Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) (23 page)

Strolling back into the room, he pushed the door shut and paused. Maggie was stretched out in his bed, one arm dangling off the edge of the bed, the other thrown across her forehead. The sheet was tangled around her waist, baring her breasts and stomach, her hair glinting like burnished copper in the firelight across one shoulder, tickling her breast, drawing his attention to the pink rosy nipple.

He sunk down in a chair next to the fire, drinking her in, pondering.

Telling her, saying it out loud, would make it real.

Sunday, November 5
^th

Monroe woke early. He’d revised his opinion of Colin from total Grade-A asshole to a guy he might actually want to be mates with. Of course, the estate’s excellent whiskey he’d enjoyed and the case he’d found waiting in his room here at Ravensmore Castle with a note from the Highlander didn’t hurt.

After breakfast he and Colin discussed the Day Walker’s activities. The Mors Omnibusa Corporation was an audacious move. He wondered what else the Day Walkers were planning and why the hell wasn’t the big boss man, Thorne, doing anything? Maybe the other side had more juice in this fight?

The black Maserati sedan pulled up in front of Ravensmore at nine. These guys had more money than they knew what to do with. Robert said they were paid well, and they all had side businesses they dabbled in. Did you have to have money to make money or could a guy like him with a modest nest egg, make some serious paper? Thoughts of acquiring a better lifestyle would have to wait. The door of the expensive car opened before it came to a complete stop, Amy leapt out, running to him. He’d thought about asking her out. Hell, taking her to bed. But in the end it wasn’t a good idea. The clean apartment, grocery shopping and laundry…let’s just say he respected the expression, ‘don’t shit where you eat’.

“I knew you’d find him.” She threw her arms around him, her body crashing into his, bringing her skidding to a halt. “Where did you find him? Is he OK? What happened to him?” The words came out in a rush.

“Amy, take a deep breath. Mark’s unharmed.” He wanted to cross his fingers behind his back but technically the kid was unharmed. No need to tell her the boy had been shot and healed by an immortal Shadow Walker. “We found the boy at a farm in Kessock. He and another lad escaped the kidnappers and hid. The boys heard gunshots but didn’t see anything. Those men will never abduct another child again.” Damn, she felt good pressed up against him.
Hands off, asshole. You want to go back to living in a stinking hovel? I didn’t think so. Anyway she deserves better than a guy who can’t get through the day without a serious amount of booze coursing through your veins.

“They’re dead?” Steel filled Amy’s voice and she gave him a look full of all the things she’d like to do to those who hurt one of her own.

“Aye.”

“Good.”

Monroe nodded. “Follow me, he’s around the corner, playing with the others.” He led her around to the side of the castle. It might be the twenty-first century but Colin believed all the boys, and any of the girls who expressed an interest, should learn to fight with sword and dagger. The sounds ringing across the lists made him think he’d stepped back in time.

Out of the thirty, make that thirty-one with the addition of Mark, twenty-three boys were outside swinging wooden swords, yelling like little banshees. Some of the tykes were wearing kilts and staring up at Colin, hero worship in their eyes. The guy did look fearsome and lethal showing the lads how to hold a sword, demonstrating how to thrust and parry. Bloodthirsty lot by the looks of them all.

A nasty thought crossed behind his eyes. Such a difference between the number of boys and girls rescued, why? He sent up a prayer to whatever might be listening that the females weren’t being forced into prostitution or other unsavory situations by their enemies.

“Are those swords?” Amy stopped, gaping at the scene before her.

Monroe chuckled. “Colin has a passion for the old ways. Says it’s good for the boys. Helps them learn discipline and wears them out. I think wearing them out is the key.”

She scanned the kids with worried eyes. “Mark! Mark! Over here!” Running toward the children without a care for getting smacked by a wooden sword, Amy sprinted across the distance, heedless of the mud and muck, arms outstretched, tears streaming down her face.

Her brother, stopped, got a whack on the shoulder and turned, eyes searching. “Amy.” He dropped the weapon and ran to her, leaping into her arms. Babbling.

