Bound by Tears (Cauld Ane Book 6) Read online

  She gasped. “Will it kill you?”

  He shook his head. “In order for it to kill us, it would take a lot more than most people have on hand, but it will temporarily paralyze us, and then if we are left somewhere hot, that could kill us.”

  “Does that happen a lot? People running around dosing each other with Red Fang?”

  He shook his head. “No, but we all carry the antidote on our person. It’s like an EpiPen, and will counteract the drug.”

  “Good to know.”

  The waiter returned with their wine and Kaspar approved it before he poured Jesska a glass. Once they ordered, Jesska kept her connection to Kaspar as she sipped the gloriously rich and delicious red. “You have excellent taste in wine.”

  Kaspar tipped his glass towards her. “Thank you.”

  She glanced behind her and caught sight of Austri, smiling at him before facing Kaspar again. “Is he okay all alone?”

  “Of course.”

  “Does he go everywhere with you?”

  Kaspar nodded.

  She looked at Austri again. “And he’s okay with that?”

  “Why wouldn’t he be?” Kaspar asked. “It’s his job.”

  Jesska smiled. “It’s all so alien to me, I guess. Security.”

  “I’ve never really given it much thought. Someone has been at my back since I was little.”

  “What if you just wanted to be alone?”

  “That’s what my bedroom is for, I suppose,” he said. “Although, there are always servants close at hand.”

  “What’s your living situation like now?” she asked, and sipped her wine.

  “I live in our ancestral home in Iceland. It’s isolated enough that most people wouldn’t be able to find it, even if they were looking for it.”

  “Do you live alone?”

  He shook his head with a smile. “Not in the way you mean. I live without my brothers. However, I have a house full of servants. Although, they aren’t seen until they need to be.”

  “Meaning, you forget they’re there until you need them.”

  “I suppose, yes.”

  “Where does your family live? Your brothers and the like?”

  “Ari lives in Reykjavik and Gunnar lives close to me. My parents are no longer living. We have a large clan, and for the most part, they are near me, although folks have spread out in other parts of Iceland.”

  “Wow. Mine all live close,” she said. “My father’s parents are long gone, but my mother’s are still alive, and I see them as often as possible. And of course, you know my brother and sister.”

  “Are you close to your parents?”

  She shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  Jesska pulled her hand from his and settled it on her lap. Her mind flashed back to her time in the psych ward.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t mean to upset you.”

  “No, it’s okay.” She took a deep breath. “Um, no. I’m not close to my parents. I am close to Cameron and Megan, but not them.”

  Kaspar smiled gently. “Let’s change the subject, hmm?”

  She nodded and took another sip of wine.

  He set his wine down. “Tell me about your job. Do you like it?”

  “No, not really.” She grimaced. “Actually, I hate it.”

  “How come?”

  “Because bitches be loco,” she retorted.

  He let out a quiet cough. “I’m sorry?”

  Jesska smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, I like the work. I’m naturally organized and enjoy that aspect of it, but I’m in the administrative field, which is dominated by women. And unfortunately, women are mean, horrible creatures who will do their best to drag you down if you rise above anything.” She sighed. “If I could get away with doing my job and not having to deal with people, I’d love it.”

  Kaspar chuckled. “I quite like women.”

  “Well, that’s because they probably grovel at your feet.”

  He tilted his head. “Perhaps you are onto something there.”

  She smiled. “What about you? Do you have a real job, or do you just sit atop your throne and order everyone about?”

  “I have a real job,” he said. “And I work a lot with animals. Horses and dogs mostly… I’m not a fan of cats.”

  Jesska shuddered. “Me neither. Horrible little devils.”

  Kaspar laughed. “They certainly can be.”

  “What do you mean by ‘work’ with them?”

  “We have a number of charities run through our main company that rescue and rehabilitate animals. We partner with some human elements, but they don’t know who we are.”

  “I would imagine that wouldn’t be something to share.”

  “No,” he agreed.

  “What’s your main company?”

  “I own the third largest oil company in the world.”

  “Shut up.”

