"I'm not sure how. I use it in my work because I like to know the people behind a piece. It is for my own entertainment, and I guess it makes me good at what I do. I will always be able to spot a fake. Most textiles today are machine made. There is nothing to read in the threads until someone puts their hands on them.”
"You said you can see patterns in the threads. Can you see other patterns?"
"I guess so. Puzzles have always been boring to me. I finish them too quickly. I stopped reading mysteries because I always knew what was going to happen next.”
"Sounds like your intuition is very developed. That is good. Now look for the patterns in real life situations. Like today, Funenko was in the tree. He knew we were coming. He is probably the same man who broke into your hotel room. So you have felt his energy. He knows I helped the police break up his smuggling operation, which was scheduled to bring in a shipment of drugs and guns to Siberia. What will Funenko do next?"
"He will continue to gather information until he perfects his trap. Then he will strike. Hating you, he wants revenge.”
"My thoughts, exactly. But Funenko needs more information. This means he is watching us.”
"That seems to fit his pattern so far.”
"Then, when next we go out, Funenko will follow. I will have my cousin and his friend here to help catch him.”
"But he will expect that. The officers tried to catch him today.”
"We will see. I don't want to put you in danger. Maybe I should arrange for Funenko to catch me,” Grigori said.
"No. You might be hurt or killed. You said I would want to follow you if you died. Please don't risk yourself that way. I don’t want to lose you.”
"Hush, mate. I have no desire to leave this life. I just found you. Do not worry, Melika. I am talking about a trap, not a sacrifice. We will wait until Brencis and Valerii arrive before we do anything. I want you protected at any cost.”
"As long as the cost isn't your life,” Melisande said.
"Melika, you do care.”
"Why did I ever think you were charming?"
"Because I am charming and handsome too.”
"And arrogant and bossy, and if I lost you, I would lose a piece of my heart,” Melisande said and promptly burst into tears.
Grigori pulled her into his lap and held her as she cried. He kissed her lightly and rubbed her back. Her tears couldn't upset him. She was only crying because she loved him.
Lifting her in his arms, Grigori took Melisande to bed. He made slow passionate love to her and then held her as she slept. He needed this woman. Not merely her safety, but her happiness. Finally he allowed himself to relax and go to sleep.
Grigori awoke when the door to the suite opened. He hadn’t given a key to the night-shift officer. He slipped out of bed and let the change take him. His wolf form crept to the door and crouched down. The door to the room opened a crack, and Grigori jumped through the opening. Growling low in his throat, he landed on top of the intruder.
"Grigori, it's me . . . Stop, you're crushing me,” said Brencis Solovyov, Grigori's cousin.
"I told you we should have the desk ring the room before we came up,” Valerii Belikov said chuckling.
Grigori got off the young man on the floor, and changed his wolf shape back to a man, as he stood up. He reached a hand down to help Brencis rise. "Sneaking around could get you killed, Brencis.”
"I love you too, cousin,” Brencis said.
Grigori looked at the young man standing in front of him. He could be looking in a mirror five years earlier. He pulled his cousin into his arms for an embrace. It was good to have Brencis at his side again. They were family.
"You and Valerii will share the other bedroom. Make sure the drapes are closed. I am sure we are being watched.”
"Dmitry found a townhome for us to rent. We can move in tomorrow.”
"Let us discuss it in the morning. I don't want you to wake up Melika.”
"So it is true, you have found a mate?" Brencis asked.
"Yes, you can meet her in the morning. Now go to bed, it is late.”
Valerii and Brencis watched in amazement as Grigori turned and walked into the bedroom and closed the door. They looked at each other and smiled when they heard the lock snap into place.
"Come on Brencis, we might as well do what he says and get some sleep.”
"So much for the warm welcome of family,” Brencis said, glowering at the door.
"Hey, you got a hug. Now come on. You can tell his mind is on other things.”
"I guess you're right.”
"You know how males get after mating. All they can think about is their woman.”
