“But you owe Carl…”
She opened her eyes to meet his gaze. “I loved Carl and would’ve loved him if he was a dead-broke nobody. I don’t regret a second I spent with him. I can’t regret the time I had with Caitlin, the grandchild you never had a use for unless there was a photographer present. Don’t try to lecture me about familial obligations. Just go and don’t come back.”
She watched as the man slowly gathered his composure, pulling the tattered threads of his dignity around him like a worn coat. He glared at her as if studying some noxious creature and straightened his tie before dismissing her as if she had never existed. Kyle made a move and the senator turned on him with a snarl.
“You’re fired, Manning. Do not think about sending me a bill.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Weatherly. If you recall, I fired you last week. And I have the documentation to prove my case if you try to cause problems for any of us later. You won’t win this fight.”
Senator Weatherly glared at the PI for a long moment.
“Come on, Uncle Howard. Your assistant’s about to have a coronary. We’ll be late if you don’t shake a leg.” Mandy stuck her phone back in her huge tote and gestured at her uncle.
Weatherly shot Dani a final, unfathomable glance and stalked through the gathered crowd as the driver scrambled to get the door open.
Mandy gave Dani a huge wink, miming a phone to her ear once the man was in his car, stuck a card in Kyle’s hand with a breathy command to call, then scrambled to reach the vehicle before the driver peeled off in a spray of gravel.
Dani remained tense until the car pulled out of sight in the distance.
“I can’t believe that horrid man still wins elections.” Anna placed a warm hand on Dani’s shoulder.
“He must be doing badly in this one. That’s the only reason he’d track me down like this.”
“Well, honey, he’ll to have to figure out how to win without you. You did good, Dani. I don’t think he’ll be back. He doesn’t strike me as someone used to hearing the word no.”
Dani patted Anna’s hand, glad for the support. “I’m not sure anyone ever told him no. He wanted Carl to follow in his footsteps, and that meant having the perfect family. I think I was Carl’s one attempt at rebellion, since I was so obviously the wrong person for him.”
“Looks like that young lady is a force to be reckoned with.” Charlie continued to watch in case the car returned.
“I can’t believe she’s related to that bastard. She’s so… nice.” Kyle stared at the card in his hand, desire obvious in his eyes.
“That’s Mandy, Howard’s sister’s only child. She seems to have escaped the family evilness. Maybe she can balance out some of the damage Howard’s done in this world.” Dani sagged, as the adrenaline high wore off. Pain radiated from the area on her back that was still not healed.
“I can’t believe I spent so long hiding from that man.” She shook her head, speaking mainly to herself. “I crawled into a hole and pulled the dirt over me so he wouldn’t find me, when all I had to do was tell him no.”
“I think the recording and the unfriendly audience had a lot to do with his quick retreat.” Charlie’s deep voice resonated in her chest. “Standing up to him took courage, Dani. I’m proud of you.”
“You must rest.” Amman was in front of Dani as quickly as if she had been summoned, peering into her eyes and resting a hand on her forehead. “Your room is prepared. I will bring you broth as soon as you are settled.”
She gestured to her people, but Lateef scooped Dani up before anyone else could move, walking through the door Kyle held open.
“I’m sorry, Danielle.”
She reached out for Kyle’s hand, urging Lateef to stop. “It’s not your fault, Kyle. You took a job and your client ended up being kind of evil. Howard’s good at sounding reasonable until you cross him. When you found out the truth, you didn’t turn me in. No need for you to be sorry.”
Kyle squeezed her hand, but she could tell he couldn’t forgive himself. Maybe he and Mandy would find an opportunity to exchange notes about the Weatherly family that would give Kyle some peace. In spite of the reason he had come into her life, she wanted him to find his happy ending. Maybe Mandy?
Exhaustion swept over her in a wave and she leaned her head against Lateef’s shoulder as her eyelids grew too heavy to keep open. Could her long nightmare really be over? Even Howard would have to understand she hated him enough to make her presence in a campaign ad more of a problem than a positive. Maybe she’d have some lawyer release a statement that she was alive and living on the other side of the world to remove Howard’s last excuse for using her.
‘Rest, my love. You’re home with people who love you.’
She sank into Lateef’s unconditional love, content, for the moment to keep breathing, though she once again felt the presence of the shadowy figure from her dreams. She ignored the ghost’s threat.
‘You are mine, Danielle. No one will keep us apart.’
Chapter Twenty-eight
Lateef hesitated on his way down the stairs, watching Dani and Anna at the dining room table discussing the final details of the big party about to start. The main floor of the house was so different now. The living room was connected to the dining room and had been expanded with a bay window and skylight. The dining room still contained the large, wooden table where Dani had served the memorable meals to the Hatti search party, but now a wall separated it from the kitchen. A door to the kitchen was always guarded by one of the junior members of the Hatti clan. The only concession Dani had won was a drink and snack bar set into an alcove in the dining room. The women of the clan did their best to ensure Dani had everything she needed. However, sometimes she needed something as simple as getting her own cup of coffee to boost her self-esteem.