  He smiled. “From that umbrella, I’m able to do things that interest me personally.”

  “Do you want kids?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Please tell me you’re not one of those people who think animals are more important than children.”

  Kaspar laughed. “Absolutely not. We consider having children a great honor. It’s one of the reasons we don’t deal with some of the same issues as humans.”

  “Like?” She raised an eyebrow. She thought it was cute he would lower his voice to a whisper anytime he said “human.”

  “No child is ever abandoned. If by some rare chance a child is orphaned, I meet with the child, other family members, and our Council to provide a new and safe place for them.”

  “You are responsible for that?”

  He nodded. “Why?”

  “I don’t know. It just seems like a big burden.”

  He took her hand again. “Not a burden, sweetheart. A responsibility that I enjoy.”

  Jesska smiled. “You’re sweet.”

  “Don’t say that too loudly. It will ruin my carefully formed persona.”

  She giggled. “Oh, okay. Sorry.”

  Dinner was served, and Jesska concentrated on eating. She liked Kaspar. He wasn’t at all what she expected, and she wondered how this was going to play out for her. She wasn’t sure how far she should let it go. He was sweet and attentive, and they had a lot of things in common. He was also gorgeous. Sexier than any man she’d ever known, which wasn’t saying much, since Brady was the extent of her experience, but Brady had been seriously gorgeous and she’d loved him completely.

  Her thoughts turned to Kaspar and his “gifts.” She wondered what it all meant. Was he able to time travel? Space travel? Like teleport, not get on a spaceship and fly into space, but turn into mist and just show up on another planet, Star Trek style? Could they shapeshift?

  She wrinkled her nose. Ew, did they drink blood?

  What about procreation? Did the women have children the normal way? Did the men carry the babies? How would they give birth?

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Um, yep,” she rushed to say. “All good. Um…”

  He cocked his head. “Are you sure?”

  “Hunh-huh. Yeppers.”

  He chuckled and gave her hand a squeeze. Jesska stared at her plate and focused back on her food.

  At the end of the night, Kaspar took her home, kissed her sweetly on her doorstep, and waited for her to step inside and lock the door. Jesska watched him through her window until he drove away, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. He’d promised to call her the next day to make plans for another date, and she looked forward to seeing him again.

  * * *

  Wednesday was Jesska’s ride-share day and Kim’s day to drive, but when Kim had to leave work to pick up a sick kid, Jesska planned to grab the MAX home. She had a dinner date with Kaspar and couldn’t wait to shower and change. She hadn’t seen him since he took her to dinner the Friday before, but they’d spoken on the phone every night, and the more they talked, the more she li
ked him.

  At just after five o’clock, she walked out of her building to find Kaspar waiting for her, leaning up against the car, a bouquet of roses in his hand. He smiled, and her heart raced.

  He closed the distance between them and kissed her cheek. “Hi, beautiful.”

  “Hi. What are you doing here?”

  “You texted that you were going to take public transportation home, so I thought I could provide something a little more comfortable.”

  She grinned, her nose in the bouquet, sighing at the smell. “You didn’t need to do that.”

  “It’s my absolute pleasure, elskan.”

  He held the car door for her and she slid inside. “I planned to change before dinner, but maybe we can eat now and then head back to my place for a nightcap? I have an early meeting tomorrow that was sprung on me at the last minute.”

  “I would love that.” Kaspar smiled as he secured his seatbelt. “Another option would be to grab some American fast-food and eat at your house.”

  “You’d eat greasy fast-food with me?”

  “I have yet to experience a…what is it called? Driveway in?”

  Jesska giggled. His accent was delicious. “Drive through.”

  “Yes, that.”

  “Burgerville it is.”

  “Burgerville?”

  “Pacific Northwest staple, my friend. You might have to mortgage your house for a burger, but it’s a damn good burger.”

  Kaspar grinned. “Direct the way, sweetheart.”

  Jesska gave Austri the address of the Burgerville closest to her, and they loaded up on burgers, fries, and smoothies. It had been ages since Jesska had eaten so badly, but the lure of a Chocolate Monkey was too much to resist.

