To Trap A Temptress (Southern Sanctuary - Book 2) (19 page)

Chapter
Eighteen

“We
disappear mysteriously overboard last night during a party and now we’re
breakfasting together the next morning.”  Nell commented as Devon looking sleek
in taupe trousers and a silky gold top deposited her full plate down on the
table and took a seat across from her.  “People really are going to talk.”

“It
will ruin all those rumours that we fell overboard last night during a cat
fight and our men had to jump in to save us.”

“Really,
that’s what they’re saying?”  Nell smiled at the thought.

“It’s
the leading contender I believe.”  Devon took a large sip of coffee,
ignoring the drill like buzz of her mobile as it signalled an incoming
message.  Sighing in relief at finally getting a caffeine fix she rubbed
her eyes.

“Long
night?”  Nell queried.

“The
longest.  Case’s relatives came and took him away and then I spent half
the night on the phone with my mother, aunts and grandmother.  Somehow the
entire debacle has become my fault.”  Devon shook her head in bemusement
before inhaling more coffee.  “Where’s your warrior this morning, running
laps around the island?”

“He
left at first light.  He had business back in Atlanta to attend to.”

“I’m
sorry.”  Devon for a split second seemed genuinely apologetic, before a
look of irritation crossed her features as yet again her mobile buzzed.

“He
really does have business.”  Nell laughed unable to keep the smile off her
face.  “We’re getting married this weekend.”  

“Of
course you are.”  There was a mix of emotions in Devon’s voice; derision,
jealousy and a healthy dollop of amusement.

“What
can I say?”  Nell beamed across the table.  “He completes me.”

“Argh,
don’t make me hurt you, my nails have suffered enough this weekend.”

“Bring
it River floozy, I’m pretty sure I could take you.”

Devon
laughed loudly and with complete abandon for the first time in Nell’s
presence.  It was a surprisingly natural and charming sound.
 
The noise level went up dramatically in their
vicinity as several people commented upon the unprecedented sight of not only
Nell and Devon sitting together but sharing a joke… would wonders never cease.

“So
what’s going to happen to Case now?”  Nell asked finally sobering.

“I
should imagine by the end of the week there will be a wedding announcement in
the papers for Doctor Case Chambers.”

“Hold
on, the man tries to trick me and effectively set you up to kill me and he gets
to go on his merry way living the dream?”

“Ooooh
I wouldn’t say that.  The Merrow have marriage contracts with an array of
‘interesting’ for want of a better word races.  Now that he is no longer
eligible for a Makura match his father will see him married off quickly to a
convenient if not terribly suitable partner.  Hopefully his new wife will
look like a frog and have the manners of a great white shark.  A life time
together should be punishment enough don’t you think?”

“But
you’re not vindictive or anything?”  Nell laughed.

“It’s
not in my nature.”  Devon mocked herself with a feigned haughty look that
was completely ruined by the big grin gracing her delicate features.  Once
again her phone signalled an incoming message.  Heaving a sigh she pulled
out her mobile, gave the text no more than a brief glance before hitting the
off button.  “Hopefully they’ll think I’m on the plane.  Were you
serious about introducing me to your Aunt?”

“Alma, the match
maker?  Sure if that’s what you want.”

“Maybe… I don’t
know.  It would probably get my mother and grandmother off my back for a
while.”
“Are they really upset about Case?”

“More
that I chose Case in the first place.  I fought tooth and nail to make my
own choice without any input from them and what happens? Case turns out to be a
complete psycho, weak willed and devious to boot.”

“How
did you come to choose him?”

“All
the brothers filled out an online questionnaire.”

Nell
choked slightly on her orange juice.  “Online questionnaire?”

“Well
it is the twenty-first century.”

“So
you didn’t meet Case before you chose him?”

“There’s
a rule that if you meet one you have to meet them all.”  Devon sighed and
rubbed her eyes again.  “I was just so busy… so I flipped through the
profiles.”  Devon rolled her eyes.  “You should have seen some of the
things his brothers put down.  One listed lichen as an interest, another
put down that his greatest aspiration is to climb to the top of Mount
Wycheproof.”

