Wolf Tales 11 (19 page)

Eve grinned at him. There was nothing goddesslike at all about the smile she flashed first at Adam and then Liana. “Don’t worry. I’m all over that mess down in San Francisco, which is why I’m leaving the two of you now.”

She touched the tiny clock hanging at Liana’s throat. “This will remain with you as you shift. It reminds me that time is drawing short and we’ve got quite a fight ahead of us. Shift so you don’t get cold when I pull the protection away. Blessings on your mating, and on the two of you as you live your lives. On your children, and especially on the child you conceive tonight.” Then once again she gave Adam a very ungoddess-like wink. “This is the little one I didn’t get to have, Adam. The child you and I might have created if I’d lived.”

Liana’s stricken glance tugged at Adam’s heart, and her regrets filled his mind, but Eve shook her head and squeezed Liana’s fingers. “No regrets. I have none. Neither should you nor Adam. This is all as it should be. For all the angry words I hurled at you, I don’t believe now that what happened was your fault. The Mother has a greater hand in our lives than any of us realize. Keep that in mind as the hours unfold. I have to go now. Take care, and love one another always.”

She waved her hand, the clear bubble winked out with
an audible
pop.
Adam and Liana, wolves once again, stood motionless in the meadow, knee deep in the thick green grass, surrounded by a magical circle of pale pink primroses.

AJ met Anton in the front room. Dressed in a black suit almost identical to the one Anton wore, he was so devastatingly handsome, Anton worried he might have erred in choosing AJ Temple as the one to keep his human form.

They wanted to avoid attention, not beg for it, and there was no way in hell that AJ could walk into a room and not have the eyes of everyone there, male and female, watching him.

Just then Nick, Luc, and Tinker trotted into the room. Entirely black, Luc would blend easily with the shadows, as would Nick with his dark brown and black coat. Tinker’s gold highlights within the heavy black fur would help draw attention away from the smaller, reddish brown wolf trotting into the room behind him. At least that was Anton’s fervent hope.

Keisha.
Dear Goddess, she was beautiful, and so damned courageous Anton felt like cheering. For now, though, he merely grabbed up the small bag of clothing he’d packed, nodded to AJ, and then put the breakaway collars on Keisha and Tinker. AJ did the same for Luc and Nick. If by chance any of them needed to shift, the collars wouldn’t stop them.

Jazzy and Tia stood together in the doorway to the kitchen, holding tightly to each other’s hands. Tia’s babies slept and the house was quiet. Without a doubt, they had the most difficult job, waiting here until the night was over, Lisa and Tala were freed, and everyone was home safely.

Anton went to Tia and kissed her soundly. “I will keep your man safe, Tia. Trust me. And Jazzy, I’ve been in constant
contact with Logan and, as much as I hate to say it, I think he’s having fun.”

Jazzy’s laughter seemed to have a calming effect on everyone. “Don’t worry about us. Tia and I will be fine, and if, by chance, the terrible twins are asleep at five minutes to nine, you can count on us adding our own burst of power to your project.”

Biting back unexpected laughter, he nodded deferentially to both young women. “You are most generous. Damn. Almost makes me wish I was hanging out here with you two.”

“Go.” Tia leaned over, kissed his cheek, and shoved him. Then she turned her attention to the black wolf, and Anton carefully blocked the words she spoke to Luc.

There were some things even a wizard accepted as private.

AJ drove carefully through heavy traffic toward the center of town. Gazing out the window, thinking of the night ahead, Anton felt the soft vibration of his cell phone in his coat pocket and immediately took the call.

Already there were changes in his plans, but he had to agree, this might just make things easier in the long run. “AJ, we need to go directly to the Fairmont. The president has asked us to accompany him to the Civic Auditorium. He wants us with him instead of the assigned security detail.”

AJ didn’t question him. He merely caught a left on California and headed east toward the hotel. Finally he glanced at Anton and asked, “Any idea why the change in plans?”

Anton shook his head. “He’s got new security assigned to him tonight. Doesn’t recognize any of them, and he doesn’t want his wife anywhere near them or the auditorium. He wants Keisha to take the First Lady’s position before they leave the hotel so his wife can remain in the
penthouse. He thinks she’ll be safer there. It’s bad when the man can’t trust his own people.”

