The Taste of Magic (17 page)

"It would seem Machiavelli has been at it again. My publishing house in Germany is under hostile attack. I only own forty percent, and the other shareholders are selling out. I must gain control before Machiavelli does. Too many of my resources are tied up in the banks and the KNT and Eurocom takeovers."

Kat wanted to tell him what she'd learned in the last few days, before she moved in. She had poked around a little bit into Machenicco's holdings. Would Adrian be angry she intruded, or pleased she took the initiative? She couldn't keep silent.

"I've been doing a little research into that." She gazed at him as she awaited his answer.

"You have? And what did you learn?" He seemed suspicious, but definitely intrigued.

"Well, Machenicco has several smaller holdings, which don't appear to be much. But obviously they're feeding his cash flow. I also wouldn't be surprised if he's using other methods of persuasion to buy out the shareholders. But two of these companies are strange, and I haven't exactly figured where they fit into his holdings. One is a marina in a tiny little town in Italy, the other is an antique store. Something tells me these two are hiding some serious cash. That's what's enabling him to attempt this. So far, I've only found the standard accounts necessary for such businesses, and there's no significant amount there. But there's got to be more and when we find out what that is, I know we can hurt him, and make it impossible for him to attempt any more corporate attacks." She raised her eyebrows expectantly.

Adrian said nothing, merely continued to watch her thoughtfully. Then a smile slowly spread across his lips and he nodded. "Very well done, my dear. A fine job. I knew my money was well-spent."

She hated to be reminded about how she had gotten here, to this point. She'd been forced into this situation. But she was only deluding herself with half of the truth. Part of her had agreed to the exchange because it was a safe way for her to get what she wanted. Adrian. For as much as she tried to deny it, there was more than a physical attraction between them. She enjoyed his company, anticipated those sly smiles, the way his eyes warmed when he looked at her. And his stories of history enthralled her. He had lived for so long, through so much, the very idea awed her. She reminded herself he was dangerous and she needed to be on guard. She wished she knew better how to use the energy flowing in her veins, invigorating her.

She needed more training, and soon.

"What troubles you, Kat?" He was beside her and drawing her near.

"Nothing. I…I just miss my family."

"No one said you could never see them again. My car is at your disposal. And the castle does have telephones."

"You mean, I'm not a prisoner here?"

He seemed shocked, his eyes wide. "You insult me. You said you would stay willingly and I trust you. Why would I keep you prisoner? You are not planning to back out of our agreement?"

"No, I…" She was surprised by his reaction. For some reason, she had expected that she was not permitted to leave the castle. If she was wrong, then it meant he did trust her to hold up her end of the bargain. She had not expected this and was pleasantly surprised.

"I'm sorry, I just thought…"

"That I would permit you no freedom and keep you as my chained-up captive. The idea does have some merit, for one can never be too careful. And I can think of many ways to enjoy such a situation."

Her face flamed as he stroked her cheek, and continued. "But I think not. You have proven yourself useful in quite a number of ways, it would be foolish of me not to take advantage of them."

Kat straightened her spine and lifted her chin in indignation. He spoke as if she were no more than a secretary in the office pool. "I am not…"

Her words were lost as his mouth covered hers in a searing kiss which left her without rational thought. When he drew away, she leaned weakly against him. How in the world could he do that?

"Come, we have much to discuss." He drew away, taking her hand and leading her from the room. She followed without protest, wondering for perhaps the thousandth time, what had just happened.

Chapter Thirteen

Katerina stared at the email on the monitor. She couldn't suppress a smile as she read the words once more.

Herr Saltzmann agreed to sell his shares of Reimers Herausgeber to us. There will be a meeting at 2pm to discuss the details and finalize the sale. Adrian.

Success. She and Adrian had completed their meeting with Karl Saltzmann this morning, thwarting Machiavelli's attempt on the German publisher. She glanced at the other names on the recipient list. The meeting shouldn't take too long and she should be able to escape a little early, as she was already aware of all of the details. She had negotiated the initial offer. She was to meet with Stefan and her mother today. She couldn't wait. The last few weeks had been very exciting. Her last session had ended with her summoning a fierce thunderstorm. The exhilaration had been incredible, and it had been hard to keep her excitement from Adrian. She longed to share this with Adrian, but her mother had been adamant. Adrian could not know of her powers until she had full control over them, so he wouldn't be able to manipulate them to his whims. Stefan had assured her that soon, she would be strong enough to keep Adrian from exercising any influence over her. She leaned back in her chair and sighed, her gaze focused on the crystal figurine at the edge of her desk. She concentrated on it, feeling her energy rise within as she summoned it. The figurine began to move, slowly sliding toward her, then gently lifted off from the desk. Forcing all of her faculties on the crystal, she brought it towards her, reaching out and catching it as her office door opened. Adrian stepped into the room and Katerina arranged the sculpture on the desk, wondering if he'd seen it levitating.

"Kat, have you seen my email yet?" He strode quickly across the room and lowered himself to the chair across from her.

"Yes, I'll be there."

He shook his head. "No need. Actually, I have something else I'd like you to take care of for me."

Katerina was intrigued and leaned forward. "What is it?' "I'm looking at another possible company, in the U.S. I'd like you to do a little more research into it. A cable company, in the Chicago area, is in some serious trouble. There are a couple of American companies trying to negotiate a merger, but I'd like to get du Lac into the running. Can you do a little research for me? We may need to make a trip there."

