Gypsy Designs Ch. 08

Waking up slowly she stretched, stopping when her hand came into contact with Caydn's chest. Sitting up quickly, she looked around, almost shaking her head to clear her mind. She met his sleepy eyes, blushing when memories of the night before her.

"Good morning Gypsy, or should I say afternoon," he grinned, pulling her down brushing a kiss on her cheek.

Sighing she rested her head against his chest alarmed at the lethargic sensations radiating from him. "Caydn what's wrong?" she asked propping on her elbow to look at him.

He brushed her hair back from her face, "nothings wrong, but for me this would be the same as my waking you in the middle of the night when you need your sleep," he explained. "I still have some hours before this passes. You go ahead and do what you need to do and I'll sleep," he whispered against her mouth, kissing her again. "Now go before I forget I need sleep and not you again," he laughed when she blushed, crawling from the bed.

She grabbed his robe from the chair beside the bed. Tiptoeing to the door, closing it gently behind her before she took a deep breath, leaning against the door she ran her hands through her hair.

Her body tingled all over, muscles she didn't even know she had protested when she stretched. Memories of his hands, mouth and body rushed over her making her nipples harden just at the thought. She blushed remembering her boldness.

"Gypsy go away woman," he said through the door making her laugh before she walked out of his study heading to her room.

"Well good morning dear," Sophie said walking out of the larger study, "Or I guess I should say good afternoon, since it's four o'clock" she chuckled seeing Gypsy's expression, looking like a child who'd got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

Gypsy glanced down at the robe she was wearing wishing she could vanish into thin air knowing what this had to look like to Sophie, "I was just going up to grab a shower and get dressed," she said quickly, "I didn't want to bother grabbing my clothes and keeping Caydn awake any longer then I had to,' she shuttered realizing she just admitted to being naked in his bed.

"What I meant was I, oh never mind I'm going to take a shower," she said turning and running up the stairs hearing Sophie's laugh following her.

Walking into the kitchen she glanced at Sophie who was sitting at the table making a list. She turned and stuck her head in the refrigerator looking for the orange juice hoping Sophie wouldn't comment on seeing her coming from Cadyn's room.

"Did you have trouble with nightmares last night?" Sophie asked not looking up from her list.

"No, I didn't thankfully," she answered walking over to sit at the table across from her. "Sophie I want you to know if I'd known any of this craziness would follow me. I would've never come and disrupted everyone's life," she said dropping her head to her hands.

"Gypsy I'm sure you've heard the phrases, 'everything happens for a reason' or 'our fates and destiny, are mapped out at birth'. I absolutely get sick at my stomach thinking what could've happened had you not been here for Caydn and the others to protect," she said firmly reaching across the table taking her nieces hand.

"If Barton's as sick and twisted as they think he's become, you wouldn't have been safe no matter where you'd gone. The man has a blood tie with you, that'd allow him to find you even if you didn't want to be found," she explained. "I know all of this has to be overwhelming. Thankfully when I was growing up I knew protectors through my parents. They were friends and acted as their aids when the need a rose. When I met Vince this was a natural thing for me to wrap my life around. For someone who had no clue or even a thought of it I can't even imagine," she said shaking her head.

Gypsy shuttered at the thought of having to face Barton by herself, as much as she hated to admit it. "I wish my dad had been able to tell me, or at least Grandpa Victor had told me when I was growing up. For some reason I suddenly feel like I missed out on so many things," she said softly.

Sophie stood up, walking around the table leaning down hugging Gypsy tightly. "You know I think fate was working over time when it gave me the suggestion for you to come live here," she grinned. "Otherwise something else would've come along if it hadn't been meant to be. The same thing goes for Caydn showing up after not having spent more than two consecutive nights in this house in over three years," she laughed, patting Gypsy's shoulder.

"I've got to get dinner started so when Vince finishes his therapy he can rest and have dinner before everyone wakes up this evening," she said walking into the pantry.

********************************

She spent the rest of the afternoon helping Sophie make her mouth watering lasagna and a large watercress salad. Laughing she snatched a chunk of crusty bread, spinning around she stopped seeing Caydn standing in the door way. Glancing toward the window she realized it was dark outside. She waved at him since her mouth was full and talking wasn't an option.

