Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers)

by Clenney, Anita

  “Call it,” Kendall said, holding the coin.

  “Heads,” Jake said, pissed. He hated this whole mess. He didn’t know what was up between her and Nathan, but he’d never seen his boss touch anyone, let alone hug them.

  “Tails,” Kendall said. “Nathan gets the sofa.”

  Nathan didn’t bother to gloat. He went to the sofa and started to unfold it. Jake was glad they hadn’t known it made a bed. He liked sleeping with Kendall, even if sleeping was all they did. He watched Kendall carry the sheets she’d found over to Nathan and help him make up the pull-out.

  “If you want to take a shower, I’m sure Jake could lend you some clothes. You’re about the same size.”

  “He’s not wearing my underwear,” Jake said.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Nathan said. “I’m leaving first thing in the morning.”

  When Kendall finished helping Nathan make up his bed, she gave Jake a warning look, grabbed her pajamas and headed to the bathroom.

  For the hell of it, Jake pulled a blanket from the bed and put it on the floor right beside Kendall’s bed.

  Nathan scowled at him. “What are you doing?”

  “Making a bed.” Jake grabbed a pillow and threw it down on the blanket. Pissing Nathan off wasn’t smart since he had the power to make his life hell, but Jake didn’t care. He was pissed too. Nathan had put them all in danger without even bothering to tell them what they were getting mixed up in. Kendall could have died. Nathan wasn’t calling anything off. Jake was going to find out who was behind this and stop them. And he was going to find out what Thomas had been doing here and who he was working for.

  He turned off all but one light, took off his shirt and pants and climbed into his makeshift bed, fuming. If Nathan hadn’t arrived, Jake would probably be in bed with Kendall doing a hell of a lot more than sleeping.

  Across the room, Nathan removed his shirt and slid into bed, still wearing his jeans. His eyes met Jake’s across the room, and Jake felt something cold settle in his spine, as if he were looking at something not human. Then Kendall came out of the bathroom and tripped over him, accidentally kicking him in the ribs, and all he could think about was breathing.

  “What are you doing down there?” she asked, rubbing her foot.

  “Trying to sleep,” he wheezed. “Right now, I’d settle for breathing.”

  Without even checking to see if he was OK, she stepped over him and got in bed. He listened to the covers rustling as she settled. He looked across the room at Nathan and saw he was watching Kendall. One big damned pajama party without any of the fun. Jake punched his pillow into obedience and closed his eyes, shutting out the smell drifting down from the bed.

  He woke to heavy breathing. His imagination got the best of him for a minute, until he saw Nathan tossing and turning on the pull-out bed. Must be having a nightmare. He knew about those. Nathan’s breathing came faster and he shot up in bed. Jake pretended to sleep and watched through the slits between his lashes. Nathan jumped to his feet and threw on his shirt. He was moving strangely. He started toward the door, and then bent down. Jake could hear noises, like cloth moving around, but he couldn’t see over the bed to take in what Nathan was doing without being spotted. After a second, Nathan stood and hurried to the door. He paused once and looked back at the bed where Kendall slept.

  Jake blinked. For a second it looked like Nathan’s eyes were glowing.

  The minute the door shut, Jake rolled to his feet and pulled on his jeans and boots. He grabbed the keys and slipped into the hallway, still putting on his shirt. Why would Nathan leave without a note? If not for him, at least for Kendall. There was some kind of connection between them. It might not be lust, but it was strong. He crept downstairs. The inn was quiet. Everyone must be asleep. Jake hurried outside into the cool night air. It had rained and the grass was wet. Something streaked across the yard and Jake followed. He was fast, the fastest on his team. And his team had been the best, yet he couldn’t keep up. Nathan—it must be Nathan—moved like light.

  Jake followed him into town and found the spot where Nathan had parked his car, a dry patch protected from the night’s rain. The only sign that he’d been there. What the hell was he up to?

