Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

Enright moistened his lips. "You could be lying. How do I know that would be possible?"

"I spent a pleasant six months there several years ago. It was very entertaining… for me."

"And the woman?"

"It wasn't a woman. I took a young boy who had been stupid enough to be unfaithful to me. He was truly a beautiful young man when he arrived, but that didn't last long."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"It's quite safe, you could never prove it. And I want you to know how much alike we are. The moment I saw you on CNN, I knew that you'd like my house in Nigeria. It's perfect for you and your Devon Brady." He smiled. "I can see the offer excites you. Why not? It's what you've wanted all along, isn't it?"

Enright slowly nodded.

Danner waited, giving him the chance to come the rest of the way himself.

Enright leaned forward. "What do I have to do?"

DEVON'S EXPRESSION WAS CALM, almost serene, Marrok thought as he watched her walk toward Sarah's helicopter pad. She was evidently content with Sarah's decision to accept her into her house hold. Why not? Sarah would be as protective as a mother hen, and this house was a dream dwelling.

"All set?" He opened the door of the helicopter. "You took longer than I thought. Were you catching up on old times with Sarah?"

"No, I didn't know her that well. She had to go to make a telephone call, and I spent a little time with the dogs." She got into the helicopter followed by Ned. "But I like Sarah very much."

"So do I." He climbed in and fastened his seat belt. "She's genuine and always tells you exactly what she thinks. Let's go, Walt."

"On our way," Walt said.

"Then I imagine she told you enough to burn your ears, Marrok," Devon said. "She wasn't pleased with you."

"That seems to be the consensus around here."

"You can't just go bulldozing your way through people's lives and expect them not to resent it."

He frowned. "I didn't bulldoze. I just wasn't totally honest. She had a choice." He paused. "Not like you."

"I had a choice. I could have left Ned. And you were honest… as far as it went. But dammit, it didn't go far enough."

"So I'm not perfect. I told you to walk in my shoes before you judged me."

"Yes, you did." She turned to look at him. "Which was the worst bullshit of all. I have no intention of either walking in your shoes or trailing after you."

"No, that won't be an option. You'll be out of it staying with Sarah."

"Out of it," she repeated. "There's no way I could be out of it. It's too late for me." She reached down and stroked Ned's head. "Just like it's too late for you, boy."

Marrok gazed at her warily. "What are you talking about? If you stay with Sarah, you'll be safe."

"I imagine I would be."

He was silent, attempting to read her expression. "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm not trying, I'm saying it," she said coolly. "No deceptions, no beating around the bush. I'm not surprised you can't recognize it. Oh, yes, frankness is totally foreign to you."

"Devon."

"I'm not going to stay with Sarah. We're going to take Nick and Janet to her place and leave them. Then I'm going to go back to the ranch with you."

"What?"

"Oh, don't be worried. I'm not throwing myself at you like those town girls you told me about."

Walt made an indistinguishable sound somewhere between a gulp and a chuckle.

Marrok gave him an annoyed glance before turning back to Devon. "I didn't think you were. It's clear that's not what this is about. Your attitude is less than warm. Why aren't you going to stay with Sarah? Did she say anything to offend you?"

"She said a lot but none of it was offensive. How could it be? We think alike."

"Then for God's sake, will you explain?"

She met his gaze. "I'm not leaving until this is over. Until the dogs are safe."

He muttered a curse. "Yes, you will. You'll go where you'll be safe. This isn't your battle, remember?"

"It wasn't to begin with, but it is now. I was sitting in the grass with Sarah and listening to her talk about Monty and how keeping him alive and well was worth the sacrifice, worth the battle. Because that's what love's all about, that's what life's about. And after she left me, it came to me that she might have been voicing what I've been feeling all my life." She gazed out the window. "I've been working since I was a teenager to keep animals well and happy, I've been fighting abuse, I've been working with rescue dogs to find and save men, women, and children. When I think about shi'i'go , it's as if it blends all of those parts of my life into one."

He stared at her in frustration. "My God, you've gone idealistic."

"Don't sound so horrified." She turned back to him. "Another concept that's foreign to you? I promise I won't let it get in your way."

"And I promise I won't let it kill you," he said grimly. "Because you're going back to Sarah's place."

"No," she said coolly. "Hell, no. I'm going to make sure that your dogs are kept alive."

"I don't need you."

"Who said I was going to work with you? I said I was going to do it. I'm not doing it for you. I'm not doing this so that you can get your revenge for Paco's death." She stared him straight in the eye. "I'm doing it for me. And I've always taken care of my own battles. So shut up, Marrok. I'm not going to discuss it again."

"The hell you won't."

She turned and gazed out the window again.

Marrok could almost feel the steel of the barrier she was raising against him, closing him out. For the first time since that night on Santa Marina, he could sense no vulnerability, no shock, no bewilderment. The woman he was seeing now was the woman who made soldiers snap to attention when she turned on them in fury. Tough, very tough. Combined with that streak of gentle idealism that was her core, it was going to be almost impossible to find a way to persuade her to abandon her path.

Impossible, hell. He had no choice. He had to do it or risk Danner's killing her.

"I'M NOT SURE I LIKE THIS."Nick hesitated before getting on the helicopter. "I think I should stay with you, Devon."

"And I think you and Janet should go to Sarah Logan and take care of the dogs there." She looked at Janet. "You'll be sure to give Gracie lots of attention? I think she's a little confused about what's going on."

"She's not the only one," Janet said dryly. "You spoil her." But her hand was gentle on Gracie's head. "Do you know she actually crawled into bed with me last night?"

"And what did you do?"

"I kicked her out. Oh, I let her stay for a little while, but you have to make those dogs toe the line."

"Then I'm glad you're going to take her with you to Sarah's. I wouldn't want Gracie to get into bad habits." She stroked Gracie's long nose. "And you'll be able to protect her from those other dogs on Sarah's property." She added for good mea sure. "And there's a wolf in the mix, too."

"Wolf?" Janet's eyes widened. "What are they thinking? You're darn right I'll keep an eye on Gracie." She got into the helicopter. "I'll have to whip that ritzy place into shape."

"I'm sure you will. Thank you, Janet."

"You're welcome." She leaned forward. "But you're not fooling me, you know. You're trying to distract me so I won't give you hell for doing something stupid."

"It's not stupid. It's something I have to do." She smiled. "And I do need you there. I'll feel much better knowing that you're going to be in charge."

Janet was silent before saying grudgingly, "Well, Nick will help a little."

Nick chuckled. "I'm grateful for your condescension. I'll try to do my bit. It should reassure you that Casper was kidnapped, and I didn't lose him."

"But you couldn't remember whether you left the gate open or not."