AMAZON KINDLE VERSION A Siberian Werewolf In London EDITED 3 9 2012 (5 page)

"Come in gentlemen. Miss Reule will join us shortly,” Grigori said as he ushered them into the sitting room.

Lewis quickly introduced the other two officers as Kincaid and Hampton.

"Solovyov, sorry this happened,” Lewis said. “We'll get Pavel Funenko, and then you and Miss Reule can finish your business here in London without fear.”

"Why didn't our contacts know about Funenko’s arrival?" Grigori asked.

"They weren't expecting him to come into the country. Our mistake, I'm afraid,” Lewis said. “We didn't realize he’s now a junior lieutenant in the Moscow branch of the mob. He doesn't normally handle the buying of weapons.”

"No, normally he is an assassin and very good at it too,” Officer Kincarid said. “That's why the danger is so high.”

"We think you should move to a safe house, Mr. Solovyov. That way we can more easily guard you and Miss Reule,” Officer Hampton added.

"No.” Melisande's voice came from the bedroom doorway. "Good morning, gentleman,” she said as all the men at the table stood up.

Grigori walked over and escorted Melisande to the sitting area. As he accompanied her, he carefully kept his hand on her back. She wanted to laugh. She knew he was making it plain whom she belonged to, and from the looks of the other men, they knew it as well.

Grigori pulled out the chair next to his and seated Melisande before he also sat. The other men introduced themselves, then sat as well.

"I’m afraid I must agree with Miss Reule,” Grigori said after the introductions. “Hiding from Funenko will not stop him from striking. We must be on our guard and catch him when he does. But whether we stay here, or at a safe house, will not matter. It would be even better if we could catch him before he strikes.”

"Solovyov, if it was just you, then it would be different,” Lewis said. “But you have Miss Reule to protect.”

"Please don't act like I'm not in the room, gentlemen,” Melisande said. “I am here on business with Lady Ashtown, and I will continue as if nothing happened. I refuse to live in fear of this man.”

"But, Miss Reule, you don't understand the danger,” Officer Hampton said.

"I think I do. Funenko wants to kill me in order to get revenge on Mr. Solovyov, because he helped you round up Funenko's accomplices, or for whatever reason. Because Mr. Solovyov worked for you, you feel it is your duty to protect me. Does that sum up the situation?" she asked.

Grigori smiled as he listened to Melisande. His mate was fierce when she felt she was right. He looked forward to watching her in the future. The Alpha himself would have his hands full if Melisande disagreed with him.

Of course, Melisande didn't know Grigori didn't want to be locked in a safe house because he wouldn't be able to shapeshift into a wolf to protect her. Nor did she know he would soon have his pack mates here to guard her.

Melisande would stay safe, Grigori thought. He would protect her, despite her beliefs. But a safe house would only work if it belonged to the pack, not the police. Dmitry was already looking into finding them a place to rent—a place with a secure perimeter and enough privacy so Grigori could turn into a wolf, if he found it necessary.

"But, Miss Reule, surely you don't want to bring danger to Lord and Lady Ashtown,” Officer Kincaid said.

"Why don't we call her and get her take on it. Shall we?" Melisande asked.

Grigori thought it was time to intervene if only to calm his mate, who was becoming more and more irate. On the outside, she was cool and collected, but he felt her irritation, as if it were his own, coming through the mating bond.

"Gentleman, why don't we try to work together?” Grigori asked. “Miss Reule will move into my suite until such time as I can rent a townhome here in London. You can place an officer for protection outside our room. If Miss Reule needs to go out, said officer may accompany us. I am expecting my cousin and his friend to arrive tomorrow. If we all work together, then I am sure we can keep Miss Reule safe. Now, Lewis, I went up to Miss Reule's room this morning. I am sure an intruder broke in. I smelled definite hints of tobacco in the air. If you would accompany us upstairs, I want Melisande to check and see if anything is missing. I also think we should run an electronics check to be on the safe side. Regardless of what we find, she will vacate the room and move down here. If one of your officers guards this room, we can be certain the suite is not compromised. Shall we go?"

Hampton and Lewis got up to follow Grigori and Melisande, while Kincaid waited to guard the suite. Grigori opened the door and led the group to the elevators and up to Melisande's room. The hair was still on the keycard slot, proving no one had entered since he placed it there.

Grigori opened the door with the keycard, and they all walked into the room. Lewis sniffed the air suspiciously, but Grigori couldn’t tell if Lewis had detected the tobacco smell in the air.

Melisande inspected each room, as Grigori went to her closet and pulled out her suitcase. Knowing she would probably wish to pack herself, he opened the case on the bed. He would wait until she came back to join the group in the main room to get her started. He wanted her securely placed in his suite, the faster the better.

"Anything missing, Miss Reule?" Inspector Lewis asked.

"Not that I can tell, though someone did go through my date book, and several papers have been relocated. The appointment I have with Lady Ashtown was noted in the calendar section, as well as my return flight ticket. I can tell a few of my personal belongings have been moved, but nothing is missing.”

"Very well, I will have a crew with the necessary equipment here within the hour,” Lewis said.

