Black Opal (11 page)

Sabina rolled her eyes. She walked the few steps to her suite, unlocked it, went straight to the bed and fell across it. She was so damn tired.

“Shug, you need to get undressed.” Bella’s voice buzzed in the background like a persistent bee but Sabina just didn’t have the energy to respond. She felt Bella pulling off her shoes and unzipping her silk slacks. She shifted her hips as Bella tugged on them. Gentle hands tucked the warm coverlet up around her shoulders.

She drifted toward sleep craving it as she would a lover, wanting only to escape from Adam’s unfaithfulness and the knowledge that a mad woman wished her dead. And then there was nothing but blessed dreamless darkness.

Off-key whistling from the sitting room woke her. She set up, yawned and stretched. She looked at the red glowing letters of the clock and blinked. Five o’clock? Surely that was five in the morning. She squinted and looked closer. No. Five p.m. Good gods. She’d slept the night and day away. She stood up and stumbled into the sitting room.

Bella sat on the sofa, swinging a foot encased in a black backless heel and reading a fashion magazine. She looked up and sat down the magazine. “How do you feel, sugar?”

Sabina gave it a moment’s consideration. “Better. Rested.”

“That’s good. You needed it.” Bella smiled. “I’ll order room service while you get showered. You’re on in three hours.”

“I can’t believe I slept so long.” Sabina shook her head then narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t drug me did you?”

Bella snorted. “There was no need, shug. The wine took care of that.”

“Uh, yes. Just order something light for me. I don’t like to perform on a full stomach.”

“I know the routine. And considering that you haven’t eaten since last night I don’t think that’s going to be an issue,” Bella said dryly.

When Sabina opened her mouth to protest, Bella held up a hand, “Fruit and yogurt for you, something more substantial for me.”

“I don’t see how you do it. You eat like a horse and stay as slender as a reed.” Sabina smiled and shook her head.

Bella patted her flat stomach. “High metabolism. And I run everyday. Well normally. I haven’t had much opportunity the past few days.”

“How about if we rectify that tomorrow?”

“Sounds like a plan, sugar. Now you go get cleaned up.”

Sabina handed Bella her amulet then went to get ready. The pin pricks of hot water rejuvenated her. Everything was going to be all right. She’d get through this. She was blessed, part of a sisterhood that stood strong together.

After she’d showered and eaten, Sabina dressed with care. This was her final performance. She slid a long, bell-sleeved, green velvet dress over her head. A gold brocade ribbon nestled beneath her breasts. With a few expert twists, she drew her hair up in a gold snood. She looked in the mirror. A woman from centuries past stared back at her. Perfect. Tonight she would sing the old songs to honor those who had gone before.

With one last glance in the mirror, she turned and walked out. “Let’s go,” she told Bella. They gathered their things and walked across the street to the Odyssey Lounge.

The hum from the audience filled her ears. She looked at the backdrop with a castle painted on it and smiled. Behind the cloth hung fairy lights making it appear as if candles shone from the windows of the gray citadel.

Her gold, strapped, low heels clicked against the wooden floor as she stepped on stage. A hush fell. And then the crowd went wild, whistling, clapping and stamping their feet. She smiled. Her heart soared. Tonight she would give them her all.

The moment she opened her mouth to pour out the golden notes filling her soul it became quiet. She sang and sang. When she finally stopped, they wouldn’t let her go, calling her back for encore after encore. After the fourth call back, the manager brought the curtain down and still the clapping and stomping continued.

She nodded to the manager and he pulled the curtain up. “Friends,” she began and the clamor quieted. “One last song and then I must bid you good night.”

Her hands linked at her waist, she sang about love and the pain of parting. The last note hung in the air then dissipated like dew on a rose.

A hailstorm of flowers landed on the stage as she walked away. The clapping reached thunderous proportions.

In the wings, she listened. She and these strangers were one. She’d sung from her heart and they’d understood, had taken her gift and cherished it.

Slowly, the clapping died down and feet shuffled as the audience rose to its collective feet to leave.

Bella came up behind her, gave her a brief hard hug and handed her the power amulet.

Sabina slipped it on under her wide sleeves.