If she’d let me heal her, she could be totally independent. All of the Hatti could move into the other buildings, or even go back to their ship. Lateef let the thought slide through his mind, taking care Dani couldn’t pick any stray information from behind his mental shields.
He remembered the reason for the party and sighed. With any luck Amman wouldn’t have to drug Dani to force her to do what everyone knew needed to be done. Dani was fading in spite of everything they tried in the seven months since the incident on the Hatti ship. She had to return to Beryl and cooperate with Mellora so they could heal her completely. They needed to learn what was draining her strength and why she blocked their efforts to fix it.
He shook off his morbid thoughts, trotted to the kitchen door and knocked, expecting to see one of the Hatti youngsters. There was absolutely no chance he would ever again enter Hatti food prep space without an escort.
Instead, Madame Amman opened the door and shoved a tray into his hands.
“Make sure Danielle Hamilton drinks all. This is too much excitement, Lateef. I do not agree with this party. We should have returned her to the Healer Hall months ago, whether she wanted to go or not.”
Lateef agreed with the formidable matriarch. “Dani won’t let us heal her until she’s ready. You were there when we tried.” He swallowed his fear. She had tolerated their efforts to heal her spine and the nerves and muscles around the injury, but when they attempted to flush out the remnants of the poison, Dani had absolutely refused to cooperate. The one attempt to force her had set her condition back far enough to make him stop trying. Even Mellora had been forced to acknowledge the futility of continuing. “We have to convince her everything here is good before she’ll let us help.”
“I do not know what else to do. Her business and home are thriving, and she has dealt with the man she feared. There is nothing left for her to worry about. We have even started preparing the garden, although this warm spell shall prove deceptive. Our botanist is surely competent enough for her to trust.”
Amman’s dark eyes snapped with irritation
and Lateef ducked his head to hide his smile. Dani had slapped the bastard down all by herself. Probably one of the only times the senator had to accept defeat. The rumors they’d released of her presence in several foreign countries set off a media frenzy that had finally died down. Enough photos of her had been manufactured by the Hatti that the mystery of her disappearance was considered solved. Howard had won the election without Dani’s endorsement. That kept him too busy to worry about an unwanted daughter-in-law. Silver linings to everything, if you look hard enough.
“You know what she’s like, Madame. Dani still grieves and feels responsible for everything. She’ll never agree to leave for an extended length of time, no matter how much she trusts us. But your potions, and my healing can no longer keep the poison at bay. She must return to the Healer Hall.”
The Hatti sniffed and Lateef inclined his head to her. “I know you can convince her to do what she needs to do. She thinks I’m too protective.”
“You do coddle the girl, but such is to be expected when one is in love.” Her expression softened as she continued. “I do hope Taltos and the crew arrive in time.”
“I thought they weren’t due back for another month?” Lateef caught the fact she wanted a certain man, rather than the entire clan. Can Amman be in love? The thought was comforting and made him feel a bit closer to the stoic leader.
A greenish blush crawled up the woman’s neck and she stared into the distance. “Thane Hantili learned of our success in acquiring the goats, and decided it was worth returning to add the goat and the sheep cheese to our trading inventory.”
Lateef bowed his head to hide his mirth. “I’m glad Madame Tamarra came to an understanding with the Saunders. He was ready to retire, and she seems happy with the goats.”
Happy was an understatement. He’d always considered Tamarra the enforcer of the clan and yet the tall woman was giddy every time he saw her in the field attempting to train Abby in the finer art of goat herding. The poor dog had been an utter failure with the sheep. He always got the impression the trained sheepdogs just laughed at the sheltie whenever she got near the flock.
“It’ll be good to see the Thane again, if he gets back before we have to leave.” His mood quickly sank. He’d put Dani into a deep coma, if that was his only option.
Amman touched his shoulder and he looked up at the uncharacteristic contact. “You will heal her completely. You succeeded with Hantili.”
“He didn’t fight me at every turn.”
“I have confidence in you. Now, go make sure she drinks her medicine, and be prepared to be firm if she becomes too excited. Do not let a sweet face distract you.” Amman turned away, slipping the door shut before he could reply.
Guess I’ve been told. Joy lifted his spirit as he carried the tray to the table where Dani chatted with Anna.
Dani picked up the mug with a smile of thanks that turned to a grimace as she noticed the light green color. “I was hoping for coffee.”
“I tried,” he said. “But Amman was adamant you had to drink your potion first. Otherwise you’ll miss some of the party.”
“Potion is right,” she muttered. But she took a tentative sip, knowing argument was pointless. “This one isn’t bad.”
“You don’t need quite as much medicine.” The lie slid easily from his lips. There was no reason to dampen her spirits. For a few hours they could pretend all was okay.
“Is everything ready?” she asked. “I feel odd throwing a party and not doing anything. I want to cook.”
“Amman’s crew has the food covered, and Charlie and the teens have everything else under control.” Lateef took the empty seat beside her and ran a hand along her hair. “Today is for you to allow us to pamper you. Arguing will only make you look ungrateful.”
She shrugged. “Can’t dispute that,” she said. “Want to help me go outside?”
