Black Opal (8 page)

He looked at her for a long moment and felt his heart tighten in regret for what could have been.

Turning toward the door, he nodded at Bella. “Ms. Bella.” Then opened the door and stepped into the corridor. As it closed behind him, he heard Bella’s muted voice. “If that young stud was trying to throw a monkey wrench into the system he succeeded beyond all expectation.”

He swore under his breath. What had he been thinking liplocking Sabina with Bella looking on? He hadn’t made a flaming ass of himself like that since he was fifteen when he’d planted one on his sexy young teacher. He’d been suspended for three days. His uncle had been more pleased than perturbed. “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.” If he’d heard that expression once that week he’d heard it a dozen times. To this day, he abhorred apples.

Adam jammed his hands in his pockets as he walked the short distance to his room, head down, deep in thought. A startled complaint reminded him of his passenger. He eased his fingers around the kitten, stroking its soft fur.

Was it possible the bands the women wore on their forearms held power? He shook his head to clear it. He’d never believed in that sort of thing. Still didn’t. But he’d seen Sabina throw strong young men against the wall without touching them and he’d felt the electricity on her skin.

Stopping in front of his door, he pulled out his security card and swiped it. The card clicked, the green light flickered and he walked in. As if on cue the phone rang.

He walked over and picked it up. “Hello.”

“Adam, my boy.”

He jerked but kept his voice light. “Hello, Uncle Johnny.”

“How’s my favorite nephew?”

“I’m your only nephew, Uncle.”

“That makes you my favorite,” Johnny Morelly said and laughed a great hearty laugh. It was a standing joke between the two men.

“How are you, Uncle?” Johnny asked sinking down into the desk chair beside the phone.

“Cholesterol’s higher than the doc likes but he’s an old woman.”

“Cut back on the pasta, Uncle Johnny, I want you around for a good long time.”

“You’re a good boy,” Johnny’s pleased tones came through the line. “So how’s my nightclub and hotel?”

“Both are good.”

“Is the little singer packing the house?”

“Every night. Business bleeds over into the hotel.”
Bad choice of words.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Adam could almost see his uncle mentally rubbing his hands. “Have you slept with her yet?”

Adam’s jaw clenched and his fist tightened on the phone ’til his knuckles whitened. He forced himself to relax. “She’s strangely impervious to my charm.”

“Send her flowers and a gaudy diamond bracelet, works every time with singers or chorus girls.”

“This one’s not the gaudy diamond type.”

“Trust me every woman is the diamond type.”

Before he could frame a suitable reply a muffled voice sounded in the background. His uncle responded, “I’m coming. I’m coming.”

“Got to go, son. Your aunt sends her love. Keep me apprised of the singer.”

“Give Aunt Helen my love.”

“And the singer?”

“I’ll keep an eye on her, Uncle Johnny.”
A very close eye.

The signal ended and Adam placed the phone back in its cradle. He settled the kitten on the couch. Bones went tumbling off the sofa and followed him as Adam walked into the small kitchenette and pulled a bottle of scotch from his private stock.

This was his suite and it was kept open for him whether he was in town or not. “Just as well Sabina isn’t aware my uncle owns the hotel too. The next thing you know I’d be accused of the maid spying on her,” he told the kitten.

“Mrrow.” The kitten looked up, its head tilted to the side as if taking in every word.

He paused, his hand wrapped around the neck of the bottle. “Maybe that’s not such a bad idea.” Then he shook his head. “No. Not yet. It might come to that but not yet. She’d never forgive me. Not that I care mind you but there is no point in pissing off a beautiful women unless you have a damn good reason.”

“Mrrow.”

“I take it you agree.”

He plucked some ice cubes out of the freezer. They clicked against the glass as he tossed them in. He poured the scotch over the ice and took a sip, letting the velvet-smooth liquid roll down his throat and warm his stomach. On the second sip his tight muscles began to relax.

“You were an impulse but we’ll work it out,” he told the kitten as it rubbed back and forth against his leg. Looking in the fridge, he found a leftover steak. He cut a section into tiny pieces and put it on a plate on the floor, along with a small bowl of water. The kitten climbed into the plate and began to eat rumbling like a jigsaw, vibrating as she purred.

