Luke nodded soberly. “He could have died for me, couldn’t he, Catherine?”
“Yes.” If Cameron hadn’t interceded, she might not be talking to Luke right now. She was passionately grateful, but it was mixed with anger and frustration and even … fear.
He’s probably the most dangerous man either of us will ever meet, Hu Chang had said.
There were so many intricate facets to Cameron’s personality that left her dizzy and wanting to come closer. And then he’d suddenly reveal another, more lethal, side that put her on her guard and made her step back.
“Formidable,” she had called him.
Tonight he had shown that he was all of that and more.
* * *
Catherine was dressed and downstairs at ten the next morning.
She met Celia in the hall. She was carrying a Louis Vuitton suitcase and looked stunningly smart.
“Going somewhere?”
Celia nodded. “I have an engagement in Monaco. I would have canceled it if things had not worked out for you all last night.” She smiled brilliantly. “But now I won’t have to put him off, will I? That’s good, you’re all charming people, but I do like to be the center of attention.”
“And deservedly so.” She reached out to shake Celia’s hand. “Thank you for everything, Celia.”
“You’re being generous.” She made a face. “I didn’t mean to lose your son. Maybe it’s just as well I can’t have children.”
“No one could have stopped Luke if he was determined on leaving.”
“I like him. Send him to me when you need him schooled.”
“That’s what Cameron said,” Catherine said dryly. “I’m sure you didn’t mean the same thing but everyone seems to believe that I can’t teach Luke what he needs to know.”
Celia laughed. “Well, we all have our talents. Take advantage of us.” She opened the door. “And the offer still stands if you need a little schooling yourself.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. Good-bye, Celia. I hope you have a pleasant trip.”
“Always.” Celia waved as she went down the steps toward the waiting car service. “Most of the time we get what we’re looking for in this life. Me? I look for joy and a hell of a good time.”
Catherine was smiling as she turned away from the door. Celia had led a life that could have embittered and poisoned her. Instead, she had learned who she was and looked for that joy. Perhaps not one person in a million could have made that adjustment, but Catherine was glad that Celia had been able to do it.
Her smile faded. No, joy was difficult to pluck from ashes. It had been a restless night, and the memories of Kadmus, Brasden, and those other deaths had stayed with her.
But she had to remember that Erin was now safe and able to go back to her old life.
Cameron? She doubted if he’d ever be safe. But she hoped that wound he’d suffered for Luke was as minor as he’d told her. She needed to keep her promise to Luke and go and check that out for herself.
She moved toward the dining room to see if Hu Chang had heard from Cameron.
CHAPTER
19
Catherine came into the library and slammed the door.
“Well, that was a complete fiasco, Hu Chang,” she said with exasperation. “All I wanted to do was to see Cameron. No big deal, right? Why the hell couldn’t I see him? I tried to visit him in that fancy suite at the Ritz-Carlton and ran into three guards who politely told me to go to hell. Is he under some kind of house arrest or something? That damn committee told him he couldn’t kill Kadmus.” Her hands clenched into fists. “I think it had something to do with Kadmus’s being a driving economic force in keeping that tawdry tourist town of Shangri-La alive and an active distraction.”
Hu Chang nodded. “It would make sense. Since Shangri-La was based on the idea of Shambhala, the existence of that tourist trap kept anyone from looking past it to the new world the committee was trying to create. A bit of sleight of hand. Yes, I can see that would suit the committee just fine.”
“And keep a monster alive to do it. Cameron was right to take him out. But now he’s cooped up with those goons, and that committee is calling the shots. Are they going to take him somewhere and—”
“Easy,” Hu Chang said. “You may be bristling with protective indignation, but I assure you it’s uncalled for. It’s not house arrest, it’s protective custody. The committee isn’t going to let anyone near him until their doctor clears him and declares he’s able to defend himself.”
“He didn’t seem to be hurt too bad. Was he pretending?”
“Probably not. But I imagine this entire episode has upset everyone surrounding Cameron. They consider him very valuable. They’re not taking any chances with him.”
“Chances? They’re treating him as if he’s heir apparent to a throne.”
“Hmm. They do, don’t they? Interesting thought. It would explain many things. I wonder…” He shrugged. “At any rate, you need not worry about him.”
“I wasn’t worried about him. He saved Luke. I just wanted to thank him before I left for Kentucky tomorrow. Luke wanted to see him, too.”
“Yes, he told me. He seems to think highly of Cameron.” He tilted his head. “And I don’t believe Cameron manipulated that opinion in any way. They appear to have developed a certain camaraderie.”
“Who could blame him?” she said curtly. “He comes swooping down like some comic-book hero and saves the day. Even Luke would be dazzled.”
“You weren’t exactly standing on the sidelines,” Hu Chang commented mildly.
“It’s difficult as hell for a mother to dazzle her own son.” She paused. “And Cameron pretty well dazzled me, too. In a fight, he’s everything you told me he was.”
“As he would tell you, it is what he does,” Hu Chang said. “So you will try to see him again?”
“No, I’m not running through that gauntlet to get to him. It’s probably better that I contact him later.”
“And will you do that?”
She was silent. “Maybe.”
His eyes narrowed on her face. “You’re relieved you didn’t get to see him.”
“He’s … difficult to deal with. I don’t need difficult now. I just want to go home with Luke and see if we managed to come a few steps closer among all this craziness.”
“Cameron will be more difficult to avoid.”
She shrugged. “He’s a busy man.” Her mouth twisted. “Heir apparent, remember?” She turned and started for the stairs. “Now, I’ve got to go up and tell Luke that we were turned away at the gates. He’ll be disappointed. Are you going to come to Louisville with us?”
“No. I have had a request from Erin. She’s leaving for Hong Kong early this evening and asked if I would accompany her. She’s going to Daksha Mountain and thought I might be of assistance with language and customs.”
“What?”
“Kadmus practically destroyed that village and the people who lived there when he took over the palace. Erin wants to see if she can help them get back on their feet.” He shrugged. “And I have nothing to do for the next few months.”
“Erin didn’t tell me.”
“You’ve been a trifle preoccupied,” Hu Chang said. “And I imagine Erin has quietly been thinking and planning about what to do with her own life.” He turned away. “I will bid you and Luke farewell before we leave.”
“You’d better.” She grinned at him over her shoulder. “Since you’ve chosen that barren Daksha and not Louisville to spend those months.”
“It is a question of need. Erin is stretching and flexing new muscles. Growth has always fascinated me.” He added slyly, “You must make an effort to give me something to pique my interest. I would hate to become bored with you.”
“Bored? Why you—” But Hu Chang had disappeared into the library.
She shook her head ruefully as she continued up the stairs. She had not known how much she had wanted Hu Chang to go with them to Louisville until this moment. He was comfort and security and a bastion against loneliness. She needed that right now. But she would never tell him of that need. He would draw too many conclusions, and they would all have to do with Cameron.