Dark Summer

CHAPTER 16

DEVON WAS SLEEPING, HER BREATH coming steady and deep. She was lying on her side, one arm tucked beneath her head.

Beautiful, Marrok thought, as he watched her. Most people probably wouldn't consider Devon beautiful. Her features were too irregular, her body strong, rather than curvaceous.

But, oh yes, she was beautiful. Her skin glowed with health, and her eyes sparkled with intelligence. The variety of her expressions alone was enough to keep a man fascinated for a lifetime.

My God, what was happening to him?

Eyes and expressions, instead of tits and ass?

And lying here staring at Devon like some young kid with his first crush.

Only he had never had a crush when he was growing up. He had carefully shut sentiment away from him when he realized that could be a weapon to be used against him. How old was he when he'd decided that? He couldn't remember. Maybe when he realized his father didn't care what happened to him when he'd sent him to pick up his drugs from old Nokadano.

But he might have a crush now.

Whatever it was, it felt… strange.

He reached out and gently touched her hair. She murmured something beneath her breath but didn't open her eyes.

He took his hand away. He didn't want to wake her yet. He didn't want her to look at him with eyes that were clear and honest and without any hint of guile. She had moved him unbearably earlier tonight. Her frankness had come as a surprise. He had thought she would admit to desire but protect herself from an admission of anything deeper. He should have known better. Devon would never protect herself at the cost of the truth.

And he had always protected himself at any cost.

He carefully moved off the bed and stood up. He hesitated, looking down at her. Dammit, he wanted to stay.

Yeah, do what you want. Stay until she wakes and make sure the bond is so close that she won't want to break free. What difference did it make if that bond could also put her directly in Danner's line of fire and that there was no way he could keep her with him for the long term? There would always be a threat, someone constantly after him. Forget everything and keep her with him. Sure, that would be the thing to do.

The hell it would be. The mere thought of her with Danner made his stomach muscles tighten as panic raced through him. It couldn't happen. It mustn't happen.

He glided toward the bathroom, gathering his clothes as he went.

He wouldn't let it happen.

"WHAT IS IT, MARROK?" BRIDGET ASKED as she came up the porch steps twenty minutes later. "Is there a problem with Lincoln?"

"No more than usual," Marrok said.

"Then why did you phone me in the middle of the night?" She frowned. "Addie?"

"Since she's the only dog not on the premises, I suppose that's a natural conclusion," Marrok said. "Since everyone knows the dogs are my only concern."

"Marrok, dammit."

"If you'll stop guessing, I'll tell you." Marrok went to the edge of the porch. "I want you to get rid of Devon."

She stiffened in shock. "What?"

"Oh, I don't want you to knock her off." His lips lifted sardonically. "Though for a moment I believe you thought I did."

"Don't be an ass. It was just surprise. A few hours ago you would have fought me if I'd tried to take her away. You were in a damn haze. What's changed?"

"I've changed." He shrugged. "Or maybe I haven't changed, and I'm merely getting tired of her. You know what a short attention span I have."

"No, I don't know that, and I'd appreciate your not giving me that bull."

He smiled. "Okay, I find myself feeling a little… unsure. I don't like the sensation. It makes me uncomfortable." His smile faded. "And I don't think uncomfortable would be the right word for how I'd feel if anything happened to Devon because of this mess I'd dragged her into. Berserk, would be a better fit."

Bridget was silent, studying him. It had happened. She had seen it coming, but she'd had no idea it would hit this hard. My God…

"So I believe the best course would be for you to take her out of the mix until this is over."

"She won't go. She made her decision to help with the dogs, and I don't mean to hurt your ego, but you're not the sole reason she's here."

"Then find a way to get her away from me. Any way." He turned away and looked out at the fields. "It shouldn't be that difficult. I'm sure you were well schooled in that type of operation by Lincoln and his merry men. Or I could do it myself."

"I wouldn't trust you," she said bluntly. "You have to commit, and you don't want to commit to this. If you did, you wouldn't have called me."

"Clever Bridget." He smiled. "But you're willing to commit, aren't you? You've been wanting to get rid of her since she came."

"It's best." She paused. "Okay, I'll do it. Right away?"

