Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) (15 page)

Dirk sat once more on the edge of the bed, feeling overwhelmed. “I’ll be back tomorrow after lunch. After I sleep I’ll take you out for a walk,” he told her, then felt foolish when she looked thunderstruck before him. He could almost hear the accusation screaming from her mind, she wasn’t a dog after all, his pet.

“Maybe you should’ve killed me,” Candy said quietly, as her face paled. The full impact of her new life obviously became apparent. She crept over to the other side of the bed and curled into a tight ball squeezing her eyes shut.

“Candy, we’ll talk about this when I return,” Dirk said, placing a light hand on her hip. She remained quiet. Dismayed, he wondered if she might take her own life. He decided he’d scope out the bathroom for any dangerous objects and determined to have John check on her every so often.

Dirk rose and headed for the shower. When he finished dressing, he asked Candy if she needed anything. She lay quietly dry eyed, unblinking, unresponsive. She refused to talk to him, to look at him. Dirk held a small bag of razors and over the counter drugs in his hand. He searched both rooms for any unsafe items until feeling she was safe from herself. Dirk left.

* * * *

Candy sat listless by a small pond in the garden. True to his word, Dirk had taken her outside once he’d gotten some much needed sleep. To his chagrin, he sought out his father’s advice about her, explaining the dilemma. He was thankful his father hadn’t begun a lecture, though Dirk knew he deserved one. James casually informed he was already aware of the problem. John had come to him when he noticed Candy stopped eating, and Dirk hadn’t inquired about her. Dirk was annoyed, but John was right. James mentioned he surmised Candy couldn’t be kept locked away in a room forever. John informed James Dirk asked him to check in regularly with the girl, hinting she was distressed.

Dirk should have known nothing got by his dad. James knew immediately Dirk was worried she would commit suicide and told Dirk he had enough to deal with. He grandly suggested Dirk leave her to him when he needed to be away. With Dirk taking on more responsibilities, it left his hands free and he was becoming bored with inactivity. The girl would offer a pleasant distraction and a certain challenge. What challenge Dirk had no clue. He didn’t want to contemplate the calculating gaze his father offered him.

“Candy, you’ll have to talk to me sooner or later,” Dirk said.

She hadn’t spoken one word to him since their last encounter. Try as he might, he couldn’t coax a response, even at night while they lay together. Though feeling frustrated, he dismissed the idea of confronting her directly, thinking she was already frightened enough of him as it was. He surmised her silence was due to her anger with him, not out of fear.

Slowly, she trailed a lazy hand through the water, refusing to look at Dirk or acknowledge his presence, even when he ran his hand down the length of her hair. Her sleepy eyes were glassed over as though she were daydreaming, of her cottage no doubt, instead of being trapped. A gentle breeze filtered through the trees as the branches danced.

“Carrie will be bringing the twins home tomorrow. She’s tired, but Tyr helps out a lot,” Dirk rambled. He grudgingly admitted Tyr was a great help when it came to the babies. With two of them they weren’t fighting over who got to hold them. Try as he might, Dirk couldn’t help feel a deeper attachment to the little girl they named Samantha, after Carrie’s deceased grandmother. The little boy was just as cute and Dirk loved him dearly, but after almost losing Sammy he found himself drawn to her. Dirk felt great pride when Carrie informed him she named her son Tyr Dirk, after the two of them. They called the boy TJ, short for Tyr junior.

Dirk’s face softened when he thought of looking down into Sammy’s serene expression. Her blue-black hair had been a surprise with Carrie’s fair looks and Tyr’s brown hair, but the bright blue eyes were the image of his daughter’s and his own. Though twins, they were fraternal and TJ’s looks were like his mother’s, blond with his father’s sky blue eyes.

Dirk looked at his watch. He needed to return to the hospital; it was his shift with Carrie and he was anxious to see her and hold the babies. He rose to his feet and stretched.

“It’s time to go inside, Candy,” he said holding out his hand to her.

Candy ignored his gesture but rose. He knew she was afraid if she put up a fuss, he wouldn’t allow her the pleasure of returning. This was the only time Candy had certain freedom. While Carrie resided in the hospital, Candy was unable to even eat her meals in the dining room with Dirk gone.

