Chaos

by Johansen, Iris

“Wake up.” Alisa was vaguely aware Korgan was standing there, framed in the lighter darkness of the cave opening. “I know you’re tired, but I need to talk to you.” He glanced at Margaret curled up in her sleeping bag and held out his hand. “Outside.”

  She scrambled to her knees and let him pull her to her feet. “I’m not that tired.” It wasn’t true. After she and Margaret had worked with Juno on negotiating that ledge, they’d taken photos of the guards’ barracks before tackling the canyon where Masenak’s helicopters and warehouses and vehicles were kept.

  Then they’d taken Juno down the ledge run leading to the pine forest again one more time before inching down it themselves, checking for any possible weakness. She and Margaret had gotten back to the cave just before dark, emailed the photos to Novak, Vogel, and Korgan, cleaned up, and climbed immediately into their sleeping bags. “You’re the one who should be tired. You were still working on those drone calculations when I went to sleep hours ago. Is there a problem with them?”

  “No.” He had stopped as they reached the boulders overlooking Jubaldar Castle. “But there may be a problem about when we can deploy them. I got a call from Gilroy and the situation has changed.”

  She stiffened. “What’s wrong?”

  “Masenak has made a deal with Reardon. Regardless of which horse wins, Reardon will be taking Chaos and Sasha home with him the day after the race.”

  “What? Why? That could make any attack twice as difficult,” she said, panicked. “We might not be ready.”

  “Then we’d better get ready,” he said grimly. “Because it seems we don’t have a choice. I’ve called Novak and told him that the deadline has been upped and that I’ll be joining him at Samlir right away to help set up. I ordered Harris to pick me up in the helicopter as soon as he could make it.” He was frowning. “Dammit, I wanted to stay here and let Novak handle Samlir by himself.”

  “I know you did.” She dazedly shook her head. “It’s all right. Margaret and I will be okay here. We’ve almost finished taking the photos we needed of Jubaldar. It’s only surveillance now. We don’t need you. It’s not as if we can’t take care of ourselves.”

  “Heaven forbid that I even hint at that,” he said ironically. “But I’m still calling Vogel. He’s landed on the north cliffs, and his team is starting to work their way down into position to deliver the drones to Novak. He can pull someone and send him here ASAP.”

  “He might just be in the way. It’s not as if anyone knows we’re here. We’ll be able to keep an eye on Jubaldar and follow any instructions you find you need to give us.” She was still puzzled. “But I can’t fathom why Reardon would suddenly strike this deal with Masenak and take Sasha and Chaos so quickly.”

  He didn’t speak for a moment. “I was half expecting it. Reardon has always been into power. It’s the reason he destroyed Karim and his homeland. It’s one of the reasons why he felt he had to dominate Masenak. Then Chaos appears on the scene with Masenak in control, and the bastard probably rubbed in his victory with a heavy hand. Reardon wouldn’t have been able to stand it without retaliating, so he set himself to making sure that he took everything connected to that victory away from Masenak as quickly as possible. First the deal itself, then the prompt removal of assets.”

  “Everything connected…” she repeated. “Sasha.”

  He nodded. “She would have been an important part of his victory. A rider for Chaos.”

  She was remembering something else from that first Skype hacked by Vogel. “That wasn’t all. Masenak told Reardon that Sasha was fifteen and he usually preferred them younger.”

  “Yes. Forget it. We won’t let that make a difference.”

  But she couldn’t forget it. “What else did Gilroy say?”

  “He said Sasha is okay, but a little shaken. But you know she’ll handle it. We’re just going to have to make certain she doesn’t have to stand it for too long. I don’t like the way this is playing out. If Reardon is taking charge, then there’s no telling what else he might do.” His lips tightened. “But I’m not going to be caught off guard like this again. I’m going to push hard, and I won’t be back here until it won’t make a damn bit of difference what he pulls. We’ll be ready.”

