Gambler's Folly (Bookstrand Publishing Romance)

by Mellie E. Miller

  “I promise, when this is over, we’ll take a long vacation, back to Earth. You can meet Mama and the rest of the family, and learn a little bit about what we are.”

  “There’s so much I want to know about people like us, and we’ve had so little time to discuss it.”

  “Mama will be the best person to help you. Since she is a priestess, too, she can answer your questions and show you things I can’t. You’ll love her, once you get to know her.”

  “But will she like me? I don’t really miss Earth, you know. I don’t really have any family left there, no real ties.”

  “That’s alright, cara mia. Once you’re adopted into our family, you’ll have more ties than you can stand.” He laughed. “Dio, cara!” he exclaimed. “We have to get married!”

  “Married?” she asked. “Oh, no! In church, right?”

  “Yes, in church. Mama insists it be a proper marriage. And I just wanted to take a nice relaxing trip home.”

  For some reason Karianna started to laugh. And the longer it went on, the worse it was, until she was holding her sides, with tears streaming down her face.

  Finally seeing the absurdity in the situation, Damiano began to chuckle, too, and then to laugh.

  Drying her face and catching her breath, Karianna shook her head and said, “It’s not like she can separate us, honey. Since we’re already a mated pair, the wedding won’t be nearly as exasperating.”

  “I suppose. And it will be nice to have a real wedding instead of just a piece of paper filed with the court. Something to share with family and friends.”

  “Yes! It should be exciting. My first marriage was performed by a justice of the peace.”

  “If Mama has her way, and she usually does, this will be quite the affair. Full mass I would think, and a full cathedral.”

  “Cathedral?” Karianna asked.

  “The church won’t be big enough for everybody. So she’ll probably insist on the cathedral. Knowing her, it’s probably already on standby.”

  “How can it be on standby?” she asked.

  “She’s good friends with the bishop.”

  “Cathedral?”

  “Are you Catholic?”

  “I’m not devout, but I was confirmed in the faith.”

  “Then I’m afraid so.”

  Chapter 32

  The next morning was the last day of the work week. Damiano kissed her and headed off for his office, with Paolo and Marco at his side. Karianna had another cup of coffee and at ten o’clock went to train with Carl. The workout helped reduce her stress levels, which had been rising since their flight from the lodge.

  Damiano came home for lunch, looking tense in a predatory sort of way.

  “Honey, have you heard anything yet?” she asked him.

  “Yes. They have agreed to meet with me in the evening, two days from now. We have agreed on a meeting place in neutral territory, so everything should be fine.”

  “How can you be sure?” she asked.

  “I can’t. That’s why I’ll take precautions. Of course, he will also, which should keep us all safe from harm.”

  “Will we still go out tonight and tomorrow? Or would it be better to stay here, behind a nice strong door?”

  “At this point, it doesn’t matter. Unless they are much more desperate than I think, there should be no overt attacks.”

  “How sure are you?”

  After thinking for a moment, he answered, “About seventy percent certain. I know there is a risk, but this is as sure as I can be.”

  “Then I guess it will have to do,” she answered quietly. “And then it will be over?”

  “Si, cara mia. Then it will be over.”

  “I wish I understood more of what is going on. I feel so useless.”

  Damiano thought for a moment before answering her. “At this late date, I can tell you a little. I don’t know if it will help much, but it shouldn’t hurt anything.”

  “Alright. Tell me whatever you feel you can. I’ll do my best.”

  “In the early days of Gambler’s Folly, those who could bought up property to develop and formed the syndicate. At first, it was simply an owner’s organization to regulate trade on Gambler’s Folly. Those with the most property had the most influence on how things would run.”

  “Well, that makes sense. They had the most at risk.”

  “Exactly. And those wiser individuals laid out certain rules about what would be done and what was off limits.”

  “So there are things that aren’t ‘allowed’ here?”

