TheLastMercenary

ChapterOne

Ithadbeenajarringencounter.

CallieKirbyfeltchilled,anditwasn'tjustbecauseitwasNovemberinsouthTexas.Shewatchedthe
stepbrothersheworshipedwalkawayfromherascasuallyasifhe'dmovedaroundanobstacleinhis
path.Inmanyways,thatwaswhatCalliewastoMicahSteele.Hehatedher.Ofcourse,hehatedher
mother more. The two Kirby women had alienated him from the father he adored. Jack Steele had
foundhisonlysonwrappedupinthearmsofhisyoungwife-Callie'smother-andanuglyscenehad
followed.Callie'smother,Anna,wassentpacking.SowasMicah,livingmostlyathisfather'shome
whilehefinishedhislastyearofresidency.

That had been six years ago, and the breach still hadn't healed. Jack Steele rarely spoke of his son.
ThatsuitedCallie.Theverysoundofhisnamewaspainfultoher.Speakingtohimtooknerve,too.
He'd once called her a gold digger like her mother, among other insults. Words could hurt. His
alwayshad.Butshewastwenty-twonow,andshecouldholdherownwithhim.Thatdidn'tmeanthat
herkneesdidn'tshakeandherheartbeatdidn'tdoatangowhileshewasholdingherown.

Shestoodbesideherlittlesecond-handyellowVWandwatchedMicahbendhisformidableheightto
open the door of the black convertible Porsche he drove. His thick, short blond hair caught the
sunlight and gleamed like gold. He had eyes so dark they looked black, and he rarely smiled. She
didn'tunderstandwhyhe'dcomehometoJacobsville,Texas,inthefirstplace.Helivedsomewherein
the Bahamas. Jack had said that Micah inherited a trust fund from his late mother, but he'd sounded
curiousabouthisson'sluxuriouslifestyle.Thetrust,hetoldCallieprivately,wasn'tnearlyenoughto
keepMicahintheArmanisuitsheworeandtheexoticsportscarsheboughtneweveryyear.

Perhaps Micah had finished his residency somewhere else and was in private practice somewhere.
He'dgonetomedicalschool,butsherememberedthattherehadbeensometroubleinhislastyearof
hisresidencyoveralawsuit,stemmingfromasurgicalprocedureherefusedtodo.Neithershenor
hisfatherknewthedetails.Evenwhenhe'dbeenlivingwithhisfather,Micahwasaclam.Afterheleft,
thesilenceabouthislifewascomplete.

HeglancedbackatCallie.Evenatadistancehelookedworried.Herheartjumpedinspiteofherbest
effortstocontrolit.He'dhadthateffectonherfromthebeginning,fromthefirsttimeshe'deverseen
him.She'donlybeeninhisarmsonce,fromtoomuchalcohol.He'dbeenfurious,throwingheraway
from him before she could drag his beautiful, hard mouth down onto hers. The aftermath of her
uncharacteristic boldness had been humiliating and painful. It wasn't a pleasant memory. She
wonderedwhyhewassoconcernedabouther.Itwasprobablythathewasconcernedforhisfather,
andshewashisprimarycaretaker.Thathadtobeit.Sheturnedherattentionbacktoherowncar.

Withajerkofhishand,heopenedthedoorofthePorsche,climbedinandshotofflikeateenager
withhisfirstcar.Thepolicewouldgethimforthat,shethought,iftheysawit.Forafewseconds,she
smiledattheimageofbig,tall,sexyMicahbeingputinajailcellwithamantwicehissizewholiked
blondes. Micah was so immaculate, so sophisticated, that she couldn't imagine him ruffled nor
intimidated. For all his size, he didn't seem to be a physical man. But he was highly intelligent. He

spokefivelanguagesfluentlyandwasagourmetcook.

She sighed sadly and got into her own little car and started the engine. She didn't know why Micah
was worried that she and his father might be in danger from that drug lord everyone locally was
talkingabout.SheknewthatCyParksandEbScotthadbeeninstrumentalinclosingdownabigdrug
distribution center, and that the drug lord, Manuel Lopez, had reputedly targeted them for revenge.
Butthatdidn'texplainMicah'sconnection.He'dtoldherthathetippedlawenforcementofficialstoa
big drug cargo of Lopez's that had subsequently been captured, and Lopez was out for blood. She
couldn'tpictureherso-straitlacedstepbrotherdoingsomethingsodangerous.Micahwasn'tthesortof
manwhogotinvolvedinviolenceofanysortCertainly,hewasafarcryfromthetwomercenaries
who'dshutdownLopez'soperation.Maybehe'dgiventheinformationtothefedsforCyandEb.Yes,
thatcouldhavehappened,somehow.Sherememberedwhathe'dsaidaboutthedangertohisfamily
and she felt chilled all over again. She'd load that shotgun when she and Jack got home, she told
herselffirmly,andshe'dshootitifshehadto.Shewouldprotectherstepfatherwithherlastbreath.

As she turned down the street and drove out of town, toward the adult day care center where Jack
Steelestayedfollowinghisstroke,shewonderedwhereMicahwasgoinginsuchahurry.Hedidn't
spendalotoftimeintheStates.Hehadn'tforyears.HemusthavebeenvisitingEbScottorCyParks.
Sheknewtheywerefriends.OddfriendsforatamemanlikeMicah,shepondered.Eveniftheyran
cattlenow,they'dbeenprofessionalmercenariesinthepast.ShewonderedwhatMicahcouldpossibly
haveincommonwithsuchmen.

Shewassolostinthoughtthatshedidn'tnoticethatshewasbeingfollowedbyadark,latemodelcar.
Itdidn'treallyoccurtoherthatanyonewouldthinkofharmingher,despiteherbriefargumentwith
Micah just now. She was a nonentity. She had short, dark hair and pale blue eyes, and a nice but
unremarkable figure. She was simply ordinary. She never attracted attention from men, and Micah
hadfoundhertotallyresistiblefromthedaytheymet.Whynot?Hecouldhaveanywomanhewanted.
She'dseenhimwithreallybeautifulwomenwhensheandhermotherhadfirstcometolivewithJack
Steele.Besides,therewastheagething.Calliewasbarelytwenty-two.Micahwasthirty-six.Hedidn't
likeadolescents.He'dsaidthattoCallie,justafterthatdisastrousencounter-amongotherthings.Some
ofthethingshe'dsaidstillmadeherblush.He'dcomparedhertohermother,andhehadn'tbeenkind.
Afterward,she'dbeenconvincedthathewashavinganaffairwithhermother,whodidn'tdenyitwhen
Callieasked.Ithadtarnishedhiminhereyesandmadeherhostile.Shestillwas.Itwassomethingshe
couldn't help. She'd idolized Micah until she saw him kissing her mother. It had killed something
insideher,madehercold.Shewonderedifhe'dbeentellingthetruthwhenhesaidhehadn'tseenher
motherrecently.IthurttothinkofhimwithAnna.

Shestoppedatacrossroads,hereyesdartingfromonestopsigntoanother,lookingforoncoming
traffic.Whileshewasengrossedinthatactivity,thecarfollowingheronthedesertedroadsuddenly
shotaheadandcutacrossinfrontofher,narrowlymissingherfrontbumper.

Shegaspedandhitthebrake,forgettingtodepresstheclutchatthesametime.Theenginedied.She
reached over frantically to lock the passenger door, and at the same time, three slim, dark,
formidable-lookingmensurroundedhercar.Thetallerofthethreejerkedopenthedriver'sdoorand
pulledherroughlyoutofthecar.

Shefought,butahandwithahandkerchiefwasclappedoverhernoseandmouthandshemoanedas
thechloroformhithernostrilsandknockedheroutflat.Asshewasplacedquicklyintothebackseat
of the other car, another man climbed into her little car and moved it onto the side of the road. He
joined his colleagues. The dark car turned around and accelerated back the way it had come, with
Callieunconsciousinthebackseat.

MicahSteeleroaredawayfromthesceneofhislatestdisagreementwithCallie,hischiseledmoutha
thin line above his square jaw. His big hands gripped the steering wheel with cold precision as he
cursed his own lack of communication skills. He'd put her back up almost at once by being
disparagingabouttheneatbeigesuitshewaswearingwithaplainwhiteblouse.Sheneverdressedto
be noticed, only to be efficient. She was that, he had to admit She was so unlike him. He seemed
conservative in his dress and manner. It was a deception. He was unconventional to the core, while
Calliecouldhavewrittenthebookonproperbehavior.

Shehadn'tbelievedhim,aboutthedangersheandherstepfather-hisfather-couldfindthemselvesin.
ManuelLopezwasn'tthemantocross,andhewantedblood.Hewasgoingtogototheeasiesttarget
for that. He grimaced, thinking how vulnerable Callie would be in a desperate situation. She hated
snakes,buthe'dseenhergooutofherwaynottoinjureone.Shewaslikethatabouteverything.She
wasasuckerforahard-luckstory,aneasymarkforaconartist.Herheartwasassoftaswool,and
shewassensitive;overlysensitive.Hedidn'tlikerememberinghowhe'dhurtherinthepast.

He did remember that he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. He stopped to have a sandwich at a
localfast-foodjoint.Thenhedrovehimselfbacktothemotelhewasstayingat.He'dbeenhelpingEb
ScottandCyParksgetridofLopez'sfledglingdrugdistributioncenter.Justnightsago,they'dshut
down the whole operation and sent most of Lopez's people to jail. Lopez's high-tech equipment, all
hisvehicles,eventheexpensivetractoflandtheysaton,hadbeenconfiscatedundertheRicostatutes.
Andthatdidn'tevenincludethemassiveshipmentofmarijuanathathadalsobeentakenaway.Micah
himselfhadtippedofftheauthoritiestothelargestshipmentofcocaineinthehistoryofsouthTexas,
whichtheCoastGuard,withDEAsupport,hadappropriatedbeforeitevengottotheMexicancoast.
Lopez wouldn't have to dig too deeply to know that Micah had cost him not only the multimillion-
dollarshipment,buttherespectofthecartelinColombiaaswell.Lopezwasinbigtroublewithhis
bosses.MicahSteelewasthereasonforthat.Lopezcouldn'tgettoMicah,buthecouldgettoMicah's
familybecausetheywerevulnerable.Theknowledgeofthatscaredhimtodeath.

Hetookashowerandstretchedoutonthebedinatowel,hishandsunderhisdampblondhairwhile
he stared at the ceiling and wondered how he could keep an eye on Callie Kirby and Jack Steele
without their knowing. A private bodyguard would stick out like a sore thumb in a small Texas
communitylikeJacobsville.Ontheotherhand,Micahcouldn'tdoithimselfwithoutdrawingLopez's
immediate retaliation. It was a difficult determination. He couldn't make himself go back to the
BahamaswhileheknewhisfatherandCalliewereindanger.Ontheotherhand,hecouldn'tstayhere.
Livinginasmalltownwoulddrivehimnuts,evenifhehaddoneitinthepast,beforehewentoffto
medicalschool.

Whilehewasworryingaboutwhattodonext,thetelephonerang.

"Steele,"hesaidonayawn.Hewastired.

"It's Eb," came the reply. "I just had a phone call from Rodrigo," he added, mentioning a Mexican
national who'd gone undercover for them in Lopez's organization. He'd since been discovered and
wasnowhidingoutinAruba.

"What'shappened?"Micahaskedwithafeelingofdreadknottinghisstomach.

"Hehadsomenewsfromafriendofhiscousin,awomanwhoknowsLopez.HaveyouseenCallie
Kirbytoday?"Ebaskedhesitantly.

"Yes,"Micahsaid."Abouttwohoursago,justasshewasleavingheroffice.Why?"

"RodrigosaidLopezwasgoingtosnatchher.Hesoundedasiftheymeanttodoitprettysoon.You
mightwanttocheckonher."

"Iwenttoseeher.Iwarnedher...!"

"You know Lopez," Eb reminded him somberly. "It won't do her any good even if she's armed.
Lopez'smenareprofessionals."

"I'll do some telephoning and get back to you," Micah said quickly, cursing his own lack of haste
aboutsafeguardingCallie.Hehungupandphonedtheadultdaycarecenter.Calliewouldsurelybe
therebynow.Hecouldwarnher...

ButthewomanwhoansweredthephonesaidthatCalliehadn'tarrivedyet.Shewastwohourslate,and
herstepfatherwasbecominganxious.DidMicahknowwhereshewas?

Heavoidedadirectanswerandpromisedtophoneherback.Then,withafeelingofutterdread,he
climbedintothePorscheanddrovepastKemp'slawoffice,takingtherouteCalliewouldhavetaken
totheadultdaycarecenter.

His heart skipped a beat when he reached the first intersection outside the city. At this time of day,
therewasverylittletraffic.Butthere,onthesideoftheroad,wasCallie'syellowVW,parkedonthe
grasswiththedriver'sdoorwide-open.

Hepulledinbehinditandgotout,cursingashenotedthatthekeyswerestillintheignition,andher
pursewaslyingonthepassengerseat.Therewasnonote,noanything.

Hestoodthere,shell-shockedandcold.LopezhadCallie.LopezhadCallie!

Afteraminute,hephonedEbonhiscarphone.

"Whatdoyouwantmetodo?"Ebaskedatonce,afterMicahhadfinishedspeaking.

Micah'sheadwasspinning.Hecouldn'tthink.Heranahandthroughhisthickhair."Nothing.You're
newlymarried,likeCy.Ican'tputanymorewomeninthefiringline.Letmehandlethis."

"Whatwillyoudo?"Ebasked.

"Bojo's in Atlanta visiting his brother, but I'll have him meet me in Belize tomorrow. If you have a
numberforRodrigo,callit,andtellhimtomeetmeinBelize,too,attheSeasurfer'sBar.Meanwhile,
I'llcallintherestofmyteam."Hewasrememberingphonenumbersandjottingthemdownevenas
hespoke."They'retakingaholiday,butIcanroundthemup.I'llgoinafterher."

Ebsuggestedcallingthechiefofpolice,ChetBlake,becausehehadcontactseverywhere,including
relativesinpositionsofpower-onewasevenaTexasRanger.Micahcouldn'targue.IfEbwantedto
telltheman,lethim.

HewasgoingtogettoCalliewhileshewasstillalive.

"Just remember that somebody in law enforcement is feeding information to Lopez, and act
accordingly.I'vegottomakearrangementsaboutDadbeforeIleave."

"I'msorry,Micah."

"It'smyfault,"Micahgroundoutfuriously."Ishouldn'thaveleftheraloneforaminute!Iwarnedher,
butwhatgooddidthatdo?"

"Stopthat,"Ebsaidatonce."You'renogoodtoCallieunlessyoucanthinkstraight.Ifyouneedany
sortofhelp,logisticalorotherwise,IhavecontactsofmyowninMexico."

"I'llneedordinance,"Micahsaidatonce."CanyousetitupwithyourmaninBelizeandarrangeto
havehimmeetusatthatbordercafeweusedtouseforastagingground?"

"Ican.Tellmewhatyouwant."

Micah outlined the equipment he wanted, including an old DC-3 to get them into the Yucatan, from
whichhismenwoulddropwithparachutesatnight.

"Youcanflyinundertheradarinthat,"Ebcautioned,"buttheDEAwillassumeyou'retryingtobring
indrugsiftheyspotyou.It'llbetricky."

"Damn!"MicahwasrememberingthatsomeoneinfederalauthoritywasonLopez'spayroll."Ihada
contactnearLopez,butheleftthecountry.Rodrigo'scousinmighthelp,buthe'dberiskinghislife
afterthislatesttiphefedRodrigo.So,basically,we'vegotnobodyinLopez'sorganization.AndifI
usemyregularcontacts,IriskalertingtheDEA.WhocanItrust?"

"Iknowsomeone,"Ebsaidafteraminute."I'lltakecareofthat.Phonemewhenyou'reontheground
inCancunandmakesureyou'vegotglobalpositioningequipmentwithyou."

"Willdo.Thanks,Eb."

"Whatarefriendsfor?I'llbeintouch.Goodluck."

"Thanks."

"WantmetocallCy?"

"No.I'llgobyhisplaceonmywayoutoftownandcatchhimup."Hehungup.

He didn't want to leave Callie's car with the door open and her purse in it, but he didn't want to be
accused of tampering with evidence later. He compromised by locking it and closing the door. The
policewouldfinditeventually,becausetheypatrolledthisway.They'dtakeitfromthere,buthedidn't
want anyone in authority to know he was going after Callie. Someone had warned Lopez about the
recent devastating DEA raid on his property. That person was still around, and Micah didn't want
anyonetoguessthatheknewaboutCallie'skidnapping.

Itwashardtothinkclearly,buthehadto.HeknewthatCalliehadacellphone.Hedidn'tknowifshe
haditwithher.Kemp,herboss,hadletthatsliptoEbScottduringacasualconversation.IfCalliehad
thephone,andLopez'speopledidn'tknow,shemightbeabletogetacallout.Hedidn'tflatterhimself
thatshe'dcallhim.Butshemighttrytocalltheadultdaycarecenter,ifshecould.Itwasn'tmuch,but
itgavehimhope.

Hedrovetothecenter.Foronemadinstanthethoughtaboutspeakingtohisfatherinperson.Butthat
would only complicate matters and upset the old man; they hadn't spoken in years. He couldn't risk
causinghisfathertohaveanotherstrokeorasecondheartattackbytellinghimthatCalliehadbeen
kidnapped.

He went to the office of the nursing director of the center instead and took her into his confidence.
Sheagreedwithhimthatitmightbebestiftheykeptthenewsfromhisfather,andtheyformulateda
coverstorythatwasconvincing.Itwaseasyenoughforhimtoarrangeforanursetogohomewith
hisfathertoCallie'sapartmenteverynightandtodrivehimtothecentereachday.Theydecidedto
tell Jack Steele that one of Callie's elderly aunts had been hurt in a car wreck and she had to go to
Houston to see about her. Callie had no elderly aunts, but Jack wouldn't know that. It would placate
him and keep him from worrying. Then Micah would have to arrange for someone to protect him
fromanyattemptsbyLopezonhislife.

Hewentbacktohismotelandspenttherestofthenightandpartofthenextdaymakinginternational
phone calls. He knew that Chet Blake, the police chief, would call in the FBI once Callie's
disappearancewasnoted,andthatwasn'tabadidea.Theywould,ofcourse,trytonotifyMicah,but
theywouldn'tbeabletofindhim.

ThatmeantthatLopez'smaninlawenforcementwouldthinkMicahdidn'tknowthathisstepsisterhad
beenkidnapped.Andthatwouldworktohisbenefit.

ButifLopez'smencarriedCalliedowntotheYucatan,nearCancun,whichwaswherethedruglord
livedthesedays,itwasgoingtobecomeanightmareofdiplomacyforanyU.S.agencythattriedto
getheroutofhisclutches,despiteinternationallawenforcementcooperation.Micahdidn'thavethat
problem.HehadBojo,oneofhisbestmercenaries,withhimintheStates.Ittooktimetotrackdown
therestofhisteam,butbydawnhe'dmanageditandarrangedtomeettheminBelizethatnight.He

hatedwaitingthatlong,andheworriedaboutwhatCalliewasgoingtoendureinthemeantime.But
anysortofassaulttookplanning,especiallyonafortresslikeLopez'shome.Toapproachitbysea
was impossible. Lopez had several fast boats and guards patrolling the sea wall night and day. It
wouldhavetobealand-basedattack,whichwaswheretheDC-3camein.Thetrustyoldplaneswere
practicallyindestructible.

Hecouldn'tgetCallie'sordealoutofhismind.He'dkepttabsonherforyearswithoutherknowledge.
She'd dated one out-of-town auditor and a young deputy sheriff, but nothing came of either
relationship.Sheseemedtobalkatclosecontactwithmen.Thatwasdisturbingtohim,becausehe'd
madesomenastyallegationsabouthermoralsbeingaslooseashermother'saftershe'dcomeonto
himunderthemistletoefouryearsago.

Hedidn'tthinkwordswouldbedamaging,butperhapstheywere.Calliehadareputationlocallyfor
being as pure as fresh snow. In a small town, where everybody knew everything about their
neighbors,youcouldn'thideascandal.Thatmadehimfeelevenmoreguilty,becauseCalliehadbeen
sweetanduninhibiteduntilhe'dgonetoworkonher.Itwasashamethathe'dtakenouthisrageon
her,whenitwashermotherwho'dcausedalltheproblemsinhisfamily.Callie'sinnocencewasgoing
tocostherdearly,inLopez'sgrasp.Micahgroanedaloudashebegantoimaginewhatmighthappen
tohernow.Anditwouldbehisfault.

Hepackedhissuitcaseandcheckedoutofthemotel.Onthewaytotheairport,hewentbyCyParks's
place, to tell him what was going on. Eb was doing enough already; Micah hated the thought of
puttingmoreonhim.

Besides, Cy would have been miffed if he was left out of this. He had his own reasons for wanting
Lopez brought down. The vengeful drug lord had endangered the life of Cy's bride, Lisa, and the
taciturn rancher wouldn't rest easy until Lopez got what was coming to him. He sympathized with
Micah about Callie's kidnapping and Jack Steele's danger. To Micah's relief, he also volunteered to
haveoneofhismen,aformerlawenforcementofficer,keepacoverteyeonhisfather,justincase.
ThatrelievedMicah'stroubledmind.Hedrovetotheairport,lefttherentedPorscheintheparkinglot
withtheattendant,andboardedtheplanetoBelize.Thenhewenttowork.

Calliecametoinalimousine.Shewastrusseduplikeacalfinabulldoggingcompetition,wristsand
anklesbound,andagaginhermouth.Thethreemenwho'dkidnappedherwereconversing.

Theyweren'tspeakingSpanish.SheheardatleastoneArabicwordthatsheunderstood.Atonce,she
knewthattheywereManuelLopez'smen,andthatMicahhadtoldthetruthaboutthedangersheand
Jackwerein.Itwastoolatenow,though.She'dbeencarelessandshe'dbeensnatched.

She lowered her eyelids when one of the men glanced toward her, pretending to still be groggy,
hopingforachancetoescape.Boundasshewas,thatseemedimpossible.Sheshiftedalittle,noticing
with comfort the feel of the tiny cell phone she'd slipped into her slacks' pocket before leaving the
office.Iftheydidn'tfriskher,shemightgetacallout.Sherememberedwhatshe'dheardaboutLopez,
andherbloodrancold.

Shecouldn'tdragherwristsoutofthebonds.Theyfeltlikeropes,nothandcuffs.Herarmwassore-

shewonderedifperhapsthey'dgivenherashot,asedativeofsomesort.Shemusthavebeenouta
verylongtime.Ithadbeenlateafternoonwhenshe'dbeenkidnapped.Nowitwasalmostdawn.She
wishedshehadadrinkofwater....

The big limousine ate up the miles. She had some vague sensation that she'd been on an airplane.
Perhaps they'd flown to an airport and the car had picked them up. If only she could see out the
window.Therewereundefinedshadowsoutthere.Theylookedliketrees,alotoftrees.Hervision
wasslightlyblurredandshefeltasifherlimbsweremadeofiron.Itwasdifficulttoconcentrate,and
moredifficulttotrytomove.Whathadtheygivenher?

One man spoke urgently to the other and indicated Callie. He smiled and replied with a low, deep
chuckle.

Callienoticedthenthatherblousehadcomeapartinthestruggle.Herbrawasvisible,andthosemen
were staring at her as if they had every right. She felt sick to her soul. It didn't take knowing the
language to figure out what they were saying. She was completely innocent, but before this ordeal
wasover,sheknewsheneverwouldbeagain.Shefeltawaveofgriefwashoverher.IfonlyMicah
hadn'tpushedherawaythatChristmas.

Nowitwastoolate.Herfirstandlastexperienceofmenwasgoingtobeanightmarishone,ifshe
even lived through it. That seemed doubtful. Once the drug lord discovered that Micah had no
affectionforhisstepsister,thatheactuallyhatedherandwouldn'tsoilhishandspayingherransom,
shewasgoingtobekilled.Sheknewwhathappenedinkidnappings.Mostpeopleknew.Ithadnever
occurredtoherthatshewouldeverfigureinone.Howironic,thatshewaspoorandunattractive,and
thathadn'tsparedherthisexperience.

ShewondereddimlywhatMicahwouldsaywhenheknewshewasmissing.He'dprobablyfeelwell
ridofher,buthemightpaytheransomforherfather'ssake.SomeonehadtolookafterJackSteele,
somethinghisonlychildcouldn'tapparentlybebotheredtodo.Callielovedtheoldmanandwould
havegladlysacrificedherlifeforhim.Thatmadehervaluableinatleastoneway.

TheonebrightspotinallthiswasthatoncewordofCallie'skidnappinggotout,Micahwouldhirea
bodyguardforJackwhetherhewantedoneornot.Jackwouldbesafe.

She wished she knew some sort of self-defense, some way of protecting herself, of getting loose
from the ropes and the gag that was slowly strangling her. She hadn't had time for lunch the day
beforeandshe'dbeendruggedforthewholenightandintothenextmorning.Shewassickandweak
fromhungerandthirst,andshereallyhadtogotothebathroom.Itwasabaddayallaround.

Sheclosedhereyesandwishedshe'dlockedhercardoorsandspedoutofreachofherassailants.If
therewasanexttime,ifshelivedtorepeathermistakes,she'dneverrepeatthatone.

Sheshiftedbecauseherlegswerecrampingandshefeltevensicker.

ListeningtothemenconverseinArabic,sherealizedherabductorsweren'tfromMexico.Butasshe
looked out the window now, she could see the long narrow paved ribbon of road running through
whatlookedlikerainforest.She'dneverbeentotheYucatan,butsheknewwhatitlookedlikefrom

volumesofbooksshe'dcollectedonMayarelics.Herheartsank.SheknewthatManuelLopezlived
nearCan-cun,andsheknewshewasintheYucatan.Herworstfearswererealized.

Onlyminuteslater,thecarpulledintoalongpaveddrivewaythroughtallsteelgates.Thegatesclosed
behindthem.Theyspeduptoanimpressivewhitewashedbeachhouseoverlookingarockybay.Ithad
red ceramic tiles and the grounds were immaculate and full of blooming flowers. Hibiscus in
November.Shecouldhavelaughedhysterically.Backhomethetreeswerebare,andhereeverything
wasblooming.Shewonderedwhatsortoffertilizertheyusedtogrowthosehibiscusflowerssobig,
andthensherememberedLopez'srecentbodycount.

Shewonderedifshemightendupplantedinhisgarden...

Thecarstopped.Thedoorwasopenedbyasuiteddarkmanholdinganautomaticrifleofsomesort,
oneofthoselittlesnub-nosedmachinegunsthatcrooksontelevisionalwaysseemedtocarry.

She winced as the men dragged her out of the car and frog-marched her, bonds and all, into the
ceramic tile floored lobby. The tile was black and white, like a chessboard. There was a long,
gracefulstaircaseand,overhead,acrystalchandelierthatlookedlikeWaterfordcrystal.Itprobably
costtwoorthreetimesthepriceofhercar.

Asshesearchedhersurroundings,asmallmiddle-agedmanstrolledoutofthelivingroomwithhis
handsinhispockets.Hedidn'tsmile.HewalkedaroundCallieasifsheweresomesortofcuriosity,
hisfulllipspursed,hissmalldarkeyesnarrowandsmuglygleaming.Hejerkedhergagdown.

"MissKirby,"hemurmuredinaccentedEnglish."Welcometomyhome.IamManuelLopez.Youwill
bemyguestuntilyourinterferingstepbrothertriestorescueyou,"headded,hesitatinginfrontofher.
"Andwhenhearrives,Iwillgivehimwhatmymenhaveleftofyou,beforeIkillhim,too!"

Calliethoughtthatshe'dneverseensuchcrueltyinahumanbeing'seyesinherlife.Themanmade
herkneesshake.Hewaslookingatherwithcontemptandpossession.Hereachedoutastubbyhand
andrippedherblousedowninfront,baringhersmallbreastsintheircottonbra.

"I had expected a more attractive woman," he said. "Sadly you have no attractions with which to
bargain, have you? Small breasts and a body that would afford little satisfaction. But Kalid likes
women,"hemused,glancingatthesmall,darkmanwho'dbeensittingacrossfromCallie."WhenI
needinformation,heisthemanwhoobtainsitforme.AndalthoughIneednoinformationfromyou,
MissKirby,"hemurmured,"itwillpleaseKalidtopracticehisskills."

Arapid-fireburstofagutturallanguagemetthestatement.

"Espanol!"Lopezsnapped."YouknowIdonotunderstandArabic!"

"The woman," one of the other men replied in Spanish. "Before you give her to Kalid, let us have
her."

Lopezglancedatthetwothin,unshavenmenwho'ddeliveredCallietohimandsmiled."Whynot?I
makeyouapresentofher.Itshouldarouseevenmoreguiltinherstepbrothertofindher...used.But

notuntilItellyou,"headdedcoldly."Fornow,takehertotheemptyservant'sroomupstairs.Andput
thegagbackinplace,"headded.

"Ihaveimportantguestsarriving.Iwouldnotwantthemtobedisturbedbyanyunexpectednoise."

"My stepbrother won't come to rescue me," she said hoarsely, shocked. "He isn't a physical sort of
man.Aren'tyougoingtoaskhimtopayransom?"

Lopezlookedatherasifshewerenuts."WhydoyouthinkSteelewillnotcomeafteryou?"

"He's a doctor. Or he was studying to be one. He wouldn't know the first thing about rescuing
somebody!"

Lopezseemedtofindthatamusing.

"Besides that," she added harshly, "he hates me. He'll probably laugh his head off when he knows
you'vegotme.Hecan'tstandthesightofme."

That seemed to disturb Lopez, but after a minute he shrugged. "No importa," he said lightly. "If he
comes,thatwillbegood.Ifnot,itwillmakehimevenmoreconcernedforhisfather.Whowillbe,"
headdedwithacoldsmile,"nexttofeelmywrath."

Calliehadhermouthopentoaskanotherquestion,butatasignalfromLopezshewashalfdragged
outoftheroom,herpaleblueeyesaswideassaucersassheshiveredwithfear.

ChapterTwo

Callie had never been in such danger in her life, although she certainly knew what it was to be
manhandled.

She'dbeeninandoutoffostercaresincetheageofsix.Onararevisithome,oneofhermother's
lovershadbrokenherarmwhenshewasthirteen,aftertryingtofondleher.She'drunfromhimin
horror, and he'd caught up with her at the staircase. A rough scuffle with the man had sent her
tumblingdownthestepstoliesprawledatthefootofthestaircase.

Hermotherhadbeenfurious,butnotatherboyfriend,whosaidthatCalliehadcalledhimnamesand
threatened to tell her mother lies about him. After her broken arm had been set in a cast, Anna had
takenCallierightbacktoherfosterhome,makingherouttobeincorrigibleandwashingherhands
ofresponsibilityforher.

Oddly, it had been Jack Steele's insistence that he wanted the child that had pushed a reluctant Anna
intotakingherback,attheageoffifteen.Jackhadwonherover,adayatatime.WhenMicahwas
homeforholidays,he'dtauntedher,madehisdisapprovalofhersonoticeablethatherfirstlessonin
theSteelehomewaslearninghowtoavoidJack'sgrownson.She'dhadalotofpracticeatavoiding
menbythen,andalotofemotionalscars.

Annahadfoundthatamusing.Nevermuchofamother,she'dignoredCallietosuchanextentthatthe
onlyaffectionCallieevergotwasfromJack.

Sheclosedhereyes.Herownfatherhadrippedheroutofhisarmswhenshewassixandpushedher
awaywhenshebeggedtostaywithhim.Shewassomeotherman'sbastard,he'draged,andhewanted
nopartofher.Shecouldgetoutwithhertrampofamother-whomhe'djustcaughtinbedwitharich
friend-andheneverwantedtoseeeitherofthemagain.She'dlovedherfather.Sheneverunderstood
why he couldn't love her back. Well, he thought she wasn't his. She couldn't really blame him for
feelingthatway.

Shewasstillsittinginasmallbedroomthatnight,havingbeengivennothingtoeatordrink.Shewas
weakwithhungerandpain,becausethebondsthatheldherwristsandankleshadchafedandallbut
cutoffthecirculation.

Sheheardnoisedownstairsfromtimetotime.ObviouslyLopez'svisitorshadstayedalongtime,and
beenquiteentertained,fromthesoundofthings.Shecouldhearthesoftwhisperoftheoceanteasing
theshoreoutsidethewindow.Shewonderedwhattheywoulddowithherbody,aftertheykilledher.
Perhapsthey'dthrowheroutthere,tobeeatenbysharks.

Whileshewasagonizingoverherfate,theskyhaddarkened.Hoursmorepassed,duringwhichshe
dozedalittle.Thensuddenly,shewasalonenolonger.Thedooropenedandclosed.Sheopenedher
tiredeyesandsawthethreemenwho'dkidnappedher,gatheredaroundherlikeapackofdogswitha
helplesscat.Oneofthemstartedstrippingherwhiletheotherswatched.Hercellphonefelloutofthe
pocketofherslacksastheywerepulledoffherlonglegs.Oneofthementosseditupandlaughed,

speakingtoanothermaninyetadifferentforeignlanguage.

Callie closed her eyes, shivering with fear, and prayed for strength to bear what was coming. She
wishedwithallherheartthatMicahhadn'tpushedherawaythatlastChristmasthey'dspenttogether.
Betterhimthananyoneofthesecold,cruel,mockingstrangers.

She heard one of them speaking in rough Spanish, discussing her body, making fun of her small
breasts.Itwaslikeaplaybackfromonefosterhomewhenshewasfifteen,whereanoldersonofthe
family had almost raped her before he was interrupted by the return of his parents. She'd run away
afterward,andbeensenttoanotherfosterhome.She'dbeensavedthattime,butshecouldexpectno
helpnow.Micahwouldn'tbegintoknowhowtorescueher,evenifhewasinclinedtosaveher.He
probablywouldn'tconsiderransom,either.Shewasaloneintheworld,withnoonewhowouldcare
aboutherfate.Hermotherprobablywouldn'tevenbebotheredifshedied.LikeMicah,she'dblamed
Callieforwhathadhappened.

Desperateforsomewaytoenduretheordeal,toblockitout,Calliepicturedthelasttimeshe'dseen
her grandmother before she passed away, standing in an arbor of little pink fairy roses, waving.
Calliehadoftenstayedwithherfather'swidowedmotherwhenheandAnnaweretraveling.Itwasa
havenoflove.Ithadn'tlasted.Hergrandmotherhaddiedsuddenlywhenshewasfive.Everyoneshe'd
everlovedhadlefther,inonewayortheother.Nobodywouldevenmissher.MaybeJackwould.She
spared one last thought for the poor old man who was as alone as she was. But with her out of the
way,perhapsMicahwouldgohomeagain...

Therewasaloud,harshshout.Sheheardthedooropen,andthemenleave.Withashiverysigh,she
movedbackwarduntilshecouldeasedownintoawornwingchairbythefireplace.Itwasn'tgoingto
bealongreprieve,sheknew.Ifonlyshecouldfreeherself!Butthebondswerecuttingintoherwrists
andankles.Shewasleftinonlyapairofagedwhitebriefsandatatteredwhitebra,wornforcomfort
andnotforappearance.Noonehadseenherinherunderwearsinceshewasasmallchild.Shefelt
tears sting her eyes as she sat there, vulnerable and sick and ashamed. Any minute now, those men
wouldbeback.Theywoulduntieherbeforetheyusedher.Sheknewthat.Shehadtotrytocatchthem
offguardtheinstantshewasfreeandrun.Ifshecouldgetintothejungle,shemighthaveachance.
Shewasafastsprinter,andsheknewwoodcraft.Itwasthelastdesperatehopeshehad.

Oneofthemen,theonewho'daskedLopezforher,camebackinsideforaminute,staringather.He
pulledoutawickedlookinglittleknifeandflickeditatoneshoulderstrapofherbra,cuttingright
throughit.

ShecalledhimafoulnameinSpanish,makingherselfunderstooddespitethegag.Hermindraced
along.Ifshecouldmakehimangryenoughtofreeher,whichhe'dhavetodoifhehadrapeinmind...
Sherepeatedthefoulname,withmorefervor.

Hecursed.Butinsteadofpullingheruptountieher,hecaughtherbytheshoulderandpressedher
hardbackintothechair,easingthepointoftheknifeagainstthesoft,delicateupperpartofherbreast.

Shemoanedhoarselyastheknifelightlygrazedherflesh.

"Youwilllearnmannersbeforewefinishwithyou,"hedrawledicily,inroughSpanish."Youwilldo
whatItellyou!"

Hemadenomovetofreeher.Instead,hejerkeddownthesideofherbrathathadbeencut,andstared
mockinglyatherbreast.

Theprickfromtheknifestung.Shegroundherteethtogether.Whathadshebeenthinking?Hewasn't
goingtofreeher.Hewasgoingtotortureher!Shefeltsickuntodeathwithfearasshelookedupinto
hiseyesandrealizedthathewasenjoyingbothhershameandherfear.

In fact, he laughed. He went back and locked the door. "We don't need to be disturbed, do we?" he
purredashewalkedbacktowardher,brandishingthesharpknife."Ihavelookedforwardtothisall
thewayfromTexas..."

Hereyesclosed.Shesaidalast,silentprayer.ShethoughtofMicah,andofJack.Herchinliftedasshe
waitedbravelyfortheimpactoftheblade.

There was a commotion downstairs and a commotion outside. She'd hoped it might divert the man
standingoverherwiththatknife,buthewastoointentonhervulnerablestatetocarewhatwasgoing
onelsewhere.Heputonehandonthebackofthechair,besideherhead,andplacedthepointofthe
kniferightagainstherbreast.

"Begmenottodoit,"hechuckled."Comeon.Begme."

Her terrified eyes met his and she knew that he was going to violate her. It was in his face. He was
almostdroolingwithpleasure.Shewascoldallover,sick,resigned.Shewoulddie,eventually.Butin
themeantime,shewasgoingtosufferafatethatwouldmakedeathwelcome.

"Begme!"hedemanded,hiseyesflashingangrily,andthebladepushedharder.

Therewasasuddenburstofgunfirefromsomewheretowardthefrontofthehouse.Simultaneously,
there was shattering glass behind the man threatening her, and the sudden audible sound of bullets
hittingflesh.Themanwiththeknifegroanedonceandfellintoasilent,red-stainedheapatherfeet.

Wide-eyed,terrified,shaking,Calliecriedoutasshelookedupintoafacecompletelycoveredwitha
blackmask,exceptforslitsthatbaredalittleofhiseyesandmouth.Hewasdressedallinblackwitha
wickedlookinglittlemachineguninonehandandahugeknifesuddenlyintheother.Hiseyeswent
tohernickedbreast.HemadearoughsoundandkickedthemanonthefloorasideashepulledCallie
upoutofthechairandcutthebondsatheranklesandwrists.

Her hands and feet were asleep. She almost fell. He didn't even stop to unfasten the gag. Without a
word, he bent and lifted her over his shoulder in the classic fireman's carry, and walked straight
towardthewindow.

Apparently,hewasgoingoutit,withher.

Hefinishedclearingawaythebrokenglassaroundthewindowframeandpulledalongblackcord
towardhim.

Itseemedtobehangingfromtheroof.

Hewashugeandverystrong.Callie,stillinshockfromhermostrecentordeal,herfeetandhands
almostnumb,didn'ttrytotalk.Shedidn'tevenprotest.Ifthiswasaturfwar,andshewasbeingstolen
byanotherdruglord,perhapshe'djustholdherforransomandnotlethismentortureher.Shehad
littletosayaboutherownfate.

Sheclosedhereyesandnoticedthattherewasafamiliarsmellaboutthemanwhowasabductingher.
Odd.HemustbewearingsomecolognethatremindedherofJack,orevenMr.Kemp.Atleasthe'd
savedherfromtheknife.

Herwoundedbreasthurt,whereitwaspressedagainsttheribbedfabricofhislong-sleevedshirt,and
thesmallcutwasbleedingslightly,butthatdidn'tseemtomatter.AslongashegotheroutofLopez's
clutches,shedidn'treallycarewhathappenedtoheranymore.Shewasexhausted.

Withherstilloverhisshoulder,hesteppedoutontotheledge,graspedathickblackcordinagloved
handand,withhisrifleleveledandfacingforward,herappelledrightoutthesecond-storywindow
anddowntothegroundwithCallieonhisshoulder.Shegaspedasshefeltthefirstsecondsoffree
fall,andherhandsclungtohisshirt,buthedidn'tdropher.Heseemedquiteadeptatrappelling.

She'd read about the Australian rappel, where men went down the rope face-front with a weapon in
onehand.

She'd never seen it done, except on television and in adventure movies. She'd never seen anyone
doingitwithahostageoveroneshoulder.Thismanwasveryskillful.Shewonderedifhereallywas
a rival drug lord, or if perhaps he was one of Eb Scott's mercenaries. Was it possible that Micah
wouldhavecaredenoughtoaskEbtomountherrescue?Herheartleapedatthepossibility.

Astheyreachedtheground,sherealizedthatherrescuerwasn'talone.Assoonastheywereonthe
ground,hemadesomesortofsignalwithonehand,andmendressedinblack,barelyvisibleinthe
securitylightsdottedalongthedarkestate,scatteredtothewinds.Meninsuits,stillfiringafterthem,
begantoruntowardthejungle.

Afour-wheel-drivevehiclewassittinginthedrivewaywithitsenginerunningandthebackseatdoor
open,waiting.

Herrescuerthrewherinside,climbedinbesideherandslammedthedoor.Shepulledthegagoff.

"Hitit!"hebitoff.

Thevehiclespundirtandgravelasittookofftowardthegate.Thewindowswereopen.Gunfirehit
the side of the door, and was returned by the man sitting beside Callie and the man in the front
passengerseat.Theotherarmedmanhadaslight,neatlytrimmedbeardandmustacheandhelooked

asformidableashiscomrade.Themanwhowasdrivinghandledthevehicleexpertly,dodgingbullets
evenashiscompanionsreturnedfireatthepursuingvehicle.

Calliehadseenotherarmedmeninblackrunningforthejungle.Sherevisedheropinionthatthese
wererivaldrugdealers.Fromthelookofthesemen,theywerecommandos.Sheassumedthatthese
threemenwerepartofsomesortofcovertgroupsentintorescueher.Onlyonepersonwouldhave
the money to mount such an expedition, and she'd have bet money that Eb Scott was behind it
somehow.Micahmusthavepaidhimtohirethesementocomeafterher.

Ifhehad,shewasgratefulforhisintervention,althoughshewonderedwhathadpromptedit.Perhaps
hisfatherhadpersuadedhim.Godknew,he'dneverhavespentthatsortofmoneyonherrescuefor
hisownsake.Hersuddendisappearanceoutofhislifewouldhavedelightedhim.

She was chilled and embarrassed, sitting in her underwear with three strange men, but her clothing
hadbeenrippedbeyondrepair.Infact,herrescuerhadn'tevenstoppedtograbituponhiswayoutof
theroomwhereshewasbeingheld.Shemadeherselfasinconspicuousaspossible,gratefulthatthere
wasnolightinsidethevehicle,andclosedhereyeswhilethesoundofgunfirericochetedaroundher.
She didn't say a word. Her companions seemed quite capable of handling this new emergency. She
wasn'tgoingtodistractthem.Ifshecaughtastraybullet,thatwasallright,too.Anything,evendeath,
wouldbepreferabletowhatshewouldendureifLopezregainedcustodyofher.

Halfamiledowntheroad,therewasadeepcurve.Thebigmanwho'drescuedCallietoldthemanin
fronttostopthevehicle.Hegrabbedabackpackonthefloorboard,jumpedout,pulledCallieout,and
motioned the driver and the man with the beard and mustache to keep going. The big man carried
Callie out of sight of the road and dashed her down in the dark jungle undergrowth, his powerful
body lying alongside hers in dead leaves and debris while they waited for the Jeep that had been
chasingthemtoappear.Thornsdugintoherbarearmsandlegs,butshewassoafraidthatshehardly
noticed.

Suddenly,thepursuingJeepcameintosight.Itbrakedforthecurve,butitbarelysloweddownasit
shot along after the other vehicle. Its taillights vanished around the bend. So far, so good, Callie
thought,feelingoddlysafewiththewarmthandstrengthofthemanlyingsoclosebesideher.Butshe
hopedthemanwhowasdrivingtheirvehicleandhisbeardedcompanionmadeacleangetaway.She
wouldn'twantthemshot,eventosaveherself.

"That went well," her companion murmured curtly, rising. He pulled out some sort of electronic
gadgetandpushedbuttons.Heturned,sightingalongit."Canyouwalk?"heaskedCallie.

His voice was familiar. Her mind must be playing tricks. She stood up, still in her underwear and
barefoot.

"Yes.ButI...don'thaveanyshoes,"shesaidhoarsely,stillhalfinshock.

Helookeddownather,aimingatinyflashlightatherbody,andacurseescapedhismouthashesaw
hermangledbra.

