page_210 < previous page page_210 next page > Page 210 "I can beat that," he said softly, a red welt appearing where she had struck him. "I'm sorry I ever laid eyes on you." "You can be rid of me easily, you know," she retorted, "all you have to do is give me my property." "Not yet, kitten." He moved toward her again. "Not quite yet." "Keep away from me," she said, backing away; then she stopped, unwilling to let him see how frightened she really was. Frantically she searched her mind for something that would convince him she meant business. "I only came out here for the necklace," she said. "I've decided if you won't give it to me I'm going to tell Dr. Hamilton that you have it. I'll tell him you forced me to make up that story and that you were actually the robber all along. He cares about me. He'll believe me." Jake sighed and folded his arms across his chest. "He might." "Well?" she demanded after a few moments of heavy silence. "Well, what?" "Give me the necklace!" Jake smiled, the gesture giving his handsome face a decidedly cruel twist. "No." She stood, her fists clenched at her side. "I hate you." "The feeling's mutual," he shot back. "You're a cold-blooded, hard-hearted bastard!" she shouted. "Right on all counts." Torri felt like jumping up and down and screaming, but she held herself back, determined to be as rigidly composed as he. "All fight," she said, "don't give me the necklacebut tell me one thing." Â < previous page page_210 next page >