Chapter Two

 

Tamian’s plane touched down an hour before Harlow’s flight was scheduled to land. He’d spent the last several hours trying to figure out how he was going to track her without her knowing it. Julian had tapped into the feed on the cameras Tamian installed in Harlow’s rental, and he’d found where she, or someone, had put the output on a continuous loop showing no one was home. If it was her, she was smarter than he’d given her credit for. Smart and stunning.

For half an hour, Tamian hung around the private hangar he shared with his father. He used that time to call his mother and check in, promising to stop by since he was in New York. With less than thirty minutes until Harlow was due to arrive, he made his way into the large terminal and waited at the luggage carousels, being sure to keep his distance from the one Harlow would be using. Half an hour came and went with no sign of the female. After another thirty minutes passed, Tamian was ready to give up when a young woman dressed in an airline uniform walked up to him.

“Mr. St. Claire?” the woman asked in a southern drawl.

Tamian was so startled someone knew who he was he turned toward the voice but didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

“This is for you.” An attendant from the airline Harlow was supposed to be on handed him an envelope, grinning. Before he could open it, she turned and disappeared into the crowd. He opened his senses to the woman’s mind.

“Dayum! That agent’s crazy for not delivering this message herself. A body like that? Whoowee.”

Tamian shook his head as he looked at the envelope, staring at his name written neatly on the outside. His full name. A familiar scent filled his nostrils, and Tamian couldn’t help but smile. Carefully, he opened the flap and pulled out the card.

 

Better luck next time

 

Standing among hundreds, if not thousands, of travelers, Tamian threw his head back and laughed heartily. He didn’t care about the stares he received. Harlow Guthrie, or whoever the woman was, had thrown down the gauntlet, and Tamian was just the Goyle to pick it up and run with it. Tamian weaved his way through the throngs until he arrived at the rental car desk. His mother had offered to have Manny pick him up, but Tamian hadn’t known when exactly he’d be visiting. He no longer had a female to follow, a female agent, if the messenger’s thoughts were correct, so he made his way to his parents’ estate. Now that Harlow was on to him, he would need Julian’s help in finding the female.

As he made his way out of the terminal in a sleek sports car, his phone rang. Having already synched it to the Bluetooth, he answered. “Hello?”

“Tamian, this is Julian. I screwed up.”

“If you’re talking about Harlow, she was on to us. Or on to me, I should say.”

“How do you know?”

“She had a flight attendant bring me a handwritten card that said ‘better luck next time.’ She even addressed it to my full name. I’m telling you, Julian, this is no mere mortal,” Tamian said, laughing. He found himself doing that a lot, even though the female was frustrating. “First, she was able to loop the output on the camera feed, and now she found out who I am? Who would have that type of skill set as well as several aliases?”

“Someone who works for the government. And Tessa,” Julian added. “Unless she is a contract player, I would venture to guess she probably works for the GIA since she was out of the country. The FBI is limited to the States.”

Tamian almost slipped up and told Julian what the flight attendant had thought when she was walking away. She called Harlow the agent. “How did you figure out you screwed up, as you put it?”

“I only looked for her aliases on commercial flights. I didn’t think to look at private itineraries until it was already too late. A private jet left Oslo half an hour before you took off. According to the flight plan, it landed in New DC about ten minutes ago. I’ve already begun a facial recognition search. If your mate is there, I’ll find her.”

Tamian didn’t argue that the female wasn’t his mate. He’d figure that out if and when he ever got the chance to speak to her. “I appreciate it. I’m on my way to visit Elizabeth and Xavier since I’m in the area. If you find anything, please keep me posted. I’ll have the jet fueled and ready to go.”

“Will do. Later, Brother.” After they disconnected, Tamian called Elizabeth to let her know he was on his way. As he drove, he couldn’t stop obsessing with Harlow. He’d never believed he would have a mate, let alone one as stunning as she. Now that the possibility had arisen, Tamian was ready to make her his. He just had to find her.

Elizabeth met Tamian at the front door. “You’ve been away too long,” she chastised as she wrapped her arms around his waist. She was shorter than Andi – Tessa – by maybe an inch, but other than that, the mother and daughter could pass for twins.

“I’ve been chasing criminals around the globe.” Tamian pulled back when Xavier stepped up to the open doorway. He was a grown Gargoyle, yet he still got intimidated by Xavier whenever he was in his presence. “Hi, Dad.” Xavier’s face lit up, and he closed the distance between them. Rarely did the King of the Italians show him true affection, but he grabbed Tamian and pulled him into a crushing embrace. One he returned gladly.

“Son, I’m glad you’re here. There is something I wish to speak to you about. Let’s go inside.”

Tamian held the door for his parents, and before he got farther into the house than the entryway, Cassandra was wrapped around him as tightly as his mother had been. “Oh, my boy,” she whispered.

