Guardians of Stone (The Relic Seekers) (6 page)

“Not much. He likes his privacy. I can’t say that I blame him.”

If he had all those billions to worry about, maybe he’d be the same. Come to think of it, he was the same, just without the money. “You don’t seem starstruck around him like most women. They fall over themselves to get near him.”

She gave a delicate shrug. “He’s my boss. That’s all.”

That wasn’t all. She might believe it, but he didn’t. “You haven’t read him?”

“Of course not. I don’t pry.”

Then what was she doing going through his pack? She hadn’t taken anything, but he didn’t like that she’d looked. Well, fair was fair. He’d checked hers out too. “Maybe you should. Someone’s after him. His network has been attacked twice in the past few weeks.” Whatever Nathan was hiding, Jake wasn’t the only one who was interested.

“I wish I could help him, but I can’t control how my gift works.”

“Do you know where he grew up? He sounds British. Not as stuffy as Fergus, but the accent is there.”

“I know. He sounds like Jason Statham.”

Jake frowned. “The actor? Is that a good thing?”

She smiled. “It’s definitely not bad.”

Jake grunted under his breath. So she liked British accents. Hell, he wasn’t British, but he had more hair.

“I think Nathan spent part of his childhood in England and Scotland with Fergus. Nathan has never mentioned his father or mother. I think something unpleasant happened in his past.”

Jake knew about unpleasant pasts. He’d tried forgetting his, but it had a way of coming back.

“This is nice,” Kendall said when he pulled up to the inn.

Nice wasn’t important. Safety was. The inn sat off the main street, backed up to a hill. It had a clear view of the town, which was small, but drew enough tourists that they could blend in. The long lane that led to the inn would allow him to see anyone approaching, and the trellis on the side would make for a quick exit if needed. The downside was that it could also be used to get in. “This town draws a lot of tourists. That’s what we’re doing, Kara Monroe, being tourists.”

“Are these aliases really necessary?”

“Thomas or someone found out we were at the hotel. We don’t want him to find us here.”

“I don’t think we have to worry about it with the way you drove,” Kendall said.

“Just trying to keep you safe.” Jake slapped a fist against his heart. “I vow to protect you with my life.”

He expected Kendall to smirk or roll her eyes, but she just looked at him, those green eyes steady on his, and a thrill of something ran through him.

While she gathered her backpack, he opened the door and went around to the trunk, continuing to survey the outside for security problems. There were a few vehicles parked out front. He would have to check out the other guests. Tourists probably. When he made the reservation, the innkeeper said a small tour group was staying there.

Jake threw his pack over his shoulder and gathered their duffel bags. This time Kendall didn’t beat him to the task, though she did take her bag from him before they approached the door. The doorbell jingled as they stepped inside. The lobby was friendly, yellow walls with pictures of smiling men and women. He could never figure out exactly what the people in Italian paintings were doing. Frolicking, he guessed, whatever that was. He wasn’t sure, but he had a pretty good idea what it would lead to.

The man behind the desk appeared to be even friendlier than the walls. “You must be Jason Sutter and Kara Monroe. Welcome to Italy. I am Roberto.”

Roberto was in his early thirties, immaculately dressed, and looked like he’d just gotten a manicure. And Jake suspected he was wearing eyeliner. After his welcome, the innkeeper’s attention remained focused on Jake.

Kendall pressed her lips together and Jake knew she was hiding a grin.

“What brings you to our little inn?” Roberto asked, looking Jake over head to toe.

Jake threw an arm around Kendall’s shoulders and yanked her close. “We’re honeymooning.”

Kendall gave a strangled gasp and Jake tightened his hold, pulling her closer. Damn, she smelled good.

“Honeymooning? You’re married. But your names...”

“She kept her maiden name,” Jake said.

“Then I must change your room. I assumed you were just...friends.”

“Room?” Kendall asked, her eyes doing that cactus thing again. She shot Jake a glare when Roberto turned his back. She could patent the damn things.