"Sophie's gone in to get Vince?" he asked. Walking over to stand in front of her, at her nod he slipped his hand under her hair pulling her against him before brushing a kiss on her forehead.

Swallowing her stolen treasure, she reached for her glass on the counter taking a drink to wash the bread down before looking back up at him. "Good morning," she smiled, "Yes Sophie and I made lasagna. She let Vince nap after his therapy so he'd be up this evening when everyone got here," she explained.

Caydn ran his hands down her arms to her wrists, pulling them up until they were wrapped around his neck. Settling his hands around her waist he pulled her against him, brushing his face against her hair, breathing her scent in.

Leaning her head back she met his eyes for a second before dropping her gaze to his mouth, sighing she leaned into his kiss.

"Well I'd say things have changed around here," Christian laughed, following Megan into the kitchen.

Glancing at him over her shoulder, Gypsy smiled, "What makes you think this hasn't been happening?" she laughed at the stunned expression on Christian's face, laughter bubbling from Megan. "He seems to think he knows everything doesn't he?" she asked looking back at Caydn whose expression was smug.

Stepping back when she heard Sophie and Vince coming into the kitchen, she blushed. Turning her back she busied herself getting plates and glasses for dinner.

Caydn drank coffee enjoying the banter while Gypsy ate with her aunt and uncle. Megan told her she'd done some web searching, finding a company locally that sold fabric by the bolt. She also had some ideas for a few of the designs Gypsy had created, and they'd look at them later.

"Gypsy I'm going out for a while with Christian. You and Megan can use the computer in my office," he said reaching for his leather jacket hanging near the door.

Finishing her drink she looked at him then at Megan before turning back. "I want to go," she said glancing at Sophie who seemed to choke.

Christian stopped as he was leaning down to kiss Megan, "You want to what?" he said staring at her.

"I said I want to go," she repeated looking back at Caydn, "it isn't like I don't know what you're doing. So I don't see what the big deal would be. Unless of course you're planning on going to a strip club, and you and Christian would rather have your time with the ladies private. Megan and I'd only be in the way, if that's the case," she smiled hearing the gasp from Megan and the groan in Christian's throat.

Caydn laughed knowing she'd planned her last statement well, the expression on Megan's face when she pushed Christian away from her priceless. "Gypsy I really don't see why you'd want to go. You also know very well I don't frequent 'strippers' as you so eloquently put that," he chuckled. "We won't be gone long so there really isn't any need in you and Megan getting out when it's cold and threatening freezing rain and snow tonight."

Sophie glanced at Vince, squeezing his hand before glancing back at Caydn. "You took Jazleen when she was younger, long before she ever met Phillip and she wasn't any trouble, or should I say much," she said with a smile. "I really don't see where as Gypsy would be a problem unless of course you might have other plans while your out."

Rolling his eyes Caydn sighed, "you know as well as I do madam the only reason I agreed to take that devil child of yours was the fact that she'd gotten into my emergency supply and replaced all of it with that god awful beet juice." He said shuttering at the thought, "it was take her or never know when she was going to do that again and leave me in a very bad situation," he finished with a huff.

Christian laughed, "She was a minx even when she was young I can see," he shook his head. "I can vouch for Megan. She wouldn't be a problem if she went but it'd be your call if Gypsy were to go with us," he said seriously.

"You two will stay in the car," he said pointing at she and Megan. "Not a sound, not a question nothing just sit there as though your statues, and just ride," he grumbled. "Get your jacket Gypsy, its damned cold outside," he snapped turning to storm out of the house toward the garage.

She ran upstairs and grabbed her jacket and her scarf coming back into the kitchen putting them on with a smile.

"Gypsy I want you to remember what you've asked to go along on. This isn't a trip to the store," Sophie said her tone serious, "What I'm saying is don't let this change your opinion of Caydn or anyone, do you hear me?" she said squeezing her nieces hand as Caydn stepped back into the kitchen.

"I warmed the car up. Gypsy doesn't have the ability to adapt to extreme temperatures as we do," he explained for some insane reason he thought shaking his head. "Are you ready or have you changed your mind?" he asked seeing Sophie holding her hand.

