A Secret Fate (6 page)

As he stood and stared at the guy in the mirror, a part of Finn’s statement suddenly caught his attention,
the twenty-five-year old lad you claim to be
. He did look as if he’d aged a few years. Nothing you’d catch at a quick glance, but for the first time, he considered the fact that maybe, just maybe, more of his memory was gone than he’d realized. Something worth checking out.

A short thirty minutes later, he and Finn sat outside on a deck attached to a bar covered with a thatched roof, a little hole-in-the-wall place where mostly locals hung out. They’d hit almost every major tourist spot on the island and Finn decided that they weren’t going to get laid visiting places that only couples and newlyweds patronized. So here they were, and Finn had his eyes set on the beauty with the long black silky hair sitting next to him. Her eyes the color of black onyx, legs that sang “caress me” and her soft French-Tahitian accent only added to her sultriness. Cael had to admit, Finn had mighty fine taste in women. Somehow, Finn had managed to convince the young lady to join them after her shift.

As the sun slipped into the horizon, Finn’s hand slipped around the petite waist of the girl. She giggled, sipped her gin and tonic through a straw, and ogled Finn. It appeared as if Finn might have finally struck gold. The slit in her short, thin opaque
pareo
opened, revealing the smooth caramel skin of her upper thigh and Cael had the sudden need to be somewhere else.

He could take a hint. He wasn’t one to interfere with someone else’s good fortune so he got up. “Be back later,” he said as he headed inside to the bar.

Finn nodded and gave him a cocky grin before returning his attention to his night’s prey. That was the way Cael saw it anyway. But this time, he wasn’t entirely sure who preyed upon whom. What did it matter to him? Let them enjoy each other. He smiled and sauntered to the bar, plopped down on the only vacant stool available and motioned to the bartender for a refill. Might as well; it didn’t look like they’d be going anywhere for a while.

Cael glanced around as the chubby, mocha-skinned barkeep set another Mai tai down in front of him. Turned out the band Finn had promised consisted of a piano player singing hits from the 80’s and 90’s. The dance floor was about six feet by eight feet and having more than two couples on it at a time was pushing the limits. But the place was packed inside and out. Only six stools graced the bar, and at least four to six people occupied each of the four oblong, wooden tables.

While Finn remained occupied with the hot petite waitress, Cael motioned to the bartender. “Hey, you got a local newspaper lying around I could take a look at?”

The guy shook his head. “Nope. Got a couple of magazines though, if you want to take a look at those. They’re kinda old and worn, but if you’re just looking for something to keep you busy while your friend puts the moves on my waitress …” He shrugged. “Just sayin’.”

“Ah, he’s harmless. Your waitress is safe.” He hoped. “But sure, I’ll take a magazine, as long as it’s not Cosmo’.”

“Will ‘Road & Travel’ work?” He held up a couple of worn out copies of magazines.

Cael shrugged. “Okay.”

He flipped through the pages, not really interested in cars. With his ability, he never had the need or desire to own one. Travel on the other hand, did spark his interest. Sipping his drink and perusing page after page, wishing for a good book to get lost in instead, he suddenly stopped flipping and almost choked on his drink. A picture of a brand new silver Lexus ES 350 sports car took up an entire page. It wasn’t the car itself that startled him, though it was a beauty, but the caption at the top of the page, which read: “Your new 2013 Lexus is waiting for you!”

Chapter 5

Days began to run together. Addie lost track of how many. She’d slept most of the day today, not unlike all the other days recently. Nowhere she wanted to go. Nothing she wanted to do. Sleep was an escape as long as she didn’t have a nightmare, but lately she dreamed of Cael most times. Unfortunately, he didn’t remember her in any of those dreams. Too much like real life.

Addie watched particles of dust float within the ray of light coming in through the window as the sun began its slow descent into the horizon. Like most things, cleaning house was not a high priority. Glancing at the kitchen, she considered making some coffee when the faint knock on the door jolted her. Addie didn’t know why it surprised her. She’d been expecting another visit from Darcy or Maia. What she hadn’t expected when she opened the door was Aiden. Aiden was Gerry’s best friend growing up and best man at his and Maia’s wedding a few weeks ago. Aiden had come by a couple of days after Cael’s disappearance to check on her, offering coffee and donuts, but Addie had been rude. Very rude, she remembered. He hadn’t been back since.

