Keepers of the Cave (23 page)

“Is that what happened the first time?” CJ asked. “Did we pretend it didn’t happen?”

“After those first few awkward weeks, yes, I think we did. Don’t you?” CJ turned and faced her, her eyes searching. Paige wondered what questions she had.

“It feels different this time. Is it?”

Paige wasn’t sure what answer CJ was hoping to get. What was the question behind the question? She chose her words carefully. CJ rarely let her vulnerability show, and she never left herself as unguarded as she was now. “I think it’s different this time because we don’t have an excuse,” she said. “Last time, we could blame it on the case, on our need of a diversion from it. It’s different now because—” she paused, not knowing how much to tell CJ without having her running scared. Even then, she didn’t see the point of glossing over the truth. “Last night was different because it was about us,” she said. “It was about the attraction we have between us. Last night had nothing to do with this assignment and the roles we’re playing. Last night was about...us.”

CJ smiled slightly. “I’ve always been attracted to you, Paige.”

Paige nodded. “I know. I’ve always been attracted to you too. That’s why it was so hard playing this game. So hard trying to resist.”

CJ leaned up on one elbow, resting her head in her palm. “You never wanted to be attracted to me though, did you?”

It was more of a statement than a question, but Paige decided she deserved an honest answer. “No. It scared me, really. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever been with, not like anyone I’d ever date,” she said. It was the wrong thing to say, apparently, as CJ’s expression changed and the openness she was showing Paige disappeared.

“Yeah, you’ve made that clear several times. I’m not quite on your level. I’m certainly no...
Seth
,” she said.

Paige wasn’t going to let her retreat. She pushed CJ back and straddled her hips, holding her down by both wrists.

“We’re not going to play games, CJ. Not this time. We slept together. Willingly. With no excuses.” She bent her head, kissing CJ’s breast softly. “I don’t want there to have to be excuses. We’re attracted to each other, like it or not. This was inevitable. Last night was...extraordinary,” she said. “I don’t want us to have to conjure up a reason as to why.” She met CJ’s gaze, still seeing a wariness there. “Please stop belittling yourself. I’ve never once said you weren’t good enough. There are so many things about you that I admire.” She looked away for a second, then back. “There are also things about you that I don’t like. You already know what those are.”

CJ nodded, then flipped them over easily, resting her weight on top of Paige now. Paige tried to read her eyes, but CJ wouldn’t allow it.

“Okay. No games,” she said. “And no more pretending. And no more skirting the issue.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I’m not going to pretend that I haven’t wanted to get you naked every night and make love to you.” CJ lowered her head, her tongue swirling around a nipple. “And I’m going to stop pretending that I don’t want to take a shower with you. That’s a wonderful fantasy I’ve had.” Paige moaned as CJ’s lips closed over her nipple. “And I won’t pretend that I haven’t dreamed of doing this to you,” she said as a hand slid between their bodies, moving unquestionably into the wetness that she’d caused.

Paige drew her closer, bringing CJ’s mouth up to meet her own. “Okay. And I’ll stop pretending that I don’t want this. Because I do.”

She raised her hips as CJ entered her, all other thoughts fading as CJ slowly, and surely, made love to her.

***

Paige closed the oven door and set the timer on her phone. The casserole was sinfully delicious, mixed with cheese and sour cream. Adding broccoli to it satisfied her healthy meter even though it was loaded with calories. Quite simply, CJ loved it and Paige wanted to make it for her. It also would afford them leftovers for a few days.

She eyed the bottle of wine, then glanced at the clock. It was early to be starting dinner, but they were both ravenous, to say the least. Breakfast had been quick and light, both more interested in the shower they were going to share than in eating. Lunch had been missed entirely. The only thing that had pulled them from bed was a call from Ice. They’d located Leah Turner’s car. It had been submerged in Toledo Bend Lake. They were still going over it for evidence, but the fact that the lake was only about forty miles from Hoganville gave a bit more credence to their assignment.

It also threw up more questions than answers.

She again contemplated the wine bottle. CJ would be back soon. She’d taken a drive around campus, an excuse to allow her to stop by Avery’s house. They needed to meet with him, but she wanted to make it as inconspicuous as possible. Mainly, without Chief Aims getting suspicious. They finally settled on a dinner invitation. They would leave it up to Avery to decide which night.

