Page 6

Lanie/lamia

“D on’t I get a say in things?” she demanded.

“Nope.”

“You’re bossy!” Lanie exclaimed, and McIntyre laughed.

“You like it. Now be a good girl and shush,” he said, placing her on a stool and lifting her feet onto another one.

“I’ll have you fired!”

“No, you won’t.”

“Why not?” Lanie retorted.

“Because you like me, Lanie.”

“That’s Miss Cross or Ma’am to you!” Lanie spluttered, and McIntyre laughed again. And damn him, he grew even more handsome when he did.

“In public, sure. In private, it’s Lanie. Unless you’re in my bed, then I’ll happily call you Ma’am,” McIntyre said.

Lanie’s mouth dropped open as McIntyre pulled out the first aid box and opened it.

“You can’t talk to me like that!” she finally spat out. Lanie hated to admit it, but she liked it when he did. Somehow, she knew McIntyre would do all sorts of dirty things to her body if she allowed him.

But she’d not slept with anyone since Alainen, and she had a code of certainly not dating an employee.

“Just did, and you enjoyed it,” McIntyre said, putting the box on the breakfast bar.

Lanie opened her mouth to argue once again, and McIntyre swooped. He cupped her face and held her eyes.

Panicked, she began to pull away, but McIntyre kept her close, and his lips met hers. Lanie stiffened, unsure what to do, as McIntyre slowly kissed her. Her lips popped open as he nibbled her bottom lip and sucked it into his mouth. His tongue swept into her mouth, and Lanie tentatively touched hers to his.

McIntyre drew back, his gaze speculative. “You’ve not been kissed much?”

“No.”

“Let me show you,” he said with possessiveness flaring in his eyes. McIntyre plundered her mouth again, and Lanie clung to his broad shoulders. His hand cupped the back of her head as he titled it and angled her just right.

Lanie was lost in the sensations he brought up in her and felt lightheaded as he began to end the kiss. He pulled his tongue in and nibbled her lip once more before finishing it properly.

“Wow.”

“Indeed,” McIntyre replied smugly. “Tell me you didn’t enjoy that!”

“I did,” Lanie replied honestly. “But you work for me…”

“Enough. One day at a time. But know this, when we’re alone, I’m going to kiss you and keep kissing you,” McIntyre said, and it sounded like a promise.

“Okay,” she whispered shyly, and McIntyre pecked her lips in a long kiss before breaking off to check her cuts.

Lanie knew she had a blush to her cheeks, and she was slightly panting. McIntyre began cleaning her feet. Lanie didn’t understand how she had cut them as they’d been running indoors, but she’d managed to.

“Oh, my God!” Lanie cried as she caught her reflection in a window.

“What?” McIntyre demanded.

“How could you kiss me when I look like that!?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“My hair looks like a bird’s nest. I have soot on my face and forehead, and I stink of smoke,” Lanie exclaimed as she sniffed herself.

“And you are still gorgeous. Once I’ve cleaned these, I’ll carry you to your room for you to shower. Try not to stand on them too much and please wait there until I collect you. I need to wash, too,” McIntyre said.

Lanie nodded in agreement. Despite not having been in the fire, the smoke in the stairwell had seeped into their clothing and pores. McIntyre washed her wounds to get any dirt out before she headed upstairs.

Lanie showered, wincing as she stood on her feet. She dried and dressed quickly and began making her way down towards the kitchen. As she closed in on the stairs, there were soft footprints behind her, and strong arms picked her up.

“Stop yanking me about and carrying me!” Lanie hissed, unsure how to act.

“You want me doing it. Shut up,” McIntyre retorted.

Lanie wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her down the steps and into the kitchen. She tried not to sniff him but couldn’t help it. He smelt wonderful.

“Is that Africa?” she asked.

“Yeah. I know, it’s a cliché, but I like the smell,” McIntyre said.

“Me too. It is one of my favourites.”

“Then I will be sure to wear it around you all the time,” McIntyre offered, and Lanie blushed. He stuck his head in the fridge and came out with a couple of steaks and some salad items.

“Ranson is going to be tied up for hours. I’ll be eating here unless you have a problem?” McIntyre said.

