Cara MIA - By Book One of the Immortyl Revolution - By Denise Verrico Page 0,44
I was called upon to explain myself. Ethan paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. “Are you mad? Letting them in?”
“You told me to be polite to him.”
“You can’t be so incredibly naive. It’s a good thing it was Gaius and not some other. He knows better than to try something.”
“So, what did Brovik have to say? Dirk told me they’d seen him in Rome. He said Gaius made an offer for me.”
“Don’t be frightened. You’re not going anywhere.”
“Is he coming here?”
Ethan shook his head. “He wants us to go to Norway.”
“Will we go?”
“No. You must be prepared when at last you meet him face to face.”
“Why?”
“He’ll reach inside and pluck your soul from within, without a blink of an eye— all the while with the most serene and beautiful of smiles on his fair countenance.”
“What does he want?”
Ethan kissed my forehead. “Just business— nothing you need worry about, my dear. Now run upstairs and get ready for bed. I must make a call.”
I obeyed as usual, but this patronizing treatment was really staring to irritate. He told me nothing, like I was a child. How bad could this Brovik be?
EIGHT
* * * *
If there were others in this house of ours, Ethan never told me about them, but Brovik apparently was curious about me, and sent his first emissary just a few months after our arrival.
We stood on the balcony, my head against Ethan’s bare chest, his arms wrapped loosely about my body. Twilight is called Magic Hour in the movies and so it was, the closest we ever came to standing in the sun, a moment of connection for us, silently drinking the beauty of the surrounding hills and bay, purple streaked with orange, watching day winding down and night stirring.
Suddenly Magic Hour was interrupted by the sound of a small sports car whining up the steep road. Ethan cocked his head to the side. “Get my robe.”
I went inside, grabbing his heavy silk robe and pulling on a simple dress before joining him again on the balcony. “Gaius?”
“No, come here,” he whispered, smiling.
The car pulled into the drive in front of the villa and parked. I scented the newcomer now, male Immortyl mixed with nice cologne. His feet hit the ground lightly as he jumped from the car, gravel crunching under his feet as he stealthily crept up on us. Something scraped the tiles on the roof.
“Look up,” Ethan instructed, tilting my head back to look up at the red tiled roof.
Sitting gracefully among the tiles was a tall figure brushing dust off of his leather jacket. A tumble of neglected dark curls framed a face brimming with malevolent mischief. “These tiles are loose. You ought to have them looked at,” he said, in a British accent, sending one crashing down toward our heads.
Ethan ducked us out of the way, laughing.
The stranger landed beside us. “You’re in a sad state, Byron.”
“One can’t remain a vagabond forever.”
“Let’s have a look at you then, love,” our visitor said, moving about me in an exaggerated imitation of a horse trader. “Not quite your usual wine my friend, still an intoxicating libation. Local vintage?”
“American grown from old European stock.”
“Intriguing blend of flavors. Is she mute?”
Ethan laughed. “I should be so fortunate.”
I had to speak up. “To his unending delight, I have a tongue.”
“Mia, this is Philip. It’s all right, this one doesn’t bite.”
I offered my hand. He made a show of bowing and kissing it. “Your devoted slave, madam. Exactly what you need, Beatrice to your Benedick— she’ll keep you on your toes arrogant monster. And she hasn’t been presented yet?’
“We’ll discuss this later.”
“Keeping secrets? Not a wise idea, they develop a diabolical habit of listening at keyholes.”
“Later, Philip.”
“As you wish, there’s an eternity for the dreary business I’ve been sent for, besides I want to know this fascinating creature better. Where did he scare you up, wench?”
“The theater, I was an actress.”
“At last!” he proclaimed. “Another in this deadly dull company who understands life! A tedious lot, Mia— except for our Kurt— he’s an artiste if of a silent disposition. I don’t wonder Ethan keeps you far from him. You’d fall for his amazing, azure eyes.”
“Philip,” Ethan said.
“Don’t be a bore, Ethan. We’re going out to peruse the menu! There’s a perfectly luscious bellboy at my hotel. Are they all so delicious?”
Ethan shook his head. “Show him around while I’ll dress.”
Philip offered his arm, leading me into the bedroom. “Pity we can’t linger… ”