Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) (16 page)

Opening the door to the small bathroom his mouth opened and closed again like a fish gasping for water. She must have used some serious elbow grease to get everything so spotless. He marveled, opening the cabinet under the sink to find it stocked with toilet paper. Yes! Giddy, Monroe beat feet to the bedroom. Again, clean. He could see the carpet. It was gray, huh. The bed was made, freshly laundered clothes stacked on the dresser, wood shining underneath.

This was the best thing that had happened to him in a while. Feeling a bit of a pansy for being so excited over a clean living space, he went out of his flat, across the hall and knocked on Amy’s door.

“Amy, I don’t know what to say, the place looks amazing and the groceries. Thank you.” He grinned at her. “But I have to ask—the coffee pot was green and the sludge was hard as a brick…”

She laughed, running a hand through her pretty black hair, “I bought you a new one since there was some money left over. The change is on the kitchen counter. Leave me a list on the counter and I’ll do the same next week.” She broke off.

Hell, he was such an idiot. Going on about his clean flat when she wanted to know what he’d found out. Standing up straighter, he got to the subject at hand, “Amy, I don’t have much yet, but I’ll tell you what I do know.”

Motioning him inside, he looked around with frank curiosity. Her flat was the mirror image of his but so different. Hers was welcoming. With girly furniture and paintings on the walls and Mark’s stuff scattered here and there. She had pillows on the couch and blankets to pull over you when you sacked out watching the match on the telly. Maybe she’d trade? Swinging his attention back to her as she motioned to the sofa, he noted the slender build, too thin really as if she didn’t eat enough. He should find a reason to feed her. Amy perched in a chair across from the sofa, folding her arms across her chest, a hopeful look on her face. The woman had dark circles under those attractive hazel eyes. Shaking his head, he spoke. “I went to Mark’s school, visited both of his friends, talked to several folks at the library who remembered him and ended up at a foster home.”

She jumped up from the chair, hands on her hips, face red with indignation. “I work three jobs and bust my ass to take care of Mark, I would never in a million years, no matter how bad things get out there, give him up to some wretched children’s home…”

Hold up, he gestured with his hand. “The place was something else I’m working on, I wasn’t implying anything.” He kept his voice quiet when he really wanted to yell back at her.

“Oh, okay.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. It’s been a very long day and I’m not sleeping well.” Amy sat back down in the chair, the anger draining out of her, turning to resignation.

“As I was saying, he’s a good kid. Everyone I talked to likes him. Everything I heard makes me believe he did not run away but that he was taken. Why or by whom I don’t know…not yet. But I will find out what’s happened to him. You have my word.”

Her hand fluttered at her throat and she discreetly wiped a tear from the corner of her eyes. “Thank you, Monroe. I know you’ll find Mark.”

Standing to leave, he awkwardly patted her shoulder. He sucked at this comforting stuff. If she wanted a quick shag, he could do that but niceness and comfort, he was way out of his depth with her. She was too nice, not to mention she lived across the hall, so he’d not be putting the moves on her anytime soon. “Uh, I’ll let you know when I have more information. Thanks again for everything you did today.”

Bloody fucking great. Rawlins had been summoned to Dayne’s throne room. He grimaced seeing some poor Day Walker he didn’t know chained and opening the doors. Better him than me.

“Dayne. How may I be of service?” He bowed, hiding his distaste.

“I had thought the time you spent doing penance would have been enough of a lesson. Now I hear some human woman has intervened with Robert. What is the meaning of this?” Dayne was sprawled across his throne. Today he was dressed in a gold toga that blended in to the gold ornate chair so he looked like a blob with a head. On his head was a large gold grown studded with rubies. The overall effect was one of a huge sunburst filling the room.

“Milord, the woman is used by the minions to help the spot Shadow Walkers. If I kill them all, they will be at a disadvantage when trying to kill something they cannot see.”

The god waved a dismissive hand. “Whatever. Robert is weak now—human. Should be easy for you to kill him.”

