Page 10

Chapter Ten

“Ah, Taggert, there you are,” said Cal as he came through an area flanked by large bushes. He was dressed head to toe in his signature all-white ensemble. His long dark hair was pulled up in something of a topknot, as was often the case when he wore it off his neck. When he saw Amelia, he paused in his step, his dark gaze whipping to Taggert. “Is there a problem?”

“No,” said Taggert. There was no mistaking how nervous he suddenly sounded. “Amelia was just about to show one of the guests back to his cabin. He got turned around. I was just checking on her. As is my duty.”

Hot Guy’s brow quirked at the lies that rolled off Taggert’s tongue.

“I see,” said Cal, his face unreadable. When his attention came to her, Amelia squared her shoulders.

“Amelia?” he asked, and she knew if she dared to tell him that Taggert had cornered her again, he’d see to Taggert’s punishment himself. That would have been fine by her…if it didn’t mean Taggert would seek retribution and exact it tenfold. It was his way. Plus, if Cal knew how drawn she was to Hot Guy, he’d more than likely unleash Taggert and the others on the man.

She eased even closer to the newcomer, feeling safe near him. She didn’t know him but that didn’t change the pull she seemed to have to him. Not to mention the immense heat by proximity. She had to wonder if the guy was some sort of fire-starting supernatural who could turn into an animal. She’d seen a few fire starters pass through over the years. One had been a dragon-shifter, if she wasn’t mistaken. She’d been young when he’d come through. What she remembered most about him was how kind he’d been.

How safe he’d made her feel.

A lot like the man before her now.

Maybe the man turned into a dragon, too.

“Amelia, are you all right?” asked Cal, concern in his voice. She was surprised, as he’d never sounded genuinely worried for her before. “Are you not feeling well?”

Pressing a smile to her face, she met her father’s gaze. “I’m fine. Sorry. I skipped breakfast this morning and got lost in my work today. I’m a little out of it.”

“I can have Susan come and get you,” he said.

She fought the urge to cringe at the suggestion of Susan being anywhere around her. Susan was as bad as Taggert, if not worse. She shook her head. “I’m fine. I promise. I’ll get the guest back to where he needs to be.”

“Thank you.” Cal came closer, his hands folded before him. “You must be Gram Campbell. Our newest guest. I was told you were coming and have been eager to meet you.”

“Aye,” said Gram, remaining near Amelia. In fact, he stepped forward, his body nearly touching hers. “I am. And you are?”

“Caladrius, or Cal, as most call me.” Cal approached and put out a hand to Gram.

Gram shook Cal’s hand. “You’d be who this place is named after?”

Cal’s smile widened. “I am. I’m the founder.”

Gram eyed him as he released the man’s hand. “Is Caladrius nae a bird from Roman mythology thought to take sickness from others?”

“Why, Mr. Campbell, you surprise me. Yes, it is. Most don’t know that,” said Cal as he continued to watch Gram.

Amelia held her breath, fearful Cal would try to hurt Gram. He was unpredictable like that. As she watched the glee in Cal’s eyes, she knew then he didn’t want to harm Gram; he wanted to recruit him. Bring the man into the Flock. Gram was exactly the type of man Cal preyed upon. The type he liked to indoctrinate into his ideological beliefs.

No.

She wouldn’t allow that to happen.

“I’ve dedicated my life to the healing arts,” said Cal, laying on the charm. “My dream is that one day there is no more sickness in the world.”

Amelia nearly choked on the man’s lies.

“But this is nae for humans,” said Gram. “So yer dream does nae include them?”

No one normally questioned Cal. It was refreshing to hear someone do so now. Even though it scared her.

Cal continued to smile. “This is one of many facilities I own either fully or partially. Most are dedicated to servicing humans. This and a few others are intended for fellow supernaturals. Your concern for humans warms my heart. Maybe, before your stay here is complete, you’ll share in my vision and want to be a part of it all.”

