“I…” None of the scenarios that she’d prepared for included this situation.
“Don’t be shy. I take it you’re here to see me?”
Honesty seemed the best way to go, to a certain extent. She took two steps toward him. “I didn’t think it would be this easy to find you.”
His eyes twinkled. “You knew right where to go.”
“Lucky guess.”
Motioning into the room, he grinned. “Lucky indeed. Come on in.” He stepped into the suite as she approached, probably worried that she’d touch him.
He headed to a counter, turning his back to her. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No thanks.” She walked inside, surprised to find she and Alex were the only people in the room. While she didn’t know much about campaigning, everything she’d seen on TV or in movies showed lots of people working. “Where is everyone?”
“They’re in our conference room wrapping up my speech.” Alex grabbed a bottle of water from a mini-fridge and gestured to a chair. “Have a seat.”
Emma sat next to a small table, folding her hands in her lap to hide her nerves.
“Where’s Will?”
“How did you know I was here?”
Laughing, he unscrewed the bottle. “Are we playing this game again? I ask a question and you answer with a question of your own?”
She tilted her head, raising her eyebrows.
He took a long sip then studied her with an expressionless face. “You might be careful there. You no longer hold any bargaining cards, Emma.”
“And yet you invited me in.”
Grinning, he leaned back and crossed his legs. “I was curious.”
“About…?”
“Why you would risk so much to see me.”
Will had his own purpose for visiting Alex, but her reason trumped his. Other than the incident in Albuquerque, Alex had been semi-reasonable as of late. Of course, he’d hoped to join with her and that hope was gone. But even after he’d found out, he’d told her to come find him—so he must think her good for something. She hoped that something wasn’t dead. Still, her questions wouldn’t be unexpected. “I want to know where Jake is.”
He opened his palms and tilted his head. “Haven’t seen him since Montana.”
“I think Raphael has him.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I take it you weren’t in Little Rock yesterday?”
“No. But you already know I was on the East Coast or you wouldn’t be here.”
“I think Raphael has Jake and together they destroyed four square blocks of Little Rock.”
“The earthquake was caused by the New Madrid fault, Emma.”
“You don’t really believe that, do you?”
A boyish grin lit up his face. “No, but I’ve been practicing it for the media, trying to keep a serious face. They’ve been quite skeptical after Albuquerque.” He winked.
“How could Raphael have gotten Jake from Aiden?”
Alex rolled his eyes. “I don’t see how he could. Aiden is much stronger than Raphael, stronger than any of us. There’s no way. Are you sure Raphael has him?”
“If you weren’t in Little Rock, they have to be together. Otherwise, how do you explain what happened?”
“It was a freak storm.”
Emma groaned. “A freak storm that just happened to occur when the earthquake hit?”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“You know it was the two of them.”
“What makes you think I know anything about it?”
“Raphael needs you now.”
He shook his head. “Nope. Raphael has another plan.”
“What is it?”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “How does it feel to think I have something you want, yet you’re completely at my mercy?”
“I’m not completely at your mercy.”
“Are you suggesting that you can touch me?” Alex leaned forward. “Go ahead and try it.”
Indecision wound around her spine. Why would he suggest she touch him? If she still had power over him, the moment she touched him he’d be under her control. Was this a test?
She smiled and gave him a half-shrug. “I think I’ll save it for when I really need it.”
He sat back with a grin. “Suit yourself. Where’s Will?”
“Not here.”
He snorted. “Always one to state the obvious. Where is he?”
“I don’t know.” Technically, it was true.
“Why are you here?”
“Have you teamed up with Raphael?”
The corner of his mouth lifted into a lazy grin. “Sizing up your competition?”
“More like making a proposition.”
His lips twisted as he looked out the window then back at her. “Go on.”
Time to go with the original plan. She knew she should let Will know she’d found Alex, but she knew he’d be worried and possibly come search for her. She wanted to see what she could find out first. “I want to team up with you.”
Alex laughed, then stood, shaking his head. “That’s a little difficult given the fact you’re already taken.”
“Will and I don’t see eye to eye on things. Since he found out about Marcus, his alliances have changed.”
“How so?”
“I’ve never made a secret of my main goal: find and save Jake. Will’s goal has never been certain. The only reason he wanted to find Jake was for me, but once he realized that his father was Water, his priorities changed. He now wants to rule with Marcus.”
Alex rested his hands on the chair back, leaning forward. His eyes had a hard edge. “There’s no way Will would leave you.”
“He didn’t. I left him.” Also technically true.
“Why on earth would you do that when you moved heaven and earth to find him?”
“I told you—”
“Yeah, yeah.” He scowled and waved his hand. “His priorities changed. I call bullshit.”
Her breath stuck in her chest. Could she beat him in a fight? He’d insinuated that her touch no longer had an effect. Without that advantage, was she strong enough? Perhaps it was his way of psyching her out. “He wants to kill Jake.”
Alex’s face paled and he sat on the chair edge.