She glanced behind her and stiffened. Adam stood in the shadows talking to the man they’d met in the bar last night. As her eyes met Adam’s, her jaw tightened and she turned away.

“Ms. Comti,” a high quavery voice called. Sabina looked up. Bowed over, leaning on his cane, the old man from the hotel approached, his steps halting.

His cane thumped as he walked. He stopped and bent at the waist. The action nearly toppled him into the sheet the backdrop was painted on. He fumbled with the bottom of the curtain.

Sabina, with Bella right behind her, hurried toward him afraid he’d fall. After a moment, he pushed himself upright. He waved an ink pen. “I dropped it. Clumsy of me. I was hoping you’d give me an autograph.” He stood panting, waiting for them to come to him.

With trembling hands, he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. “Would you be so kind? You’d make this old man mighty happy to have the autograph of such a famous singer. Who knows, it might bring me a fortune if something ever happens to you. Not that I’d want that. And you’re so young and healthy. You will of course outlive me by many years.”

Sabina plastered on a smile and tried to drown out the droning voice. The high- pitched quivering tones hurt her ears. “Who do I make it out to, sir?”

“Pryor. Pryor will do.”

She scrawled hurriedly,
Best Wishes, Pryor. Sabina Comti
then handed it to him. Their hands touched for a moment and she recoiled, withdrawing hers hurriedly.

“Thank you, my dear, so kind,” he mumbled and limped away.

She grinned at Bella but Bella was staring after the old man, her expression intense instead of the amiable look she normally wore.

Sabina felt a tendril of unease wrap itself around her bones. A chill passed through her as if the temperature had dropped. “What is it, Bella?”

“That old man.” Bella strode to the curtain and looked out. “He’s disappeared in the crowd. I’ve seen him before.”

Curious, Sabina followed her. “Probably at the hotel. He’s always shuffling around somewhere. I believe he was in the bar last night,” Sabina said.

Bella stared at her. She grabbed Sabina’s hand and rubbed at a smudge on Sabina’s fingers.

She straightened. Panic flashed in her brilliant blue eyes. “His hands. My gods, his hands. Those age spots were put on with movie makeup. That was Victoria,” Bella whispered, her face dead white.

Bella ran toward the spot the old man had stooped to pick up his pen and lifted the sheet.

Dread washed over Sabina in waves. “Bella, wait,” Sabina screamed. She could see Adam, the man called Dave and Mr. Lewis the lounge manager rushing toward her as she ran to Bella her left arm bearing the amulet outstretched, power rushing down her arm.

A split second. She was only a split second too late. A loud blast sounded. The bomb and the power from the amulet collided in midair. Orange lightning bolts sizzled and smoke filled the stage. The eruption knocked both her and Bella off their feet.

Excruciating pain shot through her right arm as a sharp piece of plaster from the ceiling landed on it, slicing like a knife, another on her left leg and a serrated chunk bounced off her head.

“Bella,” she whispered and reached for her friend. Her hand touched the beautiful face. Her stomach tightened as warm thick liquid pooled on her fingers.

As the smoke thinned, she squinted and saw Bella’s lovely features covered in blood and plaster dust. It ran down the side of her head and neck and stained the white silk blouse clinging to her breast a bright red. “Oh gods, Bella,” she keened.

Pain rolled over her in waves and unconsciousness beat at her with mighty wings.

Someone lifted her to a setting position. Kneeling, Adam cradled her against his chest. “Darling, are you all right?” he asked, his voice hoarse, his eyes anxious.

“See to Bella,” she whispered.

“Dave,” he called out.

She swam through blackness. It pulled her down into its murky depth. She fought back. With a bloody hand, she grabbed Adam’s jacket lapel. “Call Maureen, tell her about Bella.” Her voice labored as she used all her strength to push the words out.

“Don’t worry about that now,” he soothed.

Her grip tightened and she could feel the fire behind her eyes smolder fighting to burn. “Promise. Honor of a Morelly. Promise me, damn you.” Her grip weakened and her hand dropped limp to her side.

“I promise.”

She could hear a voice coming from a long way off. “Dave, get Mrs. Tremaine-McHenry to a hospital!”

