag and headed out of the room. He made sure the door was locked. Then, pulling a hair from his head, he laid it across the keycard slot. If anyone went in the room before he and Melisande returned, the hair would be missing. He hurried back to Melisande and the meeting with Lewis. He needed to know she was safe. He had to make sure nothing happened to his mate now that he had found her.
As Grigori entered the suite, Melisande walked out of the bathroom in a hotel robe. He laid her clothes down on the bed, then walked over and pulled her into his arms.
"You're upset. What is wrong?" she asked him, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I think someone was in your room last night. After we talk with Lewis, we will go back and see if you can find anything missing or out of place. I also want him to check for any electronics.”
"In my room? Wait, you mean like a bug?"
"I want them to check, lyubov moya. I'm unsure what the intruders were looking for or doing in your room,” he said. "Lewis arrives here soon, Meli.”
"Okay, I'll get dressed. Grigori, it'll be all right. We'll figure this out.”
"Could you give up this job for Lady Ashtown?" he asked.
"This job is a really great opportunity, Grigori. Lady Ashtown could really help my career.”
"I'm concerned. I'll go with you today to your appointment. I’m going to ask Lewis for a police escort when you leave the hotel.”
"Grigori, I refuse to go into hiding. I need to live my life.”
"Exactly, lyubov moya, you need to live. I haven't told you everything, Meli. The heartmate bond connects us in such a way that neither of us can live without the other. If you die, I would also.”
"You've got to be kidding. How is that even possible?"
"No, Melisande, I am not jesting. You are my other half. Without you I would not want to continue.”
"Look, I'm going to get dressed. And then I need a cup of coffee. This is getting really strange,” Melisande said as she picked up her clothes and returned to the bathroom.
Grigori felt her confusion coming through the heartmate bond. He was sorry to be causing her such distress. But he wasn't sure how else to tell her of the life she was now connected to. He didn’t know what she would do when she found out he turned into a wolf on command.
Why had Funenko showed up? Grigori wondered. His sources in Russia should have warned him of Funenko’s arrival. Lewis better have answers for him when he appeared.
Melisande went into the bathroom and put on the silk pantsuit Grigori brought her. She didn't really know what to think about the situation she was in. She felt Grigori's concern for her, as well as his regret. It came through the heartmate bond now connecting them. He wasn't lying to her. There was danger, and he didn't want to lose her. She felt his determination to protect her. But she didn't feel love coming through the bond.
If they were tied at the heart, then shouldn't he love her? Melisande sighed. She really needed a cup of coffee or strong tea. Mornings were not her best time of day.
She felt so close to Grigori. Last night was incredible. Melisande knew she would never find that kind of passion in another man's arms. But passion wasn't all she wanted. She wanted love.
The situation had turned into a nightmare. How was she going to impress Lady Ashtown? When could she leave to get warm beer and see the sights of London? How had she become a target for the Russian mob? How had her whole life been turned upside down? When had she turned into such a baby?
The door opened behind her, and Grigori pulled her into his arms.
"You are upset. All will be well, I promise you.”
Grigori cradled Melisanda in his arms as they stood in front of the mirror. He held her gently and caressed her back and arms. Then he ran his hand over her hair and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
He may not have told her he loved her, but he was kind and gentle. She felt safe and treasured in his arms. It was a start, Melisande thought. Maybe Grigori would learn to love her. She had fallen for him rather rapidly. There was hope, she told herself. Things could turn out okay. She needed to get a handle on things.
As Grigori held his mate in his arms, her confusion echoed through the heartmate bond. He felt her doubts and knew she didn't realize she held his heart. But he needed to control his emotions. If he didn’t contain them, he couldn't protect her. While he was under pressure, logic and reason would serve him best. When the danger was past, he would let her feel the full extent of his feelings for her. But, for now, he needed to safeguard her.
Grigori would go hunting. He knew Funenko's scent now that Melisande’s room had been invaded. It was only a matter of time before he found Funenko. But Grigori couldn't leave Melisande until she was safe.
Grigori had called Siberia on his cell phone as he made his way from the fourth floor to the third. Dmitry, Alpha of the Russian lycanthrope pack, was sending Grigori's cousin, Brencis, and his friend, Valerii Belikov, to help Grigori protect Melisande and find Funenko.
When both Grigori’s and Brencis’ parents had died suddenly, Grigori took Brencis into his home and raised him. They were more like brothers than cousins. Brencis and Valerii were five years younger than Grigori, who was thirty. When they were young pups, both boys looked up to Grigori. But now they were Alpha males in the pack and were strong men. They would be the extra help Grigori needed. Melisande would be safe with three lyca
nthropes guarding her.