"Whatthehelldidtheydotoyou?"heaskedthroughhisteeth.

Amazing,howfamiliarthatdeepvoicewas."Notasmuchastheyplannedto,thankstoyou,"shesaid,
trying to remain calm. "It's not a bad cut, just a graze. I'll have to have some sort of shoes if we're
goingtowalk.AndI...Idon'tsupposeyouhaveanextrashirt?"sheaddedwithpainfuldignity.

Hewasholdingabackpack.HepulledoutabigblackT-shirtandstuffedherintoit.Hehadapairof
camouflagepants,too.Theyhadtoberolledup,buttheyfituncannilywell.Hisfacewassolemnashe
dugintothebagasecondtimeandpulledoutapairofleatherloafersandtwopairsofsocks.

“They'llbetoobig,butthesockswillhelpthemfit.They'llhelpprotectyourfeet.Hurry.Lopez'smen
areeverywhereandwehavearendezvoustomake."

She felt more secure in the T-shirt and camouflage pants. Not wanting to hold him up, she slipped
quickly into the two pairs of thick socks and rammed her feet into the shoes. It was dark, but her
companionhadhissmalllighttrainedahead.Shenoticedthathugeknifeinhislefthandashestarted
aheadofher.SherememberedthatMicahwasleft-handed...

The jungle growth was thick, but passable. Her companion shifted his backpack, so dark that it
blendedinwithhisdarkgearandthejungle.

"Stayclosebehindme.Don'tspeakunlessItellyouto.Don'tmoveunlessImove."

"Okay,"shesaidinahuskywhisper,withoutargument.

"Whenwegetwherewe'regoing,I'lltakecareofthatcut."

Shedidn'tanswerhim.Shewasexhausted.Shewasalsodyingofthirstandhunger,butsheknewthere
wasn't time for the luxury of food. She concentrated on where she was putting her feet, and prayed
thatshewouldn'ttripoverahugesnake.Sheknewthereweresnakesandlizardsandhugespidersin
thejungle.Shewasafraid,butLopezwasmuchmoreterrorizingathreatthanalonesomesnake.

Shefollowedhertaciturncompanionthroughthejunglegrowth,hereyesrestless,herearslistening
foranymechanicalsound.Thedarknesswasoddlycomforting,becausesoundtraveledsowellinit.
Once,sheheardaquick,sharprustleoftheunderbrushandstilled,buthercompanionquicklytrained
hislightonit.Itwasonlyaniguana.

She laughed with delight at the unexpected encounter, bringing a curt jerk of the head from her
companion,whoseemedtofindheramusementodd.Hedidn'tsayanything,though.Heglancedathis
instrumentagain,stoppedtolistenandlook,andstartedoffagain.

Thornsinsomeoftheundergrowthtoreatherbarearmsandlegs,andherface.Shedidn'tcomplain.

Rememberingwhereshe'dbeenjustbeforeshewasrescuedmadehergratefulforanysortofescape,
nomatterhowphysicallypainfulitmightbe.

Shebegantomakeamentallistofthingsshehadtodowhentheyreachedsafety.Firstonthelistwas

tophoneandseeifJackSteelewasallright.Hemustbeworriedabouthersuddendisappearance.She
didn'twanthimtosufferasetback.

Her lack of conversation seemed to puzzle the big man leading her through the jungle. He glanced
backatherfrequently,presumablytomakesureshewasbehindhim,buthedidn'tspeak.Hemadeodd
movements, sometimes doubling back on the trail he made, sometimes deliberately snapping twigs
andsteppingongrassindirectionstheydidn'tgo.Calliejustfollowedalongmindlessly.

Atleasttwohourspassedbeforehestopped,nearasmallstream."Weshouldbesafeenoughherefor
thetimebeing,"heremarkedasheputdownthebackpackandopenedit,producingasmallbottleof
water.HetossedittoCallie."Iimagineyou'rethirsty."

Sheopeneditwithtremblinghandsandswallowedhalfofitdownatonce,tearsstinginghereyesat
thepleasureofthewetnessonhertongue,inherdrymouth.

Hesetupasmall,self-containedlightsource,revealinghiscompanion.Hemovedcloser,frowningat
her enthusiastic swallowing as he drew a first aid kit from his backpack. "When did you last have
anythingtodrink?"heaskedsoftly.

"Day...beforeyesterday,"shechoked.

Hecursed.Inthesameinstant,hepulledoffthemaskhe'dbeenwearing,andCalliedroppedthewater
bottleashereyesencounteredthedarkonesofherstepbrother,Micah,inthedimlight.

Hepickedupthewaterbottleandhandeditbacktoher."Ithoughtitmightcomeasashock,"hesaid
grimly,notingherexpression.

"Youcameaftermeyourself?"sheasked,aghast."But,how?Why?"

"Lopez has an agent in one of the federal agencies," he told her flatly. "I don't know who it is. I
couldn'trisklettingthemcomedownherelookingforyouandhavingsomeonesellyououtbeforeI
gothere.Notthatitwouldhavebeenanytimesoon.They'reprobablystillarguingoverjurisdictions
aswespeak."Hepulledoutafoil-sealedpackageandtossedittoher."It'stheequivalentofanMRE-a
mealreadytoeat.Nothingfancy,butifyou'rehungry,youwon'tmindthetaste."

"Thanks,"shesaidhuskily,tearingintoitwithurgentfingersthattrembledwithhunger.

Hewatchedhereatravenously,andhescowled."Nofood,either?"

She shook her head. "You don't feed people you're going to kill," she mumbled through bites of
chickenandricethattastedfreshlycooked,ifcold.

Hewasverystill."Excuseme?"

She glanced at him while she chewed a cube of chicken. "He gave me to three of his men and told
themtokillme."Sheswallowedandavertedhereyes."Hesaidtheycoulddowhatevertheylikedto
mefirst.Sotheydid.

Atleast,theystartedto,whenyoushowedup.Iwasbrieflyalonewithasmallerman,ArabicIthink,
and I tried to make him mad enough to release me so I had one last chance at escape. It made him
mad, all right, but instead of untying me, he...put his knife into me." She chewed another cube of
chicken,tryingnottobreakdown."Hesaiditwasa...atasteofwhattoexpectifIresistedhimagain.
Whenyoucameinthroughthewindow,hewasjustabouttoviolateme."

"I'm going to take care of that cut right now. Infection sets in fast in tropical areas like this." He
openedthefirst-aidboxandcheckedthroughhissupplies.Hemutteredsomethingunderhisbreath.

Hetookthehalf-finishedmealawayfromherandstrippedheroutoftheT-shirt.Shegrimacedand
loweredhereyesashermutilatedbraandherbarebreastwererevealed,butshedidn'tprotest.

"I know this is going to be hard for you, considering what you've just been through. But try to
rememberthatI'madoctor,"hesaidcurtly."Asnearasnot,anyway."

She swallowed, her eyes still closed tight. "At least you won't make fun of my body while you're
workingonit,"

shesaidmiserably.

Hewasopeningasmallbottle."What'sthat?"

"Nothing,"shesaidwearily."OhGod,I'msotired!"

"Icanimagine."

Shefelthisbig,warmhandsreachbehindhertounfastenthebraandshecaughtitinvoluntarily.

Heglancedatherfaceinthesmallcircleoflightfromthelantern."Iftherewasanotherway,I'dtake
it."

Shedrewinaslowbreathandclosedhereyes,lettinggoofthefabric.Shebitherlipanddidn'tlook
ashepeeledthefabricawayfromhersmall,firmbreasts.

Thesightofthesmallcutmadehimfurious.Shehadprettylittlebreasts,tip-tilted,withduskynipples.
He could feel himself responding to the sight of her, and he had to bite down hard on a wave of
desire.

Heforcedhimselftofocusonthecut,andnothingelse.Thebra,hestuffedinhisbackpack.Hedidn't
dareleavesignsbehindthem.Therewasn'tmuchchancethattheywerecloselyfollowed,buthehadto
becareful.

Hehadtotouchherbreasttocleanthesmallcut,andshejerkedinvoluntarily.

"Iwon'thurtyouanymorethanIhaveto,"hepromisedquietly,mistakingherreactionforpain."Grit
yourteeth."

Shedid,butitdidn'thelp.Shebitalmostthroughherlipashecleanedthewound.Thesightofhisbig,
lean hands on her body was breathtaking, arousing even under the circumstances. The pain was
secondarytothehungershefeltforhim,ahungerthathadlastedforyears.Hedidn'tknow,andshe
couldn'tlethimknow.Hehatedher.

Sheclosedhereyeswhileheputasoftbandageoverthecleanedwound,tapingitinplace.

"Godinheaven,IthoughtI'dseeneverykindoflowlifeonearth,buttheguywhodidthistoyouwas
aclassallbyhimself,"hegrowled.

Sherememberedthemanandshuddered.Micahwaspullingtheshirtdownoverherbandagedbreast.
"Itprobablydoesn'tseemlikeit,butIgotofflucky,"shereplied.

He looked into her eyes. "It's just a superficial wound so you won't need stitches. It probably won't
evenleaveascarthere."

"Itwouldn'tmatter,"shesaidquietly.

"Itwould."Hegotup,drawingherupwithhim."You'restillnervousofme,afterallthistime."

Shedidn'tmeethiseyes."Youdon'tlikeme."

"Oh, for God's sake," he burst out, letting go of her shoulders. He turned away to deal with the
medicalkit.

"Haven'tyougoteyes?"

Shewonderedwhatthatmeant.Shewastootiredtoworkitout.Shesatdownagainandpickedupher
half-eatenmeal,finishingitwithrelish.Itwashardtolookathim,afterhe'dseenherlikethat.

Shefingeredtherolled-uppairofcamouflagepantsshewaswearing."Thesearen'tbigenoughtobe
yours,"sheremarked.

"They'reMaddie's.Shegavemethoseforyou,andtheshoesandsocks,onthewayoutofTexas,"he
commentedwhenhenoticedhercuriousexplorationofthepants.

Heworkedwithsomesortofelectronicdevice.

"What'sthatthing?"sheasked.

"GPS,"heexplained."Globalpositioning.Icangivemymenafixonourposition,sotheycangeta
chopperin here topick us upand pinpoint our exactlocation. There's aclearing just through there
wherewe'llrendezvous,"

headded,noddingtowardthejungle.

Suddenlyshefrowned."Who'sMaddie?"sheasked.

"Maddie'smyscrounger.Anythingweneedonsitethatwedidn'tbring,Maddiecanget.She'squitea
girl. In fact," he added, "she looks a lot like you. She was mistaken for you at a wedding I went to
recentlyinWashington,D.C."

Thatwasdisturbing.ItsoundedasthoughheandthisMaddiewereinpartnershiporsomething.She
hatedthejealousyshefelt,whenshehadnorighttobejealous.Oldhabitsdiedhard.

"Isshehere?"sheasked,stillpuzzledbyeventsandMicah'sstrangeskills.

"No. We left her back in the States. She's working on some information I need, about the mole
workingforthefeds,andgettingsomeofyourthingstogethertosendontoMiami."

Sheblinked."Youkeepsaying'we,'"shepointedout.

Hischinlifted.Hestudiedher,unsmiling."ExactlywhatdoyouthinkIdoforaliving,Callie?"Inthe
dimlight,hisblondhairshonelikemutedmoonlight.Hishandsomefacewasallanglesandshadows.
Hervisionwasstillalittleblurredfromwhateverthekidnapperhadgivenher.Sowashermind.

"Yourmotherleftyouatrust,"shepointedout.

"Mymotherleftmetenthousanddollars,"hereplied."Thatwouldn'tpaytoreplacetheengineonthe
FerrariIdriveinNassau."

Her hands stilled on the fork and tray. Some odd ideas were popping into her head. "You finished
yourresidency?"shefished.

Heshookhishead."Medicinewasn'tforme."

"Then,what...?"

"Use your mind, Callie," he said finally, irritated. "How many men do you know who could rappel
intoadruglord'slairandspiritoutahostage?"

Herbreathcaught."Youworkforsomefederalagency?"

"Good God!" He got up, moved to his backpack and started repacking it. "You really don't have a
clue,doyou?"

"Idon'tknowmuchaboutyou,Micah,"sheconfidedquietlyasshefinishedhermealandhandedhim
theemptytrayandfork."Thatwasthewayyoualwayswantedit."

"Insomecases,itdoesn'tpaytoadvertise,"hesaidcarelessly."IusedtoworkwithEbScottandCy
Parks,butnowIhavemyowngroup.Wehireouttovariousworldgovernmentsforcovertops."He
glancedatherstunnedface."Iworkedforthejusticedepartmentforacoupleofyears,butnowI'ma
mercenary,Callie."

Shewasstruckdumbforseverallongseconds.Sheswallowed.Itexplainedalot."Doesyourfather

know?"sheasked.

"Hedoesnot,"hetoldher."AndIdon'twanthimtoknow.Ifhestillgivesadamnaboutme,itwould
onlyupsethim."

"Helovesyouverymuch,"shesaidquietly,avoidinghisangryblackeyes."He'dliketomendfences,
buthedoesn'tknowhow.Hefeelsguilty,formakingyouleaveandblamingyouforwhat...whatmy
motherdid."

Hepulledoutafoilsealedmealforhimselfandopeneditbeforehespoke."Youblamedmeaswell."

She wrapped her arms around herself. It was cold in the jungle at night, just like they said in the
movies. "Not really. My mother is very beautiful," she said, recalling the older woman's wavy jet-
black hair and vivid blue eyes and pale skin. "She was a model just briefly, before she married
my...herfirsthusband."

Hefrowned."Youweregoingtosay,yourfather."

Sheshivered."HesaidIwasn'thischild.HecaughtherinbedwithsomerichmanwhenIwassix.I
didn't understand at the time, but he pushed me away pretty brutally and said not to come near him
again.Hesaidhedidn'tknowwhosechildIwas.Thatwaswhensheputmeinfostercare."

Micahstaredather,unspeaking,forseverallongseconds."Putyouinwhat?"

Sheswallowed."Shegavemeupforadoptiononthegroundsthatshecouldn'tsupportme.Iwentinto
ajuvenilehome,andfromtheretohalfadozenfosterhomes.Ionlysawheronceinallthoseyears,
whenshetookmehomeforChristmas.Itdidn'tlastlong."Shestareddownatthejunglefloor."When
shemarriedyourfather,hewantedme,soshetoldhimI'dbeenstayingwithmygrandmother.Iwasin
afosterhome,butshegotmeoutsoshecouldconvinceyourfatherthatshewasagoodmother."She
laughed hollowly. "I hadn't seen her or heard from her in two years by then. She told me I'd better
makeagoodjobofpretendingaffection,orshe'dtelltheauthoritiesI'dstolensomethingvaluable-
andinsteadofgoingbackintofostercarefortwomoreyears,I'dgotojail."

ChapterThree

Micahdidn'tsayaword.Herepackedthefirst-aidkitintohisbackpackwithquick,angrymovements.
Hedidn'tlookatCallie.

"Iguessyouknowhowtousethatgun,"shesaidquietly."Ifwe'refound,orifitlookslikeLopezis
goingtocatchus,Iwantyoutoshootme.I'dratherdiethanfacewhatyousavedmefrom."

Shesaiditinsuchacalm,quiettonethatitmadeallthemoreimpact.

Helookedup,scanningherdrawn,whitefaceinthesoftlightfromthelantern."Hewon'tgetyou.I
promise."

Shedrewaslowbreath."Thanks."Shetracedafingernailoverthecamouflagepants."Andthanksfor
comingtogetme.Lopezsaidhedidn'thaveanyplanstoransomme.Hewasgoingtolethismenkill
mebecausehethoughtitwouldmakeyousuffer."

"Whatdidyoutellhim?"

"Thatyouweremyworstenemyandyouwouldn'tcareifhekilledme,"shesaidcarelessly."Buthe
saidyoudidcareaboutyourfather,andhewasthenextvictim.Ihopeyou'vegotsomeonewatching
Dad,"sheaddedfervently."Ifanythinghappenstohim...!"

"Youreallylovehim,don'tyou?"heaskedinanoddtone.

"He'stheonlypersoninmywholelifewhoeverlovedme,"shesaidinastrainedwhisper.

Aharshsoundbrokefromhislips.Hegotupandstartedgettingthingstogether.Hepulledoutwhat
lookedlikeamodifiedcellphoneandspokeintoit.Aminutelater,heputitbackintothebackpack.

"They're on the way in." He stood over her, his face grim as he picked up the small lantern and
extinguishedthelight."Iknowyoumustbecold.I'msorry.Iplannedaquickairlift,soIdidn'tpack
foraprolongedtrek."

"It'sallright,"shesaidatonce."Coldisbetterthantortured."

He cursed under his breath as he hefted the backpack. "We have to get to that small clearing on the
othersideofthestream.Itisn'tdeep,butIcancarryyou..."

"I'llwalk,"shesaidwithquietdignity,standingup.Itwasstillpainfultomove,becauseshe'dbeentied
upforsolong,butshedidn'tleton."You'vedoneenoughalready."

"I've done nothing," he spat. He turned on his heel and led the way to the bank of the small stream,
offeringahand.

She didn't take it. She knew he found her repulsive. He'd even told her mother that. She'd enjoyed

tauntingCalliewithit.Calliehadneverunderstoodwhyhermotherhatedhersomuch.Perhapsitwas
becauseshewasn'tpretty.

"WalkwhereIdo,"hebitoffashedroppedhishand."Therockswillbeslippery.Goaroundthem,
notoverthem."

"Okay."

He glanced over his shoulder as they started over the shallow stream. "You're damned calm for
someonewho'sbeenthroughwhatyouhaveinthepasttwodays."

Sheonlysmiled."YouhavenoideawhatI'vebeenthroughinmylife."

Heavertedhiseyes.Itwasasifhecouldn'tbeartolookatheranymore.Hepickedhiswayacrossto
the other bank. Callie followed obediently, her feet cold and wet, her body shivering. Only a little
longer, she told herself, and she would be home with Jack. She would be completely safe.
Except...Lopezwasstilloutthere.Sheshiveredagain.

"Cold?"heaskedwhentheywereacross.

"I'llbefine,"sheassuredhim.

Heledherthroughonefinaltangleofbrush,whichhecutoutofthewaywiththeknife.Shecouldsee
thesilverrippleofthelongbladeinthedimlightofthesmallflashlighthecarried.Sheputonefoot
infrontoftheotherandtriedtoblankoutwhatwouldhappenifLopez'smencaughtupwiththem.It
wasterrifying.

Theymadeittotheclearingjustasadark,noisysilhouettedroppedfromtheskyandadooropened.

"They spotted us on radar!" came a loud voice from the chopper. "They'll be here in two minutes.
Run!"

"Runasifyourlifedependedonit!"MicahtoldCallie,givingherapush.

Shedidrun,hermindsoaffectedbywhatshe'dalreadyenduredthatshealmostkeptupwithherlong-
leggedstepbrother.Heleapedrightupintothechopperandgaveherahandup.Shelandedinaheap
onthedirtyfloor,andlaughedwithrelief.

Thedoorclosedandthechopperlifted.Outside,thereweresoundslikefirecrackersinthewakeof
thenoisethepropellersmade.Gunfire,Callieknew.

"It always sounds like firecrackers in real life," she murmured. "It doesn't sound that way in the
movies."

"Theyaugmentthesoundinmovies,mademoiselle."Agentlehandeasedherintoaseatontheedge
ofthefiringlineMicahandtwoothermenmadeatthedoor.

She looked up. There was barely any light in the helicopter, but she could make out a beard and a
mustacheonalong,leanface."Youmadeit,too!"sheexclaimedwithvisiblerelief."Oh,I'mglad.I
feltbadthatyouandtheothermanhadtobedecoys,justtogetmeout."

"Itwasnotrouble,mademoiselle,"themansaidgently,smilingather."Restnow.Theywon'tcatchus.
ThisisanApachehelicopter,oneofthefinestpiecesofequipmentyourcountrymakes.Ithassome
age,butwefinditquitereliableintightsituations."

"Isityours?"sheasked.

Helaughed."Youmightsaythatwehaveaccesstoit,andvariousotheraircraft,whenweneedthem."

"Don'tborehertodeath,Bojo,"ayoungervoicechuckled.

"Listentohim!"Bojoexclaimed."Anddoyounotdroneoneternallyaboutthatsmallcomputeryou
carry,Peter,anditsdivinefunctions?"

Adark-haired,dark-eyedyoungmanwithwhiteteethcameintoview,arifleslungoverhisshoulder.

"Computers are my specialty," he said with a grin. "You're Callie? I'm Peter Stone. I'm from
Brooklyn. That's Bojo, he's from Morocco. I guess you know Micah. And Smith over there-” he
indicatedahugedark-eyedman

"-runs a seafood restaurant in Charleston, along with our Maddie and a couple of guys we seem to
havemisplaced..."

"Wehaven'tmisplacedthem,"Micahsaidcurtly."They'vegoneaheadtogettheDC-3gassedup."

Bojogrinned."Lopezwillhavemenwaitingattheairportforus."

"Whilewe'retakingoffwherewelanded-atLaremos'sprivateairstrip,"Micahrepliedcalmly."And
Laremoswillhaveasmallarmyathisairstrip,justincaseLopezdoestryanything."

"Butwhataboutcustoms?"Callievoiced.

Everybodylaughed.

Sheflushed,realizingnowthathercaptorshadn'tgonethroughcustoms,andneitherhadthesemen.
"Okay,Igetit,butwhataboutgettingbackintotheStatesfromhere?Idon'thaveapassport..."

"Youhaveabirthcertificate,"Micahremindedher."It'llbewaitinginMiami,alongwithasmallbag
containingsomeofyourownclothesandshoes.That'swhyMaddiedidn'tcomewithus,"headded
smugly.

"Miami?"sheexclaimed,recallingbelatedlythathe'dmentionedthatbefore."WhynotTexas?"

"You'recomingbacktotheBahamaswithme,Callie,"Micahreplied."You'llbeLopez'sprioritynow.

He'llbeoutforrevenge,anditwilltakeallofustokeepyousafe."

Shegapedathim."But,Dad..."shegroaned.

"Dadisingoodhands.Soareyou.Nowtrynottoworry.IknowwhatI'mdoing."

Shebitherlowerlip.Noneofthiswasmakingsense,andshewasstillscared,everytimeshethought
aboutLopez.Butallthesemensurroundingherlookedtoughandbattle-hardened,andsheknewthey
wouldn'tletherberecaptured.

"Who'sLaremos?"Callieaskedcuriously,aminutelater.

"He'sretirednow,"Micahsaid,comingawayfromthedoor."Butheand'Dutch'vanMeerandJ.D.
Brettmanweretheguyswhotaughtusthetrade.Theywerethebest.LaremoslivesoutsideCancunon
aplantationwithhiswifeandkids,andhe'sgottheequivalentofasmallarmyaroundhim.Eventhe
druglordsavoidhisplace.

We'llgetoutallright,evenifLopezhashismentrackingus."

Sheavertedhereyesandfoldedherarmstightlyaroundherbody.

"Youareshivering,"Bojosaidgently."Here."Hefoundablanketandwrappeditaroundher.

That one simple act of compassion brought all her repressed fear and anguish to the surface. She
bawled.Notasoundtouchedherlips.Buttearspouredfromhereyes,drapingthemselveshotandwet
acrossherpalecheeksanddowntothecornerofherprettybowmouth.

Micahsawthemandhisfacehardenedlikerock.

She turned her face toward the other side of the helicopter. She was used to hiding her tears. They
mostly angered people, made them more hostile. Or they showed a weakness that was readily
exploited.Itwasalwaysbetternottoletpeopleknowtheyhadthepowertohurtyou.

She wrapped the blanket closer and didn't speak the rest of the way. She closed her eyes, wiping at
them with the blanket. Micah spoke in low tones to the other men, and although she couldn't
understandwhathewassaying,sheunderstoodthatrough,angrytone.She'dhearditenoughathome.

Fornow,allshewantedtodowasgettosafety,toaplacewhereLopezandtheanimalswhoworked
forhimcouldn'tfindher,couldn'thurther.Shewasmoreafraidnowthanshehadbeenonthewayout
ofTexas,becausenowsheknewwhatrecapturewouldmean.Thedarknesswasafriendinwhichshe
could hide her fear, conceal her terror. The sound of the propellers became suddenly like a
mechanical lullaby in her ears, lulling her, like the whispers of the deep voices around her, into a
brief,fitfulsleep.

She felt an odd lightness in her stomach and opened her eyes to find the helicopter landing at what
lookedlikeasmallairstriponprivateland.

Abigairplane,withscarsandfadedlettering,waswaitingwithitstwinpropenginesalreadyrunning.
Halfadozenarmedmenincamouflageuniformsstoodwiththeirgunsreadytofire.Atall,imposing
man with a mustache came forward. He had a Latin look about him, dark eyes and graceful
movement.

He shook hands with Micah and spoke to him quietly, so that his voice didn't carry. Micah listened,
and then nodded. They shook hands again. The man glanced at Callie curiously, and smiled in her
direction.

Shesmiledback,herwholeyoungfacedrawnandfatigued.

Micahmotionedtoher."WehavetogetairbornebeforeLopez'smengethere.Climbaboard.Thanks,
Diego!"

hecalledtotheman.

“Noesnada,"camethegrinningreply.

"Wasthatthemanyouknow,withtheplantation?"Callieaskedwhentheywereinsideandthedoor
wasclosed.

"ThatwasLaremos,"heagreed.

"Heandhisfamilywon'tbehurtonouraccount,willthey?"shepersisted.

He glanced down at her. "No," he said slowly. His eyes searched hers until she looked away, made
uneasyandshiverybythewayhewaslookingather.

He turned and made his way down the aisle to the cockpit. Two men poked their heads out of it,
grinning,andafterhespoketothem,theyrevveduptheengines.

Thepassengersstrappedthemselvesintotheirseats.Calliestartedtositbyherself,butMicahtookher
armandguidedherintotheseatbesidehis.Itsurprisedher,butshedidn'tprotest.Hereachedacross
hertofastenherseatbelt,bringinghishard,muscularchestpressinggentlyagainstherbreasts.

Shegaspedasthepressuremadethecutpainful.

"God, I'm sorry! I forgot," he said, his hand going naturally, protectively, to her breast, to cup it
gently."Isitbad?"

Shewentscarlet.Ofcourse,nobodywasnearenoughtoseewhatwasgoingon,butitembarrassed
hertohavehimtouchherwithsuchfamiliarity.Andthensherememberedthathe'dhadhernudefrom
thewaistupononesidewhilehecleanedandbandagedthatcut.

Hereyessearchedhiswhileshetriedtospeak.Hertonguefeltswollen.Herbreathcamejerkilyinto
herthroatandherlipspartedunderitsforce.Shefeltwinded,asifshe'dfallenfromaheight.

Histhumbsoothedthesoftflesharoundthecut."WhenwegettoMiami,I'lltakeyoutoafriendof
minewho'sinprivatepractice.We'llgetyoucheckedoutbeforeweflyouttotheBahamas."

Hisotherarm,muscularandwarm,wasunderherhead.Shecouldfeelhisbreath,mint-scentedand
warm,onherlipsashesearchedhereyes.

His free hand left her breast and gently cupped her softly rounded chin. "Soft skin," he whispered
deeply."Softheart.Sweet,softmouth..."

Hislipspressedthewordsagainsthers,probingtenderly.Hecaughtherupperlipinbothofhisand
tasteditwithhistongue.Thenheliftedawaytolookdownintohershocked,curiouseyes.

"Youshouldhateme,"hewhispered."Ihurtyou,andyoudidnothing,nothingatalltodeserveit."

Shewinced,rememberinghowithadbeenwhenhe'dlivedwithhisfather."Iunderstood.Youresented
me.MymotherandIwereinterlopers."

"Yourmother,maybe.Neveryou."Helookedformidable,angryandbitter.Buthisblackeyeswere
unreadable.

"I've hesitated to ask. Maybe I don't really want to know. When Lopez had you," he began with
uncharacteristichesitation,"wereyouraped?"

"No,"shesaidquietly."ButIwasabouttobe.Irememberthinkingthatifithadn'tallgonewrongthat
Christmas..."Hervoicestopped.Shewashorrifiedatwhatshewasabouttosay.

"Iknow,"heinterrupted,andhedidn'tsmile."Ithoughtaboutit,too.WhatLopez'sdamnedhenchmen
didtoyouatleastwouldn'thavebeenyourfirstexperienceofintimacy,ifIhadn'tactedlikeaprize
heelwithyou!"

Heseemedmaddenedbytheknowledge.Hishandonherfacewashardandthepressurestung.

"Please,"shewhispered,tuggingathisfingers.

He relaxed them at once. "I'm sorry," he bit off. "I'm still on edge. This whole thing has been a
nightmare."

"Yes."Shesearchedhisblackeyes,wishingsheknewwhathewasthinking.

His thumb brushed softly over her swollen mouth. "Lopez will never get the chance to hurt you
again,"hesaidquietly."Igiveyoumyword."

Shebitherlowerlipwhenhishandliftedaway,shyofhim."Doyoureallythinkhe'llcomeafterme
again?"

"Ithinkhe'lltry,"hesaidhonestly.

Sheshivered,avertinghereyestotheaislebesidethem."IhaterememberinghowhelplessIwas."

"I'vebeeninsimilarsituations,"hesaidsurprisingly."OnceIwascapturedonamissionandheldfor
execution.

Iwastiedupandtortured.Iknowhowitfeels."

Shegapedathim,horrified."Howdidyouescape?"

"Bojoandtheotherscameinafterme,"hesaidsimply."Underimpossibleodds,too."Hesmiled,and
itwasthefirstgenuinesmilehe'devergivenher."Iguesstheymissedbeingyelledat."

She smiled back, hesitantly. It was new to relax with Micah, not to be on her guard against
antagonisticandsarcasticcomments.

Hetouchedherfacewithacuriousintensityinhiseyes."Youmusthavebeenterrifiedwhenyouwere
kidnapped.You'veneverknownviolence."

She didn't tell him, but she had, even if not as traumatically as she had at Lopez's. She lowered her
gazetohishard,disciplinedmouth."Ineverexpectedtoberescuedatall,leastofallbyyou.Iwasn't
evensureyou'dagreetopayaransomifthey'daskedforone."

Hescowled."Whynot?"

"Youdon'tlikeme,"shereturnedsimply."Youneverdid."

Heseemeddisturbed."It'salittlemorecomplicatedthanthat,Callie."

"Allthesame,thankyouforsavingme,”shecontinued."Youriskedyourownlifetogetmeout."

"I'vebeenriskingitforyears,"hesaidabsentlywhilehestudiedherupturnedface.Shewastoopale,
andthefatigueshefeltwasvisible."Whydon'tyoutrytosleep?It'sgoingtobealongflight."

Obviously he didn't want to talk. But she didn't mind. She was worn-out. "Okay," she agreed with a
smile.

Hemovedbackandsheleanedherheadback,closedhereyes,andthetensionofthepasttwodays
caught up with her all at once. She fell asleep almost at once and didn't wake up until they were
landing.

Sheopenedhereyestofindahard,warmpillowunderherhead.Toheramazement,shewaslying
acrossMicah'slap,withhercheekonhischest.

"Wakey,wakey,"heteasedgently."We'reontheground."

"Where?"sheasked,rubbinghereyeslikeasleepychild.

"Miami."

"Oh.Attheairport."

Hechuckled."Anairport,"hecorrected."Butthisoneisn'tonanymap."

Heliftedhergentlybackintoherownseatandgottohisfeet,stretchinghugely.Hegrinneddownat
her."Comeon,pilgrim.We'vegotalottodo,andnotmuchtime."

She let him lead her off the plane. The other men had all preceded them, leaving behind automatic
weapons,pistolsandotherparaphernalia.

"Aren'tyouforgettingyourequipment?"sheaskedMicah.

Hesmiledandputalongfingeragainsthermouth.Hiseyeswerefullofmischief.He'dneverjoked
withher,notinalltheyearsthey'dknowneachother.

"Itisn'tours,"hesaidinastagewhisper."Andseethatbuilding,andthoseguyscomingoutofit?"

"Yes."

"No,"hecorrected."There'snobuilding,andthoseguysdon'texist.Allofthisisafigmentofyour
imagination,especiallytheairplane."

"Mygosh!"sheexclaimedwithwideeyes."We'reworkingfortheCIA?"

Heburstoutlaughing."Don'tevenaskmewhotheyare.IsworeI'dnevertell.AndIneverwill.Now
let'sgo,beforetheygethere."

He and the others moved rapidly toward a big sport utility vehicle sitting just off the apron where
they'dlefttheplane.

"Areyousureyouclearedthiswith,uh-"PetergaveaquickglanceatCallie"-themanwhorunsthis
place?"

"Ebdid,"Micahtoldhim."Butjustincase,let'sgetthehelloutofDodge,boys!"

HeranfortheSUV,pushingCalliealong.Theothersbrokeintoarunaswell,laughingastheywent.

Therewasashoutbehindthem,butitwasstillhangingontheairwhenthedriver,oneoftheguysin
thecockpit,burnedrubbertakingoff.

"He'll see the license plate!" Callie squeaked as she saw a suited man with a notepad looking after
them.

"That'stheidea,"theyoungmannamedPetertoldherwithagrin."It'sareallyneatplate,too.Sois
thisvehicle.

It belongs to the local director of the-" he hesitated "-of an agency we know. We, uh, had a friend

borrowitfromhishouselastnight."

"We'llgotoprisonforyears!"Callieexclaimed,horrified.

"Notreally,"thedriversaid,pullingquicklyintoaparkingspotatalocalsupermarket."Everybody
out."

Callie'sheadwasspinning.TheygotoutoftheSUVandintoabeigesedansittingnexttoit,withkeys
intheignition.ShewascrowdedintothebackwithMicahandyoungPeter,whilethetwopilots,onea
HispanicandtheotheralmostasblondasMicah,crowdedBojooneithersideinthefront.Thedriver
tookoffatasedatepaceandpulledoutintoMiamitraffic.

Thatwaswhenshenoticedthatallthemenwerewearinggloves.Shewasn't."Oh,that'slovely,"she
muttered.

"That's just lovely! Everybody's wearing gloves but me. My fingerprints will be the only ones they
find,and'/

gotoprisonforyears.Iguessyou'llallcomeandvisitmeSundays,right?"sheaddedaccusingly.

Micahchuckledwithpuredelight."TheguywhoownstheSUVisafriendofEb's,andeventhough
hedoesn'tshowit,hehasasenseofhumor.He'lldoubleuplaughingwhenherunsyourprintsand
realizes who had his four-wheel drive. I'll explain it to you later. Take us straight to Dr. Candler's
office,Don,"hetoldtheblondguyatthewheel."Youknowwhereitis."

"Youbet,boss,"camethereply.

"I'mnotgoingtoprison?"Callieaskedagain,justtobesure.

Micahpursedhislips."Well,thatdependsonwhetherornottheguyatcustomsrecognizesus.Iwas
kidding!"

headdedimmediatelywhenshelookedreadytocry.

She moved her shoulder and grimaced. "I'll laugh enthusiastically when I get checked out," she
promised.

"He'lltakegoodcareofyou,"Micahassuredher."HeandIwereatmedicalschooltogether."

"Ishe,Imean,doeshedowhatyoudo?"

"Not Jerry," he told her. "He specializes in trauma medicine. He's chief of staff at a small hospital
here."

"Isee,"shesaid,nodding."He'sanormalperson."

Micahgaveheraspeakingglancewhiletheotherschuckled.

ThehospitalwhereMicah'sfriendworkedwasonlyafewminutesfromtheairport.MicahtookCal-
lie inside while the others waited in the car. Micah had a private word with the receptionist, who
noddedandleftherdeskforaminute.Shecamebackwithatall,dark-headedmanaboutMicah'sage.
HemotionedtoMicah.

Calliewasledbackintoanexaminationroom.Micahsankintoachairbythedesk.

"Areyougoingtosittherethewholetime?"CallieaskedMicah,aghast,whenthedoctoraskedherto
removetheshirtshewaswearingsohecouldexamineher.

"You haven't got anything that I haven't seen, and I need to explain to Jerry what I did to treat your
wound."HeproceededtodothatwhileCallie,uncomfortableandshy,turnedhershouldertohimand
removedtheshirt.

Aftercheckinghervitalsigns,Dr.Candlertookthebandageoffandexaminedthesmallredcutwitha
scowlingface."Howdidthishappen?"heaskedcurtly.

"OneofLopez'sgoonshadaknifeandlikedtoplaygameswithhelplesswomen,"Micahsaidcoldly.

"I hope he won't be doing it again," the physician murmured as he cleaned and redressed the
superficialwound.

"That'sclassified,"Micahsaidsimply.

Callieglancedathim,surprised.Hisblackeyesmethers,buthedidn'tsayanythingelse.

"I'mgoingtogiveyouatetanusshotasaprecaution,"Dr.Candlersaidwithaprofessionalsmile."But
Icanalmostguaranteethatthecutwon'tleaveascarwhenitheals.Iimagineitstings."

"Alittle,"Callieagreed.

"Ineedtogiveherafullexamination,"Dr.CandlertoldhimaftergivingCallietheshot."Whydon't
you go outside and smoke one of those contraband Cuban cigars I'm not supposed to know you
have?"

"They aren't contraband," Micah told him. "It isn't illegal if you get given one that someone has
purchasedinCuba.Cobbwasdowntherelastmonthandhebroughtmebackseveral."

"Leaveittoyoutofindalegalwaytodosomethingillegal,"Candlerchuckled.

"Speakingofwhich,I'dbettergiveamutualacquaintanceaquickcallandthankhimfortheloanof
hisequipment."HeglancedatCallieandsmiledsoftly."ThenmaybeCalliecanrelaxwhileyoufinish
here."

Shedidn'treply.Hewentoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Sheletoutanaudiblesighofrelief.

"Now,"Dr.Candlersaidashecontinuedtoexamineher."Tellmewhathappened."

Shedid,stillshakenandfrightenedbywhatshe'dexperiencedinthelasttwodays.Helistenedwhile
heworked,hisfacegivingnothingaway.

"Whathappenedtothemanwhodidit?"hepersisted.

Shegavehimaninnocentsmile."Ireallydon'tknow,"shelied.

Hesighed."YouandMicah."Heshookhishead."Haveyouknownhimlong?"

"SinceIwasfifteen,"shetoldhim."Hisfatherandmymotherwerebrieflymarried."

"You'reCallie!"thedoctorsaidatonce.

ChapterFour

ThelookonCallie'sfacewaspriceless."Howdidyouknow?"sheasked.

Hesmiled."Micahtalksaboutyoualot."

Thatwasashocker."Ididn'tthinkhewantedanybodytoknowIevenexisted,"shepointedout.

Hepursedhislips."Well,let'sjustsaythathehasambiguousfeelingsaboutyou."

Ambiguous.Right.Plainlystated,hecouldn'tstandher.Butifthatwastrue,whyhadhecomehimself
torescueher,insteadofjustsendinghismen?

Shedrewinabreathashetendedtoher."AmIgoingtobeokay?"

"You'regoingtobegoodasnewinafewdays."Hesmiledather."Trustme."

"Micahseemsto."

"Heshould.Itaughthimeverythingheknowsaboutsurgery,"hechuckled."Iwasayearaheadofhim
whenwewereingraduateschool,andItookclassesforoneoftheprofessorsoccasionally."

Shesmiled."You'reverygood."

"Sowashe,"herepliedgrimly.

Shehesitated,butcuriosityproddedheron."Ifitwouldn'tbebreakinganysolemnoath,couldyoutell
mewhyhedidn'tfinishhisresidency?"

Hedid,withoutgoingintodetails."Herealizedmedicinewasn'thistruecalling."

Shenoddedinunderstanding.

"Butyoudidn'thearthatfromme,"headdedfirmly.

"Oh,InevertellpeoplethingsIknow,"sherepliedeasily,smiling."Iworkforalawyer."

Hechuckled."Dotell?"

"He's something of a fire-eater, but he's nice to me. He practices criminal law back in Jacobsville,
Texas."

Heputthemedicalequipmenttoonesideandtoldhershecouldgetdressed.

"I'mgoingtoputyouonsomeantibioticstofightoffinfection."Hestudiedherwithnarrowedeyes.
"Whatyou'vebeenthroughistraumatic,"headdedashehandedhertheprescriptionbottle."I'dadvise
counseling."

"Rightnow,"shesaidonalongbreath,"I'moccupiedwithjusttryingtostayalive.Thedrugdealeris
stillafterme,yousee."

Hisjawtautened."Micahwilltakecareofyou."

"Iknowthat."Shestoodupandsmiled,extendingherhand."Thanks."

He shook her hand and shrugged. "Think nothing of it. We brilliant medical types feel obliged to
ministertothemasses..."

"Oh,forGod'ssake!"Micahgroanedasheenteredtheroom,overhearinghisfriend.

Dr.Candlergavehimalookfulloffrowningmock-hauteur."Andaren'tyouluckythatIdon'thaveto
examineyoutoday?”hedrawled.

"We'releaving.Rightnow."HetookCalliebythehandandgavetheothermanagrin."Thanks."

"Anytime.Youtakecare."

"Youdothesame."

Calliewasherdedoutthedoor.

"But, the bill," she protested as he put her out a side door and drew her into the vehicle that was
waitingforthemwiththeenginerunning.

"Alreadytakencareof.Let'sgettotheairport."

Callie settled into the seat, still worrying. "I don't have anything with me," she said miserably. "No
papers,noclothes,noshoes..."

"Itoldyou,Maddiegotallthattogether.Itwillbewaitingforusattheairport,alongwithticketsand
boardingpasses."

"WhatifLopezhaspeopletherewaitingforus?"sheworriedaloud.

"We also have people waiting there for us," Bojo said from the front seat. "Miami is our safest
domesticport."

"Okay,"shesaid,andsmiledathim.

Hesmiledback.

MicahandBojoexchangedacomplicatedglance.Bojoturnedhisattentionbacktotheroadanddidn't
say another word all the way to the airport. Callie understood. Micah didn't want her getting too
friendly with his people. She didn't take offense. She was used to rejection, after so many years in
foster care. She only shrugged and looked out the window, watching palm trees and colorful

buildingsslidepastastheywovethroughsidestreetsandbackontotheexpressway.

Theairportwascrowded.Micahcaughtherbythearmandguidedherpasttheticketcounteronthe
waytotheconcourses.

"But..."sheprotested.

"Don'targue.Justwalkthroughthemetaldetector."

Hefollowedclosebehindher.Neitherofthemwascarryinganythingmetallic,butMicahwasstopped
whenasecuritywomanpassedawandoverthetwoofthemandherdetectorpickeduptheresidual
gunpowderonhishandsandclothing.Thewomanlookedatherinstrumentandthenathim,witha
wary,suspiciousstare.

He smiled lazily at the uniformed woman holding the wand. "I'm on my way to a regional skeet
shootingtournament,"heliedglibly."Isentmygunsonaheadbyexpress,unassembled.Can'tbetoo
careful these days, where firearms are concerned," he added, catching Callie's hand in his. "Right,
honey?"hemurmuredsoftly,drawingherclose.

To Callie's credit, she didn't faint at the unexpected feel of Micah's arm around her, but she tingled
fromheadtotoeandherheartwentwild.

The airport security woman seemed to relax, and she smiled back. She assumed, as Micah had
intended,thatheandCalliewereinvolved."Indeedyoucan't.Haveagoodtrip."

Micah kept that long, muscular arm around Callie as they walked slowly down the concourse. He
lookeddown,notingtheerraticrhythmofherheartbeatatherneck,andhesmiledtohimself.

"Youhavelightning-quickreflexes,"heremarkedafteraminute."InoticedthatinCancun.Youdidn't
argue, you didn't question anything I told you to do, and you moved almost as fast as I did. You're
goodcompanyintightcorners."

Sheshrugged."Whenyoucameinthroughthewindow,Ididn'tknowwhoyouwere,becauseofthat
facemask.

Actually,"sheconfessedwithasheepishsmile,"atfirst,Ifiguredyouwerearivaldrugdealer,butI
hadhighhopesthatyoumightbekindenoughtojustkillmeandnottorturemefirstifIdidn'tresist."

Hedrewinasharpbreathandthearmholdinghercontractedwithajerk."Strangeattitude,Callie,"he
remarked.

"Not at the time. Not to me, anyway." She shivered at the memory and felt his arm tighten almost
protectively.

They were well out of earshot and sight of the security guard. "Micah, what was that wand she was
checkinguswith?"

"It detects nitrates," he replied. "With it, they can tell if a passenger has had any recent contact with
weaponsorexplosives."

Shewaskeenlyawareofhisarmstillholdinghercloseagainsthiswarm,powerfulbody."Youcan,
uh,letgonow.She'soutofsight."

He didn't relent. "Don't look, but there's a security guard with a two-way radio about fifteen feet to
yourright."

Hesmileddownather."AndI'llgiveyouthreeguesseswho'sontheotherendofit."