“I’ve been doing my part for centuries,” said Gram. “And I’m nae looking to take up any causes. I’ve enough of my own to worry about.”

“I was told you suffered a traumatic injury recently. An explosion? Is that what I was told?” asked Cal. “Something about you not healing properly.”

A slight nod was the only response Gram gave.

Taggert eased up to them, his gaze locked on Gram. It didn’t take a genius to see he intended to give Gram a hard time, and he no doubt sensed an opening, hearing Gram wasn’t at one hundred percent.

Amelia rounded on Taggert, putting herself before Gram. She narrowed her gaze. “I put up with a lot from you. On this, I’ll stand against you.”

Taggert’s brows lifted in surprise at her boldness.

“Ah, Amelia,” said Cal, something close to pride in his voice. “Having a lovers’ quarrel?”

“Lovers?” asked Gram.

Amelia met his gaze. “No.”

Cal laughed. “Taggert has been given first rights to Amelia after a few matters are attended to. They will be wed, for lack of a better word.”

Amelia cringed.

“Does the bride nae have to be willing?” asked Gram, surprising her more with his courage. “Because she does nae seem verra willing to me.”

“Things here are different. Matches are decided upon by me.” Cal eyed her. “Amelia finds most of our customs out-of-date and archaic. Her words, not mine. She’s young. Unsure what is best for herself.”

“But you do know what is best for her?” questioned Gram.

“I believe so, yes,” replied Cal.

“And why is that?”

Cal smiled. “Because she is my daughter.”

Amelia had to fight to keep from cringing at Cal’s public acknowledgment of who he was to her. It was rare that he ever said anything to anyone outside of the Flock about being her father. The Flock members knew that Amelia and Andie were Cal’s only children. They were supposed to be treated with kid gloves and shown the same respect the others showed Cal.

That wasn’t the case.

Jealousy was an ugly beast.

“Lass, he’s yer father?” asked Gram.

Cal tipped his head, clearly wondering if she’d claim relation to him as well.

She never had before. She didn’t use her position as his daughter to win any favors in the Flock. In fact, she avoided talking about being blood to Cal at all. And it was never discussed in front of non-Flock members.

Ever.

“Yes,” she admitted, hating that it was the truth. The man’s blood ran through her veins. It was a truth she greatly disliked.

Cal paid close attention to the way Gram slid even closer to her. “Mr. Campbell, you find my daughter pleasing to the eye?”

“No,” said Amelia quickly, answering for him, wanting him safe from her father and Taggert.

Gram chuckled. “Aye. I do find her verra pleasing to the eye. Is there an issue with that?”

“Not at all,” said Cal, a slow smile touching his lips. He was up to something. Amelia knew as much from his body language. “Amelia, why don’t you spend the rest of the day with Mr. Campbell? You can show him around the resort and make sure he gets to his scheduled appointments. He has a massage coming up, if I’m not mistaken.”

He wanted her to be the man’s tour guide? He normally forbade her from interacting with the male guests in any way. This new change was disconcerting to say the least.

“Cal,” protested Taggert, earning him a hard stare from Cal. He shut up. He was smarter than he looked.

Amelia cleared her throat. “Cal, I’m guessing one of the other women would be better suited to show Mr. Campbell around the resort. I was going to work with Andie this afternoon.”

With a long sigh, Cal came to a stop in front of Amelia. He took her hands in his. “I remember when you used to call me Daddy. Are those days forever gone?”

Amelia wanted to shout yes but she didn’t want to set him off. While he’d never before turned his rage on her, or permitted another to harm her, he more than had it in him to hurt another. She’d seen it all firsthand. She teared up and looked away.

He touched her chin lightly. “My sweet, big-hearted Amelia. I know your trust in me is shaken. I would like to make things right between us. I greatly dislike the lengths you go to in order to avoid me. And how much you want to leave here—leave us.”

Did he know about her secret meeting with Ace? Did he know she was planning to run?

