Unleashed (12 page)

“Hey there, Cousin.” Kerry waved and quickly gestured to Sam. “You remember my best friend, Sam Logan?”

“Of course I do,” he said with a big dimpled smile. “How could I forget the most beautiful girl at the beach? Hey, Sam.” He shook her hand and gently kissed her on the cheek.

“Yeah, yeah,” Sam said teasingly. “I remember you, AJ, but I don't remember you being such a charmer. Sorry about the
fish consultant
thing. It was Kerry's fault.” She nudged her friend with her elbow.

“Traitor.” Kerry feigned annoyance through narrowed eyes.

“Don't worry about it.” He laughed. “A lot of people have no idea what I really do. My mother still tells people I swim with the dolphins.”

“How long are you here for?”

“Well, I should have most of my data gathered in the next week or so, and then I can take it back to our facility in Miami. I'm comparing the mating habits of belugas in captivity with those in the wild. The aquarium in Mystic has the best population of belugas on the east coast. My aunt and uncle were kind enough to take pity on me and let me stay here.”

“Well, you're definitely a quiet guest. My grandmother thought the house has been empty all summer.”

“You know how it is.” He sighed and leaned one shoulder against the kitchen doorway. “I don't want to get kicked out. Especially now that the diva here has moved back in,” he said, nodding toward Kerry.

“Keep it up, and you'll be
sleeping with the fishes
, wise ass.” Kerry threw an olive at him.

AJ laughed good-naturedly as he dodged the mini-missile.

“Say, Sam. Would you like to get dinner with me one night this week?”

Sam suddenly became very aware that she was wearing only her one-piece black bathing suit as his gaze wandered over her body. It made her unexpectedly uncomfortable. “Dinner? Well I…”

“She's already got a man, AJ. Sorry. You're a day late and a dollar short,” Kerry said. “Hey, maybe we can all go out for dinner. Not a double date because you're my cousin and that would be gross. Not to mention illegal, but still could be fun.”

“Sure.” He delivered that big dimply smile again. “That sounds like fun. I haven't done much socializing since I've been here, and a night out with human beings sounds great.”

“Then it's settled,” Kerry said before Sam could protest. “So what's today? Tuesday? How about this Saturday night? We could all go over to Mohegan Sun and grab some dinner at that great Asian place. Do a little gambling. Sam, why don't you and Malcolm pick up me and my cousin here at around seven?”

“Okay.” Sam smiled. “I'll talk to Malcolm later and see if he's up for it.”

AJ's phone beeped loudly, and he quickly looked to see the caller. “I've got to take this. It's a work call. Bye, Sam. See you Saturday.”

They heard him greeting his caller as he made his way back upstairs.

“Jeez, I forgot how pushy you can be,” Sam said in a loud whisper as she got her stuff and began to head out the back toward the beach.

Kerry responded by sticking out her tongue and giving Sam a good old-fashioned raspberry.

“Oh, and mature too. Nice.”

“I've got a meeting in NYC tomorrow, so I'll be gone for the day, but do you want to go shopping on Thursday? Think Millie can live without you for a day?”

“Actually, I've got the next couple of days off from the diner so Thursday sounds great. What's the meeting in the city about?”

“I'm doing a cover shoot for
Vogue
. Can you believe it? A plus-size model on the cover
and
a full spread inside.” Kerry smiled and shook her head as she wrapped up the leftover nosh. “Let's just hope the entire interview doesn't focus on my weight. How are we ever going to change the way people think—or the industry, for that matter—if every interview I do is about my size?”

“You're gorgeous. That's why you're as successful as you are. Face it girl. You sparkle at any size.” Sam winked and blew her a kiss. “I'll call you later.”

“Shopping and lunch in Watch Hill on Thursday!”

“Sold! I'll see you then.”

Sam waved and made her way down the steps to the beach.

