by Erin Wade
Caz led her to a hotel laundry room. Darke opened the door and ducked as a metal basket sailed past her head. “It’s me, baby. It’s me.”
Eden flew into her arms, sobbing hysterically. “Is Caz okay?” she asked when she finally calmed down. “A wolf attacked us and …” She fell to her knees as she spotted Caz and hugged the wolf’s huge head to her breasts. “Oh, Caz, I was so afraid. You saved my life.”
Darke pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get to our room.”
Once Eden was safely inside, Darke closed and locked the door. “Tell me what happened.”
“You’ll think I’m crazy,” Eden said. “But … but, Darke, I swear one minute I was arguing with Myron and the next minute he was … Darke, he turned into a wolf!”
Darke raked her hands through her hair. “Are you certain? Maybe you were hallucinating. Maybe—”
“A wolf, Darke! A frickin’ wolf!” Eden’s eyes opened wide as she had an epiphany. She pulled away from Darke, putting the sofa between her and the brunette. “But you know that, don’t you? You know what he is. You’ve always known. That’s why you were called in for this case. Carter, Myron … they’re wolves … werewolves.”
Eden laughed hysterically. “And you, you’re a wolf killer. That’s what you do. You track them down and kill them.”
“Yes.” Darke’s answer was simple and honest. “I track down rogue wolves and kill them.”
##
Eden’s hands shook as Darke handed her a glass of water. She was trying to wrap her mind around her newfound information. “Caz? Is Caz a werewolf?”
“Caz is not a rogue wolf,” Darke assured her. She put a hand on Eden’s shoulder, and the blonde shrank from her touch.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me Father and Sharon were murdered by monsters?”
“There are many things in this world that are best kept secret.” Darke sat down on the sofa across from Eden. “If the average human knew about the monsters that live among us, they would be horrified and begin killing one another.
“The truth is, there are many … not-quite-human beings who walk among us. They are decent beings, doing their jobs, raising their families. Only a few, like Carter and Myron, go rogue and become dangerous.
“It’s my job to minimize knowledge of them and eradicate them as one would kill rabid dogs.”
“Who else?” Eden demanded to know. “Are we surrounded by them?”
Darke shook her head. “No, and your reaction is exactly why we try to keep knowledge of them to a minimum. People panic and begin looking at their neighbors and suspecting everyone they meet of being a monster.
“Hundreds of years ago, chaos broke out in Europe and people started killing each other out of fear, scared their neighbor might be a monster. Millions of innocent people and creatures died. We must never let that happen again.”
“What about Myron’s body?” Eden asked. “Won’t there be questions about his throat being ripped out by a wild animal?”
Darke walked to the balcony and looked down. “Myron’s body is gone. Probably carried away by Carter and any friends he has with him.”
Eden cocked her head and watched Darke. “I thought you were going to spend the day with your latest paramour. What made you come back?”
“Carter confronted me on the trail. He was in wolf form. He told me he was going to kill you and then me.”
“Told you?” Eden raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “He spoke to you?”
Darke squirmed. “Not exactly. I have a telepathic form of communication with animals. I can understand what they’re thinking.”
“And they can read your thoughts?” Eden queried.
“If I direct my thoughts to them. They can’t read them unless I want them to.”
“That’s how Caz always anticipates your wishes?”
“Yes,” Darke said. “Eden, I must speed things up with Rhonda. I fear for her safety if Carter figures out why we’re here.”
Eden waved her hand in disgust. “Sleep with her. I don’t care.”
“Why would you think I want to sleep with her?” Darke was shocked. “Do you think I’m an animal?”
“I don’t know what to think,” Eden said, eager to lash out at her. “You probably grew up in a cave. How do I know you weren’t raised by wolves?”
Darke wheeled on her heel and entered the bathroom. She slammed the door, locked it behind her, and stripped off her clothes. As she stood under the stream of hot water, Darke suddenly felt tired and heavyhearted. Perhaps she should tell Eden the entire truth, but Eden was already disgusted with her.