“Leave her, Dirk. I’ll make certain she’s returned without incident to your room in a little while.”

Dirk glanced anxiously at his father who strolled into the gardens. James wasn’t as patient as him, he wouldn’t put up with Candy’s silence.

“Dad, she’s still a bit weak,” Dirk said warily.

“She’ll be fine, son. I may not be a young man anymore, but I’m certain if she expires, I’ll be able to assist her to your room,” James said lightly.

Of that Dirk had no doubt, just the other day his father had viciously thrown one of his men against the wall, lifting him up off his feet to glare into his eyes. Candy was less than half the man’s size.

“She...” Dirk began, but his father waved him off.

“I’m not going to hurt her if she annoys me. Now go look after my granddaughter and her children,” James commanded.

Taking a deep breath, Dirk hurried off. He should’ve known his father would know what he was thinking.

“Come walk with me, Candy,” James said. He took her hand and wrapped it snugly within his arm not giving her a choice. “This is all new to my son, my dear. He’s never been married either. You must admit your relationship with him is...different. His daughter means a great deal to him. I’m certain it wasn’t his intention to leave you locked away alone for so long. His concerns were elsewhere, though that’s not much of a comfort for you. I’ve agreed to protect you while he’s away. We should get to know one another. It would be beneficial to us both.”

“I was so scared he wasn’t coming back. The aloneness is even worse,” Candy admitted in a quiet voice.

“You must have been very frightened,” James said soothingly.

“If Dirk doesn’t come back, what will become of me?” she asked him, terrified, her red rimmed eyes gazed up at him filled with sorrow.

“Hmm, that is a real concern isn’t it?” James said thoughtfully pondering. The girl definitely had a right to be frightened. If Dirk could leave her alone so callously for days without a thought, what would be done to her if he were killed or grew tired of her?

“What will happen to me?”

“Although I’m not ancient, my dear, I have no interest in marrying again. I doubt anyone could ever compare to my wife, rest her soul. Damien is still too much of a free spirit. He would leave it to me to decide your fate. I’m certain one of the men here could be persuaded to take you, you are indeed exquisite, but they don’t all possess the compassion my son has. A few can be quite rough around the edges.”

Fear flashed across her face before her head bowed, and James settled her onto a wooden bench.

“There is one solution,” James said, rubbing at his jaw line.

James didn’t like the idea his son would spend the rest of his life cheated out of being loved. He witnessed the scene between the two and knew the girl was giving him a hard time, though warranted, his concerns were for his son. James had another agenda.

“You could always encourage my son to give you a child. I’d be far more lenient toward you if you gave me a grandchild. You would be safe forever within these walls. Dirk never had the pleasure of raising Carrie. It’s something he regrets to this day. Oh yes, he now has grandchildren to fuss over, though he is still a young man, but they’re Tyr’s. It’s not really the same.”

James looked her directly in the eye wanting her to understand he was serious. He wondered how she would react.

* * * *

Candy’s eyes widened at each sentence. Have sex with Dirk? Encourage him into getting her pregnant? How on earth could the man suggest such a thing?

James settled a calculating gaze onto her. “My son’s happiness is everything to me. Make him happy and there will be great rewards for you. Make his life hell and the consequences will have you thinking you’re trapped within your own home. Three days of being locked within a room will seem like child’s play.”

Candy swallowed hard while gazing into the most merciless expression she’d ever encountered. Her body trembled with fear, as her breath quickened. She cowered before the powerful man, her jaw quivering. Just as abruptly, his expression changed to that of warm and welcoming.

“Come now, my dear. My son is a handsome man. All that is before you will belong to him and any child you give him someday. He will possess greater wealth. You and I will be wonderful friends. Tomorrow, I plan on taking you out shopping. You need to buy the babies a gift after all, it’s only proper, you are family. You should also pick out your own clothing. Dirk’s tastes are fine, but a woman needs to shop and be spoiled. I’m certain you have gathered I have a great deal of money. Let’s see what damage you can do to my wallet,” James said smiling.

“Shopping?” Candy asked on a whispered breath.

