Rachel slowly shook her head. “He never mentioned those guards after we left Afghanistan.”
She shook her head. “Hu Chang is very wise, but sometimes he didn’t read me as well as he thought he did either. Rape is hard for a man to understand. He probably thought that guilt might be worse for you than any satisfaction that justice had been served.” She added softly, “You might be a good deal gentler natured than I am, but I believe you have no objection to seeing those bastards punished.”
Those terrible nights surrounded by them in the shower. The laughter, the brutality, the helplessness.
“No,” Rachel said jerkily. “Hu Chang read me wrong, too.”
“I thought so. In which case, now when you have another nightmare it should go poof and disappear,” Catherine said. “And if you choose to go to bed with Brandon that might—”
“No, I told you, that would be a mistake,” she interrupted. “Letting Brandon too close would be—I can’t do it. He likes to be in control. He’d be like my father. I’d never be able to trust what he’d do next. You don’t understand.”
“Yes, I do. More than you know.” Catherine’s lips twisted. “I’ve been there. Let’s drop it; you can make your own decisions. I just wanted to make certain that it didn’t have anything to do with what happened in that damn prison.”
She nodded. “It’s all present, not past.”
“Not entirely. But it’s not the stuff of nightmares.” Catherine put her bottle on the table. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.” Rachel took one last drink and capped the bottle. “Let’s get to it.”
She leaped forward toward Catherine with a kick to the chin.
* * *
“That smells good. Rachel told me that you were a great cook. What are you making?”
Brandon glanced up from cutting the tomatoes to see Catherine standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Her tee shirt was wet with perspiration and so was her face, but it only made her look more vibrant and alive. “Just a salad and roast. Care to stay for dinner?”
She shook her head regretfully. “I need to get back to the hotel. I don’t want Claire Warren to get curious about any long disappearances on my part.” She strolled into the kitchen. “Rachel just hit the shower so I thought I’d take a minute to speak to you when she wasn’t around.”
“Indeed? Secrets?” He continued to cut the tomato. “Rachel informs me that she doesn’t like secrets. I’d think you’d know that, Catherine.”
“Oh, I do.” She took a slice of celery from the cutting board and nibbled it. “She’s had too many thrust at her. And a good portion of them at an age where she’d have trouble dealing with them. It’s a wonder that she managed to survive.”
“But she assured me that’s all due to Hu Chang,” he said coolly. “And, of course, her friend, Catherine.”
“And you don’t like being closed out,” Catherine said bluntly. “You like being number one in charge. You like getting your own way, and you have to be in control. Rachel recognized that immediately. That’s why she’s backing away from you. It took her a long time to get her confidence back, and she’s not going to let it be taken away.”
“I’ve never noticed she lacked confidence. On the contrary, she’s very strong.” He frowned. “And I don’t believe this is any of your business.”
“The hell it’s not.” She met his eyes. “She’s my friend, and I won’t have her hurt. She feels something for you. It might be pure sex or something more. Either way, she’s probably out of her league with you. From what Venable told me, I’d bet you’re a master manipulator. I can see you trying everything from seduction to playing on her feelings to get what you want. True?”
“Perhaps.”
“No perhaps,” she said flatly. “Don’t do it.”
He was silent, staring at her impassively.
“This is just what I expected,” she said. “I could see how much you wanted her this afternoon. But I thought I’d try to deal with you myself first.”
“First?”
“Before I turned Hu Chang loose on you.”
“Oh, is that going to happen?”
“Yes, we both have a considerable emotional investment in Rachel. Neither of us will let her be hurt again if we can help it.” She added steadily, “And we can help it. Because you might be selfish and horny as hell, but you’re not a complete son of a bitch.”
“Thank you,” he said dryly. “I repeat, not your business, Catherine. By all means, call your Hu Chang. I’d look forward to making contact with him.”
“Only for the first few minutes. And I’m not going to call him. I want you to do that.” She paused. “And I want you to tell him that Catherine asked him to let you know about Sazkar Prison.”
He was silent. “That’s all?”
“That’s enough. If it’s not, I’ll take it from there.” She nodded at his phone lying on the counter beside him. “Phone him now. Consider it a challenge. I can tell you’re a man who thrives on challenges.” She turned and headed for the door. “Good-bye, Brandon. I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear anything about Huber.”
Brandon watched her walk out of the room. He felt angry and frustrated and definitely wary. He’d never wanted a woman as much as he did Rachel Venable, and he felt annoyingly like a teenage kid who was having to confront irate, suspicious parents when he wanted to take his date to the prom. Not that there was anything even mildly near that innocent in his intentions. He’d been planning a purely erotic agenda since this morning.
And he could make that agenda a reality. She was fully adult, no teenager, and her responses would be fantastic. He just had to focus his attention and use persuasion, then—
And he wouldn’t make that call to Hu Chang. Why should he? He knew all he wanted to know about Rachel Venable. He knew he wanted her. He knew he could have her. That was all that was important.
Look upon it as a challenge.
