Lost Paradise (16 page)

Feeling more in control, I got up and
teleported back to the Chinese restaurant. I called Danial, and
left him a voice mail, telling him that I was on my way to
Devlin’s. I thought about calling Devlin next, but I didn’t want
to.
What if he told me not to come?
He had told me not to
come this week, but that was to work. But he’d also told me I was
always welcome at Hayden…Screw it, fuck it, I didn’t care anymore.
I was going to Hayden, for better or worse.

* * * *

About eleven, I drove up to Hayden’s gates
and pushed the button.

“Yes?” said Titus’s voice through the
speaker.

“Titus, it’s me, Sar,” I said. “Open the
doors, please.”

“Okay,” he said, surprised.

I drove in the opening doors and used my
garage door opener to park my truck in an empty bay. I walked in
slowly, wondering what I’d find. What if Devlin was here with
someone?

I went into the kitchen, but saw no one. I
went to the foot of the stairs and looked up into Lash’s reptile
eyes. He stood waiting at the top in jeans and a shirt, with no
shoes, his hair in all directions.

Had he’d been sleeping, and gotten up for
me?
“Hi.”

“I can’t let you in his bedroom,” Lash
hissed. “Not until Titus clears you.”

Titus appeared beside me. “She’s fine, Lash.”
He hugged me. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but why are you
here? Devlin said nothing to me about you coming today—”

“There was an attempt on Theo’s life today,”
I said tiredly.

Titus teleported us to his basement lab, then
gestured to a set of huge leather chairs. I sank down into one and
he sat down in the other, motioning to me to tell him what had
happened. After I recapped the tale, he nodded.

“He’s right,” Titus said. “No one would try
to get you here, it’s too fortified. Theo also never comes here, so
anyone looking for him wouldn’t keep tabs on Hayden.” He paused.
“Thank you for what you did for Terian. He called today to say he
had found his brother’s family. Matt’s parents and his older
brother are long dead, but his sister is still alive. Terian is
going to talk to her tomorrow, pretend he is an insurance adjuster
and tell her that some money has come to her, finally. That despite
whatever reason her brother disappeared all those years ago, he
loved her.”

I wiped at more tears, but these were of
happiness. “God, my face must be a mess.”

Titus handed me a black handkerchief from his
pocket. It felt very warm, like it had come right out of the dryer.
Finding that very comforting, I gave him a smile as I dabbed at my
eyes. “Thanks. I’m glad he can finally let it go.”

“Let me escort you upstairs,” Titus said,
getting up. “You must be tired, and also, you need to call Theo to
tell him you got here okay.”

Oiy.
That hadn’t been on my list of
things to do. But he was right. “Yes.”

* * * *

Theo picked up immediately, frantic. “Devlin,
have you seen her?”

I felt terrible yet again. “It’s me, Theo. I
needed to drive for a while and sort some things out. But I’m
taking your advice. I’ll be spending tonight here—”

“With him,” he growled jealously.

I lost it completely. “Make up your fucking
mind!” I screamed. “You tell me to come here, that I shouldn’t stay
with you. Then when I tell you I’m here, you accuse me of what?
Abandoning you?”

“Sar, I didn’t mean—”

“Yes, you fucking well did, Theo!” I
screamed. “What do you want from me? Isn’t it enough, I’m having
your child? Isn’t it enough, that I love you? Isn’t it?”

“No, it’s fucking well not enough!” Theo
roared. “I’m tired of sharing you, tired of you never being home
weekends, tired of you fucking that snake—!”

I hung up on him, and went into the bathroom
to the Jacuzzi as the phone promptly began ringing again.

There was no way in hell I was answering it.
If I’d had somewhere else to go where I’d be safe, I would have
gone there. Either Lash and Titus had likely called Dev by now.
Once he knew I was here, he’d probably come home tonight, even if
he hadn’t been planning on it.

I sat in the Jacuzzi and cried until the
tears stopped coming. Drained and exhausted, I went to bed, wishing
for drugs to ease my frantic thoughts. I lay there for a long time,
and finally, I slept.

When I awoke in the morning, I was still
alone.

