AMAZON KINDLE VERSION A Siberian Werewolf In London EDITED 3 9 2012 (4 page)

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Pavel Funenko sat on a wooden bench facing the river Thames. A breeze blew across the river, cooling the evening air. Couples walked hand in hand along the pathway next to the river. But his attention stayed riveted on a window in the London Hilton.

 He looked into the hotel room where Grigori Solovyov was staying. He watched excitedly as Solovyov took a woman into his arms. They stood framed in front of the window—a romantic picture of a couple in love.

“Fool, I have you now.”

There was no longer any doubt in Funenko’s mind that the woman was Solovyov’s weakness. Making the woman a target was a sure way to make Solovyov pay for his part in the arrests yesterday. The bosses in Moscow were unhappy to have their profits stolen, even though the original owners had stolen them.

It was time to start making plans. The biggest question now was whether Solovyov should watch while his woman dies, or if Funenko should leave her body for him to find. Funenko rubbed his hands together in glee. This was the favorite part of his job.

He rose from his seat and made his way to the hotel entrance. It was time to do a little clandestine work. He needed to leave a little surprise for Miss Melisande Reule, room 403.

“Solovyov will pay dearly for betraying me.”

CHAPTER THREE

Grigori leaned down to wake Melisande with a kiss. She looked so peaceful and serene. Her golden hair was spread out on the pillow, and her porcelain skin glowed temptingly on the light-blue sheets. He loved how one little foot stuck out from under the covers. He wanted to kiss each toe, then work his way up to other delights.

Earlier he had showered and dressed and hoped she might wake to join him. But Melisande slept soundly, never stirring. Grigori hadn’t been able to bring himself to wake her.

Lewis would be knocking on the door in less than an hour. Grigori didn't want him to find Melisande asleep in his bed. He refused to share her looking so dreamy and delicious.

"Wake up,
milaya moya
. We will have company soon. I don't think you want to meet Scotland Yard looking like that.”

Melisande yawned and stretched. She noticed how Grigori watched her and how his eyes darkened with desire. A thrill of feminine power ran through her. It was nice to have a man want her so ardently.

"I thought you liked how I look.”

"Mine, Meli," he growled, leaning over her. "No one is allowed to see you like this but me. Now, go shower. I will order breakfast and get a few things from your room. There is an officer outside the door, but don't open it to anyone. I have the key, so I'll let myself in. Is there a particular outfit you wish me to fetch you?"

Maybe teasing Grigori wasn’t such a good idea. He seemed grumpy this morning. Of course, they hadn’t slept much. After allowing Grigori to make love to her a second time, she had demanded answers, which he reluctantly gave her. They had talked for quite a while. She knew him better now. He wasn’t crazy.

"One of the pants outfits and clean lingerie, please. My toiletries are in a bag in the bathroom. If you can grab that, too, I would appreciate it.”

Grigori smiled as Melisande got out of the bed and slowly walked into the bathroom. She smiled seductively and didn’t bother to cover her naked form. Her hips swayed provocatively. She flipped her hair back over her shoulders. Then she turned and winked at him as she stood poised in the doorway, taking time to gradually close the door.

Watching her tease him, Grigori grew hard and seriously thought about following her. He would show her exactly what her teasing accomplished. But Ralf Lewis would be arriving soon, and Grigori refused to share Melisande wearing nothing but a robe with him.

Grigori picked up Melisande's key card and left the suite, being careful to make sure the door locked behind him. The police officer Lewis had sent was leaning against the far wall and straightened as Grigori came out the door.

"Stay here. Miss Reule is still inside. No one goes in without me being present. Do you understand?" Grigori asked.

"Spot on, sir,” answered the officer.

"I won't be long. I'm getting a few things from Miss Reule's room.”

"Very good, sir," answered the officer.

Grigori took the elevator upstairs and walked to Melisande's room. He put in the keycard and pushed the door. As it swung open, Grigori stopped. The hair on the back of his neck lifted, and he felt a growl in his throat. Something wasn't right.

He walked into the room and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. The bed was still made, and everything looked the same, but Grigori smelled a difference in the air.

It was the smell of cigarette smoke and sick excitement. Grigori knew Melisande didn't smoke and had requested a non-smoking room. Someone had come into the room after they’d left last night.

He searched it quickly, checking the closet and bathroom, but didn't find anything disturbed or out of place. He knew, however, that undoubtedly a man had searched Melisande's room.

Which meant Lewis was indeed right. Funenko had found out about Melisande from the florist and targeted her. A sensation of fear ran down Grigori’s spine. What would have happened if Melisande had returned to her room last night? Would she have found unwanted visitors waiting for her?

Grigori found the items Melisande had asked for and placed them on her bed. He looked around the room again. He felt danger threatening but wasn't sure where it came from. One thing was certain: Melisande would need to be guarded at all times. It was time to call his pack for help.