But Rachel had always been a challenge from the first moment he’d seen her in that rain forest. She seldom did what he expected, and she managed to touch him when he should be angry.
And he was lying to himself, he had been asking questions, probing the person who was Rachel Venable also since that first moment.
Because he wanted to go to bed with her?
Of course that was the reason, the only acceptable reason why he’d let personalities get in the way of the hunt for Huber.
And if Catherine Ling thought his calling Hu Chang would stop him from getting what he wanted, he should definitely not do it. It would hopelessly confuse the situation.
Sazkar Prison.
Damn it to hell!
He snatched up his phone and dialed his directory for Hu Chang’s number.
* * *
Rachel checked her email just before she left her room to go to dinner.
No answer from Nemesis.
Maybe there would never be an answer. Perhaps he’d been caught and killed. Or it could be that he’d only been a trap to get rid of her father.
Stop second- and third-guessing. There was still time to wait before she looked down any other paths. Keep checking. Keep preparing in every way she could.
Which meant she’d have to open that package on the floor beside the door when she got back to her room after dinner. She’d considered skipping dinner and opening it after her shower, but then Brandon might think she was avoiding him.
And that would be a victory for him, she thought as she made her way toward the veranda. They had to work together, they had common goals. This sexual explosion that had suddenly erupted between them was a disturbance that had to be smothered. She had to keep their relationship balanced and not show him weakness. It was going to be difficult because that hot, melting weakness was there, and he knew it.
And she knew he would exploit it.
So get through dinner and escape back to—
Not escape. What was she thinking? Don’t run away, handle him.
But he was not in t
he kitchen, and she could see that the table on the veranda had been set. He was standing with his back to her at the stone wall, gazing out at the sunset with a glass of wine in his hand. The sun was touching his dark hair with russet light, and he was wearing dark jeans and shirt that made his body appear leaner and stronger.
She braced herself and opened the French doors.
Evidently, he heard her because though he didn’t turn around he said, “I was just going to call you. I was afraid that you’d decide to hide out, and you need to eat.”
“Hide out?” She came out on the veranda. “I don’t hide, Brandon.”
“Not generally. I thought I might be the exception. I stand corrected. Sit down and eat your salad.” Brandon turned to face her. She stiffened as she saw his expression. Or perhaps the lack of expression. None of the intensity and coaxing seduction of this morning. Only the stillness with which she was so familiar and that she’d always found so intriguing. His pale blue eyes appeared darker in this light, but they, too, were cool and still. He was the same … yet different, and that difference was making her uneasy.
“It would take more of an exception than you to keep me from dinner tonight,” she said lightly. “I’ve worked up an appetite.”
“I could see that you would.” He seated her and went around to drop into the chair across from her. “You look in pretty good shape for all those hours with Catherine. No limps, no stiffness.”
“There’s a little stiffness. I’ll feel it more tomorrow.” She glanced at the glass of wine in his hand and the lack of place setting as she picked up her fork. “You’re not eating?”
“Perhaps later. I felt the need to have something stronger, but wine will have to do. I wanted a clear head.”
“Well, I won’t need wine to relax me this evening.” She took a bite of salad. “I should sleep well tonight.”
“I imagine you will.” He leaned back in his chair, watching her eat. “Since Catherine was careful to make certain that I not interfere with it.”
She stopped in midbite. “Catherine? What are you talking about?”
“She stopped for a chat with me before she left today. She’s very protective of you.” He paused for a sip of wine. “She wanted to make sure that I not behave carelessly or in what she perceived would be my usual barbaric fashion. I take it you discussed me?”
“Not really. Just a few sentences.” She looked away from him as she took another bite. “But, yes, she is protective. However, I didn’t know she’d talk to you. I thought we’d agreed I could take care of myself.” She forced herself to look at him. “And I’d already made the decision that you’d be a mistake. I told you that, Brandon.”
“But I hadn’t made that decision,” he said silkily. “And it must have been clear to Catherine because she pulled out the big guns. She had me call Hu Chang.”
“Hu Chang?” she repeated warily. “Why?”
“Two words. Sazkar Prison.”
“What?” Her eyes widened in shock. “Shit.” Catherine, must have been more worried than Rachel had thought. She wanted to shake her. “I don’t know why she’d do that. It was a long time ago and no business to anyone but me. I’m sorry that you were dragged into it.” She tried to smile, but she knew it didn’t quite come off. “I assure you that Catherine doesn’t generally break confidences and try to influence people by—” She pushed back her chair. She couldn’t sit across from him while he was gazing at her with that still watchfulness and realize that he knew what a victim she’d been all those years ago. “Forget about anything either of them said. Pretend it didn’t happen. None of what went on at that prison has anything to do with you. I hate this.”
“I can see you do,” he said grimly. “I knew you would, and I was debating whether to even tell you. I don’t believe Hu Chang thought I would.”
“But you did, didn’t you?” She was suddenly on her feet. “Why?”
“Because I’m not going to let Catherine or Hu Chang dictate what we’re going to be together.” His lips twisted. “But there are all kinds of problems on the horizon. The only way I can see getting what I want is to be absolutely honest with you. So that’s what I’ll do.” He gestured to her chair. “Sit back down and finish your salad.”