She sighed. “Why are you here?” Still rude, she thought, but wasn’t sure she cared.

“Came to see how you are. They say you haven’t left here since the wedding.” His voice dripped with the same thickly coated Scottish accent Gerry possessed.

Addie shot him a dagger-riddled glance. “Yes, I have,” she stated defensively. “I went to …” She hesitated and thought about the place where she’d last seen Cael and cried, begging him to hear her thoughts again and come home. Her voice shaky and raw, she tried to finish the sentence, “…to the spot where …”

“The spot where your boyfriend disappeared,” Aiden finished for her.

She turned away from him, trying desperately to keep the well of tears in check at the memory. “Yeah, and what business is it of yours, anyway?”
God, Addie, the man’s only trying to be nice.

“None, I guess.” Aiden rubbed his chin, looked around the living room. She followed his eyes as they swept over the furniture, taking in the chairs and marble-topped coffee table. Then his brilliant blue gaze traveled to the all-too-comfortable deep-red leather sofa where she and Cael enjoyed many pleasant conversations as well as some steamy sexual encounters while taking in the heat from the large rustic fireplace. Aiden meandered his way through the entry, his gaze lingering on the massive window spanning the entire wall, and the breathtaking view of the ocean. His eyes glanced briefly up the stairs before settling back on hers. “This is a nice place you have. I can see why you might want to hole up here and hide for a while.”

“I’m not hiding,” she shot back at him, not meaning to sound so curt. Lowering her voice a tad she added, “I’m … adjusting.”

He nodded. “Aye, I see that you are.” He reached out, took a strand of her hair that hung annoyingly in her face between his thumb and finger, slid them to the end. She flinched at the gentle gesture. “You look thin. When did you eat last?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, I ate …” she had to think about that. When did she last eat? “Um … recently.” Addie frowned, pissed that she couldn’t think of a good reason not to be nice to him. He was only trying to help.

He nodded again. “I, uh … was on my way home from Manny’s grocery store. I saw the smoke from the chimney and thought I’d stop in. I have a couple of steaks in the car. I wouldn’t mind sharing … if you want.”

Her stomach grumbled at the mention of the steaks and she placed her hand over the traitorous organ in an attempt to cover up the rumble. Maybe she was hungry, but having Aiden in for dinner was not going to happen. She was certain to find something in the kitchen to fix. Maybe. There had to be some leftovers from the last time Maia brought her something to eat.

Aiden grinned at her. “Your stomach seems to like the idea of food.”

Something about Aiden tickled her. He always seemed a little shy, but not, if that made any sense. He was full of charm but unpretentious. That was it. He was pretty hot for an older guy too. Okay, he wasn’t that old and he wasn’t as gorgeous as Cael. Addie caught herself comparing the two; well, maybe, but in a different way. Her mind rambled on with the strangest thoughts lately. It must be because she hadn’t been taking very good care of herself.

Aiden swiped his hand through his shoulder-length dark hair similar to the way Cael always did. Addie shook her head. “No. I …” she glanced at the kitchen. “I have dinner. I ... I’m sure of it.” Why was she having such a hard time talking? “I mean, I do. I do have dinner … already.”

“Right,” he said, strolling to the kitchen as if he’d been invited to stay.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Addie trailed behind him.

He stopped at the entrance, glancing around at the empty counter, the empty stove, and the dark oven. He opened the refrigerator and saw the starkness of the cold box. “Yeah. I see you have plenty to eat.”

His sarcasm exhausted her. She leaned against the doorframe, suddenly faint, unable to hold herself up.

Aiden stepped within inches of her, staring into her eyes as he propped his hand along the side of the doorframe very close to her face. She stole a quick glance at his long fingers.