  “Yes, and chief among them, as far as most of the syndicate is concerned, is drugs. While they can be very lucrative, it is a filthy business. Hence the decision not to engage in this activity, on many of the newer worlds.”

  “I can see your point. Once you have them addicted, they’re no longer particularly profitable to you. Crime goes up, the class of your clientele goes down, and you lose more elsewhere.”

  “Yes. So now, many generations later, the older family heads are retiring, dying, making room for the younger men at the top. I’m one of the younger members, but I believe in the older values.”

  “I’m guessing others don’t.”

  “Right. Several of the younger owners are pressing me, and a few others with large territories, who hold to the older ideals, to sell some of our properties, to even out the influence among the families.

  “They also want to get into the drug business with this new drug that’s hit the streets. They claim it has fewer side effects and less addiction than the older ones. But what I’ve seen does not bear that out.”

  “So your meeting is to sort this out? How will that actually help anything? After you talk, what will keep them from continuing to push for more influence? Or what will keep them from bringing the drugs in anyway?”

  “That, cara, is something I can’t discuss with you right now. Suffice it to say that, after our meeting, it will be finished. And then we can take our vacation and get married.”

  “You just had to remind me, didn’t you?” she replied with a smile. “Oh well, I shouldn’t have to worry about you leaving me at the altar.”

  Chapter 33

  They slept in the next day. Things had been far too nerve-wracking lately to rest. Damiano ordered brunch around eleven o’clock, brought up under Dante’s watchful eye. How he could eat anything else was beyond Karianna’s imagination. He’d gone through five apples since he got out of bed. But he’d eaten like he was half starved. Must be something from his leopard half. After brunch, he began to pace the room.

  “Dam, please calm down. You’re going to pace a path in the carpet.”

  With a huge sigh, he dropped heavily onto the sofa. “Dispiace, amore mia. I’m impatient to get finished with this business. There’s nothing I can do until the meeting, and I grow more restless as the time approaches.”

  “Why don’t we cuddle on the sofa and watch a film or something. Something to take your mind off of it.”

  He moved over to make room for her. There was nothing which interested him on the viewer. The news was aggravating. The films all seemed to be crime and murder. After several minutes, the controller bounced twice, then rolled across the floor.

  “Alright, Damiano! What do you want to do?”

  “Besides rip somebody’s throat out? I don’t know. I want to run, climb, scratch my mark on a tree. Something physically violent. But there’s not much I can do here. And everyplace else is too far away from the meeting tomorrow.”

  “How about a swim?”

  “Too cold.”

  “Workout?”

  “Boring.”

  “Bath?”

  His answer was a snarl.

  She thought about it for a few minutes while he continued to pace.

  “How about if you change and we go for a swim? Then we can take a nice warm bath or a shower.”

  Her nose twitched at the change in scent as her mate turned and stalked down the hallway. Hurrying to catch up, she
was just in time to watch the transformation from man to leopard, whose eyes seemed to burn with some inner fire.

  “Rowwrrr…” he said.

  “Give me a minute. I’ll meet you in the pool.”

  Dam was quite a powerful swimmer, even as a cat. They swam and played in the water until Karianna was exhausted.

  “Okay, Tiger. Time for a bath.”

  Pulling himself out of the pool, he shook his entire body, including his feet, sending great sheets of spray around the room.

  “Stop! You’re making a huge mess,” Karianna exclaimed.

  “Growwrrrll…”

  “Oh, alright. Come on.”

  They clambered into the shower, which must have been built with great cats in mind. Even so, they barely fit. Face raised into the falling water, Dam seemed content for a change.

  Once finished with her shower, she grabbed his shampoo from the shelf and massaged the thick foam through his fur, avoiding his face and eyes, while he made happy cat sounds. Eyes closed and whiskers forward, he might as well have been purring.

  One more giant shake and she dried both of them with warm fluffy towels. The swim had really tired her, she thought, as she wrapped her robe around her, and picked up her comb. The great cat watched as she smoothed her hair, occasionally rubbing his head on her thigh.