"As soon as possible. I don't know how much time we have before Danner makes his move. Act fast."

"Danner will be cautious. He won't attack without sending someone in to reconnoiter. He'll find out this ranch is a stronghold."

"I know. I've been thinking about it. And when he does attack, it will be with force, and that means more people will be hurt or killed." He paused. "That's why I'm pulling out right after I finish talking to you."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"I'm going home. I'm taking the dogs and going back where this all began."

"Paco's canyon?"

He nodded. "I know it very well. Every cave, every rock, every cactus, every path." He smiled sardonically. "Don't you think it's fitting that I meet Danner on my own territory? It should bring back memories for the bastard. The last time he was there was when they dumped Paco's dead body on the plateau."

"I think you're crazy. You should stay here, where you're safer." She was studying his face. "But you don't want to be safe. You want to go hunting and howl at the moon."

"I'm good at hunting."

"And what about the dogs?"

"I won't take them there alone. I'll take a team and position them all over the canyon. The guardians will be there to care for the dogs… and get them out if anything goes wrong. I told you, I know that area. I can keep them safe."

"So you're going to set up, then let Danner know you're waiting for him?"

"Yes."

"I should be there to help."

"You have your own job to do." He turned away and strode toward the front door. "And if you get Devon hurt, I'll break your neck."

"That's comforting," she murmured, watching the door shut behind him. She hadn't the slightest doubt that Marrok would go lethal if she was clumsy about this. There had been a note in his voice that she had heard before but never to her. She was still reeling with surprise, but she'd better pull herself together and start thinking. Marrok was right, she needed to pull Devon out of the equation, and she should be jumping at the chance.

But she wasn't jumping. There were too many potential hazards. One of them was Devon herself.

She slowly sat down in the swing. Think. Plan. Put all the pieces together.

There could be an opportunity here.

MARROK WAS gone.

Devon smothered the disappointment that tore through her as she looked at the pillow next to her. It wasn't fair to Marrok to expect him to be here when she woke. She had told him she had no expectations, and yet here she was acting as if he'd betrayed her.

She sat up in bed and glanced at the clock-6:35 A.M. Where was he? It didn't matter. Get up. Get on with her life. She had been more open and vulnerable last night than at any other time of her life, but that didn't mean that she was going to act any different now than she usually did.

She got up and headed for the bathroom. She'd shower, get dressed, and go down to the bunkhouse. Perhaps she'd call Marrok and ask him-No, she'd wait until he contacted her. She'd been aggressive enough.

For Pete's sake, what an immature reaction. This wasn't a game where they took turns. She'd do what she wished and whatever she thought right.

Lord, she wished he'd still been in bed when she'd opened her eyes. She wanted to see his face, talk to him. She felt naked, exposed. She wanted this first confrontation over. Even if it meant hearing words she didn't-

Her cell phone rang.

Marrok?

She eagerly pressed the button.

"Did you think you'd get away from me, bitch?"

Shock jolted through her. She couldn't speak for a moment. "Lester." She drew a deep breath. "I see you managed to get my cell number after all."

"I told you I'd do it. You helped. I'm a cop, and you supplied a good reason for me to use every means to track you down. Everyone wanted to help find poor Devon Brady." He paused. "They didn't know what a slut you are. But I know, don't I?"

"It won't do you any good to know my number. I'm going to throw my phone away as soon as I hang up."

"I wouldn't do that. It's going to make me angry if I want to get in touch with you again. You don't want to make me angry. I might make it harder on that son of a bitch you're screwing. I've decided I'm going to hurt Marrok very badly, Devon. I told you never to fuck another man."

Marrok. Panic soared through her. How had he known about Marrok?

"I hear he's a half-breed. Trust you to pick up a dirty Indian to screw. A rutting animal just like you."

She had to ask it. "How… did you know I was with Marrok?"

"I can find out anything I want to find out. You should know that. Didn't I find you every time you ran away? This time you made it easy for me. You brought his dog back from that island. There was a Captain Ramirez who had a report on Marrok. I knew you only went down there to fuck someone and I was right. But now I know your cell number and soon I'll know where you are."

"I'm not with Marrok any longer."