“Consider it done. I killed him once, I’ll kill him again. Though this time instead of hanging, I’ll behead him—more fun that way.”

“Get it done and don’t screw it up.”

“Of course, Milord. With your leave?”

The blob, er, god, waved his hand, then spoke before he could dematerialize. “Put a price on this human woman’s head. I want everyone looking for her. Find her and we find Robert.”

“It will be done.” Rawlins nodded and flashed back to his home, Huntington Castle, situated on the English Welsh border to come up with a plan.

In the morning Robert had to take care of ship business while Maggie ate and dressed. When he returned he found her sitting in a chair by the fire. Replaying the conversation from last night, he couldn’t help it. A fully belly laugh burst out.
Legend
. Hadn’t heard the term since his pirate heyday. “Sorry. But it is rather humorous.”

She blinked at him. “What?”

“Me, a legend.”

The lass turned a fetching shade of red. Matched the color of her hair.

“Everyone talks about how many you’ve killed. They’re all scared of you. Even Rawlins and Solien—when they talk about you, there’s a grudging respect you can hear in their voices. So why wouldn’t I be afraid of you? They’re the scariest people I know.”

“Point taken.”

“You do seem rather normal and you haven’t cut me up into pieces yet so maybe you’re not as bad as they say. We’ll see. Something’s been bothering me—I thought your kind couldn’t die unless you were stabbed in the heart or something? So why exactly were you at the end of a rope?”

“It seems you are rather well informed. I promise…” He crossed his fingers over his heart for dramatic flair. “To tell you the story of the hangman’s noose when we’re at my castle in Wales. ‘Tis a long tedious tale and will help pass the time. Agreed?”

“Fine by me.” Getting up, she stretched. And as she did, her shirt rode up, exposing the creamy skin of her stomach. Gods, he wanted to nuzzle her belly button and lick circles up and down that tantalizing skin. She moved in a tentative manner, like a mouse, afraid she’d be eaten at any time. An awful way to live.

“So, after I ran I looked for a ship. Nobody would take me. I don’t have a passport or any money, but I can cook and clean. Each one I tried said no. I couldn’t really blame them. It’s a big risk to take. Then I came to the last ship in port, yours. Same story. I didn’t know what to do. I sat there for a while. A raven was flying around and drew my attention to the open hatch so I climbed in and passed out. Your men found me. Now here I am.”

“’Tis quite a tale. What was the name of the one who betrayed you?” So as not to tip his hat, he purposely feigned nonchalance when he asked her.

“Josh. Why?”

“Just wondered what a loser such as he would be named.” She looked at him for a few seconds.

“We’re docking. Would you like to come up and watch?” At her look, he laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. It’s not as if you’re some kind of prisoner here. You are my guest, and I intend to aid you. If it’s a new identity, job, and place to live you’re after, I will make those things happen.” Damnation. Shock reverberated through him—he meant it and would help her, let her go, and never tell her anything. Doing so would put her at risk. To ensure her safety, she should stay with him. That thought and its implications made him uneasy, almost ill in his gut so he thought about her naked in his bed instead.

“Come on then.” Ever the gentleman, he helped her into a coat as they left the cabin. Robert led her down the passageway and up the stairs.

It was good to be outside. The air had bite. The wind played with Maggie’s hair as she breathed deeply and turned her face up to the weak sunshine. She caught him staring at her. “I rarely got to go out during the day. It’s nice to have fresh air.”

“It is.” Was strange to breathe, the sensation felt unnatural. Being made of energy one didn’t need to breathe, you simply were.

A shout drew his attention. “Aye, lads, take her in gently.”

“So this is Wales? You said something about delivering a package?” The frank curiosity in her eyes filled him with the urge to tell her all about himself.

