No, he didn’t know who the third person, a female, was.
No, Darius hadn’t made any contact with demands for the recovery of Lucessa.
No, he had no idea how Darius was blocking their connection.
Yes, I will kill him when I find him!
“He will make contact soon. He wants something bad enough to jeopardize his life by taking your daughter.” His heart ached for Marie, as the grimace passed over her face. “Now I have a few questions while we wait.”
“You know I don’t take kindly to questions, Maxim.”
“Oh, let him speak, Guy,” Marie chimed in with a small smirk.
Maxim saw why Guy was so taken with Marie--enough to give up his position in Erebos. He suddenly understood why he found Lucessa so attractive, both physically and intellectually. She was her mother’s daughter. He brought himself back to the present as Guy and Marie stared at him, waiting for him to speak.
“It is not really a question. From what I gather here, you were able to reverse the effects of the mind wipe.” Maxim addressed his comment to Guy, but never took his eyes off Marie. She appeared younger by the minute.
From the corner of his eye, Maxim watched Guy look him up and down. He wondered if Guy blamed him for the many hard years Lucessa and Marie suffered through. Hell, I blame myself. He should’ve known that wiping the mind of a person so embedded in the secrets of Erebos and married to the abdicated leader would affect a disaster. He’d been so stupid.
Lucessa and Marie had paid the price.
How will I ever repay her for all those years she lost with her parents? He’d start by bringing her home, safe and sound to her mother, who had missed her without even knowing it. His weakness had caused the destruction of a family. He’d thought for years that the needs of Erebos far outweighed the family unit. He now knew it wasn’t true--not then and definitely not now. His weakness had ruined Lucessa’s childhood.
“Everything went as anticipated,” Guy said.
Why is Guy being so uptight and unemotional? His attitude completely baffled Maxim. After all these years of pining for--and staring at pictures of Marie--he should be overjoyed at being reunited with her. Maybe it was the stress over Lucessa’s disappearance that weighed on him.
Maxim decided not to pressure his brother on the issue and he changed the subject. “What’s our next move? I’ve been waiting, but patience eludes me.”
# # #
What the fuck is going on! Darius had sat at the kitchen table for over three hours...and nothing. They shared blood, but he couldn’t connect with his twin. How was he supposed to let his brothers know he held all the cards in their game of war? They knew he had the girl, but he wanted to flaunt his position and show them who held the power.
“Can I get you something, Master?” Alexander asked from behind him.
While his loyalty was commendable, Alexander’s constant attention grew annoying.
I may have to rethink my plan. “I’m unable to reach Maxim, our connection has been severed.”
Alexander looked over at the three humans dozing by the fire. “Is it time to get rid of the other two? They are of no use to us.”
“Not just yet.” The couple may still show their worth. Greg had fulfilled his obligation to him and delivered Lucessa without a fight. A part of Darius couldn’t believe his good fortune, but he knew a woman’s heart could be easily changed.
Darius still wanted to explore the possibilities with Sandy; he couldn’t forget her sensual body and willingness. There is something between us.
This was his only chance to use Lucessa against Guy. If he didn’t succeed he’d be dead--either at the hands of Guy or the Dark One.
The Dark One! Darius pushed his chair back from the table. The wooden legs scraped against the hardwood floor and he stood. “I’ll be back, Alexander.” He walked behind the couch and out the door as his anger built.
How am I supposed to do my job if he’s hindering me like this?
Leaping off the small wooden porch, Darius closed his eyes and concentrated.
At least he hadn’t taken this from me.
He stood in front of the black wrought iron gates that shielded the fortress in the distance. He didn’t know what games the Dark One was playing, but he didn’t take kindly to his interference. He had a deadline to meet and a kingdom to claim.
The gate swung open soundlessly and Darius entered. He strode quickly down the ebony road to the uninviting front door. Not pausing to knock, he pushed the door wide and strolled in.