"Yes you are. I can always tell when you're lying," he said softly. "You want to protect him, don't you? You always want to protect them. It's not going to do you any good. It's your fault I have to get rid of them. Do you remember that shyster lawyer, Don Garrett, who went over the cliff in his fancy Porsche?"

His words stunned her. Don Garrett? He'd been the lawyer who had helped her prepare her case all those years ago in Texas. She had heard he'd been killed in an auto accident, but that had only been a short time ago. It seemed impossible that Lester would wait and spin his web of malice all that time before striking.

No, nothing was impossible for Lester.

She felt sick. "You're telling me you did that?"

"I told you not to see anyone. You didn't listen to me."

"You didn't- You never said anything."

"I'm not stupid. I have to protect myself."

"Then why are you telling me now?"

"It doesn't matter anymore. I'm going away. You're coming with me."

"No," she whispered.

"Yes." His voice lowered. "But first I'm going to find Marrok and kill the bastard."

Her heart was pounding with fear. "You won't be able to do that. He's not like Garrett."

"Tough guy? There's always a way. I have contacts. I can pick up the phone and get a hit man to do it for me. I'll wait and watch. When he least expects it, he'll die, Devon."

She closed her eyes as panic raced through her. "What a lot of trouble for nothing. I was going to leave him anyway. He's nothing to me. Just a way to get away from you. I'll be a thousand miles from here by the time you find out where I am."

"Will you? Then maybe he's not that important to me. But I'll still find you and, if he's with you, then I win the jackpot."

The jackpot. To Lester that meant having Devon and killing Marrok.

No!

Her lids flew open as the terrifying thought sank home. He sounded so certain. And what was she doing still talking to him? Maybe he could trace this call. She hung up.

Stop shaking. Start moving. She ran toward the bathroom. Get dressed. Get out of here. Get far away from Marrok. Find a place to hide until she could figure out what to do. How was she going to do it?

As Lester had said, everyone was eager to help a cop find the bad guys. She would be vulnerable on her own. Oh, my God, she had never thought Lester would go so far as to kill. She had never questioned that Garrett's death was an accident. She had known Lester was cruel and malicious, but murder…

Stop dithering and accept it. And accept that he would try to kill Marrok if he found her with him.

She wouldn't be with him. Marrok had enough problems without having to shoulder Devon's. But it might be as difficult to get away from Marrok as it would be to find a safe place.

Or maybe not, he hadn't been with her when she woke this morning. He might be relieved.

She knew someone else who would be relieved to see the last of her.

She pulled out her phone again and called the bunkhouse to talk to Bridget.

"SATISFIED?" ENRIGHT TURNED TO DANNER as he hung up the phone. "Did you get the trace?"

Danner frowned. "No, it was a cell, and she hung up too soon. We may have gotten the nearest tower."

Enright frowned. "That's not my fault. I kept her on the line long enough."

Danner smothered his irritation. He was becoming increasingly annoyed with the arrogant bastard. But Enright might still prove useful. "Yes, you were quite lengthy and vicious. I was impressed. It takes a certain determined mind-set for murder. Were you telling the truth about Garrett?"

Enright didn't answer.

"Ah, I think you were. You're going to get along very well in Nigeria."

"Even if you didn't get the trace, I sent her running. I know her. She might not bolt if it was just her safety involved, but she won't risk other people. And she said she was going to throw the phone away, but she won't do it. If I call her again, maybe we can get a trace and pick her up."

"And then what would you do?"

"Whatever you want me to do."

Danner gave him a shrewd glance. "I'm not sure that's true. You're practically salivating about all the foul acts you want to inflict on the lady."

"She deserves it."

"And I'm perfectly willing for you to have your way. I believe you're the perfect person to persuade her to tell us where Marrok is right now. I'm looking forward to it." It was the truth. He had been imagining Enright with the woman and it would be almost like having his hands on her himself. "I've always found there's something wildly exhilarating about inflicting pain. Male victims are interesting, but women's bodies are so soft, and there so many ways to hurt them. You don't mind if I watch?"

"No." Enright's cheeks were flushed, his eyes glittering. "I believe I'd like it. Shall I call her?"