  He went back inside the inn and started up the stairs. When he reached the landing, he saw a man entering a room at the end of the hall. The lights were dim, so he couldn’t see the man’s face. Jake unlocked his door and stepped inside. He locked the door again, shucked his pants and boots, and started to climb in bed next to Kendall when he saw something lying on the floor. He bent and picked it up. It was the cross the thief had stolen from Kendall. How had it gotten inside their room?

  Rome, Italy

  Nathan sat in one of his offices, staring at the papers scattered across his desk, not really seeing them. Kendall must think he was a bastard, rushing out like that. She probably already thought he was one. He was distant, always on guard. He had to be or she might discover his secret. If he’d stayed in that room with her and Jake any longer, the whole bloody inn might have found out. It was getting worse, harder to control. The damned thing was that he didn’t know what it was. Whatever it was, he sure as hell didn’t want it.

  He blew out a sigh and looked at the security report in front of him. There had been another attempt to break into his network. And one of his guards who’d gone on vacation had turned up dead. He had to get Kendall and Jake out of here, and then he needed to ask Jake some questions. Starting with where he’d gotten the sketches. Nathan picked up the piece of paper he’d taken from Jake’s pack. Four objects drawn on one side, and a statue on the other. He’d never seen this paper in his life, but the things sketched there had haunted his dreams for as long as he could remember. All these years, he thought the images were only dreams. If the statues were real, maybe the other things were too.

  He opened the journal and put the piece of paper inside, matching the torn edges. He rubbed his hands over his neck, trying to loosen the knots. He hadn’t hired Jake just because he was the best in his field; Nathan also wanted to know what he was really doing in the Middle East. After a few assignments, testing him, he’d decided Jake was merely a pawn in Iraq. In spite of his rebel attitude, Jake was trustworthy enough to send with Kendall. Now Nathan was worried that he’d put her in the lion’s den.

  He put the journal down on top of the papers littering his desk, not really seeing the names at the top. Fergus’s soft tap sounded on the door. “Come in.”

  Fergus stepped inside. His clothes were impeccable and his hair was in place, even though he’d traveled all night to get here.

  “How was your trip?” Nathan asked.

  “Fine.” Fergus glanced at the papers on the table, his eyes going to the names on the reports. “Did Kendall and Jake agree to leave?”

  Nathan put the papers in a pile and stuck them in a folder. He trusted Fergus more than anyone else. He’d been like a father to him, but he didn’t want to share this information, at least not yet. “They don’t have a choice. I’m sending them home on the jet. Call ahead and tell the guards to keep Kendall and Jake at the mansion. But keep them apart.”

  “You don’t want her with Jake?” Fergus frowned. “He’s kept her safe so far. Quite impressive considering the lack of information they were given.” Fergus gave him a disapproving glare.

  “Just do it, please.” Nathan rubbed his eyes. “I need you do to something else. Have the research team look into this foundation.” He picked up a card on which he’d written the name of the foundation that was linked to the castle. He needed to investigate deeper, but he didn’t have the time. He looked up to see Fergus still frowning at him. “What’s wrong?”

  “You need to see a doctor?”

  “No I don’t.”

  Fergus’s chin jutted out. “It’s getting worse.”

  “And you think doctors can help?” He gave a raw laugh.

  “But how do we know they can’t? You’re basing your belief on a dream about two men discu
ssing a curse.”

  “I don’t think it was a dream. I didn’t see the men’s faces, but one of them was holding a journal.” Nathan held up the journal he’d found in Thomas’s pocket. “This one.”

  “Where did you get it?”

  “From a dead man.”

  “Surely you’re not robbing graves.”

  “One of the thieves who stole the box from Kendall and Jake had it.” Which made no sense, but this was the right path. It had to be. Nathan closed his eyes. Sometimes they felt like they would explode.

  “See,” Fergus said. “Even when you’re...normal...you still hurt. Why won’t you listen to me?”

  “I was a boy when my father hired you to take care of me. I’m a man now and I don’t need a keeper.”

  Fergus looked offended. “You’re making a mistake, sir. About many things.” He took the card from Nathan and turned to go. “For one, your father didn’t hire me.”