“No, but get a steak out for Ranson and Dale. Dale must be out at the moment, but he’ll be back soon,” Lanie replied and was surprised at McIntyre’s scowl.

“Are you jealous?” she teased.

“I don’t do games, Lanie. I am interested in you, but I won’t allow anyone to play me off against another man. You either want him or me. You can’t have both,” McIntyre said as he grabbed two more steaks.

“Is that what you think I do?” Lanie asked, aghast.

“Honestly? No. But I’m confused. Dale’s living here, but you’ve barely been kissed. Does he not like kissing?” McIntyre inquired.

“Ew! That’s my brother!” Lanie exclaimed and clapped a hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say that.

“What?” McIntyre demanded, spinning to face her.

“You can’t tell anyone!” Lanie babbled.

“I won’t, but your brother?”

“It’s a secret. Our mum had an affair, and Dale’s my older brother,” Lanie said without thinking.

“So, your father is the man she had an affair with?” McIntyre asked.

“Yes. But she told her husband I was his,” Lanie continued.

“Husband? You didn’t call him dad?”

“Let’s change the subject, please. And Ranson can’t know,” Lanie insisted.

“That’s my cousin and my boss,” McIntyre stated.

“And my private life. What importance are my parents to him?”

“They could be behind this current threat,” McIntyre said.

“Doubtful, they’re dead,” Lanie replied, scrabbling.

‘ Dale! ’ she shrieked in her mind at him.

‘Yes?’

‘If my security team asks, we are siblings whose mother had an affair with another man, and I was the result.’

‘What the hell?’

‘Don’t ask!’

‘Okay.’ Dale sounded amused.

“Lanie?” McIntyre said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Sorry?” she replied, looking at him.

“I asked if you like salad and jacket potatoes with your steak?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect. You cook?” Lanie asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yup. If I wanted to eat nice things, then I learned to cook them,” McIntyre answered.

“Do you prefer Joe or McIntyre?” Lanie inquired.

“I prefer Mac, actually. Those close to me call me Mac.”

“Not Joe?”

“Nope. Joe was my dad, and he was an asshole. Mac suits me a lot better,” McIntyre explained. Or Mac, as Lanie decided to call him.

“What do I call you?” she asked, checking.

“Mac, or lover in time,” he said confidently, and Lanie choked.

“Too pushy,” she warned. “And I’m your boss.”

“Yup, but I ain’t screaming sexual harassment,” Mac replied with a wink.

“You are incorrigible!” “At risk of repeating myself, you like it.” Mac finished what he was doing with the steaks and turned to her. “You are in control, rigidly so. You do not let yourself relax, and you’re always on guard. Ranson has told me you’re incredibly private, kind, and will help anyone out who works for you. But you don’t tolerate fools and are uptight. Lanie, you don’t party, drink, smoke, do drugs, or let your hair down. Ranson says you are one of the most controlled people he’s ever met.”

“Oh,” Lanie said, feeling a little hurt.

“I get all that, but I also sense a great passion and a big heartbreak. Somebody, somewhere in your past, betrayed you so badly it soured you from love and living. You hide from life because you’re unsure how to live it. I think you want to dance on tables and drink yourself silly but can’t because someone might once again hurt you. I’m not physic, Lanie. And I don’t claim to see the future.

“But I like you and want to get to know you. The first step is having dinner with you here right now. The second will be me bringing you lunch and sharing it with you. One small step at a time until you realise I am rock steady and you can take a risk on me,” Mac said, and Lanie’s eyes went wide.

“Whatever you’re looking for, it’s impossible!” Lanie exclaimed.

“You are so confident about that,” Mac challenged.

“I’ve good reason to be,” Lanie retorted bitterly. If Alainen had been her soulmate, there’d not be another one for her. So, getting involved with a human whose short life span would be over in the blink of an eye wasn’t happening.

“And yet there’s always the possibility you might be wrong,” Mac retorted and turned back to his meal prep.

“I’m afraid that’s unlikely,” Lanie murmured as bitterness grew inside. She wanted what she couldn’t have. Someone to love her and worship her and vice versa. Lanie wanted what Vladimir and Jase had found. And Jase had been a dick about it and fought it, but love won out in the end. Lanie wasn’t even fighting love. She desperately desired it, but if Alainen had been her soulmate, if Jase was right, then her chance at happiness was gone.