It was certainly tempting, but Danner still had another option, and it might be a safer one than the one Enright was offering. Though not nearly as exciting. "Not yet." Danner smiled. "Give her a little time. Anticipation can be so delicious."

"I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS," BRIDGET said slowly. "Does Marrok know about this slimeball of a husband of yours?"

"Yes. Didn't you?" Devon asked. "You seem to know everything that goes on around here." Devon fastened her duffel and lifted it off the bed. "You and Lincoln."

"There were a few other things of importance going on. I knew Enright existed. I didn't know he'd cause problems."

"He's causing problems," Devon said flatly. "I have to get away from here. It's what you've been wanting since I came. Now's your big chance to get rid of me. Will you help me leave?"

Bridget didn't answer. "You're afraid of him? He sounds pretty much like scum, but nothing that Marrok couldn't handle."

"He's not going to get the chance. It's my problem. I made a bad mistake when I married Lester, and I know one man has already died because I made that mistake. Marrok's not going to die. And Marrok's not going to kill because of me."

"And he knew about Marrok and Santa Marina. He must have really wanted to find you."

"He's always been able to track me down. He digs until he finds out anything he wants to know. Now are you going to help me or not?"

"I'm thinking about it." Bridget was staring at her. "I'm surprised you trust me."

"I don't trust you. Not worth a damn. But I'm giving you what you want, so there's no reason not to trust you about this. Do you know a place I can stay until I can make plans?"

She nodded. "There's an old vacant winery in the Napa Valley. That should be safe enough for you."

Devon's lips twisted. "According to you, I'm not safe anywhere. No deadly forebodings lately?"

"Mock all you please. I only told you what I felt. But if it makes you feel any better, so far it's only a feeling. No visions. I've never had a vision that didn't come true."

Devon felt that familiar chill. "Then I'm evidently a lucky woman."

"It depends on what you call lucky. If you think talking me into helping you is lucky, then you struck it rich." Bridget turned toward the door. "Let's go. We'll take the jeep."

"We won't run into Marrok? Where is he?"

"He and Walt went to pick up Addie from Sarah Logan's. He said he wants to have all the dogs in one place."

"You already saw him this morning?"

She nodded. "Evidently this was my morning for getting calls to come up to the house."

"Why did he want you?"

She shrugged. "He said he needed me to take over guarding you. I guess that was the gist of it. He was a little reserved."

Reserved. It wasn't a word Devon would ever have connected with Marrok. Yet his response last night hadn't been what she'd expected either. There had been passion close to desperation toward the end, but before that she had sensed a multitude of other emotions so elusive that she had been left bewildered and uncertain.

And he hadn't stayed with her after she had fallen asleep. He had gotten up and called Bridget and told her to take Devon off his hands. Perhaps not that brutally, but that didn't ease the hurt she was feeling.

What was she thinking? she wondered in self-disgust. None of that was important any longer.

Keeping Marrok alive was important.

Making sure Lester never found her was important.

She had to survive and make sure of both. But she'd need one more thing if she was to do that. "Can you get me a gun, Bridget?"

"No problem." Bridget gave her a glance over her shoulder. "I'll give you one before I leave you at the winery."

"THE WINERY HAS BEEN VACANT for the last ten years. It's in pretty bad disrepair." Bridget parked in front of the old Spanish-style hacienda. "And I don't know if there's any food in the pantry. We'll have to see."

"I won't need much food. I'm only going to stay here until I get my head on straight about what's best to do." Devon got out of the car and grabbed her duffel from the backseat. "Is there a town close by where I can rent a car?"

"About fifteen miles west." Bridget got out of the car "You could probably call and have them bring one out." She strode toward the door. "Come on. I want to get going. I brought you here. Now it's up to you."

"That's fine with me," Devon said. "I don't want you to-"

"God in heaven, I'm sick and tired of all this damn phoniness," Bridget interrupted curtly as she threw open the door. "Dammit, get out here," she yelled. "I've served her up to you. Now take her off my hands."

"Don't be impatient, Bridget." Chad Lincoln strolled into the foyer from the back of the house. "That's always been one of your primary faults. Along with monumental arrogance. You were always sure that you were smarter than I was." Almost casually, he took an automatic pistol from his jacket pocket and pointed it at Devon. "But in this case you may have come through with something of value."

