“Granny James, I have not decided what role we need for you. Bear with me for a few minutes while I sort out the others. All right?”
“All right.” She sat very straight with her hands folded in her lap.
“Jacob, I will be dying your hair dark and putting you in Armani. You will be a very wealthy business man vacationing here and looking for a little action. I am looking for a caricature of this type. Do you understand what I am saying?”
“I think so, Gabrielle.”
Judy smiled. Jacob already had all the action he could handle right here whether he knew it or not. Mrs. Gage turned to her.
“My dear, with Andrew in this city we will have to do an exceptional job at concealing your identity. I imagine he will have radar out where you are concerned.”
“I imagine he has radar out for anything in a skirt.”
“Maybe on a superficial level, dear. I could dress you down into a character like I am going for with Jacob but, as I mentioned before, my plan will be to use your beauty as a diversion. Since you are already a blond, I have a black wig for you and we will do a little magic with the make-up. Once I show you how to walk to disguise your identity, I think we will be almost ready.”
“But what to do with you, my sweet lady,” she tapped her pen against her teeth as she studied Granny James. She came over and reaching out her hand had Granny stand up and step out a pace or two. She circled her and pondered. Finally, she decided.
“A change of plans. But I will reveal all that in good time. Jacob, let me get you headed off to dye your hair. Angelina will help you.” Jake looked dubious, but he was accustomed to following orders, so he followed the quiet house servant out without a word.
“Mrs. James, you and Judy follow me. Blade, I will have someone come back for you with your clothes. Now they won’t smell very good, but you’ll be a brave little fellow, won’t you?”
“Hey, I like dirt.”
“That’s my boy. Will you be alright here for a few minutes?”
“Yep. I mean yes ma’am,” and was rewarded with a loving smile from Mrs. Gage.
The ladies trooped after Mrs. Gage like the soldiers they were quickly becoming. She quickly worked her magic on Judy, who now looked like a fashionable woman of haute couture. She received a quick lesson on a runway walk and affecting the bored look of a woman who is used to being watched. Judy then excused herself to check on Blade. Mrs. Gage turned to Granny.
“We have had little time to chat privately much less get to know each other, have we?”
“Well, my baby is out there somewhere, and I’m just glad you have a plan to get her back.”
“As I pondered a disguise for you it was hard because I have not had time to learn your personality or your ways. But as I studied you for a few moments, downstairs, I decided to change scenarios a bit and make you into a rich entrepreneur’s wife.”
Granny James’ only reaction was a raised eyebrow.
Mrs. Gage continued, “I realized I was being swayed by your moniker of Granny and not looking at you properly. How old are you if I may ask?”
“That’s no problem. I’m 68.”
“You can pass for a much younger woman you know.”
“Well, until now there hasn’t been much call too.”
“What I would like to do is pair you up as Jacob’s wife.”
“Why, land sakes, I’ve probably got more than 10 years on him.”
“It makes no matter. Either people will assume by your looks you are younger, or they will assume he prefers older women. Jacob is a brave and wonderful man, but I need a good intuitive woman with him to complement his strength while I am busy in other arenas. You are, what do they call it in your country, fey, aren’t you?”
Granny James didn’t bother to deny or confirm it as she knew Mrs. Gage already had the answer. Mrs. Gage went on.
“That will be very helpful in a country where you are not familiar with the language or the customs. If you can sense danger, you will be one step ahead. So, let me begin our transformation of you.”
“Is this going to hurt?” Granny James laughed.
They were reassembled into the parlor by the afternoon. Jake was looking a bit uncomfortable in a silk, grey Armani suit. Blade sat next to him smelling of things no one wanted to identify. Judy was stunning in her straight chin length black hair with bangs, short skirt and long boots. But the real transformation was Granny James. Her hair had been wound into a complex chignon and she wore a soft suit in a stunning silver blue. Her make-up was flawless, and her high heels were the exact shade of the suit. Mrs. Gage observed them for a few minutes while they all looked at her for their next set of orders.
“I simply cannot continue to call you Granny James, my dear. What is your first name?”
“Moira.”
“Well, Moira, may I say you look absolutely stunning. Well, onto our change of plans. Jacob you will now become the entrepreneur husband of this fine women. We will get you two set up in the Metropole Hotel for observation purposes. Jacob, you will be known as an insatiable gambler, which will allow you to roam the main floor at all hours of the day or night. Moira, you will accompany him occasionally as the need arises, but you will also spend time in the bar. Can you hold your liquor?”
“I’m Irish.” Everyone laughed and the break in tension was a welcome relief.
“You will also be doing a lot of listening. Judy, you will be positioned at the Cecil Hotel. Hit the club scene and anywhere else a young attractive model would care to go. Blade, once I don my black traditional robes you and I will hit the streets ourselves. We will meet back here for our briefings on a regular basis. I will provide you with these details as we go. Any questions?”