Malcolm had been combing the beach all day after the incident at the diner. He had to take a cab back because he couldn't risk materializing in front of anyone. He got dropped off about a block away. Once he returned to Paddy's he scanned the minds of the various patrons and was relieved to find that his abrupt departure earlier had gone unnoticed. He breathed a sigh of relief and resumed his search for her necklace.

Earlier in the day, he had asked the restaurant manager if they'd found anything, but to no avail. He continued his search outside and went over and over the paths they'd taken. He persistently scanned the sandy shore for any glint of that precious silver. He sensed that the beach and restaurant patrons were a bit unnerved by him and his resolve. He could feel their apprehension from every angle. Malcolm, as with all Amoveo, was a gifted telepath. He had learned over the years to block out the thoughts of others unless he specifically wanted to hear them. What couldn't be blocked were the strong emotions of the humans around him.

Over time, all Amoveo grew accustomed to the emotional onslaught; it was something that came with age and maturity. However, it was still an annoyance much of the time. He tried his best to filter out the emotions around him so he could focus on Sam's residual energy. If he couldn't see it, then perhaps he could feel it.

After hours of looking, the sun finally began to set, and he was still empty-handed. In one last ditch effort, he stood on the spot where they'd shared their first kiss. He closed his eyes and stretched his arms out around him with his palms facing the sandy beach. He concentrated on Sam. Her eyes, her smile, the fresh smell of her skin, the spicy taste of her lips. He took in a large breath, desperately trying to pick up her signature.

Then it hit him.

Samantha.

His eyes flew open. He tore off his sunglasses and looked down to his left. His vision zoomed in, and there it was. Directly below his left hand he saw the smallest glint of silver flashing at him. Triumphantly, he plucked his treasure from its sandy bed. He'd probably been over that spot a hundred times that day and hadn't found it. A huge smile cracked his face. He straightened up with the prize dangling from his fingers and heard a little girl to his right.

“Hey, mister. You found buried treasure. Are you a pirate?”

He absentmindedly looked over at the pigtailed little girl without shifting his eyes back. He was promptly greeted with a shrill scream as she ran back to her family. Abruptly brought out of his trance, he shifted his eyes back to normal and made his way back to his car. While walking to the parking lot, he could hear the little girl screaming about the man with animal eyes. As he suspected, the parents brushed her comments aside as nonsense, dismissing her as a child with an overactive imagination.
If only they knew.

Most humans were blind to the existence of anything beyond their own version of normal. Samantha had been one of them, at least until recently. That was all about to change. Tonight he would bring Samantha her necklace. He would reveal the hidden world around her and inside of her. He just prayed she would be able to accept him. Their lives depended on it.

***

Sam walked into the house and was greeted by the pleasant sound of Nonie's laughter from the kitchen. Surprisingly, it was mixed with a male laugh, which threw her for a loop. She tiptoed from the back door and made her way toward the kitchen. She peered around the corner, looked into the kitchen, and was completely stunned by the scene before her. Nonie sat at the little kitchen table holding hands with none other than old Davis from next door. He looked up and caught Sam's eye.

“Samantha Jane, stop peering around doorways like a spy, and come in to say hello,” Nonie said without even turning around.

Sam shrank inside with embarrassment. She got busted by her grandmother. Nice. She stepped into the kitchen, and Davis stood up to greet her, his hand extended and his smile charming.

“Hello, Ms. Samantha. It's so very nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you from Helen and of course from Malcolm as well.” He winked with all the charm you'd expect from an English gentleman. He shook her hand gently and gave her a genuine smile. “Please sit down, and join us for some tea.”

“Well, I don't want to interrupt.”

“Don't be ridiculous, dear. Davis has been dying to get to know you. Look, he even brought you a
Welcome Home
gift,” Nonie said, gesturing to the enormous white wicker basket on the table. It was beautifully decorated and spilled over with biscuits, teas, lotions, cookies, and various other items. It would probably take hours to go through it and discover all the goodies buried within.

“Please, Ms. Samantha, do join us.” Davis pulled out the empty chair for her.