Her mobile rang, and she glanced down and lit up in delight.

“Hello, sweetness!” Lanie exclaimed as she took her phone and headed to the patio. She felt Mac glance at her, but he didn’t say a word.

“Hey, Mum, how’s things?” Callidora asked.

“Everything is fine,” Lanie replied.

“The news is wrong, then?” Callidora demanded. “There wasn’t a fire at your headquarters?”

“Reporters are scavengers. Lowest of the low,” Lanie complained, and Callidora laughed.

“What’s happening?”

“A certain person has raised his ugly head again,” Lanie stated. There was no point lying to her. If there was danger, then Lanie needed Callidora to be on guard, too. She glanced over her shoulder and checked the patio door was shut. Lanie did not want Mac hearing this conversation.

Callidora let loose a string of cuss words, and Lanie grinned. Callidora didn’t believe in holding back and, therefore, didn’t. Alainen had missed out on a beautiful daughter, and that was his loss. His hate and bitterness had stolen Callidora from him.

“Do you need to hide?” Callidora asked.

“No, sweet girl. He can’t know for certain who I am, and I think he is looking for a reaction,” Lanie soothed.

“In other words, you’re reacting like a scared human,” Callidora said shrewdly.

“Exactly. Let him chase ghosts. He is beyond paranoid now.” “He’s so full of hate, I dread to think what he would do if he got hold of you,” Callidora worried.

“Stop. He won’t. My security is being tightened and I’m taking a few days off to spend at the holiday villa I visit,” Lanie said.

“That’s good, Mum. But if Alainen becomes too much, burn your identity and flee,” Callidora argued.

“I will do, sweetness, don’t worry. This isn’t my first time around the block,” Lanie reassured her daughter.

“Love you. I’ll come to the villa too, and we’ll spend some time together,” Callidora said.

“That sounds amazing!” Lanie exclaimed.

They said goodbye, and Lanie entered the kitchen in a much better mood.

“A friend?” Mac asked.

“Yes. We’re planning to meet up,” Lanie answered with a smile.

Mac blinked as if her smile stunned him before returning his own blinding grin. “Food won’t be long. As I’m cooking, you can serve drinks,” Mac teased and checked on the food.

Lanie shook her head. Who’d have thought she’d have this hunk of a man cooking for her and bossing her about? Certainly not her.

McIntyre

As he served up their dinner, Dale and Ranson both arrived within minutes of each other. Mac watched carefully at Lanie’s reaction to Dale and realised they did have a sibling relationship. Dale teased Lanie unmercifully, and Lanie snapped at every taunt until she turned it back on him.

Lanie was much more relaxed than he’d ever seen her.

She tensed up a little when Ranson arrived and questioned him mercilessly, but she also listened carefully and took on board what he said.

Mac was concerned that Lanie might be keeping more secrets from them. But then again, he was keeping a huge secret from her. How she’d react to that he was not sure, and it did worry him. Mac wasn’t pleased to hear that arson had been confirmed, as was the sighting of Simon Clare.

Simon Clare was proving to be more than a stalker. Ranson confirmed he’d dealt with the police, and they were aware of what was happening.

Mac knew the danger was amping up. He had to keep Lanie alive. Something told him it was imperative she survive. And weirdly, he thought his own happiness also depended on that.

Lanie/Lamia

She’d gone to the office this morning to assess the damage with the insurance investigator and thanked her lucky stars it was an admin floor that had been affected. The labs and design studios were locked down and therefore unattainable to anyone who didn’t have a code. Once done with him, Lanie asked Ranson to take her to the hospital, where some staff had been hospitalised through smoke inhalation.

Nobody had been hurt, but even so, some had inhaled a great deal of smoke, and twelve of her employees had been kept in.

After visiting them, Lanie went for a walk in a park. She needed to clear her head, and Ranson and Mac followed her.

She rounded the duck pond and came face to face with Simon Clare.

“Bitch!” he seethed as Mac stepped up and shoved her behind him. Lanie glimpsed a gun and clutched Mac’s tee.

“Back away, pal,” Mac threatened.

“You don’t know what type of monster she is. She must be stopped. She carries a disease in her that infects the world,” Simon yelled.

