Guarding His Desires (Passionate Security Book 2)(21)
"There could be several reasons. Foremost, the delay is building up tension. They may be hoping I panic and do something rash. I hate to imagine they are working him over and forcing information out of him, but that could be happening. It all depends on what their real motivations are, as well as their real target. Frankly, I just still don't see the picture clearly yet. What I believe is best right now is to think and wait, remaining concealed and as calm and level-headed as possible."
Gustavo and Zachary devour baked potatoes, soup, and salad in the home's screened-in porch, warmed by a space heater and illuminated by an antique brass lantern. They move back into the living room for dark chocolate and coffee.
"Delicious dinner," Zachary says, "thank you, my friend."
"Would you like some time alone?" Gustavo asks. "I can read in my bedroom and give you peace and quiet."
"I prefer you stay here with me. Will you?"
"Of course."
Gustavo retrieves a colorful pieced quilt from his bedroom and lays under it on the couch. Zachary asks if he can share it. Gustavo agrees and Zachary crawls onto Gustavo's couch, with his head at the opposite end. They wrap the quilt around their legs, which are pressed together for additional warmth. They rest together for several minutes before Zachary breaks the silence with a voice both subdued and affable.
"I am impressed by your art," Zachary states.
"I appreciate hearing this," Gustavo replies. "Which pieces?"
"The nature pieces and the modern-style portraits. Honestly, everything you showed me. The Diamond Head painting struck right into my heart. I will never forget the day I first visited the tuff cone mountain in person. I was not prepared for the experience. As you know, you drive through a tunnel and park right in the center of the extinct volcano. Then that long and twisting trail, weaving through the ridges of the mountain, up steep stairways, and the air is stock still. But when you finally reach the pinnacle, the peak, you are rewarded with the most breathtaking views and ambiance. The ocean breeze refreshes you as you view the aqua and turquoise ocean to the south, the Honolulu skyline to the west, the green island mountains to the north, and the stunning cliffs and shoreline to the east. I have been fortunate enough to travel much of the world, but I have yet to garner an experience that matches the majesty of the Diamond Head crown."
"It fascinates me intensely too. Besides its natural wonder, there is the military history. The forts and bunkers hidden in its rock walls. Its prominence as a sort of expressive and lyrical backdrop in almost all of the photographs people take on the beaches in Waikiki."
"I noticed you captured the opposite view of it," Zachary says. "Instead of painting Diamond Head from the perspective of Waikiki, west to east, you portrayed it from the other side, east to west. Is it from the point of view of a mountain cliff? Your painting is not from ground level."
"Your level of observance surprises me," Gustavo responds, "The vantage point that inspired me was from a helicopter ride. The lines of the cone seemed to me to be reaching, straining upward. I photographed that moment and then worked to recreate not just the physicality of it, but the emotional and spiritual aspects of it as well."
"I admire too that you are not afraid to share your feelings through your art. I imagine that is not easy to do when releasing a piece for public sale and viewing."
"Sharing is very hard. Not just for me, but I think for almost every artist. I hope I am getting better at releasing myself into my efforts and toughening up my skin to handle the inevitable voices of scorn, disinterest, or ridicule. Enjoyment of a piece of art is never universal. I remind myself that people are absolutely free to like or dislike anything based on their own personal reasons."
"That is the truth. If you choose the public limelight you have to be prepared for intense fandom and hatred."
"You got me to speak about one of my pieces," Gustavo notes. "I never do that. Not in specific terms. It is interesting to me that I dropped my guard with you."
"What about the cobra?" Zachary asks. "Are you getting closer to a decision?"
"I am not keeping it. I want to research more online about what Aleksey relayed to us about its history, though so far I can find nothing at all. I feel sure it is one and the same-The Clairvoyant Cobra. In my mind, regardless of the past hundred years since its theft, it belongs to either the silent film star's estate or The Smithsonian. Nobody else. Aleksey said his understanding was that the donation was made, just not officially transferred, which suggests that the rightful and proper owner is the museum institute."
While Gustavo speaks, he is unaware of his foot and toes, which gently rub the side of Zachary's hip under the blanket. Zachary does not pull away or comment.
"I believe we have an understanding," Gustavo says, "but it has not been vocalized in exact words yet. If I do whatever I can to help you rescue Aleksey and tackle your peril, will you assist me with transferring the wand into its rightful hands?"
"I will," Zachary answers. "But are you certain you want to take the risks of getting snagged in my web? Isn't your easiest path to strike out on your own and leave my problems behind?"
"I don't know what is easiest. My instincts persist that I must stay with you. I want to follow my instincts."
"I cannot guarantee your safety, Gustavo."
"I understand that."
"Then we officially have a deal," Zachary says.
The men fall asleep. Gustavo wakes an hour later, turns off the lights, and returns to his position on the couch, under the covers, with his legs pressed against Zachary.
31
Photograph
Gustavo returns to the cabin carrying a few bags of groceries from a general store, adjacent to a lakefront lodge, half a mile away. Zachary is sweeping pine needles off the deck, as well as collecting the fallen pine cones in a barrel to satisfy the expressed wish of the homeowners. He asks Gustavo if the brief journey was without incident.
"Nobody paid much attention to me," Gustavo answers. "Most of the tourists and locals must still be asleep. The little roads around here barely had any vehicles on them."
"I got really alarmed about fifteen minutes ago," Zachary says. "A woman in a boat was moseying around this peninsula, Gibralter Point. She was taking pictures with a hefty SLR camera and photographed me while I was cleaning the kayaks. I acted on impulse and yelled to her, asking her what the hell she was doing. She dismissively waved her arm at me and continued taking pictures in other directions as her boat floated away."
"Do we need to scram and bust out of here?"
"I thought so at first. But when I settled down I realized she was probably a real estate agent. She was middle aged, conservatively dressed with makeup and a professional appearance, and seemingly not bothered at all by me catching her using her camera."
"That could make sense," Gustavo says. "The real estate images for the web sites and print listings are going to feature the waterfront views, not the garages facing the dreary streets. She was photographing other cabins and houses on Gibralter Point?"
"She was," Zachary answers. "Let's stay on our toes, so to speak, but I think she was harmless."
After breakfast, the men board a two-seater paddleboat they find in the cabin's storage shed. A blue canopy shields their faces from direct sunlight. Seat cushions add to their comfort, but the narrowness of the boat requires their shoulders to be squashed together throughout the trip. Paddling in tandem with their legs, using the bicycle-like motions that are required to operate it, the men pick up enough speed to cross the lake and explore its northern shorefront.
"Whoa, tiger," Gustavo says, as they reach a cove secluded from boat traffic. "I am fit, but not crazy muscular like you. That's a compliment, by the way, not an insult just because I used the word crazy. Can we drift for a few minutes?"
"Sure," Zachary answers. "I will pay you a compliment too. Has anyone told you how cute you are when you sleep?"
"No. Are you joking?"
"Why would I be joking?"
"What did I do?" Gustavo asks.
"You wear contentment on your face that is unusual," Zachary answers. "More than just being at peace, lost in your own world, the corners of your mouth curl upward, ever so slightly, like you are about to break into a smile."
"That sounds like a silly look."
"Nah, it's adorable."
"It is nice to hear that there is something about me that does not physically repulse you."
"Pardon me?" Zachary asks, scrunching his eyebrows together and grimacing.
"I am sorry and I regret that quip," Gustavo says. "That was a cheap shot and it just spilled out of my mouth."
"Where did that comment originate from?"
"It stung when you told me back in the condominium near Vegas that I was not your type."
"I already apologized to you for that comment, Gustavo."
"I know. You don't deserve to have it thrown back at you."