Adam strolled into the bedroom and sat down at his laptop. Pulling up the internet he did a search on jewelry, forcing himself to ignore the lingering scent of Sabina’s perfume on his skin. Nothing. He typed in black stones. Under black opal, he did see a reference to power.

The phone rang. He ignored it and kept trolling the search engine.

Finally, he did a search on legends. It was one in the morning before he found anything but what he found made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Goose bumps roughened his skin.

* * * * *

The phone rang and rang. “I know you’re there,” she muttered under her breath. The answering machine clicked on and she spoke into it. “I’ll be waiting for you in the lounge. If you aren’t here tonight, I’ll be there tomorrow night and the night after until you show. I want you and the amulets and I intend to have you both.” Victoria cradled the phone. A wave of heat swept over her just thinking about him. Maybe he’d show tonight. She didn’t know which excited her more, killing the women and taking the amulets or bedding the stud.

Chapter Seven

Sabina stared at the closed door, still feeling his heat on her skin and her own aching need. She turned, focusing on her surroundings, the thick soft carpet underfoot, Bella’s heavy sensual perfume and the deep scarlet of the rose petals.

She breathed deeply from her belly and linked her fingers together. “Don’t say a word,” Sabina warned feeling she would break in a million pieces if the whys and wherefores of a kiss that had sent her spinning out of control were discussed.

Bella simply smiled, her eyes knowing.

“It was nothing but animal attraction, pure lust, an aberration,” she said trying to explain the unexplainable. And who exactly was she trying to convince, Bella or herself?

“There’s nothing wrong with a little animal attraction if that’s all it is,” Bella responded flicking an imaginary piece of lint off her designer jeans.

“Of course, that’s all it is what else would it be?”

Bella opened her mouth but before she could respond Sabina put in hastily, “Don’t answer that.”

Bella lifted her head, her brilliant blue eyes holding Sabina’s gaze. “At some point you are going to have to decide whether or not you trust Adam Morelly.”

Sabina walked to the window, opened the curtains and looked out at the dark sky. The stars gleamed overhead and the streetlights below threw a yellow cast on the sidewalk. Lights shining in other buildings gave a postcard quality to the night.

She turned toward Bella. “My heart says I can trust him.” She shook her head. “But my head tells me I’d be an idiot to. His family is mafiosi, Bella. There’s very little doubt that he is too.

“The mafiosi in Italy tried to lean on my father once. In fact, they nearly killed him.” Her expression hardened. “They never did again.”

Bella leaned forward. “You paid them a visit?”

“No I was too young. My mother did. I led a very sheltered life in Italy. My parents saw to that.”

“How did you end up with a singing career?” Bella asked curiously. “The last time we saw each other you were working in your father’s bookstore.”

“You knew my father died.” Sadness enveloped her at the memory of her short, round, loving padre.

Bella nodded.

“After he died, I sold the shop and did what I’ve always wanted to do. Sing.” She turned and stared into the night watching the twinkling lights of the city. Her eyes were once again drawn to the stars.
Are one of those you, Daddy? Are you watching over your little girl?
The thought comforted her.

“Good for you, shug. It takes courage to follow your dreams.”

Sabina let the curtains she was peeping through, fall.

Bella stood up. She stretched like a sleek cat. “Now, how about we get a good night’s sleep and continue with our plan tomorrow? At some point, that woman is going to come after us and when she does, we have her. And don’t worry about Adam Morelly. It will work itself out.

“I must say, though, I do have a soft spot for tough guys who save kittens.” Bella yawned and headed for the bedroom.

“I can’t argue with that one,” Sabina muttered under her breath as she trailed after her friend.

* * * * *

While the women slept, a few doors down and across the hall, Adam paced in his sitting room, leaving indentations in the rich cream-colored nap of the carpet. He ran his fingers through his hair in a restless gesture.
It’s a legend for God’s sake nothing more.

What he uncovered on the internet under an obscure study rattled him more than he cared to admit, five women given five amulets by the gods—a myth, a fairytale, an urban legend. Even so it intrigued him so he’d dug deeper.

