Predator's Refuge (9 page)

He reached the desk, frowned at the growing patch of blue ink on her palm, and offered Charlotte a clipped nod in greeting. “I would like to speak to Marci.”

She looked at Charlotte. Did royal decrees sound so authoritative?

Charlotte leaned on the counter and rested her chin in her hand, smiling. “Go nuts, tiger. I’ll be right here if you need me.” She winked at him.

“Alone, please.”

“Oh, okay,” she said, pouting and sighing and moving slowly away toward the elevators. “I guess I have some rooms to clean. Remember what I said, Marce.” And then, behind Anton’s back, she made a vulgar hand motion that was meant to represent wild, animal sex, but really just made Charlotte appear as if she had some sort of affliction that caused her to slap her hands together.

Marci waved her off, frowning. She raised her gaze to his. “How are all the kids taking the news?”

“Not bad, under the circumstances. A couple of the girls were very upset. Friends of April’s, I gather. However, they are all rallying around her.” He chuckled. “And it has given the boys a reason to act even more stupid. They’ve all offered to be bodyguards for the females in the group.” He grinned at her.

She grinned back, feeling more at ease than she had in over twenty-four hours. “Strength in numbers, huh?”

A frown slowly replaced his smile, his brow furrowed with clear anxiety. Before she could stop him, he brushed his fingers under her left eye. “You look tired. You should be resting, little lynx.” He cleared his throat. “You had a busy night.”

Waves of crimson humiliation poured over her whole body, heating her through. So she didn’t have to look at him, she fussed with the ink stain on the blotter, dabbing it furiously with a wad of tissues. It didn’t help. She could feel him staring at her, silently demanding she acknowledge him. She lifted her head slowly and tried to meet his gaze, but only got as far as his chin, unable to look him in the eye. Why was his chin so darn sexy, with its little dimple? She wanted to drag her tongue across that dimple. Her lynx echoed its approval of that idea with a lascivious lick of its lips. “I’m just fine, thank you, and very busy as I’m sure you can—”

“Marci.” He leaned in, lowering his head and staring into her eyes. “All hell broke loose here last night. A girl was hurt. Police are on the island and everyone is looking to you to manage things. Even the strongest person would crack under the pressure. You need to recharge.”

“No. I need to be
in
charge.”

He let out a frustrated huff. “You can’t fool me, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

He leaned on the counter between them, bringing them even closer. “I do recognize the scent of a cat in heat and I smelled it in you the moment we met. Your body is fighting to control overwhelming sensation right now. You need release. You need help,
cicuskám
.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Yes, she was playing dumb. And until she figured out a way to resolve this pathetic issue, it seemed like a good plan.

“Have you forgotten what happened at my window last night?” Light threatened to disperse the shadows in his eyes. “How you watched me?”

“I wasn’t trying to spy on you. I was merely doing my rounds.” Oh, God. Playing dumb really did make one sound dumb. “And besides, you should talk about needing help, buster! I don’t know what you were dreaming about, but you looked ready to explode.”

Dark clouds marred his features for half a second but quickly dispersed. He looked at her as a parent might a child throwing a tantrum, as if he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and spank her. “Marci, I did warn you about playing games.”

She finally did look at him, full into his devastating eyes, angered. The fires of indignation sparked between her legs, God help her, and spread upward. Her cheeks blazed red, she was sure of it. Why wouldn’t he let sleeping dogs lie? “I’m not interested in playing games, Anton. Not with you. Not with anyone. I’m just trying to do my work. And in case you’d forgotten, a terrible thing happened last night. So, pardon me if I let it take precedence over anything else.”

“I just want to help you. To ensure you were not disturbed by our … encounter.” He gave her an imperial shrug, one that illustrated perfectly how unfazed he was by naked women on his doorstep. It probably happened all the time. Naked women probably served him his eggs in the morning and flipped his newspaper open to the right page for him every day. “You should not be ashamed by your needs.”

“Oh, dear God,” she murmured, ready to bang her head on the desk. “I refuse to talk about my
needs
at my workplace.”

His answering scowl did nothing to ease her mind. Something told her he wasn’t done discussing the topic.