Devon stiffened, the breath leaving her body. "What's all this about, Lincoln?"

"Betrayal. Greed. Perhaps, death. The last rather depends on you."

"Stop talking bull, Lincoln." Bridget turned to Devon. "You don't have to be afraid if you do what we say. It could all be over tomorrow if Marrok agrees to terms."

"Losing your nerve?" Lincoln smiled. "She didn't want to be the one actually to threaten you, Devon. It surprised me. She's not usually this soft. She needed me to point the gun, pull the trigger." He gestured with the gun. "Go into the bedroom and relax. I've got it all prepared for you. Windows boarded up and not a hint of a weapon to be found."

Devon didn't move.

"Never doubt I will hurt you," Lincoln said. "I prefer to keep you alive since Bridget seems to think we may be able to negotiate for the four dogs. She says Marrok may have a soft spot for you."

"Bridget is mistaken."

"Perhaps. But she's seldom wrong, and if it's not enough of a weakness for negotiation, it may at least give me the plea sure of depriving him of something he wants. I owe him one."

"He would never give up the dogs."

"He might. It's my best chance to date."

Devon turned to Bridget. "You're going to let him do this?"

"I told him to do it," she said coolly. "I've been fighting him for too long. We both knew it was only a matter of time until I came over to his side. Marrok wanted me to put you in storage to keep you safe, and it was my chance. You made it easy for me." She lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. "It's funny how things just seemed to fall into place. Almost as if it was meant to be. I had the opportunity, and I took it."

Devon shook her head incredulously. "You're too smart really to believe Marrok would give up the dogs for me."

"We'll have to see, won't we?" Bridget stared her in the eye. "I have to end this."

"By killing the dogs? You know Lincoln won't guarantee he'll keep them alive. By killing me?"

Bridget flinched. "The dogs have a better chance with Lincoln than Danner. It has to end." She shook her head. "Marrok can't win against the kind of people he's up against. I've known that all along. Now it's all going down, and he can't even see it." Her lips tightened. "And I may as well get my share."

Devon turned back to Lincoln. "She's sold you a bill of goods. Marrok won't bargain for me."

"I tend to believe you. I've not seen anything or anyone that would make Marrok give up what he wanted to keep." He added, "But I could be wrong. I desperately want to be wrong. I've waited too long for a break that would give me the dogs. Bridget was very convincing."

"Why would Marrok give up a fortune to save someone he barely knows?"

Lincoln shrugged. "He's impulsive. Savages are sometimes irrational. And he never really wanted the money the dogs would bring him. He wanted his revenge."

"And to save the dogs."

"Now that would truly be irrational. Even you can see that one doesn't risk everything to save four-footed friends."

"No, I can't see that. The dogs mean more to him than I do."

"You're seeing your own feelings in Marrok." He gestured impatiently with the gun. "And you'd better hope you're wrong. Now shut up and go to the bedroom."

"Do it," Bridget said. "He won't hurt you if you don't resist."

Devon moved slowly toward the bedroom door. What was she going to do? There was no way she was going to let that bastard get away with this. Two more steps and she would be within a yard of where Lincoln stood.

"Devon." Bridget was staring at her expression. "No."

Devon was close enough now. "Go to hell." She threw her shoulder purse at Lincoln's gun and dove for his knees.

"Shit." Lincoln was on top of her, swinging the butt of the gun viciously at her head.

Pain.

Darkness.

"YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO HURT her." Bridget fell to her knees beside Devon. "Bastard."

"I was supposed to do what I had to do to keep the bitch from escaping," Lincoln said as he picked Devon up, carried her into the bedroom, and threw her onto the bed. "Now get out of my way, Bridget. You've done your part."

Bridget slowly got to her feet. "Yes, I've done my part." Smother the anger. It would do no good. "Make sure you keep her safe, or there won't be a deal."

"I won't kill the goose that could lay the golden egg. You'd just better be right about her."

She didn't answer. She couldn't trust herself to speak. She walked out of the house and didn't look back.

THE SUN WAS BLINDING AS MARROK jumped out of the helicopter at Paco's canyon. "Come on, Addie. I'll take you up to visit your old buddies. They're waiting for you."