“Now, call now,” she whispered.

“Do you know the number?”

Ten little numbers. I can do it. I must.

He put his ear next to her lips. “Okay, darling. Tell me.”

She whispered the numbers. Each successive number took longer to force out her uncooperative throat and rigid lips.

He spoke into the phone. “This message is for Maureen Wolfe. Maureen, there’s been an accident. Get here now.”

Her head fell back across his shoulder as he lifted her in his arms and got to his feet. He smelled of smoke and sandalwood.

Maureen will come. If Bella is still alive, Maureen will take care of her
. She let the blackness engulf her.

* * * * *

She hurried out of the lounge and across the street. Leaning on her cane, her prop in showbiz parlance, she watched the building, careful to stay bent over like an old man. She waited quivering with anticipation. She’d been very specific in her instructions when she’d had the bomb made—just enough shrapnel to blow up one or two people not the whole building. If lady luck was on her side both Sabina Comti and Isabella Tremaine-McHenry were now dead. The EMT on duty had been paid and paid well to remove the amulets from the bodies before they reached the morgue.

A dull boom sounded from the Odyssey Lounge.

Chapter Nine

Her body throbbed. Her leg hurt so badly, she thought she would throw up. Even the smooth comforter she lay on irritated it. Sabina’s eyelids were too heavy to open but pain stood between her and oblivion.

“How is she, Doc?” Anxiety hoarsened Adam’s voice.

“She’s young and healthy. She’ll heal. Mostly scrapes and bruises. The leg is the worst. That cut is deep. And she may have a light concussion. I’d feel better if she was in the hospital for the night.”

Hospital?

“I appreciate that, Doc but I want her out of here. That bomb was no accident. I’m moving her tonight. While I pack a few things and make arrangements for someone to take care of my kitten, will you give her a sedative so that traveling won’t bother her?”

“Your call.”

“No it’s not.” The words were a breath on the wind. She just didn’t have the strength to push them through her lips.

Bella, how is Bella. Where are you taking me?
She opened her mouth determined to find out what was going on but before she could form the words she felt a prick in her arm and then everything went away, anxiety, pain. It all disappeared and left her floating in the dark wrapped in cotton wool.

* * * * *

A throbbing behind her eyes grew in intensity and sent finger-like tentacles out in different directions ’til her whole body was one huge mass of discomfort drawing her to the brink of consciousness. She fought it knowing a cold harsh reality awaited her.

Cool air feathered her face and arm but the rest of her body felt toasty warm. A pleasant thump-thump sounded under her ear. A masculine arm drew her closer.

Mmm, a lovely dream.
She’d had dreams like this before. Might as well settle in and enjoy it. She nestled against the body holding her and sighed with contentment. Such a realistic dream. Her hand wandered. Hard muscles, hard… She pried open her gritty lids and looked into Adam’s hot dark eyes.

“Eek,” she shrieked and sat up then moaned. It was a tough call as to what hurt most, her leg, her arm or her head. She decided on her head and cradled it, her tangled hair falling over her arms and shoulders.

“Darling, are you all right?” His hand touched her back.

The heat of it went straight through her nightshirt, scalding her. And how had she gotten into her nightshirt anyway? She beat back a hot wave of embarrassment. What was there to be embarrassed about? He’d seen naked women before, probably scores of them.

“My whole body hurts and I’m not your darling,” she mumbled into her arms, beating back the heat in her face. And why did that silly little word darling turn her whole body to mush?

The sheets rustled as Adam sat up. He swung his legs over the bed and padded to the dresser. Bare to the waist, he wore only black silk lounging pants. For a moment, Sabina forgot her throbbing body, the ache in it taking a different course entirely. He was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen with his tousled blue-black hair, wide shoulders and lean hips.

He picked up a small plastic bottle and shook out a white pill. Then plucked up a bottle of water, walked back to the bed and handed them to her. “Here you go, darling, this will ease the pain.” That made the second time he’d used the D word in less than a few minutes. She looked at the pill and him, equally suspicious. “This isn’t going to knock me out again is it?”