What kind of man offered threats then followed them with rewards? She studied the man before her. Candy was under no disillusions he would make good on his words. He loved his son a great deal. James would have her pretend happiness for the sake of Dirk’s well-being. But Dirk didn’t want to be loved. He didn’t want
to
love. What this man was asking was impossible.

“There are a few very expensive and discreet places to roam that aren’t far,” James casually mentioned. He seemed to fuss with a crease in his pants, yet Candy knew he was watching her closely, if unobtrusively.

“Dirk doesn’t want me to love him, he doesn’t want to love me,” Candy said, her eyes now raised to the powerful man before her. She knew he could take her out tomorrow, to dispose of her. But he must realize the venture was hopeless, even if she had been a willing participant.

James’s eyes narrowed, obviously stunned she would even think to disobey him. But she wasn’t being disobedient. He assessed her shrewdly for a moment; she could tell he was thinking.

“Has Dirk mentioned something to you about Carrie’s mother?”

“He talks to her in his sleep,” Candy said in explanation. “He begs her not to leave him. Even after all this time, he loves her. I could try to do as you say, but how can I compete with a ghost? I’d like a child of my own, whether or not Dirk loved me, at least then I’d have someone. But what if he doesn’t love the baby because it’s mine, not hers?”

She could see James thinking about that for a moment. “Hmm, grudgingly I must admit you might have a point. Although I feel certain my possessive son will love his own child no matter the mother. I’d like to think on this some more. You will of course say nothing to Dirk.” James’ gaze then narrowed on her once more. “And you will forgo the silent treatment toward him. It’s juvenile and beneath you.” Candy blushed, and then nodded.

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow at eleven. You’ll dine with me for breakfast at nine, I’ll escort you to the table myself,” James declared. He rose and pulled Candy to her feet.

Candy looked at him a bit warily. “You are really taking me shopping?” she asked with apprehension, afraid it was just some scam to have her leave quietly. Though she supposed even if she were to be kicking and screaming, no one would care or be concerned.

“Please, Candy, my men and I are too powerful to partake in a hit so minuscule. It would be blasé and of no challenge. Like shooting a tied and drugged newborn fawn. Besides, you are Dirk’s after all. He would be more than just a bit miffed if I didn’t return his new little treasure unharmed,” James said on a small laugh.

Candy didn’t understand what he found so amusing, but allowed him to capture her hand to his arm. Though Candy felt somewhat anxious, she did feel better. She strolled back to Dirk’s room wondering what morning would bring.

Candy sat quietly in the limousine. She cast a longing glance backward at the mammoth white house, wanting to return. The car followed a leisurely trail down the winding driveway. Her gaze watched as the rolling unmarred hills of hunter green drifted by. They passed through large wrought iron black gates that slowly shut behind them, snapping closed with a clang, as though sealing her fate and turned onto the lush country road. She was settled uncomfortably between two huge, unsmiling men, their positions relaxed. They looked the essence of evil intent. James was seated across, watching her, a glass of whiskey held loosely in his grasp, untouched.

She felt minuscule sandwiched amidst the two brutes. Both were as big as Dirk, both looked devoid of any compassion. Her gaze darted frantically to James, her apprehension rising. One of the men removed his revolver from its holster to study it absently, bored, and Candy felt her heart begin to pound erratically. She wanted to flee, to scream, her panic began to engulf her. A soft whimper escaped her lips, her jaw quivered; she was mesmerized by the sinister looking weapon that resembled Damien’s. Tyler’s sightless gaze arose to haunt her.

“Candy, perhaps you would feel more comfortable beside me,” James casually asked.

She launched herself at him, released from the mighty terror of two. She huddled, pressed up against him, trembling; her hand clutched his arm, pulling him close. The first time ever to ride in a limousine and it was horrifying; it may as well have been a hearse.

Oh my God, this is awful. Death by limo, run me over, someone.

* * * *

James controlled the urge to chuckle. He’d purposely left Candy between the two men. He chose them specifically to suit his purpose. Both were huge and dangerous looking. James wanted Candy to feel intimidated by them. He wanted her to need his protection. James wanted her to understand he had power over the men she was frightened of. James casually draped an arm around her quaking shoulders and pressed her securely to his side.