Grigori picked up Melisande’s clothes and toiletries bag and headed out of the room. He made sure the door was locked. Then, pulling a hair from his head, he laid it across the keycard slot. If anyone went in the room before he and Melisande returned, the hair would be missing. He hurried back to Melisande and the meeting with Lewis. He needed to know she was safe. He had to make sure nothing happened to his mate now that he had found her.

As Grigori entered the suite, Melisande walked out of the bathroom in a hotel robe. He laid her clothes down on the bed, then walked over and pulled her into his arms.

"You're upset. What is wrong?" she asked him, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I think someone was in your room last night. After we talk with Lewis, we will go back and see if you can find anything missing or out of place. I also want him to check for any electronics.”

"In my room? Wait, you mean like a bug?"

"I want them to check,
lyubov moya
. I'm unsure what the intruders were looking for or doing in your room,” he said. "Lewis arrives here soon, Meli.”

"Okay, I'll get dressed. Grigori, it'll be all right. We'll figure this out.”

"Could you give up this job for Lady Ashtown?" he asked.

"This job is a really great opportunity, Grigori. Lady Ashtown could really help my career.”

"I'm concerned. I'll go with you today to your appointment. I’m going to ask Lewis for a police escort when you leave the hotel.”

"Grigori, I refuse to go into hiding. I need to live my life.”

"Exactly,
lyubov moya
, you need to live. I haven't told you everything, Meli. The heartmate bond connects us in such a way that neither of us can live without the other. If you die, I would also.”

"You've got to be kidding. How is that even possible?"

"No, Melisande, I am not jesting. You are my other half. Without you I would not want to continue.”

"Look, I'm going to get dressed. And then I need a cup of coffee. This is getting really strange,” Melisande said as she picked up her clothes and returned to the bathroom.

Grigori felt her confusion coming through the heartmate bond. He was sorry to be causing her such distress. But he wasn't sure how else to tell her of the life she was now connected to. He didn’t know what she would do when she found out he turned into a wolf on command.

Why had Funenko showed up? Grigori wondered. His sources in Russia should have warned him of Funenko’s arrival. Lewis better have answers for him when he appeared.

Melisande went into the bathroom and put on the silk pantsuit Grigori brought her. She didn't really know what to think about the situation she was in. She felt Grigori's concern for her, as well as his regret. It came through the heartmate bond now connecting them. He wasn't lying to her. There was danger, and he didn't want to lose her. She felt his determination to protect her. But she didn't feel love coming through the bond.

If they were tied at the heart, then shouldn't he love her? Melisande sighed. She really needed a cup of coffee or strong tea. Mornings were not her best time of day.

She felt so close to Grigori. Last night was incredible. Melisande knew she would never find that kind of passion in another man's arms. But passion wasn't all she wanted. She wanted love.

The situation had turned into a nightmare. How was she going to impress Lady Ashtown? When could she leave to get warm beer and see the sights of London? How had she become a target for the Russian mob? How had her whole life been turned upside down? When had she turned into such a baby?

The door opened behind her, and Grigori pulled her into his arms.

"You are upset. All will be well, I promise you.”

Grigori cradled Melisanda in his arms as they stood in front of the mirror. He held her gently and caressed her back and arms. Then he ran his hand over her hair and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

He may not have told her he loved her, but he was kind and gentle. She felt safe and treasured in his arms. It was a start, Melisande thought. Maybe Grigori would learn to love her. She had fallen for him rather rapidly. There was hope, she told herself. Things could turn out okay. She needed to get a handle on things.

As Grigori held his mate in his arms, her confusion echoed through the heartmate bond. He felt her doubts and knew she didn't realize she held his heart. But he needed to control his emotions. If he didn’t contain them, he couldn't protect her. While he was under pressure, logic and reason would serve him best. When the danger was past, he would let her feel the full extent of his feelings for her. But, for now, he needed to safeguard her.

Grigori would go hunting. He knew Funenko's scent now that Melisande’s room had been invaded. It was only a matter of time before he found Funenko. But Grigori couldn't leave Melisande until she was safe.

Grigori had called Siberia on his cell phone as he made his way from the fourth floor to the third. Dmitry, Alpha of the Russian lycanthrope pack, was sending Grigori's cousin, Brencis, and his friend, Valerii Belikov, to help Grigori protect Melisande and find Funenko.

When both Grigori’s and Brencis’ parents had died suddenly, Grigori took Brencis into his home and raised him. They were more like brothers than cousins. Brencis and Valerii were five years younger than Grigori, who was thirty. When they were young pups, both boys looked up to Grigori. But now they were Alpha males in the pack and were strong men. They would be the extra help Grigori needed. Melisande would be safe with three lycanthropes guarding her.

There was a knock on the door to the suite, and Grigori turned as he heard it.

"He is here,
lyubov moya,
” Grigori said as he released Melisande.

"Let me finish up. I'll be right out,” she said, turning toward the sink.

Grigori gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then headed for the front door. He opened it to find Chief Inspector Ralf Lewis, as well as two other officers he didn't recognize, standing in the hallway.