“Wycheproof?” 
Nell shook her head.  “I’ve never heard of it.”

“I
had to look it up.”
 
Devon issued a small
sigh.  “It’s considered the smallest registered mountain in the
world.” 

Nell
couldn’t help but laugh.  “Sounds like a few ‘stretches to the truth’ were
listed to direct your attention elsewhere.”

“Please.” 
Devon shook her head, that mocking smile twisting up the corners of her
lips.  “The Merrow royal family at last count have fourteen marriage
contracts, that’s why there are fifteen sons… well fourteen and a spare I
suppose.  The Makura always take precedence.
 
Once my marriage contract is signed the other
families will make their move.  None of the Merrow royal sons has much of
choice in the matter.  And I’ve seen some of the brides in waiting…” 
Devon’s delicate shoulders shuddered in memory. 

“So
they’re all frantically trying to position themselves as the spare?”

“That
would be my guess.”  Devon smiled in weary amusement. 

“Except
Case’s questionnaire?”

“I
didn’t really get past Case’s profession to be completely honest.  I saw
the word surgeon and a little bell went off in my head that I had a
winner.  Some winner!”

“And
that’s why you know you have to go on fourteen blind dates, because what’s in
the questionnaires is a load of rubbish?  But even if you go out with
them, who’s to say they don’t fabricate a really bad date hoping to sway your
opinion of them?”

Devon
looked grim for a moment.  “That’s why I think I need to meet your
Aunt.  I don’t know why they’re making this so fucking difficult. 
They have to marry someone.  I can understand with my family’s reputation
why they’re not beating my door down but in comparison to some of the other
brides-to-be…” Devon shuddered again.

Nell
felt a twinge of pity shoot through her.  Wow, who’d have thought even
yesterday that she’d be sharing breakfast with Devon Patel and actually feeling
sorry for the girl? 

Devon
of course could read her expression like a book.
 
“Don’t go all Pollyanna on me, grade-A bitch
here remember.”

Nell
laughed.  “I remember, I just think you’re in a really tough spot.”

Devon
sighed, a glum expression stealing across her beautiful features.  “Family
and politics.  It really does suck.”

“Perhaps
you need to approach this whole thing less… logically.”

“Come
again.”

“Well
what about love?” 

“Oh
Pollyanna… you only dream about rainbows and dancing unicorns don’t you. 
Love?  I’d be willing to settle for mutual respect.”

“Maybe
that’s your problem… you’re willing to settle.”

Devon
shrugged.  “So, this Aunt of yours?”

“I’m
not sure she works outside the family but I’ll ask her.”

“If
it smooths the waters let her know I am family.”

“You’re
what?”

Devon
laughed at Nell’s shocked expression.  “I was telling Granny about you
last night.  She was the one to work out that you hail from the Southern
Sanctuary.  And you go around telling people you’re just a country Doctor.” 
Devon shook her head in disbelief.  “I’ve heard rumours that your family
can be quite… eccentric.  I bet you’ve tackled some really wild stuff over
the years.”

High
colour stained Nell’s cheeks.  “Eccentric is one of the kinder words for
them.  But you said something about being related?”

“Well
Granny remembers one of her aunts marrying into your family, so wa-lah…
related.”

“Scary
thought.”  Mused Nell.

“Isn’t
it.”

“Well.” 
Nell pushed her still half full plate away and contemplated Devon.  “I
suppose I’d better go and finish packing.  Great Aunt Alma will probably
want to contact you personally if she’s agreeable to helping you.  Just
don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“You’re
making her out to be ultra-scary you realise that.  But she helped you out
didn’t she?  Bought you and Drum together?”

“Yes
she did.  But it was far from rainbows and unicorns as you put it. 
Alma plays dirty to get the end results she wants.”

“And
you just let her get away with that?”

“The
woman is beyond devious.  By the time you realise what’s happening you’re
three quarters of the way down the rabbit hole and there’s no going
back.”  Pushing her chair back Nell got to her feet sending Devon a
plastic sweet smile.  “I can’t wait to tell her you need help.”

“Bitch.” 
Devon laughed the word out good naturedly, waving her off. 