She was fingering the corkscrew, about to open the wine when she saw Fiona drive up next door.

“Oh my God,” she whispered when Fiona got out of the car. She had seen her on Friday and while she was starting to show, it was nothing like this. She looked seven months pregnant. Well, as she’d said before, it wasn’t any of her business and she was going to leave it at that but she saw Fiona double over, in obvious pain. Wine forgotten, Paige ran out the door and across the road, reaching her just as Fiona tried to stand back up.

“Sweetie, are you okay?” Paige asked, helping her to straighten. She gasped audibly when she saw her. Pale and ashen, her face drawn, Fiona wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Fiona?”

“I’ve felt better,” she finally said.

“Let me help you inside,” Paige said, still holding tightly to her arm. “Should you be driving?”

“Considering I had to stop and throw up six times, probably not.”

Paige pushed Fiona’s door open, no longer thinking it odd that no one locked their doors. She led her to the lone recliner and helped her to sit.

“Have you seen a doctor?” she asked.

Fiona shook her head.

“Don’t you think you should? I mean, maybe there’s something wrong,” she said, touching her forehead, surprised at how warm she was. “You have a fever.”

“Mother Hogan gave me something for the nausea,” Fiona said, and Paige wondered if she even realized how casually she said
Mother
Hogan. That was twice now that she’d heard Ester Hogan referenced that way. Further evidence that she was in control of the
family
.

Paige sat down on the sofa next to her, genuinely concerned with her wellbeing. “Is there anything I can do? Can you keep anything down? Broth?”

Fiona shook her head. “The thought of eating something...well, makes me sick,” she said with a quick smile. “Can you just stay and visit for a while?”

“Of course.”

“Where is CJ?”

“Oh, she’s just making her rounds,” she said evasively. “I think it was an excuse to get out of the house.”

“It’s so hot today, I can’t imagine why she’d want to be out.” Fiona leaned back. “How was the dance?”

“It was fun. There was a live band,” she said, watching the pain cross Fiona’s face. “Sweetie, I think you really need a doctor.”

Fiona shook her head. “In my bag,” she said, pointing to the large purse she’d dropped by the door. “Mother Hogan gave me something for the pain.”

Paige hesitated, her concern for Fiona overriding her need to stay focused on the job. “Is she a doctor?”

At this, Fiona smiled. “No, not in the traditional sense.”

“But there is a doctor?”

“Yes. But Mother Hogan doesn’t allow me to see him.”

Paige thought that statement was odd, but she made no mention of it. She brought the purse over to her, then watched as Fiona pulled out a small container and shook it. “Glass of water and a spoon?”

“Of course,” Paige said, quickly going into the kitchen and filling a glass.

Fiona poured some of the powder into the glass and stirred. The water turned a chalky color. Judging by Fiona’s face as she drank it, the taste was abysmal.

“Why can’t you see the doctor?” Paige asked, wondering if she was treading where she should not.

Fiona didn’t seem to mind the questions, but her answer gave nothing away. “It’s complicated.”

Paige knelt down beside her and took her hand. “You call her ‘mother.’ She seems too old to be your mother,” she said.

Fiona shook her head. “She’s not my biological mother, no. Her brother, Antel, is my father. But my mother and my father have never lived together.”

“So Ester is really your aunt then?”

“Technically, yes,” she said, her voice low, her eyes slipping closed.

“Fiona?”

Her eyes fluttered open for a second. “I’m very tired.”

Paige wondered what kind of drug concoction Ester Hogan had given her. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

Fiona didn’t protest as Paige helped her up. Her bedroom was very simple and neat, the bed made with care. Paige pulled the covers back, then wondered if she should suggest Fiona get undressed. Fiona kicked her shoes off, then laid down on her side, her hands cupping her protruding belly. Within seconds she was sound asleep.

Paige stared at her, shaking her head. Something was very wrong, she knew. She watched in fascination as Fiona’s hands moved, her baby’s kick fierce enough to make them jump. With a sigh, she gently pulled the covers over Fiona. She would check on her later. If Ester Hogan wouldn’t allow Fiona to see a doctor, perhaps Gretchen, the school nurse, could offer some advice. That is, if even that was allowed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“You should have seen her. She looked...ghost-like,” Paige said, putting the hot casserole dish on the stovetop and closing the oven door with her foot. “I was ready to take her to San Augustine myself.”