“I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.”
“You will be after we get through this. All that exercise this afternoon burned up a lot of calories. Don’t run away.”
She stiffened. “That’s the second time you mentioned something like that. I don’t run away.”
“So I’ve noticed.” He gestured again. “So sit down.”
She slowly dropped down on her chair. “I’m sitting. But I’m not going to stay long. I don’t want to discuss this. But I feel as if I owe you something for having to go through—” She broke off and drew a breath. “Talk.”
“I intend to do that. First, you don’t owe me anything, and it was perfectly natural for your friends to try to protect you from me.” He smiled crookedly. “I have a tendency to return to my wild days and forget all about discipline where sex is concerned. And I don’t believe I’d have any discipline at all when it comes to you. I was certainly not planning on it. Catherine could see that in me.” He grimaced. “Hell, so could you. I suppose that call to Hu Chang was supposed to arouse my conscience and make me pity you. But I don’t seem to have—”
“Pity me?” Her eyes were suddenly blazing at him. “Don’t you dare say that. Don’t you dare think it. I didn’t need pity then, and I don’t need it now. I’m not crippled. I didn’t let them hurt me. They only made me stronger.”
“I can see that.” He held up his hand. “If you’ll stop attacking and let me finish? I was going to say I don’t seem to have a conscience where you’re concerned. At least it’s not getting in the way of me wanting to jump you and spend the next month in bed with you. Maybe longer … The only thing Hu Chang’s little story did was make me want to kill the bastards who hurt you. But Hu Chang said I wasn’t going to get that pleasure. And it also made me realize that there might be a few stumbling blocks along the way.” He paused. “You mentioned control. That might be one, and I’ll have to watch it if I’m to get you where I want you. But control isn’t always a bad thing if I put it at your disposal and you can handle me, can’t you? You can handle anything. I would never do anything to hurt you. I’d only give you pleasure and take my own. Of course, you should know I do believe in extreme overindulgence.” He tilted his head. “Are you beginning to feel more comfortable now?”
Incredibly, she was feeling more comfortable. He had been almost brutally honest, but she much preferred it to the sexuality and seduction that had gone before. “Let’s see, shall we go down the list? No pity. You’re still going to try to get me into bed. You obviously paid practically no attention to Catherine. Nothing much has changed, has it?”
“You forgot I wanted to spread death and mayhem on that prison. And that now I realize I might have to go slower and be more careful. Not because what happened to you had changed or weakened you.” He was holding her eyes, and his voice lowered to softness. “But because it made you stronger, and you learned from it. I think I can let you set the pace. Waiting doesn’t suit me at all, but I can live with it. Can you?”
She couldn’t look away from him. He had come away from that talk with Hu Chang with an understanding of her that was unexpected … and strangely warming. He knew all her most intimate and terrible secrets and still believed and wanted her. Not that she should be surprised, she told herself. She was worth it, dammit.
She finally jerked her gaze away. “This isn’t about us, Brandon. We’re still where we were in Nalez. Nothing’s changed.”
“Yes, it has.” He lifted his glass to his lips. “But I’ll let you slip that by in the interest of maintaining the hunt and my decision to try to go slower. But just because I’m tamping down the aggression doesn’t mean that nature won’t replace it. I firmly believe in the power of nature. We feel it every time we’re in th
e same room. Finish your salad, Rachel.” He got to his feet. “I’ll go get the main course. Then you’ll tell me what’s in that package that was delivered today.”
She watched him disappear into the house. She loved to watch the springiness of his stride, the contained stillness that was totally fascinating, the way he moved.
The power of nature …
In the last few moments, he had switched from bold frankness and intimacy to lightness and their common goal. She felt relief … and disappointment. She was behaving without reason, but that was normal with Brandon. Particularly facing what she’d gone through with him today.
But that was over.
For now.
She picked up her fork and started to finish her salad.
CHAPTER
8
“Where am I supposed to be carrying this?” Brandon said as he hoisted the box on his shoulder. “And why did you tell me to put it in your bedroom if I was going to have to move it?”
“Complaints, complaints,” she murmured. “I didn’t want to deal with it then. And I knew you were probably going to be cooking later and might have objections.”
“Objections?” he asked warily.
“The most reasonable place is the kitchen. It has a water source and plenty of counter space.” She headed down the hall toward the kitchen. “But I thought you might—”
“Have objections,” he finished for her. “And I’m beginning to have an idea why you didn’t want to discuss your package at the dinner table.”
“I was hungry. And that was a delicious roast.” She entered the kitchen and looked around the room. “Yes, this will do fine. There’s not even much cleanup to worry about. You took care of most of the dishes before you served dinner.”
“I grew up on a boat, remember? You don’t leave anything sitting around or you get overwhelmed.” He set the box on the bar. “Now tell me what’s in the box.”
“Just a number of common natural ingredients.” She met his eyes. “And a few that are considered fairly rare.”
Vendetta Page 16