Katerina could barely contain her excitement. As much as she was glad to be home again, she'd missed the U.S., and was eager for a trip back. "I'll get right on it. When can we leave?"

He smiled and stood, coming around the desk and taking her hand. She let him pull her up. "You are anxious to visit America?"

She nodded. "Very anxious. It was my home for a long time. I miss it."

"As soon as I am sure things are secure here, we can arrange it. But since your skilled negotiation with Saltzmann was successful, I want you to put together this proposal."

"Adrian, you give me too much credit."

"No, not enough. Without you, Machiavelli might have succeeded." He slipped an arm around her waist, grabbing her chin and tilting her head back, his mouth brushed lightly against hers. His lips trailed along her jaw and she sighed, her arms coming around his neck.

"You've really outdone yourself," he murmured in her ear. "Saltzmann could not stop complimenting you on your efforts."

The pride in his voice warmed her, as did his lips against her ear. "I only did what I thought was best."

He drew away and smiled. "Your instincts are razor sharp. You knew just what he needed to make him sell."

She shrugged. "I made him a very generous offer."

"I made the right decision placing you in charge." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "Your talents make you well-suited to du Lac Enterprises."

"To the company, or you?"

He grinned. "To both. But mostly to me." His mouth was on hers before she could respond. She melted against him, heat flaring throughout her.

"I wish I hadn't scheduled that meeting. I would rather just go home." His grumbled complaint made her chuckle. She gasped as his hand came up and stroked her breast through the silk of her blouse.

"I…I can't. I'm going to see my mother. I had planned it, for later today. I'll get started on research for a proposal draft on the cable company before I go."

He reluctantly drew away and stroked her cheek, letting his fingers linger at the pulse at the base of her neck. It always unnerved her when he did that, yet it energized her as well. The touch conveyed so many different meanings, and some of them still frightened her. As if he sensed this, he let his hand fall away.

"Again?"

"Adrian, she's my mother. I was away for too long, and need to work on getting close with her. I know you don't understand…"

"You're right, I don't. But I would not deny you that. Just get home early."

The promising hunger in his eyes left her flushed and breathless. Unable to find her voice, she nodded. He pressed another kiss on her lips and turned away.

Adrian shut the door behind him, wondering at her frequent visits to her mother. So far, Dimitri had not reported anything out of place and Adrian was inclined to believe the visits were innocent, yet he couldn't shake the feeling there was something more. But he had plans of his own with her mother today.

Which was why he wanted Katerina busy with the buyout proposal. Though he knew his loyal servant would always tell him what he needed to know, he suspected Olga was up to something which Dimitri was unaware of. Something which involved Kat.

He smiled. She was turning out to be even more than he'd hoped for. Her gift for smart business decisions was only the beginning. For the first time ever, he began to believe he'd truly found someone worthy of standing beside him. He imagined what a force she would be when she commanded her powers. When they were freed, she would be even more incredible. If he had his way, it would happen before the week was out.

* * *

Adrian studied the older witch. She was tall, like her daughter, though her dark hair was streaked with gray. He recalled the beauty she had been when he had first met her. Age had taken some of that away, but she was still quite attractive. Even now, her rebuff of his offer all those years ago stung. How did she feel now that her daughter had taken her place, willingly?

"Monsieur Du Lac, what plans do you have for my daughter?"

"Those are personal. I'm afraid I don't wish to share them with you."

She smiled, and he was reminded again of Katerina. "She is my daughter. Everything about her concerns me. I would know what you want with her."

He smiled. He would play along for now. "Your daughter is very beautiful. I am drawn to her."

Olga Romanov stared at him, waiting for more. When he remained silent, she narrowed her eyes. "You would do well not to displease me, Monsieur Du Lac. You have been fortunate these last decades. Your empire has grown. A few well- placed words can change all that."

"You would dare go against me? You know what I can, and will, do to get what's mine."

"Katerina is not yours. She is her own person. I will not have you take her…like you took my husband!" Her shouts filled the small room. She turned away from him, but he was in front of her in a flash.

"You could have come with him as well. You chose not to. You're lucky you even had a choice. Do you now regret it?"

She stared at him, fury darkening her eyes even more. "No, I do not regret it. I regret my husband did not make the same choice. I regret I can no longer protect Katerina. But I will do whatever is in my power to ensure you can never destroy her."

He felt an odd affection and pity for the woman. "Mrs. Romanov, have no doubts your daughter will come to no harm from me. I care deeply for her. I would have you begin her training for the very reasons you stated. To ensure her safety, her protection."

"Being with you will destroy her eventually, no matter what you do."

"I would not harm her. She is too…valuable to me for that. I've agreed she will not become…like me, not against her wishes, and not by my hand."

Her eyes widened and she shook her head, her hand covering her mouth. What had alarmed the older woman? Adrian stepped closer, his annoyance rising.

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's true, then."

He stopped short. "What's true?"

She turned away, but he grabbed her arm and made her face him. "Tell me what you're talking about."

"When Katerina was trying to decide whether to accept your…offer, when she first began to live at the castle, I told her I had seen her destiny." She paused and fixed him with a harsh glare. "You. It always came back to you. I hoped I was wrong, but the visions have come to pass."