  Arriving home, Jesska led Kaspar inside, flipping on the lights, toeing off her Jimmy Choos, and heading to the kitchen to open wine and put the roses in water. “I’m sorry I don’t have beer to offer. Probably better with burgers, but I rarely drink it.”

  “Wine’s fine, sweetheart.” Kaspar said, and set the food on her dining table.

  Jesska set glasses and the open bottle of red on the table. “I’m just going to get out of these clothes. I’ll be right back.”

  At his nod, she dashed into her room and pulled on black yoga pants and a long-sleeved pink T-shirt, pulling her hair back into a loose bun on top of her head. She rejoined Kaspar and he smiled as he poured the wine.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You manage to go from sexy to sexier in a manner of seconds, sweetheart. I’m simply amazed.”

  Jesska giggled. “And you’re obviously blind.”

  He waved a finger over his eyes. “Perfect eyesight. Better than twenty-twenty.”

  “Thank you.”

  Before sitting, he leaned down and kissed her. “I have missed that.”

  Jesska smiled. “I have too.”

  “I’m sorry the week has gotten away from us. After tomorrow, I’m yours for the weekend.”

  “Oh, Kaspar.” She let out a dramatic sigh. “That doesn’t work for me, I’m afraid.”

  “It doesn’t?”

  “No. I have plans.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes.” She grinned. “You see, there’s this man I met recently, and he’s extremely demanding of my time.”

  “Is he? That’s all right, then.” Kaspar smiled. “You had me worried for a minute.”

  “Just thought I’d keep you on your toes.” She bit into her burger.

  Kaspar chuckled. “Baby, you do that without thought.”

  Jesska chewed, choosing not to retort, although him calling her ‘baby’ made her shiver…in a very good way.

  Once dinner was over, Jesska found herself sitting in the curve of Kaspar’s body on her sofa as they talked. He stayed later than he planned to and she fell asleep on him, but he woke her with a sweet kiss and promised a weekend she would never forget.

  * * *

  Friday rolled around again, and Jesska and Kaspar were back on her porch after another fabulous and expensive dinner. She’d thought more than once in the last week that she could get used to his seemingly unending devotion and money.

  “Do you want to come in?” she asked when Kaspar dropped her home and walked her to her door.

  “Are you sure you’re up to another late night?”

  She giggled. “It’s the weekend. I’ll crash on Sunday.”

  “Then, yes, I’d love to come in.”

  Jesska grinned as she unlocked and pushed the door open, leading him inside. “Wine?”

  “I’d love some,” he said, and closed the door.

  Jesska unzipped her boots and removed them, throwing them into her bedroom before heading to the kitchen to pour wine from the bottle she’d opened earlier.

  She poured two glasses and joined Kaspar in the living room.

  “First things first,” he said, and took the glasses from her.

  “What are you doing?”

  He grinned, sliding his hand to the back of her neck and squeezing gently as he leaned down to kiss her. Jesska smiled against his lips and then wrapped her arms around his waist in an effort to get closer.

  An urgent banging on her front door startled her and she broke the kiss with a groan of frustration. The banging came again and Jesska made her way to it, pulling it open to find Kaspar’s driver.

  He bowed. “I apologize, m’lady.”

  “Austri?” Kaspar asked, gently moving Jesska behind him. “What’s the matter?”

  Austri handed Kaspar an envelope. “Jesska Shane” was written on it.

  “Hey, that’s mine. Why are you giving it to him?” Jesska asked.

  “I apologize,” Austri said, glancing at Kaspar.

  Jesska frowned. “Where was it?”

  “A man left it on your doorstep,” Austri said.

  She tore open the envelope and read the first line, her eyes clouding with tears as she recognized Jason’s handwriting. “No.”