“Whoa. Slow down buddy.” She hugged him tight, laughing and crying at the same time. Feigning something in his eye, Monroe swept a hand across his face. Hell, he wasn’t choked up, just some irritating dust kicked up by the little monsters.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the happy reunion. The smell of the ocean wafted across the courtyard and the eyes of children all around held naked envy at the scene. Amy looked at Monroe with so many emotions playing across her face, he felt a bit ill. She put Mark down, her hand on his shoulder as if she couldn’t bear not to touch him. Reaching out, she hugged Monroe hard.

“I can never thank you enough. Never repay you. I’m going to clean and shop for you for a very long time for free.”

He protested, “No, Amy. I’ll pay you a fair rate. So many cases end badly, I’m happy this one turned out well. Thank Colin as well, I couldn’t have found Mark without his help.”

The Scot’s eyebrows rose, the corner of his mouth quirked up. Monroe nodded at him. Amy walked over to Colin and hugged him, thanking him, her eyes shining with tears.

Mark held out his little hand. “Thank you, Mr. Colin, for saving me and for teaching me to fight. Do ye think I might could come back and learn more?”

“Aye, lad. You and your sister are most welcome at Ravensmore.”

Happy, he ran over to bid Aidan goodbye before scampering back to his sister. Kids were pretty resilient. Monroe hoped neither of them would have nightmares now that they were reunited.

Colin clapped his hands. “All right lads, pick a new partner and again.” He inclined his head to Monroe. “Don’t worry. Now we know the business name they’re hiding behind, we can strike back, hit them where it hurts.”

Monroe bid Colin goodbye. “Tell Emily, we’re leaving. I don’t want to interrupt her with the others. She said she was teaching the girls how to make what she called and I quote ‘real honest-to-goodness Pop Tarts.’”

Laughing out loud, Colin smiled. “She’s worried with the shortages she won’t be able to get them soon. The lass has been trying to perfect her recipe as she calls it. You don’t want to know how many batches have gone to the dogs. Now they run when she starts experimenting.” He rolled his eyes. “Have a safe drive back.”

Monroe showed them to his Benz. Mark carried his toy sword. Colin had given it to him with instructions to continue practicing. He opened the door for Amy. Going around to the driver’s side, he got in and as they drove away from the castle, waved goodbye. Mark was snoring before he’d driven ten minutes. Amy looked exhausted. “Hey, try and get some shut eye. He’s safe now.” She smiled and stroked his arm. He compressed his lips into a tight line.
Keep focused boy. You’re not nailing her no matter how badly you need a woman. You just want a warm body to make the loneliness go away for a few hours. Don’t fuck up a good thing.
As the kilometers sped by, Amy fell asleep too, a scarf balled up against the window as a makeshift pillow, leaving Monroe alone with his thoughts.

He made good time; traffic was light on Sunday. Amy woke as he parked and cut the engine. Not Mark. The boy was out like a light, exhausted from his ordeal. Monroe lifted the sleeping boy. “I’ll carry him in for you.”

Amy went ahead, opening the doors to the vestibule of the flat. She preceded him up the stairs, turning the key in the lock. He followed her to Mark’s room and put the boy in his bed not bothering to undress the kid. Laying the sword next to him, he turned on a nightlight and left the bedroom door cracked. “Do the kid some good to sleep for a few hours. I left him in his clothes.”

“That’s fine. He might have woken up otherwise. Listen, thank you again. Would you like to stay for lunch?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got a few leads to chase down on the group that’s responsible for what’s happening to all these kids. We need to stop what happened to Mark from happening to other kids.”

She nodded. “Good. You can’t let people get away with hurting children. The thought of someone else going through what Mark did…the worry. No one deserves that kind of pain. Those are evil people who would hurt a child.” She shook her head. “The usual day all right for me to clean?”

“Sure. I’ll leave the list and money on the counter.” He let himself out. Before he could cross the hallway into the flat, his mobile rang.