Shesmiled back, butit didn't reachher eyes. "The ladywith the nitratewand? We're psyching them
out,right?"

Hesearchedhereyesandforafewsecondshestoppedwalking."Psychingthemout,"hemurmured.
Hisgazefelltohersoft,fullmouth."Exactly."

Shecouldn'tquitegetherbreath.Hisexpressionwasunreadable,buthisblackeyeswereglittering.
He watched her blouse shake with the frantic rate of her heartbeats. He was remembering mistletoe
andharshwords,andthatsamelookinCallie'ssofteyes,thatachingneedtobekissedthatmadeher
looksoveryvulnerable.

"What the hell," he murmured roughly as his head bent to hers. "It's an airport. People are saying
helloandgoodbyeeverywhere..."

Hiswarm,hardmouthcoveredhersverygentlywhilethesoundsofpeopleintransitallaroundthem
fadedtoadullroar.Hisheavybrowsdrewtogetherinsomethingclosetoanguishashebegantokiss
her.Fascinatedbyhisexpression,bythewarm,ardentpressureofhismouthonhers,sheclosedher
eyestight,andfantasizedthathemeantit,thathewasn'tpretendingforthebenefitofsecurityguards,
that he was enjoying the soft, tremulous response of her lips to the teasing, expert pressure of his
own.

"Boss?"

Theydidn'thearthegruffwhisper.

Itwasfollowedbytheloudclearingofathroatandacough.

Theydidn'thearthat,either.Calliewasontiptoenow,hershortnailsdiggingintothehardmusclesof
hisupperarms,hangingonMicah'sslow,tenderkisswithlittlemorethanwillpower,soafraidthathe
wasgoingtopullaway...!

"Micah!" the voice said shortly. Micah's head jerked up, and for a few seconds he seemed as
disorientedasCallie.Hestaredblanklyatthedark-headedmaninfrontofhim.

Themanwasextendingasmallcasetowardhim.

"Her papers and clothes and shoes and stuff," the man said, nodding toward Callie and clearing his
throatagain.

"Maddiehadmeflythemoverhere."

"Thanks,Pogo."

Thebig,darkmannodded.HestaredwithopencuriosityatCallie,andthenhesmiledgently."Itwas
my pleasure," he said, glancing again at Micah and making an odd little gesture with his head in
Callie'sdirection.

"ThisisCallieKirby,"Micahsaidshortly,adding,"my...stepsister."

Thebigman'seyebrowsleveredup."Oh!Imean,Iwashopingshewasn'tarealsister.Imean,theway
you were kissing her and all." He flushed, and laughed selfconsciously when Micah glared at him.
Calliewasscarlet,lookingeverywhereexceptatthenewcomer.

"You'llmissyourflightoutofhere,"Micahsaidpointedly.

"What? Oh. Yeah." He grinned at Callie. "I'm Pogo. I'm from Saint Augustine. I used to wrestle
alligatorsuntilMicahheregavemeajob.I'msortofabodyguard,youknow..."

"You'regoingtobeanunemployedbodyguardintwentysecondsifyoudon'tmergewiththecrowd,"
Micahsaidcurtly.

"Oh.Well...sure.Bye,now,"hetoldCalliewithanear-to-earsmile.

Shesmiledback.Hewaslikeabigteddybear.Shewassorrytheywouldn'tgettoknoweachother.

Pogo almost fell over his own feet as he turned, jerking both busy eyebrows at his boss, before he
meltedintothecrowdandvanished.

"Stopdoingthat,"Micahsaidcoldly.

Shelookedupathimblankly."Doingwhat?"

"Smilingatmymenlikethat.Thesemenaren'tusedtoit.Don'tencouragethem."

Her lips parted on a shaken breath. She looked at him as if she feared for his sanity. "Them?" she
echoed,dazed.

"Bojo and Peter and Pogo," he said, moving restlessly. He was jealous, God knew why. It irritated
him."Comeon."

Hemovedawayfromher,catchingherhandtightlyandpullingheralongwithhim.

"Anddon'treadanythingintowhatjusthappened,"headdedcoldly,withoutlookingather.

"WhywouldI?"sheaskedhonestly."Yousaiditwasjustforappearances.Ihaven'tforgottenhowyou
feelaboutme,Micah."

Hestoppedandstaredintentlydownintohereyes.Hisownwerenarrow,angry,impatient.Shewore
herheartwhereanyonecouldseeit.Hervulnerabilitymadehimprotective.Odd,that,whenshewas
toughenoughtosurvivecaptivitybyLopezandstillkeephernerveduringabloodybreakout.

"You don't have a clue how I feel about you," he said involuntarily. His fingers locked closer into
hers."I'mthirty-six.You'rebarelytwenty-two.ThesortofwomanIpreferissophisticatedandstreet-
smartandhasnoqualmsaboutsex.You'restillatthekissing-in-parked-carsstage."

Sheflushedandsearchedhiseyes."Idon'tkisspeopleinparkedcarsbecauseIdon'tdateanybody,"
she told him with blunt honesty. "I can't leave Dad alone in the evenings. Besides, too many men
aroundJacobsvilleremembermymother,andthinkI'mlikeher."Herfacestiffenedandshelooked
away."Includingyou."

He didn't speak. There was little softness left in him after all title violent years, but she was able to
touchsomelast,sensitiveplacewithhersweetvoice.Wavesofguiltranoverhim.Yes,he'dcompared
hertohermotherthatChristmas.He'dsaidharsh,cruelthings.Heregrettedthem,buttherewasno
goingback.HisfeelingsaboutCallieunnervedhim.Shewastheonlyweakspotinhisarmorthathe'd
everknown.Andwhatagoodthingthatshedidn'tknowthat,hetoldhimself.

"Youdon'tknowwhatwasreallygoingonthatnight,Callie,"hesaidafteraminute.

Shelookedupathim."Don'tyouthinkit'stimeIdid?"sheaskedsoftly.

Hetoyedwithherfingers,causingripplesofpleasuretorunalongherspine."Whynot?You'reold
enoughtohearitnow."Heglancedaroundthemcautiouslybeforehelookedatheragain."Youwere
wearing an emerald velvet dress that night, the same one you'd worn to your eighteenth birthday
party.TheywerewatchingamoviewhileyoufinisheddecoratingtheChristmastree,"hecontinued
absently. "You'd just bent over to pick up an ornament when I came into the room. The dress had a
deepneckline.Youweren'twearingabraunderit,andyourbreastswerevisibleinthatposition,right
tothenipples.Youlookedupatmeandyournipplesweresuddenlyhard."

Shegapedathim.Thecommentabouthernippleswasdisturbing,butshehadnoideawhathemeant
byemphasizingthem."IhadnoideaIwasshowinglikethat!"

"Ididn'trealizethat.Notatfirst."Heheldherfingerstighter."Yousawmeandcamerightupagainst
me, drowning me in that floral perfume you wore. You stood on tiptoe, like you did a minute ago,
tryingtotemptmeintokissingyou."

Sheavertedherembarrassedeyes."Yousaidterriblethings..."

"Thesightofyoulikethathadarousedmepassionately,"hesaidfrankly,noddingwhenhershocked
eyes jumped to his face. "That's right. And I couldn't let you know it. I had to make you keep your
distance,notaneasyaccomplishmentafterthealcoholyou'dhad.Forwhich,"headdedcoldly,"your

mothershouldhavebeenshot!Itwasillegalforhertoletyoudrink,evenathome.Anyway,Iread
youtheriotact,pushedyouawayandwalkeddownthehall,rightintoyourmother.Sherecognized
immediatelywhatyouhadn'tevennoticedaboutmybody,andshethoughtitwasthesightofherin
thatslinkysilverdressthathadcausedit.Sosheburiedherselfagainstmeandstartedkissingme."He
letoutanangrybreath."YourfathersawuslikethatbeforeIcouldpushheraway.AndIcouldn'ttell
himthetruth,becauseyouwerejustbarelyeighteen.Iwasalreadythirty-two."

The bitterness in his deep voice was blatant. She didn't feel herself breathing. She'd only been
eighteen,buthe'dwantedher.She'dneverrealizedit.Everythingthatdidn'tmakesensewassuddenly
crystal clear-except that comment about his body. She wondered what her mother had seen and
recognizedabouthimthatshehadn't.

"Younevertoldme."

"Youwereachild,Callie,"hesaidtautly."Insomeways,youstillare.Iwasneverlowenoughtotake
advantageofyourinnocence."

Shewasalmostvibratingwiththeturmoilofheremotions.Shedidn'tknowwhattodoorsay.

Hedrewinalong,slowbreathashestudiedher."Comeon,"hesaid,tuggingheralong."Wehaveto
moveorwe'llmissourflight."Hehandedherthecaseandindicatedtheladies'room."Getchanged.
I'llwaitrighthere."

Shenodded.Hermindwasinsuchturmoilthatshechangedintojeansandalong-sleevedknitshirt,
socksandsneakers,withoutpayingmuchattentiontowhatwasinthesmalltravelcase.Shedidn'ttake
time to look in any of the compartments, because he'd said to hurry. She glanced at herself in the
mirrorandwasgladshehadshorthairthatcoulddowithoutabrush.Despiteallshe'dbeenthrough,
it didn't look too bad. She'd have to buy a brush when they got where they were going, along with
makeupandothertoiletries.Butthatcouldwait.

Micahwasproppingupthewallwhenshecameout.Henodded,approvingwhatMaddiehadpacked
forher,andtookthecase."Here,"hesaid,passingherasmallplasticbag.

Inside were makeup, a brush, a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant. She almost cried at the
thoughtfulgift.

"Thanks,"shesaidhuskily.

Micahpulledtheticketsandboardingpassesoutofhisshirtpocket."Getoutyourdriver'slicenseand
birthcertificate,"hesaid."WehavetohaveaphotoIDtoboard."

Shefeltmomentarypanic."Mybirthcertificateisinmyfileathome,andmydriver'slicenseisstillin
mypurse,inmycar...!"

He laid a lean forefinger across her pretty mouth, slightly swollen from the hard contact with his.
"Yourcarisatyourhouse,andyourpurseisinsideit,andit'slockeduptight.ItoldMaddietoput
yourbirthcertificateandyourdriver'slicenseinthecase.Haveyoulookedforthem?"

"No.Ididn'tthink..."

She paused, putting the case down on the carpeted concourse floor to open it. Sure enough, her
driver's license was in the zipped compartment that she hadn't looked in when she was in the
bathroom.Besidesthat,theunknownMaddiehadactuallyputhermakeupandtoiletriesinsideaswell,
inaplasticbag.Shecouldhaveweptatthewoman'sthoughtfulness,butshewasn'tgoingtotellMicah
andmakehimfeeluncomfortablethathe'dalreadyboughtherthoseitems.Shecloseditquicklyand
stuckherlicenseinherjeanspocket.

"DoesMaddiereallylooklikeme?"sheaskedonthewaytotheticketcounter,tryingnottosoundas
ifsheminded.He'dsaidtheyresembledoneanotherearlier.

"At a distance," he affirmed. "Her hair is shorter than yours, and she's more muscular. She was a
karateinstructorwhenshesignedonwithme.She'stwenty-six."

"Karate."

"Blackbelt,"headded.

"Sheseemstobeveryefficient,"shemurmuredalittlestiffly.

Hegaveheraknowingglancethatshedidn'tseeandchuckledsoftly."She'sinlovewithColbyLane,
aguyIusedtoworkwithatthejusticedepartment,"'hetoldher."Shesignedonwithusbecauseshe
thoughthewasgoingto."

"Hedidn't?"

Heshookhishead."He'sworkingforPierceHut-ton'soutfit,asasecuritychief,alongwithTateWin-
throp,anacquaintanceofmine"

"Oh."

Theywereattheticketcounternow.Heheldouthishandforherdriver'slicenseandbirthcertificate,
andpresentedthemalongwithhisdriver'slicenseandpassportandtheticketstotheagentonduty.

Sheputtheticketsinaneatfolderwiththeboardingpassesinaslotontheoutside,checkedtheID,
andhandedthemback.

"Haveanicetrip,"shetoldthem."We'llbeboardinginjustaminute."

Callie hadn't looked at her boarding pass. She was too busy trying to spot Bojo and Peter and the
others.

"They'realreadyenroute,"Micahtoldhernonchalantly,havingguessedwhyshewaslookingaround
her.

"Theyaren'tgoingwithus?"Hegaveherawryglance."Somebodyhadtobringmyboatback.Ileftit
here in the marina when I flew out to Jacobsville to help Eb Scott and Cy Parks shut down Lopez's
drugoperation.It'sstillthere."

"Whycouldn'twehavegoneontheboat,too?"

"Yougetseasick,"hesaidbeforehethought.

Herlipsfellopen.She'donlybeenonaboatonce,withhimandhermotherandstepfather,whenshe
wassixteen.They'dgonetoSanAntonioandsaileddowntheriveronatourboat.She'dgottenvery
sickandthrownup.IthadbeenMicahwho'dlookedafterher,tohisfather'samusement.

Shehadn'tevenrememberedtheepisodeuntilhe'dsaidthat.Shedidn'tgetseasicknow,butshekept
quiet.

"Besides," he added, avoiding her persistent stare, "if Lopez does try anything, it won't be on an
international flight out of the U.S. He's in enough trouble with the higher-ups in his organization
withoutmakinganassaultonacommercialplanejusttogetevenforlosingaprisoner."

Sherelaxedalittle,becausethathadbeenonhermind.

He took her arm and drew her toward a small door, where a uniformed man was holding a
microphone. He announced that they were boarding first-class passengers first, and Micah ushered
herrightdowntherampandintotheplane.

"Firstclass,"shesaid,dazed,asheeasedherintoawide,comfortableseatwithplentyoflegroom.
Evenforamanofhisheight,therewasenoughofit.

"Always,"hemurmured,amusedatherfascination."Idon'tlikecrampedplaces."

Shefastenedherseatbeltwithawrysmile."Consideringthesizeofyou,Icanunderstandthat.Micah,
whataboutDad?"sheadded,ashamedthatshewasstill"Maddie'sgothimundersurveillance.When
Pogogoesback,he'llworkasplitshiftwithheratyourapartmenttosafeguardhim.EbandCyare
keeping their eyes out, as well. I promise you, Dad's going to be safe." He hesitated, searching her
wide,paleblueeyes."Butyou'retheoneindanger."

"BecauseIgotaway,"sheagreed,nodding.

Heseemedworried.Hisdarkeyesnarrowedonherface."Lopezdoesn'tloseprisoners,ever.You're
thefirst.

Someoneisgoingtopayforthat.He'llmakeanexampleofthepeoplewhodidn'twatchyouclosely
enough.

Thenhe'llmakeanexampleofyouandme,ifhecan,tomakesurehisreputationdoesn'tsuffer."

She shivered involuntarily. It was a nightmare that would haunt her forever. She remembered what
she'dsufferedalreadyandhereyesclosedonahelplesswaveofrealterror.

"You'regoingtobesafe,Callie.Listen,"hesaid,readingherexpression,"Iliveonasmallislandin
theBahamaschain,nottoofarfromNewProvidence.Ihavestate-of-the-artsurveillanceequipment
andasmallforceofmercenariesthatevenLopezwouldhesitatetoconfront.Lopezisn'ttheonlyone
whohasareputationinterroristcircles.BeforeIputtogethermyteamandhiredoutasaprofessional
soldier,IworkedfortheCIA."

Hereyeswidened.Shehadn'tknownthat.Shehadn'tknownanythingabouthim.

"TheyapproachedmewhileIwasincollege,beforeIchangedmycourseofstudytomedicine.Iwas
alreadyfluentinFrenchandDutch,andIpickedupGermaninmysophomoreyear.Icouldn'tblendin
verywellinanArabiccountry,butIcouldpassforGermanorDutch,andIdid.Duringholidaysand
vacations,Ididalotoftravelingforthecompany."Hesmiled,reminiscing."Itwasdangerouswork,
andexciting.BythetimeIwasinmylastyearofresidency,IknewforafactthatIwouldn'tbeableto
settle down into a medical practice. I couldn't live without the danger. That's when I left school for
good."

She was hanging on every word. It was amazing to have him speak to her as an equal, as an adult.
They'dneverreallytalkedbefore.

"Iwondered,"shesaid,"whyyougaveitup."

Hestretchedhislonglegsoutinfrontofhimandcrossedhisarmsoverhisbroadchest."Ihadthe
skills,butasIgrewolder,thelessIwantedrootsoranythingthathintedatpermanence.Idon'twant
marriageorchildren,soasteady,secureprofessionseemedsuperfluous.Ontheotherhand,beinga
mercenaryisrightupmyalley.Iliveforthosesurgesofadrenaline."

"None of us ever knew about that," she said absently, trying not to let him see how much it hurt to
knowthathecouldn'tseeafutureasahusbandandfather.Nowthatsheknewwhathereallydidfora
living,shecouldunderstandwhy.Hewasnevergoingtobeafamilyman."Wethoughtitwasthetrust
yourmotherleftyouthatkeptyouinArmanisuits,"sheaddedinasubduedtone.

"No,itwasn't.Ilikemylifestyle,"headdedwithapointedglanceinherdirection.Hestretchedlazily,
pullingthe silk shirthe was wearingtaut across the musclesof his chest.A flight attendant actually
hesitatedasshestarteddowntheaisle,helplesslydrinkinginthesightofhim.Hewasadish,allright.
Calliedidn'tblametheotherwomanforstaring,buttheflightattendanthadblondhairandblueeyes
and she was lovely. Her beauty was like a knife in the ribs to Callie, pointing out all the physical
attributessheherselflacked.Ifonlyshe'dbeenpretty,shetoldherselfmiserably,maybeMicahwould
havewantedmorethananoccasionalkissfromher.

"Wouldyoucareforanythingtodrink,sir?"theflightattendantasked,smilingjoyfullyasshepaused
byMicah'sside.

"Scotchandsoda,"hetoldher.Hesmiledruefully."It'sbeenalongday."

"Comingrightup,"thewomansaid,andwentatoncetogettheorder.

Callienoticedthatshehadn'tbeenaskedifshewantedanything.ShewonderedwhatMicahwouldsay
ifsheaskedforaneatwhiskey.Probablynothing,shetoldherselfmiserably.Hemighthavekissed
herintheairport,butheonlyseemedirritatedbyhernow.

Theflightattendantwasbackwithhisdrink.SheglancedbelatedlyatCallieandgrimaced."Sorry,"
shetoldtheotherwoman."Ididn'tthinktoaskifyou'dlikesomething,too?"

Callieshookherheadandsmiled."No,Idon'twantanything,thanks."

"AreyoustoppinginNassauorjustpassingthrough?"thewomanaskedMicahboldly.

Hegaveheralingeringappraisal,fromherlong,elegantlegstoherfullbreastsandlovelyface.He
smiled."Ilivethere."

"Really!"Hereyeslitasifthey'dconcealedfires."SodoI!"

"ThenyoumustknowLisetteDubonnet,"hesaid.

"Dubonnet,"theuniformedwomanrepeated,frowning."Isn'therfatherJacquesDubonnet,theFrench
ambassador?"

"Yes,"hesaid."LisetteandIhaveknowneachotherforseveralyears.We're...verygoodfriends."

Theflightattendantlookedsuddenlyuncomfortable,andalittleflushed.Micahwastellingher,ina
nice way, that she'd overstepped her introduction. He smiled to soften the rejection, but it was a
rejection,justthesame.

"MissDubonnetisverylovely,"theflightattendantsaidwithapleasant,ifmoreformal,smile."Ifyou
needanythingelse,justring."

"Iwill."

Shewentondowntheaisle.Besidehim,Calliewasstaringoutthewindowattheoceanbelowwithout
any real enthusiasm. She hated her own reaction to the news that Micah was involved with some
beautifulwomaninNassau.Andnotonlyabeautifulwoman,butapoisedsophisticateaswell.

"You'lllikeLisse,"hesaidcarelessly."I'llaskhertogoshoppingwithyou.You'llhavetohaveafew
clothes.

Shehasexcellenttaste."

ImplyingthatCalliehadnoneatall.Herheartfeltlikeironinherchest,heavyandcold."Thatwould
benice,"

she said, lying through her teeth. "I won't need much, though," she added, thinking about her small
savingsaccount.

"Youmaybetherelongerthanadayortwo,"hesaidinacarefullyneutralvoice."Youcan'twearthe
sameclothesdayinanddayout.Besides,"headdedcurtly,"it'sabouttimeyoulearnedhowtodress
likeayoungwomaninsteadofanelderlyrecluse!"

ChapterFive

Callie felt the anger boil out of her in waves. "Oh, that's nice, coming from you," she said icily.
"Whenyou'retheonewhostartedmewearingthatsortofthinginthefirstplace!"

"Me?"hereplied,hiseyebrowsarching.

"You said I dressed like a tramp," she began, and her eyes were anguished as she remembered the
harsh,hatefulwords."Likemymother,"sheaddedhuskily."YousaidthatIflauntedmybody..."She
stopped suddenly and wrapped her arms around herself. She stared out the porthole while she
recoveredherself-control."Sorry,"shesaidstiffly."I'vebeenthroughalot.It'scatchingupwithme.I
didn'tmeantosaythat."

Hefeltasifhe'dbeenslapped.Maybehedeservedit,too.Calliehadbeenbeautifulinthatgreenvelvet
dress.

Thesightofherinithadmadehimache.Shehadthegraceandpoiseofamodel,evenifshelacked
thenecessaryheight.Buthe'dneverrealizedthathisownangerhadmadeherashamedofherbody,
and at such an impressionable age. Good God, no wonder she dressed like a dowager! Then he
rememberedwhatshe'dhintedinthejungleaboutthefosterhomesshe'dstayedin,andhewondered
with real anguish what she'd endured before she came to live in his father's house. There had to be
moretoherrepressionthanjustafewregrettedwordsfromhim.

"Callie,"hesaidhuskily,catchinghersoftchinandturningherflushedfacetowardhim."Something
happenedtoyouatoneofthosefosterhomes,didn'tit?"

Shebitherlowerlipandforafewseconds,therewastormentinhereyes.

Hedrewinasharpbreath.

Sheturnedherfaceawayagain,embarrassed.

"Canyoutalkaboutit?"heasked.

Sheshookherheadjerkily.

Hisdarkeyesnarrowed.Andhermother-herownmother-haddesertedher,hadplacedherindanger
withpureindifference."Damnyourmother,"hesaidinagruffwhisper.

Shedidn'tlookathimagain.Atleast,shethoughtmistakenly,hewasrememberingthebreakupofhis
father'smarriage,andnotherchildhoodanymore.Shedidn'tlikerememberingthepast.

Heleanedbackinhisseatandstretched,foldinghisarmsoverhisbroadchest.Oneday,hepromised
himself, there was going to be a reckoning for Cal-lie's mother. He hoped the woman got just a
fractionofwhatshedeserved,forallthegriefandpainshe'dcaused.Although,hehadtoadmit,she
hadchangedinthepastyearorso.

He wondered if her mother's first husband, Kane Kirby, had contacted Callie recently. Poor kid, he
thought.Shereallyhadgonethroughalot,evenbeforeLopezhadherkidnapped.Hethoughtabout
whatshe'dsufferedatLopez'shands,andheachedtoavengeher.Thedruglordwasalmostcertainto
makeagrabforheragain.Butthistime,hepromisedhimself,Lopezwasgoingtopayuphisaccount
infull.HeowedCalliethatmuchforthedamagehe'ddone.

ItwasdarkwhentheplanelandedinNassauattheinternationalairport,andMicahletCalliegoahead
of him down the ramp to the pavement. The moist heat was almost smothering, after the air-
conditioned plane. Micah took her arm and escorted her to passport control. He glanced with
amusementatthepassengerswaitingaroundbaggageclaimfortheirbagstobeunloaded.Evenwhen
hetraveledroutinely,henevertookmorethanaduffelbagthathecouldcarryintotheairplanewith
him.Itsavedtimewaitingforluggagetobeoff-loaded.

Aftertheycheckedthrough,hemovedheroutsideagainandhailedacabtotakethemtothemarina,
wheretheboatwaswaiting.

Anothersmallroundofformalitiesandtheyboardedthesleek,powerfulboatthatalreadycontained
Micah's men. Callie went below and sat quietly on a comfortable built-in sofa, watching out the
portholeastheboatflewoutofPrinceGeorgeWharfandaroundthebay.Fromthere,itwentoutto
sea.

"Comfortable?"Micahasked,joiningherbelow.

Shenodded."It'ssobeautifuloutthere.Ilovethewaytheshipslightupatnight.Iknewcruiseships
did, but I didn't realize that smaller ones did, too." She glanced at him in the subdued light of the
cabin."Youdon'tlightyours,doyou?"

Hechuckled."Inmylineofwork,itwouldn'tbetoosmart,wouldit?"

"Sorry,"shesaidwithasheepishsmile."Iwasn'tthinking."

He poured himself a scotch and water and added ice cubes. "Want something to drink? If you don't
wantanythingalcoholic,I'vegotsoftdrinksorfruitjuice."

She shook her head. "I'm fine." She laughed. Her eyes caught and held on a vessel near the lighted
dock."Look!

There'sawhiteshipwithblacksailsflyingaskullandcrossbonesJollyRogerflag!"

Hechuckled."ThatwouldbeFredSpence.He'ssomethingofalocaleccentric.Niceboat,though."

Sheglancedathim."Thisoneisnice,too."

"It'scomfortableonlonghauls,"hesaidnoncom-mittally.Hedroppeddownontothesofabesideher
andcrossedhislonglegs."Weneedtotalk."

"Aboutwhat?"

"Lopez. I'm putting you under twenty-four-hour surveillance," he said somberly. "If I'm not within
yellingdistance,oneofmymenwillbe.EvenwhenyougoshoppingwithLisse,BojoorPeterwill
goalong.Youaren'ttowalkonthebeachalone,ever."

"Butsurelythatwouldbesafe...?"

Hesatforwardabruptly,andhisblackeyesglittered."Callie,hehasweaponsthatcouldpinpointyour
bodyheatandsendamissileafteritfromadistanceofhalfamile,"hesaidcurtly.

Sheactuallygasped.Thatbroughttomindanotherworry.Shefrowned."I'mputtingyouinjeopardy
bybeingwithyou,"shesaidsuddenly.

"You've got that backward, honey," he said, the endearment coming so naturally that he wasn't even
awarehe'dusedituntilhewatchedCallie'ssoftcomplexionflush."Youwereinjeopardyinthefirst
placebecauseofme.

Why does it make you blush when I call you honey?" he added immediately, the question quick
enoughtorattleher.

"I'mnotusedtoit."

"Fromme,"hedrawledsoftly."Orfromanyman?"

Sheshifted."FromDad,maybe."

"Daddoesn'tcount.Imeansingle,datablebachelors."

Sheshookherhead."Idon'tdate."

He'dneverconnectedhersolitaryexistencewithhimself.Now,hewasforcedto.Hedrewhisbreath
insharply,andgotupfromthesofa.Hetookalongsipfromhisdrink,walkingslowlyovertostare
outtheportholeatthedistantlightsofthemarinaastheyleftitbehind."Ihonestlydidn'trealizehow
muchdamageIdidtoyourego,Callie.I'mreallysorryaboutit."

"Iwasjustasmuchatfaultasyouwere,"sherepliedevenly."Ishouldn'thavethrownmyselfatyou
likesomedrunkprostitute..."

"Callie!"heexclaimed,horrifiedatherwording.

Sheavertedhereyesandherhandsclenchedinherlap."Well,Idid."

Heputhisdrinkonthebarandkneltjustinfrontofher.Hewassotallthathisblackeyeswereeven
withsoftblueonesintheposition.Hisleanhandswenttoherwaistandheshookherverygently.

"IpushedyouawaybecauseIwantedyou,notbecauseIthoughtyouwerethrowingyourselfatme,"

hesaidbluntly."IwasafraidthatIwouldn'tbeabletoresistyouifIdidn'tdosomethingveryfast.I
wouldhaveexplainedittoyoueventually,ifyourmotherhadn'tsteppedinandsplitthefamilyapart,
damnhercoldheart!"

Herhandsrestedhesitantlyonhisbroadshoulders,liftedandthenrestedagainwhileshewaitedtosee
ifshewasallowedtotouchhim.

He seemed to realize that, because he smiled very slowly and his thumbs edged out against her flat
bellyinasensuousstrokingmotion."Ilikebeingtouched,"hemurmured."It'sallright."

Shesmilednervously."I'mnotusedtodoingit."

"I noticed." He stood up and drew her up with him. The top of her head only came to his nose. He
framedherfaceinhiswarm,stronghandsandlifteditgently."Wanttokissme?"heaskedinahusky
whisper,andhiseyesfelltoherownsoftmouth.

She wasn't sure about that. Her hands were on his chest now, touching lightly over the silky fabric.
Underit,shecouldfeelthickhair.Shewashopelesslycuriousaboutwhathelookedlikebare-chested.
She'dneverseenMicahwithoutashirtinallthetimeshe'dlivedinhishousewithhisfather.

"Nopressure,"hepromised,bending."AndIwon'tmakefunofyou."

"Make fun of me?" she asked curiously. "Never mind." He bent and his lips closed tenderly on her
upperlipwhilehetastedthemoistinsideofitwithhistongue.Hislipsmovedtoherlowerlipand
repeatedthearousinglittlecaress.Hishandswereatherwaist,buttheybegantomoveupanddown
withalazy,sensualpressurethatmadeherbodygorigidinhisarms.

Heliftedhismouthfromherfaceandlookeddownatherwithaffectionateamusement."Relax!Why
areyouafraidofme?"heaskedgently."Iwouldn'thurtyou,Callie.Notforanyreason."

"Iknow.It'sjustthat..."

"What?"heasked.

Hereyesmethisplaintively."Don't...teaseme,"sheaskedwithdignity."I'mnotexperiencedenoughto
playthatsortofgame."

Theamusementlefthisface."Isthatwhatitseemsliketoyou?"heasked.Hesearchedherworried
eyes. "Even if I were into game-playing, you'd never be a target. I do have some idea now of what
you'vebeenthrough,inthepastandjustrecently."

Sheletoutthebreathshe'dbeenholding."ThisLisetteyoumentioned.Isshe...importanttoyou?"

"We're good friends," he said, and there was a new remoteness in his expression. "You'll like her.
She'soutgoingandshelovespeople.She'llhelpyougetoutfitted."

Now she was really worried. "I have my credit card, but I can't afford expensive shops," she
emphasized."Couldyoutellherthat,soIwon'thaveto?"

"Icantellher."Hesmiledquizzically."Butwhywon'tyouletmebuyyousomeclothes?"

"I'm not your responsibility, even if you have been landed with me, Micah," she replied. "I pay my
ownway."

Hewonderedifshehadanyideahowfewofhisfemaleacquaintanceswouldeverhavemadesucha
statementtohim?Itoccurredtohimthathe'dneverhadawomanrefuseawardrobe.

Hescowled."Youcouldpaymeback,ifyouhaveto."

Shesmiled.'Thanks.ButI'llbuymyownclothes."

Hisblackeyesnarrowedonherface."Youwerealwaysindependent,"herecalled.

"I'vehadtobe.I'vebeenbasicallyonmyownforalongtime,"shesaidmatter-of-factly."SinceIwas
a kid, really, and my father-I mean, Mother's first husband-threw us out. Mother didn't want the
responsibilityformebyherselfandKaneKirbydidn'twantmeatall."

"If your father didn't think you were his, why didn't he have a DNA profile run?" he asked with a
watchfullook.

Shedrewawayfromhim."Therewasnosuchthingfifteenyearsago."

"Youcouldinsistthathehaveitdonenow,couldn'tyou?"Hegaveheranoddlook."Haveyouspoken
tohim?"

"Hephonedmerecently.ButIdidn'tcallhimback,"shesaidunwillingly.She'dseenhermother'sfirst
husband once or twice, during his rare visits to his Jacobsville home. He'd actually phoned her
apartmentafewweeksagoandleftastrange,tentativemessageaskinghertocallhimback.Shenever
had.Hisrejectionofherstillhurt.Shedidn'tseehimoften.HelivedmostlyinMiamithesedays.

"WhynottalktohimandsuggesttheDNAtest?"hepersisted.

She looked up at him with tired, sad eyes. "Because it would probably prove what my mother said,
that I'm not related to him at all." She smiled faintly. "I don't know whose child I am. And it really
doesn'tmatteranymore.

Please,just...leaveitalone."

Hesighedwithirritation,asifheknewmorethanhewastellingher.Shewonderedwhyhewasso
interestedinherrelationshipwiththemanwhowassupposedtobeherownfather.

He saw that curiosity in her eyes, and he closed up. He could see years of torment in that sad little
face.Itinfuriatedhim."Yourmothershouldbehorsewhippedforwhatshedidtoyou,"hesaidflatly.

Shefoldedherarmsacrossherchest,rememberingthelonelinessofheryounglifereluctantly.New
homes, new faces, new terrors. She turned back to the porthole. "I used to wish I had someplace to
belong," she confessed. "I was always the outsider, in any home where I lived. Until my mother
marriedyourfather,"sheadded,smiling.

"Ithoughthe'dbelikealltheothers,thathe'deitherignoremeorbetoofamiliar,buthejustsortof
belonged to me, from the very beginning. He really cared about me. He hugged me, coming and
going." She drew in a soft breath. "You can't imagine what it feels like, to have someone hug you,
whenyou'vehardlybeentouchedinyourwholelifeexceptinbadways.Hewasforeverteasingme,
bringingmepresents.Hebecamemyfamily.Heevenmadeupformymother.Icouldn'thelploving
him."Sheturned,surprisedtoseeanoddlookofself-contemptonMicah'sstrongface."Iguessyou
resentedus..."

"Iresentedyourmother,Callie,"heinterrupted,feelingicy-coldinside."WhatIfeltforyouwasalot
morecomplicatedthanthat."

Shegavehimasurprisedlittlesmile."But,I'mstillmymother'sdaughter,right?Don'ttheysay,look
atthemotherandyou'llseethedaughterintwentyyearsorso?"

Hisfacehardened."You'llneverbelikeher.Notinyourworstnightmares."

Shesighed."IwishIcouldbesureofthat."

Hefeltlikehittingsomething."Doyouknowwheresheis?"

"SomewhereinEuropewithhernewhusband,Isuppose,"shesaidindifferently."Dad'slawyerheard
from her year before last. She wanted a copy of the final divorce decree, because she was getting
marriedagain,tosomeBritishnobleman,thelawyersaid."

Herememberedhisownmother,agentlelittlebrown-eyedwomanwithareadysmileandopenarms.
She'ddiedwhenhewasten,andfromthatdayon,heandhisfatherhadbeenbestfriends.UntilAnna
showedup,withherintroverted,nervousteenagedaughter.ThedifferencebetweenAnnaandhisown
motherwasincredible.

Anna was selfish, vain, greedy...he could have laid all seven deadly sins at her feet with ease. But
Calliewasnothinglikeher,except,perhaps,herexactopposite.

"You'rethesortofwomanwhowouldloveabigfamily,"hemurmuredthoughtfully.

She laughed. "What do I know about families?" she responded. "I'd be terrified of bringing an
innocentchildintothissortofworld,knowingwhatIknowabouttheuncertaintiesoflife."

Heshovedhishandsintohispockets.Children.

He'd never thought about them. But he could picture Callie with a baby in her arms, and it seemed
perfectlynatural.She'dhadsomebadbreaks,butshe'dloveherownchild.Itwassadthatshedidn't
wantkids.

"Anyway, marriage is dead last on my list of things to do," she added, uncomfortable because he
wasn'tsayinganything.

"That makes two of us," he murmured. It was the sort of thing he always said, but it didn't feel as
comfortablesuddenlyasitusedto.Hewonderedwhy.

Sheturnedawayfromtheporthole."Howlongwillittakeustogettoyourplace?"sheasked.

Heshrugged."Abouttwentymoreminutes,atthisspeed,"hesaid,smiling."Ithinkyou'lllikeit.It's
old,andrambling,andithasahistory.Accordingtothelegend,alocalpirateowneditbackinthe
eighteenthcentury.

HekidnappedahighbornSpanishladyandmarriedheroutofhand.Theyhadsixchildrentogether
andlivedalongandhappylife,orsothelegendgoes."Hestudiedhercuriously."Isn'tthereSpanish
inyourancestrysomewhere?”

Herfaceclosedup."Don'taskme.Mymotheralwayssaidshedescendedfromwhattheycall'black
Irish,'fromwhentheSpanisharmadawasshipwreckedoffthecoastofIreland.Iknowherhairwas
jet-blackwhen she wasyounger, and shehas an olive complexion.But I don'treally know her well
enoughtosaywhetherornotitwasthetruth."

Hebitoffacommentonhermother'spenchantforlying."Yourcomplexionisn'tolive,"heremarked
quietly.

"It'screamy.Soft."

Heembarrassedher.Sheavertedhereyes."I'mjustordinary."

He shook his head. His eyes narrowed on her pretty bow of a mouth. "You always were unique,
Callie."Hehesitated."Callie.What'sitshortfor?"heasked,suddenlycurious.

Shedrewinaslowbreath."Colleen,"sherepliedreluctantly."Butnobodyevercallsmethat.It'sbeen
CalliesinceIwasoldenoughtotalk."

"Colleenwhat?"

"ColleenMary,"shereplied.

Hesmiled."Yes.Thatsuitsyou."

Hewasactingverystrangely.Infact,hehadbeeneversinceherescuedher.Shewonderedifhewas
stilltryingtotakehermindoffLopez.Ifhewas,itwasn'tworking.Thenightmarishmemorieswere
toofreshtoforget.

Shelookedathimworriedly."Lopezwillbelookingforme,"shesaidsuddenly.

Hetautened."Lethimlook,"hesaidshortly."Ifhecomescloseenoughtomakeatarget,I'llsolveall
hisproblems.Heisn'tgettinghishandsonyouagain,Callie."

Sherelaxedalittle.Hesoundedveryconfident.Itmadeherfeelbetter.Shemovedbackintothecenter
oftheroom,wrappingherarmsaroundherself."Howcanpeoplelikethatexistinacivilizedworld?"
shewantedtoknow.

"Becausegovernmentsstillcan'tfightthatkindofwealth,"hesaidbluntly."Moneyandpowermake
criminalstooformidable.Butwe'vegottheRicostatuteswhichhelpustakeawaysomeofthatillegal
money,"headded,

"andwe'vegotdedicatedpeopleenforcingthelaw.Wewinmorethanwelosethesedays."

"Yousoundlikeagovernmentagent,"sheteased.

Hechuckled."Ido,don'tI?Ispentseveralyearsbeingone.Itsticks."Hemovedforward,takinghis
handsoutofhispocketstowrapthemgentlyaroundherupperarms."IgiveyoumywordthatIwon't
letLopezgetyou.

Incaseyouwereworryingaboutthat."

Shegrimaced."Doesitshow?"

"Idon'tknow.MaybeIcanreadyourmindthesedays,"headded,tryingtomakelightofit.

"You'resure?AboutDadbeingsafe,Imean?"

"I'msureaboutDad,"hereturnedatonce."Gatormaylookdumb,buthe'sgotamindlikeasteeltrap,
andhe'squickonthedraw.Nobody'sgoingtogetpasthim-certainlynobody'sgoingtogetpasthim
andMaddieatthesametime."

"Youlikeheralot,Iguess?"

Hechuckled."Yes,Ido.She'shellontwolegs,andoneofthebestscroungersI'veeverhad."

"WhatdoesBojodo?"

Hegaveherawaryappraisal,anditseemedasifhedidn'tlikethequestion."Bojoisasmallarms
expert," he replied. "He also has relatives in most of the Muslim nations, so he's a great source of
informationaswell.Peter,youmethimontheplane,isnewwiththegroup.He'salinguistandhe's
abletopassforanAraboranIsraeli.

He'susuallyundercoverinanyforeignoperationwe'rehiredtoundertake.Youhaven'tmetRodrigo
yet-hewasthepilotoftheDC-3weflewbacktoMiami.Hedoesundercoverworkaswell.Don,the
blondcopilot,isasmallarmsexpert.Wehaveanotheroperative,CordRomero,whodoesdemolition

workforus,buthehadanaccidentandhe'soutofcommissionforawhile."

"Whatyouandyourmendo-it'sdangerouswork."

"Livingisdangerouswork,"hesaidflatly."Ilikethejob.Idon'thaveanyplanstogiveitup."

Her eyebrows arched and her pale blue eyes twinkled. "My goodness, did I propose marriage just
nowandgetinstantamnesiaafterward?Excuseme!"

Hegapedather."Proposemarriage...?"

She held up both hands. "Now, don't get ruffled. I understand how men feel about these things. I
haven't asked you out, or sent you flowers, or even bought you a nice pair of earrings. Naturally
you're miffed because I put the cart before the horse and asked you to give up an exciting job you
loveformarriagetoaboringparalegal."

Heblinked."Callie?"hemurmured,obviouslyfearingforhersanity.

"We'lljustforgettheproposal,"sheofferedgenerously.

"Youdidn'tpropose!"hegritted.

"See?You'vealreadyforgotten.Isn'tthatjustlikeaman?"shemuttered,asshewentbacktothesofa
andsatdown."Nowyou'llpoutforanhourbecauseIrejectedyou."

He burst out laughing when he realized what she was doing. It took the tension away from their
earlierdiscussionandbroughtthembacktonormal.Hedroppeddownintoanarmchairacrossfrom
herandfoldedhisarmsoverhischest.

"JustwhenIthinkI'vegotyoufiguredout,youthrowmeanothercurve,"hesaidappreciatively.

"Believe me, if I didn't have a sense of humor, I'd already have smeared Mr. Kemp with honey and
lockedhiminaclosetwithagrizzlybear."

"Ouch!"

"IthoughtyoulivedinNassau?"Shechangedthesubject.

Heshrugged."Idid.ThisplacecameonthemarketthreeyearsagoandIboughtit.Iliketheideaof
havingadefendableproperty.You'llseewhatImeanwhenwegetthere.It'slikeawalledcity."

"I'llbettherearelotsofflowers,"shemurmuredhopefully.

"Millions,"heconfirmed."Hibiscusandorchidsandbougainvillea.You'llloveit."Hesmiledgently.
"YouwerealwaysplantingthingswhenIlivedathome."

"Ididn'tthinkyounoticedanythingIdid,"sherepliedbeforeshethought.

Hewatchedherquietly."Yourmotherspentmostofthattimeorderingyouaround,"herecalled."If
shewantedasoftdrink,orascarf,orasandwich,shealwayssentyouafterit.Idon'trecallthatshe
evertouchedavacuumcleanerorafryingpanthewholetimeshewasaround."

"IlearnedtocookinthelastfosterhomeIstayedin,"shesaidwithasmile."Itwasthebestofthelot.
Mrs.

Tomslikedme.Shehadfivelittlekidsandshehadarthritisrealbad.Shewassosweetthatitwasajoy
tohelpher.Shewasalwayssurprisedthatanyonewouldwanttodothingsforher."

"Mostgivingpeopleare,"hereplied."Ironicallythey'reusuallythelastonespeoplegiveto."

"That'strue."

"Whatelsedidsheteachyou?"heasked.

"Howtocrochet,"sherecalled.Shesighed."Ican'tmakesweatersandstuff,butItaughtmyselfhowto
make hats. I give them to children and old people in our neighborhood. I work on them when I'm
waitingforappointmentswithDad.Igetthroughalot."

Itwasanotherreminderthatshewastakingcareofhisfather,somethingheshouldhavebeendoing
himself-somethinghewouldbedoing,ifCallie'smotherhadn'tmadeitimpossibleforhimtobenear
hisparent.

"You'restillbitteraboutDad,"shesaid,surprisinghim."Icantell.Yougetthisterriblehauntedlook
inyoureyeswhenItalkabouthim."

Itsurprisedhimthatatherageshecouldreadhimsowell,whenhisownmencouldn't.Hewasn'tsure
helikedit.

"Imisshim,"heconfessedgruffly."I'msorryhewon'tletmemakepeace."

Shegapedathim."Whoevertoldyouthat?"

Hehesitated."Ihaven'ttriedtotalktohiminyears.SoIphonedhimafewdaysago,beforeyouwere
kidnapped.Helistenedforaminuteandhungupwithoutsayingaword."

"Whatdaywasit?"

"ItwasSaturday.Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?"

"Whattimewasit?"sherepeated.

"Noon."

She smiled gently. "I go to get groceries at noon on Saturdays, because Mrs. Ruiz, who lives next
door,comeshomeforlunchandmakesitforherselfandDadandstayswithhimwhileI'maway."

"So?"

"So,Mrs.Ruizdoesn'tspeakEnglishyet,she'sstilllearning.Thetelephoneinhibitsher.She'llanswer
it,butifit'snotme,she'llputitrightdownagain."Shesmiled."That'swhyIaskedwhenyoucalled."

"Then,Dadmighttalktome,ifItriedagain,"hesaidafteraminute.