"Why don’t you start packing, Melisande? I want to speak to Lewis a moment,” Grigori suggested.

Melisande blushed slightly, but she went over and started packing her things. Grigori motioned Lewis to the door.

"You're playing a dangerous game here, Solovyov. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?" Lewis asked.

"Once my family is here to help me guard Melisande, I will start hunting,” Grigori said. “But until then, she is my first priority. I will keep her safe, Ralf, and I expect you to help me do it. You owe me that much.”

"I owe you more than that, and you know it,” Lewis said, remembering the way Grigori saved him from taking a bullet the previous day during the arrests of the smugglers. “I will give you whatever you need, Solovyov. But don't get yourself killed on my watch. I don't need an international incident to deal with.”

"I'm sure you don't, Ralf,” Grigori said. “I want your contacts to find Funenko. Since he already invaded Melisande’s room, he must be close by. She checked in yesterday. So he must be watching us. Find him. Make it top priority.”

"You're the one who finds people, Solovyov, but I'll do my best,” Lewis said. “Maybe we'll get lucky and catch him following you. What time is Miss Reule's meeting?"

"I believe it is at three o'clock. Can you provide a car and driver?"

"I'll get on it. The car should be here at two-thirty.”

"Keep guard, Ralf. I have a feeling things are going to get bad before this is over.”

"You and me, both, Solovyov,” Lewis said. “I'll leave Hampton and Kincaid with you. I've got to get back to the office and arrange for your car. Be careful, my friend. Oh, and congratulations, on finding Miss Reule. She's a feisty little thing, isn't she? Are you sure you can handle her?"

"As well as she can handle me, I assure you.”

"Oh, I have no doubt she can handle you,” Lewis said with a twinkle in his eye.

Grigori opened the door and raised an eyebrow at his friend. Inspector Lewis left the room chuckling. Grigori noticed Officer Hampton had a hard time keeping a straight face. He ignored him, as he searched for Melisande.

Melisande put the last of her clothes into the suitcase. She glanced up, and Grigori noticed she looked pale and drawn. He gathered her into his arms and held her gently. She leaned into him, her head against his chest. After a moment she sighed and pushed away.

"My mother would disown me, if she knew I moved in with a man I've only known two days,” she said.

"It is for your own safety,
lyubov moya
. Would your mother not wish you safe?"

"Not if it meant living with a stranger,” Melisande answered.

"But I am not a stranger, Melisande. I am your mate. There is a big difference.”

"Not to my mother. She would expect me to get on a plane and fly home.”

"Is that what you wish to do? I will pack my bag and call the airport, if that is what you wish.”

"I said that is what my mother would wish, not what I would wish.”

"What is it you wish,
milaya moya
?"

"I wish this had never happened. I wish we could be together without this hanging over us. I want to be with you for as long as I can have you.”

"Forever, Melisande. I am yours, as you are mine, remember? I will never let you go.”

"I don't know if I believe in forever, Grigori,” she whispered.

Grigori leaned down and kissed her gently. "Believe in me, and I will give you forever,
lyubov
moya
.”

Grigori zipped the suitcase and led Melisande from the room. She paused and ran back to retrieve the vase of flowers from the nightstand. Hampton followed them into the hall and took the suitcase from Grigori. Melisande didn't say anything as Grigori put his arm around her and guided her to the elevators. She carried the vase of roses he had bought her.

When they returned to Grigori’s suite, she went inside and into the bedroom. Officer Hampton put the suitcase down in the living room. Then he took up a position outside the door. Kincaid continued sitting at the table. He would be guarding them from inside the suite.

Grigori felt Melisande's melancholy coming through the mating bond that linked them together. He went to the phone and ordered brunch food, coffee and tea. With the officers on guard, they would have little privacy, but that wouldn't stop him from holding and comforting his mate.

"When the food arrives, please let the deliveryman in, Kincaid. I am going to talk with Miss Reule.”

"Yes, sir,” Kincaid said.

Grigori picked up the suitcase and walked into the bedroom. Melisande sat on the bed, looking pensive as she gazed at the vase of flowers on the nightstand. He sat down beside her and put his arms around her.

"I am so sorry, Melika, to be the cause of your pain and confusion. Can you forgive me?" he asked, drawing her close and offering comfort with his touch.

"Don't be silly," she said. "You didn't cause this. That man, Funenko, is to blame, not you.”

"But he targeted you because of me. It was never my wish to bring harm or danger to you. I will protect you, mate.”

"I know, Grigori. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. Yesterday, I was here to enjoy the sights and work on tapestries. Today, I am trying to stay away from a killer. My room was broken into. Strangers touched my things. I feel violated.”

"I would take it all away,
lyubov moya,
if I could. And when I know you are safe, I will go after Funenko and remove this danger from you.”

"But then the danger is in losing you. I don't want you hurt, Grigori. Let the police handle this. It’s their job.”

"Do not worry about me,
milaya moya
. Hunting men like Funenko is what I do for Inspector Lewis. If Funenko isn’t found by the time my cousin and his friend arrive, I will join Lewis in his hunt.”

"For now, can you please hold me? For just a moment I want to forget all this. I don't want to think about anything except how it feels having your arms around me.”