Gypsy met his eyes, "No Sophie was just reminding me I'd asked to go and making sure I understood," she said turning back to Sophie brushing a kiss over her cheek. "Thank you," she whispered in her ear.

She followed Megan out, grinning when Christian opened the back door for Megan, allowing her to sit in the front with Caydn. She noticed they were driving the car Phillip and Jaz used while in town, the windows darkly tinted not allowing a view of the cars occupants.

"Is there a particular reason we're using the car that looks like it's with the secret service?" she giggled when Caydn glanced at her one brow raised pulling out of the driveway.

"Well my sports cars still in the garage in the city. It would also be rather uncomfortable to fit four in it," he said sarcastically. "The SUV is rather as inconspicuous as driving a tank I thought this would be a nice selection and I'd prefer not having anyone wandering the streets see you and Megan along," he said seriously.

"Barton might have left town but since we aren't sure. We also don't know if he hired someone to watch your activities, all precautions are good ones," Christian said from the back seat.

Gypsy felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end and her stomach knot when she remembered Barton, but that only lasted for a second before she was furious.

"You mean I'm a prisoner in the house when ever one of you isn't with me don't you?" she snapped turning to look at Caydn and glance at Christian. "Let me tell you something, that old bastard isn't going to make me hide inside like a scared child." She said snapping her mouth shut, turning to stare out the windshield. "I did enough damn hiding when I was growing up from both he and my mother I'll be damned if I'm going to let him do it to me again."

"What do you mean hiding from he and your mother?" Christian asked leaning forward.

She shook her head, "Christian can we talk about it later I'd like to enjoy the drive right now," she said glancing back at him, her eyes asking silently that he agree.

Megan pulled Christian back squeezing his arm slightly. "Caydn can you turn right at this stop sign?" she asked with a chuckle.

Caydn looked in the rearview mirror at Christian and laughed, "A new navigation system this evening?"

Nodding Christian wrapped his arm around Megan, "She's trying out her skills while she has the chance I thought this would be a good opportunity," he explained. "There on the left," he said he pointed.

Caydn pulled into the parking lot near the phone booths. Three burly men stood arguing along side their cars across the parking lot from them.

"Something doesn't feel right, but what's new?" Caydn said shrugging his shoulders. "Gypsy, you and Megan stay in the car, keep the doors locked," he said firmly meeting her eyes. "Not a word not a sound. I'd prefer you closed your eyes or looked the other way," he chuckled opening the door following Christian who'd already started across the parking lot.

Megan reached between the seats tugging Gypsy's hand back to hers, "Are you sure you really want to be here?" she asked. "It's taken me awhile to get use to it all, and I really haven't had a choice in the matter," she chuckled, suddenly squeezing Gypsy's hand tightly snapping her head around to look out the window.

"He's got a gun," Gypsy gasped. Her eyes locked on the large man standing off to the side, at the back of one of the cars. "We've got to tell them before someone gets hurt," she said reaching for the door handle.

"No," Megan snapped, "Christian knew the minute you said it." Watching Christian and Caydn face the large man, his expression one of fury, waving the gun around at each of the four men standing in front of him.

"I told you something didn't feel right," Caydn said sarcastically leaning toward Christian. "I'll take these two, you work on superman here. Obviously his fury isn't going to make him as cooperative as he should be," he said under his breath.

The man turned his attention directly to Caydn having heard him say something, "Didn't I tell you to keep your damn mouth shut?" he snarled, "you two got no business butting in, this ain't your business," he spat on the ground raising his gun directly at Caydn. "If you think a couple extra bodies is gonna to keep me from sleeping you're wrong," he grinned flashing even white teeth, his eyes moved quickly over the other men before coming back to rest on Caydn.

Caydn felt the newest addition to the group long before anyone else was aware he was there. Nodding silently he saw Christian make the same acknowledgement. Stepping to the side quickly he slammed Gypsy with the order to duck, hoping for once she listened to him without question.

"I think this gentleman needs a lesson in what keep the conscience clear, what do you think?" Lucien said his voice almost a roar when he stepped from what appeared to be thin air to stand behind the gun welding man.