“All right.” Sam sat in the chair between Nonie and Davis. She looked back and forth between them and realized that she had interrupted her grandmother's date. It was a very odd sensation. She didn't quite know what to make of it. Pop had been gone for a few years, and she didn't want Nonie to be lonely, but she also wasn't sure if she was ready to see her with another man.

“Now tell us about your visit with Kerry,” Nonie said before a sip of tea. “How's she doing?”

“She's great. She's been jet-setting all over the place and is glad to be getting a break. Thanks for telling her I'd be here, Nonie. I really needed a visit with her.” Sam sipped the tea Davis had poured for her. “Oh, by the way, she's not staying there alone. Her cousin, AJ, is staying with her. Do you remember him? Apparently, he's a marine biologist working over at the Mystic Aquarium and is staying here while he works.”

“AJ? I don't think I recall him. Is he a cousin from her mother's side or her father's side?” Nonie asked.

“Her mother's, I think. Why?”

“Oh no reason.” She smiled. “Just curious I suppose.” Nonie glanced at Davis over the edge of her teacup.

“Davis. Is Malcolm home? Kerry and AJ want to go out on Saturday night, and we thought Malcolm might like to come.”

“He's been out most of the day, Miss. In fact, I should be getting back so that I'm there when he arrives.” Davis lifted his creaky body from his seat. “You know, I don't think that boy would eat unless I made sure he did so. He's been very…preoccupied lately.” He winked at Sam, and she felt her face redden. “It was lovely to meet you, Ms. Samantha.” He took her hand and placed a chivalrous kiss on top of it. “Please don't hesitate to call on me if you require anything.” On his way out, he leaned down and gave Nonie a sweet kiss on her cheek and a pat on her shoulder. “Good night, and take care of my girl.” He shuffled his way out the door.

Sam sat in steely silence, staring at Nonie through squinted eyes. Nonie didn't flinch and sat quietly sipping her tea as though nothing odd had happened. Sam crossed her arms. “Okay,
Helen,
so how long have you been canoodling with old Davis?”

“I don't
canoodle
, missy. And if you want me to answer any of your questions, you will continue to call me Nonie, thank you very much.” She sat back in her chair, crossing her arms, looking back at Samantha.

“Okay, Nonie.” Sam raised her hands in defeat. “I'm sorry, but seriously, when did you and Davis start seeing each other? You know the hand-holding, the giggling.”

“Let's just say Davis and I have common interests. After all, I needed a bridge partner, didn't I,” she said with feigned innocence.

“Okay, a partner for your bridge game is one thing, but you two have clearly crossed the bridge.”

“Very funny, smarty pants.” Nonie gently swatted Sam's arm.

“Look, Nonie.” Sam sighed. “I want you to be happy. I really do. It's just going to take some getting used to that's all.”

“I know. Believe me, dear, I never thought I'd have a relationship with anyone again. Your grandfather was the love of my life, and I always thought anyone else would pale in comparison.”

“Davis doesn't?” Her question came out much more surprised than she meant it to.

“Oh no, he does.” She chuckled. “But you see I'm not looking for a great love. I already had that. I had it for over fifty years with Pop. Davis and I are good friends. We had a common interest, and it evolved.” She shrugged one thin shoulder. “What do you kids call it? Friends with benefits?”

Sam grimaced and held up her hand to stop Nonie from going into further detail. “Okay! I get it. He's a companion. Please don't tell me anymore.” Sam squeezed her eyes shut and shuddered. “Ew.”

Nonie laughed and took Sam's hands in hers. “All right now. All I'm trying to say is that I had my great love. He had his.” Her wise eyes smiled back at Sam. “He was married, but she was taken from him so young. He's been lonely for more years than I can imagine. Davis is a friend, a good friend. Once you have your great love, nothing and no one can compare. Pop was the love of my life. Nothing will ever change that. Believe me my dear, someday you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.”

Sam smiled and squeezed Nonie's hands. “Hey, you know what? I just realized something. We're both dating the neighbors in the creepy house.”

“Speaking of which…Have you spoken with Malcolm since your date last night?” Nonie got up to clear away their teacups.