“Our honeymooners always get the special room,” he said, sitting down in front of his computer. “I will switch with another guest.”

Kendall had managed to pull away from Jake, which was fine with him. Her perfume was gnawing through his skin like a damned piranha.

“Won’t the other guest mind?” she asked.

“She hasn’t arrived yet,” Roberto said. “I only gave her the room because someone canceled and it was our last.” With a wink, he added, “It will be our little secret.” He turned to his computer and started muttering to himself.

“Heaven’s sakes, Gilbert, I know I put them in here.” The voice was loud, with a twang that could only come from the American South. A woman entered the room. She was well into middle age, her strawberry blonde hair teased so high it looked like a wad of cotton candy stuck on her head. Her dress was a big floral thing that made her look like a hockey player in drag. She was digging in a tiny little purse while a skinny man trailed behind her. “Oh,” she said catching sight of Kendall and Jake. “More guests. Are you here for the tour?”

“This is Jason and Kara from America,” Roberto said. “They’re honeymooning.”

“Honeymooners,” the woman crooned. “Remember when we were honeymooners, Gilbert?”

Her husband nodded, but his expression didn’t indicate whether it was a good memory.

“Oh, we’re Gilbert and Loretta Jenkins,” the woman said. “From Georgia. We’re
tourists.
” She said the word with the same satisfaction one would expect from a person announcing that she was a movie star. “This is our first trip to Italy. Granddaddy passed away and left me some money, so I said to Gilbert, ‘Gilbert, let’s go to Italy.’ And Gilbert says, ‘I reckon we could.’ So we’ve
been touring Italy for two weeks now. Oh, there they are.” She pulled out a bottle of Tums. “I’ve developed acid reflux. I guess it’s all this Italian food.”

“There,” Roberto exclaimed. “I have fixed the problem. I think you will enjoy this room much more. It is very romantic.” He grinned, and Jake wondered if Roberto was imagining what would happen behind closed doors. He would be disappointed at the lack of action. Jake would definitely be.

“Let me give you a quick tour of the downstairs,” Roberto said.

Of course, loud Loretta tagged along, giving her opinion on everything. The inn was more Jake’s speed than the fancy hotel. It had wide plank floors and clean walls, except for those frolicking paintings. He studied the people they passed—all old as far as he could see—while Kendall and Loretta commented on the furnishings and décor. Some of the guests were still lounging over lunch, the heaviest meal served.

“Have you eaten?” Roberto asked.

“We grabbed something on the way,” Jake said.

Roberto nodded. “I’m sure you’re anxious to get settled. Most of the shops are still closed. They will reopen later in the afternoon. Dinner is at eight. Some of our guests eat in town, but for those who stay in we have a variety of food choices. There should be several of the tour group dining in before the tour this evening. I warn you, it gets a little noisy.” He tapped his ears. “Some of the older guests are hard of hearing.”

“Me and Gilbert are gonna grab a quick snack in a few minutes,” Loretta called. “Why don’t you join us?”

“We’ll probably be
occupied
,” Jake said, pulling Kendall close.

Roberto led them to a room on the second floor. It was a corner room, with one window facing the front and the other near the trellis on the side of the inn. As soon as the door closed, Kendall turned to Jake.

“Why did you tell them we were honeymooning?” she hissed. “Of all the stupid things to say.”

“I got distracted by your perfume.”

“I’m not wearing perfume.”

Then she had the sexiest smelling skin known to man.

She surveyed the room, eyes lingering on the bed.

“You can sleep on the sofa if you’d prefer,” he said. “Looks small but you could curl up.”

Her eyes narrowed, accusing. “Roberto said he just gave the last room to someone else, so why didn’t you book two rooms instead of one in the first place?”

“He didn’t have it when I called. Don’t worry, I won’t attack you. I like my sex friendly.”

“This is insane,” she said, looking at the large bed.