  “What do you mean? You’ve been with me since I was a kid.”

  “I wasn’t hired until after the accident.”

  “Then who the hell hired you?”

  There was knock on the door and Marco stuck his head in. Fergus looked at the man and his mouth dropped open as if he’d seen a ghost. Fergus was never tanned, but he was ashen now. The two men stared at each other, and then Fergus walked out without a backward glance.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  KENDALL WOKE UP groggy. She looked down at the arm around her waist. In the darkened room, she wasn’t sure who it belonged to. His scent registered at the same time she noticed the scar at the top of his thumb. How had Jake gotten in bed with her? This would start another war. Irritated, she checked to see if Nathan had seen them, but he wasn’t there.

  “He’s gone,” Jake said in her ear. His mouth moved lower, nuzzling her shoulder.

  She thought about what happened on this bed last night before Nathan showed up. The kisses, bodies pressing...She tried to move away, but Jake had her pinned with his arm. “When did he leave?”

  Jake let one bare foot touch hers. “In the middle of the night.”

  “Did he say where he was going?”

  “No.” Jake brushed his lips over her ear, sending tingles to places she didn’t need tingles. “Didn’t really have time. He snuck out.”

  Nathan probably left to get the jet ready. “Could you move your arm so I can get up?”

  “I don’t want to.” His hand moved down her stomach.

  She sighed and trapped his hand, stopping its descent. “I thought you were sleeping on the floor.”

  “The floor’s no place to sleep on your honeymoon.”

  “I believe you were going to sedate me and sneak out on our honeymoon.”

  “I can make it up to you,” he said, pulling his hand free and slipping one finger in the waistband of her pajamas.

  She lifted his arm and slid free, turning to face him.

  He let his head rest against the pillows, eyes smoldering as he watched her. He looked too darned sexy first thing in the morning.

  “Nathan didn’t say anything?” she asked.

  “No. Didn’t even leave a note. What’s wrong? You miss him already?”

  “What’s he holding over you?” she asked, ignoring his jabs.

  She thought he was going to refuse to answer, but he looked at the ceiling, his face serious now. “I was in trouble. He helped me out.”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “I’m tired of talking.” He reached for her leg, letting his hand slide up her thigh. “We’ve seen the merchandise. I think it’s time to take it for a test drive.”

  Kendall moved quickly off the bed. “You need a cold shower.”

  “Your cold shoulder’s doing the trick.”

  “What time are we leaving? It’ll take a couple of hours to get to the jet.”

  “I’d rather leave while it’s still dark. It’s six now. Sun rises a little after seven. We need to be out of here by then.”

  “I’m going to take a shower.” Maybe she would take a cold one. “Do you need the bathroom first?”

  He got out of bed and walked around to her side. No man had a right to look so good in underwear. He made quick use of the bathroom before Kendall got in the shower. When she came out, he was gone. She packed her things and put the bags near his. He hadn’t zipped his pack all the way. She knelt to close it and saw a glint inside. At first she thought it was the chain he’d found near Thomas. Without thinking, she opened the pack and reached for the object. It wasn’t the chain. A cross lay on top of a coil of rope. Raphael’s? Then she noticed the small differences. Raphael’s was wider and the openings smaller than this one. Stunned, she picked it up. It was hers—Nathan’s. The one Thomas had stolen in the catacombs. A noise came from Brandi’s room, pulling Kendall from her shock. Was Jake searching for the box again? She put the cross back in Jake’s pack and went to check.

  She opened the door and saw a man entering his room at the end of the hall. She hadn’t seen him before. He must be a new guest. He turned the doorknob and Kendall saw a gold ring on his finger. It had a large red jewel. The man turned and spotted Kendall. She wasn’t sure if his flinch was physical or if she’d merely sensed it, but it was enough for her to know he recognized her, and that he was shocked to see her there. Or shocked to see her alive?

  They had to leave. Now.

  She hurried toward the stairs. Jake wasn’t in the dining room. She heard a voice in the library and peeked in. Loretta was looking at the shelves, hair in curlers, wearing another muumuu and talking to herself.