There was a knock on the door to the suite, and Grigori turned as he heard it.
"He is here, lyubov moya,” Grigori said as he released Melisande.
"Let me finish up. I'll be right out,” she said, turning toward the sink.
Grigori gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then headed for the front door. He opened it to find Chief Inspector Ralf Lewis, as well as two other officers he didn't recognize, standing in the hallway.
"Come in gentlemen. Miss Reule will join us shortly,” Grigori said as he ushered them into the sitting room.
Lewis quickly introduced the other two officers as Kincaid and Hampton.
"Solovyov, sorry this happened,” Lewis said. “We'll get Pavel Funenko, and then you and Miss Reule can finish your business here in London without fear.”
"Why didn't our contacts know about Funenko’s arrival?" Grigori asked.
"They weren't expecting him to come into the country. Our mistake, I'm afraid,” Lewis said. “We didn't realize he’s now a junior lieutenant in the Moscow branch of the mob. He doesn't normally handle the buying of weapons.”
"No, normally he is an assassin and very good at it too,” Officer Kincarid said. “That's why the danger is so high.”
"We think you should move to a safe house, Mr. Solovyov. That way we can more easily guard you and Miss Reule,” Officer Hampton added.
"No.” Melisande's voice came from the bedroom doorway. "Good morning, gentleman,” she said as all the men at the table stood up.
Grigori walked over and escorted Melisande to the sitting area. As he accompanied her, he carefully kept his hand on her back. She wanted to laugh. She knew he was making it plain whom she belonged to, and from the looks of the other men, they knew it as well.
Grigori pulled out the chair next to his and seated Melisande before he also sat. The other men introduced themselves, then sat as well.
"I’m afraid I must agree with Miss Reule,” Grigori said after the introductions. “Hiding from Funenko will not stop him from striking. We must be on our guard and catch him when he does. But whether we stay here, or at a safe house, will not matter. It would be even better if we could catch him before he strikes.”
"Solovyov, if it was just you, then it would be different,” Lewis said. “But you have Miss Reule to protect.”
"Please don't act like I'm not in the room, gentlemen,” Melisande said. “I am here on business with Lady Ashtown, and I will continue as if nothing happened. I refuse to live in fear of this man.”
"But, Miss Reule, you don't understand the danger,” Officer Hampton said.
"I think I do. Funenko wants to kill me in order to get revenge on Mr. Solovyov, because he helped you round up Funenko's accomplices, or for whatever reason. Because Mr. Solovyov worked for you, you feel it is your duty to protect me. Does that sum up the situation?" she asked.
Grigori smiled as he listened to Melisande. His mate was fierce when she felt she was right. He looked forward to watching her in the future. The Alpha himself would have his hands full if Melisande disagreed with him.
Of course, Melisande didn't know Grigori didn't want to be locked in a safe house because he wouldn't be able to shapeshift into a wolf to protect her. Nor did she know he would soon have his pack mates here to guard her.
Melisande would stay safe, Grigori thought. He would protect her, despite her beliefs. But a safe house would only work if it belonged to the pack, not the police. Dmitry was already looking into finding them a place to rent—a place with a secure perimeter and enough privacy so Grigori could turn into a wolf, if he found it necessary.
"But, Miss Reule, surely you don't want to bring danger to Lord and Lady Ashtown,” Officer Kincaid said.
"Why don't we call her and get her take on it. Shall we?" Melisande asked.
Grigori thought it was time to intervene if only to calm his mate, who was becoming more and more irate. On the outside, she was cool and collected, but he felt her irritation, as if it were his own, coming through the mating bond.
"Gentleman, why don't we try to work together?” Grigori asked. “Miss Reule will move into my suite until such time as I can rent a townhome here in London. You can place an officer for protection outside our room. If Miss Reule needs to go out, said officer may accompany us. I am expecting my cousin and his friend to arrive tomorrow. If we all work together, then I am sure we can keep Miss Reule safe. Now, Lewis, I went up to Miss Reule's room this morning. I am sure an intruder broke in. I smelled definite hints of tobacco in the air. If you would accompany us upstairs, I want Melisande to check and see if anything is missing. I also think we should run an electronics check to be on the safe side. Regardless of what we find, she will vacate the room and move down here. If one of your officers guards this room, we can be certain the suite is not compromised. Shall we go?"
Hampton and Lewis got up to follow Grigori and Melisande, while Kincaid waited to guard the suite. Grigori opened the door and led the group to the elevators and up to Melisande's room. The hair was still on the keycard slot, proving no one had entered since he placed it there.