  “Shit,” she said hoarsely, her hands knotting into fists at her sides. “You’re damn right we will.” She suddenly launched herself into his arms and buried her face in his chest. Comfort. Safety. Warmth. “Hold me,” she whispered. “Just for a minute. I’ll be okay in a minute.”

  “Shut up.” His arms were around her, crushing her close. “My pleasure. Just let me be here for you, help you. It’s not often that I get the chance to break through that wall you keep so firmly in place.”

  “That’s not true,” she said unsteadily. “I had sex with you all last night and if I had any walls left to break, they’d be shattered by now.”

  “Would they? Sex doesn’t always do the trick. You won’t let me close enough to get beyond that first barrier.” He pushed her back and looked down at her. “It’s a wonderful, deceptive barrier that welcomes me even as it keeps me from going too deep. It has all kinds of barbs of protectiveness and generosity that can be confusing but are erotic enough to let me accept anything you want to tell me or give me.” He reached out and traced her lower lip with his index finger. “Whether or not I entirely believe you. That’s why I appreciate it when you invite me inside.”

  She tried to laugh. “You can’t say I haven’t done that extensively in the past twenty-four hours.” Her lip was tingling beneath his touch. It was strange how quickly heat had emerged from that instant of fear and emotion. She stepped back. “But you’re getting too complicated and analytical. That’s not what I wanted from you.” She paused. “And that’s not what I wanted to give you.”

  “No, what you wanted to give me was freedom and really great sex. You made that clear. It’s what you want from me that I’m still bewildered about. My instinct is to ignore what you’re saying and work it out for myself. I can’t afford to make a mistake, and what you’re going through with Sasha might be confusing you. I say that with extreme trepidation.” He smiled crookedly. “But I’ll give you more time, and perhaps it will all come together. In the meantime, I’ll try to tamp down that analytical bullshit and give you the basics you’ve demonstrated you do enjoy. Does that sound agreeable?”

  “What would you do if I said no?” she asked unsteadily.

  “I’m such a civilized man that I’d try another way, of course.”

  “Now, that’s true bullshit. You’d just up the ante.”

  “Which I’m doing right now.” He took a step closer. “And the ante just became making you put aside how much you’re worrying about Sasha and fretting about what we can do to bring those bastards down.” He unbuttoned her shirt. “That’s very high, but you can meet it. I have faith in you. Because you know we can do it together. I’ll never let you lose.” His lips were on her breast, licking delicately. “So should we take this little bit of time to demonstrate that Reardon and Masenak can go to hell as far as we’re concerned? We’ll get back to them with all the graphic details later.”

  Later. But he’d said he was leaving soon, and she didn’t know when he’d be returning or what he’d be facing when she wasn’t with him. “That sounds reasonable enough.” She was swiftly tearing off the rest of her clothes.

  “I told you I was a civilized man.” He was lifting her legs over his hips, searching.

  Then sinking deep…

  She cried out and arched against him. She started moving.

  “Easy,” he murmured, his fingers digging into her buttocks. “Maybe not so civilized as I thought.”

  “Don’t tell me that,” she said unevenly. “Not when you just told me you’re leaving. I don’t give a damn about being civilized. Now move.”

  “As you command.” He was chuckling as he lifted her. “As the very civilized Oscar Wilde once said, ‘I can resist anything…’” He started to move. “‘…except tempta
tion.’”

  Chapter

  16

  He was gone.

  Alisa stared after Korgan as he disappeared around the bend to make his way down to the forest where the Land Rover was hidden. She was still trying to catch her breath. Her fingers were clumsy as she finished getting dressed. Those moments of passion had gone by so quickly and crazily that she was still dizzy with emotion. That was probably what Korgan had intended. He’d wanted to take her mind off any threat to Sasha and the fact that their plans had to go into hyper speed. And he was so damn good that he’d been able to distract her until he’d just walked away from her.

  But now reality was striking home again.

  Who knew what else could happen when horror seemed to be all around them? She moved out of the boulders and looked down at Jubaldar. It was dark except for the glow of the garden lanterns and the lamps shining from an occasional window.

  She’s handling it.

