Fated Treasures Page 15

  Once within, Cam pressed the button for the top floor. All too soon, the elevator dinged, signaling he’d reached Gerri’s floor. With a resigned sigh, he stepped out and headed down the hall toward Gerri’s door. His nose scented fresh baked gingersnaps, one of Cam’s all-time favorites.

  Lifting his hand, Cam made to rap on the door. His knuckles barely touched the wood as the door swung open, revealing Gerri standing there, a plate of cookies in hand and a mischievous smile upon her lips.

  “Please Cameron, do take a cookie, come in and make yourself at home on the sofa. I know you’re pressed for time with your mother and Fianna missing, but I felt an in-person meeting was best. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you are someone that judges something using all his senses best and a chat over the phone wouldn’t have let you do that.”

  Cam had to switch gears, which took a considerable amount of effort it seemed. With a shake of his head, the took a cookie and did indeed, step inside and situate himself onto the sofa. Gerri settled down into a chair across from him, her eyes regarding him as if he were a bug under the microscope.

  “Look, Mrs... “Gerri’s twinkling eyes held a look that had him reassessing how he addressed her. “Gerri, you’re right, I do tend to get a feel for someone or situations better when I can judge with all my senses. That’s why I ended up agreeing to come see you. That and well, this is too personal to talk about over the phone.”

  Gerri gave a nod but remained quiet. “Gerri, you set my mother and I up on a double date with Zeke and Fianna. I believe my mother and Zeke have hit it off well, but I can’t say your pairing of Fianna and I is exactly working out.”

  Gerri actually chuckled as she poured them both a cup of tea from the pot waiting in the center of the coffee table. With tea in hand, she took a gingersnap, dipped the cookie in the tea, bit, chewed then pegged him with a knowing smile. “Cameron, I dare say that I’m not wrong where you and Fianna are concerned.”

  Cam broke in, almost speaking over her. “Gerri, I can’t possibly take someone that can’t admit love, and is willing to betray not only me, but my mother, can I?!” A frown creased Gerri’s face, her brows drawing down in what Cam thought to be consternation. “Please, if you know something that could possibly explain how you still think Fianna and I could be mates after what she’s done, tell me.

  “Cameron, do you love her?”

  The simple question caught Cam off guard, his brows popping up quick as one of those popup tents did when set up. Still, he didn’t even have to think about the answer, nor did his wolf. “Yes, I do. As much as I don’t want to.” A growl trickled up his throat to slip past his lips. “I do love her, but damn it, she’s willing to screw me and my mother over for power Gerri. I can’t possibly take someone like that as my mate.”

  Gerri regarded him a moment, rather, multiple heartbeats to be exact. Cam had started counting and on the tenth beat, Gerri spoke up. “Cameron, you are a wolf shifter. You would have scented betrayal on Fianna if she’d been planning this all along. I’m willing to stake everything I do by saying that you didn’t scent any kind of betrayal from her in regard to the stones, nor in how she felt about you. Tell me Cameron, does your wolf believe she loves you?”

  Damn, this woman didn’t pull any punches, Cam thought as he decided how best to answer Gerri. His wolf had the answer, but this wasn’t a simple matter of instincts and chemistry. Still, Gerri made valid points. He hadn’t scented descension from Fianna, not from the moment she’d gotten into the boat at the airport in Italy with him.

  “Did you know she is a witch Gerri?”

  Gerri seemed unphased by his question and suddenly, he felt silly thinking that maybe Fianna had somehow masked her deception with magic. With an almost apologetic look, he answered her question. “My wolf wants to claim her as his mate and yes, he believes she loves us, even though she hasn’t even seen my wolf yet.”

  Gerri’s smile was a victorious one, still Cam still couldn't figure out what he was missing. “Gerri, if she wasn’t planning on deceiving me, why the hell would she take off with the stones, leaving me without any word?”

  That wasn’t the real question Cam had, but he couldn’t figure out how to voice his real question of why couldn’t the one meant to be his mate not return his love? When Gerri smiled at him, Cam knew what was coming. “Cameron, I think the real question, is how do you plan on getting your answers from Fianna herself? I can’t give you the answers you seek, only she can.”

