Motioning for Albert to follow her out, she left him to get some sleep.
The smell of coffee was the first thing he recognized, the nearby panting of a dog the second. Kieran opened his eyes slowly and stretched, only to stiffen when a blanket slipped down from his back. Where had the blanket come from? When he rolled over, the dog immediately jumped on the bed and licked his jaw, his heavy tail thumping loudly on the bed.
A steaming cup of coffee beckoned him from the nightstand, and he reached for it. Wendy.
Obviously, she’d been in to bring him coffee. She must have been the one that covered him up, too. So that meant that she was probably no longer upset over the Jake incident.
He took a deep swallow of the black liquid and woke up a bit more. Kieran put the coffee cup back down after a second swig.
What had possessed him to attack the bodyguard? Looking back, it was obvious he wasn’t out to hurt Wendy. If he were to be honest, it was seeing the man’s hands on her that had set him off. He really needed to get away from her. Send her to Fallon’s or Cyn’s. Whatever was happening between them wasn’t good. With her near, he lost the ability to think clearly.
He moaned and fell back on the bed, pushing the heels of his hands into his eyes.
Wendy had to go. The thought didn’t make him feel better. He moaned again and blew air out. What should he do?
Seeming to think he needed comfort, the dog whined and nuzzled his side.
“Okay, dog, off the bed with you,” Kieran admonished the large beast, who ignored him and instead studied him closely.
“His name is Albert,” Wendy called from the doorway. “It’s almost six. I wasn’t sure if you had an alarm or not, so I wanted to make sure you were up for work.”
Kieran pushed up onto his elbows and looked to the doorway where she stood. Her arms were crossed, and she wasn’t smiling.
She was still upset with him.
“Thank you.”
“So, Emma said you are going to look at the jewelry today.”
Kieran frowned, recalling Julian’s instructions. “Yeah, that’s right,” He stood up, but then realizing all he had worn to bed was a towel and that it was no longer wrapped around his waist, he lunged for the blanket and threw it around himself, covering his nudity.
“Whoa! Um, I’ll be in the kitchen.” Wendy gave him a wide-eyed look before turning on her heel.
Wendy covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing. The surprised look on Kieran’s face when he’d realized he was totally nude was priceless.
Seeing him in his full naked glory definitely made her day, well, okay, maybe her month. The man was perfect!
He’d moved so fast to cover up, she’d barely caught a glimpse of his front, but it was large enough to make her mouth water. Oh, and speaking of mouth-watering, his behind was totally yummy, too.
Making it to the kitchen, she finally let out a giggle.
This was definitely not the only time she planned to see him without clothes on. Next time, she would be touching all that yumminess.
A few moments later, Kieran walked in. He went straight to the coffeepot and refilled his cup. Then, he poked at his computer to start it up. He scanned his email for a few minutes before finally turning to her.
His clear green eyes almost glowed as they scanned quickly over her face then down to the tabletop where she’d carefully laid out her jewelry.
“That was a lame apology you gave Jake yesterday,” Wendy told him to break the silence.
“I didn’t owe him an apology. He should have apologized for not being aware that I was undetected and able to attack you both.”
Wendy was speechless. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She hadn’t considered that.
Seeming not to expect an answer from her, he picked up a pearl necklace and studied it. “Tell me about this.” His curt command made her clench her jaw in exasperation. Did the man not know how to have a civil conversation?
“That piece was given to me by my Aunt Sioban. She lives in Dublin, not too far from my parents. She gave the necklace to me when I graduated from the university. She said it was an old piece but didn’t elaborate.”
“Your parents live in Ireland?”
“They moved there after I graduated college. It had always been their dream to live there. When Guiles, my twin brother, and I were settled, they felt free to go.”
Kieran put the pearls down and picked up a small gold Celtic knot pendant that hung on a golden chain. “And this?”
“My mother’s. I borrowed it to wear to a dinner party and forgot to return it.” She planned to return it next time she visited Ireland.
The oven bell dinged, and Wendy got up. “The breakfast casserole should be done. There’s nothing else to eat in the house, so I improvised.”
She could feel his eyes follow her as she got the casserole dish out of the oven. Then, without asking him, she piled some on a plate and slid it in front of him. Then, she fixed a smaller portion for herself. She grabbed forks and napkins and placed those in front of him as well. Once that was completed, she plopped back down.
Kieran picked up the next piece. “This?”
They continued through the rest of the pieces, three necklaces, two rings, and a couple of bracelets.
While she talked, Kieran ate and listened without interrupting. Several times, he seemed to focus on her mouth, and she stuttered, feeling self-conscious at his close scrutiny.
After she told him about the last piece, he speared the last bit of casserole and ate it. He seemed to like her cooking. She felt giddy at the thought.
“I don’t think any of these are what they are looking for. Are you sure there aren’t any more? Something you may have forgotten about?” he asked.
“Well, I have a couple of pieces that are worth more. One’s a large yellow diamond ring that Mom gave me. It’s worth a lot, so I keep it in a safety deposit box at the bank where I work, er, worked. I called them from Fallon’s and took a leave of absence.” She took a bite of food in thought. “Oh and I also have an old picture locket there.”