  That was what they always said about Sasha. It was as if they took it for granted.

  But how long could Sasha handle all the ugliness and horror that was constantly attacking?

  “Are you going to stay out here all night?” Margaret asked as she came to stand beside her. “If you are, we’d better go get our sleeping bags. Because I’m not leaving you alone.”

  “I’ll come back to the cave soon. I was just looking at the castle.”

  “You’re always looking at the castle,” she said. “I don’t know how many times I’ve seen you come down here and stare at the place.” She shrugged. “Who could blame you? Particularly now.”

  She glanced at Margaret’s face. “Now? Korgan talked to you when he went back to the cave to get his backpack?”

  She nodded. “He told me to take care of you. As if we didn’t do that all the time anyway. He’s getting repetitive. Though I’m glad he did this time. You might have gotten all quiet and made me dig.” She added, “Korgan will see that nothing gets dropped between the cracks. It just means we’ll have to move faster.”

  “I know that. I know everything you probably want to say to me.” She smiled shakily. “I guess I’m in worry mode. Ignore me.”

  “I will. The minute you tell me if I should go get our sleeping bags.”

  She shook her head, then took Margaret’s arm and started back toward the cave. “I’ll be fine, and Juno will be upset and come looking for you if he wakes and finds you gone. Korgan will let me know soon enough if I have to worry.” She grimaced. “Or maybe he’ll let you know and let you break it to me gently. That appears to be the way he’s handling things these days.”

  “The way you’re letting him handle things,” Margaret corrected. “We both know that it will only last as long as you permit it.” She glanced back at Jubaldar. “Or as long as those bastards keep making mistake after mistake that irritate the hell out of you.”

  * * *

  Jubaldar Racetrack

  9 A.M.

  32 Hours to Race Time

  “He’s looking in good shape.” Davidow’s gaze was narrowed on Chaos as Sasha led him onto the track. “Maybe a little too good. The last time I saw him that sleek and menacing was right before he went after that stable boy and broke his legs.”

  “Who you should never have forced to get near Chaos,” Sasha said. “That was entirely your fault.”

  He shrugged. “You’re avoiding the subject. I haven’t seen Chaos this on edge since the first day that you started handling him. Are you losing your touch? Am I going to have to pick up your battered remains and scramble to get someone else to ride him tomorrow? I won’t be pleased if I have to give Masenak that news.”

  “At that point, I don’t believe I’d be worried about how you’re feeling, Davidow.”

  “Answer me,” Davidow bit out.

  There was no use antagonizing the trainer, she thought wearily. He was so wary of Masenak firing him that he’d go on the attack at the least encouragement. Her best bet would be to keep him as neutral as possible. “He’s not in the best mood. I might have a few problems with him today.” Davidow started to curse, and she held up her hand. “I’ll work through it. It can’t be that bad. He let me put a saddle on him, and he wasn’t too impatient while I was saddling Nightshade.” She glanced back at the chestnut thoroughbred being led out of the stable by Nightshade’s stable boy. “But you might have to move her to the main stable if he keeps on being temperamental. I don’t want her hurt.”

  “And have Reardon on my ass? No way. Handle it some other way. I’ve got enough trouble keeping those damn guests from overrunning my stable. Six of them showed up this morning wanting to go for a ride before breakfast. Most of them don’t even know how to mount a horse. I had to send some of my help with them so they wouldn’t break their necks.” He turned on his heel. “And then I come here and find you having trouble with Chaos. Fix it!”

  Sasha turned back to Chaos. You heard him. I’m supposed to fix you. I don’t want you to stretch out and wear yourself out today. A gentle run? Or are you going to toss me?

  I might let you ride me. Pause. But she will go with us.

  What? Who?

  That female who is so stupid she doesn’t even appreciate who I am or how honored she should be that I let her stay. She will go with us.

  Nightshade? I’m surprised. But you could hardly blame her for not being honored. You were ready to let her die of thirst last night.

  I would have let her drink. I just had to be the one to permit her to have it. You got in my way.