Turning
Nell headed back to the honeymoon cottage one last time.  The weight of
Drum’s absence settling back into place making her feel dull and
depressed.  How was she going to survive a week without him?  Oh well
she had a secret beach wedding to organise and a simple but hopefully effective
plan to teach Great Aunt Alma a lesson to distract her.  Goddess help her,
seven days had never sounded so long.

Chapter
Nineteen

Drum
circled Vaughn on the practise mat.  His Captain might be several inches
taller than his own seven feet but Drum’s frame was heavier.  As they
slammed together, muscles and tendons straining on both sides it was
effectively an even match-up as they traded a series of wicked hard
blows.  Parting once more, they circled one another.

“You
know.”  Vaughn wiped the sweat out of his eyes.  “I know hardly
anyone who returns from a tropical vacation more tense than when they left.”

Drum
attempted a leg sweep but Vaughn leapt back out of range at the last
second.  Recovering quickly Drum regulated his breathing.  “You’re
doing pretty good for an old married man.”  

Vaughn
flashed him a quick grin before swooping to unleash a flurry of lightning fast
blows that Drum had to work hard to block.  Dancing back a few feet Vaughn
still had that smile on his face.  “I get to go home every night and
wrestle with my gorgeous wife… it keeps me on my toes.”

The
bolt of pure jealousy that seared through Drum’s gut was a distraction he
didn’t need.  Only five more days and he would see Nell again. 
They’d spoken on the phone several times already trying to find a way to sync
up their schedules before Sunday so they could get some quality face to face
time together but between them they had too many responsibilities. 

Just
the thought of not seeing her until the day of the wedding was enough to make
him want to break something or… someone.  Leaping, arms outstretched, he
hit Vaughn low in the body, taking his Captain down hard to the mat.  A
few seconds later the fight was officially over as Vaughn conceded, tapping the
mat as a signal. 

Vaughn
took a few moments to recover before sitting up, absently rubbing his aching
ribs with one hand.  “Feel better now?”

Drum
crouched, watchful and ready a few feet away, nodded.  “A little bit yes…
another round?”

“Fuck
no, Hadleigh doesn’t mind me bruised but she hates me broken.”

Drum
laughed softly.  “You know there’s a word for men like you don’t you?
Whipped!”

“And
loving it.”  Vaughn grinned, leaning back on both hands to contemplate his
second.  “Besides I’m ultimately protecting you.  If I get hurt
she’ll want to know who did it.  You really want my wife out for your
blood?”

Hadleigh
was a blood thirsty warrior woman with few equals and she played dirty to boot,
Drum really didn’t want her coming for him just because he’d felt the need to
work out his pent up frustrations on her man.  “You’re right.  We’d
better stop now.”

“So?” 
Vaughn’s golden eyes assessed Drum.  “You want to talk about it?”

“It?” 
Drum settled back onto his haunches, relaxing finally.

“Whatever’s
got you grimmer than midnight?”

Drum
contemplated spilling his guts about Nell.  If anyone could understand it
would be Vaughn, recently melded to the love of his eternal life Hadleigh. His
friend would no doubt be happy and supportive for him but there wasn’t a damn
thing his Captain could do to make the next five days go any faster.  And
talking about Nell, saying her name out loud… it made his gut churn, his protective
instincts clamour and irritated his tattoo, which in turn irritated him. 
No he was better off keeping the news about him and Nell private just a little
longer.  “Let’s talk about the Serena situation.  There has to be
something we can do?”

“It’s
effectively a very secure prison masquerading as a mental health facility; no
visitors, no yard time and extreme security.  Rafe is still running ideas
but at this stage…”  Vaughn just shrugged.

“We
can’t go in as guards?”  Drum queried

“The
guards aren’t locals.  They live on site. Three weeks on, one week off,
trucked in and trucked out.”

“So
we smash and grab.”  Drum proposed.

“Not
possible.  The facility sits smack in the middle of what is essentially
desert.  They’d see us coming a mile away.  Besides we don’t know
where Serena is being kept exactly so we’d be going in blind.”

“The
flyboys couldn’t pinpoint anything?”  Drum was referring to the twins,
Flynn and Dash.

