Fateful Read online

  Brianna laughed along. “I know. It’s rather silly we need to translate from English to English, isn’t it?”

  “Uh-huh.” Danielle’s smile evaporated as they stepped into the fog, but took comfort in knowing she wasn’t alone as the sun had set. London remained a very foggy place, and it seemed to be getting worse as the evening continued. The air was thick with the swirling, drifting gloom.

  The misty soup took on an eerie appearance at night, transforming the city into a strange, spooky place. It was the kind of setting that made one think of vampires and Jack the ripper. Danielle feared she might see Lucas lurking nearby. Every inch of her skin crawled with goose bumps as the damp air seeped right through her. The trench coat, gloves, hat and scarf, helped, but she still felt saturated with it, like she was swimming in it.

  Brianna interrupted her drifting thoughts, “Ready to go home, Dannie?”

  “Yeah. Thanks for dinner, it was wonderful, even with that vinegar stuff,” she rambled gratefully.

  “There’s still so much to show you. Later we’ll go to the Blue Door Bistro. They have a wonderful shepherd’s pie.”

  “Okay.”

  They headed for the tube, the city’s underground rail. Brianna seemed to know where she was going, but she did have to get really close to the street numbers posted on the buildings to make certain. They couldn’t see more than a couple of feet in front of them. If Danielle hadn’t been with Brianna, she most assuredly would have gotten lost.

  They stopped at the intersection they needed to cross to get to the tube station. The only way to know if it was safe to cross was to listen for the signal because they couldn’t see across. The lights from the lampposts and vehicles made visibility even more impossible because the beams of light just filled the fog with a blinding glow.

  Danielle shivered with a chill as they waited, pulling her coat tighter. She planned to take a nice, hot bath when she got home to warm the cold out of her aching bones.

  Finally they could hear the chirping signal for them to cross. There were many other pedestrians crossing with them. But just as Danielle was about to move with Brianna, she felt someone grasp her arm painfully tight and jerk her back onto the sidewalk. She gasped and then tried to scream when she saw who it was. But he didn’t allow a single sound to escape her lips as his cold hand fell roughly over her mouth.

  Lucas really was lurking through these foggy streets, and it seemed he was looking for her.

  Brianna and the other pedestrians crossed without her, oblivious. The thick mist completely concealed the fact that she was in trouble.

  Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a fist plowed into Lucas’ face, forcing him to release his grip on her. Shrieking in surprise, she was then pulled protectively into someone’s chest.

  “Are you all right?” Ethan asked swiftly.

  “Yes,” she managed, but her brain never really had a chance to understand what was happening. With her gaze shifting to her attacker, she did comprehend that Lucas was livid. Just barely able to make out his anger-twisted face, the mist twirled and snaked around his dark figure.

  Danielle’s eyes snapped wide when he reached for a lamppost, ripped it from the sidewalk and hurled it toward them. It was like something right out of a comic book.

  Lifting her arms, she screamed.

  Ethan yanked her tighter into his chest with one arm and deflected the heavy metal with his other, sending it flying toward the street as though it had only been a lightweight twig. The lamppost twirled through the air leaving the fog twisting like currents of smoke in its wake.

  It could then be heard, but not seen, crashing into the oncoming traffic near the crosswalk. The soupy air rang with the horrible ear-splitting sounds of metal twisting and glass shattering.

  Behaving as if he knew someone else was coming, someone he didn’t want to fight along with Ethan, Lucas fled.

  Ethan’s hand left her hip as it pointed in the direction Lucas went just before another man spoke. “He went that way?” a husky voice inquired.

  “Yes,” Ethan said.

  Danielle watched as his hulking form sped past them through the haze.

  Drawing in one long breath, she lifted her chin and looked into the face of her unremitting, guardian angel. Ethan may have had the good looks of an angel, but he could look almost frightening and dangerous when he was angry. And right now, he certainly looked angry.