When no one made any comment, he added, “And he wants me to leave one of you there, to safeguard her.” He glanced at the four wolves in the open back of the SUV. “Nick? Are you comfortable with guarding the president’s wife? I know it’s a lot to ask, to leave you on your own, but …”

I’m okay with it. Just leave me a pair of pants.

Laughing, Anton turned around in his seat. “What is it with you guys and this sudden modesty? I don’t understand.”

AJ glanced his way and winked at him. Then he made a left on Mason Street and pulled up in front of the luxurious Fairmont Hotel.

Anton leashed all four wolves and got out of the vehicle, while AJ informed the valet that it was to remain here, in front of the hotel, until they returned with the president and First Lady.

They showed their paperwork and got inside the tightly secured lobby without any problem. Anton nodded to the young man in military dress who was there to lead them to the presidential suite.

There was an impromptu press conference with the president’s press secretary, quickly arranged by the president for just this purpose, going on near the far side of the huge lobby. As hoped, Anton’s small pack managed to cross behind the gathering without attracting notice. Within minutes their guide was knocking on the door to the penthouse, the door opened, and Anton and his group entered.

The security guard who answered the door did not appear pleased by their presence. He turned, nodded stiffly to someone just out of sight, and left the penthouse. He moved too quickly for Anton to get a good look at his
thoughts, though the sense of anger and frustration was clear.

The president stepped into the main room as soon as the door had closed. “Mr. Cheval?” He smiled and held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure finally to meet you, sir.” As he shook Anton’s hand, he looked wonderingly at the four wolves sitting patiently behind Anton and AJ. “All of you.” Then he turned, smiling even broader. “My wife, gentlemen.”

The resemblance was striking. Anton bowed over her hand, but he couldn’t quiet the soft chuckle. “This will work even better than I had hoped,” he said. He turned to his mate. Her ears pricked forward, and he heard her laughter in his head.

Here, my love? Or should we do this privately?

“Has the room been swept for cameras, listening devices, anything that might record what we say or do?”

The president shook his head. “I can’t guarantee anything.” He turned away, took a seat on the couch, and pulled his wife down beside him. “Everything has felt off this evening. My regular security team was switched out for all new men about half an hour ago. I’m not certain, but I had the feeling our luggage had been searched. This room does not feel secure, which is why I asked that you leave one of your …” He shook his head, grinning. “One of your
associates
behind.”

Luc’s voice slipped into Anton’s mind. Tink and I will make a quick check around the premises. Listening devices of any kind, cameras, anything that doesn’t belong.

AJ unleashed both of them. Tinker headed for the bedrooms, while Luc did a sweep of the living area and the terrace. AJ followed Tinker first, then met up with Luc. Within minutes they were all back in the sitting room. AJ handed a small, black bag to Anton.

He dumped the contents out on the coffee table—a collection of various electronic snooping devices.

AJ said, “They’re all here. The guys found cameras in each room, six listening devices spaced to pick up the entire apartment. I’ve disabled all of them. It shouldn’t make anyone suspicious. Clearing stuff like this out of a room is a standard procedure, so I doubt anyone’s going to suspect us for finding it.” He turned to the president. “Sir, you had a good reason for not feeling secure.”

The president glanced at his wife. “Our new security people said they did a complete sweep of the room. I wonder if they’re the ones who planted this crap?”

Instead of replying, Anton glanced at his watch. “We need to hurry. Keisha? Sweetheart, why don’t you go with the First Lady and get ready. I want your hair, makeup, everything the same.” He leaned over and unfastened her collar. She glanced at the president’s wife and winked, much to the lady’s obvious surprise. Then Keisha trotted in the direction of the bedroom.

Anton stayed in her head. Be gentle. She knows what to expect, but until you’ve actually seen someone shift …

Keisha’s soft laughter echoed in his mind, and they all heard the First Lady’s gasp of shock. Anton grinned. “It appears my wife just shifted.” He reached into the bag and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. “Nick, why don’t you go ahead and shift. At least you can keep the president’s wife company while you wait here.” AJ removed Nick’s collar, and the young man rose from four paws on the ground to two human feet.