  Suddenly, he stood up on his hind legs and took a brush from the shelf, with his teeth. His look said she should be able to figure it out.

  “Ahh…You want to be brushed?” A soft growling sound was the answer.

  “Let’s go into the living room, so you can stretch out. I’ll bring a towel for you to lie on.”

  So, sitting on the plush carpet, brush in hand, Karianna groomed the huge black leopard, who was her mate, until he drifted off to sleep. Seeing how comfortable he looked, she pulled a throw pillow off the sofa and joined him.

  Late in the afternoon, she woke to the soft sound of music. Eyes open, she glanced around the room, wondering what shape she’d find her husband wearing. “Dam? Where are you, honey?”

  Walking upright, he came in carrying a tray with tea and snacks.

  “I’m bringing a peace offering for earlier. I’m sorry I was so very difficult, cara mia.”

  “Oh, you were fine. It’s the situation that’s difficult. Are we going down to dinner tonight?”

  “Yes, this one last night before the meeting. Tomorrow you will stay in, while I go and deal with business.”

  It must have been their shared mood, but they both dressed in black for the evening.

  “Ah, mia angelo scura. My dark angel. You are lovely tonight, cara.”

  “Coming from Il Diavolo, how should I take that?” She laughed.

  “Lovely enough to tempt saints into sin, cara mia. As a compliment, of course.”

  “Should be good for business.” The kiss was pure passion, the swat on the bottom stung abominably.

  “Ouch!”

  “Keep your emotions under control.” He smirked. “I can’t take you anywhere for fear of starting a riot.”

  The banter was light, but she could hear the tension underneath. “Come on, Tiger. I’m gonna need a good meal if you’re in that kind of mood.”

  His smoldering eyes seared a path from toe tips to the top of her head. “Your scent gives you away, amore. Maybe we should stay in?”

  Dinner was wonderful after all day in the house. Dancing helped keep the jitters away. They had made it about halfway through their tour of the tables when Dante came up to them. He wasn’t rushing, but his scent smelled urgent.

  “Signor, our opponents have just come through the front door, four of them. At least one of them is armed. How do you want to proceed?”

  “Where is Marco?”

  “By your office.”

  They turned and quickly walked to the corridor which led to the office. Marco stood outside the door, waiting.

  “Marco,” Dam said quietly. “Take Kari back to the suite, the private entrance. Call Giulio and have him meet you with the chopper.”

  Turning to Karianna, he continued. “You must go with Marco, cara. Go to the suite, change into something for traveling. Make sure you have your passport and any official documents you may need, and pack one change of clothes.”

  “Dam, what’s happening?” she asked anxiously.

  “No time. Marco, you know where to go. Call me when you’re safely away. Cara, amore, ti amo—I love you.” With a quick hug and kiss, he was in his office.

  “Signora, hurry. We must leave,” Marco told her, taking her arm.

  They didn’t run down the corridor, but moved very quickly. Once in the suite, Karianna hurriedly yanked the gown over her head and threw it onto the bed. Grabbing the first clothes she came to, she drew on a pair of yoga pants and a long-sleeved, soft cotton shirt. Passport tucked into her purse with the rest of her documents, she shoved a change of clothes into an overnight bag and met Marco in the living room.

  “Come, signora. Giulio is waiting for us on the roof.”

  Taking the stairs two at a time, they were soon at the roof access. Marco opened the door carefully and peered out. The chopper was just landing. Stepping out onto the roof, Marco turned to motion her forward.

  Slamming the door behind her, Karianna heard a small, sharp popping sound. As her eyes swept the scene in front of her, she saw Marco stagger, and slump to the ground.

  “Marco!” she screamed. Just as she saw the gunman, she felt the sharp pain of the shot. Falling, she watched the chopper lift off before she faded into unconsciousness.