The golden retriever jumped out of the aircraft and ran ahead.

"Where are you keeping the dogs?" Walt got out of the helicopter. "I don't see anyone."

"You're not supposed to see anyone. I had Larry Farland take a team up on the bluffs first thing this morning. Men are stationed all over the canyon. The dogs are in an enclosure above the cave." Bridget should have called him by now, dammit. It had been hours since they'd left the ranch. What was she doing? "See, Addie knows where they are. She's streaking right up the path toward them."

"I'm surprised Sarah actually let you take Addie. She was definitely hostile."

"I told her I'd bring her back in a few days. If I don't, she'll probably come after her… and me."

"You could have left Addie. No one is going to monkey with the property of a man who could be president of the United States in a few years."

"It has to be all four dogs. Danner wants them all."

"And when do you issue the invitation?"

"I don't, you do. We switched aircraft today to throw Danner off, but tomorrow you go back to Sarah's place and pick up Nick Gilroy. No switch of helicopter then. You let Danner's men follow you here. They'll report back to Danner and watch us for a day or two. We'll make sure they see what they want to see. Four dogs. Not too big a force to keep them from taking them."

"It's still a risk."

Did Walt think Marrok didn't know that? "They're at risk every day. I have to get rid of Danner."

Walt didn't speak for a moment. "Where's Bridget taking Devon?"

"Some place in northern California. She said she'd call me when they got there." But she hasn't called yet, he thought again in frustration.

Walt frowned. "I don't like this, Marrok."

He stiffened. "Too bad. Neither do I. But it's done now."

"Bridget is a professional. She could hurt Devon without even meaning to do it if Devon struggles with her."

"She won't hurt her."

"I'm glad one of us is sure of that."

He wasn't sure, Marrok thought. He knew how easily accidents happened in a fight, and Devon would never give up easily. "What the hell was I supposed to do?" he asked harshly. "Let her stick around until Danner came down on us like a ton of bricks?"

"Easy." Walt held up his hand. "I just wanted to make sure you knew what Bridget can be when-"

"I know what Bridget can be," Marrok interrupted. "But she promised she'd take care of Devon. I have to trust her."

"Whatever." Walt's stride lengthened as he reached the cave. "I'm going to go visit the dogs. They're a hell of a lot better-tempered than you."

Walt was right, Marrok thought. His nerves were stretched to the breaking point, and he wanted to reach out and crush something, anything. He glanced at his watch again.

Bridget, dammit, call me.

SHE'D HAVE TO CALL MARROK soon, Bridget thought, as she drove around to the other side of the vineyard. He'd be on edge at not hearing from her that she had Devon settled safely. He'd only wait so long before he'd explode. Marrok was a dangerous proposition at any time, but this situation was too volatile to take risks.

But the call would have to wait. She couldn't trust Lincoln not to try to betray her, and she couldn't predict how he'd do it. She parked the car, got out, and crawled up the slope of the vineyard toward the house.

She had a clear view of the winery from this vantage point and lifted her binoculars to her eyes. The windows were long and wide, and she could see the bedroom door through which Lincoln had taken Devon. But where was Lincoln now?

In the kitchen. She caught a glimpse of him standing in front of one of the counters.

She had taken the time to scout the surrounding buildings after she'd left the house and had not run across anyone else on the property. That didn't mean that Lincoln might not be expecting company. He might be playing straight with her, but she wouldn't count on it.

She pulled out her computer and equipment and pulled up the program and made adjustments. Then she settled down to wait.

Fifteen minutes passed.

Thirty minutes.

Forty-five.

Then the digital number came up on the screen.

Yes.

BRIDGET CLOSED THE COMPUTER AND tucked it into her bag.

Okay, time to make a move. Lincoln had ended the call and was dialing another number. Marrok. She knew what that call would be about. He would tell Marrok he had Devon and Bridget's part in it. Probably not much more. It would only be a teaser, with the hook coming later.

She needed to get to the winery. Lincoln's last call hadn't really surprised her, but it meant everything was escalated. She had to-

No!

Devon bleeding, her eyes glazing over.

Devon falling.

Bridget buried her face in her arms as chill after chill shook her body.