Tall and slim, he still had a youthful build, with broad, bony shoulders, dark olive skin, and long, dark hair. His high cheekbones and dark coloring could have been Middle Eastern or Native American, but he was beautiful no matter what his race. He nodded his head in respect as he quickly dressed.

The president shook his head slowly, obviously bemused. “I know what you told me, but if I hadn’t seen that, I
never would have believed it.” As soon as Nick slipped into his sweats, the president shook his hand. “I am trusting you with the safety of the most important woman in my life.”

“I’ll keep her safe. You have my promise.”

“Well? What do you think?”

Keisha—at least he thought it was his mate—stood in the open doorway wearing a dark teal blue gown. With heels, she stood almost as tall as the president, and with the subtle use of makeup and her long hair tucked up under the shorter wig, she no longer looked anything like herself.

Grinning broadly, the First Lady stepped up beside her. Instead of showcasing their differences, her proximity only made their similarities more profound. Other than her slightly lighter complexion, they could have been twins.

Anton checked his watch once again. “Ma’am. Meet Nick Barden. Nick will stay with you this evening. He’ll be in mental contact with me at all times and can keep you informed on what’s happening. His mate is involved in the rescue of our two kidnapped pack members, so he’s got a link to that action as well. He’ll shift into his wolf form if anyone comes to the room. This floor is supposed to be secure, but we really can’t know for certain. Don’t allow anyone in. Remember, you’re not supposed to be here. Don’t answer the door unless it’s one of us—Nick will know since we can all communicate telepathically.”

The president kissed his wife, a long, slow kiss that reminded all of them how serious the night had just become. Then he held his arm out to Keisha. She wrapped her fingers around his arm, and with all the grace of a queen—or the wife of a president—allowed him to escort her from the room.

Anton glanced back in time to see the First Lady fold her hands as if in prayer. Nick stood beside her, but she
seemed totally unaware of his presence. Her eyes were on her husband as he stepped swiftly out of the room. Then her glance flashed to Anton.

Once again he dipped his head in respect. “We’ll keep him safe. I promise. Nick will watch over you. If you have any questions, ask him.” He shrugged. “Very few know of our existence, but I’m sure Nick can answer whatever concerns you have. It might help you pass the time a bit faster.”

“Thank you.”

Her surprisingly calm smile was the last thing he saw as he quietly shut the door and followed the others to the waiting elevator.

Keisha smiled and acknowledged greetings and shouts from the people pressing close against the ropes separating the president’s small entourage from the huge crowd. She clung to the president’s arm, laughing and obviously enjoying herself while Anton and AJ scanned the hundreds of people surrounding them. Luc and Tinker pulled just hard enough against their leashes, baring teeth and managing to make eye contact with almost everyone straining for a closer look.

It had the effect of forcing the crowd back, as if a subliminal fear of the huge beasts controlled their desire to draw close to the president and his wife. His press secretary had put out a statement about the special security teams guarding the president tonight, the fact that they were helping to promote new legislation for the protection of endangered species, which, of course, had brought in an entirely new group of protestors for the evening’s event.

And then there was AJ. Tall and gorgeous, with his perfect features and powerful build, he looked more like a professional model than a security guard—or wolf handler. Except Luc’s black wolven coat was a perfect match to AJ in his dark suit—two powerful animals, both intelligent and in complete control. Anton wished he had AJ’s
charisma, his confidence when all eyes were on him. Only when he was dealing with magic did Anton feel some semblance of control.

This was not one of those moments, and he hoped he looked a lot calmer than he felt. Of course, he could blame most of his nerves on his fear for Keisha. He’d never asked her to play such a pivotal part in any of his dealings outside family before. Everything tonight, every step they took, every minute detail they had planned, scared the crap out of him.

It took an act of will, but he kept his nervousness locked deep inside and stayed close to the president, with Tinker keeping the tension tight on the leash. Anton’s pride in Keisha gave him the strength and presence that was so natural to him with his pack or his business dealings, and yet sorely lacking tonight, with so many depending on him for their safety.