She did her best to remain calm. Panicking would only tip him off if he hadn’t already figured it all out.

“You give her everything a girl could want,” said Taggert, edging closer. “You spoil her and Andie.”

“Of course I do,” said Cal, still touching Amelia’s chin. “I’m nearly three thousand years old. They are my only two children. The apples of my eye. I want the best for them.”

“Then don’t make me marry Taggert,” Amelia blurted, before thinking better of it.

Taggert growled. “Amelia, this is tiresome. You already know your father made his choice years ago. Once things are in place, I’m the next step. He doesn’t change his mind. Ever. And he knows I’m right for you. I’ll protect you. Keep you safe.”

“Och, I do nae think you and I have the same definition of the word ‘protect,’” said Gram, pushing his way into the conversation once more. “I’ve known her a verra short period of time, and I can tell you I’d kill anyone who dared to harm her or raise their hand to her. Can you say the same, Taggert?”

Cal looked between the men. “Something I should know?”

“Aye. You picked a douchebag for yer daughter,” said Gram, lacking any fear of Taggert.

Amelia’s eyes widened. She waited for her father to reprimand Gram for daring to challenge a decision he’d made. She’d seen him do far worse to Flock members who questioned him. That was why very few did.

Instead, Cal’s eyes lit and crinkled with mirth. “And if you were in my position, Mr. Campbell, who would you have selected for her? Perhaps a man such as yourself?”

She shook her head, preparing to tell her father that she didn’t know Gram and he’d only happened upon her.

“Aye. ’Tis exactly what I’d have done. Though I’d make sure she wanted me, too. I’d nae just make demands of the lass. I’d want to be sure she came to me willing, nae because her father, a man who should want her to be safe and happy, deemed it so.”

Positive she’d heard the man wrong, she twisted to face him fully. “You’d pick me for you?”

“Aye.” He grinned, and it was so sexy that she felt her cheeks heating once more.

Cal beamed. “This is an interesting twist of events. More than I could have ever hoped for. I have to admit that I did some digging when I learned you were coming. I like what I found, Mr. Campbell. I’m hoping you more than enjoy your stay with us here at the resort. To that end, Amelia, would you kindly show him around?”

She nodded, still shocked by Gram’s words.

Jealousy poured off Taggert to the level Amelia thought she’d drown in it.

Cal apparently sensed it too, because he inserted himself between Taggert and Gram before facing his head of security. “Taggert, I got a call from the sheriff. He was hoping we could check our surveillance footage to see if we noticed any suspicious cars or characters about two days back.”

“Is all well?” asked Gram.

“I’m sure you’ve seen the papers or news by this point. Someone is harming and killing young women in the area. Another body was found a few hours ago. An eyewitness swears they saw a vehicle coming from our direction,” said Cal. “I assured him my head of security would look into the matter and report in anything we may happen upon. We want this killer brought to justice as soon as possible.”

Amelia held her tongue.

She knew better.

She knew the truth.

The very man her father was sending to speak with law enforcement was more than likely the reason the woman was dead to start with.

“Yes, Father,” said Taggert, giving Gram a once-over before he backed away.

Gram touched Amelia’s hand. “I’m confused. Why is he calling you Father? You said you only have two daughters and he’s nae married to Amelia.”

Cal laughed softly. “Those who reside here permanently, who are part of the Flock , call me Father. It was not by my choosing.”

“The Flock?” asked Gram.

“Those who follow my teachings and hope for a better future.” Cal lifted his arms out and glanced around. “Peace for all.”

Amelia nearly gagged.

“So yer a cult?” asked Gram, his question making Amelia laugh.

She tried to hide it behind a cough, but it didn’t work.

Cal shrugged. “I dislike the negative connotations the word evokes, but if you mean I have a large mass of people who are devoted to my teachings, the answer is yes.”

“If it’s all the same, I’ll nae be drinking any purple fruit-flavored drinks while I’m here,” said Gram.

Cal laughed long and hard.