Secret Paradise (Kimani Romance) (16 page)

“Getting past Basilio was no trouble at all. I drugged his drink and then intercepted the hot chocolate that was delivered to Callia’s room and drugged it as well. It was so easy to wait until she was knocked out. Then I carried her onto a boat I had waiting and took her to the island. No one saw us. I carried her to the house, went in through another secret entrance and placed her in her bedroom. I heard Dante and Lucian as they poured the accelerant, and I tried not to laugh, knowing the true torment Lucian was about to face. I expected the smoke to take her first.”

“But you were wrong.”

She frowned. “It should have worked.”

“She was just a child. Why would you want to kill her?”

“Because with Callia and Lucian dead, everything would go to Basilio. He would be so distraught losing his family in the fire, he would turn to the first comforting arms that were there. I planned that to be me. We would marry and then I’d be mistress and no one would look down on me again.”

“But Callia woke up.”

“Yes, but I had another tactic that should have worked.”

“Kay?”

“Yes, I thought that if I made Callia appear crazy, Lucian would have her put into an institution, and then I would plant evidence and arouse suspicion to get Lucian arrested for murdering Alana, and once again Basilio would have everything. It would have worked if you hadn’t come along. At first you were perfect, because you have some similarities to Alana and could confuse the girl, but I soon realized you were dangerous to me.”

“Dangerous?”

“Yes, you wanted this house.”

“I wanted Lucian.”

Iona ignored her. “You wanted to take Alana’s place and I couldn’t let that happen.”

“Is that why you told me Lucian was a murderer?”

Iona shrugged. “I was spreading that rumor so that I could implicate him later, but I told you because I wanted you to be frightened and leave. I wanted you to doubt him. I couldn’t let you get too close to him. But when you didn’t leave, I knew I had to convince Basilio to marry me. Then there would be nothing Lucian could do, but he hesitated because you were confusing his mind with questions.”

“You should have given up,” Nikki said.

“I never give up,” Iona shot back.

“But your two plans failed.”

“I won’t fail this time.”

“You won’t escape. They know all about you now.”

“They may know about me, but it’s too late. And they won’t catch me. I know this island and I know these caves. I’ve studied them over the years. By the time I was rehired, I’d put my plan in action and I knew that no one suspected me.” She gave a quick motion of her hand. “Get up. It’s time to move.” She blew out the light from the candle and turned on a torch. “Feel free to run. You’ll never find your way out. Or you can just follow my light.”

“You go first,” Nikki said.

Iona shoved her forward. “Give me another order and I’ll shove you in the river. Now move.”

Nikki followed wherever Iona shone the light and felt Callia close behind her. Finally Iona shone the torch on an iron ladder bolted into the wall. Nikki knew this was her chance. A ladder pointing upward meant land. It meant a chance of escape.

“Callia, run!” she said. Then she shoved Iona hard.

She heard the gun clatter to the ground, then tried to dash toward the ladder. Iona got to her first, grabbing her hair and pulling her back. Nikki fought wildly, and soon they were both airborne, then falling into the water. Iona let go as the rushing water separated them, and Nikki sank into further darkness. Nikki didn’t know up from down. She tried to reach the surface as the water began to carry her away, but kept hitting rocks. She knew she was trapped in a river tunnel and that she’d likely drown. She imagined that Callia was safe. And while that thought ended one nightmare, another had just begun.

Basilio stormed back to the house, feeling the weight of his shame. Dante was right. Twice he’d failed. He’d let a woman use him, lie to him and betray him. Callia’s and Nikki’s lives were in danger all because of him. They could… He vehemently shook his head. No, he couldn’t think about it. He wouldn’t let it happen. He wouldn’t let Iona win. He paused when he heard running footsteps. He turned just as Callia ran into him, still looking behind her. He grabbed her and she screamed.

“It’s okay,” he said. “It’s me.”

She looked up at him, then behind her again. “Nikki saved my life.”

“Where is she?”

“Iona has her. In the caves.” She took his hand. “I’ll show you where I came out from.”

