Kerrelyn Sparks - Eat Prey Love (Love at Stake)

C aitlyn had been warned never to come near this place. Gutsy or foolish, she didnt know which category she fell into, but it was too late to worry about that now. She had arrived.

Her rental cars headlights illuminated a smooth, black-topped driveway. Tall trees arched over the road, their skeletal branches grasping like gnarled fingers at the starlit sky. She suppressed a shudder and focused instead on the patches of bright yellow daffodils scattered over the grounds.

Looking for the positive, she would call it. Foolhardy, some might say. But when facing the unknown, shed learned in her twenty-six years that keeping a good attitude was critical. The fact that the grounds appeared well-maintained was a good sign. And the security guard at the entrance had seemed friendly, checking her ID and welcoming her with a smile.

Think of this as an adventure. You love adventure.

Even so, her grip tightened on the steering wheel as she watched the heavy wrought-iron gate swing shut in her rearview mirror. The metallic clang echoed around the barren trees and vibrated through her bones.

She was locked in.

Dad had to be wrong. This place couldnt be dangerous. Shed looked it up on the Internet before coming. Romatech Industries manufactured synthetic blood, then shipped it to hospitals and clinics around the world. The CEO and inventor, Roman Draganesti, was credited with saving thousands of lives every year. Who could object to that?

She proceeded down the long driveway that snaked through extensive grounds. Maybe Dad was referring to the bombing shed read about. That had happened three years ago, though, and nothing dangerous had occurred since then. She was perfectly safe, she assured herself, as a dimly lit, sprawling building came into view.

Neatly clipped hedges lined the wings that spread from the buildings center. Overhead lamps shone down on the dozen or so cars in the parking lot, while insects buzzed in each lamps halo of light. She parked her rented Camry and glanced warily at the entrance.

Dad was being overly dramatic, that was all. But why would he want to keep her away from her sister? Was he concerned that a reunion would cause her emotional distress? Caitlyn had to admit she didnt know what to expect from a sister she hadnt heard from in six years.

Shed been shocked when two days ago shed received a card from her older sister. Shanna had acquired a new last name: Draganesti. Was she married to the CEO of Romatech? When had that happened? Shanna had included a photo of her son and daughter, and shed invited Caitlyn to a birthday party for Constantine, who was turning four in late March.

Caitlyn had stared, dumbstruck, at the photo for five minutes. She hadnt known she had a nephew and niece. Mom and Dad had never mentioned it. How could they fail to brag about their grandchildren? The invitation had arrived at the extended-stay hotel where Caitlyn had found a room after returning to the States a week earlier. How had Shanna known where she was?

The last communication shed had from Shanna was a birthday card in July 2004. Shortly after that, Shanna disappeared without a trace. Almost a year later, Dad had announced that hed located her. Shed been given a new identity through the Witness Protection program.

Dad had been vague on the details, only saying that she was lost to them forever. They must all stay away from a place called Romatech Industries. Shanna had changed. She could no longer be trusted. She was to be avoided at all cost.

Shes still my sister. Caitlyn had to know the truth. She climbed out of the car with her handbag and gift for Constantine. Dad would go ballistic if he knew she was here. He was already pissed by her recent fiasco. The fact that shed made a mistake for good reasons didnt matter. She was still screwed. Her career ruined. Blacklisted from the State Department. No job, no home, and a quickly dwindling amount in her savings account.

Coming here to see Shanna could be another mistake, but dammit, she wanted her sister back. And shed never been one to shy away from a challenging situation. She slammed the car door to accentuate her rebellious determination, then marched toward the entrance.

She was about twenty minutes late, having made some wrong turns. She knew her way around Minsk, St. Petersburg, Bangkok, and Jakarta, but White Plains, New York, was a foreign land to her. She could hear shouts and laughter in the distance, so hopefully that meant the party was still in full swing.

Her stride slowed as a nagging question returned, one that had bothered her since shed first opened the invitation. Who would throw a birthday party for a four-year-old at nine oclock at night? Granted, she didnt have any experience with raising children, but still, didnt kids usually go to bed about that time?

She paused mid-step when the front door swung open. A column of light spilled out, framing the dark silhouette of a huge man.

Miss Whelan? His voice was deep and gravelly. He moved to the edge of the light and became more visible.

Yes. Another security guard, Caitlyn assumed, since he was well over six feet tall and looked as indestructible as an army tank. He was dressed in the same khaki pants and navy polo shirt as the man at the front gate.

How do you do? Im Howard Barr. He motioned to the open door. Come in.

I hope Im not too late. Caitlyn stepped into a wide foyer and glanced around. Potted plants, nice artwork on the walls, a gleaming marble floorand no Shanna. No one there at all.

She swallowed hard as the huge security guard shut the door and locked it. Shannas here, isnt she?

Sure. The partys in the cafeteria. Ill take you there in just a minute. Howard gave her an apologetic look as he stepped behind a table. I have to check your bags first. Standard procedure, nothing personal.

I understand. Caitlyn placed her bags on the table. Is there still a problem with people bombing Romatech?

Howard shook his head as he rummaged through the silk handbag shed bought in Singapore. Its been calm lately.

It seems like an odd place for a childs birthday party.

He shrugged. Shanna set up a nursery next to her office, so the little ones spend a lot of time here.

Oh. Shanna had an office in a scientific research facility? I thought my sister was a dentist.

She is. She has a dental office here. Howard slid her red silk handbag to her with a puzzled look. You didnt know that?

No. Ive been out of the country andout of touch. I didnt know she had children or that she was even married until I received the invitation to this party. Her husband is Roman Draganesti?

Yes. Howard frowned as he plunged his large beefy hands into the gift bag. I cant believe you didnt know.

Caitlyn winced. The blue and red crepe paper shed carefully arranged was being crushed. For some reason, my dad never told me.

Howards fists tightened, smushing the crepe paper even more. Thatsorry. I guess I might as well tell you. Your dads not very popular around here.

He doesnt seem very fond of you guys either.

Howard grunted and pulled out the fire engine shed bought for Constantine. This is cool. I had one of these when I was a kid.

He was changing the subject, as if she wouldnt notice. Do you think Constantine will like it? I didnt know what to buy for him. Shed bought all sorts of stuffa book, a DVD, a dinosaur, and the fire enginehoping that if she hit all the bases, one would result in a home run.

Yeah, hell love this stuff. Howard jammed the fire engine back into the gift bag, then frowned at the mangled crepe paper. He attempted to fluff it up but only succeeded in ripping the paper. Damn. Im just making it worse. Mom always said I was a bear in a china shop.