“The
only movement outside is the guards on the perimeter and occasionally a staff
member on the roof having a cigarette break.”

“The
roof?”

“It’s
a potential but only the flyboys could access it, and if they do manage to find
Serena how would we extract her?”

“Helicopter?”

“The
guards have automatic rifles in the turrets.”

“Pity.” 
Drum mused thoughtfully.  “I’m really in the mood to blow something up.”

“Yeah
I’m sensing that about you right now.  Unfortunately I’m thinking this
particular situation is going to call for a little finesse.”

“Finesse? 
Not really my strong suit… or yours for that matter.  You have a plan I
can tell by the look in your eye.  Am I going to like it?”

“Probably
not.”  Vaughn grinned at him.  “But the person I’m thinking of
sending in is going to hate it even more.”

“Just
who are you thinking of sending in?”  Drum questioned, intrigued.

Vaughn
flashed him that grin of his again and told him who he was thinking of. 
Drum blinked in surprise before a smile twisted up the corner of his mouth.

“Does
Hadleigh know?”

“Who
do you think came up with the idea?
 
Though I have a feeling a little interfering birdy may have planted the
suggestion in her head.
 
Either way it
doesn’t matter, he really does have the perfect skill set to make the escape
work.
 
I’ve run the scenarios and every
one comes up with the same results, he has a much better chance of getting
Serena out unharmed than we do if we resort to a smash and grab.”  Vaughn
rose to his feet, rubbing his ribcage.  “Ouch, I need a shower.  How
about you?”

Drum
shook his head and rose also.  “No I’m going to hit the gym.”

Vaughn
paused.  “Okay.  Rafe should be back soon, he’s been trying to track
down the original blueprints for the hospital.  We’ll meet in the
conference room in say…. two hours.”

“I’ll
be there.”  Drum nodded, swooping to pick up his towel.

Vaughn
paused.  “Oh, by the way, do you have any plans for this Sunday?”

Maat
did he!  “No.”  He shook his head, willing his features to remain
blank. “What do you need?”

“Not
me.  There’s a party at the Sanctuary, one of Hadleigh’s cousins is
organising a little get together.  I’ll send you the details.  It’ll
be on the beach, so dress casual.”

Drum
bit back a triumphant yell.

“What?” 
Vaughn paused, reading his Second easily after over a century fighting by his
side.

“Nothing,
just Hadleigh’s got you running her errands now.  What next… shopping?”

Vaughn
only grinned harder.  “I can’t tell you how much I enjoy shopping for my
wife.”

“Maat.” 
Drum groaned.  “Please keep the details to yourself otherwise I’ll never
be able to look the lovely Hadleigh in the eye again.”

“Agreed,
besides if she finds out I’m giving away too many of our secrets she’ll revoke
my wrestling privileges.”

“Maat,
just go.”  Drum balled up his sweat soaked towel and hurled it at his
friend.  As he made his way over to the gym equipment he could hear Vaughn
whistling under his breath as he headed towards the showers.  Maat his
Captain sounded happy.  Hard to believe he was only days away from
attaining the same state of contentment himself.  Five days… five whole
fucking days without seeing Nell, how was he going to survive without killing
someone… or, he eyed the running machine… killing something.

*                     
*         
            *

The
machine beneath his feet was making a strange whining sound and there was a
definite smell of burnt rubber beginning to pervade the air.  So much for
being top of the range quality equipment that could take any type of abuse.

“The
kindest thing would be to get a gun and put the poor thing out of its
misery.”  Maat was leaning against the nearby stair master studying
him. 

With
a wave of her hand the machine under Drum’s feet stopped dead, just as a small
puff of smoke issued from the motor, giving out one last whine of metal
grinding on metal.  Drum leapt sideways to the floor to avoid slamming
stomach first into the control panel.  Thank the Goddess before him for
his phenomenal reflexes. 

Dragging
a fresh towel over his sweaty face and neck he contemplated Maat looking calm
and relaxed in aqua yoga pants and a light blue long sleeve wrap top.  Her
feet were bare as usual whilst her hair was pulled back in a practical
plait.  Her eyes reminded him of the pristine white sands of Diamond Sands
Cove.  Seems like his Goddess was in a good mood as she assessed him from
his trainers upwards to his soaking wet green t-shirt.  

