Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (2 page)
Authors: Paige Cameron
They were both much too handsome. Hakan’s long black hair was held back with a leather tie and his light-aqua eyes sparkled with amusement as if he sensed her preference to not sit between them. His scent of exotic spices and musk made her want to sniff his neck and rub her body against his golden-toned skin. Being surrounded by them made it more difficult to ignore her growing attraction to both men.
Once they were all seated, Mitch called the meeting to order. “I called us together to discuss information we have and to see if we’ve missed anything. Let’s start back at the first poisoning. Averil and Cody aren’t here, but, Jack, you were in the ER. Tell us what you noticed.”
Jack stood. “Averil’s blood levels were going extremely high, indicating the poison was attacking all of her organs. I’ve never seen anything similar. We were able to stop her seizures, but her condition was looking bleak.”
Mitch nodded and looked around the room. “Is Ellen here?”
“I am now.” Ellen came rushing through the door. “Sorry, I couldn’t leave what I was doing at the moment.”
“No problem. We’re discussing the first attack on Averil, and what anyone might have noticed. You and your team went out to her cabin. Can you tell us more?”
“We donned protective suits so we wouldn’t contaminate the evidence. We found a coffeepot, a cup, and a note. Whoever left it wore gloves. There were no fingerprints. After much searching, one of my staff found the spot of resin containing the poison.
“Cody arrived and said he’d look around outside. He called Aleron, who shape-shifted into his eagle, and he searched the area from above.”
“Aleron.” Mitch looked at him. “Will you tell us what you saw?”
“I noted a horse’s hooves and footprints. Cody and I agreed it was probably the person who left the poison. The footprints were not big enough to be a man’s.”
Ellen spoke up. “We made a cast of the footprints. There wasn’t anything notable about the boots. They’re a common type worn by many of our women, and to our regret, they are also not an unusual size. The boots were a seven. I suspect 40 to 50 percent, if not more, of our women wear that size.”
“I’m surprised a woman could be responsible for all of these attacks. Why? What might be her motive?” Mitch studied the faces in the room.
“Could Phillip, the butler who betrayed you, have had an affair?” Mother Aileen asked. “I know it would be highly unusual. Our people are much more loyal after marriage than the norm. But it’s not impossible.”
“This is something Nate suggested when I talked with him. He remembers his wife saying the leader had a family. Which would indicate a wife and child, or a mistress and child. The child might be grown. The two may be working together to get revenge for his death.” Mitch paced across the front of the room. “It leaves us with two tribes of suspects. It would have to have been someone nearby. Phillip rarely went on vacation. Still, we also didn’t know of him having any relationships here on the ranch.”
“If there was an affair, someone knows about it. Probably the woman’s best friend,” Nanna added.
Kira stood. “I’m not sure you all know me. I’m Kira Bevyns, Averil’s twin sister. Listening to you all, I get a picture of a woman who can move around on the ranch freely without appearing out of place. Most of the wives visit around the ranch and shop here and in town. But I believe you’d notice if they came to the main ranch house unless they had a specific question or problem. “This woman isn’t a homemaker, at least one of them isn’t. One of them has responsibilities outside of the home. Think about what jobs women fill in the community.”
There was silence in the room after she spoke. Kira sat and waited to hear the response.
“You have summarized our information well.” Mitch nodded to Kira. “I’ll ask our department heads to make a list of all employees and any that may have been off when the attacks occurred. We won’t specify that we’re looking for a woman, not yet. That’s it for now. I’ll call another meeting when we have more information to share. I’d like the leaders, Kira, her parents, Nanna, Mother Aileen, and Elle to stay for a few minutes longer.”
The others began to leave. Hakan and Rex stood. Rex leaned down and whispered in Kira’s ear.
“I look forward to our next meeting and the challenges you give me.”
Hakan added, “Come to our house tonight for dinner. You might see another side of us.”
She glanced around. “The room is almost empty. You’d better go. Thank you for the invitation, but…”
“Don’t answer now. Think about it.” Hakan handed her a card. “My cell phone number is on it. Call me later.”
Kira watched them leave. They looked much alike, and yet they were very different in personality. She was tempted by them. But was she ready to accept their invitation? Her life would be changing after she announced who she was, and starting a relationship might be one too many complications. She needed to shift and have time to think.
“Kira.”
Hearing her name brought her attention to the front of the room. “I’m sorry, Mitch. My thoughts were elsewhere.”
“It’s understandable. There’s been so much going on. I had a few questions for you and Lann. Lann, when will you announce you’ll no longer be the leader of the third tribe, and that you’ll be leaving to go to Texas?”
Lann looked over at Kira. “Shortly after she tells the people who she is, and that she’ll be the head of all three tribes.”
“Do you have an idea of when you’ll tell our people?” Mitch asked Kira.
“I had planned to talk with you all about this. I’m thinking I have to come forward to allay some of the fear and confusion. They need to know that I’m working to find the enemy. But will this be too much of a shock for them with all the rest that’s going on?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Bevyns, how do you feel about her coming out of hiding?” Mitch looked across the room at them.