“He awaits you in the atrium.” A voice spoke from an unseen corner of the room.
When I take over, I’ve got to get me one of them.
This time, Darius did pause.
“Up the stairs, down the eastern hall, and you will find him though the double doors at the end.”
With a nod in the direction of the headless voice, Darius started up the stairs, taking them two at a time. We have a deal. Why stand in the way of me getting us what we both want?
Darius’s feet hit the landing and turned down the hallway heading east. He’d known making a deal with the devil--pun intended--had been risky, but he had to get himself off that god forsaking planet! He couldn’t stand another day of watching her, loving her, and she acting as if she’d never loved him. Sure, he could’ve moved. He’d done it a couple times. Moved far away. But something always led him back to her.
Gilded double doors appeared at the end of the hallway.
Sandy had been a welcome distraction. He hadn’t walked by the café in days. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t hold his attention for long.
He halted outside the massive doors and lifted his hand to knock. Its one thing to barge in the front door...but completely another to enter the room he resided in without announcing intent. Before he could clutch his hand in a fist, the door swung open.
They all tend to open of their own accord.
“Enter!”
Darius slid through the cracked door and surveyed the room. Windows encased it on three sides. The gray film covering the exterior created a gloomy heat which surrounded him the moment he entered. A stifling weight pressed into him from every side. Breathe.
He scanned the room and located the Dark One standing behind a workbench, overflowing with roses. That’s strange. Flowers of every variety covered the room, drawing in the warmth of the sun, their colors so vibrant it hurt his eyes. The black tint, so prevalent here, didn’t touch this room. The fragrance, if any, didn’t reach him.
“Ah, Darius. I’ve been expecting you.” The Dark One laid the pruning shears he’d been holding on the table, next to the purple roses he’d been trimming. “Welcome to my secret garden.”
The casual greeting irked Darius. “Thank you.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
He might as well get to the point. “I can’t contact Maxim.” He wasn’t fooled by the other man’s raised eyebrow.
“How inconvenient for you.” He moved from behind the workbench, wiping his soiled hands on his pants, and headed in Darius’s direction. “What can I do to help?”
“Give me back the power! I know you took it.” Watch it. He was liable to lose his head over his outburst, but he didn’t care. He was so close to being rid of Earth and the Dark One and having his powers completely restored--not just the ones he deemed important--and getting his damn kingdom.
“I’ve made this so simple for you, Darius.” He shook his head. “I practically handed her to you, but your inept leadership and planning undercut all my efforts to help you. I’m unsure you’re destined to lead anyone, let alone my collection of damned souls.”
“We had a deal!”
“A deal you’ve taken over twenty years to fulfill.”
“Well, how am I supposed to work out the negotiations? There’s no way they’ll find us,” Darius said, his shoulders sagged in defeated.
“Oh, they will find you. Don’t you worry about that. You can go.”
> He’d been summarily dismissed. With the awareness he’d been double-crossed, Darius left the room and headed down the long hallway. Confirming his suspicion, he heard laugher behind him, a deep rumbling that echoed through the cavernous hall.
# # #
Darius returned to the shack and his seat at the table. He watched Alexander cross the room to feed the fire. The flames represented his life in a way. He had no control over his destiny. It was dependent on how much his brother, Guy, loved his daughter. The ironic part was, she didn’t even belong to Guy. Why does he give a fuck about her? But Darius was glad his older brother did. His future hinged on this connection. He’ll do anything to save his precious, innocent daughter. If he hadn’t been sure of his brother’s reaction, he’d never have agreed to the Dark One’s plan.
His face returned to his hands and he concentrated on his twin. He pushed his mind to search out and connect them. He cursed his foresight in not leaving word with his men of where he could be found. Is Maxim waiting? Does he know I have her?
Sending Alexander with his demands was too risky.