“She can’t possibly be that big already.”

“I know. But she is. And all the ‘Mother Hogan’ stuff is weird. I mean, I like Fiona, I really do. She’s sweet. I can’t help but think—if this
is
some sort of cult—that she’s being forced into this pregnancy.”

“Are you saying she doesn’t have free will?” CJ asked, trying to swipe a taste of the casserole, only to have her hand slapped.

“Well, she’s got a car, she comes to the school. She has a job. I assume she keeps her salary. Hell, maybe
Mother
Hogan gets it.”

CJ took her hand, stilling her movements. “This has you worried?”

“Yes. And after we eat, we need to go check on her. You’ll see what I mean.”

“Great. Then let’s eat. I’m starving.” This time Paige let her take a corner sample and she grabbed a pinch of cheese, licking her fingers of every bite. She felt Paige watching her and she paused, seeing Paige’s blue eyes darken.

Dinner was suddenly forgotten as Paige moved into her arms, not shy as she pressed her body tight against her.

“Had to lick your fingers, huh?” Paige murmured against her lips.

She pulled back from the kiss. “Let’s go to bed.”

“I thought you were starving,” Paige reminded her.

“I am.” She pulled Paige after her, hearing Paige laughing delightfully behind her. She grinned too, already planning how they would spend the next hour. And it did not involve a casserole.

***

“Fiona?”

Paige knocked again when she got no answer. She turned to CJ. “I have a bad feeling.”

“Let’s just go in and check on her. She’s probably still sleeping.”

Paige hoped that was the case. She saw firsthand how quickly the drug had knocked her out to begin with. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Fiona was in the same position as when she left her, her breathing slow and even. Paige touched her face, then jerked her hand away.

“She’s burning up.” She pulled the covers away, revealing soaked sheets.

“I’m going to call Avery,” CJ said, holding up her phone. “Have him get in touch with Gretchen.”

Paige nodded, then went into the bathroom to get a damp cloth. She wiped Fiona’s face, shaking her lightly.

“Fiona? Can you hear me? You need to wake up, sweetie.” Fiona moaned, but her eyes never opened. Paige patted her cheek lightly. “Come on. Wake up.”

“Avery is going to call Gretchen and ask her to come over,” CJ said. She shook her head, eyes wide. “Wow, you weren’t kidding. She’s huge.”

“I know. And two weeks ago she wasn’t even showing.” She shook her harder. “Fiona? Please wake up.”

“Maybe we should just let her be until Gretchen gets here,” CJ suggested. “We don’t know what kind of drugs she took.”

Paige stepped back, knowing CJ was probably right. But Fiona looked so helpless, and judging by the grimace on her face, still in pain. “I haven’t actually met Gretchen. Have you?”

“No.”

She looked away from Fiona, taking CJ’s hand and leading her out of the bedroom. “I keep telling myself this is none of my business,” she said. “Fiona just looks so innocent. So, I don’t know, so helpless.”

“She’s obviously been very sheltered.”

“Ester Hogan is her aunt. And she’s very obedient, as far as I can tell. She obviously needs a doctor—a
real
doctor—yet Ester forbids it. So Fiona, as sick as she is, obeys.” Paige shook her head. “I just don’t get it.”

“She is subservient, for whatever reason. As we saw in the café, they all are.”

“So what kind of hold does Ester Hogan have on them? Fiona is educated. She has a degree. She teaches science. Why, then, does this happen?” she asked, pointing to the bedroom. CJ had no answer for her other than a shrug.

Paige paced back and forth, impatiently waiting for Gretchen Hogan to arrive. When headlights flashed across the window, she let out a relieved sigh. She hadn’t really conjured up a mental picture of Gretchen so to say she was shocked was an understatement. Gretchen Hogan was nearly six feet tall and built like an ox. Her dark eyes were like daggers, and Paige automatically took a step back.

“You may leave now,” Gretchen said curtly as she headed directly to Fiona’s bedroom.

Paige and CJ exchanged glances. She wasn’t about to be dismissed so easily, so she followed Gretchen, only to have the door slammed in her face.