“We’re concerned for her. Her anonymity has been important to Kira. This will be a radical change. But since we know what her special talents mean to the tribes and who she really is, we agree she must let our people know they have extra help with this problem.” Her mother stood and moved over next to Kira to hold her hand. Her father sat on Kira’s other side.
“Then we will call a town meeting for tomorrow afternoon. We’ll meet in the large open area next to the circle of trees. We must move fast on all of this. Our enemies are most certainly already making plans for their next strike.”
Chapter Two
“Go for a ride. Bring some of the poison with you. Meet me due west in the large wooded area in an hour. Do you know the place I’m talking about?”
“Of course, I live here. You just visit. I’ll wait thirty minutes before going to the barn to saddle a horse. You go ahead, now.” Gala shut off her cell.
What was she going to do? Seeing all the innocent people sick had upset her. Her original plan had been to kill the ones who caused her father’s death. Then Pearce reminded her, her father wanted them to finish the job and take control of the tribes.
Some of my grief and anger has lessened. I’m not sure I want to be part of Pearce’s plan. But how can I avoid it? Pearce can and will identify me if I don’t work with him.
Gala paced around the small area of her bedroom. She watched the clock, and as soon as it was time she headed for the barn. But she wasn’t going to bring any poison with her as he’d demanded. Hopefully neither Justin nor Sahale would be around to ask questions about where she was going.
Luck was with her, and the barn was empty. Gala saddled a mare she’d ridden before. Then she headed north before looping around to the west and riding toward the rendezvous point. When she got to the trees, she slowed and entered the forest. Cooler air and the scent of pine greeted her.
“Over here,” Pearce called out.
Looking to the right, she saw the figure of a man and horse deeper in the woods. Slowly, she maneuvered her horse in his direction.
Pearce got off his horse, and when she got to him, he helped her down. “We’ll be more comfortable sitting on the pine needles and talking.” He spread his jacket across the ground for her to sit on.
“How have you been doing?” Pearce asked.
“All right, but I’ve been thinking. I don’t want to kill a lot of my people. I want the ones responsible for my father’s death, that’s all.” She thought she saw anger flash in his eyes. Then a strange odor overpowered the pine and fresh-air scent she’d noted when she first rode into the forest.
“What’s that smell?” Gala scrunched her nose up.
“Probably the breeze blew across a dead animal. But back to what you just said. We agreed we’d take control of the three tribes and become their leaders.” Pearce leaned closer to her.
“You and I, king and queen.” His mouth brushed across her cheek, and he lightly kissed her lips. “It’ll all be over soon, and then you and I will marry and reign, as will our future children.”
He was a handsome man, and she’d only been kissed once before. Warmth curled deep in her abdomen. She gasped when his hand cupped her breast and rubbed the tip of her nipple through her blouse.
“You and me, Gala. We’re almost at the finish line. We can’t weaken now.” His tongue invaded her mouth and ravished the tenderness.
When his hand clenched her breast harder, moisture flooded her panties. Her heart pounded, and it was hard to think straight.
His dark-brown eyes appeared black as he stared down at her. A smile curved his lips, but it was more sinister than friendly. Gala shivered.
“Come back to this spot this evening. I’ll show you how a real man treats his woman,” Pearce whispered in her ear. “And bring me some of the poison this time.” Then he kissed her again, and his hand slid down her body to her most private area. She was shocked when his cupped her mound, shocked and dazzled at the feelings rushing through her body.
“I don’t get off until six.”
“We’ll meet at seven.” He kissed her lightly again. Then he stood and pulled her up. He brushed the pine needles from her clothes. Cupping his hands, he gave her a boost up into the saddle. “Until tonight, my love.”
* * * *
Gala waved and rode off. Pearce waited a moment and followed. He had to find out where she kept the poisons. He’d follow her all day. When he knew where she’d hidden them, he wouldn’t need her anymore. She was becoming a liability. So she’d be the next victim.
He waited outside her home. She changed and headed to work. Keeping back far enough so she wouldn’t notice, he continued to keep an eye on her.
At the main ranch house, she went in the front door. He rode around to the back and hid in the circle of trees. Pearce tied his horse’s reins to a low-hanging tree branch, and then he sat to wait. The time passed slowly, but he’d learned to be a patient man. He was rewarded when Gala came out the back door and headed to the greenhouses. It was four o’clock. Was she on break, or did they grow their own vegetables? He noted which greenhouse she went into. She returned in about fifteen minutes, and her hands and arms were empty. It must have been her break. As soon as she’d gone in and closed the door, he crept along the edge of the trees, and then darted across to the greenhouse she’d gone into.
Pearce walked slowly around the plants and flowers. He sat for a moment on a bench situated where the person could see and enjoy the best part of the gardens. A disturbed piece of ground caught his eye. A large rose bush, planted in a pot, had been recently moved to cover the spot.