“Mac,” Lanie murmured. Ranson had moved to one side, looking for an opening to take Simon down. Lanie’s heart was in her throat.

Simon’s eyes were clear and full of fear and hate. He wasn’t mad; Alainen had got to him and was using him.

Lanie guessed exactly what Alainen was doing. Should she be killed by Simon and turned out to be an innocent, Alainen could deny having anything to do with her death.

“Dude, you’re either high or insane. Which is it?” Mac retorted.

“Don’t agitate him,” Lanie muttered.

“Lanie, stay back,” Mac whispered.

“He’s got a gun,” she exclaimed.

“And Ranson and I are trained to deal with them.”

A scream came from somewhere close by as a woman became aware of Simon waving his weapon. Other people started screaming or yelling and ran off. Others watched and whipped their phones out to record this. Lanie shook her head. That showed everything wrong with today's generation. No decency left.

“She is a monster!” Simon screamed, flecks of spittle at the corner of his mouth.

“Miss Cross is human. Jesus, man, what are you on to believe in monsters? Aren’t you a little old?” Mac taunted to retain Simon’s attention on him.

“She’s a Lamia. A half-snake woman. And she carries the Sin of Anger. It escaped from Pandora’s Jar,” Simon yelled.

If there’d been any doubt left, it fled then. Most humans recalled the Jar as being a box. Simon was definitely working for the Hunters.

“Put the gun down. You do not want to harm an innocent lady,” Mac soothed.

“No, I don’t, but she’s not innocent. If I have to shoot you to save the world, I will!” Simon ranted.

Ranson moved so fast Lanie thought he was a blur. He leapt forward and reached for the gun. He and Simon wrestled for it, and there was a gunshot. Lanie stiffened as Simon looked horrified.

Ranson’s legs slowly gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

“No!” Mac called, but he kept her behind him. “That’s my cousin, and you just signed your death warrant,” Mac hissed.

Police sirens wailed in the distance as those who’d been filming now ran away.

Simon seemed panicked. “He deserved it for protecting a monster.”

“Where’s your evidence she’s one? You caught her shapeshifting? Seen her Sin? You crazy fuck!” Mac spat, and Simon looked a little unsure.

“I was told she is!”

“By the voices in your head?” Mac fumed as he began edging towards Ranson. He kept Lanie behind him. Lanie knew she’d survive a bullet, but Mac wouldn’t let her past him.

“No. A man I respect told me!”

“Where’s his proof? You saw pictures? Images?” Mac yelled.

“Yes! I have.”

“Of Miss Cross shapeshifting. You’ve seen pictures of that?” Mac spat. “Stay with me, Lanie.”

“Well, no. Not of her shifting, but I’ve seen the Lamia,” Simon replied.

“So, you are telling me. I could show you a picture of a werewolf, and you would believe me, and then I could point you at someone, and you’d off them? No evidence of that person being a werewolf or shit. You’re a sheep and a prick,” Mac continued.

“Alainen wouldn’t lie!”

“No? What’s the betting he wants her, and Miss Cross rejected him?”

“She seduced him,” Simon cried.

“When?”

“Thousands of years ago!”

“Do you have any idea how batshit crazy you sound? Now you’re saying Miss Cross is not only a shapeshifting monster but thousands of years old?”

Police began running through the park towards them.

Lanie stumbled and appeared from behind Mac’s back. She wasn’t ready to let Mac die. Simon’s gun spat, and he crowed as he shot her in the shoulder. Mac yelled and grabbed her as her legs shook and she fell.

Red blood poured down her shirt, and Simon looked confused.

“She is meant to have green blood!”

“That looks red to me!” Mac snapped.

“See to Ranson. It’s a shoulder wound,” Lanie said as she allowed tears to streak down her face.

“But she can’t bleed red. Only humans bleed red!” Simon carried on.

“Which means she’s human, and your friend got it wrong!” Mac yelled. “You’ve been persecuting an innocent woman!”

Simon looked at the gun in his hands and threw it on the ground before running away. Several police officers were close and gave chase as a couple stopped by them.

“Call an ambulance!” Mac cried, and an officer nodded and got on his radio.

Mac swapped glances with Lanie as he kept pressure up on Ranson’s wound. They were losing him.