Adam glanced down to see the kitten following him, trying to keep up with his long strides. He scooped her up and cradled her. He’d unearthed information on only three of the amulets but it was enough to send him reeling. The descriptions matched three armbands he’d seen recently—a copper band with an amethyst and boji stones, whatever the hell those were, a gold band with a rose quartz stone set between two green tourmaline stones, and a molten gold band with a glittering black opal at its center.

He felt cold beads of sweat pop out on his forehead. “It just isn’t possible.”

“Mrrow.”

Distracted, he stroked the kitten and continued to pace. “But what if it is,” he muttered. “And if I’ve unearthed this information how much longer until less scrupulous people do?”

He stopped, rigid. People like Victor and Victoria Price. Whether it was true or not, he was sure they believed it.

He walked into the kitchenette, dumped the kitten on the counter and poured himself a scotch. This time he didn’t even bother with the ice, just took a healthy swallow. He set the glass on the counter then picked it back up as the curious kitten stuck his nose in it.

His mind whirled. He couldn’t deny the little currents of electricity he’d gotten from any of the women who’d touched him wearing an amulet. He twirled the glass watching the golden swirl.

Strange how he’d never gotten any bumps or bruises when he’d grabbed Sabina from the stool and went rolling across that hard floor with her opening night. He snorted.
And here I’d put it down to my hard body
.

He remembered the light shock at Maureen Wolfe’s touch. His mind had registered it then compartmentalized it in the back recesses of his brain having too many other things to concentrate on that night.

“Something downright sci-fi went on tonight,” he told the kitten. “Sabina shot out her arm like Wonder Woman and men went flying through the air.”

Purring, Bones rubbed against him.

Setting the kitten on the floor, he took another swallow then strode back into the sitting room.

He grumbled to Bones who trailed him, “At least, Sabina has enough sense to keep hers covered while the other two practically flaunt theirs. What’s wrong with those women anyway? Those amulets belong in a safe deposit box not out in plain view for the entire world to see.” He heaved a sigh. “Maybe that’s what keeps them safe. No one expects something of value to be worn in plain sight. But I don’t like it. Not one little bit.”

As he walked by the end table, he noticed the blinking light on his phone. He picked up the phone, clicked the button and listened to the message. As he did, he felt the blood drain from his face and pool in his feet. Victoria! She must have been the woman who’d phoned him earlier.

So the legend was true. Or at least Victoria thought it was. Great, not only was he dealing with women who possessed ancient amulets empowered by the gods—that still boggled his mind—but a homicidal maniac wanted his body.

As he felt the prick of tiny sharp claws dig in his ankles, he looked down at the kitten staring up at him, a worshipful expression on her little face. He scooped her up. “Well, Bones, at the moment you are the only girl for me. And I’m afraid I didn’t give you a very pretty name but it fits. Like the ugly duckling though you’ll probably grow into a beautiful cat.”

He walked over and plopped the kitten in the litter box the vet had provided and waited for her to do her business. Bones complied then stepped out, delicately shaking her paws and scattering litter all over the carpet.

“The maid’s going to love that,” he muttered. He glanced at his watch, nearly two in the morning. “Let’s forget this whole sorry business and go to bed.”

He strolled into the bedroom. Taking off his clothes, he dropped them in a careless heap on the floor then stretched out on top of the silk coverlet, enjoying its soft sensual feel against his skin.

The coverlet rustled. He looked over the edge and saw two iridescent green circles staring at him eerily in the dark as the kitten climbed up the bedspread. Pulling herself the rest of the way up, she hopped on Adam’s bare chest and purred, kneading him with her tiny sharp claws. Adam winced and rubbed his chest but let her be.

“Not that I don’t enjoy your company but there really is someone else I’d prefer to be sharing this bed with at the moment.”

His chest rose and fell, unseating the kitten, as he took a deep breath and smelled Sabina’s perfume on his skin. What would it be like to touch her, have the long dark ropes of her hair wrapped around him as he buried himself inside her? His body hardened and he forced himself to relax.

“I should never have kissed her tonight. But it would have been easier to tell the tide to ignore the pull of the moon. I simply had no choice,” he told the kitten.