Judy raised her hand, “Should I ignore Moira and Jake if we end up in the same place for some reason?”
“That’s an excellent question. And the best answer I can give is to use your instinct at the time. And once one of you commits to a certain scenario, the others can follow along as needed. You three are very bright and I trust your instincts in this matter. Any other questions?”
No one replied.
“All right then, I have identification papers for each of you with sufficient currency for a few days. Should you run into Danny Mac and Kenann or Andrew O’Hanlon try to remain calm and if possible do not give your identity away. Should they recognize you and appear to be on the verge of quizzing you, don’t let the situation become awkward and thereby raise unwanted suspicions. If this happens, take the upper hand by approaching them and asking what they are doing here etcetera, etcetera.”
She took one last opportunity to scan their faces. She lifted her teacup in a toast.
“Here’s to bringing our friends home!”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
By two am the party had wound down sufficiently for Danny Mac to suggest he and Kenann call it a night. Katerina started to protest because she had yet to coax Danny into her bed but was cut short by Pierre. He established their point of departure for tomorrow’s activities for the foursome. When Kenann came to her feet, Pierre was there. He took both of her hands and turning them to expose the vulnerable flesh of her wrists, took his time kissing each in turn.
Danny cleared his throat. Pierre smiled and released her hands. “Till tomorrow then, Mon Ami.”
“Goodnight everyone.” Danny Mac quickly led Kenann toward the stairs to exit the ballroom. At which point they were met by two of Katerina’s men.
“Why are they under guard, Katerina?”
“Not guard, Pierre, protection. My friend Danny is very important in certain circles and if any harm came to him under my care I would pay dearly.”
“How intriguing. So, he is not merely a simple businessman?”
“No.”
“And his sister?”
“She, I’m afraid, is exactly what she seems.”
“Lovely. I knew the moment I saw her that the prophecy had come true in my lifetime.”
“Pierre
, don’t you think that is a bit melodramatic?”
Pierre Montefort’s usually pleasant face turned hard as flint, with a very dangerous glint in his eye. He spoke very softly. “Do you challenge me, Katerina?
She felt a cold prickle of fear at what this man was capable of doing to another human being.
“No, of course not, I would never presume to do that.”
“Good. We understand each other then. I shall have her for myself. Her virginal manner is not an affectation. My seed and mine alone shall grow in her to bring about the new order as promised.”
Katerina’s men let Danny Mac and Kenann into their room. In almost the manner of a man servant, one of the men asked if they required anything before morning. Danny Mac graciously said they would be fine and actually wished them good night. The two men were halfway down the hall to their post when the absurdity of the situation hit them. They laughed to themselves at how quickly The Lion had gained control of them. Katerina had better watch herself very closely.
There were several awkward minutes of silence between them. Kenann moved about the room picking up personal articles and trying to look busy.
Finally, she asked. “Who is that guy anyway?”
“Apparently, he is the head of this cult or ancient order that Katerina wants to control.”
“Why is he paying so much attention to me?”
Danny Mac looked at her directly without blinking.
“He thinks you are the reincarnation of the goddess Inanna.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Afraid not.”
“Well how in the world did he come up with a hair brained idea like that?”
“When you walked into the room his ‘spirit spoke to him’. This guy is very dangerous, and I want you to steer clear of him.”
His tone rankled her.
“Well, how in the name of Pete am I going to be able to do that?”
“Don’t let him touch you.”
“I repeat for the slow to learn - how do you expect me to stop him?”
“I don’t know. Kick him between the legs.”
“Does that really work?”
“Trust me it will slow him down.”
“Won’t you be with me all the time, big brother?”
“If I have anything to say in it, I will, but I have a feeling he will maneuver both of us to get what he wants.”
“Which is?’
“You.”
“How did I suddenly go from Katerina’s insurance to make sure you were a good boy to becoming center stage in this mess?”
“You’re just lucky I guess.”
“Yeah, a real rabbit’s foot.”
“Are you tired of dancing?”
She gave him a quizzical look. “Why?”
He walked over standing very close and leaned in to whisper very softly in her ear, “Because I wanted to have the last dance.”
And he didn’t want to have a video audience when he did it. At the last minute he remembered the listening device in his pocket. He took her hand and led her near the door. She stood looking up at him unsure what he was doing. He very deliberately reached over and turned off the switch plunging them into total darkness. He took the GPS receiver out of his pocket and put it into the side of his shoe to negate its reception. Having created as much privacy as he could under these difficult circumstances, he drew her close to him.
He took her hands in much the same way as Pierre had done. And when she felt his warm lips caressing her wrists, it was almost too much.
“Danny Mac, what are you doing?” She was breathless.
“I’m erasing any memory.” And boy was he. He trailed his lips up the inside of her arm and then draped it around his neck. She felt limp with sensuous pleasure. He took her other hand and placing his hand at the small of her back drew her to him in an intimate embrace he had been denied on the dance floor.