“Well, yes actually,” she said slowly.

Sam thought about the incident at the diner that day. She didn't want to tell Nonie about Roger's uninvited visit and erratic behavior. She knew that it would only upset her and make her worry. Besides after his run in with Malcolm she figured Roger was now permanently in the past and no longer an issue. But she knew that Millie would be spilling the beans about meeting Malcolm so she'd have to acknowledge it.

“He stopped by the diner…to say hello.” Before Nonie could ask anything more about it Sam quickly added, “Nonie, if you don't mind, I'm going to finish unpacking and turn in. You know how lying in the sun for hours can take it out of you.”

“All right, dear,” she said hesitantly, “if you're sure.”

“I am,” she said with a weak smile. “Night, Nonie.”

Sam placed a quick kiss on her cheek and went upstairs to shower and change for bed. She closed her eyes as she pulled herself up the steps trying to reconcile the latest piece of shocking news. “Nonie and Davis,” she said a few times under her breath, as though the more she said it, the more she'd get used to it.

“Well, I'd know better than anybody that stranger things have happened,” Sam mumbled as she went into her bedroom to change. She hated to admit it, but she couldn't wait to fall asleep and dream of Malcolm.

***

Malcolm arrived home victorious with the necklace in his hand, and Davis was nowhere to be found. That made him nervous. Davis was always here. He had asked him to watch over Samantha; perhaps he was next door. Was she all right? Had something happened? Just as his stomach began to churn, he heard Davis come through the side door. He let out the breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding. “What is this woman doing to me?” he said under his breath.

“She's saving your life, that's what she's doing,” Davis said loudly from the kitchen. “Not just your physical well-being, but your emotional life as well, sir. If you don't mind my saying so.”

Malcolm shook his head and smiled. The guy still had the sharpest hearing of any human he knew. He knew that all Vasullus family members were special, but not all of them had this old bird's acute hearing. Still smiling, Malcolm walked into the large kitchen and held up the fruit of his labors. The little silver necklace glinted brightly in the cavernous gourmet kitchen. “I don't mind at all, Davis, because you're absolutely correct.”

“You've found it, sir! Wonderful! Ms. Samantha will be so pleased.” Davis began to putter around the kitchen, gathering together the ingredients for dinner.

“Speaking of Sam, did you see her?”

“Oh yes, sir. I got to meet her this evening. She's even prettier up close. Quite a beauty, that one. She had been out all afternoon with a friend. I didn't mind though.” He winked. “It gave me time to be with Ms. Helen. She's a saucy old girl.”

“Helen? Do you mean her grandmother?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I didn't realize you two were friends,” Malcolm said with some embarrassment. He'd cared for Malcolm's family's needs forever, and yet Malcolm realized he didn't know much about Davis at all. Davis had a girlfriend. Malcolm smirked.
The old dog.

“Oh yes, sir. Good friends.” He grinned mischievously. “She's my bridge partner too.”

“Wait. Did you say Samantha was with a friend all day? What friend?” Could Roger have come back with Samantha's blessing? Malcolm battled something that resembled jealousy. He'd never been jealous in his life.

“Ms. Kerry Smithson.” Davis put the pasta into the huge pot of boiling water on the enormous stainless steel stovetop.

Malcolm let his breath out, along with the tension that had so quickly bunched up in his shoulders. He scolded himself silently. How could he think for even one second that she'd be with Roger? He shook his head at his foolishness and rubbed the small bit of silver between his fingers.

“Her family has the house on the other side of Helen's. Have for generations, sir. As long as your family has had this house, I believe.” Davis pinched salt into the pot.

“I see.” Malcolm absentmindedly stared at the silver treasure in his hand. “No sign of that fellow I mentioned to you earlier? The Caedo?”

“No, sir. But I do think you should notify the Council about that. Perhaps Sir Richard or your uncle Brendan should come here to provide you both with some extra protection? At least until the mating ceremony has been completed,” he added quickly.