Chapter 18 #2
“That’s what I told Mark you’d say. He agrees, for what it’s worth.
But Sam, you need to keep Claudia close tonight.
Don’t let her out of your sight, not even for a second.
We can’t let Schwarz corner her. Mark is keeping Shelly close, and I’m watching over them, but you came to this shindig on your own, which is seriously bizarre behavior for one of the world’s richest men.
Dude, you seriously should have brought an entourage. ”
“So should you,” Sam shot back, chuckling.
“I am the entourage, Sam,” Nick reminded him. “Besides, the eccentric types, like Mark and you, apparently like to travel light. Just keep an eye on Claudia. She’s got a very babe-in-the-woods look to her that some men can’t resist.”
“I won’t leave her alone, and by all reports, she’s a lot stronger than she looks.” Sam’s hand tightened on the phone. “Has Shelly said anything about sensing Schwarz’s power?”
“She said she felt something old and wrong at the ball last night, but couldn’t pinpoint it in the crowd.
Too many magical signatures overlapping.
” Nick paused. “She’s preparing some defensive spells for tonight, things that might slow Schwarz down if he tries anything.
But she was honest about her limitations.
If he’s as old as Gavin’s research suggests, she might not be able to stop him.
Schwarz has had centuries to perfect his craft.
” Nick’s voice softened. “I’m not trying to scare you, but you need to be realistic about what we might be facing. ”
“I know.” Sam closed his eyes briefly. “We’ll be ready. Just make sure you and Mark are positioned where you can intervene quickly if needed, and I’ll do the same if he comes after you.”
“We’ll have eyes on you and Claudia all night. No worries on that,” Nick reassured him.
After ending the call, Sam stood at the window for a long moment, watching the Mediterranean glitter in the afternoon sun.
Somewhere out there, Adolf Schwarz was preparing for tonight.
Planning. Calculating. Probably anticipating the fear he’d inspire once his targets understood what they were facing.
But Sam hadn’t survived this long by giving in to fear.
He was the Alpha of the Kinkaid Clan, and the last white lion shifter.
He’d face down ancient dark mages or anyone else who threatened his mate, and do it gladly.
His lion wanted to roar, but he kept it under wraps.
Nobody would get to Claudia, or him, or their allies.
No. The bad guys were the only ones that would be going down tonight if they made a move against anyone. If not, they’d still be going down, but at a time and place of Sam’s choosing, when he had a strike team at his back and a well-laid-out plan.
A soft knock on his bedroom door pulled him from his thoughts. It was Claudia. Her soft voice came to him from the doorway.
“Sam? Genevieve is here. I’m going to start getting ready.”
“I’ll be out in a minute.” He took a breath, centering himself. Tonight would be dangerous, and possibly deadly, but they’d face it together, and that would have to be enough.
When he emerged from his room, he found Genevieve already at work on Claudia’s hair in the living area. The stylist had set up a portable station with professional lighting and an impressive array of tools.
“Monsieur Kinkaid,” Genevieve greeted him warmly. “We are creating something spectacular for tonight, non? The emerald gown requires drama.”
“I’m sure whatever you do will be perfect,” Sam said, watching Claudia’s reflection in the mirror Genevieve had positioned. His mate caught his eye and smiled, though he could see the nervousness beneath it.
She knew tonight was important. She just didn’t know yet how dangerous it might become.
His phone buzzed with a text from Gavin, alerting him that he had news to share on Rothenberg and would be calling shortly.
Sam excused himself and returned to his room to take the call in private.
He needed to focus on the information, not on his growing anxiety about keeping Claudia safe from a centuries-old mage who consumed other mages’ power.
When Gavin called back, his news about Rothenberg was both illuminating and concerning.
The German industrialist had ties to several gray-market operations, but nothing overtly criminal.
More interesting was his connection to Kettering.
They’d done business together for over a decade, though Rothenberg had apparently distanced himself in recent years.
“It looks like Rothenberg might have figured out what Kettering was really up to and wanted out,” Gavin explained. “His comment at lunch could have been a warning to you, not a threat. Like he was trying to tell you to be careful without saying it directly.”
“That’s possible,” Sam agreed. “Or he’s playing both sides.”
“Also possible. I’ll keep digging.”
After the call ended, Sam changed into his tuxedo for the evening, moving through the familiar motions while his mind churned through strategies and contingencies. He was just fixing the cufflinks Claudia had made for him when Claudia knocked on his door.
“May I come in?”
“Of course.”
She stepped into his room, and Sam’s breath caught.
Genevieve had outdone herself. Claudia’s hair was swept up in an elaborate style that somehow looked both elegant and effortless, with a few carefully placed tendrils framing her face.
Her makeup was more dramatic than the previous night, emphasizing her eyes and the elegant line of her cheekbones.
But it was her expression that held his attention. She looked determined, nervous, and utterly beautiful.
“Genevieve’s done with my hair and makeup. I just need to get into the dress.” She moved closer, placing her hands on his chest. “Sam, I can tell something’s wrong. You’ve been tense since we got back from lunch. What did Gavin tell you?”
He should have known she’d sense his mood. They were mated now. Of course she’d feel the change in his emotional state.
“Let’s get you dressed first,” he said gently. “Then we’ll talk about it. I don’t want you worrying while you’re getting ready.”
“I’m already worrying,” she shot back, her voice just a tiny bit shrill.