Maybe when this was over, she could bring herself to trust him, because she surely didn’t now. Even while her body betrayed her and she’d surrendered to his kiss, he knew a small portion of her, the part he wanted, held back.

Why am I torturing myself? Dammit, there are too many variables to think about right now—such as keeping Sabina, Bella and myself alive—to get sidetracked by lust. And that’s all it is, attraction too strong to be denied.

He squirmed a little and rolled over on the kitten causing it to mew in protest. “All right, so maybe it’s more than her body that intrigues me. She has the voice of an enchantress. Just listening to her invokes images of silken sheets, flickering candles and sweat-slicked bodies.”

The kitten pawed his face.

“I know, I shouldn’t be telling you this, you’re too young,” he said stroking Bones.

“Maybe I admire her strength of character. The woman is fearless—too much so in fact. I’ve never been impressed with meek, yes-women.” He liked women filled with fire who weren’t afraid to stand up to him. Unfortunately those women were few and far between. Not that the yes-women couldn’t burn up the sheets. But when the sex was over the flame went out.

Sabina had no problem at all standing up to him.

He punched up his pillow and pushed his shoulder into the mattress. So he admired her, so what? It still came down to lust pure and simple. He liked relationships with women uncomplicated and kept them that way. Everyone knew where they stood.

The problem was he had no idea where he stood with Sabina. His last thought as he drifted off to sleep was Sabina’s full, ripe mouth under his.

A soft breath in his ear woke him from a very graphic dream. “Darling,” he murmured, his eyes closed reaching out to the other side of the bed.

“Mrrow.”

Adam blinked and opened his eyes. Small green ones stared back. For a moment, he frowned, puzzled, then his memory kicked in—Sabina, the amulets, Victoria Price. He shook his head. Maybe he would think more clearly after a quick shower and a cup of coffee.

Getting into the shower, he leaned his palms against the cool white marble tile. As the sharp hot beads of water sluiced over his head and made stinging contact with his skin his mind cleared.
I’ll shadow the women today and meet Victoria tonight
.

Just thinking of Victor’s daughter made his skin crawl. It would be all he could do to keep from reaching over and choking the life right out of her. The woman was trying to kill Sabina.

He showered quickly, wrapped a thick velour towel around his waist and padded into the kitchen. One of the maids had made coffee and fed the kitten.

He pulled a plain white mug out of the oak cabinet and poured a cup of coffee. The fragrant steam filled his nostrils and he took a long swallow. Caffeine jolted through his system. It was time to find out what the women were up to.

Carrying his cup with him, he strolled into the bedroom and began to dress. In the act of buttoning a maroon silk shirt, he paused as an unwelcome thought hit him.
Surely, those women wouldn’t be crazy enough to try to draw Victoria out using themselves as bait?

Of course they would
! His expression grim, he zipped up his pants and scooted his bare feet into his loafers. Picking up his cell phone and keys from the dresser, he pocketed them then hurried out the door.

He strode the few steps to Sabina’s room and knocked on the door. He waited a moment then knocked again. No answer. He glanced at his watch, nine o’clock. Maybe they were in the restaurant.

Long strides took him to the elevator. Stepping into the sleek silver box, he punched the button. He jingled the coins in his pocket, waiting for the fast five-floor journey to come to an end. As the doors slid open he stepped out.

“Young man.” An imperious voice and a shaky hand on his sleeve stopped him as he headed toward the dining room.

He paused. An elderly man leaned heavily on his cane. Adam grabbed the old boy’s arm as he tipped forward.

“Thank you, son,” he said, his voice high-pitched and quavery.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“Can you tell me how to get to the coliseum?”

Not now.
He batted back the impatience driving him. “It’s on South Mint Street, sir.”

“And where is that?”

As Adam glanced at the front desk, he saw a rack of information pamphlets in the hallway. He walked over, grabbed the pamphlet displaying a large black panther and handed it to him. “I’m sure the front desk will arrange for a ride over there as our guest. Just tell them it’s on Adam.”

“Why thank you.” The wrinkled lines on the old man’s face spread upward in a delighted smile.