Hunting the Fox

Chapter 15

They left the Catacombs and stepped onto the street in the sunlight. Kiera shaded her eyes against the midday sun. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust from the dim light of the Catacombs to the bright lights above. Fortunately, the driver was waiting for them because when Kiera could see clearly again. She noticed Ryan smirking at her.

"What?" Kiera said giving a quizzically look.

"Oh nothing," Ryan replied, but could not keep the smile off his face.

Kiera followed his gaze and saw that her dress covered in dirt, especially the back. Kiera gasping in embarrassment felt her cheek flush. She quickly climbed into the car and covered her face. Ryan climbed in and sat down next to her.

"No one saw you." Ryan said soothingly.

"That was embarrassing." Kiera said looking up at him.

The driver did not ask any questions, but drove them back to the hotel. Ryan had the driver take them to a private entrance near the back of the hotel.

"I need a shower." Kiera said feeling better, when they entered their hotel room.

"Well you are a dirty woman." Ryan replied smacking her on the bottom.

"No thanks to my dirty old man." Kiera laughed and walked into the bathroom with her purse.

In the bathroom, Kiera closed the door and turned on the shower. Taking out her phone, she brought up her secure messaging app. using it her texted Sandra:

'We met Wolf again.' Kiera typed to Sandra.

After a moment a message appeared, 'Again??' Sandra typed to Kiera.

'Yes, they had a conversation.' Kiera typed to Sandra.

'Anything new?' Sandra typed to Kiera.

'Fox knew he was followed by me.' Kiera typed to Sandra.

'Impossible!!!' Sandra typed to Kiera.

Kiera rolled her eyes, 'Something big is going to happen before or during the summit. Victor was mentioned.' Kiera typed to Sandra, but left out the apart about her.

'Okay, we only have four days until the summit. Pinpoint their plan. We will find Wolf.' Sandra typed to Kiera.

'Got it.' Kiera typed to Sandra.

"Shower ready." Ryan announced opening the door. Kiera jumped in surprise almost dropping her phone, "What's going on?" Kiera heard a suspicious tone in his voice.

"My patient texted me with an issue," Kiera said thinking of something quickly and keeping her voice calm, "You remember Sandra?"

"Yes the hugger," Ryan replied slowly, "Why was she texting you?"

"She is acentric," Kiera said shrugging her shoulders, "She really does not know her boundaries sometimes. Anyways the shower is ready." Kiera put away her phone, "Are you going to join me or wonder about my patient?" Kiera smirked.

"What...um yes," Ryan smiled. Kiera knew he was thinking about something, "I think I will join you."

While in the shower, they kissed each other. Kiera enjoyed the spray of hot water against her back. Kiera pulled back and asked, "So what were the Fox and the Wolf talking about?" Kiera watched for his response.

"Why are you interested?' Ryan asked with an eyebrow raised.

Kiera knew he was trying to take control of the situation by asking his own questions. She was not going to let him control this conversation.

"It is the second time you met up with him." Kiera shrugged leaning her head back to let the water run through her hair, "I'm curious, because you look up to him like a mentor or something."

"Curious hmm," Ryan said rubbing his chin.

Kiera grabbed the shampoo and lathered it into her hair. She used this time to watch how he thought about her response. It was obvious that he did look up to Wolf, but why.

"Yes Ryan, but if you don't want to tell me," Kiera said with indifference.

"Wolf is planning a dig in Scotland at the site of some ancient ruins."

"Scotland?" Kiera probed and gave an impressed look.

"There is a site to the north," Ryan explained, "He wanted to see if I wanted in on the project."

Kiera ran the water through her hair to add silence for a moment and get the shampoo out of her hair. Ryan's eyes stayed on her the entire time he talked. She knew he was deliberately keeping them focused on her. She observed the straining around his eyes and the slight clenching of his jaw.

"Why you Ryan," Kiera inquired, "I thought you only funded scientific research."

"Kiera I'm not lying to you." Ryan sighed as he shook his head. "I can see you watching me."

"Well you should not have anything to hide then." Kiera replied pulling her hair out of her eyes. She felt anger rise up in her at Ryan for calling her out.

"I am branching out GenFund. I want the company to do more than just fund genetic research. I believe there is a lot we can learn from our ancestors." Ryan added, "I'm funding a research site in Egypt with one of our old friends from school. You can call him if you want. I'm sure he would love to give you the details of the research."

Kiera knew he was telling her the truth, but he was also using it to cover something up. Kiera also knew she was not going to get anywhere feeling angry. Kiera closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I believe you Ryan." Kiera said slowly, "I just feel like you're not telling me everything."

"Kiera I need you trust me," Ryan wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, "I have it all handled."

"Can I Ryan," Kiera asked stepping close to him, "Can I really trust you?"

"You can trust me with your life Kiera," Ryan said looking into her grey-blue eyes. "I will always protect you."

Kiera knew he would. It was an honest statement from the heart.

"I know you will Ryan, but who will protect you." Kiera replied and laid her head on his shoulder.

After the shower, Kiera put on shorts and a loose top. She walked into the main room drying her hair and noticed a gold color card lying on the entrance table next to the vase of flowers. The card had words written in a beautiful script. Kiera looked around for Ryan, but he was still in the shower. She shrugged, picked up the card, and read it:

Mr. Westbrook and Dr. Reid,

I invited you and Doctor Reid to the a dinner reception and opera as my guest. Dinner will be served at 6:00pm in the main hall of Teatro dell' Opera, followed by a special performance by Vittori Grigolo.