Did his reaction mean he actually felt some concern for Jake’s safety? “I came to you because even though you haven’t been part of Jake’s life, you’re still his father. And while you might be a full element like Aiden, I hope to God you’re a better father than he is. We can’t let Aiden use our son as a pawn, and I can’t let Will or Raphael kill him.”
“I’m surprised you thought to include me in this.”
“You are his father.”
“You made it pretty clear about a month ago that I didn’t have the right to claim that title.”
“I’m desperate.” She was amazed how easily this came to her. Did she really mean it?
“I’m surprised you’re being so honest with me.”
“I’ll do anything to save Jake, even if that means including you.”
Alex’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Thank you. You won’t regret this.”
Was his reaction genuine? Did he really care about Jake?
A grim smile lifted his mouth. “You look surprised.”
“I am.” Her voice choked on the lump in her throat. “You kidnapped him to use him against me.”
“No to use against you, Emma. To get to you. I never would have hurt him.” His eyes seemed to be pleading with hers. “I screwed up the first time I met you. You have no idea how much I regret that night. I knew there was no way you’d have anything to do with me unless I had something you wanted.”
“He’s just a little boy. How could you put him through that?”
“No, Emma. He’s much more than that. I’m not sure you know what he’s capable of.”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I know he can make storms.”
Shaking his head, he grimac
ed. “That’s only a part of it. When he was with me in Montana, he hurt people.”
“No.”
Alex’s face lowered to hers. “Yes, Emma. He did. I’m not sure if he fully understood the implications of what he did. He’s only five, so how could he? But he killed multiple men, Emma. On several different occasions.”
Hysteria rose in her chest. Jake wouldn’t do such a thing. Not sweet Jake.
Emma? Will’s frantic voice filled her head.
“He didn’t mean to.” She had to believe it.
“Yes, he did mean to. But he was defending himself. It wasn’t done out of malice.”
Emma! She felt Will’s panic.
I’m fine. Just give me a minute. She couldn’t concentrate on both conversations at the same time and Alex was more pressing. “So you’ll help me?”
“I wish you’d asked me a month ago.”
Her anger flared. “Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to help Jake after Aiden took him?” One more reason to be skeptical of his motives, although his concern seemed believable.
“I didn’t think you’d believe me. Plus, you loved Will. I couldn’t compete against that. Or Raphael. Are you telling me you no longer love Will?”
Even for the right reason, saying she didn’t love Will felt like a betrayal. Her voice broke. “No, I’m saying I love my son more.”
Alex took a deep breath as he considered her answer. “Fair enough.”
“What are we going to do?” She wasn’t sure she trusted him, but Jake was his son too. Could she count on any kind of fatherly bond from him or was he too much like Aiden?
He looked at his watch. “I have to go to a dinner in about an hour.” Alex lifted his gaze to her face. “I’m not sure how we get around your bond to Will. Is it true that you know everything he thinks and vice versa?”
“No. Only what we chose to share.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Past tense?”
“The man wants to kill my son. You think I’m going to share what I’m doing with him?”
“And what makes you think he won’t try to find you?”
“He made his choice very clear. And so did I.”
“You two are connected now whether you want to be or not. I’m not even sure you’re capable of harming one another, let alone living if one of you dies.”
“I guess we’ll find out.” She released a half-laugh.
“Not funny.” He remained silent for several moments. “He’s not going to let you go so easily. He’s going to come find you.”
She didn’t like where this was going.
“You need protection, Emma.”
She glared at him and stood. “I didn’t come here seeking protection for me. I want it for Jake. Are you going to help me save him or not?”
“Yes. I am.”
“How are you going to do that, Alex? You’re on the campaign trail shaking hands and holding babies. Why are you even doing this anyway? The end of the world as we know is about to happen and you’re on the campaign trail. What the hell are you doing?”
His eyes softened. “I’m helping my father.”
“What does that mean?”
He sighed and rubbed his chin. “Why do you think I stole the book?”
“To get an advantage over everyone else.”
“Yeah, because I need one. Do you know why? I’m all alone in this. Aiden has Jake, and now Aiden’s adopted Raphael into his fold. Then there’s you and Will and Marcus. And that leaves me high and dry.”
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?” Yet she did, even if she couldn’t acknowledge it.
“For some reason I always thought you were the one with a heart.”
“Maybe I was until you threw me on the ground and raped me.” She needed to remind herself of that but antagonizing him wasn’t going to help things. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head and took a gulp of water. “I deserve it.” Putting the cap on the bottle, he looked up at her. “I took the book to see if I could find anything, some small rule or loophole, to help me beat you all. But there was nothing. So, I came back to help my father. In all the times I’ve been reborn, my human families have been unique. This time, my human father really loves me. Maybe I won’t make it through the final battle, but perhaps I can help my father win the election. If there’s anything left of the world once Aiden gets done with it.” Sadness filled his eyes and his mouth twisted into a wry smile. “I bet you’re finding that hard to believe, that I’d help someone.”
She scooted closer to him. “No. It doesn’t surprise me.”
He leaned back, closing his eyes. “Part of me is glad this is almost over. I’m tired.”