“Hey, Robert. What’s doing?” He listened for a few minutes. “Yeah, I’m back in the city, got Amy and Mark settled.” Did the listening thing for a bit longer, fidgeting in the chilly hall. “I know the airstrip. Give me an hour.” Hanging up, he jogged down the stairs, went to the SUV and brought the case of Ravensmore’s finest to his flat. Safe and sound. No way was he taking a chance on someone breaking in and stealing his whisky. He inhaled. It smelled clean inside. Nice change from the usual rotting food and other smells he usually associated with the place.

Pulling a duffel bag down from the closet in case he needed to stay overnight at Gwrych Castle, he quickly threw in clothes and toiletries. Before he’d learned about Shadow Walkers, the closest he ever came to castles were tourist attractions or talking to the aristocrats about some complaint they’d phoned in. Now he was staying at Colin’s palatial castle and jetting off in a private plane to Wales and another castle. Knowing what he did of Robert, the place would most likely have gold floors and precious stone inlaid in the bloody walls. He took the time to make a sandwich and shove it down his gullet, washing it down with three Guinness’s. Refilling his flask, he took one last look around and locked the door behind him.

Heading back out into the bracing air, he drove out of the city to the industrial park and private airfield. He found the hangar easily enough and saw the Gulfstream jet waiting for him. Parking in one of the marked spots, he grabbed the duffel, hit the locks and strode over to his ride.

“Welcome, sir. Glad to have you aboard.”

A lovely lady took his coat and stowed his bag. The inside was all leather and comfort. There were only four seats. They were like small sofas and smelled new. The flight attendant leaned down, showing off her assets. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Whisky, neat. Thanks.”

She came back with the amber liquid. He tasted it. Ravensmore. Nice. Settling in, she did the make ready, closed the door and they taxied down the runway. The Captain chatted over the intercom informing him the skies were clear and it would be a short flight. Once they were up and level, his personal attendant, unbuckled and tottered over on long legs. She was a stunning blonde, tan in the winter, blindingly white teeth and no expression when she smiled. She had the youthful, artificial look so popular nowadays.

“How do you like your steak? We’re serving a wedge salad, filet mignon with sautéed mushrooms, fresh asparagus with hollandaise sauce, baked potato and pumpkin pie for dessert…” She paused. “Oh, and a Merlot. If that pleases you.”

Hell yeah. The sandwich he’d wolfed down was just a teaser that had his stomach demanding more sustenance. “Absolutely. I like my steak rare.” Holding out his empty glass to her, “And I’d love a glass of that wine now.”

The blonde swayed back to a tiny kitchen area. He heard the cork and she was back with his drink. Settling in to enjoy himself, he half-watched the Barbie efficiently pull the meal together. Idly, he wondered how much it cost to have your own personal plane with pilot and flight attendant on stand-by. Had Robert bedded the woman? Probably, he seemed to have a never-ending supply of women hanging around though what was the deal with this Maggie chick? She was street tough, not his usual model, bimbo type.

Stowing his thoughts as the leggy blonde brought his meal, the aroma proceeding her, his mouth sat up and looked around for the food. Now this was living, private jets, fancy food and excellent booze…he could get used to this lifestyle.

The filet melted on his tongue. He propped his feet up and chilled. The hostess or whatever she was called, her name was Mindi or something, was attentive without being intrusive and did a great job of keeping the wine flowing. Finished with his meal, she brought him lemon sorbet and a cognac. “Everything was tiptop, thanks.”

Mindi beamed at him and left him alone. His life seemed to flash on the clouds. If he were prone to depression, he’d be feeling pretty shitty right now. As it was, he knew he was a jerk to women, put his job first. Could he change? Did he want to? Or was it that as much time and effort over the past years he’d invested in solving Alice’s death, he never really loved her…not like Colin loved Emily. He remembered Alice’s lifeless body, aged and withered, found amongst the remains of St Anthony's chapel within Holyrood Park.