They stood there very still for a few seconds. Danny Mac’s mind was warring with his heart. He knew he was playing with fire but, God help him, he needed her in ways he couldn’t even articulate. Slowly he began to move with her. He guided her in the dance with his hand on her back and the pressure of his hips against hers. He felt like he might explode but he couldn’t stop now. Slowly, sensuously they moved back and forth together. Instinctively Kenann pressed herself to him with her own pulsing need. He whirled her around and pushed her up against the wall and plundered her mouth.
Kenann made soft whimpering sounds against his mouth as she clutched frantically at his arms and sleeves. All she could think was please don’t stop.
He groaned deeply within himself and pulled her away from the wall. Picking her up, he carried her to the bed laying her down gently. He wanted desperately to lay on top of her and continue his plunder but made himself lay beside her and stroke her hair and face. She tried to turn and press herself to him again. He could tell this was not from experience but sheer instinct. She was being driven by needs as old as man and he was being unfair to her. He should not be initiating her into these feelings if he could not give her ultimate satisfaction. He was ashamed at how selfish his behavior had been, so he worked as hard to bring her back down as he had in thrusting her into hot desire.
As he whispered calming sounds and stroked her shoulders, he could feel her heartbeat returning to normal and her breathing ease. He was reminded of his days tending horses when he worked a ranch in Oklahoma. He soothed them when a wolf was in the area. Only this time he had been the predator and he felt no pride in knowing how close he had come to stepping out of reason into that realm of pure animal instinct.
Kenann finally lay quiet beside him. She suddenly wanted to cry. Something inside her felt unfinished and raw and she didn’t know how to make that feeling go away. This was all new territory for her - virgin territory - she though ruefully. Danny Mac is probably thinking, ‘What a dolt.’
Danny Mac suddenly felt awkward not knowing what to say. He sat up and turned on the bedside light running his hand through his hair. His break in contact left her feeling cold. Finally, he pulled her up to sit beside him. He turned toward her with his bent leg creating a barrier to further intimacy and spoke from his heart.
“Kenann, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I understand.”
“What do you understand?”
“That I’m not ... I don’t know... what you want in that way.”
“Do I act like a man who doesn’t want you?”
“Well, why did you stop and turn away from me?”
“Kenann, sweetheart, you were within seconds of having your gown ripped off and your body driven into that mattress?”
Kenann turned and looked down where the aforementioned activity was to have occurred. She turned back and grinned like a mischievous child.
“Really?”
He started to laugh. He felt he had been saved by the grace of God from something he would have felt shame over for the rest of his life. When he made love to Kenann, and that hope was his lifeline at this point, it would be right, and it would be beautiful. But he refused to dwell on that thought any longer lest he lose his head again. He squeezed her hands and stood up. He tugged on her to stand but she sat looking up at him with her eyes brimming with tears.
“Danny Mac, I love you.”
He dropped to his knees in front of her overwhelmed by emotion. She leaned forward and cradling his head against her breast began to stroke him like a frightened child. Somehow, she knew that was what he needed. He had known love throughout his life. The people at the church-run orphanage had loved him in their own way. His men and comrades in arms shared a love forged from facing their battles as brothers. But this was warm, and this was exclusive. This was home sitting by the fire kind of love, pouring out your very being to someone without having to say a word. This was snowball fights on the front lawn and warming each other in the shower later. This was grocery shopping and laundry, and this was kids. He suddenly looked up into her eyes.
He whispered, “I love you too, Kenann.”
Kenann framed his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly. “I think I get it now. You are trying to save it - us - for later, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Oh yeah, I’m a real prince of a guy.”
“Hey, I’d be really miffed at you if you didn’t want to rip my clothes off. And when you stop wanting to do that, I’m going to inject you with something. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.”
They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Danny Mac wrapped his arms around her and held on for dear life.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Danny Mac and Kenann clung to their respective sides after getting in bed. They dared not touch. They lay wide awake and talked of simple things, but as with anyone who is newly in love, even those simple things felt very important. The next morning Kenann was having a wonderful and warm dream when she heard Danny Mac’s voice whispering in her ear.
“You’re killing me here.”
She opened her eyes and found him looking down at her. She was cuddled up against his side and had thrown her leg over him in her sleep. She yelped and scooted away from him. She laughed.
“Sorry.”
He grinned back at her.
“No harm. No foul. But you snore.”
“I do not.”
“You do.”
“Well, how delicate of you to point that out.”
“Hey, if I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you, it’s good to know these things.”
She came to her knees in the bed and faced him. “The rest of your life?”
“Well, yeah.”
“What are you saying?”
“What do you think I’m saying?”
“Well, I know what you’re saying but I want to hear you say it.”
“This is starting to scare me because I understood that.” He got up and held out his hand. He helped her out of bed and then paused.
Once, a Long Time Ago Page 12
