Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

"Bridget and I could see this day coming, and we made some advance preparations," Radkin said. "I purchased a large piece of property for you on an island in the Ca rib be an. It will be a perfect place for the dogs…" He glanced at Devon. "And there's a small town on the north end of the island that would make living there not totally uncivilized. You could work. I know that's important to you. It will give you both time to catch your breath, and I'll make sure the property is well guarded."

Marrok's gaze narrowed on his face. "Why would you do all that?"

"It's our turn." Radkin smiled. "We've been waiting since you made your deal with MI6 to step in. You weren't ready for us. Bridget says you are now."

"And where is the money coming from?"

"Bridget and I belong to a very old family that has acquired a substantial number of assets over the years. We occasionally invest in projects we consider worthwhile. Your dogs of summer have the potential of meeting that criterion."

"And have enough mystique and hocuspocus connected to them to make the public friendlier to people like you who aren't exactly normal?" Devon asked.

"Actually, they generally refer to us as freaks when we come to public attention. That's why we try to keep our people beneath the radar."

"I can see that would be more comfortable," Marrok said. "Your offer is a little too generous. What do you want out of this?"

"There's a hospital on Antigua that's only a few hours away. Naturally I'd expect visits there several times a week."

Marrok's lips twisted. "And nothing else?"

"Dammit, we don't want to use you like Lincoln did," Bridget said. "No scumbag missions. We just have to get you far away from here. It's only a matter of time until MI6 is going to rally and send someone else to try to replace Lincoln. And Danner's men knew about the dogs. Someone else may try to make a move. The more people that know, the more dangerous it is."

"And you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart?"

Bridget's hands tightened on the sheet. "No, not me. Purely selfish. I found out that you were making a difference with the dogs. There's not much worthwhile in the world, but that is. I wanted to share in it. I still want to do that. Will you go?"

"Probably not." Marrok looked at Radkin. "I don't like the idea of being your guest."

Devon had heard enough. "Let's get out of here, Marrok. They're going to keep on pushing, and you're going to keep on finding reasons not to do it because you're wary of not being totally in control." She stood up. "You should have known better than to handle it like this, Bridget."

Bridget blinked, then smiled. "Can't you see? I'm in a hospital. I'm sick and not myself."

"We'll talk to you later." Devon headed for the door. "Marrok?"

"Coming." He snapped his fingers for the dogs to come. "At least you didn't snap your fingers for me."

"I got tired of listening to all you high-powered people arguing with each other," she said, as they walked down the hall. "It's all up to you, and no argument is going to make you do something you don't want to do. Where can we go to talk?"

"The park across the street. Ned and Wiley are beginning to think of it as home." He entered the elevator and pressed the button. "And you don't consider yourself high-powered?"

"Maybe. But I'm the only one who doesn't think that they know what's best. I don't know what the heck is right or wrong. I just want you and the dogs to be safe." They were at the front entrance and, a moment later, started across the street. "For the first time since Paco died, you have a chance for a fresh start. But it shouldn't be Bridget's way or Jordan's way, or even Sarah's way. It should be your way."

He smiled faintly. "You seem to be very passionate about this."

"I am passionate. About you, for you. I can't be any other way."

"And I thank God for it." His voice was soft as he took her hand. "Every day, every minute."

"What do you expect? I told you once that I couldn't choose anyone more suitable to take care of the shi'i'go . You gave up years of your life, you risked death, you cared for those dogs with love. You're pretty damn perfect for the job. So no one is going to tell you what to do." She sat down on a park bench beneath a streetlight. "You tell us."

"You don't have to be so fierce. I wasn't being intimidated by Bridget and Radkin."

"But they were talking about how good it would be for me. I don't enter into this, Marrok."

"You enter into it. You tend to dominate it." He sat down beside her and Ned and Wiley curled up at his feet. He bent down and stroked Ned's head. "But you'd tar and feather me if I made the wrong decision for these guys."

"You're damn right I would." She leaned back on the bench. "So don't think of a cozy little town in the Ca rib be an for me. Think what would be best."

"I've been thinking since you whisked me out of that hospital room."

"Is it that you don't trust Bridget and Radkin?"

"I have to trust Bridget. She almost gave her life for you. I'm a little suspicious of this family business that's feeling so generous to me." He shrugged. "Radkin? Why should I trust him? But I dealt with Lincoln for years and didn't trust him."

"And rightly so. Then it's a possible lack of control?"

"Yes. But I could probably get around that. The first thing I'd do would be to jettison Radkin's guards and bring my own people."

She smiled. "And build a stockade as strong as the ranch."

"Stronger. And if it's an island, there would have to be sea and air escape routes."

He was already planning, thinking, working out the details. "What about Montana? How does that compare?"

"Closer. Familiar. I'm better able to negotiate the system. But I'd have to either let MI6 in again for funding or seek other help. But I could probably still keep the dogs safe."

"Then make your decision."

"What a pushy broad you are." He gazed at her. "It really doesn't matter to you, does it?"

"I'll go with you anywhere, anytime." She smiled. "I like the snow. I like the sun. Wherever you decide, we'll make it good."

"What a remarkably lucky man I am." He cupped her face in his two hands. "Have I told you that I love you?"

"No, but I knew it. You talked around it a lot, and I knew it was hard for you to come right out and say it." She gave him a quick kiss. "More of that later. Now you have to concentrate on more important things."

"There's nothing more important, just more urgent." He kissed her again and pulled her to her feet. "Come on, let's get back to Bridget. I wouldn't want her to have a relapse."

She fell into step with him. "She's still strong enough to nag you."

"But you'll be there to ward them both off and protect me. You can't imagine how secure that makes me feel."

"Sarcastic bastard." She punched him in the arm. "You don't deserve me."

"I know," he said soberly. "That's why I have to joke about it."

She could feel her throat tighten with emotion. She reached down and patted Wiley's head. "And do you have something to tell Bridget?"

"Yes."

"Which is it? Snow or sun?"

"I grew up in the desert." He smiled. "What do you suppose? It has to be the sun."

Six months later

An island in the Caribbean

"I BELIEVE I'M JEALOUS, DEVON,"Bridget said as she got off the helicopter at the pad a short distance from the white plantation house. "I just got back from Dublin, and the weather was less than balmy."

"That's Marrok's main complaint." Devon smiled as she gave Bridget a hug. "He says the weather is too perfect. When he talks about sun, he wants hot and searing to the bone."

"Where is he?"

"At the cottages. He's trying to negotiate a treaty between Janet and Sid. They don't agree on anything but Wiley. He said he'd meet us at the garden." She studied her. "You look very fit."