He smiled at her. She took a good look at him for the first time. Dark circles ringed his eyes and he hadn’t shaved. Unfortunately, instead of detracting from his rakish good looks it only accentuated them. “It’s only for the pain. I have sleeping pills if you need them.”

“My, my, aren’t we just a cornucopia of drugs.” She pushed her heavy hair out of her eyes trying not to wince as she did so.

He raised an eyebrow but said evenly, “Not normally but I wanted to make sure you’d have everything you need.” He handed it to her. “Here be a good girl and take it.”

She eyed him suspiciously but if she didn’t take something her whole head would explode. It beat like a bass drum.

She plucked it out of his hand with her nails and popped it in her mouth.

He handed her the water.

She took the water and swallowed.

Leaning back against the headboard, she looked around. The large room had polished hardwood floors. A picture of pine-covered mountains hung on the far wall. A forest green throw rug sat on the floor beside the bed. Brown moose gamboled along the edge of the green and burgundy plaid coverlet.

The smell of pine scented cleaning detergents hung faintly in the air and the smell of laundry detergent lingered on the sheets.

“Where are we?”

“My uncle’s cabin.”

“Why?”

He came over and sat on the edge of the bed. “I had to get you out of there before that bitch had another go at you. She damn near killed you this time.” A tic throbbed in his jaw and his dark eyes were as cold as chips of ice.

“Adam I can’t hide from the world.” She shifted and plucked at the sheets, uncomfortable yet pleased by his intensity.

“I know that, Sabina.” He picked up her hand, squeezed gently then let it go. “But you need time to heal. And if by chance she does manage to track us down I’ll be ready for her.”

Something about his voice made her wonder if he hoped she would come after them.

“Just what did you have in mind?” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, cautious.

“I intend she never bothers you again.”

She curled her lip. “Spoken like a mafioso.”

“What would you have me do?” he said almost savagely. “What would you do? You’re Italian. You are familiar with vendettas. She nearly killed you.”

“Why should you care? It’s not your vendetta. It’s not your fight.”

“You know why,” he said his voice a ragged whisper. “You’ve felt it too.”

“Lust.”

“Most definitely, but something more I think.” He drew her into his arms and looked into her eyes, searching. Her breath quickened and heat curled in the pit of her stomach.

Then those thin well-sculpted lips found hers and thought vanished in an explosion of sensation. His body quivered and jumped against her.
This must be due to the amulet. Two people don’t fuse together like white-hot metal.

That was her last coherent thought as logic and sanity fled leaving in its place a dark mass of nerve endings. Hot coursing blood and need overrode anything she’d ever experienced. If Sabina didn’t know better she would think she was whirling in space drawn into the sun’s orbit, moments away from total disintegration.

The warm hard body under her questing fingertips stiffened. Adam tore his lips from hers. Lying against the pillows, she reached up to pull him back. But he rolled off of her his breathing harsh and labored. He threw his legs over the side of the bed, stood up and walked to the window. Pushing back the curtain he stared out of it.

She watched him, his shoulders rising and falling as if his chest were heaving. His lounging pajamas rode low on his hips, distracting her. If she had just a tidbit more energy she would get out of bed, walk up behind him and grab that tight, gorgeous-looking little butt but she didn’t have enough energy to do more than think about it.

The surge of sexual adrenaline came and went, leaving nothing in its wake but a deep aching need.

He turned and gave her a strained smile. “I’ll go rustle us up some breakfast.” Dropping the curtain, Adam headed for the door.

“Adam.”

He stopped his hand on the doorframe and turned around.

It cost her to ask but she had to know. “Why did you stop? I thought you wanted that as much as I did.”

A grimace of pain crossed his features. “Probably more. But I don’t want to take advantage of you while you’re sick.” He flashed his old arrogant smile, the one that had imps dancing in his decadent dark chocolate eyes. “Once you are well again, that will be another story.” Then he disappeared through the door.

Whether intentional or not, he had totally derailed her. She could think of nothing but hot pounding need coursing through her body. She hadn’t even asked about Bella. Good gods Bella! She didn’t even know if her friend was alive.

She pushed herself out of bed determined to find out. A wave of dizziness washed over her and her bad leg caved. She fell to the floor. She would find him and get some answers even if she had to crawl. Unfortunately, that looked exactly like what she was going to have to do.