  As she stared at him, she was beginning to believe that she had done just that. The restlessness. The volatility. The disturbance and impatience. Blind. She must have been blind. And now you don’t mind Nightshade being with us?

  She is stupid. Those foolish men have ruined her. How else will she learn?

  How have they ruined her?

  Maybe not ruined her…yet. I have decided to save her. But they have made her so tame that she doesn’t know what it is to be free. She’s even confused why I would want to talk to you. And she doesn’t realize that I am king. I have to show her.

  I see. She was having trouble keeping him from sensing her amusement. But you said she was stupid. Is it worth your effort?

  Perhaps not that stupid. I can feel she realizes I’m amazingly beautiful and wise. How could she not? She just doesn’t understand the rest. I have to teach her.

  That’s very generous of you. She glanced at Nightshade standing quietly waiting. Nightshade was also amazingly beautiful, and her wisdom might be entirely different from Chaos’s. The chestnut thoroughbred had a serenity and control the Nisean would never possess, but it didn’t indicate a lack of strength. It was probably that strength that was attracting Chaos now, along with the inevitable draw of sexual mating. He was the lightning and she was the slow-rolling thunder that moved the storm. What a team they would be. This might bring her endless trouble, but it was also a miracle and Sasha refused to be sorry about it. Though you’ll have to be patient. She pulled herself into the saddle. Because Nightshade might believe she deserves respect herself since she’s so foolish she doesn’t know you’re king. Suppose we take it very slowly?

  * * *

  5 P.M.

  24 Hours to Race Time

  Davidow was waiting when Sasha brought Chaos and Nightshade back to the stable. She stiffened warily, her gaze flying to his face. It was totally noncommittal. “I hope you had a better day than you expected. You’ll be glad to know that I had no problem with Chaos. I was able to run both him and Nightshade for most of the day. He must have worked out his bad temper on the track.”

  “I know. I had a glimpse of him a couple of times today when Reardon called me back here to watch you.”

  “Reardon?” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t notice either of you.”

  “You were busy.” He was scowling. “When you got Chaos to run, he took off like a lightning bolt with Nightshade right behind him. He might have broken a record today.”

  “
No, he didn’t.” She frowned, puzzled, as she got off Chaos. “He’s always fast, but I deliberately kept his pace slower than usual today. I wanted to keep both him and Nightshade rested and fresh for the race tomorrow.”

  “That’s not how it looked to me,” he said shortly. “And it’s sure as hell not how it looked to Reardon. It would have been better if you’d tried harder to make him look a little less enthusiastic today.” When she opened her lips to answer, he waved his hand impatiently. “I don’t want to hear it. It’s done now. Just get Chaos into the stable and get him settled like you usually do.”

  She didn’t have to be told twice. She was already leading Chaos into the stable. She didn’t like anything about Davidow’s attitude or Reardon showing up today. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to put Nightshade into her stall.”

  “Don’t bother. Reardon has a few questions for Nightshade’s jockey.” He turned to Lee Chan, the jockey who had been riding Nightshade all day. “Get down. I’ll call him and tell him you’ve brought her back.”

  Sasha glanced back in bewilderment. Lee Chan was hurriedly getting off the thoroughbred, his expression uneasy. She hoped the jockey hadn’t done anything to displease Reardon. It was difficult to have any real feeling for him, because he’d been so stoic and without personality any time she’d had him ride Nightshade when Sasha had her on the same track with Chaos. But he’d obeyed everything she’d told him to do and didn’t deserve a confrontation with Reardon.

  No one deserved that. She could feel her own heart beating hard, her palms cold with sweat as she took off Chaos’s saddle and put him in his stall. But she would probably have to face a confrontation herself, and she had to brace herself. She bent down to pick up Chaos’s water bucket. She had escaped it all day but after last night she didn’t think that she’d be lucky enough to—

  A scream!

  High. Shrill. Agony.

  A whip.

  She heard it lash against flesh. Again and again.

  Another scream.

  The jockey?