"Yeah, and Grigori's woman is in danger, so he's going to be worse.”
"Yeah, should be fun. Now, I need some sleep. I didn’t sleep a wink on the plane.”
CHAPTER SIX
Melisande woke up and frowned at the clock. It was nearly ten, and she was still in bed. She looked around the darkened room and didn't see Grigori anywhere. But somehow she was sure he was close by. Stretching, she threw back the covers and headed for the bathroom and a nice shower.
She turned on the water, then stepped inside the shower stall and reached for the shampoo. As the water rained down, she began to think about what she needed to accomplish today. She couldn’t stop living because some mad man wanted to kill her. She needed to mail her samples back to the lab at the Smithsonian and start writing her report for Lady Ashtown.
Putting her head under the spray, she ran her hands through her soapy hair. Grigori must think she was one of those weak women who cry at the drop of a hat. She decided right then to get a grip and toughen up. Having a lunatic assassin after you was not something to crack up about. No more tears. She could handle this.
Reaching for the bar of lavender soap, Melisande realized that sometime during her trip she was supposed to call her cousin Lord Andrew Barras and meet him for dinner. Her mother made her promise to visit with him while here in London. If she didn’t call him, her mother would scold, and she’d never hear the end of it. Still pondering, she rinsed her face and continued to wash.
Melisande didn’t even know what her cousin looked like anymore. The last time she’d seen him she was a young girl visiting her grandfather's estate in Gloucestershire. Andrew had been a tall skinny boy, full of his own importance, who liked to boss her around.
Melisande went out of her way to cause trouble for the poor guy that summer. One of her favorite memories was tricking Andrew to chase her around the stable and through the fields. Andrew ended up falling in a mud pit and getting covered from head to toe, as she planned. She’d laughed so hard she cried. She must admit Andrew had been a good sport about it and laughed with her. He wasn’t as stuffy as he pretended. But that was then, what about now?
Melisande wondered if Lady Ashtown would be more impressed with her if she knew Melisande's mother was the daughter of a deceased English Baron. Of course, her mother marrying an American didn’t sit well with her British relatives. But with almost forty-two years of marriage behind them, Melisande's parents had proved their love was here to stay.
Melisande had always wanted a marriage like her parents’. Her father adored her mother. As she thought about it, didn’t she see the same look of adoration in Grigori's eyes when he looked at her? Maybe she would have a happily-ever-after as her parents did, as long as she and Grigori stayed away from Pavel Funenko. Finished with her shower, she turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and started to dry off.
Grigori sat at the table in the living room and knew the instant his mate woke up. He felt her awareness come back to her and smiled when the first thing she did was look for him. He wanted to go to her, but he was busy talking with Officer Lewis and his cousin Brencis.
Valerii was also a late riser this morning and was still getting dressed. Grigori heard the shower go on in the master bath. He pictured Melisande as she stepped under the water. The punch of lust was powerful and automatic. Grigori
wanted to excuse himself and follow his mate into the bathroom. But the details Lewis shared were too important to ignore. Melisande's protection was more important than a tryst in the shower, as tempting as that was.
"We think we found the house where Funenko is staying,” Lewis said. “It isn't far from here. He could easily be watching you or having one of his men watch you. We have gotten confirmation. Three of the men on our suspect list have entered the country, and surveillance suggests they are the men Funenko sent for. Their names are Golubev, Zaytsev, and Bogdanov. Capturing them, along with Funenko, would be a big prize in our war against the Russian mafia.”
"The only prize I'm interested in is Melisande,” Grigori replied. “Keeping her safe is my first priority.”
"I understand, and now that I know she is related to Lord Barras, it puts a whole new perspective on things,” Lewis said.
"Lord Barras?" asked Brencis.
"They are cousins through her mother,” Lewis explained. Lord Barras is an up-and-coming force in the House of Commons. Some think he will be the future Prime Minister.”