"Micah,helovesyou,"shesaidsoftly."You'retheonlychildhehas.Ofcoursehe'lltalktoyou.He
doesn'tknowwhatreallyhappenedwithmymother,nomorethanIdid,untilyoutoldmethetruth.
Butherealizesnowthatifithadn'tbeenyou,itwouldhavebeensomeotheryoungerman.Hesaid
that,afterthedivorcewasfinal,sheeventoldhimso."

"Hedidn'ttrytogetintouchwithme."

"Hewasupsetforalongtimeafterithappened.SowasI.Weblamedyouboth.Butthat'sinthepast.
He'dlovetohearfromyounow,"sheassuredhim."Hedidn'tthinkyou'dwanttotalktohim,afterso
muchtimehadpassedandafterwhathe'dsaidtoyou.Hefeelsbadaboutthat."

Heleanedforward."Ifthat'sso,whenhehadtheheartattack,whywasn'tItold?"

"IcalledtheonlynumberIhadforyou,"shesaid."Inevergotananswer.Thehospitalsaidthey'dtry
totrackyoudown,butIguesstheydidn't."

Coulditreallybethatsimple?hewondered."Thatwasattheoldhouse,inNassau.Itwasdisconnected
threeyearsago.ThenumberIhavenowisunlisted."

"Oh."

"Whydidn'tyouaskEbScottorCyParks?"

"I don't know them," she said hesitantly. "And until very recently, when this Lopez thing made the
headlines,Ididn'tknowtheyweremercenaries."Sheavertedhereyes."Iknewyouwereacquainted
withthem,butIcertainlydidn'tknowthatyouwereoneofthem."

Hetookaslowbreath.No,heremembered,shedidn'tknow.He'dneversharedthatbitofinformation
witheitherherorJackSteele.

"Iwrotetoyou,too,abouttheheartattack,atthelastaddressyouleftus."

"Thatwouldhavebeenforwarded.Inevergotit."

"Isentit,"shesaid.

"I'mnotdoubtingthatyoudid.I'mtellingyouthatitnevergottome."

"I'm really sorry," she told him. "I did try, even if it doesn't look like it. I always hoped that you'd
eventually phone someone and I'd be able to contact you. When you didn't, well, I guess Dad and I

both figured that you weren't interested in what happened back here. And he did say that he'd been
verycruelinwhathesaidtoyouwhenyouleft."

"Hewas.ButIunderstood,"headded.

Shesmiledsadly."Helovesyou.Whenthisisover,youshouldmakepeacewithhim.Ithinkyou'll
findthathe'llmorethanmeetyouhalfway.He'smissedyouterribly."

"I've missed him, too." He could have added that he'd missed her as well, but she wasn't likely to
believehim.

Hestartedtospeak,buthefelttheboatslowing.Hesmiled."Wemustbecominguptothepier.Come
on.Itwillbenicetohaveacomfortablebedtosleepintonight."

Shenodded,andfollowedhimuptothedeck.

Her eyes caught sight of the house, on a small rise in the distance, long and low and lighted. She
couldseearchesandflowers,eveninthedarkness,becauseofthesolar-poweredlightsthatlinedthe
walkwayfromthepieruptothewalledestate.Shecaughtherbreath.Itwaslikeahouseshe'donce
seeninamagazineanddaydreamedaboutasachild.Shehadtheoddestfeelingthatshewascoming
home...

ChapterSix

Whatdoyouthink?"Micahaskedashehelpedherontotherampthatleddowntothepier.

"It'sbeautiful,"shesaidhonestly."Iexpectit'sevenmoreimpressiveinthedaylight."

"Itis."Hehesitated,turningbacktowardthemenwhowerestillontheboat."Bojo!Makesurewe've
gotatleasttwoguardsontheboatbeforeyoucomeuptothehouse,"hecalledtohisassociate,who
grinnedandrepliedthathewould."Petercanhelpyou,"headdedinvoluntarily.

Calliedidn'tseemtonoticethathe'djettisonedbothmenwho'dbeenfriendlywithher.Micahdid.He
didn't like the idea of his men getting close to her. It wasn't jealousy. Of course it wasn't. He
was...protectingherfromcomplications.

She looked around as they went up the wide graveled path to the house, frowning as she became
awareofoddnoises."What'sthatsound?"sheaskedMicah.

Hesmiledlazily."Myearlywarningradar."

"Huh?"

Hechuckled."Ikeepaflockofgeese,"heexplained,noddingtowardafencedareawhereagroupof
bigwhitebirdswalkedaroundandswaminahugepoolofwater."Believeitornot,they'rebetterthan
guarddogs."

"Wouldn'taguarddogortwobeabetteridea?"

"Nope.I'vegotaMacinside."

Beforeshecouldaskanymorequestions,thesolidwoodfrontdooropenedandatall,imposingman
in khakis with gray-sprinkled black wavy hair stood in their path. He was holding an automatic
weaponinonebighand.

"Welcomehome,boss,"hesaidindeep,crisplyaccentedBritish.Hegrinnedbrieflyandraisedtwo
bushyeyebrowsatthesightofCallie."Gother,didyou?"

"Gother,andwithnocasualties,"Micahreplied,returningthegrin."How'sitgoing,Mac?"

"Noworries.Butit'llrainsoon."Heshiftedhisweight,grimacingalittle.

"Atleastyou'rewearingtheprosthesis,now,"MicahmutteredasheherdedCallieintothehouse.

Macrubbedhishipafterheclosedthedoorandfollowedthem."Damnedthingfeelsfunny,"hesaid.
"AndIcan'trun."HegloweredatMicahasifthewholethingwashisfault

"Hey,"Micahtoldhim,"didn'tIsay'duck'?Infact,didn'tIsayittwice?"

"Yousaidit,butIhadmyearphonesin.“

"Excuses,excuses.Weeventookupacollectionforyourfuneral,thenyouhadtogomesseverything
upbyliving!"Micahgrumbled.

"Oh,sure,afteryoulothaddividedupallmypossessions!Bojo'sstillgotmyfavoriteshirtandhe
won'tgiveitback!Andhedoesn'tevenwearshirts!"

"He'susingittopolishhisgun,"Micahexplained."Saysit'sthebestshinehe'severputonit."

Calliewasopenlygapingatthem.Micah'sblackeyestwinkled."We'rejoking,"hetoldhergently."It's
thewayweletoffsteam,sothatwedon'tgetboggeddowninworry.Whatwedoishardwork,and
dangerous.Wehavetohavesafetyvalves."

"I'llblowBojo'ssafetyvalveforhimifhedoesn'tgivebackmyshirt!"Macassuredhisboss."And
youhaven'tevenintroducedus."

Calliesmiledandheldoutherhand."Hi!I'mCallieKirby."

"I'mMacPherson,"hereplied,shakingit."Itookamortarhitonourlastmission,soI'vegotKPuntil
Igetusedtothisdamnedprosthesis,"headded,liftinghisrightlegandgrimacing.

"You'd better get used to it pretty soon, or you're going to be permanent in that kitchen," Micah
assuredhim.

"NowI'dliketogetCalliesettled.She'sbeenthroughalot."

The other man became somber all at once. "She's not what I expected," Mac said reluctantly as he
studiedher.

"Icanimagine,"shesaidwithasadlittlesmile."Youwereexpectingawomanwhowasblondandas
good-lookingasMicah.IknowIdon'tlooklikehim..."

Beforeshecouldaddthattheyweren'trelated,theoldermaninterruptedher."Thatisn'twhatImeant,"
Macrepliedatonce.

Sheshruggedandsmiledcarelessly."Ofcoursenot.Ireallyamtired,"sheadded.

"Comeon,"Micahsaid."Haveyougotsomethingforsandwiches?"MicahaskedMac."Wedidn'tstop
forfood."

"Sure,"Macreplied,visiblyuncomfortable."I'llgetrighttoit."

Micah led Callie down the long hall and turned her into a large, airy room with a picture window
overlookingtheocean.Exceptfortheironbars,itlookedverytouristy.

"Macdoesmostofthecooking.Weusedtotaketurns,butafterhewaswounded,andwefoundout

thathisfatheronceownedaFrenchrestaurant,wegavehimpermanentKP."Heglancedatherwitha
wry smile. "We thought it might encourage him to put on the prosthesis and try to be rehabilitated.
Apparentlyit'sworking."

"He'sverynice."

He closed the door and turned to her, his face somber. "He meant that the sort of woman I usually
bringhereisblondandlong-leggedandbuxom,andthattheyusuallyignorethehiredhelp."

Sheflushed."Youdidn'thavetoexplain."

"Didn'tI?"Hiseyesnarrowedonherfaceasapotentialcomplicationpresenteditselfwhenhethought
abouthavingLisettetakeCallieonthatshoppingtrip.Thewomanwasextremelyjealous,andCallie
hadbeenthroughenoughturmoilalready.

"Ihaven'ttoldMacorLisettethatwearen'trelated.Itmightbeaswelltoletthemcontinuethinkingwe
are,forthetimebeing."

Shewonderedwhy,butshewasn'tgoingtolowerherpridebyasking."Sure,"shesaidwithcareful
indifference.

"Noproblem."PresumablythisLisettewouldbejealousofastepsister,butnotofarealone.Micah
obviouslydidn'twanttocausewaves.Shesmileddrowsily."IthinkIcouldsleeptheclockaround."

"IfMaddie'sherusualefficientself,sheshouldhavepackedanightgownforyou."

"I don't have a gown," she murmured absently, glancing at the case he'd put down beside the bed.
"Pajamas,then.""Uh,Idon'twearthose,either."Hestoodupandlookedatherpointedly."Whatdo
yousleepin?"

Sheclearedherthroat."Nevermind."Hiseyebrowsarched."Well,well.Nowonderyoulockedyour
bedroomdoorwhenyoulivedwithus.""Thatwasn'ttheonlyreason,"shesaidbeforeshethought.

Hisblackeyesnarrowed."You'vehadahellofalife,haven'tyou?Andnowthis,ontopofthepast."
Shebitherlowerlip."Thisdoordoeshavealock?"shepersisted."I'msorry.I'vespentmylifebehind
lockeddoors.It'sahardhabittobreak,andnotbecauseofthewayIsleep."

"Thedoorhasalock,andyoucanuseit.ButIhopeyouknowthatyou'resafewithme,"hereplied
quietly.

"Seducinginnocentsisn'tahabitwithme,andmymenaretrustworthy.""It'snotthat."

"Ifyou'renervousaboutbeingtheonlywomanhere,IcouldgetLisettetocomeoverandspendthe
nightinthisroomwithyou,"headded.

"No,"shesaid,reluctanttomeethisparamour."I'llbefine."

"You haven't been alone since it happened," he reminded her. "It may be more traumatic than you
think,especiallyinthedark."

"I'llbeallright,Micah,"shesaidfirmly.

He drew in an irritated breath. "All right. But if you're frightened, I'm next door, through the
bathroom."

Shegavehimacuriouslook.

"I'llwearpajamabottomswhileyou'reinresidence,"hesaiddryly,readinghermindaccurately.

Sheclearedherthroat."Thanks."

"Don'tyouwanttoeatsomethingbeforeyougotobed?"

She shook her head. "I'm too tired. Micah, thanks for saving me. I didn't expect it, but I'm very
grateful."

Heshrugged."You'refamily,"hesaidflatly,andshegrimacedwhenhewasn'tlooking.Heturnedand
went out, hesitating before he closed the door. "Someone will be within shouting distance, night or
day."

Her heart ached. He still didn't see her as a woman. Probably, he never would. "Okay," she replied.
"Thanks."

Heclosedthedoor.

She was so tired that she was sure she'd be asleep almost as soon as her head connected with the
pillow. But that wasn't the case. Dressed only in her cotton briefs, she lay awake for a long time,
staringattheceiling,absorbingtheshockofthepasttwodays.Itseemedunrealnow,herewhereshe
was safe. As her strung muscles began to relax, she tugged the cool, expensive designer sheet in a
yellowrosepatternoverherandfelthermindbegintodriftslowlyintopeacefuloblivion.

"Callie?Callie!"

The deep forceful voice combined with steely fingers on her upper arms to shake her out of the
nightmareshe'dbeenhaving.ShewashoarsefromthescreamthathaddraggedMicahfromsleepand
senthimrunningtotheconnectingdoorwithaskeletonkey.

Shewassittingup,bothherwristsinoneofhislean,warmhands,hereyeswidewithterror.Shewas
shakingallover,andnotfromtheair-conditioning.

Heleanedoverandturnedonthebedsidelamp.Hiseyeswenthelplesslytothefull,highthrustofher
tip-tilted little breasts, their nipples relaxed from sleep. She was so shaken that she didn't even feel
embarrassment.Herpaleblueeyeswerewildwithhorror.

"You'resafe,baby,"hesaidgently."It'sallright."

"Micah!"cameashoutfromoutsidethebedroomdoor.ItwasBojo,alertasusualtoanyoddnoise.

"Calliejusthadanightmare,Bojo.It'sokay.Gobacktobed!"

"Surething,boss."

Footstepsfadeddownthecorridor.

"Iwasbackinthechair,atLopez'shouse.Thatmanhadtheknifeagain,andhewascuttingme,"she
choked.

Herwild,frightenedeyesmetMicah's.

"You'llshootme,iftheytrytotakemeandyoucan'tstopthem,right?"sheaskedinahoarsewhisper.

"Nobodyisgoingtotakeyouawayfromherebyforce,"hesaidgently."Ipromise.Icanprotectyou
onthisisland.It'swhyIbroughtyouhereinthefirstplace."

Shesighedandrelaxedalittle."I'mbeingsilly.Itwasthedream.Itwassoreal,andIwasscaredto
death,Micah!ItallcamebacktheminuteIfellasleep!"Sheshivered."Can'tyouholdme?"sheasked
huskily,hereyesonhismuscular,hair-roughenedchest.Lookingatitmadeherwholebodytingle.
"Justforaminute?”

"Areyououtofyourmind?"hegroundout.

Shesearchedhiseyes.Helookedodd."Whynot?"

"Because..."Hisgazefelltoherbreasts.Theywerehard-tippednow,visiblytautwithdesire.Hisjaw
clenched.

Hishandsonherwriststightenedroughly.

"Oh,forheaven'ssake.Iforgot!Sorry."Shetriedtocoverherself,buthishandswererelentless.She
cleared her throat and grimaced. "That hurts," she complained on a nervous laugh, tugging at his
hands.Theyloosened,butonlyafraction.

"DidyoutakethosepillsIgaveyoutomakeyousleep?"heaskedsuddenly.

"Yes.Buttheydidn'tkeepmeasleep."Sheblinked.Shesmileddrowsily.Shefeltveryuninhibited.He
waslookingatherbreastsandshelikedit.Herheadfellback,becausehehadn'tturnedherloose.His
hands weren't bruising anymore, but they were holding her wrists firmly. She arched her back
sensuously and watched the way his eyes narrowed and glittered on her breasts. She saw his body
tense,andshegaveahusky,wickedlittlelaugh.

"Youlikelookingatmethere,don'tyou?"sheasked,vaguelyawarethatshewasbeingreckless.

Hemadearoughsoundandmethereyesagain."Yes,"hesaidflatly."Ilikeit."

"IwantedtotakemyclothesoffforyouwhenIwasjustsixteen,"sheconfidedabsentlyashertongue
ranawaywithher"Iwantedyoutoseeme.IachedalloverwhenyoulookedatmethatlastChristmas.
Iwantedyoutokissmesohardthatitwouldbruisemymouth.Iwantedtounbuttonyourshirtand
pullmydressdownandletyouholdmelikethat."Sheshiveredhelplesslyattheimagesthatrushed
intoherreelingmind."You'resosexy,Mi-cah,"shewhisperedhuskily."Sohandsome.AndIwasjust
plain and my breasts were small, nothing like those beautiful, buxom women you always dated. I
knewyou'dneverwantmethewayIwantedyou."

Heshookhergently."Callie,forGod'ssake,hush!"hegrated,hiswholebodytensingwithdesireat
theimageryshewascreating.

Shewastoorelaxedfromthesleepingpillstolistentowarnings.Shesmiledlazily."Ineverwanted
anybodytotouchmeuntilthen,"shesaidsoftly."Menalwaysseemedrepulsivetome.DidIevertell
you that my mother's last lover tried to seduce me? I ran from him and he knocked me down the
stairs.Ibrokemyarm.Mymothersaiditwasmyfault.Shetookmebacktothefosterhome.Shesaid
Iwasatroublemaker,andtoldliesaboutwhathappened."

"DearGod!"heexclaimed.

"Soafterthat,IworefloppyoldclothesandnomakeupandpulledmyhairbacksoIlookedlikethe
plainestoldmaidonearth,andIactedrealtough.Theyleftmealone.Thenmymothermarriedyour
dad," she added. "And I didn't have to be afraid anymore. Except it was worse," she murmured
drowsily,"becauseIwantedyoutotouchme.Butyoudidn'tlikemethatway.YousaidIwasatramp,
likemymother..."

"I didn't mean it," he ground out. "I was only trying to spare you more heartache. You were just a
baby,andIwasoldenoughtoknowbetter.ItwastheonlywayIknewtokeepyouatarm'slength."

"Youwantedmymother,"sheaccusedmiserably.

"Never!"hesaid,andsoundedutterlydisgusted."Shewashardasnails,andherideaoffemininitywas
completecontrol.ShewasthemostmercenaryhumanbeingIevermet."

Herpaleblueeyesblinkedasshesearchedhisblackonescuriously."YousaidIwas,too."

"You'renotmercenary,honey,"herepliedquietly."Youneverwere."

She sighed, and her breasts rose and fell, drawing his attention again. "I feel so funny, Micah," she
murmured.

"Funny,how?"heaskedwithoutthinking.

Shelaughedsoftly."Idon'tknowhowtodescribeit.Ifeel...likeI'mthrobbing.Ifeelswollen."

Shewasdescribingsexualarousal,andhewasfightingitlikemad.Hedrewinalong,slowbreath
andforcedhimselftoletgoofherwrists.Herarmsfelltohersidesandhestaredhelplesslyatthe
thrustofhersmall,firmbreasts.

"It'ssosad,"shesighed."Theonlytimeyou'veeverlookedatmeortouchedmewasbecauseIwas
hurtandneededmedicalattention."Shelaughedinvoluntarily.

"Youhavetostopthis.Rightnow,"hesaidfirmly.

"Stopwhat?"sheaskedwithgenuinecuriosity.

Heliftedthesheetandplaceditoverherbreasts,pullingoneofherhandsuptoholditthere.

Shegloweredathimashegottohisfeet."That'sgreat,"shemuttered."That'sjustgreat.Areyouthe
guyatastripteasewhoyells'putitbackon'?"

He chuckled helplessly. "Not usually, no. I'll leave the door between our rooms and the bathroom
open.Youcansingoutifyougetscaredagain."

"Gosh,you'rebrave,"shesaid."Aren'tyouafraidtoleaveyourdoorunlocked?Imightsneakinand
ravishyouinyoursleep."

"Iwearachastitybelt,"hesaidwithaperfectlystraightface.

Hereyeswidenedandsuddenlysheburstoutlaughing.

Hegrinned."That'smorelikeit.Nowliebackdownandstoptryingtoseduceme.Whenyouwakeup
andrememberthethingsyou'vesaidanddonetonight,you'llblusheverytimeyoulookatme."

Sheshrugged."IguessIwill."Shefrowned."Whatwasinthosepills?"

"Asedative.Obviouslyithasanunpredictablereactiononyou,"hecommentedwithalong,amused
look.

"EitherthatorI'vediscoveredabrand-newaphrodisiac.Itmakesretiringvirginswanton,apparently."

She glared up at him. "I am not wanton, and it wasn't my fault, anyway. I was very scared and you
camerunninginheretoflauntyourbarechestatme,"shepointedout.

"You were the one doing the flaunting," he countered. "I'm going to have Lisette buy you some
gowns, and while you're here, you'll wear them. I don't keep condoms handy anymore," he added
bluntly.

Sheflushedandgaspedaudibly."MicahSteele!"sheburstout,horrifiedatthecruderemark.

"Don'tpretendyoudon'tknowwhatoneis.You'renotthatnaive.Butthat'stheonlywayI'deverhave
sexwithyou,evenifIlostmyheadlongenoughtostiflemyconscience,"headdedbluntly."Because
Idon'twantkids,orawife,ever."

"I'vealreadytoldyouthatI'mnotproposingmarriage!"

"Youtriedtoseduceme,"heaccused.

"Youtemptedme!Infact,youdruggedme!"

Hewastryingvaliantlynottolaugh."Inever!"hedefendedhimself."Igaveyouamildsedative.A
verymildsedative!"

"ItwasprobablySpanishFly,"shetaunted."I'vereadaboutwhatit'ssupposedtodotowomen.You
gaveittomedeliberatelysothatI'dflashmybreastsatyouandmakesuggestiveremarks,nodoubt!"

He pursed his lips and lifted his chin, muffling laughter. "For the record, you've got gorgeous
breasts," he told her. "But I've never seen myself as a tutor for a sensuous virgin. In case you were
thinkingalongthoselines."

Shefeltthatcomplimentdowntohertoesandtriednottodisgraceherselfbyshowingit.Apparently
hedidn'tthinkherbreastsweretoosmallatall.Imaginethat!"Therearelotsofmenwho'djustlove
tohavesexwithme,"shetoldhimhaughtily.

"WhatashamethatI'mtheonlyoneyou'dsubmitto."

Sheglaredathim."Weren'tyougoingbacktobed?"sheaskedpointedly.

Hesighed."Imightaswell,ifyou'rethroughundressingforme."

"Ididn'tundressforyou!Isleeplikethis."

"I'llbetyoudidn'tbeforeyoumovedinwithmyfatherandme,"hedrawledsoftly.

Herflushwasadeadgiveaway.

"Andyouneverlockedyourbedroomdoorathome,"headded.

"Forallthegooditdidme,"shesaidgrimly.

"Inevergotmykicksasavoyeur,especiallywithprecociousteenagers,"hetoldher."You'remuch
moredesirablenow,withalittleageonyou.Not,"headded,holdinguponeleanhand,"thatIhave
anyplanstosuccumb.You'reapicket-fencesortofwoman."

"Andyoulikeyoursincombatgear,withmuscles,"sheretorted.

Hiseyessketchedherbodyunderthesheet."IfIeverhadtheurgetomarry,"hesaidslowly,"you'dbe
atthetopofmylistofprospects,Callie.You'rekindheartedandhonestandbrave.Iwasproudofyou
inthejungle."

Shesmiled."Wereyou,really?Iwasterriblyscared."

"All of us are, when we're being hunted. The trick is to keep going anyway." He pushed her down
gentlywiththesheetuptoherneckandherheadonthepillow,andhetuckedherinverygently."Go
back to sleep," he said, tracing a path down her cheek with a lean forefinger. He smiled. "You can
dreamabouthavingwildsexwithme."

"Idon'thaveaclueabouthowtohavewildsex,"shepointedout.Sheliftedbotheyebrowsandher
eyestwinkledasshegavehimawickedsmile."I'llbetyou'regreatinbed."

"I am," he said without false modesty. "But," he added somberly, "you're a virgin. First times are
painfulandembarrassing,nothinglikethetorridscenesinthoseromancenovelsyouliketoread."

Shedrewinadrowsybreath."Ifiguredthat."

Hehadtogetoutofhere.Hewasarousedalready.Itwouldn'ttakemuchtotempthim,andshe'dbeen
throughenoughalready.Hetappedheronthetipofhernose."Sleepwell."

"Micah,canIaskyousomething?"shemurmured,blinkingasshetriedtostayawake.

"Goahead."

"Whatdidmymotherseethatmadeherthinkshe'denticedyouthatnightwehadtheblowup?"

"Areyousureyouwanttoknow?"heasked."Becauseifyoudo,I'llshowyou."

Herbreathcaughtinherthroatandherheartpounded.Shelookedathimwithuninhibitedcuriosity
andhunger.

"I'msure."

"Okay. Your choice." He unsnapped his pajama bottoms, and let them fall. "She saw this," he said
quietly.

Hereyeswenttothatpartofhimthatthepajamashadhidden.Shewasn'tsonaivethatshehadn'tseen
statues,andphotographsinmagazines,ofnakedmen.Buthesuredidn'tlooklikeanyofthepictures.
Therewerenowhitelinesonhimanywhere.Hewassolidmuscle,tannedandexquisitelymale.Her
eyes went helplessly to that part of him that was most male, and she almost gasped. He was
impressive,eventoaninnocent.

"Doyouunderstandwhatyou'reseeing,Callie?"heaskedquietly.

"Yes,"shemanagedinahuskywhisper."You're...you'rearoused,aren'tyou?"

Henodded."WhenIgotawayfromyouthatChristmasnight,Iwaslikethis,justfrombeingcloseto
you,"heexplainedquietly,hisvoicestrained."TheslacksIwaswearingweretailoredtofitproperly,
soitwasnoticeable.Yourmotherwasexperienced,andwhenshesawit,shethoughtitwasbecauseof
her.Shewaswearingastrappylittlesilverdress,andshehadaninflatedviewofherowncharms.I

foundherrepulsive."

"I didn't know men looked like that." Her lips parted as she continued to stare at him. "Are you...I
mean,isthat...normal?"

"Idooccasionallyinspireenvyinothermen,"hemurmuredwithahelplesslaugh.Hepulledhispa-
jamatrousersbackupandsnappedtheminplace,almostshiveringwiththehungertothrowhimself
downontopofherandravishher.Shehadnoideaoftheeffectthatwide-eyedcuriosityhadonhim.
"NowI'mgettingoutofherebeforeitgetsanyworse!"hesaidinatightvoice."Goodnight."

She stretched, feeling oddly swollen and achy. She stretched, feeling unfamiliar little waves of
pleasurewashingoverherattheintimacythey'djustshared.Shenoticedthathisfacewenteventauter
ashewatchedherstretch.

Itfeltgood.Butshewasreallysleepyandhereyelidsfeltheavy.Hereyesbegantoclose."Gosh,I'm
tired.IthinkIcansleep...now."Hervoicetrailedoffasshesighedheavilyandherwholebodyrelaxed
inthefirststagesofsleep.

He looked at her with pure temptation. She'd been sedated, of course, or she'd never have been so
uninhibited with him. He knew that, but it didn't stop the frustrated desire he felt from racking his
powerfulbody.

"I'msogladthatoneofuscansleep,"hemurmuredwithicysarcasm,butshewasalreadyasleep.He
gaveheronelast,wistfulstare,andwentoutoftheroomquickly.

The next morning, Callie awoke after a long and relaxing sleep feeling refreshed. Then she
rememberedwhathadhappenedinthemiddleofthenightandshewashorrified.

ShesearchedthroughthebagMicah'sfriendhadpackedforher,lookingforsomethingconcealing
and unnoticeable, but there wasn't a change of clothing. She only had the jeans and shirt she'd been
wearingthedaybefore.Grimacing,sheputthembackonandranabrushthroughhershortdarkhair.
Shedidn'tbotherwithmakeupatall.

Whenshewentintothekitchen,expectingtofinditempty,Micahwasgoingoverseveralsheetsof
paperwithacupofblackcoffeeinonebighand.Hegaveheraquickglanceandwatchedtheblush
coverherhighcheekbones.Hislean,handsomefacebrokeintoawickedgrin.

"Goodmorning,"hedrawled."Allrested,arewe?Readyforanotherroundofshowandtell?"

She ground her teeth together and avoided looking directly at him as she poured herself a cup of
coffeefromthecoffeemakeronthecounterandaddedcreamertoit.

"Iwasdrugged!"shesaiddefensively,sittingdownatthetable.Shecouldn'tmakeherselflookhimin
theeye.

"Really?"

"Youshouldknow,"shereturnedcurtly."Youdruggedme!"

"Igaveyouamildsedative,"heremindedher.Hegaveheramischievousglance."ButI'llbesureto
remembertheeffects."

Shecleared her throatand sipped hercoffee. "Can you findme something todo around here?" she
asked."I'mnotusedtosittingarounddoingnothing."

"IphonedLisseaboutthirtyminutesago,"hesaid."She'llbeoverattentotakeyoushopping.""So
soon?"sheaskedcuriously."Youdon'thaveachangeofclothes,doyou?"heasked.

Sheshookherhead."No."

"Maddietravelslightandexpectseveryoneelseto,aswell,"heexplained."Especiallyintightcorners.
I'llgiveyoumycreditcard..."

"Ihavemyownwithmypassport,"shesaidatonce,embarrassed."Thanks,butIpaymyownway."

"Soyousaid."Heeyedheroverhiscoffeecup."Iwon'texpectanythinginreturn,"headded."Incase
thatthoughtcrossedyourmind."

"Iknowthat.ButIdon'twanttobeobligatedtoyouanymorethanIalreadyam."

"Yousoundlikeme,atyourage,"hemused."Ineverlikedtoaccepthelp,either.Butweallcometoit,
Callie,soonerorlater."

Sheletoutaslowbreathandsippedmorecoffee.

"Icouldn'trepayyouinahundredyearsforwhatyoudidforme,"shesaidgently."Youriskedyour
lifetogetmeoutofthere."

"All in a day's work, honey," he said, and smiled. "Besides," he added, "I had a score to settle with
Lopez."Hisfacehardened."I'vegotanevenbiggeronetosettle,now.Ihavetoputhimoutofaction,
beforeheorganizeshismenandgoesafterDad!"

ChapterSeven

Callie felt her heart go cold at the words. She'd been through so much herself that she'd forgotten
brieflythatJackSteelewasindanger,too.MicahhadsaidthatPogoandMaddiewouldwatchover
him,butobviouslyhestillhadfears.

"Youdon'tthinkhe'llbesafewithyourpeople?"sheaskedworriedly.

"NotifLopezgetshisacttogether,"hesaidcoolly."WhichiswhyI'vehadBojosendhimamessage
intheclear,rubbingitinthatItookyouawayfromhim."

Shefeltuneasy."Isn'tthatdangerous,withamanlikeLopez?"

"Very," he agreed. "But if he's concentrating on me, he's less likely to expend his energy on Dad.
Right?"

"Right,"sheagreed."Whatdoyouwantmetodo?"

Heloweredhiseyestohiscoffeecupandliftedittohischiseledmouth."Youdowhateveryoulike.
You'rehereasmyguest."

She frowned. "I don't need a holiday, Micah." "You're getting one, regardless. Today you can go
shoppingwithLisse.Tomorrow,I'lltakeyousightseeing,ifyoulike."

"Isitsafe?"

Hechuckled."Wewon'tbealone,"hepointedout."IintendtakingBojoandPeterandRodrigoalong
withus."

"Oh."

"Disappointed?" he asked with faint arrogance. "Would you rather be alone with me, on a deserted
beach?"

Sheglaredathim."Youstopthat."

"Spoilsport.Youdorisetothebaitsobeautifully."Heleanedbackinhischairandthehumorlefthis
eyes.

"Bojo'sgoing with youto Nassau. Buywhat you like, butmake sure youdon't bring home low-cut
blousesandshort-shortsorshortskirts.Therearen'tanyotherwomenonthisisland,exceptacouple
of married middle-aged island women who live with their husbands and families. I don't want
anythingtodivertthemen'sattentionwithLopezontheloose."

"Idon'twearsuggestiveclothing,"shepointedout.

"Youdoaroundme,"hesaidflatly."Consideringlastnight'sshowing,Ithoughtthewarningmightbe
appropriate."

"Iwasdrugged!"sherepeated,flushing.

"Idon'tmindifyoushowyourbodytome,"hecontinued,asifshehadn'tspoken."Ienjoylookingat
it. But I'm not sharing the sight. Besides, for the next week or two, you're my sister. I don't want
anyonespeculatingaboutourexactrelationship."

"Why?BecauseofyourfriendLisette?"sheaskedbitterly.

"Exactly,"hesaidwithapokerface."LisetteandIarelovers,"headdedbluntly."ThelastthingIneed
isajealoustug-of-warinacrisis."

Shecaughtherbreathaudibly.Itwascruelofhimtosaysuchathing.Ormaybehewasbeingcruelto
bekind,makingsurethatshedidn'tgetherhopesup.

Sheliftedherheadwithposturedarrogance."That'swishfulthinking,"shesaidfirmly."Iknowyou're
terriblydisappointedthatIhaven'tproposed,butyou'dbetterjustdealwithit."

Foraninstanthelookedshocked,thenhelaughed.Itoccurredtohimthathe'dneverlaughedasmuch
inhislifeashehadwithher,especiallythepastcoupleofdays.Consideringthelifeordeathsituation
they'dbeenin,itwasevenmoreincredible.Calliewasarealmateunderfire.He'dheardstoriesabout
wivesofretiredmercswalkingrightintofirewiththeirhusbands.He'dtakenthemwithagrainofsalt
untilhe'dseenCallieinamoredesperatesituationthananyofthosewiveshadeverbeenin.

"Youmademeproud,inCancun,"hesaidafteraminute."Reallyproud.Ifwehadcampfires,you're
thesortofwomanwe'dbuildintolegendaroundthem."

Sheflushed."LikeMaddie?"

"Maddie's never been in the situation you were in," he said somberly. "I don't even know another
womanwhohas.Despitethenightmares,youheldupaswellasanymanI'veeverservedwith."

Shesmiledslowly."Arealcompliment,wow,"shemurmured."Ifyou'llwriteallthatdown,I'llhaveit
notarizedandhangitbehindmydesk.Mr.Kempwillbeveryimpressed."

He glowered at her. "Kemp's more likely to hang you on the wall beside it. You're wasted in a law
office."

"IlovewhatIdo,"sheprotested."Idigoutlittledetailsthatsavelivesandcareers.Lawisn'tdryand
boring,it'salive.It'shistory."

"It'sajobinalittlehickTexastownwhileyou'lleventuallydryupandblowawaylikeasun-scorched
creosotebush."

Shesearchedhisdarkeyes."That'showitfelttoyou,Iknow.YouneverlikedlivinginJacobsville.
ButI'mnotlikeyou,"sheaddedsoftly."Iwantaneatlittlehousewithaflowergardenandneighbors
to talk to over the fence, and a couple of children." Her face softened as she thought about it. "Not
rightaway,ofcourse.Butsomeday."

"Just the thought of marriage gives me chest pain," he said with veiled contempt. "More often than
not,awomanmarriesformoneyandamanmarriesforsex.Whatdifferencedoesasheetofpaper
withsignaturesmake?"

"If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand the answer," she said simply. "I guess you don't want
kids."

He frowned. He'd never thought about having kids. It was one of those "someday" things he didn't
give much time to. He studied Callie and pictured her again with a baby in her arms. It was
surprisinglynice.

"It would be hard to carry a baby through jungle undergrowth with a rifle under one arm," she
answeredherownquestion."Andinyourlineofwork,Idon'tsupposeleavingalegacytochildrenis
muchofapriority."

Heavertedhishead."IexpecttospendwhatImakewhileI'mstillalive,"hesaid.

Shelookedoutoverthebay,hereyesnarrowingintheglareofthesunlight.Thecasuarinasliningthe
beachweretoweringandtheirfeatheryfrondswavedgracefullyinthebreezethatalwaysblewnear
thewater.Flowersbloomedeverywhere.Thesandwaslikesugar,whiteandpicturesque.

"It's like a living travel poster," she remarked absently. "I've never seen water that color except in
postcards,andIthoughtitwasjustabadcolorjob."

"ThereareplacesinthePacificandtheCaribbeanlikeit,"hetoldher.Heglancedtowardthepieras
heheardthesoundofamotor."There'sLisse,"hesaid."Comeandbeintroduced."

She got up and followed along behind him, feeling like a puppy that couldn't be left alone. As she
watched,agorgeousblondeinaskimpyyellowsundresswithlonglegsandlonghairletMicahhelp
herontothepier.

UnexpectedlyhejerkedheragainsthimandkissedhersopassionatelythatCallieflushedandlooked
awayinembarrassment.Hewasobviouslyterrifiedthatshemightreadsomethingintolastnight,so
hewasmakinghisrelationshipwithLisseveryplain.

A few minutes later, Micah put something into Lisse' s hand and spoke softly to her. Lisse laughed
BreathilyandsaidsomethingthatCalliecouldn'thear.Micahtooktheblondebythehandandledher
downthepiertowhereCalliewaswaitingatarespectfuldistance.

Upclose,theblondehadablemishlesscomplexionandperfectteeth.Shedisplayedtheminasmile
thatwoulddocredittoasupermodel,whichwaswhatthewomanreallylookedlike.

"I'm Lisette Dubonnet, but everyone calls me Lisse," she introduced herself and held out a hand to
firmlyshakeCallie's.

"I'mCallie..."shebegan.

"Mysister,"Micahinterrupted,obviouslynottrustinghertoplayalong."She'stakingaholidayfrom
herjobinTexas.Iwantyoutohelpherbuysomeleisurewear.Hersuitcasedidn'tarrivewithher."

"Oh," Lisse said, and laughed. "I've had that happen. I know just how you feel. Well, shall we go?
Micah,areyoucomingwithus?"

Micahshookhishead."I'vegotthingstodohere,butBojowantstocomealong,ifyoudon'tmind.
HehastocheckonapackagehisbrotherissendingoverfromGeorgia."

"He's perfectly welcome," Lisse said carelessly. "Come along, Callie. Callie...what a pretty name. A
littlerare,Ishouldsay."

"It'sshortforColleen,"Callietoldher,havingtoalmostruntokeepupwiththewoman'slongstrides.

"We'll go downtown in Nassau. There are lots of chic little boutiques there. I'm sure we can find
somethingthatwilldoforyou."

"You'reverykind..."

Lisseheldupanimperativehandastheyreachedtheboatshe'djustdisembarkedfrom."It'snobother.
Micahneverspeaksofyou.Didhehaveyouhiddeninaclosetorsomething?"

"Wedon'tgetalongverywell,"Gallicformulated.Itwasthetruth,too,mostly.

"Andthat'sveryodd.Micahgetsalongwonderfullywithmostwomen."

"But then you're not related to him," Callie pointed out, just managing to clamber aboard the boat
beforethelinewasuntiedbyBojo,whowasalreadythereandwaitingtoleave.

"No, thank God I'm not." Lisse laughed. Even her laugh was charming. "I'd kill myself. Hurry up,
Bojo,DadandIhavetogotoanembassyballtonight,soI'mpressedfortime!"

"Iamcoming,mademoiselle!"hesaidwithagrinandleapeddownintotheboat.

"Let's go, Marchand!" she called to the captain, who replied respectfully and turned the expensive
speedboatbackintothebayandheadedittowardNassau.

"Wecouldpostponethistrip,ifyoudon'thavetime,"Callieoffered.

"Notnecessary,"Lissesaid."I'llhavelesstimelateron.ItrytodoanythingMicahasksmeto.He's
alwayssograteful,"sheaddedinapurringtone.

AndIcanjustimaginewhatformthattakes,Calliethought,butshedidn'tsayit.Evenso,Bojoheard
theirconversation,caughtCallie'seye,andgrinnedsowickedlythatsheclearedherthroatandasked
LisseaboutthehistoryofNassautodiverther.

Nassau was bustling with tourists. The colorful straw market at the docks was doing a booming
business,andfishingboatsrockedgentlyonthewavesmadebypassingboats.Seagullsmadepasses
atthewaterandflewgracefullypastthehugeglasswindowsoftherestaurantthatsatrightonthebay.
Itwasbeautiful.Justbeautiful.

Callie, who'd never been anywhere-well, except for the road trip to Cancun with the drug lord's
minionswhileshewasunconscious-thoughtitwaspuredelight.

"Don'tgawklikeatourist,darling,"Lissescoffedastheymadetheirwaypastthefishingboatsand
intoanarcadeframedinanantiquestonearchcoveredinbougainvillea."It'sonlyNassau."

ButCalliecouldn'thelpit.Shelovedthemusicalaccentsshecaughtsnatchesofastheystrolledpast
shopsfeaturingjewelrywithshellmotifsandhand-craftsfromalloverEurope,nottomentiondress
shops and T-shirt shops galore. She loved the stone pathways and the flowers that bloomed
everywhere.Theywentpastafoodstandandhernosewrinkled.

"IthoughtIsmelledliquor,"shesaidunderherbreath.

"You did," Lisse said nonchalantly, waving her painted fingernails in the general direction of the
counter."Youcanbuyanysortofalcoholicdrinkyouwantatanyofthesefoodstands."

"It'slegal?"

"Ofcourseit'slegal.Haven'tyoubeenanywhere?"

Calliesmiledsheepishly."Notreally.NowthisisthesortofshopIneed,"shesaidsuddenly,stopping
atastorewindowdisplayingsundresses,jeansandT-shirtsandsneakers.Italsodisplayedthecardsit
accepted,andCalliehadoneofthem."I'llonlybeaminute..."

"Darling,notthere!"Lisselamented."It'soneofthosecheaptouristyshops!Micahwantsyoutouse
hischargecard.I'vegotitinmypocket.Hewantsyoutowearthingsthatwon'tembarrasshim."She
put her fingers over her mouth. "Oh, dear, I forgot, I wasn't to tell you that he said that." She
grimaced."Well,anyway..."

"Well,anyway,"Callieinterrupted,followingLisse'slead,"thisiswhereI'mshopping,withmycard.
Youcanwaitorcomein.Suityourself."

SheturnedandleftLissestandingtherewithhermouthgaping,andshedidn'tcare.Thewomanwas
horrible!

Aftershe'dtriedontwopairsofjeans,twosundresses,apairofsandals,oneofsneakersandfourT-

shirts,shefeltguiltyforthewayshe'dtalkedtoMicah'swoman.ButLissewashard-going,especially
afterthatkissshe'dwitnessed.Ithadhurtrighttothebone,andLisse'scondescending,snappyattitude
didn'tendearhertoCallie,either.

Shecamebackoutoftheshopwithtwobags."Thankyouverymuch.I'dliketogobacktothehouse,
now,"shetoldLisse,andshedidn'tsmile.

Lissemadeamouewithherperfectmouth."I'vehurtyourfeelings.I'msorry.ButMicahtoldmewhat
todo.

He'llbefuriouswithmenow."

Whatapity.Shedidn'tsayit."Hecanbefuriouswithme,"Calliesaid,walkingaheadofLisseback
thewaythey'dcome."Ibuymyownclothesandpaymyownway.I'mnotahelplessparasite.Idon't
needamantobuythingsforme."

Therewasastonysilencefrombehindher.Shestoppedandturnedandsaid,"Oh,my,didIhurtyour
feelings?

I'msorry."Andwithawickedgleaminhereyesattheotherwoman'sfuriousflush,shewalkedback
towardtheboat.

Bojoknewsomethingwasgoingon,buthewastoopolitetoquestionLisse'suttersilencealltheway
backtothepier.HegotoutfirsttotieuptheboatandreacheddowntohelpCallieout,relievingher
ofherpackagesontheway.Micahhadheardtheboatandwasstrollingdownthepiertomeetthem.
There was a scramble as Lisse climbed out of the boat, cursing her captain for not being quick
enoughtospareherastumble.Shesoundedlikeshewasabsolutelyseething!

"We'dbetterrunforit,"CallieconfidedtoBojo.

"Whatdidyoudo?"heaskedunderhisbreath.

"Icalledheraparasite.Ithinkshe'supset."

Hemuffledalaugh,noddedrespectfullyathisbossandherdedCalliedownthepieratverynearlya
runwhileMicahstoodstaringafterthemwithascowl.SecondslaterLissereachedhimandhervoice
carriedlikeabullhorn.

"She'sgotthebreedingofahowlermonkey,andthedresssenseofanoctopus!"sheraged."Iwouldn't
takehertothenearesttarpitwithoutabribe!"

Calliecouldn'thelpit.Shebrokedownandranevenfaster,withBojorightbesideher.

Later,ofcourse,shehadtofacethemusic.She'dchangedintoastrappylittleblue-and-white-striped
sundress.Itwasankle-lengthwithasquarebodiceandwideshoulderstraps.Modestevenenoughfor
her surroundings. She was barefoot, having disliked the fit of the sandals she'd bought that rubbed

againstherbigtoe.Micahcamestridingtowardherwhereshewasloungingunderaseagrapetree
watchingthefishingboatscomeintotheharbor.

Micahwasincutoffdenimsthatlefthislong,powerfullegsbare,andhewaswearinganopenshirt.
Hischestwasbroadandhair-roughenedandnowCalliecouldn'tlookatitwithoutfeelingitunderher
hands.

"Can'tyougetalongwithanyone?"hedemanded,hisfistsonhisnarrowhipsasheglareddownat
her.

"MybossMr.KempthinksI'mwonderful,"shecountered.

His eyes narrowed. "You gave Lisse fits, and she only came over to do you a favor, when she was
alreadypressedfortime."

Hereyebrowsarchedovershimmeringblueeyes."Youdon'tthinkI'mcapableofwalkingintoashop
andbuyingclothesallbymyself?Whateversortofwomenareyouusedto?"

"Andyoucalledheraparasite,"headdedangrily.

"Doesshework?"

Hehesitated."She'sherfather'shostess."