“Doesn’t sound promising, but we’ll have to go get them and see.”
“When? Today?”
“No, we’ll go tomorrow.”
Wendy got up and grabbed a piece of paper to make a grocery list. At the same time, Kieran picked up the plates and took them to the sink. Wendy eyed him thoughtfully as she scribbled down items she thought they needed.
The scene in the kitchen could be any morning, with any couple. Well, except it was night, but still. Would this be her life if she were a permanent part of his? It seemed so normal in a way. She watched his muscles flex under his T-shirt as he rinsed the plates and set them in the dishwasher. Also, someone that good-looking wasn’t necessarily normal.
She cleared her throat. “I need a favor.”
When he turned to face her, his expression was guarded. “What?”
“Can you pick up a few things at the grocery store before coming home? I meant to ask Jake, but he left right after you got here this morning.”
Kieran held out his hand, and moving toward her, he leaned in to read the list.
She kept herself in check to keep from reaching out to touch him. It was almost painful not to. He lifted his head and looked directly at her. She immediately lost her ability to breathe. To have him so near, alone in the same room, was almost too much to bear.
His gaze lowered to her lips, lingering for a moment or two before moving down to her breasts. She could feel her nipples react to the trail of heat his gaze left. They pushed through the thin fabric of her blouse. The slight flaring of his nostrils told her that he’d noticed them, too.
The man was intense.
Everything seemed to disappear in that moment; nothing existed but them. She saw a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, probably the closest he came to a smile.
“Is everything you want on this list?” His voice was husky, and he cleared his throat. He mov
ed a little closer, waiting for her answer.
“No.” It was the obvious answer, but she was surprised by her breathlessness.
Why didn’t he reach for her? Was he waiting for her to make the first move? Wendy lost track of how long they stood so close to each other and not touching, her breathing shallow. Kieran, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have a problem, standing so still, his eyes locked on her.
Then, she noticed that his chest was lifting in rapid succession. His breathing quick; he was affected, too.
Finally, he lifted his right hand and touched the side of her face. She leaned into his palm, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, the searching expression on his face puzzled her. She waited for him to kiss her, but instead, he dropped his hand and stepped back, her list clenched in his other hand.
“Jake’s here.”
“How…?” Wendy started to ask but was interrupted by a knock on the back door. When she turned back to Kieran, he was already leaving the kitchen.
“Damn!” She blew out a frustrated breath. Now, I need a cold shower.
Chapter Fourteen
Gerard’s arms grew weary, so he stopped the beating and rolled his eyes at the limp, bleeding demon strapped to a long steel table that was tilted at an angle so that the demon’s head was higher than his body. The damn thing was unconscious again.
He threw the whip across the room, his angry growl the only sound in the room. With silent disdain, he curled his lip when the unconscious demon began to stir.
Josh’s eyes were swollen shut. His nose bled badly, the blue-black liquid dripped down to his chest. Through cracked lips, his voice was barely audible. “I beg your forgiveness, Sire. I will not fail again.”
“Pathetic.” Gerard let the word hang in the air. “You should be thankful of the fact that I’m bored and felt adventurous today. I wanted to try out my new whip instead of my sword on your pathetic hide.”
Guards stood around the room, waiting with barely contained patience to see what Gerard would do next. The predictability of the demons also tired him. They thrived on the pain and suffering of others yet feared him openly.
Gerard enjoyed his power over them and knew they were expecting him to throw the bleeding demon to them and let them do what they wished with what was left of him.
He kept his attention focused on Josh. The pitiful sight made him smile.
The demon was new, barely transitioned. He’d been raised human and had not been aware of his demon legacy until Gerard found him. From what Gerard knew, the young one’s life had been a pretty normal one until his parents had been killed. Funny how something as simple as murder brought out the worst in people. Josh hadn’t hesitated to embrace his demonic side after that. Right after turning, he’d slaughtered the murderers and their families. That in itself earned him a second chance.
Pondering on what to do with him, Gerard ignored the pleading looks of the demon guards and walked over to a window. Pointless really, since the view was blocked by closed shutters. It was daytime. Absently, he thought about heading into town at dusk.
One of the first things Gerard had done upon moving back to Atlanta after a brief hiatus in Canada was to find the immense country house on the outskirts of the city and have it restored. Heavy, sun-blocking shutters, which automatically closed at dawn, were part of the renovation. Gerard had a comfortable set of suites on the second floor. His ten guards shared the first floor with about twenty lower level demons.
Josh stirred again and moaned. Gerard hovered over him. “You are fortunate, young demon. I’ve decided to give you a second opportunity.”
“Anything, Sire,” Josh replied, flinching at the demon guards’ hungry looks. “I’ll do anything.”
“I must have the key. You will get it for me or die.”
Carlo, his second in command and head of his demon guard, stalked into the room. He took in all of the destruction without comment and promptly dismissed the guards. All but Gerard’s two personal escorts exited.
Gerard waited to hear what Carlo obviously thought was important enough to interrupt his session.
“Sire, we lost two Warriors last night.”
“Killed?”
“No, they left. They are worthless. They will fight the Protectors, but they are not willing to die for our cause.”