"How does this change the situation?" Grigori asked.
"Let's say Scotland Yard made Miss Reule's safety a top priority. It would never do to let Russian mobsters kill the future Prime Minister’s American cousin. Lord and Lady Ashtown are excited to have invited Miss Reule to work on their tapestries. They are big supporters of Lord Barras. I was informed they would have insisted she stay with them, if they knew of her connections.”
"As long as she is kept safe, Lewis," Grigori said. "Our company rented a townhome, and we are moving in. Brencis will give you the address. It should be easier to keep secure and takes away the risk of any innocent bystander getting hurt.”
"When are you expecting to move?" asked Lewis.
"After Miss Reule gets a chance to eat something. We will also need some groceries delivered to the townhouse and if you know a good cook available for hire, that would be very helpful.”
"I do know someone. Her name is Rosie MacDonald,” Lewis said. “I’ll give her a call and send her over. Give me a list, and one of my men will set up the delivery. Kincaid will escort you to the premises. You can keep the vehicle until this issue is resolved. I'll make sure we have at least two officers monitoring the premises while you are there.”
"The yard is fenced with a locking gate,” Brencis said. “There are a couple of guard dogs on the premises, so warn us if you are coming for a visit.”
"Very well, when do you want to check out Funenko's house?" Lewis asked.
"We can do it tonight, after I get Melisande settled in,” Grigori said. “You have Funenko’s house under surveillance correct?"
"Yes, if he is there we will see him,” Lewis said.
"Good, then meet me at the gate of the townhouse at ten this evening. You and I will check out this house while your officers, Valerii, and Brencis keep Melisande safe.”
"You'll keep Grigori safe as well, won't you Officer Lewis?" Melisande asked from the doorway to the master suite.
"Of course, Miss,” answered Lewis as he stood to greet her.
Grigori got up and crossed to Melisande. Her face was a little pale. The acidic scent of fear surrounded her. Grigori hated knowing she was afraid. Needing to protect his mate, he felt his wolf rising to the surface. Hoping to calm them both, he reached for their connection.
He followed the mating bond into her thoughts and felt surprised to find her fear was for him, not for herself, as he’d first assumed. Wrapping her in his arms, he pulled her close, feeling his wolf settle. His heart ached with the knowledge of how precious she was to him.
"I'll be fine, lyubov moya. All will be well,” he whispered to her.
Officer Lewis said his goodbyes and left the room. Grigori, his arm still around Melisande's waist, led her to the table. He sent her reassurance through the mating bond. It was a relief when the scent of her fear dissipated.
"This is my cousin, Brencis Solovyov, and his friend, Valerii Belikov, will join us shortly. I've ordered breakfast. It should be arriving soon,” Grigori informed her.
Melisande allowed Grigori to escort her to the table and sit down. She studied Brencis, Grigori's cousin, and saw the family resemblance. They both possessed the same green eyes and chestnut brown hair. When Valerii entered the room, she was surprised to see his hair was lighter than hers, and his eyes were a light blue. With his long hair in braids, he looked like a Viking. As he came to sit at the table, he smiled at her and winked, Melisande decided Valerii was a charmer. Grigori glared at Valerii, and Melisande wanted to laugh when Valerii winked at her again.
When the knock on the door came, Brencis jumped up to answer it. The smells of fresh coffee, eggs and sausage, made Melisande's mouth water. She was really hungry. Brencis wheeled the cart of food into the room, and soon they were all eating as if there was no tomorrow. Once the food was gone, they all sat back enjoying the feeling of being full.
Melisande sipped at her coffee and watched as Brencis and Valerii teased each other. She thought they must be around twenty-five. Watching the three men, she noticed how close they were, though the younger men were always respectful of Grigori and never went to quite the same lengths when teasing him as they did each other.
She also noticed how attentive they all were to her, though sometimes Brencis seemed a little cold, but always polite. If she even thought of wanting something from the tray, one of them would jump up to help. It was a little overwhelming to be the center of so much attention.