##
“I’ll be back as soon as possible,” Darke told Eden as she slipped on a fitted dress that accentuated her glorious figure. It flared out from her tiny waist and stopped just below her knees.
“At least it isn’t slit up to your tonsils,” Eden grumbled. “But even in a collared dress you are so sexy.”
“So, you do still care?”
“What do you think?” Eden sobbed. “Go. Just go! Do whatever you have to do so we can leave this godforsaken island.”
“I’ll be at the Tropicana Club if you need me. Stay close to Caz.”
Rhonda pulled to the curb as Darke emerged from the hotel. She watched as the stunning woman sashayed toward the car.
“I didn’t know if I would see you again,” Rhonda said as Darke closed the car door. “Are you terrified of canines?”
“That was cowardly of me,” Darke mumbled. “I owe you an apology.”
“You can make it up to me later tonight,” Rhonda said, resting her hand on Darke’s leg. “Honestly, I welcomed the opportunity to go home and shower. Hiking is a little too sweat-inducing for me.”
They laughed at Rhonda’s choice of words and settled into easy conversation.
“They have a wonderful band at the Tropicana,” Rhonda informed her. “They play any song you want and sing them to fit your sexual preference. You know, woman instead of man and so on.
“I thought dinner, dancing, and a nightcap at my place. Who knows … ? Maybe a little sleepover.” She cast a sly glance at Darke.
“Maybe,” Darke murmured.
Darke had a difficult time concentrating on Rhonda’s conversation. Her thoughts kept racing back to Eden. I was a fool to think things would work out with Eden. She’s young and naïve. She’ll never understand what I am. Why I do what I do. I’ll finish the job I was sent to handle and be on my way.
##
They dined and shared a bottle of wine. “You seem troubled.” Rhonda furrowed her brow. “Anything I can do to help?”
Yes, Darke thought, give me your username and password so I can get on with my life .
“I am troubled by my actions on the trail today,” Darke said, pretending to be distraught. “I’m ashamed, afraid you’ll think less of me.”
“Nonsense.” Rhonda moved closer. “I could never think less of you, Countess, unless you turn out to be a tease.”
“A tease?”
“You know, all sexy and gorgeous, pretending to find me attractive but refusing to put out.”
“Ah,” Darke exhaled softly.
“Oh my, what have we here?” Rhonda practically drooled on the table as she stared over Darke’s shoulder.
Darke turned to watch the gorgeous blonde making her way to the table next to them. “Yes, she is really something,” Darke said.
“She’s alone. We should invite her to join us,” Rhonda said, a fiery flush creeping up her neck and across her cheeks. “You know, three-ways are nice.”
“Not my thing,” Darke huffed. “Why don’t you ask her to dance first?”
“Are you sure you won’t mind?” Rhonda licked her lips. “She’s every woman’s dream.”
“Yes … or nightmare,” Darke mumbled under her breath.
Rhonda approached the blonde’s table and bent down to talk to her. The conversation was short and one-sided. Darke watched as the blonde looked up at Rhonda
, smiled, and shook her head.
“What did she say?” Darke asked when her date returned to the table.
“Shot me down before I even spread my wings,” Rhonda said with a chuckle. “She’s even more magnificent up close.”
“You really are a horndog.” Darke glared at the woman. “Are you always so aggressive?”
“I’ve found it’s the only way to get what I want,” Rhonda said. “On occasion, I miss the boat.”
Darke laughed out loud. “It’s your technique. You act more like a man than a woman.”
“I suppose you could do better?” Rhonda scowled. “Why don’t you take a shot at her?”
Darke shrugged. “She’s really not my type, but I’m pretty sure I could get her to dance with me.”
“A bet!” Rhonda smirked. “If she turns you down, you move all of your Cayman accounts into my bank.”
“That’s a sizable amount of money,” Darke said, frowning. “What in the world could entice me to do that? What would I get if I win?”
