T is for Temptation (35 page)

All along, she’d rejected the surety she felt with Jake, the instinctive knowledge she’d met a kindred spirit, her mate. Leftover insecurity from Tony had clouded her instincts, fueled doubts. From the start, she knew Jake equaled danger to her equilibrium, her false front.

Somewhere, somehow, her subconscious accepted him, and it was time to admit she wanted to be with him, forever. She’d fallen in love with him, and she wasn’t afraid to jump off the cliff, not anymore. Even if it ended badly, even if it proved painful, she longed to experience love, let him into her deepest recesses, know him in the same way. Exultation rang in her veins, and a feverish excitement seized a hold of her.

Her mind centered on Jake, and on occasion, Alex, she never noticed the lush English countryside passing by or the persistent drumming of rain on the SUV’s rooftop. Within the last few weeks, she’d experienced more of life than in her first twenty-six years. Tony’s attempt on her life had forced an instinctive retreat, a roll-into-a-tight-ball, squeeze-your-eyes-shut, and nothing-will-hurt-you-again reaction.

Damn it, it had been her reaction all her life. Battered by being different, she became a go-with-the-flow child, then the same kind of adult. That was before her wedding night. No longer would she wait for things to happen. No, from this moment on, she would instigate the events and take charge of her life.

Handling Scotland Yard became her first priority, finding a way to rescue Jake the second. And Alex, she amended. She would extricate herself from this situation without involving her father and then return and get Jake and Alex. Resolved, she sifted through scenarios and reasonable explanations for the rest of the journey.

They arrived at a white multi-storied building in the heart of
London
. The car stopped in the center of the two-lane road, blocking traffic, and impatient horns blasted from the vehicles behind them. Flood and another inspector each took one of her arms as she exited from the automobile.

“Must you?” She glanced at their hands on her arms.

“You have a habit of disappearing, Mrs. Trent.”

“Believe me, if I wanted to vanish, your arms wouldn’t prevent it.” Tee spoke through gritted teeth.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Trent.” The other man lifted a shoulder. “It’s protocol.”

The two men escorted her to a long, narrow, windowless room.

“Can I have a room with a view?” she demanded, knowing it would never happen, but she wanted to press their buttons, unnerve them.

“What?” Flood did an about-face. “What did you say?”

“You heard me. Can I have a room with a view?”

“No.” The man’s florid complexion darkened, and pure venom flashed from piggy mud-colored eyes. “Who do you think you are, the frigging Queen?”

As soon as the two men left the room, she conjured up a pot of Earl Grey tea, cream, and a china sugar bowl. She sipped on the fragrant brew and the warm liquid running over her tongue calmed nerves eager to act on her newfound resolution.

When the Scotland Yard representatives returned, she hid her mouth with the teacup and considered their faces, suppressing a wild beam. Both men stared at her, jaws dropped.

Curled up on an oversized upholstered chaise lounge with her feet tucked under a gold throw, she knew she looked the picture of relaxed elegance, not a care in the world. Leaning forward, Tee poured more tea into her cup from a silver tray on a low oval table.

She clamped her lips together to stifle the exultant fit of giggles threatening to erupt. Both men followed her movements as she took a sip of the steaming liquid, their eyes bulging. She almost choked on repressed laughter.

“Would either of you gentlemen like a cup?” she offered, amusement fueling her gleeful, wicked enjoyment of their bewilderment.

Angry red flushes flashed across Flood’s slack jowls. His mouth dropped open and shut once, twice, three times. He looked like a fish underwater. She wanted to crow, but settled for adding a dash of cream to the liquid in her teacup.

An argument took place between the two men. Furious whispers sounded throughout the room. Tee heard the men’s urgent murmurs.

“No, you can’t do that, Flood. It goes against the rules.”

“Frig the rules. I say we put her in a cell.”

“You’re wrong. I don’t think she’s guilty. For Christ’s sake, look at her face. The woman is not worried, not the slightest bit.”

“You’re a fool. That woman is a bitch.”

A cell phone jingled, and the younger man flipped the earpiece open.

“What? Where is he?” he growled into the mouthpiece. Seconds later, he spoke to Flood. “Her father’s a friend of the head’s, and he has diplomatic immunity. He’s demanding to see her.”

“Frig it. The woman should be locked up.” Flood slapped his hand against the counter.

“Tough, the head says I have to escort him up.”

The younger man cleared his throat and turned to face Tee.

“Mrs. Trent?”

“Yes.”

“Your father’s here.”

Her pulse accelerated. Henry had come. Flood’s menacing stare would have unnerved her before, but not anymore. With an air of finishing school nonchalance, she busied herself pouring another cup of tea and took a sip of the liquid.

Flood scowled at her and straddled the entrance to the room, more out than in. He pulled out his cell phone and edged into the hallway, conducting a heated conversation, she could not hear. Impish mischief bedeviled her brain, and she conjured up another surprise for the nasty man.

The elevator dinged, and two men emerged from its depths.

Henry’s face appeared in the doorway. Moisture pooled at the corners of Tee eyes, and a grateful lump of joy clogged her throat as her father walked across the narrow room.