“Hello, Cassandra.” Tamian kissed her on top of her head, and the older woman pulled back to look at him. Tears threatened to fall, but she blinked them away.

“You and that sister of yours are too busy these days. But you’re here now. Are you hungry? Thirsty? What can I get you? Supper won’t be ready for another hour, but I can fix you a sandwich.”

“I can wait to eat, but I’d love a glass of your lemonade.” Tamian preferred something stronger, but he wanted Cassandra to feel needed. His parents had been traveling more, thus leaving their housekeeper with no one to look after.

When she scuttled off to retrieve his drink, Tamian met his parents in the lounge. This was his mother’s favorite spot in the large home. It didn’t matter that it was the first week in June; there was a fire in the pit, which was situated in the middle of the room. Both Tamian and Xavier stood off to one side where the bar was. Xavier poured them both a glass of whiskey while Elizabeth sipped on a glass of red wine. Cassandra returned with Tamian’s lemonade, and he took it in his free hand. “Thank you, Cassandra.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll be in the kitchen if anyone needs me.”

Tamian waited until the housekeeper was out of earshot before asking, “What’s going on?”

His parents glanced at each other, and Tamian braced himself for whatever it was his father wanted to talk to him about. He downed the whiskey and set the empty glass on the bar. Holding onto the lemonade, Tamian gave his father his undivided attention.

“Now that the threats have died down and your mother and I are able to travel as we wish, I’m stepping down as King.”

“I can understand that. Is Vittore ready to take your place?” Customarily, it was the firstborn son who would take over, but since Xavier didn’t have a male heir, he would most likely choose his first in command to take his place.

“I haven’t asked him. Tamian, I know you don’t consider yourself to be my son, but I do. Your DNA is as much mine as your mother’s. I have a feeling Jonas tossed in some of his own. He’s too egotistical not to have, so that makes you even more of a Montagnon. I want you to take over as King.”

Tamian stared at Xavier, at a loss for words. Never in a million years would he have thought his father would choose him as his replacement. “You don’t have to do this,” Tamian said before turning to the bar and refilling his tumbler, setting the lemonade to the side. This conversation required something harder. After downing the whiskey, he poured yet another. Before he could toss it back, Xavier stepped next to him and stilled his hand.

“I know I don’t have to, but you’re the logical choice. You’re my son as much as Andrea is my daughter.”

“Have you considered her being Queen?”

“We’re talking about your sister here, remember? Can you imagine the trouble she’d get a Clan into if she ruled?”

Tamian couldn’t help but smile. “Oh yes. All kinds of trouble.” Tessa was the fiercest woman he knew, but she was also one of the craziest. “I know you think of me as your son, but King? I’ve all but remained hidden most of my life. I’m not qualified to rule a Clan.”

Elizabeth’s hand gripped Tamian’s forearm. He’d not heard her rise from where she was sitting by the fireplace. “Tam, my darling boy. You are more than qualified. You’re smart as well as a fierce warrior.” When he opened his mouth to argue, she held up her hand. “Stop. Your father and I have heard how you helped the Stone Society. You stepped up to the plate when they needed you most. Sure, you might say you were doing it for Andrea, but we all know your heart is as big as anyone’s. You aided because it was the right thing to do. They are your Clan as much as the Italians are.”

“You’re right, they are my Clan. It’s one reason I don’t feel right taking over for Dad. I’ve never dealt with the Italians in an official capacity. I’ve only ever met a handful of the Goyles when I’ve stayed at the chalet. How can I rule when I don’t know my people?” People was a relative term considering the Clan was comprised of full-blooded Gargoyles.

“Then get to know them. Visit the chalet more. Let the Clan get to know you. They won’t be surprised when I tell them you’re taking over the throne. I’ve spoken highly of you many times over the last few years. It will be a smooth transition.”

Tamian doubted that. He was only now getting comfortable being around the Stone Society and being part of their Clan. It wasn’t as if Xavier was asking him to become CEO of a corporation, a position that would last a few years at most before he could retire. This was a centuries-long commitment. If he accepted, he would have to concentrate on a Clan he knew little about. That wouldn’t give him time to search for Harlow.

“I found my mate,” he blurted.

“Excuse me?” Xavier asked, while Elizabeth said, “Honey, that’s wonderful.”

Tamian shook his head and paced across the room. He looked out the window, but he didn’t see the expanse of land. He saw stormy blue eyes that laughed when she waved at him.

“Tamian? Son?”

“She’s the reason I went to Norway. The Goyles there thought she was spying on them.”

“And was she?” Xavier asked.

“Not as far as I could tell. If my instincts are correct, she’s an agent with the GIA, and I figure she was there on assignment.”

“Then why did the Goyles think she was spying?”

“Because she was in Holmesvik, which is a shifter town. Very few humans live there, and even fewer visit.”