Christian and Caydn moved rapidly to the two other men when the man jumped hearing someone behind him. Squeezing the trigger he fired three shoots, the sound of shattering glass and the unmistakable sound of female voices following.

Caydn rendered his victim unconscious rapidly, glancing toward the car seeing Gypsy jumping from the car shaking fragments of glass from her hair. Looking at Christian who'd also disabled his man, chuckling when he heard Megan swearing.

Lucien lifted his head from the throat of the gunman to stare at the women who'd jumped from Caydn's car. "You brought women?" he snarled moving his eyes to meet Caydn's, "whose fucking hair brained idea was that?"

Christian dropped his head to finish what they'd originally set out to do. While feeding, he wiped the man's mind of the events, directing him to find a better path in life or suffer the consequences.

Resting the man in a sitting position against the car, Caydn cleared the man's memory of what had taken place. Taking a deep breath, knowing the rest of the evening wasn't going to be as calm as this encounter. Turning toward the car he was thankful Megan was keeping Gypsy occupied, helping her remove the shattered glass from their clothes.

Pocketing the gun, Lucien carried the larger man to the edge of the parking lot. Clearing most of his memory, altering what remained. Dropping him in the grass unceremoniously, administering a few well placed upper cuts that had the man been conscious would've knocked him out cold. Satisfied with the rapid swelling and discoloration spreading along the man's jaw he turned back to the others standing in the parking lot.

"Caydn since I know you as well as I do I'd have to say this odd habit of bringing a few pieces of entertainment along for the ride, would've been Christian's idea," Lucien snorted wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. Stopping short he saw the slender long legged woman glaring at him, words and accusation ricocheting around his mind.

"Who in the hell do you think you are, the avenging angel from hell maybe?" Gypsysnapped meeting his eyes for the first time. If it hadn't been for the adrenaline rushed through her body and her mind she would've taken a step back the instant she met the stark ice cold silver eyes. But after the excitement and fear for Caydn, common sense wasn't high on her list.

Megan spun on her heel from Christian to face the larger man also, "Yeah who in the hell are you? And for your information Christian would've never done anything to place either of us in danger," she added her question and comment to Gypsy's.

Lucien threw his head back and laughed while both women stared at him. Christian and Caydn both shook their heads knowing this was going to be a very long night.

"This long legged beauty has got to be Victor Chordane's granddaughter," he said seeing Caydn's nod of confirmation. "But this young lady I don't think I was aware of," he said looking toward Christian.

"This is Megan, my life mate," Christian said reaching out pulling Megan to his side, his arm coming to rest around her back protectively.

Seeing the protective action Lucien chuckled, "Christian it seems like centuries since we've sparred over a woman's charms. Never would I think to pursue someone's mate, so rest easy my friend," he said smoothly.

Gypsy stepped back from Caydn when he moved beside her, her rage still boiling. "How do you know who I am?" she snapped, "Are you someone else Barton's sent to do his dirty work? He wasn't able to do anything more then put a bruise on my forehead and break a few windows." She snorted spinning around to face Caydn. "It looks like the concept behind tinted windows has been shot to hell along with the windows of your car," she pointed to the sleek sedan surrounded by shattered glass. "I've had enough excitement for the week. I'm going to walk home," she said firmly spinning on her heel, starting toward the sidewalk and away from the group who stood staring at her.

Caydn tossed the keys at Christian, shaking his head he glared at Lucien, "You riding or you walking?" he asked before he went after Gypsy.

"I think you'd be better off walking," Christian said over his shoulder taking Megan's hand leading her to the car. "I'm not in the mood to put up with you and I think you'll learn more walking with them if you can catch up," he laughed seeing Caydn trying to calm Gypsy down.

Lucien moved quickly, stopping when he was directly behind Caydn, causing Gypsy to gasp when he seemed to appear from no where again.

She frowned, "What do you want again?" she said with a growl. "I know who you are but that doesn't mean I have to give a damn about your being here," she said rolling her eyes at Caydn. She turned, this time to walk across the street to avoid the two men.

"You always did like to make an entrance didn't you?" Caydn said glaring at the large imposing man who was laughing.