  Of course, just as before, he wouldn’t meet her gaze. She’d expected that. Staring downward, Ethan mumbled, “Are you sure you’re okay? Did Lucas hurt you?” Though the look on his face was fierce, his words remained gentle.

  “No … I mean, yes, I-I’m okay, no … he didn’t hurt me,” she managed, not knowing if that made any sense at all.

  Terribly disturbing sounds followed the silence. Brianna was screaming, “Danielle!” over and over again from the other side of the street. “Danielle, answer me!” she wailed, sounding desperate and frantic.

  “There’s been an accident. Did anyone in the crosswalk get hit?” another shouted.

  “Check for bodies!”

  “The bodies could have been thrown, check everywhere!”

  Only able to see shadows of people dashing around in front of the lights from the vehicles, Danielle knew the search would be severely hindered by the dense fog.

  Shifting her gaze she watched Ethan’s expression change when he heard the last shout for a search. His noble face became distorted with a look of panic, and she wondered why.

  Danielle tried to answer Brianna’s cries, but Ethan covered her mouth before she could get the words past her lips. He winced when her eyes widened in shock. He then fixed a determined look on his face, lifted her into his arms and ran.

  Danielle felt the force of the icy wind cutting at her face. No way was this a human pace he was running at, she thought, as the glowing light from streetlamps passed by at an alarming speed. She held her breath, her lungs aching as they became frozen. It was like riding a motorcycle in the biting cold. The chill blasted right through her.

  “Ethan, st-st-stop!” She couldn’t take it any longer. “P-please stop!” she begged.

  Shivering fiercely now, her teeth began chattering against each other.

  Ethan stopped and gently, slowly set her on her feet. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  Danielle stood there shaking uncontrollably. She had to get warm. Feeling desperate, she reached her arms into Ethan’s jacket and smashed herself as close to his body as she could. Her arms wrapped tightly around his back, under his jacket.

  But it didn’t help!

  He was as cold as the damp air drifting lazily around them. What? She’d touched him on their dates, but he had never been this cold. Letting go, Danielle staggered back and looked up into his face. “W-w-what are you? What j-j-just happened? How—?” she stuttered through clattering teeth.

  “I—” he began, but then stopped himself. “You have hypothermia. I need to get you warm.” He lifted her into his arms again and took her into a nearby pub.

  Fog drifted in through the door as they entered the dark establishment. The heads of the patrons turned in their direction. Many of their faces looked startled, while others didn’t seem to care. They may have been under the influence of their alcoholic drinks.

  Ethan hastened to a fireplace in the corner, and seated her in a chair next to it.

  She dropped to her knees and gravitated as close as she could to the hot flames that licked and crackled playfully, uncaring of anything else at that point. She wasn’t intentionally ignoring him ... for him she had a lot of questions, but she was just so cold. She sensed him standing near her until suddenly he left. Looking back, Danielle noticed that he went to the bar. Was he ordering something? Now? After a few moments, he brought back a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

  As the sweet scent of it rose to her nose, Danielle couldn’t help but feel some gratitude for the small act as she tried to take the mug, but was still jerking so hard she couldn’t ste
ady her hands enough to do so. Her teeth continued to bang together loudly as she took in his expression. Ethan looked deeply disturbed by the sight of her. He set the mug down on the hearth and reached out to touch her coat. “It’s wet,” came his soft voice, “you’ll never get warm in that.” With swift and precise movements, he stripped her coat, gloves, scarf and hat off and laid them next to the fire to dry.

  When his fingers reached for the sleeve of her sweater, she nearly panicked, but after finding that her clothes were mostly dry, he pulled away. Relieved that he didn’t begin stripping her down in the crowded bar, her gaze measured his face again. He didn’t look angry anymore, just rather worried and a little ... scared?

  Ethan seated himself next to her, never talking to her further, and certainly never looking directly at her, he held the chocolate until she was steady enough to take it. Without the wet coat on she warmed enough to finally hold it without spilling it. She gratefully sipped at the drink. Its decadent, smooth sweetness was like medicine, curing her insides of the chill.