His other choices included sending himself to handle the deal in person. He’d hide the girl with specific orders to Alexander to kill her if he didn’t return. This was a viable option. He doubted Maxim had the strength or nerve to kill his flesh and blood brother. To remain safe, Guy would hide in Erebos until the nasty situation was over. One on one with Maxim, this was something he’d dreamed about for years.
He’d make Maxim grovel for abandoning him. His twin had never taken the time to open his eyes or to see what was actually going on.
Thicker than thieves, they’d grown up together, best friends. But when times became hard, Maxim had not been there for him. But I wasn’t there for him long before that. How could Guy lead Erebos when Darius had been groomed his whole life in anticipation of this duty? To think that Maxim chose an outsider over him. He would make his twin pay for his years of suffering, with nothing to his name, stripped of his powers. His coup de grace would be the Dark One condemning them both to hell--with Darius as their master. They didn’t suspect that Erebos was being taken right out from under them.
Although, there was another option. He could send Greg. He didn’t trust Greg, sure he’d run to save his own hide. But this was his best option.
“Alexander,” Darius whispered softly. His second in command was always close.
“Yes, Master?” Alexander asked from his seat propped against the front door.
“Wake our guests.”
Alexander stood, his chair scratched against the wooden floor when he pushed off. He lumbered over to the sleeping group and shook each one from their slumber. Darius wouldn’t have been as gentle with waking them, but that was his way.
Sandy raised her sleeping head from Greg’s shoulder. Her body tensed when she saw her drool patch soaking the man’s shirt.
I wouldn’t mind having her drool soak my shirt.
When Alexander nudged Lucessa awake, she unfolded her legs from beneath her and stretched her arms out to the sides. A large yawn escaped her mouth. “What’s going on?” She looked around, as if she’d forgotten what transpired the night before. When her gaze shifted to Darius, her eyes hardened.
“I have another assignment for Greg.”
“Wait, wait, wait...you said all I had to do was bring Lucessa to you and I could go free,” Greg huffed. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m done with you and all this shit.”
“Sit down, Greg,” Darius said.
“No, I will not sit down. I’m leaving.”
The look Darius gave Alexander told him to be ready if Greg caused any trouble. “I said sit down!”
I dare you to make a run for it, you idiot. He was looking for another reason to pummel the guy, drive his fist into the man’s face. Watch the blood run from his open wounds. Nothing was going as planned and a little stress relief would help his mood. Since he couldn’t hurt the girl--that is way off limits--and he just wanted to get Sandy naked. That left Greg as his metaphorical punching bag.
Suddenly, Greg’s eyes widened and he fled toward the front door. Sandy fell back against the couch and Greg pushed by her. Before Darius moved, the fleeing man lay sprawled on the floor, his head sliding into the front door with a thud.
“Coward.”
Looking over toward the fireplace, Lucessa scowled, her arms crossed over her chest. Her foot stuck out, the cause of Greg’s misfortune.
“You don’t have many fans here, Greg. Why don’t you take a seat and we’ll discuss what you need to do to live to see another day.” Darius motioned toward the couch, a small smirk on his face.
Greg lifted himself from the floor. His hand reached toward his forehead and probed for the knot Darius was sure would appear within minutes. He moved the long way around the couch, keeping his distance from Lucessa as she glared at him. Greg sank back into his seat, his arms crossed his chest, much as Lucessa’s were.
“I’m glad you changed your mind,” Darius said. “It is a wise choice, although I was looking forward to scrapping with you again.”
“Cut the crap,” Greg said, nostrils flaring. “I don’t believe a word you say. But I don’t have much of a choice. I doubt I’ll live, either way.”
“Smart man. Now let us get down to business.” Darius settled in the arm chair next to Lucessa, with Alexander resuming his place at the door.
“Is this the only way?” Lucessa asked next to him.
“Yes.”
“I don’t know about you, but I don’t have much faith in his abilities,” Lucessa snapped, casting an angry glance in Flynn’s direction.