Wait a minute, you’re still mad at her for ruining your life and now you want to be all flowers and candy? Get a grip, man.
“This body of water is Liverpool Bay. See those rocks? That’s Lady Emily’s Tower, part of my estate. Gwrych castle is to the east. Once the lads unload the cargo, we’ll go and meet a collector. I’m delivering a piece he’s been after for a very long time.”

“You live in a castle?”

“’Tis been in the family for generations. No one’s left but me so I keep it even though I spend quite a bit of time in Scotland, my heart will always belong to Wales. I’ll give you the grand tour when we arrive.”

“Isn’t it tempting to keep some of these priceless artworks for yourself?”

“Maggie, my lady, you have no idea. In a previous life I was a pirate, as you know and very accomplished at my profession. Nowadays rich collectors trade on the black market and I deliver the goods. Mostly a transport job. Not nearly as exciting as it used to be.” He paused to watch his crew. “You’ll be safe at Gwrych. Once we’re settled in, we can figure out what you want to do and make it happen.” The part about killing every minion, Day Walker, demon, and goblin who’d ever spoken a harsh word to her, well, he left that out. There would be a special punishment for good ole’ Josh. “In town, we can pick up some clothes for you.”

She looked startled. “That’s not necessary.”

He brushed away her protests. “Maggie, you need them and I’ll take care of it. I’ve plenty of money, it’s no bother.” That quieted her.

The ship came into port and loathe to leave her side, he let the crew handle everything. On one hand he was furious with her and wanted nothing to do with her and yet another part of him wanted to keep her close, destroy all those who’d harmed her. What he wouldn’t give to see a real smile march across her face not the ghost of one. Still pondering that thought, they walked down the gangplank.

“Maggie, I have a car waiting to take us shopping. Then a stop by my collector and then home sweet home. Shall we?” Holding out his arm, she gave a small start before hesitantly wrapping her arm through his. Poor lass, still had the deer in the headlights look. It would last a while until she felt secure and safe.

“Where are you going, milady?” Maggie was walking straight for a big green Range Rover.

“I don’t know, I guess I thought this might be yours. Don’t all you guys drive those giant SUVs?”

Pointing to the right of the behemoth, her mouth dropped open as he swept her a bow. “If milady pleases?” The Porsche sedan was black as sin, low slung to the ground and almost purred as he helped Maggie in the backseat. Gods, he loved beautiful cars.

“Does it meet your expectations?”

“Are you kidding? It smells amazing, and I think I could sink into the seat and never leave.” Silence filled the car on the short drive into town. Hiding in corners, being unobtrusive, Maggie was always quiet. How many times had he wished for a woman to stop talking and now that he had one that rarely spoke, he wanted her to talk. About anything. Everything. But she was over as far from him as she could be. Hell, if someone opened the door, she’d fall out on her head.

The shops on the outskirts of the docks would have what they required. The driver pulled up in front of an upscale shop.

“Let’s get you some proper clothes and then I’m burning the rags you’re wearing.”

As if dreading what was coming, Maggie grimaced. The bell above the door tinkled as they walked in. Watching her out of the corner of his eye, she plucked at the shabby clothes. No matter.

“How may I assist you?” The shop girl simpered over. Maggie stiffened. Interesting. Not as unaffected by him as she claimed. Perhaps he was growing on her.

Maggie was mute. No worries. He’d take control of this skirmish. “We require a wardrobe, top to bottom. Money is no object. I’m going to sit in this comfortable chair while you ladies take care of business.

“May I offer you a beverage?” The chit held out two glasses of red wine.

“We’d love one.” Robert took the wine and handed a glass to Maggie. “Darlin’ you look like you’re about to face a firing squad. Come now, shopping can’t possibly be that terrible can it?”

“I’ve never been shopping…” her voice was barely a whisper and he had to lean in close to hear her.

“Never? Well, there’s really nothing to it. The shop girl will bring you all kinds of clothes, shoes, jackets, and undergarments to try on. Simply tell her what you like and what you don’t. See? Easy peasy.” He smiled to reassure her. “I could help you try on the undergarments if you’d like?”