“Problems
Treasure?  Or did the machine have it coming?”

“I
just got back from a break, we have Serena’s location pin pointed and I need to
make sure I’m in top physical shape.”

Maat
gave the no longer smoking running machine a dismissive look.  “Check and
double check I’d say Snickerdoodle.  So you just got back from a
holiday?  How was it?”

Drum
fought hard not to snort in derision.  Maat was on a blatant fishing trip
for details and he was about to yank the hook right out of her hands. 

“Good…
well excellent really.  And you’ll be thrilled to know that I took your
advice.”

“My
advice?”  A little crinkle appeared in the middle of Maat’s forehead.

“Yeah
about finding the perfect woman for me… without your advice I would have wasted
my time chasing that uptight little Doctor girl all vacation, instead I met
Becki.”

“Becki?” 
Maat’s eyes began to darken to the colour of a coming sandstorm.  The
perpetual smile that lurked at the corners of her mouth was suddenly nowhere in
sight.

“I
really think you’ll like her.  Plus we couldn’t be a better fit. 
She’s tall, totally stacked and studying to be a dental hygienist but talking
about ditching that to go on the professional snow-boarding circuit. She’s not
perfect mind you, had some trouble with drugs and spent some time in rehab but
damn she still knows how to party.”  He grinned broadly.

“But
what about your feelings for the Doctor girl?”

“I
thought about what you said and you were right, she’s a Doctor and really sweet
don’t get me wrong.  But sweet twenty-four seven would get kind of sickly
wouldn’t it?   And like you said she’s not all that tall and what
would we talk about?  She saves things and I kill things.  Becki on
the other hand… she likes to hunt, did I mention that?  She even went big
game hunting in Africa can you believe that?  She really likes her
guns.”  Drum shifted his shoulders letting his smile dim for a
moment.  “Now you know me, I’m more of a close quarters knife kind of guy
but I swear when Becki starts talking about guns she makes me a convert.”

Maat
actually frowned; Drum couldn’t recall the last time that expression had
crossed his Goddess’s face. 

“I…
Nell is alright isn’t she?”

“As
far as I know.  Talk about a strange coincidence us both being there at
the same time.”  Drum gave his Goddess his best blank stare and then
shrugged.  “But she stuck close to her doctor friends and didn’t seem to
leave her room much.  I kept my distance just like you said and then I met
Becki at the bar and the rest they say is history.  Something wrong?”

“I
just recalled some business I have to attend to.  We’ll speak later.”

“Sounds
good.  We can work out a time when I can introduce you to Bec…”  Drum
stopped talking as Maat blinked out of existence. 

Whistling
a jaunty tune he headed for the showers.  Yes sometimes even interfering
Goddesses needed to be taught a lesson. He just hoped Nell’s little chat with
her Great Aunt Alma would prove just as enjoyable.

*                     
*         
            *

Nell
sailed into the Council office reception area at a fast clip on her Kurt Geiger
navy wedge heels.  With her hair pulled back into her normal work mode
chignon and wearing a new Donna Karen close fitted navy short sleeved dress
that ended modestly just below her knees she was more than ready to beard the
beast in its lair.  It had been four days since she’d seen Drum and quite
frankly she was ready to chew through steel and spit out bullets. 

“Hi
Doctor Montgomery.”  Shelby the receptionist gave her a warm greeting.

“My
service called Shel, I have a patient here?”

For
a moment Shelby’s expression went completely vacant.  “Wh... oh yes. 
Just head down the corridor, fourth office along the back.”

Nell
sent Shelby a small smile of thanks and set off.  Boy was this house call
going to be interesting.  Nell found her so called ‘patient’ in her
office, looking anything but ill as she fielded a phone call whilst pecking
away at the computer keyboard with her free hand.  Nell took a deep
breath, fixing a serene expression on her face before tapping lightly on the
door.  Great Aunt Alma glanced up, brown eyes widening slightly at
sighting her.  Making a quick promise to call who ever she was speaking to
on the phone back Alma flicked her stylish grey hair back over one ear.