"Ididn'taskyouabouthersociallife,Iaskedifsheworkedforherliving.Shedoesn't.Andshesaid
thatwhenshedidyoufavors,yourepaidherhandsomely."Shecockedherheadupathim."Isuppose,
inapinch,youcouldcallthatworkingforherliving.Butitisn'taprofessionI'dwanttoconfesstoin
public,"

Hejuststoodthere,scowling.

"Imakemyownliving,"shecontinued,"andpaymyownway.Idon'trelyonmentosupportme,buy
meclothes,orchauffeurmearound."

"Lisseisusedtoaluxuriouslifestyle,"hebeganslowly,butwithoutmuchconviction.

"I'm sure that I've misjudged her," she said pla-catingly. "Why, if you lost everything tomorrow, I
knowshe'dbethefirstpersontorushtoyoursideandoffertohelpyoumakeitallbackwithhard
work."

Hepursedhislipsandthoughtaboutthat.

"That'swhatIthought,"shesaidsweetly.

Hewasglaringagain."Itoldyoutoputeverythingonmycard,andgetnicethings."

"YoutoldLissetotakemetoexpensivedressshopssothatIwouldn'tbuycheapstuffandembarrass
you,"shecountered,gettingtoherfeet.Shebrushedoffherskirt,oblivioustotheshockedlookon

his face, before she lifted her eyes back to his. "I don't care if I embarrass you," she pointed out
bluntly."Youcanalwayshidemeinaclosetwhenyouhaveguestsifyou'reashamedofme."

Hemadearoughsound."You'dwalkrightinto

thelivingroomandtellthemwhyyouwerehidden."

She shrugged. "Blame it on a rough childhood. I don't like people pushing me around. Especially
model-typeparasites."

"Lisseisnot-"hestarted.

"Idon'tcarewhatsheisorisn't,"shecuthimoff,"she'snotbossingmearoundandinsultingme!"

"Whatdidyoutellheraboutourrelationship?"

hedemanded,andhewasangry.

"Itoldhernothing,"shecounteredhotly."It'snoneofherbusiness.But,fortherecord,ifyoureally
weremybrother,I'dhaveyoustuffedandmountedandI'duseyouforanashtray!"

She walked right past him and back into the house. She heard muffled curses, but she didn't slow
down.Lethimfume.Shedidn'tcare.

Shedidn'tcomeoutforsupper.Shesatinapeacockchairoutonthepatiooverlookingthebayand
enjoyedthedeliciousfloralsmellofthemustynightairinthedeliciousbreeze,whilesippingapina
co-lada.She'dneverhadoneandshewascuriousaboutthetaste,soshe'dhadMacfixherone,along
withasandwich.Shewasn'treallyafraidofMicah,butshewashopingtoavoidhimuntiltheyboth
cooleddown.

He came into her room without knocking and walked right out onto the patio. He was wearing a
tuxedowithafaintlyruffledfinewhitecottonshirt,andhelookedsohandsomethatherheartstopped
andflutteredatjustthesightofhim.

"Areyougoingtoafuneral,ordidyougetajobasawaiter?"sheaskedpolitely.

Hemanagednottolaugh.Itwasn'tfunny.Shewasn'tfunny.She'dinsultedLisseandthewomanwas
goingtogivehimfitsallnight."I'mtakingLissetoanembassyball,"hesaidstiffly."Iwouldhave
invitedyou,butyoudon'thaveanythingtowear,"headdedwithavicioussmile.

"Justaswell,"shemurmured,liftingherglasstohiminamocktoast."Itwouldhavebloodalloverit
bytheendofthenight,ifI'manyjudgeofmiffedwomen."

"Lisseisalady,"hesaidshortly."Somethingyouhavenoconceptof,withyourignoranceofproper
manners.”

Thathurt,butshesmiled."Blameitonasuccessionoffosterhomes,"shetoldhimsweetly."Manners

aren'tapriority."

Hehatedbeingremindedofthelifeshe'dled.Itmadehimfeelguilty,andhedidn'tlikeit."Pity,"he
saidscathingly."Youmightconsidertakinglessons."

"Ialwaysthinkthatifyou'regoingtofight,youshouldgetdowninthemudandrollaround,notuse
words."

"JustwhatI'dexpectfromalittlesavagelikeyou,"hesaidsarcastically.

Thewordtriggeredhorriblememories.Shereactedtoitoutofallproportion,drivenbyherpast.She
leapedtoherfeet,eyesblazing,theglasstremblinginherhand."Onemoreword,andyou'llneeda
showerandadrycleanertogetoutthedoor!"

"Don't you like being called a savage?" He lifted his chin as her hand drew back. "You wouldn't
daaa....re!"

Hegotitrightintheface.Itdidn'tstaythere.Itdribbleddownontohisspotlesswhiteshirtandmade
littlewhitetricklesdownoverhisimmaculateblacktuxedo.

Shefrowned."Damn.Iforgotthetoast."Sheliftedtheemptyglassathim.“Saludypesetas!”shesaid
inSpanish,withabigfurioussmile.Healthandwealth.

Hisfistsclenchedathissides.Hedidn'tsayaword.Hedidn'tmoveamuscle.Hejustlookedather
withthoseblackeyesglitteringlikeacoilingcobra.

Shewiggledhereyebrows."Itwillbeanadventure.Lissecanlickitoff!Thinkofthenewexpertences
youcanshare...now,Micah,"sheshiftedgearsandstartedbackingup.

He was moving. He was moving very slowly, very deliberately, with the steps of a man who didn't
careifhehadtogotojailforhomicide.Shenoticedthatatonce.

She backed away from him. He really did look homicidal. Perhaps she'd gone a little too far. Her
mouthtendedtorunawayfromherongooddays,evenwhenshewasn'tinsultedandhadn'thadhalfa
glassofpotentpinacoladatoboot.Shewasn'tusedtoalcoholatall.

"Let'sbereasonable,"shetried.Shewasstillbackingup."IdorealizethatImighthaveoverreacted.
I'llapologize."Hekeptcoming.

"I'mreallysorry,"shetriedagain,holdingupbothhands,palmstowardhim,asiftowardhimoff.He
stillkeptcoming.

"AndIpromise,faithfully,thatIwillneverdoit...aaaaahh!"

There was a horrific splash and she swallowed half the swimming pool. She came up soaked,
sputtering,freezing,becausethewaterwascold.Sheclamoredoverthesoftlylitwatertotheconcrete

edgeandgrabbedholdoftheladdertopullherselfup.Itwasreallyhard,becauseherfullskirtwas
soakedandheavy.

"Likehellyoudo,"hesaidfiercely,andstartedtopushherbackin.

She was only trying to save herself. But she grabbed his arms and overbalanced him, and he went
rightintothepoolwithher,headfirst.

Thistimewhenshegottothesurface,hewasrightbesideher.Hisblackeyeswereragingnow.

Shepushedherhairoutofhereyesandmouth."I'mreallysorry,"shepanted.

Hewasbreathingdeliberately."Wouldyouliketoexplainwhyyouwentballisticfornoreason?"he
demanded.

Shegrimaced,treadingwaterandtryingnottosink.Shecouldn'tswimverywell.Shewasashamedof
herbehavior,butthealcoholhadloosenedallherinhibitions.Shesupposedsheowedhimthetruth.
Sheglancedathimandquicklyawayagain."Whenthatmanhitonmeandmademebreakmyarm,he
toldmymotherIwasalyinglittlesavageandthatIneededtobeputaway.That'swhenmymother
tookmebacktomyfosterfamilyanddisownedme,"shebitoffthewords,avertinghereyes.

Therewasalongsilence.Heswamtotheladder,waitingforhertojoinhim.Butshewastiredand
cold and emotionally drained. And when she tried to dog-paddle, her arms were just too tired. She
sank.

Powerfularmscaughther,easinghertothesurfaceeffortlesslysothatshecouldbreathe.Hesather
ontheedgeandclimbedout,reachingdowntoliftheroutbesidehim.Hetookherarmandledher
backupthecobblestonedwalkwaytothepatio.

"Icanpackandgohometomorrow,"sheofferedtautly.

"Youcan'tleave,"hesaidflatly."Lopezknowswhereyouare."

Sheliftedherwearyeyestohishard,coldface."Pooryou,"shesaid."Stuckwithme."

His eyes narrowed. "You haven't dealt with any of it, have you?" he asked quietly. "You're still
carryingyourchildhoodaroundonyourback."

"Wealldo,tosomeextent,"shesaidwithalongsigh."I'msorryIruinedyoursuit.I'msorryIwas
rudetoLisse.I'llapologize,ifyoulike,"sheaddedhumbly.

"Youdon'tlikeher."

Sheshrugged."Idon'tknowher.Ijustdon'thaveahighopinionofwomenwhothinkmoneyiswhat
lifeisallabout."

Hescowled."Whatisitallabout?"hechallenged.

She searched his eyes slowly. "Pain," she said in a husky tone, and she winced involuntarily before
shecouldstopherself."I'mgoingtobed.Goodnight."

Shewashalfwayinthedoorwhenhecalledherback.

Shedidn'tturn."Yes?"

He hesitated. He wanted to apologize, he really did. But he didn't know how. He couldn't remember
manyregrets.

She laughed softly to herself. "I know. You wish you'd never been landed with me. You might not
believeit,butsodoI."

"Ifyou'llgivemethenameoftheshopwhereyouboughtthatstuff,I'llhavethemtransferittomy
account."

"Fatchance,Steele,"sheretortedasshewalkedaway.

ChapterEight

Afterarestlessnight,butthankfullywithnonightmares,Callieputonacolorfulsundressandwent
out onto the beach barefoot to pick up shells. She met Bojo on the way. He was wearing the long
oystersilkhoodeddjellabashe'dneverseenhimoutof.

Hegaveheraruefulglance."Thebosshadtosendtotownforanewtuxedolastnight,"hesaidwith
twinklingdarkeyes."Iunderstandyoutookhimswimming."

Shecouldn'thelpchuckling."Ididn'tmeanto.Wehadanamecallingcontestandhelost."

He chuckled, too. "You know, his women rarely accost him. They fawn over him, play up to him,
strokehisegoandliveforexpensivepresents."

"I'mhissister,"shesaidneutrally.

"You are not," he replied gently. He smiled at her surprised glance. "He does occasionally share
things with me," he added. "I believe the fiction is to protect you from Lisse. She is obsessively
jealous of him and not a woman to make an enemy of. She has powerful connections and little
conscience."

"Oh,IgottoherbeforeIgottohim,ifyourecall,"Calliesaidwithawryglance.Shescuffedhertoes
inthesand,unearthingpartofaperfectshell.Shebenttopickitup."IguessI'llbefishfoodifshehas
mobconnections."

He chuckled. "I wouldn't rule that out, but you are safe enough here," he admitted. "What are you
doing?"

"Collectingshellstotakebackhome,"shesaid,hereyesstillonthebeach."I'velivedinlandallmy
life. I don't think I've ever even seen the ocean. Galveston is on the bay, and it isn't too far from
Jacobsville, but I've never been there, either. It just fascinates me!" She glanced at him. "Micah said
youwerefromMorocco.That'swheretheSaharaDesertis,isn'tit?"

"Yes,butIamfromTangier.Itisfarnorthofthedesert."

"Butit'sdesert,too,isn'tit?"shewondered.

Helaughedpleasantly."Tangierisaseaport,mademoiselle.Infact,itlooksalotlikeNassau.That's
whyIdon'tmindworkingherewithMicah."

"Really?" She just stared at him. "Isn't it funny, how we get mental pictures of faraway places, and
they're nothing like what you see when you get there? I've seen postcards of the Bahamas, but I
thought that water was painted, because it didn't even look real. But it is. It's the most astonishing
groupofcolors..."

"Bojo!"

Heturnedtoseehisbosscomingtowardthem,taciturnandthreatening.ItwasenoughforCallieto
hearthetoneofhisvoicetoknowthathewasangry.Shedidn'tturnaround,assuminghehadchores
forBojo.

"Seeyou,"shesaidwithasmile.

Heliftedbotheyebrows."Iwonder,"herepliedenigmatically,andwentdownthebeachtospeakto
Micah.

Minuteslater,MicahstrolleddownthebeachwhereCalliewaskneelingandsortingshellsdampwith
seawater and coated with sand. He was wearing sand-colored slacks with casual shoes and an
expensive silk shirt under a sports coat. He looked elegant and so handsome that Callie couldn't
continuelookingathimwithoutlettingheradmirationshow.

"Areyouhereforanapology?"sheasked,concentratingontheshellsinsteadofhim.Herheartwas
poundinglikemad,butatleasthervoicesoundedcalm.

Therewasapause."I'mheretotakeyousightseeing."

Herheartjumped.She'dthoughtthatwouldbethelastthingonhismindaftertheirargumentthenight
before.

Sheglancedathiskneesandawayagain."Thanksfortheoffer,butI'dratherhuntshells,ifit'sallthe
sametoyou."

Hestuckhishandsintohispocketsandglaredatherdark,benthead,hismouthmakingathinlineina
hardface.Hefeltguiltyaboutthethingshe'dsaidtoherthenightbefore,andshe'dmadehimquestion
hiswholelifestylewiththatremarkaboutLisse.Whenhelookedback,hehadtoadmitthatmostof
the women in his life had been out for material rewards. Far from looking for love, they'd been
looking for expensive jewelry, nights out in the fanciest nightclubs and restaurants, sailing trips on
hisyacht.Calliewouldn'tevenlethimbuyheradecentdress.

He glared at the dress she was wearing with bridled fury. Lisse had spent the evening condemning
Callie for everything from her Texas accent to her lack of style. It had been one of the most
unpleasantdatesofhislife,andwhenhe'drefusedheroffertostaythenightatherapartment,she'd
madefuriouscommentsabouthis

"unnatural"attractiontohissister.Ratherthanbeaccusedofperversion,he'dbeenforcedtotellthe
truth.Thathadonlymademattersworse.Lissehadstormedintoherapartmenthousewithoutaword
andheknewthatshewasvindictive.He'dhavetowatchCallieevenmorecarefullynow.

"Iguessshegaveyouhellallnight,huh?"Callieaskedhisshoes."I'mreallysorry."

Heletoutaharshbreath.Hisdarkeyeswenttothewavescaressingthewhitesandneartheshore.Bits
ofseaweedwashedupovertheoccasionalshell,alongwithbitsofpalmleaves.

"Whydon'tyouwanttoseeNassau?"

Shestoodupandliftedoneofherbarefeet.Therewasanoticeableblisterbetweenherbigtoeandthe
nextone,onbothfeet."BecauseI'dhavetogobarefoot.Igotthewrongsortofsandals.They'vegota
thongthatgoesbetweenyourtoes,andI'mnotusedtothem.Sneakersdon'treallygowiththisdress."

"Not much would," he said with a scathing scrutiny of it. "Half the women on New Providence are
probablywearingonejustlikeit."

Sheglaredathim."Assemblylinedressesarepartofmylifestyle.Ihavetolivewithinmymeans,"
she said with outraged pride. "I'm sorry if I don't dress up to your exacting standards, but I can't
affordhautecoutureontake-homepayofalittleoverahundredandfiftydollarsaweek!"Herchin
tiltedwithevenmorehostility."Sospareyourblushesandleavemetomyshells.I'dhatetoembarrass
youbywearingmy'rags'outinpublic."

"Oh,hell!"heburstout,eyesflashing.

He was outraged, but she knew she'd hit the nail on the head. He didn't even try to pretend that he
wasn'tashamedtotakeheroutinpublic."Isn'titbetterifIstayhere,anyway?SurelyI'msaferina
campofarmedmenthatIwouldberunningaroundNassau."

"YouseemtobesurgicallyattachedtoBojolately,"hesaidangrily.

Sheliftedbotheyebrows."IlikeBojo,"shesaid."Hedoesn'tlookdownonthewayIdress,ormake
funofmyaccent,orignoremewhenI'maround."

He was almost vibrating with anger. He couldn't remember any woman in his life making him as
explosivelyangryasCalliecould.

"Whydon'tyoutakeLissesightseeing?"shesuggested,movingawayfromhim."Youcouldstartwith
themostexpensivejewelerinNassauandworkyourwaytothemostexpensiveboutique,,,Micah!"

Hehadherupinhisarmsandhewasheadingfortheocean.

Shepushedathisbroadchest."Don'tyoudare,don't...you...dare,Micah!"

Itdidn'twork.Heswungheraroundandsuddenlywasabouttotossheroutrightintothewaveswhen
theexplosioncame.TherewasaricochetthatwasunmistakabletoMicah,andbarkflewoffapalm
treenearby.

"Bojo!"Micahyelled.

The other man, who was still within shouting distance, came running with a small weapon in his
hands. Out beyond the breakers, there was a ship, a yacht, moving slowly. A glint of sunlight
reflectingoffmetalwasvisibleonthedeckandthericochetingsoundcameagain.

"Whatthe...!"sheexclaimed,asMicahrandownthebeachwithherinhisarms.

"Thisway!"Bojoyelledtohim,andasharp,metallicrippleofgunfiresoundedsomewherenearby.

Thefiringbroughtothermentothebeach,oneofwhomhadafunny-lookinglongtube.ItwasPeter.
Bojo called something to him. He protested, but Bojo insisted. He knelt, resting the tube on his
shoulder,sightedandpulledthetrigger.Ashellflewoutofitwithamuffledroar.Secondslater,there
wasahugesplashinthewaterjustofftheyacht'sbow.

"That'llbuyusaboutaminute.Let'sgo!"MicahgrabbedCallieupinhisarmsandrushedupthebeach
tothehouseatadeadrun.Hismenstoppedfiringandfollowed.MicahcalledsomethingtoBojoina
languageCalliehadneverheardbefore.

"Whatwasthat?"sheasked,shockedwhenheputherdowninsidethehouse."Whathappened?"

"Lopezhappened,unlessImissmyguess.Iwascareless.Itwon'thappentwice,"Micahsaidflatly.He
walkedawaywhileshewasstilltryingtoformquestions.

Momentslater,MicahwenttofindBojo.

"Theyachtisgonenow,ofcourse,"Bojosaidangrily."PeterisupsetthatIrefusedtolethimblow
herup."

"Some things require more authority than I have, even here," Micah said flatly. "But don't think I
wasn'ttemptedtodojustthat.LopezknowsIhaveCallie,andheknowswheresheisnow.He'llmake
atryforher."HelookedatBojo."Shecan'tbeoutofoursightagain,notforasecond."

"Iamawareofthat,"theothermanreplied.Hisdarkeyesnarrowed."Micah,doesshehaveanyideaat
allthatyou'reusingherasbait?"

"Ifyousomuchasmentionthattoher...!"Micahthreatenedsoftly.

"Iwouldnot,"heassuredtheolderman."Butyoumustadmit,ithardlyseemstheactionofsomeone
whocaresforher."

Micahstaredhimdown."She'spartofmyfamilyandI'lltakecareofher.Butshe'sonlypartofmy
family because my father married her tramp of a mother. She's managed to endear herself to my
fatheranditwouldkillhimifanythinghappenedtoher,"hesaidinacoldtone."Ican'tletLopezget
tomyfather.UsingCallietobaithimhere,whereIcandealwithhimsafely,istheonlywayIhaveto
gethimatall,andI'mnotbackingdownnow!"

"Asyouwish,"Bojosaidheavily."Atleastshehasnoideaofthis."

Micahagreed.Neitherofthemsawtheshadowatthedoorbehindthemretreattoadistance.

Calliewentbacktoherroomandclosedthedoorveryquietlybeforesheletthetearsrolldownher

whiteface.

She'd have given two years of her life not to have heard those cold words from Micah's lips. She
knewhewasangrywithher,butshedidn'trealizethecontemptwithwhichhewaswillingtoriskher
life,justtogetLopez.

All he'd said about protecting her, keeping her safe, not letting Lopez get to her-it was all lies. He
wantedherforbait.Thatwasallshemeanttohim.HewasdoingittosavehisfatherfromLopez,not
tosaveher.Apparentlyshewasexpendable.Nothinginherlifehadeverhurtquitesomuch.

Sheseemedtogonumbfromthepain.Shedidn'tfeelanything,exceptemptiness.Shesatdowninthe
chairbesidethewindowandlookedoutovertheocean.Theshipthathadbeentherewasgonenow,
butLopezknewwherethehousewas,andhowwellitwasguarded.Consideringhisrecord,shedidn't
imaginethathe'dgiveuphisquestjustbecauseMi-cahhadarmedmen.Lopezhadarmedmen,too,
andallsortsofconnections.Healsohadareputationfornevergettingbestedbyanyone.Hewoulddo
everythinginhispowertogetCallieback,thinkingMicahreallycaredforher.Afterall,he'drescued
herhadn'the?

She wrapped her arms around herself, remembering how it had been at Lopez's house, how that
henchmanhadtorturedher.Shefeltsickallover.Thiswasevenworsethanbeinginthefostercare
system.Shewasallalone.

Therewasnoonetoofferherprotection,tocomforther,tovalueher.Herwholelifehadbeenlike
that.Forjustalittlewhile,she'dhadsomewildideathatshematteredtoMicah.Whatajoke.

Atleastsheknewthetruthnow,evenifshe'dhadtoeavesdroptolearnit.Shecouldonlydependon
herself.

ShewasgoingtoaskBojoforagunandgethimtoteachhertoshootit.Ifshehadtofendforherself,
and apparently she did, she wanted a chance for survival. Micah would probably turn her over to
Lopez if he got a guarantee that Lopez would leave his father alone, she reasoned irrationally. The
terrorshefeltwassoconsumingthatshefeltherwholebodyshakingwithit.

WhenMicahopenedthedoortoherroom,shehadtofightnottorageathim.Itwasn'thisfaultthathe
didn'tcareforher,shetoldherselffirmly.Andshelovedhisfatherasmuchashedid.Shemanagedto
lookathimwithoutflinching,butthelightinhereyeshadgoneout.Theywerequiet,hauntedeyes
withnolifeinthematall.

Micahsawthatandfrowned.Shewasdifferent."What'swrong?You'resafe,"heassuredher."Lopez
wasonlylettingusknowhe'snearby.Believeme,ifhe'dwantedyoudead,you'dbedead."

Sheswallowed."Ifiguredthatout,"shesaidinasubduedtone."Whatnow?"

Thefrowndeepened."Wewait,ofcourse.He'llmakeanothermove.We'lldrawbackandlethimthink
wedidn'ttakethethreatseriously.Thatwillpullhimin."

Sheliftedhereyestohisface."Whydon'tyouletmegosightseeingalone?"sheoffered."Thatwould
probablydothetrick."

"Andrisklettinghimtakeyouagain?"heaskedsolemnly.

Shelaughedwithouthumorandturnedhereyesbacktotheocean."Isn'tthatwhatyouhaveinmind
already?"

Thesilencebehindherwasarctic."Wouldyouliketoexplainthatquestion?"

"Inancienttimes,whentheywantedtocatchalion,theytetheredalivekidgoattoapostandbaited
himwithit.

Ifthegoatlived,theyturnedhimloose,butiftheliongothim,itdidn'treallymatter.Imean,what'sa
goatmoreorless?"

Micahhadneverfeltsomanyconflictingemotionsatthesametime.Foremostofthemwasshame.
"YouheardmetalkingtoBojo?"

Shenodded.

His indrawn breath was the only sound in the room. "Callie," he began, without knowing what he
couldsaytorepairthedamage.

"It'sokay,"shesaidtothepicturewindow."IneverhadanyillusionsaboutwhereIfitinyourfamily.I
stilldon't."

His teeth ground together. Why should it be so painful to hear her say that? She was the interloper.
Sheandherhorriblemotherhaddestroyedhisrelationshipwithhisownfather.Hewasalonebecause
ofher,sowhyshouldhefeelguilty?Buthedid.Hefeltguiltyandashamed.Hehadn'treallymeant
everythinghe'dsaidtoBojo.

Somewheretherewasavaguejealousyoftheeasyfriendshipshehadwithhisright-handman,with
thetendernessshegaveBojo,whenshefoughtMicahtoothandnail.

"I'lldowhateveryouwantmeto,"shesaidafteraminute."ButIwantagun,andIwanttolearnhow
touseit."

She stood up and turned to face him, defiant in the shark-themed white T-shirt and blue jeans she'd
changedinto."BecauseifLopezgetsmethistime,he'sgettingadeadwoman.I'llnevergothrough
thatagain."

Micahactuallywinced."He'snotgettingyou,"hesaidcurtly.

"BettermethanDad,"shesaidwithacoldsmile."Right?"

Heslammedthedoorandwalkedtowardher.Shedidn'teventrytobackup.Sheglaredathimfroma
facethatwastightwithgriefandmisery,thetracksoftearsstillvisibledownhercheeks.

"DoyouactuallythinkI'dlethimtakeyou,eventosaveDad?"hedemandedfuriously."Whatsortof
mandoyouthinkIam?"

"Ihavenoidea,"shesaidhonestly."You'reastranger.Youalwayshavebeen."

He searched her blue eyes with irritation and impatience. "You're a prime example of the reason I
prefermercenarywomen,"hesaidwithoutthinking."You'renothingbutapainintheneck."

"Thankyou.Ilovecompliments."

"You probably thrive on insults," he bit off. Then he remembered how she'd had to live all those
years,andcouldhaveslappedhimselffortauntingher.

"Ifthey'reallyoueverhear,yougetusedtothem,"sheagreedwithoutrancor."I'mtough.I'vehadto
be. So do your worst, Micah," she added. "Tie me to a palm tree and wait in ambush for Lopez to
shootatme,Idon'tcare."

Butshedidcare.Therewasrealpaininthoseblueeyes,whichshewastryingsovaliantlytodisguise
withsarcasm.IthurtherthatMicahwouldusehertodrawLopezin.Thatledhimtothequestionof
whyithurther.

Andwhenhesawthatanswerinhereyes,hecouldhavegonethroughthefloorwithshame.

She...loved him. He felt his heart stop and then start again as the thought went through him like
electricity.Shealmostcertainlylovedhim,andshewasdoingeverythinginherpowertokeephim
fromseeingit.Herememberedherarmsaroundhim,hermouthsurrenderingtohis,herbodyfluid
and soft under his hands as she yielded instantly to his ardor. A woman with her past would have a
hardtimewithlovemaking,yetshe'dbeenwillingtolethimdoanythinghelikedtoher.Whyhadn't
hequestionedthatsoftyielding?Whyhadn'theknown?Andshe'dheardwhathesaidtoBojo,feeling
thatway...

"Isweartoyou,Iwon'tletLopezgetyou,"hesaidinafirm,sinceretone.

"Youmean,you'lltry,"shereplieddully."Iwantagun,Micah."

"Overmydeadbody,"hesaidharshly."You'renotcommittingsuicide."

Herlowerliptrembled.Shefelttrapped.Shelookedtrapped.

Thatexpressionignitedhimlikefireworks.Hejerkedherintohistall,powerfulbody,andbenttoher
mouthbeforesherealizedhisintent.Hiswarm,hardmouthbitintoherlipswithardentinsistenceas
hisarmsenvelopedhercompletelyagainsthim.Hefelthisbodyswellinstantly,asitalwaysdidwhen
he touched her. He groaned against her mouth and deepened the kiss, lost in the wonder of being
loved...

Dizzily he registered that she was making a halfhearted effort to push him away. He felt her cold,
nervoushandsonhischest.Heliftedhisheadandlookedatherwary,uncertainlittleface.

"Iwon'thurtyou,"hesaidsoftly.

"You'reangry,"shechoked."It'sapunishment..."

"I'm not and it isn't." He bent again, and kissed her eyelids. His hands worked their way up into the
thicknessofherhairandthendownherback,slowlypressinghertohim.

Sheshiveredatthefeelofhimagainstherhips.

He chuckled at that telltale sign. "Most men would kill to have such an immediate response to a
woman.ButIdon'tsupposeyouknowthat."

"Youshouldn't..."

Heliftedhisheadagainandgaveheralookfullofamusedworldlywisdom."YouthinkIcanwillit
nottohappen,Iguess?"

Sheflushed.

"Sorry,honey,butitdoesn'tworkthatway."Hemovedawayjustenoughtospareherblushes,buthis
handsslidtoherwaistandheldherinfrontofhim."Iwantyoutostayinthehouse,"hesaid,asifhe
hadn'tdoneanythingoutrageousatall."Stayawayfromwindowsandporches,too."

Shesearchedhiseyes."IfLopezdoesn'tseeme,"shebegan.

"Heknowsyou'rehere,"hesaidwithfaintdistaste."Idon'twanthimtoknowexactlywhereyouare.
I'll have men on every corner of the property and the house for the duration. I won't let you be
captured."

Sheleanedherforeheadagainsthim,shivering."Youcan'timagine...howitwas,"shesaidhuskily.

His arms tightened, holding her close. He cursed himself for ever having thought of putting her
deliberatelyinthelineoffire.Hecouldn'timaginehe'dbeenthatcallous,evenbriefly.Ithadbeenthe
logicalthingtodo,andhe'dneverletemotiongetinthewayofwork.ButCalliewasn'tlikehim.She
hadfeelingsthatwereeasilybruised,andhe'ddonealotofdamagealready.Thosenightmaresshe
had should have convinced him how traumatic her captivity had been, but he hadn't even taken that
intoconsiderationwhenhewassettingupLopezbybringingCalliehere.

"I'msorry,"hebitoffthewords.Hewonderedifsheknewhowharditwastosaythat.

She blinked away sudden tears. "It's not your fault, you're just trying to save Dad. I love Dad, too,
Micah,"shesaidathischest."Idon'tblameyoufordoingeverythingyoucantokeephimsafe."

Hiseyesclosedandhegroanedsilently."I'mgoingtodoeverythingIcantokeepyousafe,too,"he

toldher.

Sheshrugged."Iknow."Shepulledawayfromhimwithafaintsmiletosoftentherejection."Thanks."

Hestudiedherfaceandrealizedthathe'dneverreallylookedathersocloselybefore.Shehadatiny
lineoffrecklesjustoverherstraightlittlenose.Herlightblueeyeshadflecksofdarkblueinthem
andshehadthefaintestlittledimpleinhercheekwhenshesmiled.Hetouchedherprettymouthwith
his fingertips. It was slightly swollen from the hungry, insistent pressure of his lips. She looked
rumpledfromhisardor,andhelikedthat,too.

"Takeapicture,"shesaiduncomfortably.

"You'repretty,"hemurmuredwithanoddsmile."I'mnot,andstoptryingtoflatterme,"shereplied,
shiftingawayfromhim.

"It isn't flattery." He bent and brushed his mouth lightly over her parted lips. She gasped and hung
there,hereyeswideandvulnerableonhisfacewhenhedrewback.Herreactionmadehimfeeltaller.
Hesmiledsoftly.

"Youdon'tgiveaninch,doyou?Isupposeit'shardforyoutotrustanyone,afterthelifeyou'veled."

"ItrustDad,"shesnapped.

"Yes,butyoudon'ttrustme,doyou?"

"Not an inch," she agreed, pulling away. "And you don't have to kiss me to make me feel better,
either."

"Itwastomakemefeelbetter,"hepointedout,smilingathersurprise."Itdid,too."

Sheshiftedherposturealittle,confused.

Hisdarkeyesslidoverherbody,notingthelittlepointsthatpunctuatedherbreastsandtheunsteady
breathingshecouldn'tcontrol.Yes,shewantedhim.

She folded her arms over her breasts, curious about why he was staring at them. They felt
uncomfortable,butshedidn'tknowwhy.

"I didn't tell Lisse that you were an embarrassment to me," he said suddenly, and watched her face
color.

"It'sokay,"sherepliedtersely."IknowIdon'thavegooddresssense.Idon'tcareaboutclothesmost
ofthetime."

"I'musedtowomenwhodo,andwhoenjoylettingmenpayforthem.Themoreexpensivetheyare,
thebetter."

Hesoundedjadedandbitter.

She studied his hard face, recognizing disillusionment and reticence. She moved a step closer
involuntarily.

"Yousound...Idon'tknow...cheated,maybe."

"Ifeelcheated,"hesaidshortly.Hiseyeswerefullofharshmemories."Nomanlikestothinkthathe's
payingforsex."

"Thenwhydoyouchoosewomenwhowantexpensivegiftsfromyou?"sheaskedhimbluntly.His
teethmet."Idon'tknow."

"Don'tyou,really?"sheasked,hereyessoftandcurious."You'vealwayssaidyoudon'twanttoget
married,soyoupickwomenwhodon'twantto,either.Butthatsortofwomanonlylastsaslongasthe
moneydoes.OramIwrong?"

He looked down at her from his great height with narrowed eyes and wounded pride. "I suppose
you'reoneofthosewomenwhowouldrushrightovertoapennilessmanandoffertogetasecond
jobtohelphimoutofdebt!"

She smiled sheepishly, ignoring the sarcasm. "I guess I am." She shrugged. "I scare men off. They
don'twantmebecauseI'mnotinterestedinwhatsortofcartheydriveortheexpensiveplacesthey
canaffordtotakemeto.Iliketogowalkinginthecountryandpickwildflowers."Shepeeredupat
himwithamischievoussmile.

"The last man I said that to left town two days before he was supposed to. He was doing some
accountsforMr.

Kempandheleftskidmarks.Mr.Kempthoughtitwashilarious.Hewasanotoriousladies'man,it
seems,andhe'dactuallyseducedMr.Kemp'slastsecretary."

Micahdidn'tsmile,asshe'dexpectedhimto.Helookedangry.

Sheheldupahand."Idon'thavedesignsonyou,honest.Iknowyoudon'tlikewildflowersandLisse
isyoursortofwoman.I'mnotinterestedinyouthatway,anyhow."

"Consideringthewayyoujustkissedme,youmighthavetroubleprovingthat,"hecommenteddryly.

Sheclearedherthroat."Youkissverynicely,andIhavetogetexperiencewhereIcan."

"Isthatit?"heaskeddubiously.

Shenoddedenthusiastically.Sheswallowedagainastheterrorofthelasthourcamebackandtheeyes
sheliftedtohisweresuddenlyhaunted."Micah,he'snevergoingtostop,ishe?"

"Probablynot,unlesshehashelp."Heliftedaneyebrow."Ihaveeveryintentionofhelpinghim,once

I'vespokenwiththeauthorities."

"Whatauthorities?"

"Nevermind.Youknownothing.Gotit?"

Shesalutedhim."Yes,sir."

Hemadeaface."Comeonout.We'llhaveMacmakesomesandwichesandcoffee.Idon'tknowabout
you,butI'mhungry."

"Icouldeatsomething."

He hesitated before he opened her door. "I really meant what I told you," he said. "Lopez won't get
withinfiftyyardsofyouaslongasthere'sabreathinmybody."

"Thanks,"shesaidunsteadily.

Hefeltcoldinside.Hecouldn'timaginewhathadmadehimtellsuchliestoBojo,whereshemight
overhearhim.Hehadn'tmeantit,thatwashonest,butheknewshethoughthehad.Shedidn'ttrusthim
anymore.

Heopenedthedoortolethergothroughfirst.Awhiffofthesoftrosefragrancesheworedriftedup
intohisnostrilsandmadehisheartjump.Shealwayssmelledsweet,andshehadalovingnaturethat
was miraculous considering her past. She gave with both hands. He thought of her with Bojo and
somethingsnappedinsidehim.

"Bojo'sofflimits,"hesaidassheslidpasthim."Sodon'tgettooattachedtohim!"

She looked up at him. "What a bunch of sour grapes," she accused, “just because I withdrew my
proposalofmarriagetoyou!"Shestalkedoffdownthehall.

Heopenedhismouthtospeak,andjustlaughedinstead.

ChapterNine

Theyatelunch,butconversationamongthemercenarieswassubduedandCalliegotcuriousglances
fromallofthem.Oneman,theMexicancalledRodrigo,gavehermorescrutinythantherest.Hewas
a handsome man, tall, slender, dark-haired and dark-eyed, with a grace of movement that reminded
herofMicah.Buthehadabroodinglookabouthim,andheseemedtobealwayswatchingher.Once,
hesmiled,butMicah'sappearancesenthimawaybeforehecouldspeaktoher.

Afterlunch,CallieaskedBojoabouthim.

"Rodrigo lost his sister to Lopez's vicious temper," he told her. "She was a nightclub singer who
Lopeztookafancyto.HeforcedhimselfonheraftersherejectedLopez'sadvancesand...Shedied
tryingtogetawayfromhim.Rodrigoknowswhatwasdonetoyou,andhe'sangry.Youremindhim
ofhissister.She,too,hadblueeyes."

"Buthe'sLatin,"shebegan.

"HisfatherwasfromDenmark,"hesaidwithagrin."Andblond."

"Imaginethat!"

He gave her a wry glance. "He likes you," he said. "But he isn't willing to risk Micah's temper to
approachyou."

"Youdo,"shesaidwithoutthinking.

"Ah,butIamindispensable,"hetoldher."Rodrigoisnot.Hehasenemiesinmanycountriesoverseas
andalso,Lopezhasacontractoutonhim.Thisistheonlyplacehehaslefttogowherehehasany
hopeofsurvival.Hewouldn'tdareriskalienatingMicah."

Shefrowned."Ican'tthinkwhyapproachingmewoulddothat.Micahtoleratesme,buthestilldoesn't
reallylikeme,"shepointedout."Ioverheardwhathesaidtoyou,aboutusingmeasbait."

Hesmiled."Yes.Curious,isitnot,thatwhenoneoftheothermensuggestedthesamething,hepaida
triptothedentist?"

"Why?"

"Micah knocked out one of his teeth," he confided. "The men agreed that no one would make the
suggestiontwice."

Shecaughtherbreath."ButIheardhimtellyouthatverything...!"

"You heard what he wanted me to think," he continued. "Micah is jealous of me," he added
outrageously, and grinned. "You and I are friendly and we have no hostility between us. You don't
wantanythingfromme,yousee,orfromhim.Hehasnoideahowtodealwithsuchawoman.Hehas

become used to buying expensive things at a woman's whim, yet you refuse even the gift of a few
items of necessary clothing." He shrugged. "It is new for him that neither his good looks nor his
wealthmakeanimpressiononyou.Ithinkhefindsthatachallengeanditirritateshim.Heisalsovery
private about his affairs. He doesn't want the men to see how vulnerable he is where you are
concerned,"hemused."Hehadtoassignme,alongwithPeterandRodrigo,tokeepaconstanteyeon
you. He didn't like that. Peter and Rodrigo are no threat, of course, but he is afraid that you are
attracted to me." He grinned at her surprise. "I can understand why he thinks this. I hardly need
elaborateonmyattributes.Iamurbane,handsome,sophisticated,generous..."Hepausedtoglanceat
herwide-eyed,bemusedface."ShallIcontinue?Ishouldhatetomissacquaintingyouwithanyofmy
virtues."

She realized he was teasing then, and she chuckled. "Okay, go ahead, but I'm not making you any
marriageproposals."

Hiseyebrowsarched."Whynot?"

"Micah'sputmeoffmen,"shesaid,tongue-in-cheek."He'salreadyupsetbecauseIwon'tproposeto
him." She gave him a wicked grin. "Gosh, first Micah, then you! Having this much sex appeal is a
curse.EvenLopezismadtohaveme!"

Hegrinnedback.Shewasauniquewoman,hethought,andbristlingwithcourageandcharacter.He
wondered why Micah didn't see her as he did. The other man was alternately scathing about and
protectiveofCallie,asifhisfeelingsweretooambiguoustounravel.Hedidn'tlikeBojospending
timewithher,buthekepthercarefullyatarm'slength,evendraggingLisseoverfortheshoppingtrip
andusingherascamouflage.Calliedidn'tknow,butLissehadbeenafootnoteinMicah'slifeevenin
thedayswhenhewasattractedtoher.Shehadn'tbeenaroundmuchforalmostayearnow.

"AfterwedealwithLopez,youmustplaydownyourattractions,"heteased."Providingtwenty-four-
hourprotectioniswearingonthenerves."

"You'renotkidding,"sheagreed,wanderingfartherdownthebeach."I'mgettingparanoidaboutdark
corners. I always expect someone to be lurking in them." She glanced up at him. "Not rejected
suitors,"sheaddedwryly.

Heclaspedhishandsbehindhimandfollowedalongwithher,hiskeeneyesonthehorizon,downthe
beach,upthebeach-everywhere.Bojowascertain,asMicahwas,thatLopezwasn'tlikelytogivethem
timetoattackhim.

Hewasgoingtostormtheisland,andsoon.Theyhadtobeconstantlyvigilant,iftheywantedtolive.

"Doyouknowanyself-defense?"Bojoaskedhercuriously.

"Iknowalittle,"shereplied."Itookacourseinit,butIwasoverpoweredtoofast."

"Showmewhatyouknow,"hesaidabruptly."AndIwillteachyoualittlemore.Itneverhurtstobe
prepared.

Shedid,andhedid.Shelearnedenoughtoprotectherselfifshehadtimetouseit.Shedidn'ttellhim,
butshewasreallyscaredthatLopezmightsnatchheroutofsightandsoundofthemercs.Sheprayed
thatshe'dhaveafightingchanceifshewasindangeragain.

Calliehadconvincedherselfthatanattackwouldcomelikeawave,withalotofmenandguns.The
lastthingsheexpectedwasthat,whenshewaslyinginherownbed,amanwouldsuddenlyappearby
the bed and slap a chloroformed handkerchief over her mouth and nose. That was what happened.
Outsideherpatioawaitingsmallboatonthebeachwasvisibleonlywhereshewassituated.Thedark
shadow against the wall managed to bypass every single safeguard of Micah's security system. He
slippedintoCallie'sbedroomwithaclothandabottleofchloroformandapproachedthebedwhere
shewasasleep.

The first Callie knew of the attack was when she felt a man's hand holding her head steady while a
foul-smelling cloth was shoved up under her nose. She came awake at once, but she kept her head,
evenwhenshefeltherselfbeingcarriedroughlyoutofherbedroomontothestonepatio.Sheknew
whattoexpectthistimeifsheweretaken,andsherememberedvividlywhatBojohadtaughtherthat
afternoon. She twisted her head abruptly so that the chloroform missed her face and landed in her
hair.Thenshegotherhandsupandslammedthemagainsthercaptor'searswithallhermight.

Hecriedoutinpainanddroppedher.Shehitthestone-flooredpatiosohardthatshegroanedasher
hip and leg crashed down onto the flagstones, but she dragged herself to her feet and grabbed at a
shovel that the yardman had left leaning against a stone bench close beside her. As her assailant
ignoredthepaininhisfurytopayherback,sheswungtheshovelandhithimrightintheheadwithit.
Hemadeastrangesoundandcrumpledtothepatio.Cal-liestaredouttowardtheboat,whereadark
figurewaswaiting.

Infuriatedbytheclosecall,andfeelingveryproudofthefactthatshe'dsavedherselfthistime,she
raisedtheshoveloverherhead."Betterlucknexttime,yousonofabitch!"sheyelledharshly."IfI
hadagun,I'dshootyou!"

Her voice brought Micah and two other men running out onto the patio. They were all armed. The
two mercs ran toward the beach, firing as they made a beeline toward the little boat, which had
poweredupandwassprintingawaywithincrediblespeedandverylittlenoise.

Micah stood in front of Callie wearing nothing but a pair of black silk boxer shorts. He had an
automaticpistolinonehand.Hishairwastousled,asifhe'dbeenasleep.Buthewaswide-awakenow.
Hisfacewashard,hisdarkeyesfrightening.

Hemovedclosetoher,awareofherbodyinthethinnylongownthatleftherbreastsonopendisplay
inthelightfrominsidethehouse.Shedidn'tseemtonotice,buthedid.Helookedatthemhungrily
beforehedraggedhisgazebackuptoherface,fightingaburstofdesireashetriedtocometogrips
withtheterrorhe'dfeltwhenheheardCallieyelling.ThankGodshe'dhadthepresenceofmindto
grabthatshovelandknockthemanout."Areyouokay?"heaskedcurtly."I'mbetteroffthanheis,"
shesaidhuskily,swallowinghard.Reactionwasbeginningtosetinnow,andhercouragewasleaking
awayastheterrorofwhathadalmosthappenedbegantotearathernerves."Hehadchloroform.I...I
foughtfree,but...oh,Micah,Iwasscaredto...death!”

She threw herself against him, shuddering in the aftermath of terror. Now that the danger was past,
reactionsetinwithavengeance.Herarmswentunderhisandaroundhim.Hersoft,firmbreastswere
flattenedagainsthisbarestomachbecauseshewassomuchshorterthanhewas.Herhandsranover
thelong,hardmusclesofhisback,feelingscarsthereasshepressedcloser.Hefeltthecornerofher
mouthinthethickhairthatcoveredthehardmusclesofhischest.Hisbodyreactedpredictablytothe
feelofanear-nakedwomanandhegaspedaudiblyandstiffened.

Her hips weren't in contact with his, but she felt a tremor run through his powerful body and she
pulledbackalittle,curious,tolookupathisstrainedface."What'swrong?"