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

“No, I don’t want to be alone.”

“Fine. Come on.”

With Callia in tow he ran back to the cove where his brother and the other men were discussing a strategy.

“I found Callia!”

They all turned and then Callia ran to Lucian.

“Are you all right?” he said, searching her for any injuries.

“Iona has Nikki.”

Lucian nodded. “I know.”

“She’s not here,” Callia said, looking around the cove. “Come on, before it’s too late. I think I know where she is.”

Callia led them to the tunnel from which she’d escaped. “She’s still down there. I heard a splash.”

“That means she won’t be here,” Lucian said, walking to another cave. “She’ll be farther down.”

Dante swore. “She’ll be swept out to sea.”

“Not if I get to her first,” Lucian said.

Basilio shook his head, afraid for his brother. “You can’t—”

“I know these tunnels, too, and I’m a strong swimmer.” Lucian stopped in front of a cave that looked like an animal’s burrow. It was tight and low to the ground. He’d have to crawl into it. “I have to at least try.”

“But—”

“He’s a great swimmer,” Callia said with fierce support. “He’ll save Nikki.”

Lucian was glad to have her confidence. He knew the caves better than anyone. He knew where they turned and dropped and how the water flowed. It was still dangerous, and possibly a deadly choice, but he had to make it. The darkness didn’t frighten him. He would rescue her. He got down on his knees, checked his pocket for his penlight, set his cane aside and then crept into darkness.

Chapter 21

I
t was a torturous, slow death. For fleeting moments Nikki felt herself being pushed toward the surface by the force of the water and given a chance for air. But she was always dragged down again, each time reaching out to grab something but always meeting emptiness. Soon the water settled, giving her a chance to emerge at the surface and gulp in air until her chest felt as if it would burst. She looked around, her eyes growing used to the darkness, but all she sensed were more walls. She swam to the edge and called out. Would anyone hear her? She knew they would be looking for her, but it was a large island with many caves and tunnels. They could be on the other side, for all she knew, but she couldn’t think that way. She would make it out of there.

Suddenly she felt the water move. Something was coming. Oh God, Iona had found her. Nikki was pushing herself from the wall, ready to dive into the water again, when something grabbed her leg. She screamed and fought to free herself.

“Shh,” Lucian said. “It’s me. I’ve got you.”

Nikki collapsed into his arms in disbelief. “I was so afraid no one would find me.”

He held her close. “Now you don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

“It’s so dark. How will we—”

“It’s okay. Trust me. It will be a little rough, but we’ll make it.”

“Callia,” Nikki said, remembering. “Have you found her?”

“Yes, she’s safe, Artemis,” he replied, using the nickname he’d first given her. “She helped let me know where I might find you. Come on.”

“Can’t we go back the way we came?”

“No, it’s best not to fight the current. Don’t worry. I know where this river leads. Just hold my hand and don’t let go.”

Nikki didn’t let go, even when she feared the current would rip them apart and felt all her energy would fail her. She was determined that the water and the darkness wouldn’t win. Soon the current weakened and then disappeared. She could feel that they were in a large opening and not just an air pocket.

Lucian stopped and lifted her up. “We’ll get out here.” He gestured ahead. “See that spot of light? I want you to crawl toward it.”

“Is there a ladder?”

“No, not all tunnels were used or made by smugglers. This one nature made. Go on. I’ll be right behind you.”

Lucian watched her go and hesitated. He didn’t want her to see him without his cane. He was nimble and strong in the water, but on land he could hardly walk without it. At one moment he felt like a hero and the next like a broken man. The darkness welcomed him.

“Lucian?” Nikki called out, anxiety and fear in her voice.

He reluctantly smiled, knowing she’d never let him stay in darkness. She would always be his light. “I’m coming.”

Nikki hovered around the opening of the cave, waiting for Lucian to come out. But he was taking too long. Had something happened? Would she have to go back and get him? She was considering her options when he finally emerged. Nikki fell on her knees and hugged him. She swallowed hard and bit back tears of joy.