  Drawing the cup to her mouth for another sip, she noticed Ethan checking to see if her things were dry yet. He never allowed her to have any eye contact, even as she studied his face, trying to figure out the mystery.

  As the fire and the hot chocolate warmed her, and her trembling lessened, Danielle remembered Brianna. Her mind had been so muddled by the gripping cold, she had forgotten her cousin. She flashed a horrified look to Ethan. “Brianna! Ethan, she was looking for me. She probably thinks I’m dead! We have to go back! I need to call her.”

  Setting the mug down, she started fumbling for her phone. When she found it, she opened it, but didn’t dial Brianna’s number. “Ethan, what do I tell her?” she asked in a hushed voice.

  His expression shifted, becoming intent and calculating. “Tell her you went the wrong direction by mistake. Tell her you were confused by the screaming coming from all directions, and the fog, but that you’re okay.”

  Danielle exhaled in relief. “She just might fall for that.”

  “She will if she knows about your lousy sense of direction,” he announced lightheartedly with a smirk.

  “Gee, thanks, Ethan,” her voice seething with sarcasm. “Just remember, I’m not the one who fled the scene,” she reminded him, her tone cross. That wiped the smirk off his face.

  She dialed Brianna’s number and waited, then snapped the phone shut and tossed it into her bag angrily. “She didn’t answer.”

  “I’ll check the scene to make sure she’s gone home, and I’ll return with my car.” Ethan then stood and turned to leave, but paused, turning back to her. “Danielle?”

  She raised her eyebrows in reply, picking the mug back up.

  “Do not leave this place.”

  Nodding in agreement, she sighed. She wanted answers, but knew she’d have to wait for them.

  It took Ethan a lot less time to get back than she thought it would. But then as she thought about how fast he ran, she realized that maybe she shouldn’t be surprised at all. Should she be freaking out right about now? What was going on with this dream guy of hers? Seems she just found the elusive skeleton in his closet. What was he? Could she still trust him?

  “They’ve cleared out the damaged cars and the lamppost, and Brianna has gone home,” he whispered as he reached out to help Danielle from the floor.

  Staring at his hand, she wondered for only a moment if she should take it, if she should touch him. But for some reason, and maybe it was because of the recognition between them, she decided to trust him. Nodding, she took his hand then noticed that it was warmer than before. Puzzling. He’d better start explaining all of this very soon.

  His Jaguar was also warm, and a low male voice whispered out a calming string of romantic lyrics from the radio. “Would you like me to put some of that screaming rock on for you?” Ethan offered, clearly remembering how she’d said that soothed her.

  “No, this is fine.” She dropped her head back against the seat. “But thanks.”

  Even with the music in the background, the car was filled with stifling silence as he drove her home. Danielle decided she couldn’t stand the suspense any longer, and pleaded, “Please tell me what’s going on.”

  He glanced at her from under his lashes, continuing to avoid direct eye contact. That was driving her crazy, and she lashed out with more questions. “Why do you do that? Why won’t you make eye contact? Why do I get dizzy when you do? Why do I feel like we’ve met before? And how did you block that lamppost without breaking your arm?” It all spilled out in a rush.

  Ethan remained silent, his jaw forming a hard line, his mouth tightening.

  “Ethan, please,” she begged, her fingers fisting into her hair with frustration.

  He cursed to himself and spoke, “Tomorrow. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. I meant to tell you. I just—”

  “No! Please tell me now. I need to know,” she implored, dropping her hands, tossing a look his way as she shoved her chilled fingers under her thighs.

  “No,” he said, then after a loaded pause, “Danielle, I’ll tell you tomorrow. I promise.” His voice had softened, but his features remained hard.

  I want to know now, she thought angrily, and asked, “Can’t you just tell me a little?”

  Another heavy pause.

  “I believe we have met before.”

  “Where?”