Marci called to one of the other desk clerks, glad the woman had been busy with some new arrivals and hadn’t heard their hushed conversation. She asked the woman to watch her post for a minute. “If you’ll excuse me, Anton, I need to see how the breakfast service is going.” She stepped around the desk, and around his big body. She threw a look back at him, turned her head sharply, and smacked right into someone else’s hard wall of a chest. Stunned, she looked at the person in front of her.

Another Anton loomed before her.

At least, she could have sworn so. The height, the black hair, the green eyes were all there. Only this man’s eyes didn’t seem quite as judgmental as Anton’s had the first time he saw her. This new arrival peered at her under thick, frowning brows, but with eyes that sparkled in clear amusement.

The stranger reached for her elbow and smiled. “Please excuse my clumsiness. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

Jeez, even his voice was similar. Deep and rich, colored by a thick Hungarian accent. “I’m okay, thanks.”

Anton laughed behind her. “Gabi! What the hell are you doing here?” He didn’t wait for an answer and bounded forward to give the other man a hug. Marci stepped aside so they could have their reunion.

Gabi. This was one of his brothers. Another prince, one of the spares. Marci watched them talk hurriedly in their language trying to glean something from their excited conversation, but she’d only ever taken French in school, and their Hungarian patter might well have been alien. While Gabi spoke, Anton just shook his head and stared at his sibling.

“I can’t believe it is you,” he whispered, once again in English. “It’s been too long.”

“Far too long,” Gabi concurred with a sad smile. “You’ve been holed up forever.”

Anton frowned. “There’s a reason for it, and you know it.” He breathed in deeply as if trying to clear his head and turned to her. He addressed his brother again. “Gabi, this is Marci Lennox.” He grinned at her. “My
lady boss
.”

Gabi offered her a deep bow, making him resemble more of a prince than Anton ever had. “It is a great pleasure to meet you.” He kissed her hand like a courtly knight of old.

Marci waited for her lynx to purr in hunger, but the animal merely turned its head, peeved.
What’s the matter, lynx? This tiger not good enough for you?
She ignored its unpredictable antics. “It’s very nice to meet you too.”

She didn’t know what else to say, so she waited for Anton to take the lead in the conversation. Luckily, he did. “Gabi,” he said quietly, looking around the lobby. “Why are you here? I told you not to contact me except in dire circumstances.”

Gabi’s patrician face fell. “The circumstances are dire. I need to talk to you. In private.”

Marci saw how the lines in Anton’s face seemed to grow deeper in that moment, how trepidation darkened his eyes. Her heart went out to him and she wanted suddenly to make him feel a little better, even though she wasn’t sure she could. “You can use my office,” she volunteered. “No one will bother you there.”

Anton nodded and she led the way back. She opened the door, as a sinking feeling infiltrated her being, and let them walk in. Once they were in, she smiled and pulled on the door handle. “I’ll give you some privacy.”

Before she could shut the door, Anton called out. “Marci. Stay … please.”

She gazed at him, at the heartbreak already in his eyes, and knew she had no choice. His brow furrowed, and worry made his eyelashes sag against the corners of his eyes. Somehow, he knew whatever Gabi had to say, it was bad. And he wanted her to be there with him while he heard the news. How could she say no? He’d helped her deal with April’s situation, showing such compassion, and had kept her sordid secrets of lynx lust to himself. She wanted to return the favor.

Without a word, and moving quietly, she entered the room again and closed the door behind her. Leaning back against the door, she turned to Gabi, and waited for the shifter prince to make his announcement.

Chapter 5

Anton stared at his brother, waiting for him to begin, but dreading it at the same time. While Gabi passed a hand over his face, searching for words, Anton sat on the leather love seat and motioned for Marci to sit next to him. Would she after her display of nerves earlier? He knew he’d imposed by asking her to join him and his brother in the office. They were work acquaintances. Why would she care to hear about his family woes? He wouldn’t blame her if she walked out of the room.

She didn’t, though. Her face full of compassion, as if understanding Gabi’s message could only bring pain, she immediately took the seat next to him. The small love seat seemed to get a lot smaller then. She occupied her patch of leather in a fragrant cloud of flowery perfume and sweet woman, and her thigh brushed against his. He should have moved his leg, but didn’t. She felt too good next to him, and dammit, he’d always been a selfish man. Even two years on Brother Ferenc’s strict regime at Pannonhalma didn’t stop him from wanting.

