Heart of Stone by Debra Mullins Read Free Book Online Page B

“I don’t know them.”
    â€œI do. My people and theirs have been allies for centuries, and I’ve known Adrian for many years.” He raised their clasped hands and enclosed her one between the two of his. “Trust me in this, daughter.”
    â€œWhy won’t you come with us? I’m frightened for you, Stone Bear.”
    Tenderness swept over his expression at her childhood nickname for him. “I can’t, not right now. I have a show in Santa Fe in a couple of days. I can’t cancel it. You know half my yearly income comes from that show, and my family is counting on me.”
    â€œI’ll split what they’re paying me with you. Come with us, Ben. Please.”
    â€œA generous offer.” He patted her hand, then released her. “One I cannot accept right now. You have your path, and I have mine. But if it makes you feel better, I can come visit in a week or so, after the show.”
    â€œA week or so?” Her voice rose louder than she intended, so she lowered her tone. “You expect me to be there that long?”
    He shrugged. “You must stay as long as it takes to find your path.”
    â€œAnd if that never happens?”
    â€œIt will. I have faith in you.” He grinned. “I have faith in Faith.”
    She rolled her eyes as her only relative chuckled at his own pun. “At least in Arizona I won’t have to hear your bad jokes.”
    â€œNot true. There are always text messages.”
    *   *   *
    After giving Faith his pitch, Darius closed his eyes and drifted into a light healing trance, focusing on easing the pain of his joints and not on the bumps in the road. He heard the murmuring voices in the backseat as if from a distance, but he didn’t try to make out the words. In fact, he shielded himself from the other passengers, needing this time to recharge as much as he could. His body was trying to shut down, and he had to stay functional, at least for a while. He’d just drifted into a doze when the car came to a stop. He opened his eyes to see the airport and the small private plane waiting for them.
    Gray slid out from behind the wheel and came around to open Darius’s door. He extended a hand. “Let’s go, old man.”
    â€œI’m younger than you are,” Darius said. “I think.”
    â€œBut with more wear and tear.”
    Gray steadied him as Darius climbed out of the car. His spine creaked like an unoiled hinge, his knee objecting as he slowly extended his leg. His nerve endings protested every movement, and he knew that once he sat down again, he might not get up for a day or two. Faith and Ben climbed out of the car and watched with concerned frowns, their worry snapping at him like whips.
    â€œWhy don’t you two come on board while he gets settled?” Gray said. He held out a hand to Faith. “We haven’t formally met. Adrian Gray.”
    She shook his hand. “Faith Karaluros. But I never actually said I would accept the job.”
    â€œYou’re here, aren’t you? We’ll talk on the plane.” Gray flashed his movie star smile, and Darius could feel Faith waver. Of course she did; Gray used charm with the skill of a fencing master to get whatever he wanted. Normally it didn’t bother Darius, just made him shake his head. But today—
    Today he wanted to slug those perfect pearly whites right out of Gray’s mouth.
    The force of his reaction stunned him. He’d seen Gray smile at dozens of women, even Darius’s own sister Tessa, and had never experienced even an inkling of this violent rage. What the hell was wrong with him? Had to be the pain. It must be addling his brain.
    Because it sure couldn’t be the woman. He wouldn’t let it be.
    â€œI’m not going with you,” Ben said as Gray opened the trunk and took out two overnight bags. “I have a show in Santa Fe on Wednesday, and I need to finish up my