"No," she whimpered. "No. No."

Pull yourself together. It's not as if it hasn't happened before.

But the picture had never been as clear, the details so precise.

Was that because it was Bridget's fault that Devon would die?

She wanted to throw up.

She drew a deep, shaky breath and forced herself to straighten. She'd call Jordan and talk to him. She needed him.

She stopped as she reached for her phone.

No, there was nothing that Jordan could do, and if he sensed she was panicking, he might tell her to drop everything and come back to him. He had done it before.

Not this time, Jordan. I have to work it out for myself.

Maybe it wasn't going to happen yet. Block out that picture of Devon, falling, dying. Ignore the cold that was beginning to freeze her blood.

She began to struggle to her feet, then stopped, her gaze on the house.

A tan car was parked before the front door, and a tall, powerfully built man was getting out of the driver's seat.

"WAKE UP, bitch."

Stinging pain as a hand cracked against Devon's left cheek. Her lids flew open.

"That's it," Lester said. "I want you wide-awake and feeling everything I do to you." He slapped her again. "Whore."

"May I suggest if you continue in that vein that you'll knock her unconscious again, and she won't feel anything." Lincoln was standing in the doorway. "I don't mean to interfere, but I've been taught to-"

"Lester?" Devon scrambled to sit up and lifted her hand to her head as it swam dizzily.

Chad Lincoln… Lester. It had to be a nightmare.

No, Lester was too real, standing before her with eyes shining and his lips curved with malicious plea sure. She had seen him like that too many times through the years.

"Don't hurry. Give her a chance to get her breath, Enright," Lincoln said. "She's not going anywhere."

"Shut up. This is my business."

"True." His glance shifted to Devon. "I really wouldn't argue with anything he wants to do with you. He appears to be very angry."

Lester was always angry, always brutal. "What's he-doing here?"

"Danner sent him. It seems he was dealing with both of us to get what he wanted. When I came through with the prize, he called a few hours ago and told me he was sending Enright down to get you to cooperate in persuading Marrok to step into the trap. He doesn't think trading you for the dogs is too good a bet. He wants Marrok, and he believes Marrok is impulsive enough to come after you."

Keep talking. Her head was clearing now, and she had to gain strength before she could face Lester. "You're double-crossing Bridget. She thinks you want the dogs for yourself."

"Oh, I do. But I don't have the money and power that Danner does. I can be satisfied with a partnership." He smiled at Enright. "And I understand Danner is paying you a pretty penny, too. Something about Nigeria?"

Lester had never taken his gaze from Devon's face. "Get out, Lincoln."

Lincoln straightened. "It seems I'm de trop. Though I really think I could do the job better. You have little finesse, Enright." He glanced at Devon. "Give in. Tell him you'll do what Danner wants, and you may survive." He was closing the door. "But then again, you may not."

"You'll survive." Lester took a step closer to her. "You'll survive for a long, long time. I've got it all planned." He jerked open her shirt, and his big hand encircled her left breast. "Danner understands whores like you."

"Danner doesn't even know me." Don't move. Her strength was beginning to return, and she had to have that strength. "You don't know me."

"I know how weak you are." His hand clenched on her breast with agonizing force, and his face lit up as he saw her arch in pain. "I know how afraid you are of me."

"I was afraid of you." She was panting as she fought through the waves of agony. Not yet. "I was only seventeen, and it's easy to scare a kid. But I got over it."

"No, you didn't. I made you run."

"Not because I was afraid you'd hurt me again. I wasn't afraid for myself."

"Look at you," he said softly. "You're hurting so bad you want to scream."

"Yes." It was almost time. Her head was clear, and strength was flowing back to her. Just endure it for a little longer. "Did I tell you that the first thing I did when I started to run was to learn how to protect myself from you? There are all kinds of ways to handle bullies. I was never going to have to face this kind of punishment again."

His lip curled. "But you are, aren't you? And I'm going to hurt you until you call that half-breed and tell him what I'm doing to you. Then I may stop for a while."

"I'm not calling Marrok." She stared him in the eye. "And I'm done with talking to you."

"The hell you're-"

He screamed as she jabbed her two forefingers into his eyes. His hand loosened, and she rolled away from him and off the bed.