“I had enough ability to get you here,” Greg replied.
“You cowardly son of a bitch--”
Darius’ laughed cut off Lucessa’s explicit. “Now, now girl. Don’t be too hard on him. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t be here. I dragged him back kicking and screaming.” His eyes never left Lucessa, wanting to enjoy her distress at the news. “Had he not told you he’d found another to spend his life with? None other than Sandy.”
“Do you expect me to be surprised at his infidelity?”
He was surprised by Lucessa’s venom, her eyes flared in his direction. If he’d been standing, he would’ve taken a step back.
“He’s dead to me.”
“We have much in common, you and I.” Images of Lauren floated through his mind.
# # #
Lucessa’s stomach churned and a sour taste invaded her mouth. If Greg is my only option to secure my freedom, I’m doomed. He doesn’t care about me, or my wellbeing. His only concern was his own survival, evident from his escape attempt.
Her dread ebbed, replaced by anxious thought of what would happen next. Every scenario that played through her mind ended badly. What if Maxim didn’t have the means to meet Darius’s demands? What if her father had instructed Maxim to let Darius keep her? What if Maxim had washed his hands of her? If I’m on my own, I need a plan. She lowered her lashes and peeked at the door. Alexander sat firmly planted blocking any exit attempt she’d consider making.
“Alexander will deliver Greg to Lucessa’s home.” Darius’s eyes settled on Greg. “You’ll bring a note to give my twin. It will detail our--my demands for her return.”
Did he say ‘our demands’?
“If he isn’t there, you will wait until he arrives, returning only after you have his answer.”
“And if I refuse?” Greg asked.
“I will kill Sandy.” The man’s voice held nothing but seriousness. The darting glance Darius shot in Sandy’s direction belied his last statement. “And if that isn’t enough to keep you on track, I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”
Lucessa looked over at Greg. She hoped he took these threats to heart. As her eyes connected with his, there was no doubt Greg was scared, very scared. The drop of his shoulders and the trembling of his lower lip told her he’d probably wet his pants before he even got in the car with Alexander.
“Are we clear?” Darius sounded like a father reprimanding his son. Greg had never responded well to authority figures.
Greg straightened on the couch, his lip no longer trembling. “Yes, but I won’t come back here.”
Why did he keep pushing Darius? He sought control; he was so short sighted when it came to handling situations.
Darius flipped his hand in dismissal. Alexander moved from his post once more and stood behind Greg, waiting for him to rise. When he didn’t, the large man grasped his arm, to help him stand. Sandy moved away from the men.
“You leave now, Greg. Alexander has my message. Don’t try to escape. I will find you just as I did in Uganda, but this time the beating will result in your death.”
Feet scraped along the wooden floor slowing their departure as Greg fought to shake off Alexander’s grip. When the door closed firmly behind the pair, Darius turned his attention back to Lucessa and Sandy. Tingles shot down Lucessa’s spine at his intense stare.
“Now ladies, whatever shall we do to occupy our time?”
Lucessa pushed her back further into the armchair. Maybe they’ll forget I’m here.
Sandy’s longing gaze settled on Darius, but his eyes continued to examine Lucessa.
“I’m exhausted. I’m going to try and get some sleep.” Surely he’ll leave me alone if he thinks I’m sleeping.
“That sounds like a marvelous idea,” Darius purred. “Why don’t you join me in bed?”
Lucessa looked at everything but the man waiting for her answer.
“A joke, Lucessa. I wouldn’t dream of harming one hair on your head.” He turned to Sandy. “Is everything to your liking, dear?”
Chapter 37
Maxim hadn’t spent this much time with his brother since they’d met, and he was running out of ways to contain him. They were both ready to rush out and scour the city for Lucessa, but if his twin sought to hide, they wouldn’t find him.
Marie appeared ready to pass out where she sat. She’d had a long day including the stress of her returning memories.
Only in Her Dreams Page 21
