Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Kate glances up from her laptop. Her eyes drift away, to the landscape beyond the window, as she disappears in her thoughts. Worry creases her brow. After a minute, she snaps back. “I didn’t think of Mikail being involved.”
“He knew about the pendant, and he took you to meet with the professor you mentioned. But you said he didn’t go into the meeting. How much does he know about the stone’s odd properties?”
“I never mentioned it to him. He just thinks it’s an artifact from the island.”
Simona pulls a chair away from the kitchen table and slides into the seat. “Could he have overheard you at some point?”
Kate lifts a shoulder as her frown deepens, “I guess it’s possible, but I tried not to let on to anyone about the stones.
I knew if anyone found out, that it could mean ruin for our country.
I’m sure you know how desperate people get to have something rare and precious.
Especially if there’s an idea that it’s somehow extraterrestrial. ”
The more I think about Mikail showing up at the apartment, the purse snatching, the fact that he was with her when she was investigating the origins of the gems, the more I suspect he’s involved. “Would Mikail stand to gain anything from this?”
“Anyone who has those stones could possibly gain from that. But I still can’t figure out why my father, if my father did, promised that he could be my fiancé.”
The coffee in my cup tastes extra bitter when I sip it. “I’m still pissed we didn’t get to the bottom of that. Your father was screaming mad that you married me. Which obviously means that I don’t fit the bill for some reason.”
Simona chuckles. “You’re the great unknown. The biggest baddest Wolf.”
Kate blushes and glances away.
I scoff, “Pfft. Whatever. But it was loud and clear that he’s angry. Maybe another call to him is in order, Kate. What do you think? Can you try to get to the bottom of why Mikail was supposed to be your fiancé.”
She chews nervously at her lip again which highlights her unease with her old man. “I can try.”
“No, you know what? I’ll just pay him a visit.”
Kate’s eyes go wide. “You can’t just fly over there—”
“Why can’t I?”
Her color rises. “What would you say?”
I grin. “Hello, Dad.”
She nearly falls out of her chair. “That’s not funny.”
Simona claps her hands. “This is brilliant, Wolf. I think you can get some good intel by shaking the tree.”
I nod as I sip my coffee. “Agreed. Can you go with Kate and the magic green stone when she goes to talk to this professor in town?”
Her smile is instant. “I’d love to. We can take the convertible. It's going to be a sunny day. And we can go shopping after.”
Kate’s speechless. “Wait a minute, I think this is a horrible idea. Not the shopping. Or the convertible. But you…” She points at me. “Going anywhere near Isla Rosa and my father.”
I lean over, wrap my fingers around the nape of her graceful neck, and pull her to my lips. “Trust me, I know how to get shit done. Have I let you down yet?”
Kate’s lips are tense at first, then she relaxes into me when she realizes I’m not giving up so easily.
Simona giggles, but I don’t stop. Instead, I angle Kate so I can go deeper.
Taste more of that delicious flavor of hers.
When I let her go, she fans herself. “No, you haven’t.
But I may not be thinking clearly in your presence. ”
I shrug and grin. “Okay, so we have a plan. Now, what have you got to eat in this house. I’ve got an appetite for something sweet and hot.”
When I get up from the table, Kate makes a little choked sound. “Sheesh. He’s completely unpredictable.” She mutters as Simona wipes away tears of laughter.