Hedrewinasteadyingbreathandmovedback."Nothing!We'llgetthisguyinsideandquestionhim.
Youdon'tneedtoseeit,"headdedfirmly."Youshouldgobackintoyourroom..."

"Anddowhat?"sheasked,wide-eyedandhurtbyhissuddenwithdrawal."YouthinkIcangotosleep
now?"

"Stupidassumption,"hemurmured,movingrestivelyashisbodytormentedhim."IcancallLisseand
letherstaywithyou."

"No!"Sheliftedherchinwithasmuchprideasshehadleft."I'llgetdressed.Bojowillsitupwithme
ifIaskhim..."

"Thehellhewill!"heexploded,hiseyesglittering.

She took a step backward. He was frightening"And do what?" she asked, wide-eyed and hurt by his
suddenwithdrawal."YouthinkIcangotosleepnow?"

"Stupidassumption,"hemurmured,movingrestivelyashisbodytormentedhim."IcancallLisseand
letherstaywithyou."

"No!"Sheliftedherchinwithasmuchprideasshehadleft."I'llgetdressed.Bojowillsitupwithme
ifIaskhim..."

"Thehellhewill!"heexploded,hiseyesglittering.

She took a step backward. He was frightening when he looked like that. He seemed more like the
strangerhe'doncebeenthanthemanwho'dbeensokindtoherinpastdays.

"I'll get dressed and you can stay with me tonight," he snapped. "Obviously it's asking too much to
expect you to stay by yourself!" That was unfair, he realized at once, and he ground his teeth. He
couldn'thelpit.Hewasafraidtobeinthesameroomwithherinthedark,butnotforthereasonshe
thought.

Shetookanotherstepbackward,pridereassertingitself.Herchincameup."No,thanks!"shesaid."If
you'lljustgetmeagunandloaditandshowmehowtoshootit,Iwon'thaveanyproblemwithbeing
alone."

She sounded subdued, edgy, still frightened despite that haughty look she was giving him. He was
overreacting.

Itinfuriatedhimthatshe'dhadtorescueherself.Itinfuriatedhimthathewantedher.Hewasjealousof
hismen,angrythatshewasvulnerable,andfightingwithallhismighttokeepfromgivingintohis
desireforher.Shewasamarryingwoman.Shewasavirgin.Itwashopeless.

Worst of all, she'd almost been kidnapped again and on his watch. He'd fallen asleep, worn-out by
daysofwearandtearandfrustrateddesire.Lopezhadalmosthadhertonight.Heblamedhimselffor
nottakingmoreprecautions,forputtingherinharm'sway.Heshouldhaveprotectedher.Heshould
have realized that Lopez was desperate enough to try anything, including an assault on the house
itself.Somuchforhissecuritynet.

Upgradeswereverydefinitelyneeded.Butrightnow,sheneededcomfort,andhewasn'tgivingitto
her.

Heglancedtowardthebeach.Outbeyondit,thelittleboathadstilledinthewaterandseemedtobe
sinking.Adarkfigurestruckouttowardtheshore.

"Peter,gethim!"Micahyelled.

Theyoungmangavehimathumbs-upsignal.Thetallyoungmantosseddownhisweapon,jerkedoff
hisbootsandoverclothesanddivedintothewater.Theassailanttriedtogetaway,butPetergothim.
Therewasastruggleandsecondslater,Peterdraggedthemanoutofthewaterandstoodoverhim
wherehelayproneonthebeach.

Rodrigocamerunningbackupfromthebeachjustaboutthetimethemanwho'dtriedtocarryCallie
offwokeupandrubbedhisachinghead.

"ItoldPetertotaketheothermanaroundthesideofthehousetotheboatshed."

"Goodwork,"Micahsaid.

"Oh, look, he's all right," Callie murmured, her eyes narrowed on the downed man who was
beginningtomoveandgroan."Whatashame!"

Micahglancedather."Bloodthirstygirl,"hechided,andgrinneddespitehischurningemotions.

"Well, he tried to kidnap me," she bit off, finally getting her nerve and her temper back. She
remembered the chloroform and her eyes blazed. "All I had to hand was a lousy shovel, that's why
he'sallright."

He turned to the other man. "Rodrigo, get this guy around to the boat shed to keep Peter's captive
company.

Strip them both, tie them up and gag them. I've got to make a few preparations and I'll be along to

question them. Do not tell Bojo anything, except that the police have been notified. You can phone
themtopickupLopez'shenchmenanhourfromnow,nosooner."

"Iknowwhatyou'rethinking.Itwon'twork,"Rodrigosaid,tryingtoreasonwithhim."Lopezwillbe
expectinghismenback,ifhehasn'talreadyseenwhathappened."

"Haveyougottheinfraredsonyou?"

Rodrigonoddedandpulledoutwhatlookedlikeafancypairofbinoculars.

"ChecktheareaoffthebeachforLopez'syacht."

"It'sclearformilesrightnow.Noheatsignatures."

"Heatsignatures?"Calliemurmured.

"Wehaveheat-seekingtechnology,"Micahexplained."Wecanlookrightintoahouseoraroomin
thedarkandseeeverythingaliveinit,rightthroughthewalls."

"You'rekidding!"sheexclaimed.

"He's not," Rodrigo said, his dark eyes narrowing as he noted the gown and the pretty form
underneath.

Micahknewwhattheothermanwasseeing,anditangeredhim.HesteppedinfrontofCallie,andthe
actionwasblatantenoughtogetRodrigomoving.

"WheredoyouthinkLopez'syachtis?"Callieasked.

"It'llbesomewhereclosearound.Let'sjusthopethemanPetercaughtwastoorattledtocallLopez
whilehewasbeingshotat.I'msurehehadacellphone.GetoutmydivinggearandsomeC-4.And
don'tsayawordtoBojo.

Gotthat?Itwillwork."

"Whatwillwork?"Callieasked.

"Nevermind,"Micahsaid."Thanks,Rodrigo.I'mgoingtogetCalliebackinside."

"I'lldealwithourguest,"Rodrigosaid,andturnedatoncetohischore.

MicahdrewCalliealongwithhim,fromthepatiototheslidingglassdoorsherassailanthadforced,
anddownthehalltoherbedroom.Ontheway,henoticedthattwootherdoorshadbeenopened,asif
hercaptorhadlookedintheminsearchofher.Hisbedroomwasclosertothefrontofthehouse.

Hedrewherinsideherroomandclosedthedoorbehindthem,pausingtolaytheautomaticonatable
nearby.

"Didhehurtyou?"heaskedatonce.

"Hedroppedmeonthepatio.Ibruisedmyhip...Micah,no!"sheexclaimed,pushingatthebig,lean
handthatwaspullinguphernylongown.

"I'veseenmoreofyouthanthis,"heremindedher.

"But..."

Hesweptherupinhisarmsandcarriedhertothebed,easingherdowngentlyontothesheetwhere
the covers had been thrown back by her captor. He sat down beside her and pulled up the gown,
smilinggentlyatthepalepinkcottonbriefsshewaswearing.

"JustwhatI'dexpect,"hemurmured."Functional,notsexy."

"Nobodyseesmyunderthingsexceptme,"shebitoff."Willyoustop?"

Hepushedthegownuptoherwaist,ignoringherprotests,andwincedwhenhesawherupperthigh
andhip.

"You'regoingtohaveawhopperofabruiseonyourleg,"hemurmured,drawingdowntheelasticof
thebriefs.

"Yourhipdidn'tfaremuchbetter."

Histhumbwasagainstthesoft,warmskinofherlowerstomachandtheotheronewaspoisedbeside
herheadonthepillowwhilehelookedatherbruisesShedidn'tthinkhewasdoingitonpurpose,but
thatthumbseemedtobemovingbackandforthinaveryarousingway.Herbodylikedit.Shemoved
restlesslyonthesheet,shiveringalittlewithunexpectedpleasure.

"Afewbruisesare...arebetterthanbeingkidnapped,"shewhisperedshakily.Herwideeyesmethis."I
wassoscared,Micah!"

Hishandspreadonherhip.Hisnarrowblackeyesmethers."SowasI,whenIheardyoushouting,"
hesaidhuskily."Healmosthadyou!"

"Almost,"sheagreed,herbreathjerkingout"I'mstillshaking."

Hisfingerscontracted."I'mgoingtogiveyouasedative,"hesaid,risingabruptly."Youneedtosleep.
Youneverwill,inthiscondition."

HeleftherthereandwenttogethismedicalkitHewasbackalmostatonce.Heopenedthebagand
drewoutasmallvialofliquidandaprepackagedhypodermicsyringe.Thiswouldalleviateherfear
ofbeingalonetonightandgivehimtimetogethisrampaginghormonesundercontrol.

Shewatchedhimfillthesyringeeffortlessly.Itwasareminderthathe'dstudiedmedicine.

"Haveyoueverthoughtofgoingbacktofinishyourresidency?"sheaskedhim.

Heshookhishead."Tootame."Hesmiledinhergeneraldirectionashefinishedfillingthesyringe.
"I don't think I could live without adrenaline rushes." "Doctors have those, too," she pointed out,
watching him extend her arm and tap a vein in the curve of her elbow. "You're going to put it in
there?"sheaskedworriedly.

"It'squicker.Youwon'tgetaddictedtothis,"headded,becauseshelookedapprehensive."Closeyour
eyes.I'lltrynottohurtyou."

Shedidclosehereyes,butshefeltthetinyprickoftheneedleandwinced.Butitwasoverquicklyand
hewasdabbingherarmwithalcoholonacottonball.

"Itwon'tknockyououtcompletely,"hesaidwhenhe'dreplacedeverythinginthekit."Butitwillrelax
you."

Sheblinked.Shefeltveryrelaxed.Shepeeredupathimwithwide,softeyes."Iwishyoulikedme,"
shesaid.

Hiseyebrowsleveredup."Ido."

"Notreally.Youdon'twantmearound.I'mnotprettylikeher."

"Her?"

"Lisse."Shesighedandstretchedlazily,onelegrisingsothatthegownfellawayfromherprettyleg,
leaving it bare. "She's really beautiful, and she has nice, big breasts. Mine are just tiny, and I'm so
ordinary.Gosh,I'dlovetohavelongblondhairandbigbreasts."

He glanced at the bag and back at her. "This stuff works on you like truth serum, doesn't it?" he
murmuredhuskily.

Shesatupwithamistysmileandshruggedthegownoff,sothatitfelltoherwaist.Herbreastshad
hard little tips that aroused him the instant he saw them. "See?" she asked. "They look like acorns.
Herslooklikecantaloupes."

He couldn't help himself. He stared at her breasts helplessly, while his body began to swell with an
urgencythatmadehimshiver.Hewasvulnerabletonight.

"Yoursarebeautiful,"hesaidsoftly,hiseyeshelplesslytracingthem.

"No,they'renot.Youdon'tevenlikefeelingthemagainstyou.Youwentallstiffandpushedmeaway,
out on the patio. It's been like that since... Micah, what are you...doing?" she gasped as his hungry
mouthabruptlysettledrightontopofahardnippleandbegantosuckleit."Oh...glory!"shecriedout,
archingtowardhimwithalackofrestraintthatwasevenmorearousing.Hernailsbitintohisscalp
through his thick hair, coaxing him even closer. "I like that. I...really like that!" she whispered

frantically."Ilikeit,Ilikeit,I...!"

"Ishouldbeshotforthis,"heutteredashesuckledher."ButIwantyou.Oh,God,Iwantyouso!"His
teethopenedandnippedherhelplessly.

Shedrewbacksuddenly,apprehensivelyasshefelthisteeth,hereyesquestioning.

Hecouldbarelybreathe,andheknewtherewasnowayonearthhewasgoingtobeabletostop.It
wasalreadytoolate.Dangerwasanaphrodisiac,"Youdon'tlikemyteethonyou,"hewhispered."All
right.It'sallright.

We'lltrythis."

Hisfingerstracedaroundherpertbreastgentlyandhebenttotakehermouthtenderlyunderhislips.
She had no willpower. She opened her lips for him and clung as he eased her down onto the cool
sheets.

"Don'tletmedothis,Callie,"hegroundoutinalastgrabatsanity,evenasheshedhisboxershorts.
"Tellmetostop!"

"Icouldn't,notifitmeantmylife,"shemurmured,herbodyonfireforhim.Hermindwasn'teven
working.Sheheldonfordearlifeandpulledhismouthdownharderonhers.Shewasshiveringwith
pleasure."Iwantyoutodoit,"shewhisperedbrazenly."Iwanttofeelyounakedinmyarms.Iwantto
makelove...!"

"Callie.Sweetbaby!"hewhisperedhoarselyashefeltherhandssearchingdownhisflatbellytothe
source of his anguish. She touched him and he was lost, totally lost. He pressed her hard into the
mattresswhilehismouthdevouredhers.Itwastoolatetopullback,toolatetoreasonwithher.She
wasdruggedanduninhibited,andherhandsweretouchinghiminawaythatpushedhimrightover
theedge.

Callieliftedagainsthim,awareofhisnudityandthedelightoftouchinghimwhereshe'dneverhave
dreamedoftouchinghimifshehadn'tbeendrugged.Butshe'dalwayswantedtotouchhimlikethat,
anditfeltwonderful.

Herbodymovedrestlesslywithlittledartsofpleasureashebegantodiscoverher,too.

Sheenjoyedthefeelofhisbody,thetouchofhishands.Herskinfeltveryhot,andwhensherealized
thatthegownandherunderwearweregone,itdidn'tmatter,becauseshefeltmuchmorecomfortable.
Thenhestartedtouchingherinawayshe'dneverbeentouched.Shegasped.Herbodytensed,butshe
movedtowardhishand,buryingherfaceinhisneckasthedelicioussensationsmadeherpulsewith
delight.Hisskinwasdampandveryhot.Shecouldheartheraspofhisbreathing,shecouldfeelitin
herhairashebegantocaressherveryintimately.

Ofcourse,itwaswrongtolethimdosomethingsooutrageous,butitfelttoogoodtostop.Shekept
coaxinghimwithsharplittlemovementsofherhipsuntilhewastouchingherwhereherbodywanted

himto.Nowthepleasurewasstarkandurgent.Sheopenedherlegs.Hernailsbitintohisnapeandshe
clungfiercely.

"It'sallright,"hewhisperedhuskily."Iwon'tstop.I'llbegoodtoyou."

She clung closer. Her body shivered. She was suddenly open to his insistent exploration and with
embarrassmentshefeltherselfbecomingverydampwherehisfingerswere.Shestiffened.

"It'snatural,"hebreathedintoherear."Yourbodyissupposedtodothis."

"Itis?"Shecouldn'tlookathim."Itisn'trepulsivetoyou?"

"It's the most exciting thing I've ever felt," he whispered. His powerful body shifted so that he was
lying directly over her, his hair-roughened legs lazily brushing against hers while he teased her
mouthwithhislipsandherbodywithhisfingers.

Her arms were curled around his neck and the sensations were so sweet that she began to gasp
rhythmically.Herhipswereliftingandfallingwiththatsamerhythmasshefedonthedeliciouslittle
jabsofpleasurethataccompaniedeverysensualmovement.Hebegantoshudder,too.Itwasalmostas
ifheweren'tincontrolofhimself.Butthatwasridiculous.Micahwasalwaysincontrol.

His teeth tugged at her upper lip and then at her lower one, his tongue sliding sinuously inside her
mouth in slow, teasing thrusts. She felt her breasts going very tight. He was lying against her in an
unexpectedly intimate way. She felt body hair against her breasts and her belly. Then she felt him
there,there,inacontactthatshe'dneverdreamedofsharingwithhim.

Despiteherlanguor,hereyesopenedandlookedstraightintohis.Shecouldactuallyseethedesire
thatwasridinghim,thereinhistautfaceandglitteringeyesandflattenedlips.Hewasshivering.She
liked seeing him that way. She smiled lazily and deliberately brushed her body up against him. He
groaned.

Slowlyheliftedhimselfjustalittle."Lookdown,"hewhisperedhuskily."Lookatme.Iwantyouto
seehowarousedIamforyou."

Her eyes traced the path of thick, curling blond-tipped hair from the wedge on his muscular chest,
downhisflatbelly,andtoanotherwedge...heavens!Hehadnothingon.Andmorethanthat,hewas...he
was...

Hermistygazeshotbackuptomeethis.Sheshouldbeprotesting.Hewassoarousedthatamaiden
lady with silver hair couldn't have mistaken it. She felt suddenly very small and vulnerable, almost
fragile.Buthewantedher,andshewantedhimsobadlythatshecouldn'tfindasinglewordofprotest.
Evenifhenevertouchedheragain,she'dhavethisonetimetoliveonfortherestofhermiserable,
lonelylife.She'dbehislover,ifonlythisonce.Nothingelsemattered.Nothing!

Her body lifted to brush helplessly against his while she looked at him. She was afraid. She was
excited.Shewasonfire.Shewaswanton...

Hishandwentbetweentheirhipsandbegantoinvadeherbody,whereitwasmostsensitive.Despite
thepleasurethatensued,shefeltatinystabofdiscomfort.

"Icanfeelit,"hewhispered,hiseyesdarkeningashisbodywenttaut."It'swispy,likeaspider-web."
Heshiftedsensuously.Hisbodybegantoinvadehersinaslow,teasingmotion,andhewatchedher
thewholetime."Areyougoingtoletmebreakit,Callie?"hewhisperedsoftly.

"Break...it?"

"Yourmaidenhead.Iwantit."Hemovedhishipsdownandhiswholefaceclenchedashefelttheveil
ofherinnocencebegintoseparate.Hishandsclenchedbesideherheadonthepillowandtheeyesthat
looked down into hers were tortured. His whole body shuddered with each slow movement of his
hips."Iwant...you!Callie!"

hegroanedhoarsely,hiseyesclosing."Callie...baby...letmehaveyou,”hewhisperedjerkily."Let
mehave...allofyou!Letmeteachyoupleasure..."

Heseemedtobeinpain.Shecouldn'tbearthat.Sheslidhercalvesslowlyoverhisandgaspedwhen
she felt his body tenderly penetrating hers with the action, bringing a tiny wave of pleasure. She
gaspedagain.

He arched above her, groaning. His eyes held hers as he moved slowly, carefully. He watched her
winceandhehesitated.Hemovedagain,andshebitherlip.Hemovedonemoretime,andshetensed
and then suddenly relaxed, so unexpectedly that his possession of her was complete in one
involuntarymovement.

Itwasincredible,hethought,hisbodyastautassteelashelookeddownintoherwide,curiouseyes
withaweashebecameherlover.Hecouldfeelher,likeawarmsilkglove.Shewasavirgin.Hewas
havingher.Shewasgivingherself.Hemovedexperimentally,andherlipspartedonahelplessbreath.

Hisleanhandsslidunderherdarkhairandcradledherheadwhilehebegantomoveonher.Oneof
histhighspushedathers,nudgingitfurtherawayfromthethrobbingcenterofherbody.Themotion
liftedheragainsthiminablindgraspatpleasure.

"Ineverthought...itwouldbeyou,"shewhisperedfeverishly.

"I never thought it would be anyone else," he replied, his eyes hot and narrow and unblinking. "I
watchedyouwhenIwentcompletelyintoyou,"hewhisperedandsmiledwhenshegasped."Now,you
canwatchme,"hemurmuredroughly."Watchme.I'llletyousee...everythingIfeel!"

Sheshiveredashishipsbegantomovesinuously,moreinsistently,increasingthepleasure.

Hecaughtoneofherhandsanddrewitbetweenthem,coaxingitbacktohisbody.Hegroanedatthe
contactandguidedherfingerstotheheartofhim.

Shelethimteachher.Itwassosweet,tolienakedinhisarms,andwatchhimmakelovetoher.He

was incredibly tender. He gave her all the time in the world before he became insistent, before his
kisses devoured, before his hand pinned her hips and his whole body became an instrument of the
mostdelicioustorture.Helookeddownatherwithblazingdarkeyes,hisfaceclenchedinpassion,
hisbodyshiveringwithurgencyashepoisedoverher.

"Don'tcloseyoureyes,"hegroanedwhenstarswereexplodinginhishead."Iwanttoseethem...the
verysecond...thatyougoovertheedgeunderme!"

Thewordswereasarousingasthesharp,violentmotionofhishipsashebegantodriveintoher.She
thoughthebecameevenmorepotentasthetempoandtheurgencyincreased.Heheldhereyesuntil
shebecameblindwiththefirststirringsofecstasyandhersharp,helplesscryofsurprisedpleasure
wascoveredrelentlesslybyhismouth.

She writhed under him, sobbing with the sensation of fulfillment, her body riveted to his as
convulsionsmadeherripplelikeastormywave.Sheclutchedhisupperarms,hernailsbitingin,as
theripplesbecamealmostpainfulintheirdelight.Secondslater,shefelthimclimaxaboveher.His
harsh,shudderinggroanwasasalienasoundasherownhadbeensecondsbefore.Shewrappedher
armsaroundhimandheldonfordearlife,cuddlinghim,cradlinghim,asheenduredthemindless
riptideandfinally,finally,wentlimpandheavyinherarmswithawhisperysigh.

"Youlookedatme...whenithappened,"shewhisperedwithwonder."AndIsawyou,Iwatchedyou."
Sheshivered,holdinghimtight.Herbodyrippledwiththetinymovement,andshelaughedsecretly
andmoanedasshefeltthepleasureshootthroughher."Doitagain,"shepleaded."Makemescream
thistime...!"

Hewasstillshivering."Oh,God,...no!"hebitoff."Bestill!"Heheldherdown,hard,drawingina
sharp breath as he fought the temptation to do what she asked. He closed his eyes and his teeth
clenchedashejerkedbackfromherabruptly.

Shegaspedashisweightreceded.Therewasaslightdiscomfort,andthenhewasonhisfeetbeside
thebed,grabbinguphisboxershortswithafurioushand.

Shestaredathimwithdiminishingawareness.Shewasdeliciouslyrelaxed.Shefeltgreat.Whywashe
cursinglikethat.Sheblinkedvacantly."You'reveryangry.What'swrong?"

"What'swrong!"Heturnedtolookdownather.Shewassprawlednudeingloriousabandon,looking
soeroticthathealmostwenttohiskneeswiththearousalthatreturnedwithavengeance.

She smiled lazily and yawned. "Gosh, that was good. So good!" Her eyelids felt very heavy. She
sprawledevenmorecomfortably."Evenbetterthanthelasttime."

"Whatlasttime?"hedemanded,outraged.

She yawned again. "That other dream," she mumbled, rolling onto her side. "So many dreams. So
embarrassing.

Soerotic!Butthiswasthebestdream,though.Thevery...best..."

Hervoicetrailedawayandherealizedallatoncethatshe'dfallenasleep.Shedidn'tunderstandwhat
hadhappened.She'dbeenfullofsedativeandshe'dlethimseduceher,thinkingshewasjustdreaming.
Shethoughtthewholethingwasnothingmorethananotherdream.Nowondershehadn'tprotested!

"Godinheaven,whathaveIdone!"heaskedherobliviousform.Therewasasmearofbloodonthe
whitesheet.

Micah ground his teeth together and damned his lack of control. He hadn't had a woman in a very
long time, and he'd wanted Callie since the day he'd met her. But that was no excuse for taking
advantageofherwhileshewasundertheinfluenceofasedative.Evenifshehadcomeontohimwith
themostincrediblyeroticsuggestions.

He'dseducedherandthatwasthat.

Hewenttothebathroom,wetawashclothandbathedherbodyasgentlyashecould.Shewassleeping
sosoundlythatshenevernoticedathing.Heputherbriefsandgownbackonherandputherunder
thesheet.He'dhavetohopeshedidn'tnoticethestain,or,ifshedid,assumeditwasanoldone.

Hedressed,hatinghimself,andwentoutoftheroomaftercheckingthesecuritynet.Hestillhadtogo
afterLopez,andnowhismindwasgoingtobefullofCalliesobbingwithpleasureunderthecrushof
hisbody.Andwhatiftherewereconsequences?

ChapterTen

Withafaceasgrimasdeath,Micahpulledonhisblackwetsuitandfinsandcheckedtheairinhis
tanks and the mouthpiece and face mask. He sheathed the big knife he always carried on covert
missions.Tothebeltaroundhiswaist,heattachedawaterproofcarrypack.He'dinterrogatedoneof
themen,who'dbeenfartoointimidatednottotellhimwhathewantedtoknowaboutLopez'ssetupon
theyacht,thenumberandplacementofhismenandhisfirepower.

"Ishouldgowithyou,"Rodrigotoldhimfirmly.

"Youcan'tdive,"Micahsaid."Besides,thisisaone-manjob.IfIdon'tmakeit,itwillbeuptoyouand
Bojotofinishit.Butwhateverhappens,"headdedcurtly,andwithathreateningstare,"don'tletthem
getCallie."

"Iwon't.Iswearit,"Rodrigosaidheavily.

"TellBojowhereI'vegoneafterI'vegone,butonlyafterI'mgone,"headded."Don'tlethimfollow
me."Hepickedupasmalldevicepackedwithplastiqueandshoveditintothewaterproofbagonhis
beltandsealedit.

"Onceyousetthetrigger,you'llonlyhaveafewminutestogetfreeoftheship.Iftheenginesfireup
while you're placing the bomb, you'll be chum," Rodrigo said worriedly. "You already look
exhausted. Even if everything goes right, how will you make that swim and turn around and come
backintime?"

"IfIcan'tgetfreeinthatamountoftime,I'minthewrongbusiness,"hetoldRodrigo."I'ddisgrace
myexpensivegovernmenttraining.Howmanymenontheyachtrightnow?"

Rodrigonoddedtowardtheyacht,whichhadjustcomeintoviewinthepasttenminutes.Itwasout
very far, almost undetectable without exotic surveillance devices. But they had a device that used a
heat sensor with a telescopic lens, and they could see inside the ship. "The crew, Lopez, and six
henchmen.It'ssuicidetodothisalone."

"I'mnotlettinghimtryagain,"hesaidshortly,andhiseyeswereblazing."I'veputCallie'slifeatrisk
already,becauseIwasarrogantenoughtothinkshewassafehere.Shecouldhavebeenkilledtonight
whileIwasasleepinmybed.Iwon'tgetoverthatinahurry.I'mnotgoingtogivehertoLopez,no
matterwhatitcostsme."HeputahandonRodrigo'sshoulder."Listentome.Ifanythinggoeswrong,
youtellBojothatIwanthimtotakecareofherfromnowon.There'senoughmoneyinmySwiss
accounttosupportherandmyfatherforlife,inanystyletheylike.YoutellBojoIsaidtoseethatshe
getsit,lessthesumweagreedonforallofyou.Promiseme!"

"OfcourseIpromise."Rodrigo'seyesnarrowed."Youlook...different."

I'vejustseducedavirginwhothinksshewashavinganeroticdream,hethoughtwithblackhumor.
NowonderIlookdifferent."It'sbeenalongnight,"hesaid."Callthepoliceanhourfromnow."He

lookedathisexpensivecommandowatch,theonewithatinysharpknifebladethatcouldbereleased
fromtheedgeofthefacewithalighttouch."Cominguponfourteenhundredandtenhours...almost...
almost...hack!"

Rodrigohadsethiswatchtothesametime.HegaveMicahalong,worriedlookasthetallermanput
onhisfacemaskandadjustedthemouthpiece.

"Diosteprotege/'Rodrigosaidgently.Godprotectyou.

Micahsmiledandputthemouthpiecein.Secondslater,hewasinthewater,underthewater,headed
outtowardtheyacht.Itwasadistanceofalmosthalfamile,andRodrigowasuneasy.ButMicahhad
beenachampionswimmerinhisschooldays,andheheldsomesortofrecordforbeingabletohold
his breath underwater. He looked very tired, though, and that was going to go against him. Odd,
Rodrigothought,thatamanwho'djustgottenoutofbedshouldlookexhausted.Andaftertheculprits
hadbeendealtwithsoquicklyandeffectively,whichcouldn'thavetiredhim.HehopedMicahwould
succeed. He checked his watch, glanced at the bound and gagged captives in their underwear, and
shrugged.

"How sad for you, compadres, that your futures will be seen through vertical bars. But, then, your
choiceofemployerleavessomuchtobedesired!"

Heturnedaway,recallingthatMicahhadtoldhimtophonethepoliceanhourafterhe'dgone.Buthe
hesitated to do that, orders or not. Timing was going to be everything here. If there was a holdup
plantingthecharge,andifLopezhadsomeoneonthepayrollinNassau,theshowwasover.Lopez
would get word of the failed kidnapping attempt in time to blow Micah out of the water. Micah
couldn'thavebeenthinkingstraight.Rodrigowoulddothatforhim.HewouldwatchMicah'sback.
Nowheprayedthathisbosscouldcompletethismissionwithoutdiscovery.Ifeveramandeserved
hisfate,itwasManuelLopez.HegaveMexicansabadname,andforthataloneRodrigowasanxious
toseehimgodown.

IttookMicahalongtimetoreachtheboat.HewasexhaustedfromthemindlesspleasureCalliehad
givenhim.

Makinglovewithherjustbeforethemostdangerousmissionofrecentyearshadtobeevidenceof
insanity. But it had been so beautiful, so tender. He could still hear her soft, surprised cries of
pleasure.Thememorywasthesortamanwouldn'tmindgoingdownintothedarknessfor.Ofcourse,
itwasn'thelpinghimfocusonthetaskathand.Heforciblyputtheinterludetothebackofhismind
andswamon.

Hepausedashereachedthehugeyacht,carefullyworkinghiswaytowardthehugepropellersatthe
stern, which were off right now but would start again eventually. If they started while he was near
them, he'd be caught in their turbulent wake and dragged right into those cruel blades to be
dismemberedbeforehesetthecharge.Nottheendhehopedfor.

Hekepthimselfinplacewithslowmovementsofhisfinswhileheshoneanunderwaterlighthooked

tohisbeltonthebombpackageenclosedinthewaterproofbag.Hedrewitout,verycarefully,and
securedittoametallicconnectionbehindthepropellers.Itstucklikeglue.Hepositionedthelightso
that he could work with his hands while he wired the charge into the propeller system. It was
meticulouswork,andhewasreallytired.Buthefinallysecuredtheconnectionanddouble-checked
theexplosivepackage.Yes.Theminutetheturbineenginesfired,theshipwouldblowup.

Theproblemwas,hewasalmosttootiredtoswimback.Hewasgoingtohavetogivehimselfthirty
minutestogetbacktotheshore,andpraythatLopezdidn'thavehismenfireupthosepropellersuntil
hewasoutofharm'sway.

He gave the ship's hull a gentle pat, with a momentary twinge of regret at having to destroy such a
beautiftil yacht. Then he turned and moved slowly, cautiously, around toward the bow of the ship.
Therewasaladderhangingdownfromtheside.Hepasseditwithidlecuriosityandheldontoitwhile
hefloated,lettinghisbodyrelaxandrest.Hejusthappenedtolookupwhilehewashangingfromit.

Justabovethesurface,amanwasaiminganautomaticweapondownathimthroughthewater.

Hecouldn'tgetaway.Hewastootired.Besides,themanwasn'tlikelytomissatthisrange.Salutethe
flagandmoveon,hemusedphilosophically.Nobodylivedforever,andhisdeathwouldserveanoble
cause. All he had to do was make them think he'd come aboard to use the knife on Lopez, so they
wouldn'tstartlookingforbombs.Theyhadenoughtimetofindanddisarmitifhedidn'tdivertthem.
Thewaterproofbagonhishipwasgoingtobehardtoexplain.Sowashisflashlight.Fortunatelythe
lightfitintothebagandweigheditdown.Heunhookedthebagandcloseditoutofsightwhilethe
manabovemotionedangrilyforhimtocomeuptheladder.Heletthebagdropanditsankevenashe
started the climb to his own death. He might get a chance at Lopez before they killed him, because
Lopezwouldwanttogloat.

Hepaddedontothedeckinhisbreathingequipmentandfins,whichthemanorderedhiminSpanish
totakeoff.

Micah tossed his gear aside, carefully, because the man with the gun was nervous. If he had any
chance at all to escape, he could make the distance without his equipment if he swam-assuming he
wasn't shot to death in the process. He had to hope for a break, but it wasn't likely. This was the
situationthateveryworkingmercenaryhadtoconsiderwhenhechosethelifestyle.Deathcouldcome
atanymoment,unexpectedly.

Hestoodglaringdownatthesmallerman.Evenwithhisautomaticweapon,thedruglord'smandidn't
seemtooconfident.Hebackeduptwomoresteps.Micahnotedthehastyretreatandtensedtomake
hismove.Butonlysecondslater,Lopezandtwomoremen-armedmen-cameupondeck.

Lopez stared at Micah for a minute and then recognition flashed in his dark eyes. "Micah Steele, I
presume,"hedrawledinaccentedEnglish.HeputhishandsbehindhimandwalkedaroundMicahlike
anemperorinspectinganewslave."Youlackproficiency,don'tyou?Wereyouplanningtousethis
onmewhileIslept?"headded,jerkingthebigbowieknifeoutofitssheath."Anastyweapon.Very
nasty."HeputthepointagainstMicah'swetsuitjustbelowthenipple."Ahardthrust,andyoucease

toexist.Youwerecareless.Nowyouwillpaythepriceforit."Hisfacehardened."Wherearemytwo
menthatIsenttoreclaimyourstepsister?"

Micah smiled calmly. "The police have them by now. I expect they'll spill their guts trying to save
themselves."

"Theywouldnotdare,"Lopezsaideasily."Theyfearme."

"Theywon'tfearyouifyou'reinprison,"herepliedeasily."Ordead."

Lopez laughed. It amused him that this mercenary wasn't begging for his life. He was used to men
whodid.

"Yourattemptatdiversionservesnopurpose.Webothknowthatmymenareonthewaybackwith
theircaptiveevennow.Infact,"headdedwithadeliberatesmile,"Ihadaphonecalljustbeforeyou
werediscovered,tellingmethatshewassafelyboundandgagged.Yourmenaretoonumerousfor
themtofight,sotheyarehidinghersomedistancefromyourhouseuntilthecoastisclearandthey
cangetherewiththeboat."

Hechuckledmaliciously.

Micahsurmisedthatacellphonehadbeendiscoveredononeofthemen,andRodrigohaduseditto
reassureLopez.Astrokeofgenius,anditmighthaveworked,ifMicahhadn'tbeencarelessandlet
himselfgetcapturedlikearawrecruit.

"Iamfondofknives,"Lopezmurmured,andranhisfingersoverthecarvedbonehandlealmostlike
acaress.

HelookedatMicahashetracedthepatterninit."Thistime,Iwillnotgiveyourstepsistertomymen.
Iwillusetheknifeonhermyself."Hiseyeswerecold,hard,unfeeling."Iwillskinheralive,"hesaid
softly."Andwitheverystripthatcomesoff,Iwillremindherthatyouwerecarelessenoughtolether
beapprehendedasecondtime."Hiseyesblazed."Youinvadedmyhometotakeherfromme.Noone
humiliatesmeinsuchamannerandlivestogloataboutit.Youwilldieandyoursisterwilldie,andin
suchawaythatitwillfrightenanyonewhoseesit."

Micah studied the little man with contempt, seeing the years of death and torture that had benefited
Lopez.Thedruglordcouldbuypeople,yachts,countries.Hehadenormouspower.Butitwaspower
builtonafoundationofgreed,flooredwithbloodandtears.Ifeveramandeservedtogodown,it
wasLopez.

"Youareveryquiet,MicahSteele,"Lopezsaidsuddenly,andhiseyesnarrowedsuspiciously.

"IwasthinkingthatI'veneverencounteredanyoneasevilasyou,Lopez,"hesaidquietly."Youhave
noconscienceatall."

Lopezshrugged."IamwhatIam,"hesaidsimply."Inordertoaccumulategreatwealth,onehastobe

willingtotakegreatrisks.Ihavebeenpoor.Ineverwanttobepooragain."

"Plentyofpeoplepreferittomurder."

Lopezonlylaughed."Youare,howisitsaid,stallingfortime,"hesaidabruptly."Areyouhopingto
be rescued? Or are you hoping that perhaps one of your men has checked on your stepsister and
foundhermissingfromherroom?Thatisnotlikely.Mymenarequiteexpert.Playingfortimewill
availyounothing."

Micahcouldhavetoldhimthathewasusingthetimetorestfromhisexhaustiveswim,marshaling
his strength for an all-out assault. If they took him down, he vowed, he was at least going to take
Lopezwithhim,evenifhediedwiththedruglord'sneckinhishands.

"Oryoumightthinkitpossibletooverpowerallofusandescape."Helaughedagain."IthinkthatI
willwaittobeginyourinterrogationuntilyourstepsisterisonboardwithus.Carlos!"hecalledtoa
henchman."Tellthecaptaintostarttheenginesandmoveusalittleclosertotheisland."

Micah's heart stopped dead, but not a trace of fear or apprehension showed on his face. Lopez was
watchinghimveryclosely,asifhesuspectedsomething.Micahsimplysmiled,consideringthatitwas
thefortunesofwarthatsometimesyoudidn'twin.AtleastCalliewassafe.Hehadn'tlostcompletely
aslongasshesurvived.Hetookarelaxingbreathandwaitedfortheexplosion.

Lopez'shenchmanwasalmostupthestepstothepilothousewhenLopezwheeledsuddenly.

"Wait!"LopezcalledhismanbacksuddenlyandMicahfoughttokeepfromshowinghisrelief."Ido
nottrustyou,Steele,"Lopezadded."Ithinkperhapsyouwantmetogoclosertoyourisland,togive
yourmenashotatus,hereonthedeck.Ifso,youaregoingtobedisappointed."Heturnedtotheman,
Carlos."Takehimbelowandtiehimup.ThenIwantyouandJuantotakeoneoftheboatsandfollow
inthestepsofRamonandJorge.

Theymustbesomewherenearthehousewaitingforthemercenariestogiveupthesearchorlocateit
elsewhere.

Youcanhelpthembringthegirlback."

"Si,senor,"Carlossaidatonce,andstucktheautomaticweaponinMicah'sback."Youwillgoahead
of me, senor," he told Micah. "And remember, there will be an armed man at the foot of the steps.
Escapeisnotpossible.Vaya!"

MicahgaveLopezonelastcontemptuouslookbeforehewentdownthestepsintothebowelsofthe
ship.Sofar,sogood.TheywereconvincedthattheirmenonshoreweresafeandhadCallie.They
weren'tgoingtostarttheshipjustyet,thankGod.Hehadonelastchancetoabsolvehimself.Hewas
goingtotakeit,regardlessoftheprice.

The henchman tied him up in a chair with nylon cord at his wrists and ankles. The cord was tight
enough to cut off the circulation. Micah felt his hands and feet going numb, but he wasn't going to
protest."Whatanicefishwecaught,"Lopez'smanchuckled."Andsoon,bigfish,wewillfilletyou

and your stepsister together." His eyes narrowed and he smiled coldly. "You have embarrassed my
boss.Nooneisallowedtodothat.Youmustbemadeanexampleof.Iwouldnotwishtobeinyour
shoes."HelookedpointedlyatMicah'sbarefeet."Hypo-theticallyspeaking,"headded."Enjoyyour
lastminutesoflife,senor"

ThesmallmanleftMicahinthestateroom,whichwasobviouslysomesortofguestroom.Therewas
abedandadresserandthischairinit,anditwasverysmall.Oneoftheofficersoftheshipmight
sleephere,hereasoned.

Nowthathewasalone-andhewouldn'tbeforlong-hemighthavejustenoughtimetofreehimself.
Micah touched the button on his watch that extended the small but very sharp little knife blade
concealed in the watch face. He cut himself free with very little effort. But the most dangerous part
wasyettocome.Thereweremeneverywhere,allarmed.Theonethinghehadgoingforhimwasthat
itwasdarkandLopezhadveryfewlightsondeckatthemoment,hopingnottobenoticedbyMicah's
men.

He eased out into the corridor and listened. He heard a man's voice humming a Mexican drinking
songoff-keynearby.Watchingupanddownthehallwitheverystep,heeasedintothegalley.Aman
justalittlesmallerthanhewasstirringsomethinginaverybigstainless-steelpot.Hewaswearing
blackslacksandablacksweaterwithanapronoverthem.Micahsmiled.

Hecaughtthemanfrombehindandstunnedhim.Carefullyheeasedthecookbackbehindthestove
andbegantostriphim.Hepulledoffhisscubagearanddonnedthecook'souterwear,takingtimeto
dressthecookinhisowndivingsuit.Thecookhaddarkhair,butitwouldn'tmatter.Allhehadtodo
waslooklikeMicahatadistance.

Hegotthecookoverhisshoulderandmadehiswaycarefullytotheladderthatledupontothedeck.
Lopez was talking to two other men, and not looking in Micah's direction. What supreme self-
confidence,Micahthought.

Pitytospoilit.

Heslappedthecookandbroughthimaround.Inthenextinstant,hethrewthemanoverboardonthe
sidethatfacedawayfromMicah'sisland.

"jSteele ha escapado!" Micah yelled in Spanish. "jSefue alia, a la izquierda, en el Mar!" Steele has
escaped,hewentthere,totheleft,inthesea!

TherewasacryoffuryfromLopez,followedbyharshorders,andthesoundofrunningfeet.Micah
followedtheothermen,managingtoblendin,veeringsuddenlytotheothersideoftheship.

Justashegotthere,hewasfacedwithahenchmanwhohadn'tfollowedtheothers.Themanhadan
automaticweaponinhishandsandhewashesitating,hiseyestryingtoseeMicah,whowashalfin
shadowsothathisblondhairdidn'tgivethegameaway.Ifthemanpulledthattrigger...

"Esqueustedestaesperandounacerveza?"heshotatthemanangrily."jVaya!jSteeleestaalia!'1What
areyouwaitingfor,abeer?Getgoing,Steele'soverthere!

Hehesitatedwithhisheartinhisthroat,waiting,waiting...

Allatonce,therewasashoutfromtheothersideoftheship.ThemanwhowasholdingMicahatbay
stillhesitated,butthenoisegotlouder.

"iVaya!" he repeated. He waved the man on urgently with a mumbled Spanish imprecation about
Steeleandhisuselessescapeattempt.Inthatspaceofsecondsbeforetheydiscoveredthemaninthe
waterwasnotMicah,theirescapingcaptivegotovertherailandintotheoceanandstruckoutback
towardtheshore.Hekepthisstrokesevenandquick,andhezigzagged.EvenifLopez'smenspotted
him, they were going to have to work at hitting him from that distance. Every few yards, he
submerged and swam underwater. Any minute now, he told himself, and thanked God he'd had just
enoughresttoallowhimachanceofmakingittoshorebeforehewasdiscoveredandkilled.

Heheardloudvoicesandasearchlightbegansweepingthewater.Micahdivedunderagainandheld
hisbreath.

Withalittlebitofluck,theymightpassrightoverhim,inhisblackclothing.Heblendedinverywell
withtheocean.

There was gunfire. He ground his teeth together and prayed they'd miss him. Probably they were
shootingblind,hopingtohithimwithaluckyshot.

Odd,though,thegunfiresoundedcloserthanthat...

Hecameupforair,tosnatchabreath,andalmostcollidedwithhisownswiftmotorboat,withBojo
drivingitandfiringanautomaticrifletowardLopezandhismenatthesametime.

"Climbin,boss!"Bojocalled,andkeptshooting.

"Remind me to give you a raise," Micah panted as he dragged himself over the side and into the
rockingboat.

"Goodwork.Goodwork!Nowgetthehelloutofherebeforetheyblowusoutofthewater!"

Bojo swung the boat around masterfully and imitated the same zigzag pattern that Micah had used
whenheswam.

"Lopezismadnow,"Micahsaidwithaglitterysmile."Ifthere'sanyjusticeleftintheworld,he'lltry
tomoveinclosertogetabettershotatus."

"Wehope,"Bojosaidsolemnly,stilldodgingbullets.

Micahlookedbacktowardtheship,nowclearlyvisibleagainstthehorizon.HethoughtofallLopez's
helpless victims, of whole families in tiny little Mexican towns who had been mowed down with
automaticweaponsfordaringtohelptheauthoritiescatchthelocalpushers.Hethoughtofthehard
fighttoshutdownLopez'sdistributionnetworkslatedforoperationinJacobsville,Texas.Hethought
ofCallieinthatmurderousassassin'shands,oftheknifecutonherprettylittlebreastwherethepoint

hadgonein.HethoughtofCalliedead,tortured,ananguishedexpressionlockedforeverintothose
gentlefeatures.Hethoughtofhisfather,whowouldhavebeenLopez'snexttarget.HethoughtofLisa
MonroeParks'syounghusbandintheDEAwho'dbeenkilledonLopez'sorders.Hethoughtofallthe
lawenforcementpeoplewho'driskedtheirlivesandthelivesoftheirfamiliestostopLopez.

"It'sretributiontime,Lopez,"Micahsaidabsently,watchingthebigshipwithsombereyes."Lifecalls
inthebetsforusall,soonerorlater.Butyou'reoverdue,youdrug-dealingsonofa...!"