  Gerri was right of course. Cam was about to agree when his phone went off. The number came up as unknown, which had him raising a brow. “Excuse me, I should probably take this.” Gerri gave what seemed to be a knowing nod, then stood with the teapot in hand and headed off to what Cam assumed was the kitchen.

  Sliding his thumb across the screen, he spoke into the phone. “Hello.”

  The voice on the other end was male, calm and precise as he returned Cam’s greeting. “Hello Cameron. Tell me, are you back in the states yet? I do hope so, because your mother’s life depends on your being able to meet me tomorrow morning. Fianna of course will be there as well. She sends her best and thanks you for your help in obtaining the stones for us.”

  Cameron had no way to know for sure, but his instincts told him that this was Fianna’s guardian, Joseph. Something else Cam realized. The man was lying, Cam could hear it in his voice. Not about having his mother, but about Fianna sending her best and thanking him for his help in obtaining the stones.

  Cam felt something akin to the world lifting off his shoulders as he gathered his words. “I’m sure I was extremely helpful to Fianna and you, where the stones are concerned. Let me guess, if I want to see my mother alive and whole, I’m supposed to bring the fourth stone to you in an exchange?”

  The chuckle on the other end of the line was deep and sinister sounding. “You are a smart lad. Yes, bring us the last stone and we will release your mother to you.” The man didn’t waste breath on anymore pleasantries, just rattled off a place and time to meet then ended the call, leaving Cam to stare at his silent phone.

  Looking up, Cam met Gerri’s eyes and saw worry within them. Cam gave her a genuine smile then. “Don’t start to worry on me now Gerri, all will be as it should be. Come hell or high water I’ll free my mother, Fianna and her grandfather, because I now know for a fact, that she isn’t working with the man that just called me to set up an exchange.”

  Gerri’s smile was warm in return as she followed Cam to her door. Cam stopped as he crossed the threshold into the hall, his heart light with hope once more. On impulse, he turned, leaned down and kissed Gerri’s cheek, giving her a cheeky wink.

  “You really do know what you’re doing Gerri and I have to admit, I never would've thought I’d be leaving here with hope tonight, but hope has filled me to the brim and over. Look for a wedding invitation in the mail!”

  Gerri’s laughter followed him down the hall and into the elevator as he started to plan his next move. Getting His mother and Fi’s grandfather safely away from their captor was his key objective, but helping Fianna was right up there as well. How would be the question he’d need to discuss with a few from his pack and Rico. He’d get them back though, of that, he had no doubt.

  Twenty-Nine

  Meet and Greet From Hell

  Fianna lifted her head and looked over at her grandfather sleeping. The pinched look of pain he’d had seemed to have softened. The doctor or whoever he was had come in after Joseph had left and had given him some pain medication through his IV so that he could rest. Fi wished he’d given her something to help her sleep because she needed more than an hour of napping, which was all she had been able to manage.

  She needed to have a night of unbelievable sex with Cameron then curl into him sated and exhausted while his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. Fi shook her head. That was never going to happen again, and she needed to face it. She’d had her chance with Cameron and all this had ruined that chance. Closing her eyes her chest ti
ghtened painfully. She knew in her heart that she had lost Cameron through all this.

  The bedroom door opened and Fi looked over to see Caitlin peeking her head in. Fi gave Cameron’s mother a tired smiled and straightened up in her chair as Caitlin approached. “Did you get any sleep?”

  Fi stood and shook her head, stretch her muscles that had tightened as she’d sat. “Nothing to write home about.” She glanced toward the door then back at Caitlin. “Your instincts were right about Joseph.” Fi’s voice choked a little as she finished that sentence. Her throat tightened as she looked down a moment, blinking back the tears that threatened while trying to compose herself.

  Caitlin put her arms around Fi and gave her a hug. “I won’t ask for details, but we need to have a plan when we go and meet Cameron.”