Grigori opened the door with the keycard, and they all walked into the room. Lewis sniffed the air suspiciously, but Grigori couldn’t tell if Lewis had detected the tobacco smell in the air.
Melisande inspected each room, as Grigori went to her closet and pulled out her suitcase. Knowing she would probably wish to pack herself, he opened the case on the bed. He would wait until she came back to join the group in the main room to get her started. He wanted her securely placed in his suite, the faster the better.
"Anything missing, Miss Reule?" Inspector Lewis asked.
"Not that I can tell, though someone did go through my date book, and several papers have been relocated. The appointment I have with Lady Ashtown was noted in the calendar section, as well as my return flight ticket. I can tell a few of my personal belongings have been moved, but nothing is missing.”
"Very well, I will have a crew with the necessary equipment here within the hour,” Lewis said.
"Why don’t you start packing, Melisande? I want to speak to Lewis a moment,” Grigori suggested.
Melisande blushed slightly, but she went over and started packing her things. Grigori motioned Lewis to the door.
"You're playing a dangerous game here, Solovyov. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?" Lewis asked.
"Once my family is here to help me guard Melisande, I will start hunting,” Grigori said. “But until then, she is my first priority. I will keep her safe, Ralf, and I expect you to help me do it. You owe me that much.”
"I owe you more than that, and you know it,” Lewis said, remembering the way Grigori saved him from taking a bullet the previous day during the arrests of the smugglers. “I will give you whatever you need, Solovyov. But don't get yourself killed on my watch. I don't need an international incident to deal with.”
"I'm sure you don't, Ralf,” Grigori said. “I want your contacts to find Funenko. Since he already invaded Melisande’s room, he must be close by. She checked in yesterday. So he must be watching us. Find him. Make it top priority.”
"You're the one who finds people, Solovyov, but I'll do my best,” Lewis said. “Maybe we'll get lucky and catch him following you. What time is Miss Reule's meeting?"
"I believe it is at three o'clock. Can you provide a car and driver?"
"I'll get on it. The car should be here at two-thirty.”
"Keep guard, Ralf. I have a feeling things are going to get bad before this is over.”
"You and me, both, Solovyov,” Lewis said. “I'll leave Hampton and Kincaid with you. I've got to get back to the office and arrange for your car. Be careful, my friend. Oh, and congratulations, on finding Miss Reule. She's a feisty little thing, isn't she? Are you sure you can handle her?"
"As well as she can handle me, I assure you.”
"Oh, I have no doubt she can handle you,” Lewis said with a twinkle in his eye.
> Grigori opened the door and raised an eyebrow at his friend. Inspector Lewis left the room chuckling. Grigori noticed Officer Hampton had a hard time keeping a straight face. He ignored him, as he searched for Melisande.
Melisande put the last of her clothes into the suitcase. She glanced up, and Grigori noticed she looked pale and drawn. He gathered her into his arms and held her gently. She leaned into him, her head against his chest. After a moment she sighed and pushed away.
"My mother would disown me, if she knew I moved in with a man I've only known two days,” she said.
"It is for your own safety, lyubov moya. Would your mother not wish you safe?"
"Not if it meant living with a stranger,” Melisande answered.
"But I am not a stranger, Melisande. I am your mate. There is a big difference.”
"Not to my mother. She would expect me to get on a plane and fly home.”
"Is that what you wish to do? I will pack my bag and call the airport, if that is what you wish.”
"I said that is what my mother would wish, not what I would wish.”
"What is it you wish, milaya moya?"
"I wish this had never happened. I wish we could be together without this hanging over us. I want to be with you for as long as I can have you.”
"Forever, Melisande. I am yours, as you are mine, remember? I will never let you go.”
"I don't know if I believe in forever, Grigori,” she whispered.
Grigori leaned down and kissed her gently. "Believe in me, and I will give you forever, lyubov moya.”
Grigori zipped the suitcase and led Melisande from the room. She paused and ran back to retrieve the vase of flowers from the nightstand. Hampton followed them into the hall and took the suitcase from Grigori. Melisande didn't say anything as Grigori put his arm around her and guided her to the elevators. She carried the vase of roses he had bought her.
When they returned to Grigori’s suite, she went inside and into the bedroom. Officer Hampton put the suitcase down in the living room. Then he took up a position outside the door. Kincaid continued sitting at the table. He would be guarding them from inside the suite.
AMAZON KINDLE VERSION A Siberian Werewolf In London EDITED 3 9 2012 Page 3