“Look, I’m not blind. I can see you’re hurting. I can see you’re starving yourself. I can see that you’re sick with love and worry. I didn’t come by to upset you, and I’m not going to lie to you. I like you.” When she started to protest, he placed his finger over her lips. “And because I like you, I care about how you are getting along. I don’t expect anything from you.” Her knees grew sapless from standing and they buckled under her as she grabbed onto his arm for support. “Look at you, you can barely stand up, you’re so frail. You need food and …” he sniffed at her hair, “a shower.” She gaped at his audaciousness but resigned herself to hearing him out because she knew, this time, he wasn’t going away. “Now,” he continued, “there are a few events that are going to take place over the next hour. I’m going to go to my truck and get those steaks. Then I’m going to cook them while you go upstairs and take a shower. Then you
will
come back down here and you
will
eat. I am not leaving until all those things happen.”

Addie was weak, but damn it if she’d let him or anyone bully her, even if he was right. She slid down against the wall and under his arm, freeing herself from his all too close incarceration.

“Fine,” she huffed and took off upstairs, leaving him standing in the kitchen.
I hope he chokes on the steak.
Well, not really. She just didn’t like being told what to do, especially by him. She liked her pity party, even if it was lasting a bit longer than she knew it should.

***

Addie had to admit the steaks smelled heavenly and she caught her stomach growling again in anticipation. She supposed it had been a while since she had a decent meal. Whenever depression set in, Addie’s appetite always diminished.

“I wasn’t sure how you liked your steak. I hope medium is okay.” Aiden opened a bottle of wine, offering her a glass. Addie shook her head. If she had to sit and eat, she could do that, but damn it, she wasn’t going to pretend everything was fine and act as if she was enjoying herself by indulging in wine.

Aiden shrugged. “Suit yourself. Uh … you don’t mind if I have some, do you?”

When Addie didn’t say anything, Aiden poured the red liquid into one of the crystal stem glasses he’d pulled from the cupboard. Addie tugged out a chair and sat in front of one of the plates. Conversation of any sort with Aiden seemed too difficult as she eyed the food. Juices from the steak ran into the bottom of the baked potato loaded with butter and sour cream. “What, no chives?” she asked, using her best sarcastic tone.

“Oh, so you are going to talk to me. Well, if you want to call that talking. I guess we can start with that.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but why exactly are you here? I mean, why should you care whether or not I eat?”

“I told you, I like you. You haven’t been around the bar, and like everyone else, I was beginning to get concerned,” he said, cutting into the steak and taking a generous bite. Unable to resist any longer, Addie cut her own steak, took a bite and couldn’t hold back the “mmmm” that escaped her lips as the juices spread over her tongue and aroused her taste buds. It had been a while since she’d eaten and this steak was cooked perfectly, which only brought memories of Cael and the way he loved to cook for her.

“You don’t need to be concerned for me. I’m a big girl.” She studied him as he chewed. His five-o’clock-shadowed jaw flexed, his throat constricted and released with each swallow. He was an attractive guy and she had to wonder why he didn’t have someone in his life.

His blue eyes darkened and she could have sworn they grew bluer, a deep royal blue, as he picked up his wine glass. Staring at her over the rim, he took a sip. “I realize you are but I don’t mind helping out when I can.”

“You know, there are other women, women who are available that you should be spending your time with. Not me.”

“None as beautiful as you, so that would be a waste of my time.”

Unprepared for the compliment from him she responded with sarcasm. “Thanks, but flattery will only get you the wine you’re drinking and the steak you brought and cooked.”

“Not looking for anything more than that and I’m not trying to flatter you, simply stating the facts. I hate to see you spending your days sulking over someone.”

“That would be none of your business.”

“Uh oh, is that your panties I detect bunching under you, making you squirm? I’m not saying you don’t have the right to sulk. But you’re much prettier when you smile.”

Oh, now he was infuriating, in a charming sort of way, but she wasn’t interested. Cael would be back. She knew it in her heart. She just wished he’d hurry up.

“I, uh, heard talk at the bar that the flower girl from the wedding, the one who made the bullet ricochet, was having a birthday party this weekend. I know you’re fond of the child. I thought you might like to go. I … I could take you.”

“What?!” The mention of Breena and how she made that bullet ricochet with her hand had Addie getting all defensive. She’d only had to live with the secret of having abilities for a short time, but she knew how important it was not to have outsiders know about them.