She stretched her hand across the table toward him. “Has it been hard?”
“It’s been endless.”
Thousands of years were such a big number it was hard to put it in perspective until she began to think about how many lifetimes that encompassed. Countless.
“How are you going to be able to help me? The cameras are on you twenty-four-seven. I’m not sure it’s a good idea for the media to watch what we might be up to.”
Alex sat up with a frown. “You underestimate me, Emma. But then again, you always have.” He stood up and headed for the bedroom.
She started to protest that she’d never really had an opportunity to underestimate him, but she stopped. He was referring to Emmanuella, her predecessor.
“I have to go shower and get ready. We’ll discuss this more after I finish with my political responsibilities.”
“What time should I meet you back here?”
Alex smiled, and for the first time since she’d entered the room she felt unsafe. His eyes had an evil glint. “Oh, you’re not going anywhere, Emma. I told you that I’m worried that Will is going to come find you and I intend to make sure you’re safe. I’ll have guards posted outside the door while I’m gone.”
Her heart jumped into her throat and she forced her words to come out slowly. “Just the door?”
He laughed. “No, two guards at the door wouldn’t even stop a human Will, let alone a Will with elemental power. But don’t you worry about a thing.” He walked toward her until they were inches apart and leaned his face next to her ear, his cheek brushing her hair. “You just relax and let me take care of Will.”
With a chuckle, he walked into the other room and shut the door. The sound of running water soon following.
Lightheaded, she sank into the chair, releasing the breath she’d held.
What had she just gotten herself into?
***
Jake had an ache in the pit of his stomach before they even reached their destination. He knew what they were doing before Aiden told him. Aiden had insisted that Antonia stay at the hotel when they went out. She’d clasped his hands in hers and whispered in Spanish as she leaned down into his face with tears her eyes. “Que dios me lo bendiga, mijo.”
Thankfully, Aiden was silent in the car as their driver took them downtown, away from the hotel and Antonia. Jake tried not to think about what Aiden wanted him to do. He hoped this time he wouldn’t see any children, a thought he kept buried deep, next to his love for Antonia. They were secrets that needed to be kept hidden in the dark.
The car stopped and they climbed out into the heat. Jake had eaten lunch a couple of hours before, but what was left in his stomach threatened to come back up. Could he call the shadows to help him stop Aiden? Or Raphael? It was late afternoon, in the middle of a busy street. He doubted the shadows could help now. While their demonstration the night before had been impressive, Jake realized a bird was nothing compared to Aiden or even Raphael’s powers.
The sun was hot and within a minute sweat trickled down Jake’s face, but he refused to wipe it away. A man hurried around them, talking on a cell phone. How long did the man have to get away before Raphael showed up and Aiden told them to begin? He wanted to yell at the top of his lungs, to warn everyone to run, but what would Aiden do to him if he did? What would
Aiden do to the people close by? Images of Jake’s first nanny dying rushed into his mind, along with the images of several other employees who had disobeyed Aiden. Jake bit the inside of his lip to remain silent.
Several minutes later, Raphael strolled up, looking fancy in his dress pants and a stiff long-sleeve button-up shirt. He looked hot too, sweat dampening his shirt and sticking his curls to his face.
“You’re late,” Aiden growled.
“Well, you try finding a cab in this place. New York City, it’s not.”
“I’m counting on that.”
“Please tell me we’re not going to stay in the South.” A whine crept into Raphael’s voice.
“You’ll go where I tell you to.”
Jake knew Raphael would, no matter what Aiden threw at him. Aiden had something Raphael really wanted, but even Jake knew Raphael never had a shot at getting it. Too bad Raphael was too stupid to figure that out.
Raphael grumbled for several moments then looked serious. “Same as yesterday? Except for the toddler fit at the end?”
Jake’s anger ignited in his chest, his mark burning icy cold. He’d show them a fit. He wished Aiden hadn’t stopped him yesterday. Maybe next time he’d ignore Aiden and finish Raphael off.
Aiden chuckled. He’d read Jake’s mind. Jake had let his guard down, but it was probably good that Aiden saw those thoughts. If Jake hid too many, Aiden would become suspicious.
Aiden looked from Jake to Raphael. “Let’s get to work.”
Chapter Fifteen
Will left the hotel room ten minutes after Emma, but those six hundred seconds chewed at his already strained nerves. As much as he hadn’t wanted her to go, she needed to be prepared for tonight. No one had any reason to suspect they were here. Even if something happened, she was more valuable to Alex alive. Will was counting on that fact.
There was no sign of her as he entered a side entrance to the lobby, which was no surprise, but he wouldn’t have minded the reassurance. Dread hummed in the back of his head.
His first order of business was to find a hotel uniform of some kind. He didn’t care if it was a janitor or bellhop. He headed to the basement and found a deserted employee locker room. With his lock picking set, he opened several lockers until he found a maintenance uniform in the right size. He could get damn near anywhere wearing this. There was even a name tag. Perfect.
Redemption (The Chosen #4) Page 15