“But you don’t think she was spying on the shifters?”

“No. She left several times and drove to Oslo. Each time she ended up near the human King’s palace. I think she chose Holmesvik because it’s quaint and relaxing. Plus, it kept her from being seen too often in Oslo.”

“Did you speak with her?” Elizabeth asked.

“No. I basically spied on her to see if she was spying on everyone else. While I was doing that, she slipped away. Somehow, she was on to me. I’m telling you, there’s something different about Harlow.”

“Harlow?”

“Yes, Harlow Guthrie. That’s one of her aliases. Julian was able to find several names the female has used, but he hasn’t been able to establish her true identity. She was able to give us the slip. Instead of being on the flight to New York under one of her known aliases, she was on a private jet which landed in New DC.”

“Is it possible she’s a shifter?” Xavier asked.

“Anything’s possible. Until I get her face to face, I won’t know.”

Xavier’s face softened. “I’m assuming you’re going to pursue her?”

“I have to. If she is my mate, I have to know for certain, and I don’t want to put off finding out. What if something happened to her before we were able to complete the bond? I’d lose her forever, and now that I know there’s a possibility I actually have that one person who was intended for me, I can’t not go after her.”

“I understand. I didn’t stop pursuing your mother until I had her to myself. But just because you’re going after this female doesn’t mean you can’t consider becoming King. I’m serious, Tamian. I want you to take my place on the throne.”

Tamian tossed back the whiskey still in his glass. “I’ll think about it. Now, if I’m not mistaken, dinner is ready.” Retrieving the glass of lemonade, Tamian took a sip before heading to the dining room where Cassandra was placing the last bowl.

“Right on time,” she said with a flourish.

 

 

Lucy walked out of the debriefing doing her best to bite her tongue. She didn’t need her job. Hell, she didn’t even like her job. Not really. She had enough money she could disappear if she chose, but that would make for a lonely life, and she had a family who needed her. When the government had given her an ultimatum, she never thought going to jail would be the better option. Now, it was looking pretty good. The men and women she worked with treated Lucy as if she were a low-class thug, just because she’d been caught looking into a corporation whose ties to the government ran deeper than she realized. She’d been arrested and then given a job doing the very thing she’d been arrested for. Irony at its finest.

Lucy was good at her job, but she wasn’t good enough to go completely off the grid. It would take someone with skills much better than hers to get her a new identity. One the GIA couldn’t track down. She wasn’t the only hacker employed by the government, so she couldn’t risk running off. Besides, the family depended on her to help find dirt on the Ministry. Four years wasn’t enough time spent with her grandparents and uncles to just walk away from everything.

While the GIA looked into how the Ministry affected world governments, her family searched out the smaller factions who were able to stay off the government’s radar. Going after the Ministry wasn’t all her uncles and grandparents did. The Hounds of Zeus was a motorcycle club whose members were all shifters. Whereas a lot of MCs were all about running guns, drugs, and even trafficking people, the Hounds were about keeping humans safe, getting the bad guys off the streets, and doing the things which fell into the not-strictly-black-and-white category. Hacking into computers was one of those things that was against the law but helpful for the club to keep tabs on the criminals.

When Lucy got caught, she’d been so distraught she blamed her predicament on her father. Warryck Lazlo had chosen to let Lucius and Vera raise Lucy instead of keeping her. If he had allowed her to be raised by Rory and Sutton, she would have grown up as part of the family. They would have taught her how to keep her head down and avoid getting caught. It was something they all excelled at. War had argued she wouldn’t have the education she received, or all the money and assets Lucius amassed for her. Lucy argued right back that she would have had the truth. And her family.

Rory talked Lucy down from her anger against War, even though the woman had refused to speak to her son for years after he gave custody of Lucy to Harlow’s family. Lucy’s grandmother was something else. She had been the wife of the MC’s president for many years, but she was nobody’s “old lady.” Aurora Rose Lazlo was a Gryphon shifter, and a momma bear – or lion rather – when it came to her family. Rory preferred the lion to the eagle, and she wasn’t afraid to bare her sharp teeth.

Keeping her head held high, Lucy strode out of the New DC office and headed to the rental car she’d picked up at the airport. The case she’d been given wasn’t like the ones she normally received. As a matter of fact, she had a bad feeling about her assignment. Somehow, this felt like a setup. Lucy had kept her head down for the last four years while doing both the government’s and her family’s bidding. Never had she given the GIA reason to suspect she was involved in anything outside of her job.

Keeping one eye on the road ahead and the other on the rearview mirror, Lucy drove toward the airport. Instead of giving her an assignment over video conference, the government had wasted money on a jet to bring her to New DC for an hour just to send her back across the water to South Africa. At least it was somewhere she’d never traveled before. When she arrived at the airport, Lucy reboarded the government jet she’d just traveled on and settled in for the long flight.