  Fianna’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name then shook her head as she stepped away from Caitlin. “Joseph wouldn’t answer me. My grandfather woke up and while I was trying to make sure he was okay, he told me just as Joseph was walking in. Joseph confirmed it by pulling a gun on us but when I questioned him, he only told me to be ready by 9:00 am before leaving the room.”

  Patrick Arden moaned softly and both women turned to see his eyes fluttering open as he searched for them. Fi smiled and took his hand. “Good morning grandpa.” He squeezed her hand giving her a pained smile then looked at Caitlin. “This is Caitlin O’Hara-Bishop. She’s from…”

  “The wolf pack.” His voice was hoarse and strained as he struggled to sit up. Fi fixed his pillows, allowing him to lean back against the headboard some but not fully sitting. “Your name came up when I was speaking to Merrick about the stones. Your son Cameron has the fourth one.”

  Caitlin nodded as she pulled the blankets up around Patrick. “I am. Joseph sent a couple of men to get the stone from me and when they found out I didn’t have it they brought me here.”

  Patrick turned to Fi. “I’m so sorry you got involved Fianna.”

  Fi shook her head. “Don’t grandpa. It is what it is, and it led me to you. We are meeting Cameron Bishop this morning and I have to figure out how we keep all four stones from Joseph.”

  “I’m confident that Cameron is thinking of the same thing, Fianna. Between the two of you I know we’ll get through this with or without the stones. They don’t matter, our lives do. Still, with the stones would be better” Caitlin gave a strained smile.

  Fi returned the woman’s tight smile with one of her own, wishing she had the same confidence, then glanced at the clock beside the bed. “I need to shower and get ready.” Leaning down she kissed her grandfather’s cheek. “I will get us out of this and I will be back to get you. I promise.”

  Patrick Arden squeezed her hand and closed his eyes as he nodded. “Please be safe Fianna. I just got you back.”

  Fianna straightened and nodded. “Trust me. I’ve got this.” She turned and gave Caitlin another quick, tired smile before heading to the bathroom.

  Fi turned on the water in the shower as hot as she could handle it and stood under the stream, moaning a little as it beat down upon her shoulders and tired body. Her eyes closed a moment as some of the weariness slipped off her along with the pounding water.

  Fi knew she had to be alert and on top of her game today. She would not stop fighting until she’d freed her grandfather and returned the stones to Caitlin and Cameron, even if she didn’t make it through this, she’d do her best to make sure they would.

  Opening her eyes, determined and feeling more like herself, she hurried through her shower and got dressed. Stopping back into her grandfather’s room, she kissed and hugged him again, assured him she’d be back to get him, then went to get Caitlin. Fi could see a hint of fear in the woman’s eyes but she also saw determination and resolve. “Caitlin when we get there, when we see Cameron again, I need you to trust me. No matter what is said or done, I promise it's all going to be okay, but I need you to do what I tell you.”

  “You have plan?” Caitlin’s voice was hopeful as she reached out and took Fi’s hands.

  “Maybe, but like you said, Cameron will be there too. I’m sure he has a plan and back up. So just don’t do anything that will get you hurt and watch the situation as it unfolds.”

  Caitlin took a deep breath and nodded, then, letting go of Fi’s hands, the two women headed downstairs to see one of the guards standing by the door. When he saw them, he opened it and they walked out, noting the car waiting for them. They both slipped into the back seat to see Joseph sitting opposite of them, holding the box that held the three stones Fianna had brought him.

  Fianna wanted nothing more than to let loose her magic upon the very man she’d considered part of her family all these years. She couldn’t though, knowing Caitlin might very well suffer if she did. Instead, she fastened her seatbelt, waiting for the car to pull away from the house before she pinned Joseph with a look that was all wolf who had its prey in its sight. Her nostrils flared as she took a deep breath, tucking her chin in slightly.

  “Alright Joseph. You wouldn’t talk last night, just waved your gun around trying to intimidate me and grandpa, a man you have known all your life I might add. Explain to me what this is all about. I especially think I deserve to know why you kept my grandfather away from me for eleven years.”