He left her stewing and went to check the room. He was inspecting the lock on the window when a blue car rolled up the drive and pulled to a stop. He was vaguely aware of Kendall moving toward the bathroom as the car door opened and a leg appeared. Female. There was something about that leg...Before the rest of the woman could exit the car, Kendall cried out, and Jake ran to the bathroom.

Kendall stood in the middle of the floor, smiling. “Look at the tub.”

“You’re admiring a bathtub? I thought you’d been attacked.”

“Sorry.” She squatted beside the tub, gazing at it like a mother looking at her newborn. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

It was a tub. It was white. What was the big deal?

She reached out and ran her hand along the edge. “It’s old, like one I had before...” She flinched and jerked her hand back. She stood and wiped her hands on her jeans. “How’s the rest of the room?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“Secure.” Jake frowned at the tub, expecting a tarantula. “What just happened?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“You looked like something bit you.”

“No. I’m fine.”

She wasn’t fine, but it was his job to protect her, not sort out her quirks. “You ready to go downstairs?”

“You told Loretta we weren’t coming.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

“I want to check out the other guests. I like knowing who I’m sleeping under the same roof with.” That leg troubled him. He wanted to see its owner. Someone had followed them to the hotel, maybe even to Saint Peter’s Square. In spite of precautions, it was possible that they’d been followed here.

“I need a few minutes,” Kendall said.

“Don’t leave the room without me.” While she did whatever women did in the bathroom, Jake checked out the inn. After eavesdropping on guests and learning more about bowel movements and ghosts than he wanted to know, he slipped outside and walked the perimeter. When he came back, he ran into Roberto in the hallway.

“The room? It is fine?”

Jake nodded. “Yes, it’s fine. Thank you. We decided to grab a quick snack and then look around the area. Maybe go for a hike or visit some castles. Kara loves castles. There’s my lovely bride now,” he said through clenched teeth as Kendall appeared on the stairs. Couldn’t she follow any damned instructions? She had changed into khakis and a shirt that hugged her breasts. Perfect breasts. Firm. Just the right size. But he didn’t need to be focusing on her breasts no matter how perfect they were.

“There are several castles in the area,” Roberto said. “A few within walking distance or a short ride.”

Jake pulled his eyes from Kendall’s perfect breasts. “Anything haunted? She likes ghosts.”

Roberto tapped a manicured finger against his cheek. “We have the haunted tour in town. It runs for the next three nights.
There are reports of ghosts. Like the graveyard down the street, but—”

“We were hoping to find something...darker,” Jake said. “Have you heard of the Protettori?”

Roberto froze. “Where did you hear about them?” he whispered.

“From a friend who’s interested in old legends.”

Roberto took a quick breath, his eyes wide. “You don’t want to go there, even if you could find it. The place is cursed.”

K
ENDALL RAISED HER
eyebrows and looked at Jake. “Cursed? You’ve been there, Roberto?”

“No. But I’ve heard stories since I was a boy. Whispers about
them
. There was a family in a nearby village who claimed an ancestor had helped build the castle.”

“What stories?” Jake asked.

“That there were ghosts and strange lights, and if anyone went there, they disappeared, never to be seen again.”

“Do you know where the place is?” Kendall asked.

Roberto looked wary. “Beyond the hills.”

“Which hills?” Kendall asked.

“Those.” He pointed out the window at the rolling hills dipping harshly across the landscape, covered in thick trees that gave way to mountains. “I don’t know exactly where. I was forbidden to go near as a child. Please stick to the tourist sites. Let me get you a brochure.” He hurried to the lobby and returned a moment later, opening a brochure. He pointed to a church. “This church and graveyard is on the haunted tour. It has catacombs and everything.”

“I love catacombs,” Kendall said.

Of course she would.

Jake started to usher Kendall toward the dining room, where he could hear some lingering diners talking and laughing. He
stopped and turned back to Roberto. “I saw a car arrive after we got here.”