“Anything you want.” Rhonda flashed a sexy, suggestive smile.
“Anything?”
Rhonda nodded “Anything. You name your prize.”
“Your username and password and the use of your office computer for fifteen minutes.” Darke shrugged as if it didn’t matter one way or the other.
Rhonda narrowed her eyes and searched Darke’s face. “Only you and only fifteen minutes?” She figured she was safe. The countess didn’t strike her as a computer genius. There was no way she could find and transfer any sizeable amount from one account to another in fifteen minutes.
“That is asking a lot from me,” Rhonda said. “I need added incentive. If I win you also spend the night with me tonight.”
Darke agreed. She got up from the table and approached the blonde. “May I have this dance?” she asked.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Eden said as she slipped into Darke’s arms. “I came to say I’m sorry.”
Darke pulled Eden tightly against her, guiding her around the dance floor in perfect rhythm. She had no words for the sheer thrill of holding Eden in her arms. She pressed her hand harder against the small of Eden’s back. She could feel every move Eden made as she easily followed Darke’s lead.
“I love that you’re such an accomplished dancer,” Eden whispered. Her warm breath and just the slightest touch of her lips to Darke’s ear stirred a longing Darke had been trying to suppress all day.
The song died down, and she stepped back from Eden.
Suddenly the wailing sound of an incredible synthesizer soared through the room as ABBA’s “ Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” burned across the dance floor. The driving beat of the drums and guitars reminded Darke of a pagan fertility ritual. Eden danced backward away from her. Her intoxicating smile made Darke lightheaded.
As the chorus started, Eden began dancing toward her. She was extremely seductive. She swayed her hips to the music as her feet, in perfect time with the drumbeat, carried her to Darke. She lifted her hands above her head, tousled her hair, tilted her head back, and then slid her hands salaciously down her body. She shredded Darke’s soul.
The all-girl band changed the song’s words to fit the audience. “Gimme, gimme, gimme a woman after midnight. Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away? Gimme, gimme, gimme a woman after midnight. Take me through the darkness to the break of the day.”
As the chorus ended, Eden slipped her arms around Darke’s neck. In an erotic haze, Darke put her hands onto Eden’s hips and began to move her around the dance floor, never disengaging herself from Eden’s predatory gaze.
Darke thought she was going to die. The heat generated between them was unbearable. She fought the desire to rip open her collar so she could breathe. A fine sheen of perspiration covered both women as they closed the distance between their bodies. Eden gasped as Darke gripped her as tightly as she could and whirled her around the dance floor. Eden had awakened a desperate need in her—a need Darke knew she could no longer control.
When the song ended, Darke realized they were alone on the dance floor. She tried to swallow, but nothing happened. Applause and catcalls filled the air around them. One of the diners yelled, “Get a room,” and Darke suddenly realized that they had probably just danced one of the most suggestive dances the club had ever seen.
Darke dragged Eden from the dance floor and outside. She had to get some air. She didn’t say anything. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t form a complete sentence. All she could think about was getting Eden alone and making love to her.
Darke hailed a taxi, and they slid into the back seat as she gave the driver the name of their hotel.
“What about Rhonda?” Eden whispered as Darke kissed her.
Darke pulled the blonde into her arms, reveling in her softness. “Rhonda who?”
Chapter 21
Rhonda greeted Darke warmly. “Countess, I have everything ready for you. I’ve given instructions that you are not to be disturbed.”
Rhonda led Darke to her desk and motioned for her to sit down. “What you need is written on the pad in front of the computer. I’ll leave you alone for fifteen minutes.”
“Please, stay,” Darke insisted. “I want to talk with you when I finish.”
Rhonda took a seat on the sofa and watched as Darke’s fingers danced across the keyboard. In less than five minutes, the dark-haired beauty stood and moved from behind Rhonda’s desk.
“All done,” Darke announced. “Oh, and while I was at it, I transferred all my accounts to your bank. Don’t let me down.”