  Drawing in a measured breath, his nostrils flared. “I need you to trust me just a little longer. I can’t tell you now because there are things I need to show you.” When she opened her mouth to argue, he held up one hand. “I can’t show you those things now either. I just can’t. I know you have a lot of questions, but we just don’t have time for the answers tonight. I’m begging you, Danielle, please wait.”

  The intensity of his plea made her realize some of what he might be feeling right now. She took in his expression again and realized he was afraid she’d reject him when she knew. It couldn’t be that bad, could it? He’d never done anything to hurt her, he’d always been a perfect gentleman, and she highly doubted she was in any danger now either—mainly because he’d just saved her from harm a second time.

  Deciding to allow him this concession, and pleased that he’d promised to tell her, even if she did have to wait, she exhaled and nodded.

  Her thoughts went over the events of the evening and wandered back to Lucas. Was he stalking her? If he was, then why? Realizing she owed Ethan her life, Danielle leaned toward him, hesitated when he looked at her from under his lashes again, then—deciding she should just do it—she planted one kiss upon his cheek. “Thanks for stopping Lucas again, and thanks for the hot chocolate.”

  A tiny smile pulled at one corner of his lips. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow, early again, at nine. Be ready.”

  “I will be.” Danielle mused quietly for a moment…. But there was one more question niggling at her and she needed to ask tonight. “Ethan, may I ask one more question?”

  “That was a question.”

  Startled, she shot a look at him and realized by his smirk that he was teasing. “You know what I mean.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Very well, what is it?”

  “Why did you run?” she asked gently.

  He sighed, but spoke after a short pause. “I caused quite a scene back there. I’ve never done anything like that before. Luckily no one was injured. They’re going to have a time of it trying to figure out how that lamppost wound up in the street. And I didn’t want to be interrogated by the police.”

  “How did you know I was there? How did you know Lucas—?”

  “That’s more than one question. I promise, I will tell you tomorrow.”

  She sighed. “Okay.”

  * * * * *

  When he pulled up to her house, she realized Brianna hadn’t gone home alone when she saw the police car in the driveway. She looked to Ethan with fear in her eyes. He answered before she had a chance to say anything. “Don’t worry. Just tell them you got
lost. You got confused and went the wrong direction by mistake. The commotion at that accident along with the fog makes that very believable. They will believe you, and they’ll be relieved to see you.”

  Feeling horribly guilty, Danielle realized she had caused them a great deal of worry for over two hours. Ethan had gotten out of the car and now held the door open for her. “I hate to lie, and I’m a really bad liar. They’ll suspect me,” she complained.

  His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed, and he passed a nervous look toward the house. “I’ll stay by your side,” he said, very slowly, like he really didn’t think that was a good idea even though he was the one suggesting it. “You can’t keep them worrying any longer.”

  Knowing he was right, she took his hand as they began toward the front door.

  When they entered ten eyes turned in their direction. Brianna screamed and ran to her, wrapping her arms tightly around Danielle. “We thought you were in the crosswalk when the accident happened. But no one could find your—” She couldn’t say the last word, her lip was quivering, and she hiccupped. Her face was red and tearstained from crying.

  They all stared at her waiting for her explanation. The policemen looked suspicious of Ethan who was now avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room.

  Danielle’s aunt had clearly been crying along with Brianna, and her uncle looked incredibly confused and even more distraught.

  She gulped and glanced at Ethan for strength, then began, “I—I got so confused in the commotion.” She sighed, because she was trembling again and it could be heard in her voice. Smiling weakly, she forced herself to go on, “You know how easily I get lost, my directions get all mixed up, and I get disoriented … I’m sorry, I tried to call Bri, but she didn’t answer.”

  Again meeting their gazes she realized she must not have been very coherent because they all continued to look confused.

  “I just happened to be at Gunther’s, a bookstore near that intersection, and noticed Danielle,” Ethan said, apparently stepping in to save her from herself “She told me what happened and how she tried to find Brianna. She thought she’d run toward her, but had actually gone the opposite direction. People were screaming on both sides of the street, and when I met up with her, she seemed to be in shock. I brought her here as soon as I found her.”