“Leave us.” Henry waved a hand at the men in the doorway. “Tee, are you okay, honey?”

“Mother said you couldn’t support me,” she blurted. “I don’t want to ruin your career.”

“As if you could, honey.” Henry stroked her cheek. “Do you think I’d put anything above you? I love you. You’re my daughter. I want your happiness, nothing else.”

Henry edged onto the chair.

Tee collapsed against his chest.

“What’s wrong, honey?” He wiped her tears with his handkerchief. “I’ve cleared you of all charges. Tony’s actions can’t hurt you anymore.” He studied her face. “It’s Jake, isn’t it?”

Startled, her eyes flew to his. “How did you know?”

“The inspectors’ superior, my old friend Arthur Flood—you remember him. He’s visited us on and off over the years. He briefed me on all that’s happened.” He cleared his throat. “Apparently you stayed in Jake’s suite at Claridge’s for a couple of days. I hadn’t realized you two were dating.”

Her sobs broke out anew. “Dad, I don’t know what to do.” She stared at her father. “Things seem so confusing. I’m not sure I can trust anyone anymore, even Jake.”

“I see.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “Your mother and I realized that something drastic happened between you and Tony. Is that part of the reason you don’t think you can trust Jake?”

Her palms grew damp. “Yes. Dad, I need to tell you the truth about Tony and me. It isn’t pleasant, and I think it’s the reason behind these charges.”

She served tea for both of them, more as part of a calming ritual than a necessity, and launched into the details. Her father’s features grew somber and tight, his mouth flattening as she finished and waited for his reaction.

He took the teacup out of her hands and drew her against his chest. “Oh, my darling girl, what a nightmare. I wish you’d come to us. Honey, I’m not a frail old man. I could have protected you. I want you to promise to come to me in the future. I have powerful contacts. I can keep you safe.”

She read the truth in his faded brown eyes. “I’m sorry, Dad, I should have had more faith in you. I realize that now. I think the reason I didn’t is because you and Mother have always refused to believe I was different. Dad, I’m not like normal people.”

“Are you referring to your special abilities, honey?”

“Special abilities?” Her voice wavered.

“Do you remember your first day at Montessori school?” The leathery skin around his eyes crinkled, and an endearing smile played about his mouth. “And your special friend?”

“Nicker, the fairy only I could see?”

Henry nodded.

“The chocolates and the cakes?”

“That was part of it, Daughter. You admitted to wishing for the candies. Your teacher said she left the schoolroom, and the tables were empty. When she returned two minutes later, they were laden with every chocolate and cupcake imaginable. You boasted about wishing for them.”

Her blood ran cold. “I don’t remember you being there.”

“I wasn’t, honey. Your mother called me from the school when they spotted you on the roof.”

“Oh, the roof, I forgot about that part.” Her cheeks grew hot.

“You said you wanted to see Santa’s sleigh.”

“I wanted to see if Rudolph’s nose glowed,” she confessed.

“A four-year-old can’t climb two stories to a roof. It’s physically impossible. I decided then to keep a close eye on you.”

“You never said anything. Why?”

“Remember, right after that, we went to
Barbados
for Christmas, and you met Desdemona for the first time. And I met Douglas Graham.”

“
Douglas
told you.” She guessed.

“Yes, he also informed me about Desdemona and the other seven of you. He had all of your futures mapped out.
Douglas
said you nine were his mission in life, that it was his sole duty to protect and educate you in your special abilities.”

“I don’t understand. If you’ve known all along, why send me away to boarding school?” Her eyes misted at the memory of leaving home at six years of age.

“
Douglas
said that particular boarding school would be a haven for you. He knew several of the teachers on staff, and he told me they would cater to your special needs. You were happy there, weren’t you?”

She nodded. “We all were, but why didn’t you tell me you knew about my powers, um, special abilities, before now?”

“
Douglas
advised me not to speak of it. He said you had to learn to cope with, as he put it, living in the mortal world.” Henry kissed her cheek. “I’ve often regretted listening to him.”

“Oh.” She laid her head against her father’s strong shoulder. “Why didn’t you, not listen, I mean?”

“You blossomed at the boarding school, and then you found riding. You seemed happy enough. And then Tony came along. I was tempted to speak to you then, but
Douglas
advised me not to.”

“Why? What were you going to speak to me about?”

“I had reservations about Tony. Fate was the only reason
Douglas
offered for me not interfering. But we digress, Daughter. Did you tell Jake the truth? Does he know of your special abilities?”

“Yes, I think he accepts me for what I am.” Her tremulous smile faded. “He’s real, Dad, not like Tony. I like him a lot.”

“Jake’s been your support after Tony’s death. Your mother and I realized he must care a great deal for you. Don’t look so surprised, honey. Jake could’ve closed down the
Trinidad
office without ever stepping foot on the island. When he started showing up once a week and asked you to help him sort things out, well, it doesn’t take a genius IQ to extrapolate. Even before the wedding, I noticed the way he looked at you. I half hoped you’d call the whole thing off.”