Chapter Seven

I was shocked, but
also relieved to be alone. I hadn’t woken up alone in a long time.
I stretched out my arms, yawning widely. God, I felt relaxed. It
was so very nice not to have to get up and do anything, to have to
talk to anyone.

Guilt hit me at once over my shirked
responsibilities, because someone else was feeding my pets, and
seeing to the needs of my children. I rubbed my eyes, then reached
for the phone and called Theo.

He picked up on the first ring. “Sar?” he
said hesitantly.

“It’s me,” I said. “I’m sorry about the
things I said last night.”

“I’m sorry for what I said, too,” Theo
replied. “I never should have told you to leave. I was just
worried—”

“You were right to,” I interrupted. “It’s
safest right now until you deal with Robert.”

“I told Danial what happened yesterday. He
wants you not to come in this week, to stay there with Devlin.”

“I think you should stay with Danial,” I
proposed. “If Robert’s gunning for you, that’s the best place to
fight him, with an army of guards around you. Send some of Danial’s
werefox guards to watch our house and pets. Then our house and pets
won’t be a target.”

“I’ll find out who was responsible for the
attack this week,” Theo growled. “I’ll see you soon, Sar. I love
you.”

“And I love you,” I said softly.

After hanging up, I looked at the big bed and
wondered what to do next. I could work on the filing, sure, but now
I had all week for that. I could try Serena; it was after ten, so
she should be up. Maybe we could have a long talk, and bake
something chocolate. But maybe she was still mourning Vince and
didn’t want to see me.

Irritated with myself, I picked up the phone
to call Devlin. There was no way he knew I was here, or he would
have come to me, if only for a few hours, to sleep.

Quickly I put the phone back down. What if he
was spending the day in bed somewhere else, with someone else, a
someone else he could have some sex with? That was a real
possibility. What would I say if a woman answered his cell phone?
I’d better have something ready, in case.

I swallowed my pride, rehearsed a quick
hello, then called his cell. Dev didn’t answer it. I was surprised,
then worried. He’d always answered his cell before when I had
called.

I’d try Lash. His cell rang for a while, and
then an electronic voice came on, saying the caller was
unavailable, and to try back later.

Irritated and worried, I got my own cell
phone from my purse and hit send on Devlin’s cell number. “You damn
well better answer.”

Devlin answered on the second ring. “Hi, Sar.
How are you, Love?’

His voice was slightly out of breath. I’d
only seen him get winded doing one thing.

“Yes,” I stammered. “I’m good, um…how are
you?”

“Fine,” Devlin purred.

I tried for a reply that didn’t sound
accusatory or suspicious. I was still trying when Devlin said
curiously, “Why did you call me? Is e-mail down?”

“Perhaps I missed the sound of your voice?” I
said curtly, trying to bring myself to ask him if he was with
someone else.

“No, something’s wrong,” he said quickly.
“You’re calling from your cell, not your home or Danial’s. Where
are you? Are you okay?”

“I’m at Hayden, in your bed. I waited for you
last night, but you never—”

“You have been there all night and didn’t
call me?” he shouted.

I cringed.

“Stay there!” he yelled angrily. “Don’t you
dare move! I’m coming to you now.” He yelled for Titus and hung
up.

If Titus was with him, why hadn’t he told
him? Shit, he was probably getting threatened with being flayed
again for not telling Devlin I was here.

A moment later, Devlin and Titus appeared in
the room. Devlin’s eyes found mine at once and held. “Leave
us.”

Titus left, giving me a quick smile. Devlin
hastily crossed the room to me, and grabbed me tightly in his
arms.

I hugged him hard. “Dev, I...”

“Don’t say anything,” he said in a commanding
tone.

I instantly fell silent. He held me for a few
moments more, then let his arms fall and headed into the bathroom.
Was he washing off some other woman’s perfume? I thought I’d gotten
a whiff of something, but wasn’t sure.

Telling myself not to think about that, I
went back to bed. Sometime later, Devlin crawled in with me, and
laid his head on my chest. Groggily, I put my arms around him, and
dropped back to sleep.

I awoke at noon, ravenous, Devlin still on my
chest.

I nudged him gently. “Dev.”

“What is it?” he said grumpily.

“I need to eat something. Let me up,
please.”

