Carpathian 06 - Dark Fire

in handy if these maniacs get their hands on me.
    Darius could hear the faint echo of fear in her voice. She was trying valiantly to pretend the things Cullen had revealed to her didn't frighten her, but he was dwelling in her mind, and he knew she was afraid.
    Torture and kill. Those were the words Cullen Tucker had used, and Tempest had a vivid imagination.
    You are under my protection, he reassured her gently.
    Tempest smiled at his arrogance. She knew that his comment was supposed to make her feel instantly better, but she was used to relying on herself, not on the protection of some man.
    Some man? Darius echoed.
    She could hear his soft laughter, the gentle teasing that always managed to melt her heart. I'm trying to work here, Darius. Go away.
    You really do have trouble with authority figures.
    And you have trouble with anyone saying no to you, don't you? she countered and promptly banged her knuckles again. Damn it, Darius, you're distracting me. See what you made me do?
    Pay attention to your work, and stop looking at that male.
    I'm not looking at him, she denied hotly, glancing up to see just where Cullen was. She didn't want him snooping around the bus and being eaten by the two leopards, may be even at Darius's command.
    Soft, mocking laughter echoed in her head. There you go, looking again. Pay attention to what you are doing or we might have to fire you.
    Desari wouldn't let you. Go back to sleep while the sun is still up.

Chapter Thirteen
    Syndil emerged from the trailer, confirming Rusti's belief that Darius was able to communicate privately with each member of his family as he did with her. He must have filled them in on what had transpired while they slept and the cover stories Tempest had provided for each of them.

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    Cullen nearly fell over backward watching Syndil approach. His mouth actually fell open, his gaze on her swaying hips and her wealth of raven hair. Syndil smiled in her sweet, shy way at Cullen as Rusti introduced them. She looked unusually beautiful, an exotic beauty who could steal a man's breath.
    Indeed, Cullen looked as though someone had struck him in the head with a two-by-four, as he stammered out a greeting to the black-haired musician.
    "How nice of you to join us, Mr. Tucker," Syndil said softly, her voice as soft and gentle as the breeze surrounding them. "I hope Rusti is seeing to all your needs. We have plenty of refreshments in the bus."
    Cullen shoved a hand through his blond hair, messing it up even more than the long ride had done. "Oh, yeah, sure. She's been great."
    "And the truck is fixed, Rusti?" Syndil asked politely, trying not to smile at Cullen's reaction to her. It had been a while since anyone had made her feel beautiful and desirable. She knew that was her own fault, hiding from the world, but now, with Cullen Tucker making her feel alive again, she was suddenly happy.
    "No problem," Tempest replied.
    Syndil reached out and caught Tempest's right hand, turning it over to examine the scraped knuckles.
    "You are bleeding. You have hurt yourself." There was tremendous concern in her voice, on her expressive face. She glanced up at Cullen, a mischievous and sexy smile on her mouth even while her palm settled over Tempest's, soothing the scrapes. "Does Darius know you have a friend visiting?'
    Tempest felt color sweeping into her face. Syndil knew very well why Cullen Tucker was there. She was just subtly teasing her. Syndil smiled at Cullen. "Darius is crazy about Rusti, and he is a very jealous man.
    Perhaps you should stick close to me so I might offer my protection."
    Cullen looked happy with that idea. "Do you think I need protection?"
    "Oh, absolutely," Syndil assured him, flirting outrageously. "Darius never allows anyone near Rusti."
    "That isn't true, Cullen." At least Tempest hoped she was telling the truth. Darius allowed the women around her. It seemed to be only men he objected to.
    "Is this a party?" Dayan came striding out of the woods, a backpack on his shoulders and a small tent folded neatly into a cube in his hands. "Why wasn't I invited?"
    "Because you're such a grouch when we try to wake you up," Syndil greeted him, winking at Tempest.
    She went up on her toes and brushed a kiss on Dayan's chin. "It's okay. We forgive you. You can join us now if you like. Rusti has invited a friend to visit."
    Dayan instantly offered his free hand to Cullen, a welcoming grin on