“Not until you finish your drink.”
She grumbled under her breath but obeyed. “I heard from Kyle. He’s bringing Mandy. I can’t believe those two are still in touch.”
“That was unexpected. Is she still with the senator?” Lateef shook his head in disbelief.
“Not much. The marketing job in Denver keeps her busy. Reconnecting with her was almost worth dealing with Howard. I still don’t believe his complete denial about the origins of our guests. Mandy believes they’re from outer space, but Howard insists they’re foreigners. When he’ll talk about that day, anyway. According to Mandy he prefers to forget he ever came up here.”
Lateef snorted. “I bet. Getting that man out of your head was worth the show-down. Mandy was a bonus. And I’m sure it’s easier to ignore a bunch of people who might not belong instead of giving future opponents an excuse to question his sanity.”
She shrugged and finished off the warm drink. “Are Rissa and Brandon coming?”
He nodded, refusing to meet her eyes. “Mellora, too.”
Before she could dig for more information the front door flew open and a veritable herd of children poured in. The human and Hatti mixed with no distinction, all talking happily at the top of their lungs. Abby circled them, trying to influence the direction of the swarm, but it was a bit much to expect of one sheltie. They circled the table and converged on Dani, all babbling excitedly about something that had happened outside where the adults were already gathering.
Anna took advantage of the distraction to pull Lateef into the living room.
“Okay, pretty boy,” she said. “It’s past time for some answers. And I’m not interested in the story you’ve been peddling to everyone else. I want the whole truth.”
Lateef studied her and then nodded with resignation. “Okay.”
Anna’s expression immediately became suspicious, her gaze intensifying.
“You’re Dani’s best friend,” he said. “She trusts you more than anyone. You deserve the truth. But you’ll be the only one besides Kyle to know.”
Anna snorted.
“I’m serious. I’ll tell you the whole story and you can decide who else needs to know.” He looked at Dani, feeling Anna’s scrutiny for a moment.
“I’ll let Charlie in on the secret.”
“That’s okay.” His attention remained on Dani and the children and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “It’s not good to have secrets between spouses.”
“And yet you’re trying to keep a secret from Dani?”
He blushed and turned back to the older woman. “Sometimes it’s necessary.”
“Dani doesn’t like secrets.”
Lateef returned the woman’s intense scrutiny, looking for clues his trust was misplaced without invading her thoughts. “I know,” he admitted when he could find only genuine concern. “But she still isn’t convinced she deserves to live. She’s an incredible woman, but I haven’t been able to convince her yet. Until she releases the stupid guilt she carries, she won’t recover.”
Anna studied him for a few moments and then nodded her head decisively. “I knew I liked you. What’s your secret?”
Lateef laughed. “I think I’ll put off introducing you to my mother. I’m not sure the universe would be safe with two of you in the same space.”
“It’s good to know there are more sensible people out there.” Anna waited.
“Okay,” he held up his hands in surrender at her impatient look. “You’ve realized most of the people living here are not really natives?”
Anna rolled her eyes. “Tell me something I don’t know. We all saw the spaceship, and no one bought the lame story about an experimental helicopter.” She snorted in derision.
Lateef stared at her in shock. “And no one cares?”
Anna shrugged. “The kids are polite, well-behaved and so far from evil, how could anyone mind? And what invading army would bring along their children?”
“I’m a little surprised,” Lateef
stuttered. “I thought it would make a difference.”
“I’m sure to some people it does,” Anna admitted. “But the human brain is capable of ignoring information it doesn’t want to process. People tend to believe what they are able to handle. Unless they pose a threat, our visitors are welcome. What are you hiding?”
Lateef chuckled. “I thought that would be the hard part.”
“No,” Anna insisted. “The hard part is telling me what’s wrong with Dani and what you’re going to do about it.”
He stared at her for a long moment and then sighed. “Dani doesn’t remember much of what happened.”
“I gathered.” Anna sat down on the couch and patted the cushion beside her. “She hasn’t talked much since she came home.”
He sat beside the dark-haired woman who had been a surrogate mother to his love and gathered his thoughts, listening to the happy shrieks of children as Dani teased them. “She stopped a war before it could start.”
“Sounds like a good story.” Anna’s eyes popped wide for a moment before she patted her thick braids into place and settled in to listen.
“There was a… situation at an official banquet.” Lateef could feel his face warm as he admitted his part in the disaster. “I was set up by someone who wanted to be sure those problems were magnified and like an idiot I stepped into the trap.”
“And that’s how you ended up here?”
Lateef nodded. “My ship crashed nearby, and Dani found me, gave me a place to recover and I fell in love. I tried to stay away from her. I didn’t want to get her tangled up in my problems, but the Hatti were so close on my heels, I couldn’t abandon her. Not when they started interrogating people. Then Kyle showed up and I…”
“Noticed Kyle was handsome and moving in on your girl?”
Lateef felt his face grow hotter and looked away. He’d hoped she wouldn’t pick up on his jealousy. “Something like that,” he muttered. “But I would have stayed away if she’d chosen him.”
At Night's End Page 22