He looked up at me with his molten gold eyes,
then settled back down. “Call Serena and have her bring you up a
tray.”

Ass.
“Dev, I want to go
downstairs—”

“Why is that, Sar?” Devlin said nastily. “So
you can call Theo out of my hearing?”

“I already called him this morning,” I said
coldly. “I told him I’d be home Sunday. But maybe I should tell him
to come get me now.”

Devlin pushed himself up on his arms, looking
into my eyes from a few inches. “You’re staying all week?” he said
in disbelief, his expression hopeful.

“If that’s not an imposition.” I sighed.
“There was another attempt on his life yesterday.”

Devlin beamed, overjoyed. He got to his feet
and offered me his hand. “Let’s get you some breakfast, Love.”

* * * *

After a luxurious and very fattening
breakfast of pancakes, bacon and sausage, we went back to his
bedroom.

“Are you still spotting?” Devlin asked
tentatively, turning back the covers. “I feel odd to ask you, but
I’m worried after what Camlyn said.”

“I’m fine,” I replied. “There’s been nothing
for the last day.”

“Will you stay with me here today?” he asked,
getting into bed. “I know you probably aren’t tired, but I’d enjoy
it if you’d stay.”

“Sure,” I said, relieved. “I felt awkward,
just showing up here last night.”

“Sar,” Devlin chided softly, “I want you
here. I always want you here. You’re my Oathed One. You have a
standing invitation.” He beckoned. “Come.”

His passion and love was undeniable, yet
again I felt oddly uncomfortable. I managed a smile, then got into
bed. He put his arms around me and began stroking my hair
gently.

“I’ll sleep days with you this week and work
at night, while you’re gone,” I said, wanting to hear his response.
“Friday I’ll try to get the lay of the gardens with Lash, and spend
some time with Serena.”

Devlin kissed my forehead gently. “Do
whatever you want. If you want to go out shopping for more clothes,
just ask Lash to take you. You could invite Serena, if you’d like
female company.”

Shit, he was right.
I had no clothes
here at Hayden. There was only one pair of jeans and a shirt for
emergencies, along with a couple of nightgowns. “That would be
nice,” I said, then paused, wondering if I should ask him to come.
But he couldn’t come during the day, as he was sleeping all day and
working all night. There was no point in asking. “I do need some
clothes for here.”

“Go tonight then,” Devlin said indulgently.
“I’ll give Lash some cash to pay for whatever you choose. Buy
enough so you feel comfortable here.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but decided a
few changes of clothes would be enough. “What colors are your
favorite to see me in?”

“Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?”
Devlin said, looking at me searchingly.

“Because you deserve it,” I replied. “I’m
sorry if I made you feel that I didn’t appreciate you. I’m having
trouble coping with everything. One of the reasons I didn’t call
you last night was I needed time alone to sort out my feelings.” I
hugged him tight. “I’m trying hard, Dev, to make all this work.
Please understand that I’m trying—”

“Hush,” Devlin said, running his hands down
my arms. “Don’t worry about me. It’s enough that you’re here with
me now, that you’re staying with me this week. Now get some
sleep.”

I snuggled closer, quickly falling asleep in
his embrace.

* * * *

The week passed far faster than I thought it
would, and I enjoyed myself more than I had thought possible.

Tuesday evening, after Devlin left, Lash took
me out shopping, albeit reluctantly.

“I know, I know. Dev asked me to take you,”
he hissed, making a face. “Just give me directions to this
Coldwater Creek.”

When we entered the store an hour later, a
saleswoman immediately made a beeline for us and then stopped,
staring at the scarred bite marks on either side of my neck and the
choker above them. Lash noticed and gave her a penetrating look,
pushing back the sides of his long wool coat slightly, making the
lash of his well-used bullwhip just visible.

She blanched a little, gave him a wide berth,
and came to my side. “Anything in particular I could help you find
today?” she asked, her eyes on the whip coiled at Lash’s belt.

“I need some jeans, and some long sleeved
T’s,” I told her, glad she couldn’t see the knife on the other side
of his waist. “Nothing embellished and no sequins.”

“Colors?” she asked.

“Red, dark pink, white, gray, and green,” I
said, trying to remember if that was all that Devlin had told
me.