  “Kara! Oh, you’re up early. Are you and Jason going to watch the sunrise?”

  “No. Actually, I was looking for him.”

  A secretive look crossed Loretta’s face. “Maybe he’s in the dining room with the others. They’re going to watch a genuine Italian sunrise outside town. I’m too tired. All night I dreamed about that danged grave. I need something boring to read to get my mind off of dead bodies.” Loretta grabbed a book and brought it to the door. She gave Kendall another cryptic look. “You seem worried. Is everything OK with you and Jason?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  Loretta moved closer, putting on her conspiratorial face. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I saw him going into Brandi’s room last night before the tour. With Brandi.”

  “I think he wanted her to check the cut on his forehead.”

  Loretta gave Kendall a knowing look. “Careful that she doesn’t check something else. I’d keep an eye on that girl. She’s got something up her sleeve. I think she put something in my drink that day in the dining room when she went to get us water. I slept like the dead all day and all night.” Loretta clapped her hand to her curlers. “You don’t think she has designs on Gilbert?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  “She’s sneaky. I’ve seen her watching you and Jason when you don’t know she’s looking. She’s not the only one. When I started downstairs, that new guest was listening outside your and Brandi’s rooms. He’s probably a pervert. I never did trust men who wore rings, especially big fancy rings. Other than wedding bands, of course. It seems kind of primpy. I notice you and Jason don’t wear them.”

  “He doesn’t like rings and mine is being repaired.”

  “I see. Jason’s definitely not the primpy type, but you might want to consider getting him to wear one. With those looks...” She wiggled her eyebrows. “You just keep an eye on that Brandi, you hear. She’s up to something, and I hope it isn’t stealing your husband. Anyone could see you two are madly in love.”

  Madly in love? Her and Jake? A little lust maybe. But love...? Kendall escaped Loretta and started searching for Jake. He wasn’t in the dining room or on the patio. Maybe he’d gone back upstairs. She hurried to the room and heard a thump outside the window. She peeked out and saw a man climbing down the trellis. Jake? It was too dark to see. She started to open the window when her door burst open and Brandi stood there, her eyes wide, face
pasty white.

  “Where is it?”

  “Where’s what?” Kendall asked.

  “My bag. You know what was in it. Where is it?” Up close, Kendall could see Brandi’s eyes were swollen.

  “I didn’t take your bag.” Did she mean the box was in it?

  “You have no idea what you’re doing.”

  “I swear, I didn’t take it,” Kendall said, praying that Jake had.

  Brandi looked undecided. “It must have been the man you were sitting with in the dining room last night. Who was he?”

  “You mean my...brother? Why would he take it?” Surely Nathan hadn’t taken it when he slipped out in the night.

  Brandi frowned. “He’s your brother?”

  “I noticed you seemed shocked to see him.”

  “It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him. He was hurrying away from the church yesterday morning when I went to look for you. That was about the time the...the tourist was killed.” Her face tightened. “I assumed he must have had something to do with the murder. Where is he?”

  “He’s gone, but he didn’t murder anyone. Are you sure it was him you saw?”

  “Unless he has a twin.”

  “What’s wrong?” Loretta asked, popping her head in the door. She had a book clutched in her hand.

  “Brandi thinks her bag’s been stolen,” Kendall said.

  Loretta gasped. “Stolen?”

  “It’s missing,” Brandi said, staring at Kendall, her gaze still accusing.

  “I bet it’s that new guest. I knew there was something wrong with him.”

  “New guest?” Brandi asked, puzzled. “Kendall’s brother?”

  “Who’s Kendall? Oh, you mean Kara? Lord no, Kara’s brother wouldn’t steal anything. I mean that strange man at the end of the hall. The one who checked in last night. I told Kara I saw him eavesdropping outside both of your rooms. He’s probably a cat burglar. A normal man doesn’t wear a big ole ruby ring. I’m going to get Roberto. We’ll all need to check our valuables.”