"Bitch!" He was flailing wildly, trying to see her. "I'll kill you."

She grabbed the bedside lamp and jerked the cord out of the socket. "No, you won't." She swung the lamp like a mace and it connected with the side of his face. "No more killing, no more pain, no more running."

He staggered back but then kept coming.

She jumped back and did a round kick. Her foot connected with his chin. He grunted but kept coming.

God, he should be down. It had to be pure fury that was keeping him on his feet.

She took two steps to the side and the edge of her hand lifted to come down on the side of his neck.

He countered, grabbing her wrist.

She kneed him between his legs. Then smashed her palm under his nose and up, breaking the bones.

His eyes glazed over, and his knees buckled. He fell to the floor.

She backed away, her breath coming short and hard. Lester was crumpled over, and she couldn't see his face. But he should have been-

"Is he dead?" The door was open, and Lincoln stood in the doorway, a gun in his hand. "I was anticipating screams, but the only scream I heard was from Enright." He was gazing at Lester without expression. "I didn't expect this at all. You always seemed to be such a gentle soul."

"Gentle doesn't necessarily mean helpless." How could she get that gun away from Lincoln?

"No, I'd say that's true." He moved toward Lester. "I repeat, is he dead?"

"I don't know. He should be. The bones of his nose should have shattered and entered his brain. That's what's supposed to happen."

"I know. But I take it that it's only textbook theory for you."

"Of course it is. I'm not a professional killer like you. He could still be alive. I struck him at an awkward angle."

"Well, let's take a look." He knelt beside Enright. "Now how can I check him and still keep my gun handy to deal with you? You're clearly a force to be reckoned with. Oh, I know." He pressed the gun to Lester's heart and pressed the trigger. "Yes, he's definitely dead."

She was staring at him, shocked. "Why did-"

"Danner's orders." Lincoln rose to his feet. "The way he put it was that it's always wise to have more than one arrow to a bow. But when one arrow can do the job, then you should break the other and throw it away. It's much cheaper that way. Evidently Danner decided I was the more efficient arrow."

"So he told you to murder Lester?"

"He would have preferred to do it himself, but he said the idea of giving Enright his last hour with you was appealing. Sort of like a condemned man having a last gourmet dinner."

"And torturing me was to be Lester's final treat?" She shuddered. "What a horrible man Danner must be."

"From what I've heard, he and your ex-husband have similar tastes and characteristics. And there was always the chance that Enright would break you, and he'd get Marrok as a bonus." He smiled. "But you've spoiled that possibility." He gazed down at Enright. "Amazing. Actually, impressive. But now the ball is in my court to get you to make that call to Marrok. I won't be as easy as Enright."

She knew he didn't want to kill her. Danner wanted her alive to lure Marrok. So the gun was a threat but not one that-

"Don't even think about it," Lincoln said. "I could shoot you and make excuses to Danner later."

"It's hard not to think about it," Bridget said from behind him. "When you're such sleazy son of a bitch."

He looked behind him and stiffened when he saw the gun in her hand. "Why, Bridget, is this a double cross?"

"How clever of you to recognize one when you see it. But then you should be very familiar with the concept." She glanced at Enright's body. "He wasn't very smart, was he? Danner just used him and threw him away."

"You heard me talking about Danner? But I was going to tell you about him. Naturally, I was going to bring you in on the deal."

"Not likely. I didn't have to overhear you explaining Danner's nasty modus operandi. I recorded that last call you made to Danner."

He shook his head reprovingly. "What a suspicious bitch you are, Bridget. And what do you intend to do about it?"

"Kill you."

"I do have a gun."

"But mine is pointed at that nicely barbered head of yours. Even if you got off a shot, my finger would still pull the trigger."

"Now don't be impulsive. We can come to terms. Naturally I tried to-" He dropped to the floor, firing as he rolled to the side.

BRIDGET DODGED BEHIND THE couch, and the bullet plowed into the cushion.

Take your time, Jordan had always told her.

I don't have that much time, Jordan.

Another shot. Closer.

But she saw Lincoln moving across the floor, trying to get behind her.

Draw a bead.

The skull is always best, Jordan had told her.

She pressed the trigger.