With a furious roar, Gerard clenched Carlo’s collar. “Must I do everything?” he spat into the demon’s face. “Have the remaining Warriors come immediately.”
“Call all of the guard in as well. Tonight is the first full moon. We must be out in full force. I will join you, and believe me, there will be no defections. I’ll personally kill any demon that dares defy my orders.”
Carlo slid his gaze to the bloody demon shackled to the table. “What are you going to do with him?”
“Take him to a room, let him recover, and keep your guards from him until he heals. Once he mends, he knows what to do if he wishes to live.”
Carlo went to the door and called in two guards, who half dragged the semiconscious demon from the room.
“What makes you think he can get the key? He’s a new turn. Probably not even in control of all his faculties yet,” Carlo asked.
“The right motivation will drive him,” Gerard replied. “He’s not my only option. I’ve summoned Sebastian. The incubus owes me. Though I don’t fully trust him, he’ll help.”
“I don’t know why you haven’t killed Sebastian yet,” Carlo studied Gerard. “Speaking of the incubus. My gut tells me he’s hiding something.”
“Quite a quandary we have. I have one of the three keys needed to free the Supreme Master. I have searched for hundreds of years to find another. I can’t go out into the Atlanta streets right now because Julian is here, and a confrontation between us would alert the other high-level demons and cause them to ask why I am personally out seeking attention. One of them may suspect we have the key and attack us. They will not stop at anything to get it.”
“Along with the privileges of being a Master, you also have many restrictions, Sire,” Carlo acknowledged. “I don’t mean to question your motives for using Sebastian or Josh, for that matter. We have other alternatives. I, myself, can assist.”
Gerard sank into the chair and studied Carlo for a moment. “I sired you because I wanted someone that I could fully trust. Only you know about my quest for the keys. If knowledge that I possess a key gets out, not just other demons but anyone else, whether they be Fae, Protector, or vampire, that has one of the other keys in their possession will move Heaven and Earth to get it. The power that comes from having just one is huge. Imagine the power that comes from having two. Ultimately, the power of three or more is unimaginable. Even our Supreme Ruler’s powers pale in comparison.”
Carlo’s sharp intake of breath told that he wasn’t aware, until then, of what the significance of the keys meant. “Do you mean to take his place, Sire?”
Steeping his fingers, Gerard studied them, not answering right away. “No, I desire only to have my own realm. No one to rule over me. I will rule.”
A guard entered, giving Gerard a functionary bow as he waited for permission to speak. Once granted, he announced that as requested, all of the guard and the Warriors were in the large warehouse behind the house waiting for Gerard.
A sliver of sunshine kept Gerard’s attention for several moments after Carlo left to ensure that everyone was indeed assembled.
His son, and he could not trust even him.
Alone, Gerard allowed himself to sag, exhaustion claiming him. How long before those closest to him began to notice that he was weakening? That his once vast powers were diminishing by the day. He had to get the second key. The key he owned had given him so much power that he’d swiftly advanced to higher levels. But it turned out that the price was high.
The key gave him vast abilities for almost a decade, but then at some point, one he couldn’t quite pinpoint, there was a reversal, and he’d began to deteriorate. It was a slow progress
ion. Even after he locked the key up in a concrete box and buried it deep in the earth, it still managed to drain him.
The second key would give him renewed strength and return his powers; he was sure of it. He’d use the next decade to locate the third. All three would undoubtedly give him unending power.
True immortality.
Chapter Fifteen
As soon as Kieran opened the car door to reach for the grocery bags in the back seat, the dog nudged his leg. He reached into a bag and pulled out a package of rawhide bones and ripped it open.
The dog’s expectant expression gave Kieran pause. It was turning into a routine, coming home to be greeted by this dog. The animal grabbed the bone and wagged his tail in appreciation.
Albert. That was what Wendy had named it.
He made his way to the back of the house, two bags of groceries and a dog, rawhide bone in his mouth, on his heels.
As soon as he arrived at the back door, Wendy opened it, greeting him with a bright smile. His stomach jerked. What the hell is wrong with my stomach? Perhaps he was hungry. For her.
“Well, don’t look so happy to see me.” Wendy’s smile instantly disappeared, and the corners of her lips turned down. He didn’t like hurting her feelings, but he didn’t reply.
“I brought the stuff on your list,” he told her gruffly, placing the bags on the table before going to his computer. Coffee was prepared, so he poured a cup while skimming over email. He didn’t worry about Wendy reading it since it was all in the code language the Protectors used.
“I’m cooking,” Wendy stated, moving around the kitchen behind him. “So don’t go to bed yet. I don’t want to eat alone.”
The sound of footsteps caught his attention. Jake entered, lifting a gym bag onto his shoulder, a sword slung across his back. He acknowledged Kieran’s presence with a slight nod before he turned his attention to Wendy. Kieran didn’t miss the lust in Jake’s eyes as they raked over her.
When he looked back at Kieran, a challenge was present in the man’s direct gaze and raised eyebrows. Kieran met his stare, neither man backing down until Wendy came over and playfully punched his shoulder.
Immortal Scotsman (Immortal Protectors Book 3) Page 9