  * * * *

  The four young men strolled confidently into Damiano’s office.

  “Our meeting is for tomorrow evening, in another location,” Damiano began. “So why has Il Lupo sent out his bastard pups?”

  “Il Lupo would like for you to assure him that all will be agreed tomorrow evening, Damiano,” one of the men told him.

  “That he can learn tomorrow. And you don’t rank high enough to address me by name. To you, I am Signor Leone.”

  “We’ll see about that tomorrow also,” the man responded. “You may wish to consult your wife on the matter.”

  “Touch my wife and die,” Damiano stated flatly.

  “A domani, Signor.”

  “Esci. Get out.”

  As the last man left the office, Damiano called Paolo over. “Have you heard from Marco?”

  “No, Dam, I haven’t. I thought we should have by now.”

  “Get him on his communicator.”

  Paolo tried to reach him, then tried again. “It’s no use, Damiano. He’s not receiving.”

  “Something’s wrong. Let’s go.”

  Through the corridors, and up the back way to his apartment, they ran at breakneck speed. After they cleared the suite, Damiano led the way to the helipad on the roof.

  “Marco! What happened?” he shouted at the man lying on the roof. “Paolo, call the ambulance. Marco still lives, but he’s unconscious.”

  Before the medical team arrived, Marco came around enough to talk. “Damiano, mi dispiace. I’m sorry. They were waiting for us on the roof. They shot me first. I don’t know what happened to the Signora.”

  Sending him on to the hospital, Damiano went back to the suite. He was sure his opponent, the one known as Il Lupo, the Wolf, was behind it all, especially after the comments in his office. He was not were-folk, just very predatory, and liked to hedge his bets.

  “Dam, can’t you use that little talent of yours and find her?”

  “I’m trying, but if she’s still unconscious, it will be more difficult. And with this much stress, it is even worse. The most important thing, now, is to call the teams and put together a plan.”

  “And tomorrow night? What about the meeting?”

  “That depends on what happens from now until then, Paolo. My wife comes first. If they think taking Karianna will make me become docile, go to the meeting, and say ‘si, signori,’ they are wrong.”

  “Where shall I ha
ve everyone meet?”

  “In my office downstairs. After we make some plans, we’ll go see Marco.”

  * * * *

  Every time Karianna began to come around, someone came in with another injection. She had been too weak from the tranquilizer to protest. Dam must be worried to death. No, probably mad as hell and plotting revenge, she thought.

  As she heard the door open, she closed her eyes and feigned sleep. It must be almost time for another sedative. Maybe she could buy time to become a little more coherent.

  Trying to puzzle it all out, she decided it must have to do with Dam’s meeting the next evening. Or was it already the next day? She had no idea how long she’d been sedated. Whoever had kidnapped her must want to use her as insurance, to force her husband into something he despised.

  From what she understood of his business, he had the largest, or nearly the largest, territory. If he sided with this new element, then the rest would be forced to follow his lead.

  Surely he wouldn’t do that, would he? She hoped and prayed he wouldn’t. She didn’t know exactly what his business entailed, but she was absolutely sure she didn’t want him involved in drugs, by any means. He didn’t approve of them, and had sided with the older syndicate members each time the subject had come up, if he told the truth.

  Could they force him to change his mind?

  “Signora, it is no good playing games,” she heard someone say. Opening her eyes, she saw it was once again time for the sedative. The man had brought reinforcements, who held her quietly enough to get the job done. As she drifted off again, she thought, if I get out of this alive, I’m gonna slug whoever did this to me.

  * * * *

  “Any luck yet?” Paolo asked.

  “I keep getting brief touches, but nothing I can lock onto. She must be sedated.”

  “Well, if it were me, I would have her sedated. They learned she can defend herself the last time they tried to take her.”

  “I know. I don’t believe they’ll harm her, unless today’s meeting goes against them. And then? I just don’t know.” Damiano was back to pacing the floor once again.