  Jesska, you need to stop lying. You need to tell them I didn’t do anything wrong and that I would never hurt you. I love you. I love your family and I know that you want me to be a part of it. I can drive your mother to her weekly nail appointment at Oasis Nails, or meet your father for his seven a.m. tee time on Tuesdays at the Portland Golf Club. And Sophia. She’s growing up to be such a beautiful girl and Ms. Mills is a great cheerleading coach, but what if she was sick and Sophia was stranded at school without a car? Would Megan’s court schedule really allow her to drop everything to pick her up? Please tell the police the truth…that this has all been a misunderstanding and that you were angry with me after a simple lover’s quarrel. Forever yours, Jason.

  “What’s wrong?” Kaspar asked gently.

  “Did you see who left this?” she demanded.

  Austri pulled out his cell phone. “I got a photo of him.”

  She found herself grabbing for Kaspar as she looked at the photo of Jason. “I don’t understand. He’s supposed to be on house arrest. Cameron said he’d have to wear an ankle monitor. How did he know where I live?” She fell against Kaspar and closed her eyes.

  CHAPTER TEN

  KASPAR PULLED JESSKA close and nodded to his driver. “Þakka þér Austri. Við erum alveg að koma.” (Thank you, Austri. We’ll be right there.)

  Jesska stared up at Kaspar as he closed the door. “I don’t know what to do.”

  He smiled, stroking her cheek. “I want you to pack a bag and come with me back to the hotel. We’ll call your brother on the way.”

  “I can’t let him run me out of my own home.” She shook her head. “I have to work on Monday.”

  “Which gives us two days to figure this out.” He raised an eyebrow. “Will you please come back to the hotel with me so I can keep you safe?”

  She scoffed. “Jason Rogers is a coward, Kaspar. He won’t publicly attack me.”

  “May I see the note?” She handed it to him and he read it, scowling as he did. “You’re coming back to the hotel with me, J
esska. I’ll brook no argument.”

  She snatched the note back. “I get that you’re all alpha male and entitled, Kaspar, but I’m a grown-ass woman, and I’m not just going to run and hide because you say so. Let me call my brother, and if he feels as though I should leave, then I’ll go stay with him.”

  Kaspar nodded, although he wasn’t happy about it.

  Jesska left him standing by the front door, but he heard her on the phone with Cameron. He took a moment to send a text to Austri, then joined her in the front room.

  “Yep, that’s all it says. Yes, it was Jason. Kaspar’s driver got a picture of him.” She glanced up at Kaspar. “I’m sure he can forward it to you.”

  Kaspar nodded and sent Austri the request, along with Cameron’s number.

  “But how did he get here, Cam? How did he even know where I live? Does his ankle monitor allow him to go wherever he wants? How does he know all that stuff about where everyone goes? It’s creepy.” She squeezed her eyes shut and sank to the couch. “No. Seriously? Why wasn’t I told? Well, that’s lame.” She stared up at Kaspar again. “I guess. Yes, Kaspar offered. Fine.” She nodded. “For how long?” She sighed. “I’ll ask him. Yep. I’ll figure it out. Okay. Thanks, Cam. Talk to you tomorrow.” She hung up and rose to her feet. “Cameron thinks I should go with you. He has Megan and Sophia at his place, which makes it a bit crowded.”

  Kaspar smiled. “I feel more comfortable with you being with me anyway, sweetheart. It means I can protect you. Did your brother say how Jason managed to come here without notice?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Jason’s halfway house is only a few blocks from here, which is within his tether, so to speak. I am technically not a victim of his, so they don’t need to fill me in when he moves. So, Cameron also feels more comfortable with me being out of here and somewhere protected.”

  “It will give us a chance to get to know each other, eh?”

  Jesska nodded. “I guess that’s true.”

  “Go pack. I’ll speak with Austri and return in a little while.” Kaspar smiled. “Lock the door behind me.”

  Jesska nodded and walked him to the door. He leaned down and kissed her quickly and then stepped onto her porch.

  * * *

  Jesska grabbed a large suitcase from her hall closet and wheeled it into her bedroom. As she set it on the bed and unzipped it, she wondered about the strange direction her life was suddenly taking. She grabbed for Brady’s ring, realizing she didn’t feel as though she needed the talisman like she did before. Kaspar was worming his way into her heart, and she was surprisingly excited by that. Her attraction to him was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.