Grigori seemed to be always touching her. While the boys cleaned off the table, returning the plates to the cart, Grigori moved his chair so he could place his arm around her.
"We are going to move to a townhouse, Dmitry, our pack leader, rented for us,” Grigori said. “It will be more secure and private. If there are any foods you would especially like, let us know. Brencis and Valerii will make sure they are purchased. Officer Kincaid is waiting to escort us to the property.”
"I need to mail the tapestry samples I took yesterday,” Melisande said.
"If you prepare them, Valerii will drop them off at the post office for you.”
"Well, then I guess I better pack. Do you have any idea how long we need to stay out of sight?"
"Hopefully not long, lyubov moya. I know this is hard for you.”
"Will there be a phone? I need to contact Lady Ashtown with the results of the lab work, and I thought I might see my cousin while I'm here in London.”
"Your cousin, Lord Barras?" asked Brencis "Can we come too?"
"I'm sure Andrew would like to meet all of you.”
Grigori saw the blush on Melisande's face and reached through the bond to find out what made her uncomfortable. He touched her thoughts and heard them clearly If Grigori and I are getting married, Andrew would want to meet him and his family. Of course, Grigori hasn't asked me to marry him.
So, that was the problem. In the pack, the forming of the mating bond proclaimed a couples’ unity, but in Melisande's world, a marriage license united a couple. Grigori would ask about government rules concerning marriage in England. If they waited to return to Siberia, they would have to wait at least sixty days before the legalities could be figured out and the required civil ceremony performed. Perhaps Melisande's cousin would help him take care of the legalities here in England.
Luckily, Brencis had brought the Solovyov diamond ring with him from Russia as requested. It was a family heirloom handed down through the generations, a gift to an ancestor from Catherine the Great. It had been hidden for years and carried to the Siberian pack lands when the family sought refuge. It had belonged to Grigori’s mother before she died. Now it would belong to Melisande. He would need a moment of privacy to give it to her.
If the situation were different, Grigori would have arranged a night of dinner and dancing before presenting Meli with the ring. She would have liked the romance. He felt a flash of anger and quickly subdued it, afraid Melisande would feel it
through the mating bond. He wouldn't be able to give her that memory. Pavel Funenko would answer for stealing the moment away from them.
Melisande finished packing her suitcase and sighed as she zipped it up. This was the third move in four days, and she was tired. After the samples mailed to the Smithsonian for testing, she was supposed to have three or four days to go sightseeing and have fun. Instead of going on a bus tour, she would be hiding in a townhome. How did things get so out of control, so quickly? The only bright side was Grigori, the man who claimed she was his mate. He was laughing at something Valerii said in the other room. Melisande was taken at how handsome Grigori looked when he relaxed. He turned and looked at her, and Melisande felt her heart lurch at the tenderness in his emerald eyes. How strange that she had traveled so far to find her true love.
Her grandparents would have said she came home to find her love. They had never understood why her mother chose to leave England behind and live in America. If she needed to marry a Yank, the least she could have done was stay in England. Melisande remembered many a Christmas when her grandfather would say those exact words to her mother. But her mother never took it personally. She would kiss her father on the cheek and say, “Because I love him, father," and the discussion would end.
Melisande missed her grandfather. He had died a few years ago, and Meli hadn't returned to England since then. Visiting with her cousin might help heal some of her grief. She should call him after they settled in the townhome.
Melisande walked out of the bedroom and into Grigori's arms. He always held her close, and she liked the feeling of safety his embrace gave her. Brencis jumped up and got her suitcase off the bed.
"I think that's everything,” Meli said.
"Are you ready then, lyubov moya?" Grigori asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be.”
"Then let us go see this townhouse Dmitry provided for us. Valerii, let Officer Kincaid know we are ready to depart.”
AMAZON KINDLE VERSION A Siberian Werewolf In London EDITED 3 9 2012 Page 6