With Great Respect and Kindness,

Count De Lunca

"Ryan what is this?" Kiera called out turning to see Ryan coming out of the bedroom.

"You don't miss anything," Ryan smirked as he pulled a shirt over his lean body.

She smiled taking in his lean body with her eyes. Ryan pulled Kiera close to him and plucked the card out of her hand. She smelled the cleanness of his body. He read the card, but she knew he already knew about it. She felt him slide his hand down and squeeze her bottom.

"You are stalling and not answering my questions." Kiera tapped his nose.

Ryan sighed and rolled his eyes, "It is an invitation to dinner and the opera."

Kiera started at him, giving him a 'tell me more look'.

"Since GenFund is a huge donor to genetic research. It appears the good Count has put us on his list." Ryan explained, "I was going to tell you about it, but you are one witty investigator." He laughed aloud.

"I have nothing to wear for that kind of engagement." Kiera blurted out giving him an irritated look.

"We will deal with that tomorrow," Ryan shrugged tossing the card and lifting Kiera up over his shoulder.

Kiera let out a loud gasp of surprise and kicked her legs, "You put me down right now Mr. Westbrook and explain yourself."

"Not right now, because I really want to mess up these clean sheet." Ryan announced smacking her bottom and walked into the bedroom.

"You are impossible." Kiera sighed pushing her hair out of her face.

Waking up the next morning to a knock on the door, Kiera opened her eyes slowly, looked around, and noticed that Ryan was not in bed. She pulled his pillow close to her and breathed in his familiar scent. She smiled in pleasure at the familiar smell and the memory of last night. She closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of the bed and rubbed her cheek against the pillow. She heard another knock on the door and then heard the door open.

Listening, Kiera heard an exchange of words, followed by something wheeled in, and then a small laugh. The front door closed and the sweet aroma of food and coffee floated into the bedroom. Kiera sat up, her stomach grumbled. She ran her finger through her hair, stretched upward arching her back and extending her fingers. Letting out a loud yawn, she heard a chuckle from the bedroom entrance.

"Good morning to you too Fox," Kiera said drowsily glancing over towards the bedroom door with her arms still stretched upward. She saw a slightly fuzzed outline of Ryan smiling at her. Kiera let her arms drop and lied back down in bed.

She felt the bed move as Ryan lied down next to her. She pressed her back against his body and purred. Kiera moaned lightly as Ryan buried his face into her copper red hair and inhaled her.

"Breakfast is ready Kiera." Ryan breathed into her ear.

"Hold me for a bit." Kiera said lazily shivering in pleasure from his breathing on her ear.

Ryan held her tightly and she locked her arms around his as he kissed the nape of her neck and shoulders. Shivers of pleasure ran down her spine as his lips left hot trails of fire along her neck and shoulders. She felt him slip a hand in between the slit of the dark green satin nightgown. His hand gently caressed her inner thigh. Kiera keep her eyes closed enjoying his kisses and touch.

Her stomach rumbled again loudly and Ryan laughed, "We should eat love."

Kiera frowned slightly and protested, "I don't want to get up yet."

"As much as I would love to enjoy the day in bed, we have to get up." Ryan answered her protest, "I have a whole day planned for you."

"What do you mean planned?" Kiera said suspiciously turning her head with narrowed eyes.

"We have to get you ready for dinner and the opera." Ryan replied with a broad smile.

"Ryan no," Kiera protested, "You don't..."

"You are going to be around the most important people in the world tonight." Ryan explained, "By tonight, the ladies are going to be green with envy and the gentlemen will not know what to do."

"Ryan." Kiera said giving a pleading look.

"No Kiera," Ryan said turning her to face him, "I was going to wait until later, but I need to ask you now."

"What's the matter Ryan," Kiera asked with panic in her voice. She felt her heart beating fast and tears forming in her eyes, "Tell me."

"Kiera," Ryan swallowed hard.

Kiera noticed that he was unsure how to ask. He looked like scared school kid.

"Yes Ryan. You can ask me." Kiera urged him and placed a hand on his cheek.

"I left you the first time and it nearly killed me. I can't image what it did to you." Ryan said and held a finger to her lips as she would about to respond. "I cannot and will not let that happen again."

"What are you saying Ryan?" Kiera inquired pulling his finger away from her lips and held his hand.

"You don't have to answer me now, but I was thinking," Ryan took a deep breath. She noticed he was having a difficult time, "We should move in together either in Washington D.C. or wherever you want."

"I..." However, Ryan pressed his finger back against her lips.

"Think about it Kiera. I know it is a lot to take in and I will respect your decision." Ryan said.

Kiera filled with emotions buried her head into his chest and cried. Her crying took him by surprise and he held her tightly. She did not know why she was crying, but she felt the emotions rise up in her and fill her with excitement and dread.

"Ryan," Kiera said through her sobbing, "I don't have to think about it, I want to be you and only you."

"Kiera, please think about what I am asking." Ryan pleaded with a warning tone in his voice.

"I don't care Ryan." Kiera said defiantly looking up at him with tears running down her cheeks. "I love you and I want to be with you."

"Kiera this means a lot for me."

"It means a lot for the both of us." Kiera corrected him and cried harder.

"For the both of us, Kiera."

'What am I going to do now?' Kiera thought.