Vengeance (24 page)

Get away
, the orange one hissed.

We've got claws
. To prove it, the tabby extended one miniscule paw, tiny foot flexed open, displaying his armament.

Whoa
. Cerberus sauntered to Lucinda and pressed against her thigh.
You guys are tough.

What's going on? Who's yelling?

An adult tabby cat came around the corner, almost slamming into the kittens, who still menaced us with puffy fur and hiccupping hisses.
Get away from my babies
, she growled, advancing on Cerberus with maternal intentness. She glanced at me, her green eyes assessing and wary.
Who's that? What's going on here?

"Oh, for heaven's sake." Lucinda pushed Cerberus away from her but kept one hand looped in his collar. I almost laughed at the sight. If the dog even budged, she'd be toppled. "Behave yourself."

Yes, ma'am
. Cerberus ducked his head once to the mother cat, who inched toward us with a glare that made me take a step back.
Be careful, he's a--
And once again he said that indecipherable word.

Really?
Curiosity apparently overcame the cat's inherent wariness. Her fur started to relax and she edged closer, sniffing loudly. He smells normal.

What's a--ga--gaj--what is it?
The little tabby followed his mother with small, mincing steps, alternately hissing and sniffing. Apparently, he couldn't multi-task yet.

He hears us talk
, the mother said. Then she sat down and swiped at her face with her paw.
Be careful what you say
. The mother turned, almost running over her children.
Come along. Time to nap
.

Lucinda looked at the doorway where they vanished then to Cerberus. "Leave them alone," she warned.

No problem
. He thrust his nose into her outstretched hand.
I don't pick on the weak or the injured unlike some people we know who seem to enjoy bullying
. He peered slyly at me from the confines of her protection.

I clenched my fists. "He'll be good. Or else."

"That's just so typical of you," Lucinda said as she limped out of the kitchen. I followed her into a long, rectangular living room with a fireplace at one end and a large picture window with no curtains.

"What do you mean it's typical of me?" I walked to the window and looked out. The moon was rising, lights winking in the distance, across empty fields. "Is that Burnsville?"

"You're always threatening him."

"I beg your pardon?" I turned to stare at her.

"You heard me. You're always threatening him." Lucinda joined me at the window. "You can be very mean." Before I could reply to this outrageous statement, she asked, "How did you know I was hurt? How did you get in this house? I know I locked it. I always lock it. I want some answers, Nico."

I knew what she wanted answers for. It had been lying, unspoken, between us since I saw her in that ambulance. But I wanted some answers too. "You're not the only one with questions."

She crossed her arms, her chin raised in defiance. "You first, please," she said in a sarcasm-laden voice.

"I'd like to know if you and Robert Masterson are involved." I felt better as soon as I spoke the words, but I dreaded the answer.

"It's none of your--" Then she hesitated. I waited, my eyes fixed on hers. "No, we're not. We never have been. I told you the truth the other night. Robert and I went out and that's all. Whoever told you we were involved is a liar."

The constriction in my chest eased. "He did."

She tensed then winced, reminded of her accident in that simple movement. "That bastard. I'm sure he did just to undermine our relationship. Either that or Cara put him up to it. I'm pretty sure they're involved."

This confirmed her father's speculation. Her father. Did Lucinda know about him? I pushed that thought aside for the moment. "Do you think Cara would cede her shares in the company to Masterson?"

Lucinda leaned against the window frame. The lights in the distance danced on the cold night air. "Yes, I do." She swung her gaze to me. "Cara would do it just to spite me. She would do a lot of things to spite me."

There it was. My chance. "Cara came on to me and I was stupid." I touched Lucinda's shoulder, afraid of hurting. When she didn't flinch, I tightened my fingers slightly. "Lucinda, I'm sorry. It all happened so fast. I shouldn't have stayed there. I should have gotten up and left."

I expected to see hurt or anger in her gray eyes but instead I saw an assessing, calculating look. "I'm disappointed, that's all. I hoped you were immune to Cara's charms."

I smoothed my hand over her shoulder. "I am immune," I said softly.

She put her left hand over mine where rested on her shoulder. The psychic connection between us flared to life. I sensed confusion, mistrust and...excitement? "Why is it every time you touch me, I can tell what you're thinking?" she whispered.

I held my breath, not sure how to interpret the tone I heard in her voice. She moved closer. "Can you tell what I'm thinking now?" I asked. My voice was rough and harsh.

"Yes." She slid her hand along my arm until her fingers closed over my wrist. "You're thinking what I'm thinking."

"And that is?"

She tugged me closer.
I want to kiss you
.

Her whispered echoed in my mind with ghostly reverberations.

"Nico." Her breathless whisper caressed me, sending waves of heat rushing along nerve endings.
Make love to me
.

Ghostly words echoed in my mind. How could this happen? How could I hear her voice, so clearly? It was like...

I looked over Lucinda's shoulder and saw Cerberus, watching us from the doorway to the kitchen.
She's your True Companion
, he said softly.
All you had to do was admit it and allow her to talk to you. That's all.
He turned away
. It took you long enough.

I could tell he was upset. His tail didn't have that jaunty bounce. Then my concerns about Cerberus were lost as Lucinda's arms tightened around my waist. I smiled slowly and she gave me a disapproving look. "What?" I asked.