  Joseph's jaw tightened even as he gave her an almost amused look. Years of memories came rushing back to Fianna. The years spent when he was the closest thing to a parent she had, although, if she were honest with herself, he hadn’t been a loving parent figure but had pushed her in everything she did. He’d trained her, teaching her defensive moves, honing her skills with a knife and teaching her how to shoot a gun. He had been by her side teaching her how to read maps and having her learn different languages. Everything she needed to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps.

  “What can I say Fianna. I grew tired of being Patrick Arden’s lackey. I was errand boy and babysitter all at the same time. You were maybe three or four and your parents had just died. He mourned the loss of his only daughter, but he had you to take her place. I went from companion to nursemaid.”

  Fianna frowned and shook her head. “So, this is all my fault somehow?”

  Joseph chuckled and shook his head. “Not at all Fianna. This was all about your grandfather, his father and his father before him. My family has been serving your family for generations as researchers and companions. But we never saw a dime of any of the treasures that your family found. We never reaped any of the rewards or received any recognition even though we had always been an integral part through it all.”

  Fi watched as he seemed to inflate like a balloon being aired up with helium as he kept going on and on until she couldn't take it anymore. “We’ve never kept anything that we found. It has always been returned to the rightful owners or to museums. Yes, we’ve been paid for some of it, but the money was always put towards helping find other missing artifacts and gathering information on lore and myths. You know this.”

  He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders as he continued. “I decided that wasn’t enough. I decided that your family had to pay for all the years of servitude my family has given yours.”

  Frustration welled up and spewed forth from Fianna like a geyser erupting. Powerful and plentiful as she leaned in towards Joseph. “Servitude! Joseph you could have left whenever you wanted. Why tell me that my grandfather was dead all these years?” Her voice had no reason left to it and she had to take several deep breaths to calm herself. “Why Joseph? We both trusted you.”

  That evil smile Fi had seen last night crept back over Joseph’s lips, making him look oily and vile. “I’ve been blackmailing your grandfather, holding your life in the balance. As long as he got me what I wanted then you stayed alive. How else do you think I could afford this estate? Certainly not on the pittance that I was paid as stipend for my service?”

  Fianna shook her head. None of it made sense to her and certainly not how he kept her and her grandfather apart. “I see
you’re still confused.” Fi nodded. “It was all part of his punishment, Fianna. He treated me like a lowly servant, so I took away the one thing that mattered most to him. He would spend his life alone and afraid, doing what he could to keep his granddaughter alive.”

  “Where do these stones fit into all of this?”

  Joseph looked out the window then back at Fianna. “That will have to wait my dear. We’re here.”

  Fianna and Caitlin looked out the window as the car came to a stop. It hadn’t been a long trip, Fianna thought as she took in the metal buildings and the cracked asphalt they were parked on. It looked like an abandoned private airstrip with rusted buildings and weeds growing between the cracks on the one runway.

  She knew where they were and wondered why Joseph would pick this place. The private airstrip was just outside of town and was perfect if you didn’t want anyone to know what you were doing, but there were too many places a person could hide. Hopefully Cameron had figured that out and had brought back up like she expected him to do.

  Two guards got out of the car and opened the back-passenger doors. Fianna could hear Caitlin’s growl as one of them reached in and grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the car. She struggled but he held tight. Fi’s door opened and she held up her hands as the guard reach out to try and grab her. “I can get out on my own thank you.” The guard looked over at Joseph, who nodded, then stepped back, letting her slide out of the car.

  Fianna took a moment to let her eyes adjust to the glare of the sun as it reflected off the metal buildings around them. She looked around, spotting Cameron right away. He was getting out of his jeep and walking towards them, determination and what she imagined was anger, vibrating with every step he took.

  Her heart hammered in her chest as she was swamped with emotions. Relief being at the forefront at seeing him even as fear for him and Caitlin filled her. Fi wanted to run to him, tell him everything and confess her love for him.