Without warning, without question, Marci gave him a smile of encouragement and slid her delicate hand into his, squeezing it. It looked so tiny in his, and made his calloused, thick-knuckled paw look like that of a giant’s.

He liked how they looked together.

His chest swelled. There was never a moment in his life when he felt so strong as when she held his hand on that couch. He suddenly realized, that with her next to him, he could tackle just about anything.

He tore his gaze away from her and looked at his brother. “Gabi, are you trying to kill me?”

His brother’s head snapped up. “What?”

“The suspense. It’s killing me. What’s going on?”

Gabi paled, and then his face relaxed. He smiled at Marci. “Forgive my brother’s sick sense of humor. It’s a defense mechanism we both developed due to our somewhat unusual upbringing.”

While Gabi chuckled at his own joke, Anton glimpsed Marci’s face. She didn’t laugh at all. He followed the slow movements of her throat as she swallowed. What must she think, this woman who probably came from a loving family? She must think she was in the presence of utter depravity. He squeezed her hand and prompted his brother for more information.

“The worst has happened,” Gabi began in a quiet voice. “Istvan is out of control. Our brother has finally lost his mind.”

“Oh, no,” Marci whispered.

Anton was quick to alleviate her fears. “Don’t get the wrong idea, Marci. Istvan is not mentally unstable. He’s just evil.”

Her golden brown eyes widened to incredulous saucers. “You don’t mean that.”

“It’s true,” Gabi confirmed, taking a chair opposite them and sitting down. “Let me share some details on our family history, Marci. Our father is the Grand Prince of the federation of Hungarian tribes, a title that goes back centuries. The Grand Prince is considered the
kende
, or spiritual leader of the federation. A holy ruler, if you will. However, our father, János Gaspar of the house of Árpád, like so many rulers before him, is a power-hungry bastard. His rule over our tribe of shape-shifters has been one marked by decadence and violence and self-gain. He is not loved among our people.” He nodded at Anton. “In fact, if they had their way, Anton would rule. He is eldest and the rightful heir.”

As a streak of heat lit up his face, Anton dared to meet her gaze. Her lips fell apart on a soft gasp and she gazed at him in wonder. “They want you to be king.”

He smiled. “Grand Prince. There’s a difference. We’re no longer connected to the human rulers of Hungary. When Stephen I was crowned in the year 1000, the title of Grand Prince disappeared. We shape-shifters broke away from human rule and assumed the title for our own head. It’s more a symbolic leadership but still carries much significance to our people. Great wealth and properties are connected to the title as well.”

“And where there’s wealth, corruption follows,” she mused.

He smiled at her again. “You’re a smart woman, lynx.”

Her lips turned up at the compliment but her sad gaze turned away. It pained him to see how she was affected by Gabi’s tale. And he just knew they hadn’t heard the worst of it yet. He turned to his brother. “What has happened?”

Gabi continued. “As you know, Istvan has always had a chip on his shoulder and has always coveted Father’s position. But as youngest, he knew there was no chance of getting it. For him to become Grand Prince, both you and I would have to die, as well as Father.” Gabi’s face changed, the corners of his mouth turning down in rage. “Anton, Istvan couldn’t wait. He has killed our parents and made an attempt on my life.”

“What?”

As Anton reeled, he realized the cry had come from Marci. Ignoring the wave of sorrow and fury that claimed his body, he pulled Marci close and put his arm around her shoulders. “
Cicuskám
, it’s okay. I’m here.” Christ, how she shook!

As did he. He’d always suspected Istvan might do the deed. And as much as Anton felt revulsion in every part of his core, a strange part of him also felt relief. He’d had no love left for his parents, vicious couple that they were. He wasn’t alone. No doubt, the tribe was celebrating. János had intimidated so many people, made so many enemies, it was amazing no one had taken a shot at him yet.

So Istvan had finally become the usurper.

“This is terrible!”

Marci’s cry moved him out of his pathetic reverie. He rocked her on the love seat, hoping to calm her. Turning to Gabi, he begged for more information. “How did he do it?”