Page 14 of Iona's Christmas
Warden and Undertaker rose to their feet.
“I’ll inform the others of what you told us. Cécile, you and Etienne will be under lockdown with our protection. Just for a few weeks until we’re sure you’ve not been followed. In the meantime, put together a list of items you need. I’ve no doubt you travelled light. Stay off your credit cards, and you’ll use the clubs to order things. And pay us when you have access to your accounts,” Warden said.
“I have a bank nobody knew about. I’ll transfer money through that,” I replied.
“Get with Cipher. If you give him all your accounts, he’ll drain them into an untraceable account. That way, you can get your funds, but even so, use the clubs card for now,” Warden ordered.
“Can he do that for mine, too?” Etienne asked.
“Yeah. Not a problem. Cipher could do this in his sleep,” Undertaker replied.
“We’ll think of your offer of joining,” I called out as they walked to the exit.
“Do that,” Warden threw over his shoulder.
Etienne waited until they’d left and laughed at me.
“What?”
“Babe, you know full well we’re going to take their offer. Why would we be here? Jameson could and would have protected us. You saw something and came here for a reason,” he said as he picked up our mugs.
“No. I won’t force this on you, Etienne. You’ve sacrificed enough for me. This will be your choice,” I replied, stiffening.
Did Etienne believe I tricked him into coming here? I’d never do that. Poor Etienne was stuck with me.
“Cécile, I haven’t given up anything for you. I can read your thoughts, woman; you really shouldn’t play poker. Don’t forget my past, my own history, and how I feel about your powers. My role is not one easily replaced. Without me, I know what you’d face. But I’m not cleaning up sick, piss and shit!” Etienne reiterated his stance.
I got to my feet and, walked over to him, and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’d be lost without you.”
“Yeah, you would. You’d still be back in New York, struggling to cope with everything. Or actually, by now, you’d be in a lunatic asylum,” Etienne said cheerfully.
I growled because what else could I reply!
Iona
Warden informed me we had two guests and that they might need stuff. What kind of items was a mystery because ‘stuff’ could cover a lot of things. I grabbed my laptop and bounced down the stairs. I knocked on the door because of politeness, and a man answered. Holy shit. My jaw dropped open as I took him in.
This had to be Etienne. This Cécile was a damn lucky woman. Etienne was tall, black and fucking gorgeous. He was as tall as the brothers; he had to be six foot four or five. His shoulderswere made for a linebacker, and his waist was trim. Etienne’s chest was as broad as Lord knows what, and jeans hugged thick, muscled legs.
“Yeah?” he rumbled, and I swear his voice made me shiver all the way through my body. Once I was done with this, I was hunting Warden down and banging his brains out.
“I’m Iona. Warden’s old lady. He said you needed to order some stuff but didn’t specify exactly what. Then again, he’s a man; why would he?” I asked, and Etienne let out a bark of laughter.
“Cécile, this one is for you,” Etienne called out and moved out of the way.
I entered and gaped at the woman who stood there as she stared back at me.
“You!” she exclaimed, which didn’t sink in at first.
Cécile was beyond stunning. She had almond-coloured skin with striking bright hazel eyes. Her lips were a peachy red colour in the shape of a cupid’s bow. Cécile boasted an hourglass figure that would drive men mad, and her hair was the shade of honey. She was about five foot six tall and had a natural warmth about her.
“Hi,” I said and then realised what she’d cried. “What do you mean me?”
“Sorry, I spoke out of turn. I thought I recognised you,” Cécile replied, looking embarrassed, and moved towards Etienne. It was almost as if she sought his protection. I studied her more carefully.
“You have got special abilities. The same… thing as the others,” I stated, and Cécile looked worried.
“You know about us?”