For several minutes, she sat on the floor trying to gather her strength. Panting with the effort, she pulled herself by her hands across the high-polished hard pine surface. Once she reached a wall, she could lean against it and walk it.

“What the hell are you doing?” He stood in the doorway, a white mug with steam rising out of it in his hand.

“I need to know about Bella.” She looked at the mug and prayed it was coffee.

He put the cup on the dresser and hurried to her. With no apparent effort he picked her up and carried her to the bed. “Don’t even think about getting up,” he ordered, fluffing up her pillows in an endearing manner, awkward and completely masculine.

“Bella,” she reminded him.

“The last time I saw her she was a mess. Her face was badly lacerated and she was barely breathing.”

Sabina felt the blood drain from her head. A cold clammy hand seemed to clutch her heart.

“But I talked to Maureen a moment ago. She’s there and Bella is already on the mend.”

“Thank God. Does Hank know?”

“I have no idea.”

He walked to the dresser, picked up the cup and brought it back to her.

She took it gratefully, the coffee black and fragrant. “Thank you.”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes with breakfast.” He headed for the door then stopped and turned. He cleared his throat. “Do you need to use the facilities?”

I will not be embarrassed.
“Yes.” She put down her cup.

He came back to the bed, picked her up and carried her across the room. He set her down and opened the door.

She leaned against the wall.

“Can you make it from here or do you need help.”

A hot flush of embarrassment crept up her neck. “I’ll be fine.”
Even if I have to crawl on my knees to the commode there are some indignities I’m not willing to suffer.

She pulled the door shut behind her and walked the wall to the toilet and emptied her bladder then, leaning against the sink, washed her hands and wall-walked back.

As she opened the door, Adam stood waiting for her. Without saying a word, he scooped her up, carried her to the bed then disappeared out the door.

She gazed at the empty doorway then picked up her still-hot mug of coffee. Warm condensation rose in her face and she inhaled the scent of coffee beans then took a swallow. Hot caffeine rolled down her throat and jumped-started her brain. Bless the man. Maybe taking her away had been highhanded but at least his heart was in the right place. He could be so damn thoughtful.

As she leaned her shoulders into the pillows a suppressed memory raised its ugly head. Adam and a woman who might possibly be Victoria Price in a liplock in the lounge. Oh God, was this just an elaborate trap? Was she a prisoner here?

She glanced down at the amulet. Sunlight poured through the window and bounced off the gold armband. The black opal glowed so brightly Sabina could see herself in it.

At least, he hadn’t taken it. Surely, he would have if that was what he was after. What would be the point in keeping her alive? He could have taken the amulet at any point while she slept. But Victoria wanted revenge.

Maybe he was just lulling her until Victoria arrived.

Panic and bile rose up in her throat nearly choking her. She had to get out of here! Just as she was about to swing her legs over the side of the bed, Adam walked in carrying a laden tray. The scent of scrambled eggs and bacon wafted toward her. Her stomach growled.

She looked at the tray. Two plates but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have slipped something in one of them. Of course, all he would’ve had to do was give her a sleeping pill instead of a pain pill. Her head whirled in confusion.

As he sat the bed tray on her lap, he took one of the plates and sat down in a chair by the bed.

“Oh yours looks a bit smaller, trade me,” Sabina said and reached out her hand.

He frowned in confusion then comprehension lit his eyes. His elegant lip curled. “Of course.”

He handed her his plate. Deliberately, he leaned over the bed and stuck his fork in the eggs and scooped up a mouthful then took a large bite of her toast. His white teeth snapped together like a wolf’s on a rabbit’s jugular vein. “And let’s not forget the coffee.” He took a swig of the steaming brew. “Satisfied,” he growled.

“If you are expecting girlish blushes of embarrassment forget it,” she snapped back and shoveled a forkful of eggs into her mouth and swallowed them, glaring at him.

His harsh features relaxed and he picked up his plate and began to eat. He swallowed a bite of toast then said, “I can’t say I blame you. If our roles were reversed I’d probably do the same myself.” He sat the plate on the bedside table and leaned forward. “At some point you are going to have to trust me.”