“We’ll get the doctor to look at you,” Lucian said. “Go on ahead.”

Nikki shook her head. “I’m okay.”

“You go ahead, anyway.”

Nikki paused, knowing why he was trying to send her away. “I know you don’t have your cane. Let me help you up.”

“Please don’t ask me to do that.”

“I’m strong enough for you to lean on me. Don’t be too proud.” She lowered her voice. “A strong man knows his weakness, and a wise man his faults.”

Lucian relented and allowed Nikki to help him rise.

She grunted. “You weigh a ton,” she teased.

He smiled, then his smile fell when he saw Iona standing in front of them with a gun.

“I wonder if I should shoot your other leg this time.”

“You’ve lost, Iona,” Lucian said.

“Not yet.”

She had aimed, ready to shoot, when a dark form jumped down from one of the trees and landed on her head. It attacked her face with its sharp claws, drawing blood. She screamed as Lethe assaulted her with all his animal fury. Nikki helped Lucian lean against a tree, then ran and grabbed the gun. Iona’s screams alerted the others. Within minutes Lethe released her, but not before doing considerable damage to her face. Soon the patrol had her in handcuffs.

Nikki went over to Lucian and rested her head against him.

Dante joined them and said with a flourish, “Thank God that’s over.”

Callia hugged them. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“Yes,” Nikki said as Lucian took the cane Dante handed him.

Dante glanced up and saw Basilio, who saw the butler’s look of disdain and turned away.

“It’s not his fault,” Nikki said, seeing Dante’s stern look.

“He was reckless, disobedient and stubborn.”

“You just described me,” Nikki said.

Dante shook his head. “You’re different.”

“Not really,” Nikki said. “I understand him. He worships Lucian but also wants to be different than him. He wants to be seen as his own man. As a younger sibling, I know how important it is to have someone you admire be proud of you. Appreciate your accomplishments, even if they never measure up.”

“Accomplishments?” Dante said with a sniff. “He hasn’t tried to accomplish anything, and to be with Iona, a woman—”

“When did you know about her?” Nikki asked.

“A while ago,” Lucian said, “but I suspected more when the head wrap turned up. Callia mentioned it, and I knew no one would have something from Ghana except Iona, to whom, I knew, Alana had given most of her throwaways.”

“Iona thought they were gifts,” Nikki revealed.

“Alana didn’t give gifts. Iona may as well have been a trash bin. Once Alana was finished with something, whether it was an item or a person, she had no use for it,” Lucian said. “I wanted to see what role my brother was playing in her deception, before I made my move,” he added.

“She chose the perfect mark,” Dante said.

“Why don’t you like him?” Nikki asked, surprised by Dante’s level of disgust. “Yes, he’s young, and yes, he was taken in, but if you look past his mistakes, you’ll see that you two have a lot in common.”

Dante pointed to himself. “Me?”

“Yes. You’re both willing to protect those you care about.” Nikki waved his protest away. “I know he tried to protect the wrong person.”

“You mean himself? He didn’t do it for Iona. He lied because he didn’t want Lucian to know what really happened.”

“Do you blame him?” Lucian said.

“Give him another chance and you’ll uncover how you’re both very much the same,” Nikki added.

Dante shook his head. “No, we’re not.”

“You’re both good-looking, charming in your own ways and considerate. If you gave him a chance, you could be friends,” Nikki said.

Dante shuddered. “No, never that.”

Lucian sent him a look. “But perhaps something else.”

Dante paused. “Does he have to know?”

Lucian nodded. “I think it’s time. He’s heartbroken. There’s nothing you can say that he won’t say to himself. Forgive him for being young and reckless and for falling in love with the wrong woman. He’s not the only one.”

“Does he have to know what?” Nikki asked, but both men ignored her question.

Dante lit a cigarette and sighed. “I suppose I do owe Basilio for one thing.”

“What?” Nikki asked.

He offered her one of his rare smiles. “Bringing you into our lives.”