“Can you tell me what you did?” Rhonda asked, still amazed at the swiftness with which the countess had accomplished her task.
“I can promise you that I did nothing illegal or that will come back to haunt you.” Darke smiled. “I hope you and I will always be friends. I suspect that we are very much alike.”
“I think so.” Rhonda chuckled. “Tell me one thing, Countess. Did the blonde spend the night in your bed?”
“Oh, yes.” Darke winked as she closed the door behind her.
Rhonda logged into her bank’s records. She would be able to tell how much money Darke had transferred by comparing the current balance in her bank to the figure she had written down prior to the countess’s arrival. To her surprise, the bank’s assets had increased by several billion dollars.
She didn’t transfer any money out of my bank , Rhonda thought. And though I lost the bet, she still transferred several billion into her account from her other banks.
“You’re a top-notch player, Countess Darke von Knight,” the banker whispered. “I will always take care of you.”
##
“Did we accomplish what you intended?” Eden asked as Darke closed the curtain between them and the rest of the first-class passengers on the plane.
“Thanks to you.” Darke’s eyes sparkled as she leaned in for a sweet kiss.
“What did I do?” Eden asked.
Darke told her about the bet and what she had won. “Rhonda and I parted friends, and we achieved our goal.”
“How did you do it?” Eden asked.
“As you know, Michael Abram gave us the number on the Winthrop account. Instead of transferring all the funds from Carter’s account,” Darke explained, “I simply changed the name on the account to Eden Daye and replaced all his information with yours. It looks like you’ve always owned the account. You’re a wealthy woman again.”
“And I thought you were just a pretty face,” Eden said, wrinkling her nose as she lowered her lips to Darke’s.
##
“What do you mean, I’m broke?” Carter Winthrop raged at his banker.
“Your regular deposit didn’t come in today, sir,” the banker explained. “I checked with your bank in Cayman, and they have no record of any account in your name. I have several checks being drawn on your account but no funds to cover them. I’m sorry. I must refuse them.”
Carter slammed down the phone. “That bitch
Darke Knight!” he raved. “I’ll tear her limb from limb. I’ll make her death so horrible it will only be whispered about in the dark.”
Carter turned to his mother and whined like a little boy. “Mother, what should I do?”
“We have Swiss accounts,” his mother informed him. “I’ll instruct them to transfer money to your US account. We have enough money to survive until you can land a wealthy wife.
“Listen to me carefully, son. Darke Knight is not someone you want to challenge. She is deadly and ruthless. She will behead you without giving it a second thought.
“You’re the last of the Winthrop line. If you die, our family name dies with you. Leave here. Go to another country. Marry a woman and produce as many sons as possible. Raise them to hate Darke Knight and everything she cares about. Then go after her. If one of you is killed, there will still be others to carry on the Winthrop name and dynasty.”
“What about Eden?” Carter growled. “If she has my son, nothing can stop us. She is fair game until she turns twenty-one.”
“We have plenty of time to take care of Eden. Forget about her for now. She is under Knight’s protection. Knight will kill you if you go near Eden.”
“I’m not a weakling, Mother,” Carter snarled. “I can handle Knight.”
“You have no idea how powerful she is.” The woman’s lips twisted into a mirthless grin. “I don’t think anyone knows her strength. She killed your father, and you saw what she did to the pack. No, we must use our wits to bring about her demise.”
Chapter 22
“You got Eden’s fortune back?” Lori frowned in disbelief. “How?”
“All legal and aboveboard,” Darke assured her. “But I have another problem to solve.”
Lori snorted and rolled her eyes. “What does Eden want now?”
“Eden wants to enroll at UT. Enrollment starts in two days.” An amused expression played on Darke’s face. “I have a problem I must attend to at home. I’ll only be gone about ten days, two weeks at the most. Can you room with Eden until I return? I’ll leave Caz so we can protect her 24-7.”