"You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"You have the clearest blue eyes."

I drew back. "I beg your pardon?" This comment came totally out of left field.

Her hands slid upward under my jacket to explore my back, sending shivers along my spine. "You do. They're so pale and blue, with that dark circle around them. They're very pretty."

"Pretty?"

"Yes, pretty. You know, sometimes it feels as if you stare right into my soul."

I blinked at her and wondered what it would be like to share her soul. Was that what was happening? I considered asking Cerberus, but I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.

She smiled. "And then you get that look."

"What look?" I breathed the question into her ear and was rewarded with a wiggle as she pressed closer to me.

"You look like you want to kiss me. You look like you want to..."

I twined my fingers into her hair. "That's only because I do." I lowered my face to hers.

Nico
.

Her voice, combined with the feeling of her body against mine, dizzied me. Memories washed through my mind, images of people and places flickering like frames of a film. My parents--both sets--Lucinda's brother, her sister, my home in Yorkshire, the trip by sail that brought me to America, solar-powered personal transports carrying me from Paris to New York in the 22nd century, time-trips to Egypt, America, Spain--everything jumbled together in my mind as Lucinda and I kissed.

She trembled in my arms and I wondered if she was sharing the experience with me. Then I felt her memories begin. I saw myself as a swain in Revolutionary America, laughing with her as we walked hand in hand on a New York street. We danced, Lucinda in my arms as I swirled her around a floor while her parents watched, smiling indulgently. Then I saw David Delacroix, sitting at a desk and talking with her, obviously about business.

"Nico, what's happening? I feel so..."

I slipped her jacket off and pulled her down to the couch with me. Her blouse was cool and silky under my palms. "You were just in an accident," I murmured. "Although I'd like to think it's the power of my kiss."

Her protests faded as I finally touched the bare flesh of her back, my hands undoubtedly cold and surprising. She shivered but didn't pull away. "Do you forgive me?" I whispered.

She lay back on the cushions, her skirt hitched up and her left slipper dangling rakishly off her foot. "No, I don't forgive you."

"No?" I ran my hand up her silky leg, stopping when I felt bare skin above the top of her elastic-topped nylons. I inched my fingers upward, toward that hot triangle of flesh that beckoned me.

"Not yet."

I croaked out a laugh. "I get the feeling I need to make things up to you."

"Yes, you do."

"Okay, boss. Whatever you say."

"Really?" She slipped a hand downward to my belt buckle. "I like an employee who knows his place."

"And where is that?" I was almost unable to breathe.

She tugged at my belt. "Right here, keeping the boss happy."

* * * * *

They were noisy. How come?

Why is your hair so rough?

Is he going to stay here?

Mommy said you were a dog. What's a dog? She said dogs are mean. Are you mean?

Our sister is dead. Will you die?

Does it hurt to die?

Lucinda sprawled next to me on her double bed, the light from the hallway cutting across us like a splash of white paint. I lifted my head. Cerberus lay on the floor next to the bed, the two kittens lying on his back, their little paws pulsing rhythmically as they flexed their toes. Three sets of sleepy eyes were raised to meet mine.

They've got a lot of questions
, Cerberus said, laughter in his voice.
Are all babies full of questions?

I shrugged.
How would I know?

Lucinda stirred next to me. "Nico," she murmured. She touched my stomach, her small fingers caressing me. My erection was immediate, which pleased me given how much activity we enjoyed just an hour earlier. I may have been immortal, but I wasn't getting any younger.

"I've never experienced anything like that," she murmured, snuggling against me.

Like what? Like what?

I glanced at the two kittens who spoke simultaneously. "Hush, now." I folded Lucinda into my arms.

She blinked up at me. "What?"

I nuzzled into her neck, the amazing feeling of her body and her mind caressing me. "Hush up and kiss me."

She drew away. "I have so many questions. Are you really a doctor? How did you know about the accident? Do you know Robert--I mean, did you know him before yesterday?"

Yesterday. Good Lord, was it only a day since Lucinda and I heard Robert Meyer propose his outrageous scheme?

"I'm hungry." I reached past her to pick up the alarm clock. "It's almost eight. Good thing for you I remembered to turn off the stove, otherwise our lasagna would be ruined. Let's go." I swung my legs over the side of the bed, edging my toes past the kittens who jumped off Cerberus and were playing tug of war with my discarded black sock.

"You're all bruised along your side." She snuggled under the sheet and peered up at me, her tumbled dark curls framing her face. "Did you have an accident too?"

I thought of the bullets Robert Meyer shot into me. "Yes. I'd like some food." I slapped her lightly on the hip. "Come on, lazy. Let's eat." I scooped up my jeans from the floor and pulled them on, then grabbed my shirt, which had landed near the doorway when she and I had kissed our way into the room, discarding clothing as we went. She grumbled behind me, but finally sat up as I paused in the doorway.

She leaned over to pet Cerberus. "It feels sometimes like you can understand what I'm saying. Can you? Do you understand?"

Of course
, he answered as he surged to his feet. He laid his muzzle on the side of the bed and regarded her, his pale blue eyes alight with humor.
You just can't hear me, that's all.