Before the last word left his lips, there was a huge fireburst where the ship had been sitting in the
water.Flamesrolledupandupandup,billowingblacksmokeintotheatmosphere.Thesoundrocked
theboat,andpiecesoftheyachtbeganfallingfromtheskyinawidecircumference.MicahandBojo
duckeddownintheboatandcoveredtheirheadsasBojoincreasedtheirspeedandchangeddirection,
hopingtomisstheheaviermetalpartsthatwererainingdownwithwoodandfabric.

TheymadeittotheboatdockandjumpedoutasthelastpiecesofwhathadbeenLopez'syachtfell
intothewater.

Mercenariescamerushingdownfromthehouse,allarmed,toseewhathadhappened.

"SaygoodbyetoLopez,"Micahtoldthem,eyesnarrowedwithcoldscrutiny.

Theyallwatchedthehulloftheship,stillpartiallyintact,starttosink.Totheircredit,noneofthem
cheeredorlaughedormadeajoke.Humanliveshadbeenlost.Itwasnocauseforcelebration,not
evenwhentheringleaderwasasbadasLopez.Ithadbeennecessarytoeliminatehim.Hewascrazed
withvengeanceanddangeroustotheworldatlarge.

Rodrigocameupbesidethem."Gladtoseeyoustillalive,boss,"hesaid.

Micah nodded. "It was close. I was too tired to swim back. He caught me at the ladder like a raw
recruit."

TherewasafaintsoundfromPeter,thenewestofthegroup."Ithoughtslipsweremysignature,"he
toldMicah.

"Evenveteranscanstepthewrongwayanddieforit,"Micahtoldhimgently."That'swhyyoualways
do it by the book and make sure you've got backup. I broke all the rules, but I didn't want to put
anyone else at risk. I got lucky. Sometimes you don't." He watched the last of Lopez's yacht sink.
"Whataboutourtwoguests?"

"They'restillintheshed."

"Load them up and take them in to Nassau and say we'll file charges for trespassing," Micah told
Rodrigo.

"I'monmyway."

"We'll have federal agents combing the island by dawn, I guess," one of the other mercenaries
groaned.

Micahshookhishead."Iwassanctioned.Andthat'sallIintendtosayaboutthis,ever,"headdedwhen
themanseemedsettoprotest."Let'sseeifwecangetalittlemoresleepbeforedawn."

Mumbled agreement met the suggestion. He walked back into the house and down the hall to his
bedroom.

Callie's door was still closed. He felt a horrible pang of guilt when he remembered what had
happenedbeforehewentafterLopez.Hewasnevergoingtogetoverwhathe'ddone.

Hetookashowerandchangedintoapairofwhitestripedshortsandawhite-and-redpatternedsilk
shirt. He padded down the hall to the kitchen and started to get a beer out of the refrigerator. But it
hadn'tbeenabeersortofnight.Heturnedonhisheelandwenttotheliquorcabinetinhisstudy.He
pouredhimselftwofingersofKentuckybourbonwithalittleiceandtookitbackdownthehallwith
him.

AtthedoorofCallie'sroom,hepaused.Heopenedthedoorgentlyandmovedintostandbythebed
andlookdownather.Shewassoundasleep,hercheekpillowedonaprettyhanddevoidofjewelry.
She'd kicked off the sheet and bedspread and her long legs were visible where the gown had fallen
awayfromthem.Shelookedinnocent,untouched.Herememberedthefeelofthatsoftmouthunder
hislips,theexquisitelovingthathaddriveneverysanethoughtoutofhismind.Hisbodywentrigid
justfromthememory.

She stirred, as if she sensed his presence, but she didn't wake up. The sedative had really kicked in
now.Shewouldn'twakeuntildawn,ifthen.

He reached down a gentle hand and brushed the hair away from the corner of her mouth and her
cheek.Shewasn'tconventionallypretty,butshehadaninnerbeautythatmadehimfeelasifhe'djust
foundspringafterahardwinter.Helikedtohearherlaugh.Helikedthewayshedressed,socasually
andindifferently.Shedidn'ttakehourstoputonmakeup,hourstodress.Shedidn'tcomplainabout
theheatorthecoldorthefood.Shewasashonestasanywomanhe'deverknown.Shehadwonderful
qualities.Buthewasafraidofher.

He'dbeenalonermostofhislife.Hismother'sdeathwhenhewastenhadhithimhard.He'dadored
hismother.

Afterthat,ithadbeenJackandhimself,andthey'dgrownveryclose.ButwhenCallieandhermother
moved in, everything had changed. Suddenly he was an outsider in his own family. He despised
Callie's mother and made no secret of his resentment for both women. That had caused a huge rift
betweenhisfatherandhimself,onethathadinevitablygrownwideenoughtodividethemaltogether.

He'dblamedCallieforthefinalblow,becausehe'dconvincedhimselfthatshe'dfoundJackandsent
him to the hall to find Micah and Anna kissing. Callie had always denied it, and finally he believed
her.Ithadn'tbeenpiquebecausehe'drejectedher.

Hetookasipofthewhiskeyandstareddownatherbroodingly.Shewaspartofhislife,partofhim.
He hated knowing that. He hated the memory of her body moving sensuously under his while he
seducedher.

Andshethoughtshewasdreaming.Whatifshewokeupstillbelievingthat?They'dnotonlyhadsex,
butthankstohimthey'dhadunprotectedsex.Hisdarkeyessliddownherbodytoherflatbelly.Life
mightalreadybegrowinginherwomb.

Hisbreathcaught.Calliemighthavehisbaby.Hislipspartedashethoughtaboutababy.He'dnever
wanted one before. He could see Callie with an infant in her arms, in her heart, in her life. Callie
wouldwanthisbaby.

He felt an alien passion gripping him for the first time. And just as quickly, he considered the
difficultyitwouldengender.Calliemightbepregnant.Shewouldn'trememberhowshegotthatway,
either.

He pursed his lips, feeling oddly whimsical for a man who was facing the loss of freedom and
perhapseventhelossofhislifestyleandhisjob.Wouldn'titbesomethingifCalliewaspregnantand
hewastheonlyonewhoknew?

ChapterEleven

Calliefeltthesunonherface.She'dbeendreaming.She'dbeeninMicah'swarm,powerfularms,held
tightagainsteveryinchofhim,andhe'dbeenmakingardentlovetoher.He'dlookeddownintoher
wide eyes at the very instant he'd possessed her. He'd watched her become a woman. It seemed so
real...

Hereyesopened.Sureitwasreal.Andanyminutenow,thetoothfairywasgoingtoflyinthroughthe
openpatiowindowsandleaveherashinyquarter!

Shesatup.Odd,thatuncomfortablefeelinglowinherbelly.Sheshiftedandshefeltsore.Talkabout
dreamsthatseemedreal!

She swung her legs off the bed and stood up, stilling for a moment so that the sudden dizziness
passed.Sheturnedtomakeupthebedandfrowned.Therewasastainonthebottomsheet.Itlooked
likedriedblood.Well,somuchforthecertaintythatherperiodwasn'tdueforanothertwoweeks,she
thought.Probablyalltheexcitementhadbroughtitonsooner.Shewentintothebathroom,wondering
whatshewasgoingtodoforthenecessaryequipmentinahousefullofmen.

Butshewasn'thavingherperiod.Thatwouldmeansomespottinghadoccurredandthatfrightened
her because it wasn't natural. She'd always been regular. She'd have to see a doctor when she got
home,shesupposed.

She bathed and frowned when she was standing in front of the mirror. There were some very bad
bruisesonherhipandthigh,andthatwaswhensherememberedtheterrorofthenightbefore.Half
asleep, she hadn't really been thinking until she saw the bruises and it began to come back. A man,
Lopez'sman,hadtriedtokidnapher.

She'dactuallyknockedhimoutwithashovel.Shesmiledassherememberedit.Sadlyshe'dbeenless
brave when Micah came running out to see about her. He'd carried her in here and given her a
sedative. She hoped she hadn't said anything revealing to him. Sedatives made her very uninhibited.
Butshehadnomemorypasttheshot.Thatmight,sheconcluded,beagoodthing.

Dressed in a pink Bermuda shorts set that she'd bought on her shopping trip in Nassau, she put her
feetintoanewpairofsneakers.Unlikethesandalsshecouldn'twear,thesneakerswereaperfectfit.

Shewalkedbackintothebedroomworriedly,wonderingwhatMicahhaddonewithLopez'smen.It
seemedveryquietthismorning.ShewascertainMicahhadallsortsofsurveillancesystemssetupto
makesureLopezcouldn'tsneakanybodyelseinheretomakeanotherattemptatkidnappingher.But
shefeltuneasy,justthesame.Lopezwouldneverstop.Sheknewthatshewasstillinthesamedanger
she'dbeeninwhenshefirstarrivedherewithMicah.

Shefeltasifshehadahangover,probablybecauseofthatsedativeMicahgaveher.Thatexplainedthe
erotic dream as well. She blushed, remembering what an erotic dream if was, too. She brushed her
hair,notbotheringwithmakeup,andwentdownthehalltothekitchentoseeifcoffeewasavailable.

Bojowashelpinghimselftoacup.Hegrinnedasshecameintotheroom."Yousleptverylate."

"Iwasverytired.Besides,Micahdruggedme.That'sthesecondtimehe'sgivenmeasedativesince
I'vebeenhere.I'mnotusedtothem."ShelaughedasshetookthefreshcupofcoffeeBojohandedher.
"It'sagoodthingIfellasleeprightaway,too,becausesedativesgenerallyhaveaveryoddeffecton
me.Igettotallysweptaway.

Whereiseverybody?"sheadded,notingthatBojowastheonlypersoninthehouse.

"MicahhasgonetoNassauonbusiness,"hetoldherwithagrin."Lopezseemstohavevanishedinthe
night.

NotonlyLopez,buthisveryexpensiveyachtandseveralofhismen.Theauthoritiesarejustifiably
curious."

"Lopezhasgone?"sheasked,excited."Youmean,he'sgoneaway?"

"Veryfaraway,"hesaidwithagrin.

"But he'll just come back." He gave her a wry look and she frowned. "Don't you still have his two
henchmen?

Micahwasgoingtogivethosetwomentothepolice,"sheremindedhim."Maybetheyknowwhere
heis."

"Theywerehandedovertothepolice,"heagreed."Buttheydon'tknowwhereLopezis,either."

"Youlooksmug,"sheaccused.

Hesmiled."Iam.IdoknowwhereLopezis.AndIcanpromiseyouthathewon'tbemakinganymore
raidsonthisisland."

"Great!"sheexclaimed,relieved."Canyouhandhimovertothepolice,too?"

"Lopezcan'tbehandedover."Hepausedtothink."Well,notinonepiece,atleast,"headded.

"You'resoundingverystrange,"shepointedout.

Hepouredhisowncupofcoffeeandsatbackdownatthetable."Lopez'syachtwentupinflameslast
night,"hesaidmatter-of-factly."Iamamazedthatyoudidn'theartheexplosion.Itmusthavebeena
fault in the engine, or a gas leak," he added, without meeting her eyes. He shook his head. "A very
nastyexplosion.Whatwasleftoftheyachtsankwithinsightofhere."

"Hisboatsank?Hewasonit?You'resure?Didyouseeitgodown?"sheasked,relievedandhorrified
atthesametime.

"Yes,yes,andyes."Hestudiedher."LopezwillneverthreatenyouorMicah'sfatheragain.Youwill

beabletoreturnhomenow,toyourjobandyourstepfather.Ishallmissyou."

"I'llmissyou,too,Bojo,"shesaid,buthermindwasracingahead.Lopezwasdead.Shewasoutof
danger.Shecouldgohome.Shehadtogohome,sheamended.ShewouldneverseeMicahagain...

Bojowaswatchingtheexpressionschasethemselvesacrossherface.Shewasvulnerable,andbesides
that,shewasinlovewithMicah.Itdidn'ttakemuchguessworktofigurethatout,ortomakesenseof
Micah's strange attitude about her. Obviously the boss knew she was in love with him, and he was
tryingtobekindwhilemakinghispositiontoherclear.

He grimaced. The musical tones of his cell phone interrupted his gloomy thoughts. He answered it
quickly.

"Yes," he said, glancing warily at Callie. "She's here, having coffee. I'll ask her." He lifted both
eyebrows.

"MicahishavinglunchwithLisseonthebayinNassau.Ifyouwanttojointhem,Icantakeyouover
inthesmallboat."

Lisse.Whyshouldshethinkanythinghadchanged?shewondered.LissewasbeautifulandMi-cahhad
toldheratthebeginningthatheandLissewerelovers.They'dbeentogetherforalongtime,andshe
was important in the Bahamas as well as being beautiful. A few teasing kisses for Callie meant
nothing to him. She'd been a complete fool. Micah had been kind to her to get her to stay and bait
Lopez.Thatwasallithadbeen.Itwasanefforttosmile,butshedid.

"Tellhimthanks,butI'vegottostartpacking.IfLopezisreallyoutoftheway,Ihavetogohome.Mr.
Kempwon'tkeepmyjobopenforever."

Bojolookedreallyworried."Boss,shesaysshe'drathernot."Hehesitated,nodded,glancedagainat
Callie.

"Okay.I'llmakesureheknows.We'llexpectyousoon.Yes.Goodbye."

"Youlooklikeabadparty,"shecommented.

"He'sbringingLissehereforlunch,"hesaidreluctantly.

Her heart jumped but she only smiled. "Why not? It's obvious to anybody that he's crazy about her.
She's a dish," she added, and then wondered why she should suddenly think about Lisse's bust size
whencomparedtoherown.

"She'sacat,"Bojorepliedtersely."Don'tletherwalkonyou."

"Ineverhave,"shecommented."Ifwe'rehavinglunch,IguessIneedtogetstartedfixingit,huh?"

"Wehaveacook..."

"I'mgood,"shetoldhimwithoutconceit."IcookforDadandmeeverynight.I'mnotcordon-bleu,

butIgetcompliments."

"Verywell."Bojogavein,hopingthebosswasn'tgoingtofirehimforlettingherintothekitchen.
"MacwenttoNassauwiththebossandtheotherguys,soitwouldhavebeencoldcutsanyway."

"Imakehomemaderolls,"shetoldhimwithagrin."AndIcanbakeapoundcake."

She got up, looked through the cupboards and refrigerator, found an apron and got busy. It would
givehersomethingtodowhileherheartwasbreaking.

Two hours later, Micah and Lisse came into the living room together, laughing. Callie peered out
fromthekitchen."Food'sonthetableifyouwanttositdown,"shecalledgaily.

Micahgapedather.He'dtoldBojotogetMactofixlunch.WhatwasCalliedoinginthekitchen?

Bojocameoutofit,andMicah'sfacehardened."IthoughtItoldyoutomonitorcommunicationsfor
trafficaboutLopez,"hesaidcoldly.

Bojoknewwhatwaseatinghim,soheonlysmiled."Iam.IwasjustaskingCallieforanotherpotof
coffee.Wedranktheother,betweenus,"headdeddeliberately.

Micah'seyesflashedlikeblacklightning,buthedidn'tsayanotherwordasBojonoddedpolitelyat
Lisseandwalkedbacktowardthecommunicationsroom.

"Sitdown,Lisse,"Micahsaidquietly,pullingoutachairforheratthedining-roomtable,alreadylaid
withsilverwareandplatesandfreshflowers."I'llbebackinaminute."

"Idohopeit'sgoingtobesomethinglight,"Lissesaidairily."Ican'tbearaheavymealinthemiddle
oftheday."

Micah didn't answer her. He'd run into Lisse in town and she'd finagled him into lunch. He'd
compromisedbybringingherhere,sothathecouldseehowCalliewasfeelingafterthenightbefore.
He was hoping against hope that she remembered what had happened. But the instant she looked at
him,heknewshehadn't.

"Hi,"shesaidbrightlyandwithaforcedsmile."Isleptliketwologs.Ihopeyou'vegotanappetite.I
madehomemadebreadandcake,andsteakandsalad."

"Lissewillprobablyonlywantthesalad,"hemurmured."ButIlovecake."

"Iremember.Gositdown.I'llbringit."

"Youonlysettwoplaces,"hesaidquietly.

Sheshrugged."I'mjustcookingit.Iwouldn'twanttogetintheway...Micah!"

Whileshewastalking,hepickedherupandcarriedheroutofthekitchenthebackwayandintothe

firstsprawlingbathroomhecameto,closingthedoorbehindthem.

"You'renotthehiredhelphere,"hesaidflatly,staringintohereyeswithoutputtingherdown."You
don'twaitattable.Youdon'tcook.Ihaveamanforthat."

"I'magoodcook,"shepointedout."Andit'sgoingtogetcoldifyoudon'tputmedownandletme
finish."

Hiseyesdroppedtohermouthandlingeredtherehungrily."Idon'twantfood."Hebroughtherclose
andhismouthsuddenlywentdownagainsthersandtwistedardently,untilheforcedherlipsapartand
madeherrespondtohim.Hegroanedunderhisbreathasherarmsreacheduptoholdhim.Shemade
ahuskylittlesoundandgaveinallatonce.Itfeltsofamiliartobeheldlikethis,kissedlikethis.She
openedhermouthandfelthistonguegointoit.Herbodywasonfire.She'dneverfeltsuchdesire.
Odd,thatherbodyseemedtohaveawholedifferentknowledgeofhimthanherminddid.

Hecouldn'tgetenoughofhermouth.Hedevouredit.Hispowerfularmshadafainttremorwhenhe
wasfinallyabletodrawback.Helookedstraightintohereyes,rememberingherheadlongresponse
thenightbefore,feelingherbodyyieldtohimoncrisp,whitesheetsinthedarkness.He'dthoughtof
nothingelseallday.Itwasanguishtoknowthatshewastotallyoblivioustowhatthey'ddonetogether,
whenthememoriesweretorturinghim.

"HowlonghaveyoubeentalkingtoBojo?"hedemandedgruffly.

"Just...justalittlewhile."Hermouthwasswollen,butherbodywasshiveringwithsecretneeds.

Shelookedatthetightlineofhislipsandimpulsivelyreacheduptokisshim.Amazinglyhekissed
herbackwithardentinsistence.

"Micah!"Lisse'sstridentvoicecamefloatingdownthehall,followedbythestaccatosoundofhigh
heelsonwood.

Micahheardherandliftedhishead.Hismouth,likeCallie's,wasswollen.Hesearchedhermistyeyes
intently.

"It'sLisse,"shewhispereddazedly.

"Yes."Hebentandbrushedhislipslazilyoverherown,smilingasshefollowedtheminvoluntarily.

"Shewantsherlunch,"shepersisted.

"Iwantyou,"hemurmuredagainsthermouth.

Thewordsshocked.Herfingers,linkedbehindhisnape,loosenedandshelookedworried."Ican't!"
shewhisperedhuskily.

"Whycan'tyou?"

"BecauseI'venever..."shebegan.

Untillastnight.Healmostsaidit.Hethoughtit.Hisfacehardenedasheforcedhistonguetobesilent.
Hecouldn'ttellher.Hewantedto.Butitwastoosoon.Hehadtoshowherthatitwasn'taone-night
thingwithhim.

Evenmoreimportant,hehadtoconvincehimselfthathecouldchangeenough,settledownenough,
togivehersomesecurityandstability.Heknewthathecouldhavemadeherpregnant.Oddlyitdidn't
worry him. The thought of a child was magical, somehow. He didn't know much about children,
exceptthathewascertainhe'dlovehisown.Calliewouldmakeawonderfulmother.

Hesmiledashebentandkissedhereyelidsshut."Wouldn'tyou?"hewhispered."IfIinsisted?"

"I'dhateyou,"shebitoff,knowingthatshewouldn't.Shelovedhimendlessly.

"Yes,youmight,"hesaidafteraminute."Andthat'sthelastthingIwant."

"Micah!"Lisse'svoicecameagain,fromevenfartherdownthehall.

"Sit.Stay,"Calliewhisperedimpishly.

Hebitherlowerlipandgrowleddeepinhisthroat."Sheinsistedonlunch.Icompromised.Kissme
again."Hismouthdriftedlazilyoverhers.

She did kiss him, because she had no willpower when it came to this. She loved being in his arms,
beingheldbyhim.Shelovedhim!

Afteraminuteheliftedhisheadandputherdown,withobviousreluctance."We'dbettergobefore
shestartsopeningdoors,"hesaidinahuskytone.

"Wouldshe?"sheasked,curious.

"Shehasbefore,"heconfessedwithawrygrin.Hebrushedbackherhairwithexquisitetenderness.
Hiseyesheldanexpressionshe'dneverseeninthem."YoulooklikeI'vebeenmakinglovetoyou,"
hewhisperedwithafaintsmile."Betterfixyourfacebeforeyoucomeout."

She reached up and touched his swollen mouth with wonder. She was still trying to make herself
believethathe'ddraggedherinhereandkissedhersohungrily.Therewassomethinginthebackof
hermind,somethingdisturbing.Shecouldn'tgraspit.Butthemostamazingthingwasthetenderness
hewasshowingher.Itmadeherbreathless.

Hisleanhandspreadagainsthercheek.Histhumbpartedherlipsashebentagain,asifhecouldn't
helphimself.Hekissedhersoftly,savoringthetremblingresponseofherlips.

"Micah!"Lissewasoutside,almostscreechingnow.

He lifted his head again with a long sigh. "I need to take you out in the boat and drop anchor five

milesout,"hesaidheavily.Hetappedhernose."Okay,let'sgoseeifeverything'scoldbeforeLisse
loseshervoice."

He opened the door, checking to see if the coast was clear. "Fix your face," he whispered with a
wickedgrinandclosedthedoorbehindhim.

Sheheardhisfootstepsmovingtowardthediningroom.Twominuteslater,staccatoheelsmadean
angrysoundpassingthebathroomdoor.

"Micah...!"

"I'minthediningroom,Lisse!Wherewereyou?I'vebeenlookingeverywhere!"

Hewasgoodatimprovising,Calliethoughtassherepairedthedamagetoherface.Shecombedher
hairwithacombfromatrayonthevanitytableandwonderedatthechangeinherrelationshipwith
Micah. He was very different. He acted as if she'd become suddenly important to him, and not in a
conventionalway.Shecouldn'thelpsmiling.Itwasasifherwholelifehadchanged.

Shewentbackintothekitchenandputeverythingonthetable,aftercheckingthatthesteakhadkept
warmonthebackofthestove.Ithad.

Micahgotupandsetathirdplaceatthetable,givingCallieadeliberatelook."Youeatinherewith
us,"hesaidfirmly,ignoringLisse'sglare.

"Okay."Sheputoutthelastofthefood,andbutterfortherolls,andsatdown."Micah,willyousay
grace?"sheadded.

"Grace?"Lisse'sbeautifulfacewidenedintoshock.

Micahflashedheradisapprovingglanceandsaidabriefprayer.Hewasdiggingintothefoodwhile
Lisse,inhergold-trimmedwhitepantsuit,wasstillgaping.

"We'reveryconventionalathome,"Calliepointedout.

"Andtraditional,"Micahadded."Traditionisimportantforfamilies."

"But you don't have a family, really, darling," Lisse protested. She helped herself to a couple of
forkfuls of salad and a hint of dressing. "Rolls? Thousands of calories, darling, especially with
butter!"shetoldMicah.

"Calliemadethemforme,fromscratch,"hesaidimperturbably.Hebitintooneandsmiled."These
aregood,"

hesaid.

Callieshrugged."It'stheonlythingIdoreallywell.Mymothercouldn'tboilwater."Thathadslipped
outandshelookedhorrifiedasshemetMicah'seyes.

"I think Micah could do very well without hearing about your tramp of a mother, dear," Lisse said
haughtily.

"He'ssufferedenoughatherhandsalready.Whowasitshethrewyouoverfor,darling,thatBritish
earl?"

"Shedidn'tthrowmeover,"Micahsaidthroughhisteeth.

"Butshewasstayingherewithyoulastyear...?"

Callie'seyesexploded.Shegotup,throwingdownhernapkin."Isthattrue?"shedemanded.

"It is, but not the way you're assuming it is," he said flatly. "Callie, there's something you need to
know."

Sheturnedandwalkedoutoftheroom.

"Whatthehellwasthatinaidof?"MicahdemandedofLisse,withrealanger.

"Youkeepsecrets,don'tyou?"sheaskedwithcolddelight."It'sdangerous.Andsheisn'treallyyour
sister, either. I got that out of Bojo. You've even slept with her, haven't you, darling?" she added
venomously.

Micahthrewdownhisownnapkinandgottohisfeet."Bojo!"heyelled.

ThetallBerbercamerushingintotheroom.Hisbossneverraisedhisvoice!

Micahwasalmostvibratingwithrage."SeeLissebacktoNassau.Shewon'tbecominghereagain,"
headdedwithicedroppingfromeverysyllable.

Lisse put down her fork and wiped her mouth before she got leisurely to her feet. She gave him a
coollook.

"Youusepeople,"sheaccusedquietly."It'salwayswhatyouwant,whatyouneed.Youmanipulate,you
control,you...use.Ilovedyou,"sheaddedinahuskyundertone."Butyoudidn'tcare.Iwashandyand
good in bed, and that was what mattered to you. When you didn't want me so much anymore, you
threwmeout.Iwasonlyinvitedoverherethistimesothatyoucouldshowyourhouse-guestthatshe
wasn't the only egg in your basket." She gave him a cold smile. "So how does it feel to be on the
receiving end for once, Micah? It's your turn. I wish, I really wish, I could stick around to see the
result.Shedoesn'tlookliketheforgivingsorttome.

AndI'dknow,wouldn'tI?"

She turned, leaving Bojo to follow her after a complicated glance in Micah's direction. The boss
didn'tsayaword.Notasingleword.

Callie was packing with shaking hands. Micah came to the doorway and leaned against it with his

handsinhispockets,watchingherglumly.

"Nothingtosay?"sheaskedcurtly.

"Nothingyou'dlistento,"hereplied.Heshrugged."Lissejustputmeinmyplace.Ididn'trealizeit,
butshe'sright.Idousepeople.OnlyInevermeanttouseyou,inanyway."

"Yousaidyouweren'thavinganaffairwithmymother,"sheaccusedasshefoldedapairofslacks
andputtheminhercase.

"I'mnot.Ineverhave."Hischestroseandfellheavily."Butyou'renotinanymoodtolisten,areyou,
baby?"

Baby. She frowned. Baby. Why did that word make her uneasy? She looked at him with honest
curiosity.

"Icalledyouthat,"hesaidquietly."Youdon'trememberwhen,doyou?"

Shesighed,shakingherhead.

"Itmaybejustaswell,"hesaid,almosttohimself."Fornow,it'ssafeforyoutogohome.Lopezis
dead.Histoplieutenantsdiedwithhim.There'snolongeranythreattoyouortoDad."

"Yes.Whataluckyexplosionitwas,"sheadded,busywithhercase.

"Itwasn'tluck,Callie,"hesaidshortly."IswamouttotheyachtandplantedablockofC-4nexttohis
propellershaft."

Sheturned,gasping.Herhandsshookasshefumbledthecaseclosedandsatdownheavilyonthebed.

Sothatwaswhatthey'dbeentalkingaboutthenightbefore,whenMicahhadsaidthat"itmightwork."
Hecouldhavebeenkilled!

"Itwasaclosecall,"headded,watchingher."Iletmyselfgetcaughtlikearankbeginner.Iwastoo
tiredtomakeitbackinaloop,soIstoppedtorest.OneofLopez'smencaughtme.Lopezmadealot
ofthreatsaboutwhatheplannedtodotoyouandDad,andthenhegotstupidandhadmetiedupdown
below."Heextendedhisarm,showedherhiswatch,pressedabutton,andwatchedherexpressionasa
knifebladepoppedout."Pityhismenweren'tastuteenoughtocheckthewatch.TheyknewwhatIdo
foraliving,too."

Hereyeswerefullofhorror.MicahhadgoneafterLopezalone.He'dbeencaptured.Ifithadn'tbeen
for that watch, he'd be dead. She stared at him as if she couldn't get enough of just looking at him.
What difference did it make if he'd had a full-blown affair with her mother? He could be out there
withLopez,inpieces...

Sheputherfaceinherhandstohidethetearsthatoverflowed.

He went to the bed and knelt beside her, pulling her wet face into his throat. He smoothed her hair
whilesheclungtohimandletthetearsfall.Ithadbeensuchatraumaticweekforher.Itseemedthat
herwholelifehadbeenuprootedandstranded.Micahcouldhavebeendead.Or,lastnight,shecould
havebeendead.Prideseemedsuchapettythingallofasudden.

"Youcouldhavedied,"shewhisperedbrokenly.

"Socouldyou."Hemoved,liftingherintohisarms.Hedroppedintoawidecushionedrattanchair
and held her close while the anguish of the night before lanced through her slender body like a
tangiblething.Sheclungtohim,shivering.

"IwishI'dknownwhatyouwereplanning,"shesaid."I'dhavestoppedyou,somehow!Evenifitwas
onlytosaveyousoyoucouldgotomy...mymother."

Hewrappedherupevencloserandlaidhischeekagainstherhairwithalongsigh."Youstilldon't
trustme,doyou,honey?"hemurmuredabsently."Isupposeitwasaskingtoomuch,consideringthe
wayI'vetreatedyouovertheyears."Hekissedherdarkhair."Yougobackhomeandsettleintoyour
oldroutine.Soonenough,thiswillallseemlikejustabaddream."

She rubbed her eyes with her fists, like a small child. Curled against him, she felt safe, cherished,
treasured.

Odd, to feel like that with a man who was a known playboy, a man who'd already told her that
freedomwaslikeareligiontohim.

"You'll be glad to have your house to yourself again," she said huskily. "I guess it really cramped
yourstylehavingmehere.WithLisse,Imean."

Hechuckled."Ilied."

"Wh...what?"

"IliedaboutLissebeingmylovernow.Whatwasbetweenuswasoveryearsago."Heshrugged."I
broughtheroverherewhenyouarrivedasabuffer."

Shesatup,staringathimlikeacuriouscat."Abuffer?"

He smiled lazily. His fingers brushed away the tears that were wetting her cheeks. "Bachelors are
terrifiedofvirgins,"hecommented.

"Youdon'tevenlikeme,"sheprotested.

Hisdarkeyessliddowntohermouth,andevenfarther,overherbreasts,downtoherlonglegs."You
have a heart like marshmallow," he said quietly. "You never avoid trouble or turn down people in
need.Youtakeinallsortsofstrays.Childrenloveyou."Hesmiled."Youscaredmetodeath."

"Pasttense?"sheaskedsoftly.

"I'mgettingusedtoyou."Hedidn'tsmile.Hisdarkeyesnarrowed."IthurtmethatLopezgottwomen
ontomypropertywhileIwaslyinginbedasleep.Youcouldhavebeenkidnappedorkilled,nothanks
tome."

"Youweretired,"shereplied."Youaren'tsuperhuman,Micah."

He drew in a slow breath and toyed with the arm-hole of her tank top. His fingers brushed against
soft,warmfleshandshehadtofightnottoleantowardthem."Ididn'tfeelcomfortablerestingwhile
wewereinsomuchdanger.Itallcaughtupwithmelastnight."

She was remembering something he'd said. "You were almost too tired to swim back from Lopez's
yacht, you said," she recalled slowly. She frowned. "But you'd just been asleep," she added. "How
couldyouhavebeentired?"

"Oh,that'snotaquestionyoushouldaskyet,"hesaidheavily."You'renotgoingtoliketheanswer."

"I'mnot?"

Hesearchedhereyesforalongmoment.Allatonce,hestoodup,takingherwithhim."You'dbetter
finishgettingyourstufftogether.I'llputyouonacommercialflighthome."

Shedidn'twanttogo,butshedidn'thaveanexcusetostay.Shelookedathimasifshewerelostand
alone,andhisfaceclenched.

"Don't do that," he said huskily. "The idea is to get you out of here as smoothly as possible. Don't
invitetrouble."

Shedidn'tunderstandthattautcommand.Butthen,shedidn'tunderstandhim,either.Shewasavoiding
theonequestionsheshouldbeasking.Shegaveinandaskedit."Whywasmymotherhere?"

"Herhusbandhascancer,"hesaidsimply."Shephonedhereandbeggedforhelp.Itseemstheearlis
pennilessandshedoesactuallyseemtolovehim.Iarrangedforhimtohaveanunorthodoxcourseof
treatment from a native doctor here. They both stayed with me until he got through it." He put his
handsinhisslackspockets.

"AsmuchasIhatetoadmitit,she'snotthewomanshewas,Callie,"headded."Andshedidoneother
thingthatIadmired.Shephonedyourfatherandtoldhimthetruthaboutyou."

Herheartskipped."Whatfather?Whattruth?"sheaskedhuskily.

"Yourfatherwasgoingtophoneyouandaskyoutomeethim.Didhe?"

Shemovedrestlesslybacktoherpacking."Hephonedandleftamessage.Ididn'thaveanythingtosay
tohim,soIdidn'tcallhimback."

"Heknowsthatyou'rehischild,"hetoldher."Yourmothersenthimyourbirthcertificate.That'swhy

he'stryingtocontactyou.Iimaginehewantstoapologize.Yourmotherdoes,too,toyouandDad,
butshetoldmeshewasn'tthatbrave."

Hereyesmethis,haunted."Iwentthroughhellbecauseofherandmyfather,"shesaidinatighttone.
"Youdon'tknow...youcan'timagine...whatitwaslike!"

"Yes,Ican,"hesaid,andhesoundedangry."He'sapparentlycountinghisregrets.Heneverremarried.
Hedoesn'thaveanychildren,exceptyou."

"Thenhestilldoesn'thaveachild,"shesaidthroughherteeth.

Hedidn'treplyforseverallongseconds."Icanunderstandwhyyoufeelthatway,abouthimandyour
mother.Idon'tblameyou.IjustthoughtI'dtellyouwhatIknow.It'suptoyou,whatyoudoordon't
doaboutit."

Shefoldedonelastshirtandputitintothecase."Thanksfortellingme."Sheglancedathim."Lisse
wantedtomaketrouble."

"Yes, she did, and she was entitled. She's right. I did use her, in a way. Your mother left me very
embittered about women," he confessed. "I loved my own mother, but I lost her when I was still in
grammarschool.Inlateryears,yourmotherwastheveryworstexampleofwhatawifeshouldbe.
Shemadeaverybadimpressiononme."

"Onme,too."Sheclosedthecaseandturnedbacktohim,hereyestryingtomemorizehisleanface.
"Iwishyou'dlikedme,whenIlivedinyourhouse,"shesaidabruptly."Itwouldhavemeantmorethan
youknow."

Hiseyesnarrowed."Icouldn'taffordtolikeyou,Callie,"hesaidquietly."EverytimeIlookedatyou,
Iburnedlikefireinside.Youwerejustateenager,avirgin.Icouldn'ttakeadvantageofyouthatway."

"Wecouldhavebeenfriends,"shepersisted.

Heshookhishead."Youknowwecouldn't.Youknowwhy."

Shegrimaced,avertingherface."It'salwayssexwithyou,isn'tit?"

"Notanymore."Hisvoicewasquiet,solemn."Thosedaysarepast.I'mlookingaheadnow.Ihavea
futuretobuild."

A bigger army of mercenaries, she decided, and more money. She smiled to herself. Once a
mercenary, always a mercenary. He'd be the last mercenary who would ever be able to give up the
lifestyle.

"I wish you well," she said. She picked up her case and looked around to make sure she hadn't left
anything.

"Thanksforsavingmylife.Twice,"sheaddedwithaforcedgrin.

“You'rewelcome."Hemovedforwardtotakethecasefromher.Hestudiedherfaceforalongtime
with narrowed eyes. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time. "It's amazing," he murmured
involuntarily,"thatittookmesolong."

"Whattookyousolong?"

"Never mind," he murmured, and he smiled. "You'll find out soon enough. Come on. I'll drive you
intoNassautotheairport."

"Bojocould..."

Heputhisfingersagainsthersoftmouth,andhedidn'tsmile."I'lldriveyou."

She swallowed. The tip of his finger was tracing her upper lip, and it was making her knees weak.
"Okay,"shesaid.

Hetookherhandandledherouttothecar.

ChapterTwelve

Twoweekslater,Calliewasbackatworkanditwasasifshe'dneverbeenkidnappedbyLopez'smen
or gone to Nassau with Micah. Despite the excitement and adventure, she hadn't told anyone except
Mr. Kemp the truth about what had happened. And she let him think that Lopez had died in a freak
accident,toprotectMicah.

Micahhadwalkedhertotheconcourseandkissedhergoodbyeinsuchastrange,breathlesslytender
way that it had kept her from sleeping much since she'd been back. The look in his eyes had been
fascinating,butshewasstilltryingtodecidewhatshe'dseenthere.He'dsaidhe'dseehersoon.She
hadnoideawhathemeant.Itwaslikeleavingpartofherselfbehindwhenshegotontheplane.She
cried all the way to Miami, where she got on a plane to San Antonio and then a charter flight to
Jacobsvillefromthere.

Micah's father was much better, and so glad to see her that he cried, too. She dismissed the nurse
who'dbeenstayingwithhimwithgratitudeandacheck,butthenurserefusedthecheck.She'dalready
beenpaidherfee,inadvance,shetoldamystifiedCallie.Sheleft,andCallieandJackSteelesettled
backintotheircomfortableroutine.

"IfeelbetterthanIhaveinyears,"JackSteeletoldherwithagrinatsupperoneevening."Itmakesme
proudthatmysonwantedtoprotectmeaswellasyou."

"Micahlovesyouterribly,"sheassuredhim."Hejusthasahardtimeshowingit,that'sall."

"Youreallythinkso?"

"Ido.I'msurehe'llcomeandseeyou,ifyou'lllethim."

Hegaveherapeculiarlookandpursedhislips."I'llletMicahcomehereifyou'lldosomethingfor
me."

"What?"

He leaned back in his chair, and his features reminded her of Micah in a stubborn mood. "If you'll
makepeacewithyourfather,"hesaid.

Sheletoutasurprisedgasp.

"Iknewyou'dtakeitlikethat,"hesaid."Buthe'sphonedhereeverysingledaysinceyouleft.Hetold
mesomecock-and-bullstoryaboutadrugdealernamedLopez.Hesaidhe'dheardfromafriendin
lawenforcementthatLopezhadkidnappedyouandtakenyoutoMexico.Ithoughthewasfullofbull
and I told him so. But he kept phoning. I guess it was a good excuse to mend fences. A man that
persistentshouldatleasthaveahearing."

Shegapedathim."You...didn'tbelievehim,aboutLopez?"

Hertonesurprisedhim."No,ofcoursenot."Herexpressionwasverydisturbing.Hescowled."Cal-
lie...itwasn'ttrue?YoureallydidgototakecareofthatauntMicahtoldmeabout?"

"Jack, I don't have a aunt," she said heavily. "Lopez did kidnap me. Micah came and got me out
himself.HewentrightintoLopez'shouseandrescuedme."

"Myson,stormingdrugdealers'lairs?"heexclaimed."Areyoukidding?"

"Oh, I didn't want you to have to find out like this," she groaned. "I should have bitten my tongue
through!"

Hewasshocked."Micahgotyouout,"herepeated.

Sheleanedacrossthetableandtookhisarthritichandsinhersandheldthemtight."There'snoeasy
way to say this, but you'll have to know. I'm not sure Micah wants you to know, but I don't have a
choiceanymore.Dad,Micahisaprofessionalmercenary,"shetoldhimevenly."Andhe'sverygood
at it. He rappelled from Lopez's roof right into a bedroom and rescued me from a man who was
goingtokillme.We'rebothfine.Hegotmeawayandoutofthecountry,andtookmehomewithhim
toNassau.HeluredLopezin,and...Lopez'sboatwasblownupinafreakaccident."

Jackletoutthebreathhe'dbeenholding."Thethingsyoulearnaboutpeopleyouthoughtyouknew.
Myownson,andhenevertoldme."

She grimaced. "I'm not sure he ever would. He's very brave, Jack. He isn't really money-hungry,
although it sounds as if he is. I'd never have survived without him. His men are just the same,
dedicatedprofessionalswhoreallycareaboutwhattheydo.They'renotagangofthugs."

Jack sat back in his chair again, scowling. "You know, it does make some sort of sense. He came
homebandaged,yourememberthattime?Andhesaidhe'dhadabadfall.ButIsawhimaccidentally
withoutthebandageanditlookedlikeabulletwoundtome."

"Itprobablywas,"shesaid."Hehasscarsonhisback,too."

Shefrowned,tryingtounderstandhowsheknewthat.She'dseenMicahwithhisshirtunbuttonedin
Nassau,butneverwithitoffcompletely.Howwouldsheknowhehadscarsdownhisback?

She put that thought out of her mind. "There's something else I found out," she added. "My mother
wastherelastyear,stayingwithhim."

Jack'sfacehardenedatonce.

"No,it'snotwhatyou'rethinking,"shesaidquickly."Thatwasmythought,too,butsheaskedMicah
forhelp.

She's married to a British earl who has cancer. There was a clinic near Micah and he let them stay
with him while the earl was treated. He's impoverished, and I suspect that Micah paid for the

treatments,too,althoughhedidn'tadmitit."Shesmiled."HesaysMotherisreallyinlovethistime.
Shewantedtomakepeacewithbothofusaswell,butshedidn'tthinkitwouldbepossible."

"Notforme,"Jacksaidquietly."Shecostmealot."

"Shecostmemore,"sheagreed."Butyoucan'thatepeopleforever.Itonlyhurtsyouintheend.You
havetoforgiveunlessyouwanttoliveintormentforever."

"Howdidyougetsowise,atyourage?"heasked,smilingashetriedtolightenthemood.

"Ihadalotofhardknocks.Ilearnedearlyhowterribleathinghatredis."Shetouchedhishandgently.
"Micah loves you so much. You can't imagine how it hurt him when we thought he'd betrayed you
withMother.He'sbeenbitter,too."

"Iwouldn'tlethimtalkaboutit,"hesaid."Ishouldhavelistened.He'sneverliedtome,exceptmaybe
by omission." He sighed with a wry smile. "I never would have guessed he'd have been in such a
profession."

She laughed. "Neither would I." She sighed. "He can't give it up, of course. He told me he had no
ambitionwhatsoevertosettledownandhaveafamily.Ineverreallysawhimasafamilyman."

Hestudiedhercuriously."Butyouwishhewas,"hesaidperceptibly.

Hergazefelltothetable."Ilovehim,"shesaidheavily."Ialwayshave.Buthe'sgotallthewomenin
hislifethatheneedsalready.Beautifulwomen.Oneofthemtookmeshoppingwhenwefirstgotto
Nassau."

"Youhavetieswithhimthatnootherwomanwilleverhave.Ifhedidn'tcareaboutyou,hecertainly
wouldn'thaveriskedhisownlifetorescueyou,"heremarked.

"Hediditforyou,becauseheknowsyouloveme,"shesaid."That'swhy."

Hepursedhislipsandhiseyesnarrowedashestudiedher."Thinkso?Iwonder."

Shegotup."I'llfixdinner.ThenIguessI'lltrytophonemyfather."

"Rememberwhatyousaid,aboutforgivingpeople,Callie,"heremindedher."Yourmothertoldhima
lotoflies.Hebelievedher,butmaybeitwaseasiertobelieveher,whenheknewshewastakingyou
away.Hewasgoingtoloseyouanyway."

"She didn't take me away," she said coldly. "He threw me out, and she put me in foster care
immediately."

Hegrimaced."Yes,Iknow.Yourfathertoldme.He'donlyjustfoundout."

"Foundout,how?"sheexclaimed.

"Apparentlyhehiredaprivatedetective,"hesaidgently."Hewasappalledathowyou'dbeentreated,
Callie.Heblameshimself."

Shemovedrestlessly,hereyesglancingathim."You'retheonlyfatherI'veeverknown."

Hegrinned."You'llalwayshaveme.Butgivethemanachance.He'snotasbadasyourememberhim
being."

Thesmilefaded."Maybe,likeyourmother,he'sfoundtimetofacehimselfandhismistakes."

Sheturnedaway."Okay.Iguessitwouldn'thurttotalktohim."

She phoned, but her father was out of the country. She left a message for him on his answering
machine,astumblingsortofgreetingandherphonenumber.Ifhehadn'tgivenuponher,hemight
tryagain.

Thenext week dragged.She missed Micah.She felt tired. Shewondered if allthe excitement of the
pastfewweekswasn'tcatchingupwithher.Shealsoseemedtohavestoppedhavingaperiod.She'd
always been regular and never skipped, and then she remembered that odd spotting in Nassau. She
grimaced.Itmustbesomesortoffemaleproblem.She'dhavetomakeanappointmenttoseeDr.Lou
Coltrain.

She made the appointment from work, just after she got back from lunch. When she hung up, her
boss, Blake Kemp, was speaking to someone in his office, the door just having opened so that he
couldshowhisclientout.

"...yes,hephonedmeacoupleofdaysago,"theclientwassaying."HeusedtohateJacobsville,which
makesitevenstranger.Wewereallshocked."

"Yes,"Kempreplied."Hehadawholeisland,didn'the?He'salreadysoldupthere,andhe'sgotbig
plansfortheColbertRanchproperty.Heownsseveralthoroughbreds,whichhe'shavingshippedhere
fromNewProvidence.

HeplanstohaveoneofthebestracingstablesinTexas,fromwhathesays."

"Hesayshe'sgivingupthebusinessaswellandcomingbackheretolive."

"That'sanotheroddthing,hementionedgoingbacktomedicalschoolandfinishinghisresidency,"
Kempchuckled.

"He'sgoodatwhatheusedtodo.He'spatchedmeupenoughovertheyears."Thetallmanwiththe
greeneyes,favoringaburnedforearmandhandglancedatCallieandnotedhershockedface."Yes,
Callie,I'mtalkingaboutyourstepbrother.Idon'tguessyouandJackSteeleknewathingaboutthis,
didyou?"

Sheshookherhead,toostunnedtospeak.

"That's like Micah." The client chuckled. "He always was secretive. Well, Callie, you look none the
worseforwearafteryourordeal."

Shefinallyrealizedwhotheclientwas.ThatwasCyParks!SheknewthatheandMicahwerefriends,
butuntilrecentlyshehadn'tknownthattheysharedthesameprofession.

"Micah'smovinghere?"sheaskedinvoluntarily.

"Heis,"Cytoldher."Butdon'ttellhimyouheardmesayso,"headdedwithatwinkleinhisgreen
eyes."Idon'tneedtoloseanymoreteeth."

"Surething,Mr.Parks,"shesaidwithasmile.

"Hecouldn'tstoptalkingabouthowbraveyouwere,youknow,"headdedunexpectedly."Hewasso
proudofyou."

Sheflushed."Heneversaidso."

"Hedoesn't,usually."Hesmiled."Yourfatherwillenjoyhavinghimhome,too."

She nodded. "He's proud of Micah. I had to tell him the truth. He'll be over the moon to think that
Micah'scominghome.He'smissedhim."

"Thatcutsbothways.I'mgladtoseehimmakinganattempttosettledown,"headdedwithachuckle.
"Icanrecommendithighly.Ineverexpectedsomuchhappinessinmyownlife.Lisa'spregnant,you
know,"headded.

"It'sgoingtobeaboy.We'rebothoverthemoon."

"Babiesarenice,"Calliesaidwistfully."ThanksfortellingmeaboutMicah,Mr.Parks."

"MakeitCy,"hetoldher."Iexpectwe'llbeseeingeachotheragain.Kemp,walkmeout,Iwanttoask
yousomething."

"Surething."

The men walked out onto the sidewalk and Callie stared at her computer screen with trembling
fingersonthekeyboard.Micahhadsoldhisisland.HewascomingtoliveinJacobsville.WasLisse
comingwithhim?Hadtheymadeupinspiteofwhathe'dsaidabouther?Washegoingtomarrythe
beautifulblondeandsetuphousekeepinghere?Ifhewas,shecouldn'tbeartostayinJacobsville!

Shefeltlikebawling.Heremotionshadbeenallovertheplacelately.Alongwiththesuddenboutsof
fatigueandanoddnauseaatnight,andamissingperiod,shewaslikelytocryatthedropofahat.She
remembered a girlfriend having all those same symptoms, but of course, the girlfriend had been
pregnant.Thatwasn'tpossibleinhercase.Aneroticdreamdidnotproduceconception,afterall.She
wasgoingtoseethedoctorthenextdayanyway.She'dknowwhatwaswrongthen,ifanythingwas.
Shehopeditwasnothingtooterrible.

Whenshegothomethatevening,thedoctor,theoffice,everythingwentrightoutofherhead.There
wasablackPorscheconvertiblesittinginthedriveway.Withherheartpoundinglikemad,shegotout
andrushedupthefrontstepsandintotheapartmenthouse.

Sheopenedherowndoor,whichwasunlocked,andtherewasMicah,sittingatthedining-roomtable
withJackSteelewhiletheysharedapotofcoffee.

"Micah!"sheexclaimed,everythingshefeltshowinghelplesslyonherface.

Hegottohisfeet,hisfacesomberandoddlywatchful."Hello,Callie,"hesaidquietly.

"Ithought...Imean,Ididn'tthink..."Theroomwasswirlingaroundher.Shefeltanoddnumbnessin
herfaceandeverythingwentwhite.

Micahrushedforwardandcaughtherupinhisarmsbeforeshehitthefloor.

"Herbedroom'sthroughthere,"Jacktoldhim."She'sbeenactingveryodd,lately.Tiredandgoesto
bedearly.

I'llmakeanotherpotofcoffee."

"Thanks,Dad."

Micahcarriedhertoherroomandlaidherdowngentlyonthewhitecoverletofherbed.Herfingers
werelikeice.Hebrushedbackherdisheveledhairandhisheartclenchedatjustthesightofher.He'd
missedheruntilitwasanguishnottohearhervoice,seeherface.

Shemoanedandhereyesopenedslowly,lookingupintohis.Shewasfaintlynauseousandherthroat
felttight.

"Ifeelawful,Micah,"shewhispered."ButI'msohappytoseeyou!"

"I'mhappytoseeyou,too,"hereplied,buthedidn'tlookit.Helookedworried.Hisbighandflattened
onherbelly,restingthereverygently.Heleanedcloseandhislipstouchedhereyelids,closingthem.
They moved down her face, over her cheeks, to her soft lips and he kissed her with breathless
tenderness. "Callie," he whispered, and his lips became hard and insistent, as if he couldn't help
himself.

Sheopenedhermouthtohimunconsciously,andherarmswentaroundhisneck,pullinghimdown.
She forgot about Lisse, about everything. She kissed him back hungrily. All the weeks apart might
neverhavebeen.Shelovedhimso!

After a long minute, he forced himself to lift his head. He drew in a long, hard breath. He looked
downwherehishandwasrestingonherbelly.Itwasn'tswollenyet,buthewascertain,somehow,that
shewascarryinghischild.

"Why...areyoudoingthat?"sheasked,watchinghishandsmoothoverherstomach.

"I don't know how to tell you," he replied gently. "Callie...do you remember the night Lopez's men
triedtokidnapyouagain?DoyourememberthatIgaveyouasedative?"

"Yes,"shesaid,smilingnervously.

"Andyouhadan...eroticdream,"hecontinued.

"Yes."Sheshiftedonthecover."I'drathernottalkaboutit."

"Butwehaveto.Callie,I..."

"How about some coffee?" Jack Steele asked, poking his head through the doorway. "I just made a
freshpot."

"I'dlikesome,"Calliesaidwithaforcedsmile."I'dlikesomethingtoeat,too.I'msoempty!"

"That'swhatyouthink,"Micahsaidunderhisbreath.Hestareddownatherwithtwinklingeyesanda
smileunlikeanysmileshe'deverseenonhislipsbefore.

"Youlookverystrange,"shecommented.

Heshrugged."Don'tIalways?"

Shelaughedgently."CyParkswasinMr.Kemp'sofficetoday,"shesaidashehelpedhertoherfeet.
"He said you were moving here...oops! I promised not to say anything, too. Please don't get mad at
him,Micah."

"It'snobigsecret,"hesaidgently."Insmalltowns,everybodyknowswhat'sgoingon.It'sallright."

"Youreallyarecomingbackhere?"

Her wide eyes and fascinated expression made him tingle all over. "I am. I'm going to breed
thoroughbreds. It's something I've always had an interest in. I might finish my residency as well.
Jacobsvillecanalwaysuseanotherdoctor."

"Iguessso.IhavetogoseeDr.LouColtraintomorrow.IthinkImayhaveafemaleproblem,"she
saidabsentlyastheystartedoutofthebedroom.

"Tomorrow?"

"Afterlunch,"shesaid."Don'ttellDad,"shesaid,holdinghimbackbythesleevebeforetheyleftthe
room. "I don't want him to worry. It probably scared him when I fainted. It scared me, too," she
confessed.

Hetouchedherhairgently.Hewantedtotellher,buthedidn'tknowhow.HeneededtotalktoLou
Coltrainfirst.Thishadtobedoneverycarefully,sothatCalliedidn'tfeelhewasbeingforcedintoa

decisionhedidn'twanttomake.

Shesearchedhiseyes."Youlooksotired,Micah,"shesaidsoftly.

"Idon'tsleepwellsinceyoulefttheisland,"hereplied."I'veworriedaboutyou."

"I'm doing okay," she said at once, wanting to reassure him. "I don't even have nightmares." She
lookeddownatherhandonhissleeve."Micah,isLisse...Imean,willshecome,too?"

"Lisseishistory.Itoldyouthatwhenyouleft.Imeantit."

"She'ssobeautiful,"shesaidhuskily.

Hefrowned,tippingherfaceuptohiswithahandunderherchin."You'rebeautifulyourself.Didn't
youknow?"

heaskedtenderly."Youhavethisbig,openheartthatalwaysthinksofotherpeoplefirst.

You have a generosity of spirit that makes me feel selfish by comparison. You glow, Callie." He
smiledsoftly.

"That'srealbeauty,thekindyoudon'tbuyinthecosmeticsectionofthedepartmentstore.Lissecan't
holdacandletoyou."Thesmilefaded."Nowomanonearthcould,rightnow.You'repuremagicto
me,Callie.You'rethewholeworld."

That sounded serious. She just stared at him, transfixed, while she tried to decipher what he was
saying.

"Coffee?"JackSteelerepeated,alittlemoreloudly.

Theybothjumpedwhentheysawhimthere.Thentheylaughedandmovedoutofthebedroom.Jack
pouredcoffeeintomugsandMicahcarriedCalliehers.

"Feelingbetter?"Jackasked.

"Oh, yes," she said, the excitement she was feeling so plain on her face that Micah grinned. "Much
better!"

MicahstayednearCalliefortherestoftheevening,untilhehadtogo.She'dfixedthemamealand
hadbarelybeenabletoeatabiteofit.Shehadlittleappetite,butmostlyshewastooexcited.Micah
was watching her as if everything she did fascinated him. All her dreams of love seemed to be
comingtrue.Shecouldn'tbelievethewayhewaslookingather.Itmadehertingle.

Shewalkedoutwithhimafterhe'dsaidhisgood-nightstohisfather."Youcouldstay,"shesaid.

"Ican'tsleeponthatdinkylittlesofa,andDad'sinatwinbed.Sounlessyou'reofferingtoshareyour
nicebigdoublebed...?"heteasedastheypausedbythedriver'ssideofhiscar.

Sheflushed."Stopthat."

Hetouchedhercheekwithhisfingertips."There'ssomethingIwantedtoaskyou.Ican'tseemtofind
awaytodoit."

"What?Youcanaskmeanything,"shesaidsoftly.

Hebentandbrushedhismouthoverhers."Notyet.Comehereandkissme."

"Wehaveneighbors..."sheprotestedweakly.

Buthe'dalreadyliftedherclearofthegroundandhewaskissingherasiftherewasnotomorrow.
Sheheldonandkissedhimbackwithallhermight.Twoyoungboysonskateboardswentwhizzing
bywithlong,insinuatingwolfwhistles.

Micahliftedhisheadandgavethemahardglare."Everyone'sacritic,"hemurmured.

"I'mnotcomplaining,"shewhispered."Comebackhere..."

Hekissedheragainandthen,reluctantly,putherbackonherfeet."Unlessyouwanttomakeloveon
the hood of the car, we'd better put on the brakes." He looked around. More people had appeared.
IncrediblethattherewouldbehordesofpassersbyatthishourinasmallTexastown.Heglaredattwo
couplessaunteringby.Theygrinned.

"That'sMr.andMrs.Harris,andbehindthemisMr.Harris'ssonandJillWilliams'sdaughter.They're
goingsteady,"sheexplained."Theyknowme,butI'mnotinthehabitofbeingkissedbyhandsome
meninPorsches.

They'recurious."

Henoddedoverhershoulder."Andher?"

Shefollowedwherehewaslooking."That'soldMrs.Smith.Shegrowsroses."

"Yes.Sheseemstobepruningthem."Hecheckedhiswatch."Teno'clockatnightisanoddhourtodothat,
isn'tit?"

"Oh,shejustdoesn'twanttolookasifshe'sstaring,"sheexplained."Shethinksitwouldembarrass
us."Sheaddedinawhisper,"Iexpectshethinkswe'recourting."

Hetwirledastrandofdarkhairaroundhisfingers."Aren'twe?"heaskedwithagentlesmile.

"Courting?"Shesoundedbreathless.Shecouldn'thelpit.

Henodded."You'reveryold-fashioned,Callie.Insomeways,soamI.Butyou'dbetterknowup-front
thatI'mnotplaying."

"Youalreadysaidyoudidn'twanttosettledown,"shesaid,noddingagreement.

"Thatisn'twhatImean."

"Thenwhatdoyoumean?"

"Hello,Callie!"cameanexuberantcallfromthewindowupstairs.ItwasMariaRuiz,whowasvisiting
herauntwholivedupstairs.Shewassixteenandvivacious."Isn'titalovelynight?"

"Lovely."

"Who's the dish?" the younger woman asked with an outrageous grin. "He's a real hunk. Does he
belongtoyou,orisheupforgrabs?"

"Sorry,I'mtaken,"Micahtoldher.

"Justmyluck,"shesighed."Well,goodnight!"

Sheclosedthewindowandthecurtainandwentbackinside.

Callie laughed softly. "She's such a doll. She looks in on Dad when her aunt's working. I told you
aboutheraunt,shedoesn'tspeakanyEnglish."

He bent again and kissed her lazily. "You taste like roses," he whispered against her mouth. He
enfoldedheragainsthim,shiveringalittleashisbodyrespondedinstantlytothefeelofhersagainst
itandbegantoswell.Hegroanedsoftlyashekissedheragain.

"Micah,you're..."Shefeltthehardcrushofhismouthandshemoaned,too.Itwasasifshe'dfelthim
like this before, but in much greater intimacy. It was as if they'd been lovers. She held on tight and
kissedhimuntilshewasshivering,too.

Hismouthslidacrosshercheektoherear,andhewasbreathingasroughlyasshewas."Iwantyou,"
hebitoff,holdingherbruisinglyclose."Iwantyousomuch,Callie!"

"I'msorry,"shechoked."Ican't...!"

Hetookdeepbreaths,tryingtokeephimselfincheck.Hehadtostopthis.Itwastoosoon.Itwasmuch
toosoon.

"Itmaynotseemlikeit,butI'mnotaskingyouto,"hesaid."It'sjustthattherearethingsyoudon't
know,Callie,andIdon'tknowhowtotellthemtoyou."

"Badthings?"

Heletoutaslowbreath."Magicalthings,"hewhispered,cradlingherinhisarmsashethoughtabout
thebabyhewascertainshewascarrying.Hiseyesclosedasheheldher."Themostmagicalsortof
things.I'veneverfeltlikethisinmylife."

Shewanted,somuch,toaskhimwhathewasfeeling.Butshewastooshy.Perhapsifshedidn'tpush
him,hemightlikeher.Hesoundedasifhedid.Shesmiled,snugglingclosetohim,completelyun-
intimidatedwiththeharddesireofhisbody.Shelovedmakinghimfeelthisway.

He smoothed over her hair with a hand that wasn't quite steady. His body ached, and even that was
sweet.Theweekswithoutherhadbeenpurehell.

"Soon,"hesaidenigmatically."Verysoon."

"What?"

He kissed her hair. "Nothing. I'd better go. Mrs. Smith is cutting the tops off the roses. Any minute
now,therewon'tevenbeabudleft."

Sheglancedpasthisshoulder.Shegiggledhelplessly.Theromanticoldwomanwassobusywatching
themthatshewasmassacringherprizeroses!

"Shewinsribbonsforthem,youknow,"shemurmured.

"Shewon'thaveanyleft."

"She's having the time of her life," she whispered. "Her boyfriend married her sister. They haven't
spoken in thirty years and she's never even looked at another man. She reads romance novels and
watchesmoviesanddreams.Thisisascloseasshe'slikelytogettoahotromance.Evenifitisn't."

"Itcertainlyis,"hewhisperedwickedly."AndifIdon'tgetoutofhereverysoon,she'sgoingtosee
morethanshebargainedfor.Andsoareyou."

"Really?"sheteased.

His hand slid to the base of her spine and pushed her close to him. His eyes held a very worldly
amusementathergasp."Really,"hewhispered.Hebentandkissedheronelasttime."Goinside."

She forced herself to step back from him. "What about Bojo and Peter and Rodrigo and Pogo and
Maddie?"sheaskedsuddenly.

"Bojowasbeinggroomedtotakeoverthegroup.He'sgoodatgivingorders,andheknowshowwe
operate.I'llbeaconsultant."

"Butwhy?"sheasked,entranced."AndwhycomebacktoJacobsvilletoraisehorses?"

"When you're ready for those answers I'll give them to you," he said with a gentle smile. "But not
tonight.I'llbeintouch.Goodnight."

Hewasinthecarandgonebeforeshecouldgetanotherwordout.Severaldoorsdown,Mrs.Smith
was muttering as she looked at the rosebuds lying heaped around her feet. The skateboarders went
past again with another round of wolf whistles. The couples walking gave her long, wicked grins.

Calliewentbackinside,wonderingifsheshouldgivethemallabowbeforeshewentinside.

ChapterThirteen

Micah was ushered back into Dr. Lou Coltrain's office through the back door, before she started
seeing her patients. He shook hands with her and took the seat she indicated in her office. She sat
downbehindherdesk,blondandattractiveandamused.

"Thanksfortakingtimetoseemethismorning,"hesaid.Henotedherwrylookandchuckled."Ismy
headonbackward?"heasked.

"Youmaywishitwas,"sherepliedwithtwinklingdarkeyes."IthinkIknowwhyyou'rehere.Atleast
twopeoplehavehintedtomethatCallieKirby'shavingwhatsoundslikemorningsickness."

Hesighedandsmiled."Yes."

"And you're the culprit, unless I miss my guess. Are you here to discuss alternatives?" she asked,
suddenlyserious.

"Iamnot!"hesaidatonce."IwantababyasmuchasCalliewill,whensheknowsaboutit."

"Whensheknows?Shedoesn'tsuspect?"sheasked,wide-eyed.

Hegrimaced."Well,it'slikethis.Lopezandhisthugs-youknowaboutthem?"Whenshenodded,he
sighed."IwascarelessandtheyalmostgotherasecondtimeinNassau.Sheknockedherassailantout
with a shovel, but she was really shaken up afterward. I gave her a sedative." His high cheekbones
coloredandheavertedhiseyes.

"She got amorous and I was already upset and on the edge, and I'd abstained for so damned long.
And...well..."

"Thenwhat?"sheasked,readingbetweenthelineswithavidcuriosity.

Heshiftedinthechair,stillavoidingeyecontact."Shedoesn'trememberanything.Shethinksitwas
aneroticdream."

Herintakeofbreathwasaudible."Inallmyyearsofmedicine..."shebegan.

"Ihaven'thadthatmany,butit'snewstome,too.Thethingis,I'msureshe'spregnant,butshe'llhavea
heartattackifyoutellhersheis.Ihavetobreakittoher.ButfirstIhavetofindawaytoconvinceher
tomarryme,"

headded."Sothatshewon'tspendtherestofourlivestogetherbelievingthatthebabyforcedmeinto
marriage.

It's not like that," he said. He rubbed at a spot on his slacks so that he wouldn't have to meet Lou's
intentstare.

"She'severything.Everythingintheworld."

Lousmiled.Hewasn'tsayingthewords,butshewashearingthem.HelovedCallie.Soitwaslikethat.
Themercenarywascaughtinhisowntrap.And,amazingly,hedidn'twanttogetoutofit.Hewanted
thebaby!

"Whatdoyouwantmetodo?"sheasked.

"Iwantyoutodoabloodtestandseeifshereallyispregnant.Butifsheis,Iwantyoutomakesome
excuse about the results being inconclusive, and you can give her a prescription for some vitamins
andaskhertocomebackintwoweeks."

"She'llworrythatit'ssomethingfatal,"Louadvised."Peopledo."

"Tell her you think it's stress, from her recent ordeal," he persisted. "Please," he added, finding the
wordhardtosayevennow."Ijustneedalittletime."

"JustcallmeDr.CupidColtrain,"shemurmured."IguessI'llgetdrummedoutoftheAMA,buthow
canIsayno?"

"You'reinthebusinessofsavinglives,"heremindedher."Thiswillsavethreeofthem."

"Ihearyou'removingbackhere,"shesaid.

"I am. I'm going to raise thoroughbreds," he added, smiling. "And act as a consultant for Eb Scott
whenheneedssomeexpertise.Thatway,I'llnotonlysettledown,I'llhaveenoughofatasteoftheold
lifetosatisfymeifthingsgetdull.ImightevenfinishmyresidencyandhityouandColtrainupfora
job."

"Anytime,"shesaid,grinning."Ihaven'thadadayoffintwoyears.I'dliketotakemysontothezoo
andnothavetoleaveinthemiddleofthelionsonanemergencycall."

Hechuckled."Okay.That'sadare."

Shestoodupwhenhedidandshookhandsagain."You'renotwhatIexpected,Mr.Steele,"shesaid
afteraminute."Ihadsomehalf-bakedideathatyou'dnevergiveupyourlineofwork,thatyou'dwant
Callietodosomethingaboutthebaby."

"Ido.Iwanthertohaveit,"hesaidwithasmile."Andafewmorebesides,ifwe'relucky.CallieandI
wereonlychildren.I'dlikeseveral,assorted."

"Sowouldwe,butone'sallwecanhandleatthemoment.Ofcourse,ifyoufinishyourresidencyand
standforyourmedicallicense,thatcouldchange,"sheadded,tongue-in-cheek.

Hegrinned."Iguessit'scontagious."

Shenodded."Very.Nowgetoutofhere.Iwon'ttellCallieI'veeverseenyouinmylife."

"Thanks.Ireallymeanit."

"Anythingforafuturecolleague,"shereturnedwithagrinofherown.

Callie worried all morning about the doctor's appointment, but she relaxed when she was in Lou's
officeandthey'ddrawnbloodandLouhadcheckedherover.

"It sounds to me like the aftereffects of a very traumatic experience," Lou said with a straight face.
"I'mprescribingamultiplevitaminandIwantyoutocomebackandseemeintwoweeks."

"Willtheteststakethatlong?"Callieasked.

"They might." Lou sighed. "You're mostly tired, Callie. You should go to bed early and eat healthy.
Getsomesun,too.Andtrynottoworry.It'snothingserious,I'mpositiveofthat."

Calliesmiledherrelief."Thanks,Dr.Coltrain!"shesaid."Thanks,somuch!"

"I hear your stepbrother's moving back to town," Lou said as she walked Callie to the door of the
cubicle."Iguessyou'llbeseeingalotofhimnow."

Callie flushed. "It looks that way." Her eyes lit up. "He's so different. I never could have imagined
Micahsettlingforsmall-townlife."

"Menaresurprisingpeople,"Lousaid."Youneverknowwhatthey'recapableof."

"Isupposeso.Well,I'llseeyouintwoweeks."

"Countonit,"Lousaid,pattingherontheshoulder."Lotsofrest.Andtakethosevitamins,"sheadded,
handingovertheprescription.

Calliefeltasifshewerewalkingonair.Nohealthproblems,justtheaftereffectsofthekidnapping.
Thatwasgoodnewsindeed.AndwhenMicahphonedandaskedhertocomeouttotheranchwithhim
andseethehouse,shewasoverthemoon.

Hepickedherupafterworkatherapartmenthouse."ItookDadouttherethismorning,"hetoldher
withagrin.

"He'sgoingtomoveinwithmeattheweekend."

Callie'sheartjumped."Thisweekend?"

Henodded,glancingather."Youcouldmovein,too."

Herheartjumped,butsheknewhedidn'tmeanthatthewayitsounded."Ilikelivingintown,"shelied.

He smiled to himself. He knew what she was refusing. She wasn't about to live in sin with him in

Jacobsville,Texas.

Hereachedforherhandandlinkedherfingerswithhis."Didyougoseethedoctor?"

"Yes.Shesaiditwasstress.Iguessitcouldbe.Atleast,it'snothingextreme."

"ThankGod,"hesaid.

"Yes."

He turned down onto a long winding graveled road. Minutes later, they pulled up in front of a big
whiteVictorianhousewithaturretroomandanewtinroof."It'sreallyold-fashionedandsomeofthe
furniturewillhavetobereplaced,"hesaid,helpingheroutofthecar."Butit'sgotpotential.There'sa
nicerosegardenthatonlyneedsalittlework,andagreatplaceouttothesideforaplayground.You
know,aswingsetandallthoseniceplastictoyskidslovesomuch."

Shestaredathim."Youhavekids?"sheaskedwithanimpishsmile.

"Well,not yet," heagreed. "But they'redefinitely in the picture.Don't you likekids?" he asked with
apparentcarelessness.

"Ilovethem,"shesaid,watchinghimwarily."Ididn'tthinkyoudid."

He smiled. "I'll love my own, Callie," he said, his fingers contracting in hers. "Just as you'll love
them."

"I'llloveyourkids?"sheblurtedout.

Hecouldn'tquitemeethereyes.Hestareddowntowardthebigbarnafewhundredyardsbehindthe
house and he linked his fingers tighter with hers. "Have you ever thought," he said huskily, "about
makingababywithme?"

Herheartwentrightupintoherthroat.Sheflushedscarlet.Butitwasn'tembarrassment.Itwaspure,
wild,joy.

Helookeddownatherthen.Everythingshethought,felt,waslaidoutthereforhimtosee.Hecaught
his breath at the depth of those emotions she didn't know he could see. It was more than he'd ever
daredhopefor.

"Iwantababy,Callie,"hewhisperedhuskily.Heframedherredfaceinhishandsandbenttokissher
eyelidsclosed.Hisfingerswereunsteadyasheheldherwherehewantedher,whilehismouthpressed
tender, breathless little kisses all over her soft skin. "I want one so much. You'd make...the most
wonderfullittlemother,"hebitoff,chokedwithemotion."Icouldgetupwithyouinthenight,when
the baby cried, and take turns walking the floor. We could join the PTA later. We could make
memoriesthatwouldlastusforever,Callie-youandmeandalittleboyoralittlegirl."

She slid her arms tight under his and around him and held on for dear life, shaking with delighted
surprise. He wasn't joking. He really meant it. Her eyes closed. She felt tears pouring down her
cheeks.

Hefeltthemagainsthisthinsilkshirtandhesmiledashereachedinhispocketforahandkerchief.He
drewherawayfromhimanddabbedatthetears,bendingtokissawaythetraces."Wecanbuildabig
playgroundhere,"

he continued, as if he hadn't said anything earthshaking. "Both of us were only kids. I think two or
threewouldbenice.AndDadwouldlovebeingagrandfather.Hecanstaywithusandthekidswill
makehimyoungagain."

"I'dlovethat.Ineverdreamedyou'dwanttohaveafamilyorsettledown.Yousaid..."

Hekissedthewordsbackagainstherlips."Freedomisonlyaword,"hetoldhersolemnly."Itstopped
meaninganythingtomewhenIknewthatLopezhadyou."Thememoryofthathorrorwassuddenly
onhisface,undisguised."Icouldn'trestuntilIknewwhereyouwere.Iplannedanassaultinadaythat
shouldhavetakenaweekofpreparation.AndthenIwentinafteryoumyself,becauseIcouldn'ttrust
anyonetodoitbutme."Hishandsclenchedonhershoulders."WhenIsawyoulikethat,sawwhatthat
animalhaddonetoyou..."Hestoppedandswallowedhard."MyGod,ifhe'dkilledyou,I'dhavecut
him to pieces! And then," he whispered, folding her close, shivering with the depth of his feelings,
"I'd have picked you up in my arms and I'd have jumped off the balcony into the rocks with you.
Because I wouldn't want to live in a world...that didn't hold us both. I couldn't live without you. Not
anymore."

Therewasafaintmistinhisblackeyes.Shecouldbarelyseeitforthemistinherown.Shechoked
onasobasshelookedupathim."Iloveyou,"shewhisperedbrokenly."You'remywholelife.Inever
daredtohopethatyoumightcareforme,too!"

Hefoldedheragainsthimandheldherclose,rockingher,hischeekonherdarkhairashecounted
hisblessings.

Theyoverwhelmedhim.Shelovedhim.Hiseyesclosed.Itseemedthatlovecouldforgiveanything,
even his years of unkindness. "I wish I could take back every single hurtful thing I've ever done or
saidtoyou."

She smiled tearfully against his broad chest. "It's all right, Micah. Honest it is. Do you really want
babies?"sheaskeddreamily,barelyawareofanythinghe'dsaid.

"Morethananythingintheworld!"

"Iwon'tsleepwithyouunlessyoumarryme,"shesaidfirmly.

Hechuckled."I'llmarryyouassoonaswecangetalicense.But,"headdedonalongsigh,drawing
back,"I'mafraidit'stoolateforthesleepingtogetherpart."

Herthineyebrowsarchedup."What?"

He traced around her soft lips. "Callie, that erotic dream you had..." He actually flushed. "Well, it
wasn'tadream,"headdedwithasheepishgrin.

Hereyeswidenedendlessly.Allthoseexplicitthingshe'ddoneandsaid,thatshe'ddoneandsaid,that
hadseemedlikesomethingoutofafantasy.Thefatigue,thespotting,thelackofaperiod,the...

"OhmyGod,I'mpregnant!"sheexclaimedinahigh-pitchedtone.

"OhmyGod,yes,youare,youincrediblewoman!"hesaidwithbreathlessdelight."I'msorry,butI
went to Lou Coltrain behind your back and begged her not to tell you until we came to an
understanding.Iwasscaredtodeaththatyou'dbeofflikeashotifyouknewittoosoon."Heshook
his head at her surprise. "I've never wanted anything as much as I want this child-except you," he
addedhuskily."Ican'tmakeitwithoutyou,Callie.Idon'twanttotry."Heglancedaroundthematthe
houseandthestable."Thisiswherewestart.Youandme,anewbusiness,anewlife-inmoreways
thanone,"headdedwithatenderhandonhersoftabdomen."IknowI'msomethingofarisk.ButI'd
neverhavemadetheoffertocomehereunlessI'dbeensure,verysure,thatIcouldmakeitwork.I
want you more than I want the adventure and the freedom. I love you with all my heart. Is that
enough?"

Shesmiledwithherheartinhereyes."It'senough,"shesaidhuskily.

Heseemedtorelaxthen,asifhe'dbeenholdinghisbreaththewholewhile.Hiseyesclosedandhe
shivered.

"ThankGod,"hesaidreverently.

"Youdidn'tthinkIwasgoingtosayno?"sheasked,shocked."GoodLord,thesexiestmanintown
offersmeaweddingringandyouthinkI'mgoingtosayno?"

Hepursedhislips."Sexy,huh?"

"Youseducedme,"shepointedout."Onlyaverysexymancouldhavemanagedthat."Shefrowned.
"Ofcourse,youdiddrugmefirst,"sheaddedgleefully.

"Youwerehysterical,"hebegan.

"Iwasinlove,"shecountered,smiling."AndIwasn'tallthatsedated."Sheblushed."ButIdidthinkit
wasadream.Yousee,I'dhadsortofthesamedreamsinceIwas...well,sinceIwasaboutsixteen."

Hislipspartedonashockedbreath."Thatlong?"

Shenodded."Icouldn'tevengetinterestedinanybodyelse.Butyoudidn'twantme..."

"I did want you," he countered. "That's why I was horrible to you. But never again," he promised
huskily.

"Neveragain.I'mgoingtoworkveryhardatbeingagoodhusbandandfather.Youwon'tregretit,
Callie.Iswearyouwon't."

"Iknowthat.Youwon'tregretit,either,"shepromised.Sheplacedherhandoverhisbigone,thatstill
lay gently against her stomach. "And I never guessed," she whispered, smiling secretly. Her eyes
brimmedoverwithexcitement."I'msohappy,"shetoldhimbrokenly."Andsoscared.Babiesdon't
comewithinstructionmanuals."

"WehaveLouColtrain,who'smuchbetterthananinstructionmanual,"hepointedoutwithagrin.

"AndspeakingofLou,didyougetthosevitaminssheprescribed?"

"Well,notyet,"shebegan.

"They'reprenatalvitamins,"headded,chuckling."You'regoingtobeamazedathowgoodyoufeel.
Nottomentionhowluckyyouare,"headdedblithely,"tohaveahusbandwhoknowsexactlywhatto
expect all through your pregnancy." He kissed her softly. "After the baby comes, I might finish my
residencyandgointopracticewiththeColtrains,"headded.

That meant real commitment, she realized. He was giving up every vestige of the old life for her.
Well,almost.

Sheknewhe'dkeephishandinwithEbScott'soperation.ButthelastofJacobsville'smercenarieswas
readytoleavethepastbehindandstartagain.

Somanybeautifulmemoriesareabouttobecreatedhere,shethoughtasshelookedaroundherfrom
the shelter of Micah's hard arms. She pressed close with a sigh. "After the pain, the pleasure," she
whispered.

"Whatwasthat?"

"Nothing.JustsomethingIheardwhenIwasyounger."Shedidn'taddthatitwassomethingherfather
hadsaid.

Thatwastheonebridgeshehadn'tyetcrossed.Itwouldhavetobefaced.But,shethought,clingingto
Micahinthewarmthofthesun,notrightnow...

Micahdroveherbythepharmacyonthewaybacktoherapartment.HestoodwithherwhileNancy,
the dark-haired, dark-eyed pharmacist filled the prescription, trying not to grin too widely at the
picturetheymadetogether.

"Isupposeyouknowwhatthesearefor?"NancyaskedCallie.

CalliesmiledandlookedupatMicah,whosmiledbackwiththesametenderness."Oh,yes,"shesaid
softly.

Hepulledhercloseforaninstant,beforeheofferedhiscreditcardtopayforthem."We'regetting

married Sunday at the Methodist church," Micah told her and the others at the counter. "You're all
invited...2:00p.m.

sharp."

Nancy'seyestwinkled."We,uh,heardthatfromtheministeralready,"shesaid,clearingherthroatas
Calliegapedather.

Micah chuckled at Callie's expression. "You live in a small town, and you didn't think everybody
wouldknowalready?"

"Butyouhadn'ttoldmeyet!"sheaccused.

Heshrugged."Itdidn'tseemtoosmarttoannouncethatI'darrangedaweddingthatyouhadn'teven
agreedtoyet."

"Andtheysaywomenkeepsecrets!"shesaidonaroughbreath.

"Not half as good as men do, sweetheart," Micah told her gently. He glanced around at a sudden
commotion behind them. The two remaining bachelor Hart brothers, Rey and Leo, were almost
tramplingpeopleintheirrushtogettotheprescriptioncounter.

"Havetohavethisassoonaspossible,sorry!"Reyexclaimed,pressingaprescriptionintoNancy's
handswithwhatlookedlikedesperation.

"It'sanemergency!"Leoseconded.

Nancy's eyes widened. She looked at the brothers with astonishment. "An emergency? This is a
prescriptionforanti-inflammatories..."

"Forourcook,"Leosaid."Herhandshurt,shesaid.Shecan'tmakebiscuits.Werushedherrightover
to Lou Coltrain and she said it was arthritis." He grimaced. "Pleaaase hurry? We didn't get any
breakfastatall!"

Callie had her hand over her mouth trying not to have hysterics. Micah just looked puzzled.
Apparentlyhedidn'tknowaboutthefamousbiscuitmania.

Leosoundedasifhewasstarving.Amazing,abig,tallmanwithaframelikethatattemptingtolook
emaciated.

Reywastallandthin,andhedidlookasifheneededafeeding.Therehadbeensometalkaboutanew
womanoutattheranchrecentlywhowasrathermysterious.Butiftheyhadacookwitharthritis,she
surelywasn'tayoungcook.

Nancywenttofilltheprescriptions.

"Sorry,"ReymutteredasheglancedbehindhimandLeoatthepeoplethey'drushedpasttogettheir

prescriptionfilled.Hetriedtosmile.Hewasn'treallygoodatit.Heclearedhisthroatselfconsciously.

"Chocolates,"heremindedLeo.

"Rightoverthere,"Leoagreedsomberly."We'dbettergettwoboxes.Andsomeofthatcreamstuff
forarthritis,andthere'ssomesortofjointformula..."

"And the We're Sorry card," Rey added, mumbling something about shortsightedness and loose
tonguesastheystompedoffdowntheaislewithtwopairsofspursjinglingmusicallyfromtheheels
oftheirboots.

NancyhandedMicahthecreditcardreceipt,whichhesignedandgaveCallieapertgrinasshewent
backtowork.

Callie followed Micah out the door, letting loose a barrage of laughter when they reached the
Porsche. By the time they got to her apartment, he was laughing, too, at the town's most notorious
biscuiteaters.

Jack Steele was overjoyed at the news they had for him. For the next week he perked up as never
before, taking a new interest in life and looking forward to having a daughter-in-law and a
grandchild. The news that he was going to live with them disturbed him, he thought they needed
privacy, but they insisted. He gave in. There was no mistaking their genuine love for him, or their
delightinhiscompany.Hefeltliketherichestmanonearth.

Callie,meanwhile,hadanunexpectedphonecallfromherfather,whowasbackintownandanxious
toseeher.

ShemethiminBarbara'scafeonherlunchhourfromthelawoffice,curiousandnervousafterso
manyyearsawayfromhim.

Her father had black hair with silver at his temples and dark blue eyes. He was somber, quiet,
unassumingandguiltwaswrittenalloverhim.

Afterthey'dbothorderedsaladsanddrinks,herfathergaveheralong,hesitantscrutiny.

"Youlooksomuchlikemymother,"hesaidunexpectedly."Shehadthesameshapedeyesyoudo,and
thesamecolor."

Callielookeddownathersalad."DoI?"

Helaiddownhisforkandleanedforwardonhiselbows."I'vebeenanidiot.HowdoIapologizefor
yearsofneglect,forlettingyoubeputthroughhellinfosterhomes?"heaskedquietly."WhenIknew
whathadhappenedtoyou,Iwastooashamedeventophone.Yourmotherhadonlyjusttoldmethe
truthandaftertheprivatedetectiveIhiredgavemethefileonyou,Icouldn'ttakeit.IwenttoEurope
andstayedforamonth.Idon'tevenrememberwhatIdidthere."HegrimacedatCallie'sexpression.
"I'msoashamed.Evenifyouhadn'tbeenmybiologicalchild,you'dlivedinmyhouse,I'dlovedyou,

protected you." He lowered his shamed eyes to his plate. "Pride. It was nothing but pride. I couldn't
bearthinkingthatyouwereanotherman'schild.Youpaidformycruelty,allthoseyears."Hedrewin
alongbreathandlookedupathersadly."You'remydaughter.ButIdon'tdeserveyou."Hemadean
awkwardmotion."Soifyoudon'twanttohaveanythingtodowithme,that'sallright.I'llunderstand.
I'vebeenadeadbustasafather."

Shecouldseethetormentinhiseyes.Hermotherhaddonesomethingunspeakablycrueltobothof
them with her lies. The bond they'd formed had been broken, tragically. She remembered the
lonelinessofherchildhood,themiseryofbelongingnowhere.ButnowshehadMicahandachildon
the way, and Jack Steele as well. She'd landed on her feet, grown strong, learned to cope with life.
She'devenfoughtoffdrugdealingthugs,allbyherself,thatnightinNassauwhenherchildhadbeen
conceived. She felt so mature now, so capable. She smiled slowly. She'd lectured Micah about
forgiveness.Herewasherbestchancetoprovethatshebelievedherownwords.

"You're going to be a grandfather," she said simply. "Micah and I are getting married Sunday
afternoonattwoo'clockintheMethodistchurch.YouandJackSteelecouldbothgivemeawayifyou
like."Shegrinned."Itwillraiseeyebrowseverywhere!"

He seemed shocked. His blue eyes misted and he bit his lip. "A grandfather." He laughed
selfconsciouslyandlookedawaylongenoughtobrushawaysomethingthatlookedsuspiciouslywet.
"Ilikethat."Heglancedbackather."Yes.I'dliketogiveyouaway.I'dliketogetyoubackevenmore,
Callie.I'm...sorry."

Whenhechokeduplikethat,shewasbeyondtouched.Shegotupfromherseatandwentaroundto
hughimtoher.Thecafewascrowdedandshedidn'tcare.Sheheldhimcloseandlaidhercheekon
hishair,feelinghisshouldersshake.Itwas,insomanyways,oneofthemostpoignantexperiencesof
heryounglife.

"It's okay, Papa," she whispered, having called him that when she was barely school age. "It's okay
now."

Heheldhertighterandhedidn'tgiveadamnthathewascryingandhalfofJacobsvillecouldseehim.
Hehadhisdaughterback,againstalltheodds.

Callie felt like that, too. She met Barbara's eyes over the counter and smiled through her tears.
Barbara nodded, and smiled, and reached for a napkin. It was so much like a new start. Everything
wasfreshandsweetandlifewasblessed.Shewasneveragaingoingtotakeanythingforgrantedas
longasshelived!

Theweddingwasanevent.CalliehadanimportedgownfromParis,despitetherushtogetitintime.
Micahworeamorningcoat.Allthelocalmercenariesandthegangfromtheisland,includingBojo,
Peter,RodrigoandMacwerethere,alongwithPogoandMaddie.And,really,Calliethought,Maddie
didresembleher,buttheolderwomanwasmuchmoreathleticandoddlypretty.Shesmiledbroadly
atCal-lieasshestoodbesideamanCalliedidn'trecognize,withjet-blackhairandeyesandwhatwas
obviously a prosthetic arm. There were a lot of men she didn't know. Probably Micah had contacts
everywhere, and when word of the marriage had gotten out, they all came running to see if the

rumorsweretrue.Someofthemlookedastonished,butmostweregrinningwidely.

Theceremonywasbrief,butbeautiful.MicahpulleduptheveilCalliewore,andkissedherforthe
firsttimeashiswife.

"Whenwe'refinished,youhavetoreadtheinscriptioninyourweddingband,"hewhisperedagainst
hersoftmouth.

"Don'tmakemewait,"$heteased."Whatdoesitsay?"

Heclaspedherhandtohischest,ignoringtheglowingfacesoftheaudience."Itsays'forever,'Callie.
Anditmeansforever.I'llloveyouuntilIclosemyeyesforthelasttime.Andevenafterward,I'lllove
you."

She cried as he kissed her. It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever said to her. She whispered the
wordsbacktohim,underherbreath,whileasoftsoundrippledthroughthechurch.Thecoupleatthe
rose-deckedaltarweresomuchinlovethattheyfairlyglowedwithit.

TheywalkedoutunderacloudofrosepetalsandriceandCalliestoppedandthrewherbouquetas
theyreachedthelimousinethatwouldtakethemtotheairport.TheywereflyingtoScotlandfortheir
honeymoon, to a little thatched cottage that belonged to Mac and had been loaned to them for the
occasion.

Aromanticgesturefromapracticalandveryunro-manticman,thathadtouchedCalliegreatly.

JackSteele,whowasstayingattheranchwithMicah'snewforemanandhiswife,wavedthemoffwith
tears in his eyes, standing next to Kane Kirby, who was doing the same. The two men had become
friendsalready,bothavidpokerplayersandoldwarmoviefanatics.

AflusteredblondJanieBrewsterhadcaughtthebouquetthatCalliethrew,andshelookeddownatit
as if she didn't quite know what to do next. Nearby, the whole Hart family was watching, married
brothers Corrigan and Simon and Cag, and the bachelor boys, Rey and Leo. It was Leo who was
givingJanieanoddlook,butshedidn'tseeit.Shelaughednervouslyandquicklyhandedthebouquet
to old Mrs. Smith, Callie's neighbor. Then she ducked into the crowd and vanished, to Callie's
amusement.

"Thelastmercenary,"shewhispered."Andyoudidn'tgetaway,afterall."

"Notthelast,"hemurmured,glancingtowardhisoldcomradesandPeter,theirnewestmember,allof
whomweresilentlyeasingawaytowardtheparkinglot.Hesmileddownather."Butthehappiest,"he
added,bendingtokissher."Wavebyeatbothourpapasandlet'sgo.Ican'twaittogetyoualone,Mrs.
Steele!"

Shechuckledandblushedprettily."Thatmakestwoofus!"

She waved and climbed into the car with her acres of silk and lace and waited for Micah to pile in
besideher.

The door closed. The car drove away to the excited cries of good luck that followed it. Inside, two
newlywedswerewrappedupcloseineachothers'arms,oblivioustoeverythingelse.Micahcradled
Callie in his arms and thanked God for second chances. He recalled Callie's soft words: After the
pain,thepleasure.Heclosedhiseyesandsighed.Thepleasurehadjustbegun.

TableofContents

ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen