by Diana Fraser
She knew the castle inside out. It had been her playground as a kid. She made her way up the inner wall and looked out from a higher level, down to the assembled crowd, all eyes on the performer, Karita, who had begun to sing one of Sibelius’s songs—The Diamond on the March Snow.
While Karita’s beautiful soprano voice filled the castle, Taina inhaled the fresh sea air that blew in from the gulf, and looked down on the brilliant spectacle. Some of the spotlights were trained on Karita, while others lit the castle walls, and yet others subtly lit the audience, making their jewelry glitter.
Taina leaned back against the rough stone wall and felt a glow of pride. The jewelry had looked amazing—they’d be new classics—and the launch was going without a hitch. She felt better already and descended the steps. She was about to return to her seat when she took a last look around and saw a woman surreptitiously showing her neighbor the necklace she wore beneath a silk scarf. It caught one of the spotlights and Taina recognized it instantly. She narrowed her eyes. She knew the diamonds that glittered around the woman’s throat well—but she didn’t know the woman. The diamonds were her own—the Kielo necklace that she’d given away. But not to this woman.
The woman glanced at the man beside her and quickly re-covered the necklace with her scarf. Taina’s heart thudded sickeningly as her gaze switched to the man who had his back to her as he turned to speak to the person behind him. She swallowed. The thick, sun-burned neck, the closely-cropped blond hair. It couldn’t be. He hadn’t been on the guest list. She’d checked over and over. Daidan had said that Mark couldn’t make it. Then he turned and looked straight at her, a slow smile spreading over his full lips. She felt the cold chill of horror seep through her body. She stumbled away from the auditorium and fell back against the cold stone wall, its flints digging into the bare flesh of her shoulders. All her instinct told her to run but instead she staggered out of sight of her guests and tried to recover herself. She swiped the tears away from her eyes and gripped the stone walls with determination. She wouldn’t run this time.
Slowly and deliberately she made her way to the end of the row where Mark and his girlfriend had been seated. She joined in the applause at the end of the song and waited for people to rise. A brief interval had been planned to accommodate people’s drinking and gossiping requirements, as well as to have their models move around, continually showcasing their collection. And their guests loved it. Cameras flashed, spontaneous applause broke out as new pieces were spotted. By the time Taina was able to move toward the late arriving couple, Mark had disappeared, but his girlfriend was there, looking lost, the silk scarf securely wrapped around her neck once more, covering the priceless necklace. Taina’s necklace.
“Hello,” Taina said, holding out a hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met?”
The girl smiled, a bright trusting smile and Taina instantly knew she hadn’t the first idea what she was wearing around her beautiful neck. “I’m Natalya,” the girl said with a heavy Russian accent. “I’m here with Mark.”
“Ah, that would explain it.”
Natalya frowned. “What?”
“Why you’re wearing that necklace. May I see?”
Natalya looked around and smiled nervously. “Mark didn’t want me to show anyone just yet.”
“Then come with me and show me somewhere more private.” Taina smiled encouragingly at the young girl. She couldn’t hate her. She was simply a beautiful young woman who’d been sucked into a world beyond her experience. Mark was her lifeline, her passport for a future out of Russia. “Come.”
Taina led the girl behind the castle walls. “May I see?”
Natalya nodded uncertainly and loosened her scarf and revealed the necklace.
Taina bit her lip. It was hers all right. “It’s a shame to hide its beauty under a scarf.”
“It’s only for a while. Mark said I should take the scarf off when we were on the boat, leaving the island.”
“Ah.” Taina nodded. She suddenly saw exactly what Mark was up to. Mark must know that Taina hadn’t told Daidan she’d been raped. Mark had told her exactly what would happen if she did. And she’d accepted the threats, backed up as they were by her own fears over Daidan’s reaction. But he did want Daidan to believe she’d had a relationship with Mark, and that she’d given him the necklace. That’s the only reason she could think of why Natalya had been told to reveal it only when they were safely back on the boat. A last-minute revelation to hit Daidan where it hurt. “Thank you for showing me. You’d better cover it up now.” She watched Natalya cover up the necklace as a plan formed in her mind. She glanced at Daidan who was busy talking to a group of American diamond merchants. “I wonder if you’d do me a favor?”
Natalya smiled. “Of course.”
“During the next interlude would you mind letting my husband know that I’m feeling a little faint and had to return to the house? I’ll be back in around half an hour.”
“Sure. No problem.”
“Good. And don’t forget to keep your necklace covered. I think it best that you do as Mark suggests.”
Taina watched Natalya return to her seat. As Taina suspected, Mark wasn’t there. She looked around and saw him standing in an arch of the castle, waiting for her. She wouldn’t run this time, she repeated. It was time to rid herself of the fear that had been haunting her once and for all. She glanced at the time and then walked over to Mark. The presentation would be beginning shortly—a video followed by Daidan and her on center stage. She had to get this over with as quickly as possible.
She walked past Mark and he followed her up some stone steps to a private upper walkway, close to the projectionist and light operator, but private nonetheless. She knew he was up to something—something which would no doubt to deprive Daidan and her of the victory they wanted from the launch. And she had to find out what. But just being in his company made her feel sick. Each time she looked at him, the memories flooded back—of the last time she’d seen him, in a rambling villa on the island of Antigua, where there’d been no escape from him. He’d taken what he’d wanted from her and had shown no mercy. But she was going to stand her ground this time. She couldn’t risk Daidan confronting Mark.
At the top of a flight of stairs she turned to look at him stealthily approaching her, just as he had when he’d come to her in Antigua. He thrust his hands in his pockets and sauntered up to her, grinning from ear to ear.
“Darling,” he said as he kissed her on both cheeks. His grin turned to a leer, as his hand lingered on her waist and gave her a surreptitious pinch. “It’s been too long.”
Taina forced herself not to slap him away. She could do it, she thought. She could do it for Daidan. “What a surprise. I didn’t see your name on the guest list.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Surely you didn’t expect me not to come?”
“You didn’t reply to the invitation. I thought…”
He stepped closer. “What did you think?”
She shrugged. “I thought you must have more pressing business.”
“And what could be more pressing than seeing my favorite girl? Besides—” He winked. “I wanted to surprise you. Believe me, it was always my intention to come.”
“Really? And yet your wife didn’t seem to be aware of that.”
His expression darkened slightly but his smile remained fixed. “My wife is more interested in your husband than my whereabouts, believe me. Didn’t you know?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“They had an affair before he came to Finland. An affair which I’m sure has continued. She’s besotted with him.”
Taina didn’t believe a word of it. She knew Daidan and she knew he’d spoken the truth when he’d stated his loyalty to her. But she could see that Mark believed it. “You’re jealous. That’s what this is all about. You wanted to get back at him. That’s why you want Natalya to show off the necklace as you leave. You’ll be out of his reach, but he’ll know you took it from
me. He’ll know that—” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.
“That I had you, fully and completely. Yes, you’re right, I do want him to know. Why else would you have given me the necklace, unless you were infatuated with me?”
“Because you made me,” she ground out, remembering the threats he’d made, the lies he’d said he’d tell unless she gave him the Kielo necklace.
“I simply showed you how it would look to everyone else. Poor little rich girl Taina had always wanted me and left her husband to find me. Threw herself at me, tried to buy my affections with a priceless necklace. Tried to make me leave my wife for her. But she failed because I didn’t want her, and she returned to her husband.”
She shook her head. “No one would believe that.”
“And why not? Sounds convincing to me. Especially when I mention the drugs. You looked so fetching in the video I made—so docile and compliant. So… willing.” He grinned. “And then you disappeared for the rest of the year, God knows where. Maybe a long visit to a rehabilitation center? Yeah, I reckon people would believe that all right. Especially given your mother’s history.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t like that. You’d put those drugs in my drink. I couldn’t move.”
“Prove it.”
“You know I can’t.”
She drew in a deep breath, trying to control her instinctive desire to get the hell away from this man. But she couldn’t leave. She’d told Daidan she’d never run again and she wouldn’t. This time she’d stay and sort it out. “I was stupid then. Stupid enough to believe you’d follow through. Stupid enough to believe Daidan and I couldn’t withstand your lies. I was stupid, naïve and scared. But I’m not now. Tell me why you’re here. Surely it can’t be only jealousy.”
“You are getting less naïve. You’re right. I’ve moved beyond that. I’m playing with the big boys now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You think I’m only here to get at the media darlings, Daidan and Taina? Well, I’m not. That’s merely to rub salt into the wound which I’m about to inflict.”
She jerked her head up suddenly. “What wound?”
Mark’s sly smile make her shiver. “You’ll see.”
“What? Tell me!”
Mark glanced at his watch, nodded smugly and pointed. “Just watch the stage.”
She looked over to where Mark had indicated. “I don’t see anything.”
“You wouldn’t. That’s the point. My partners and I don’t want anyone to see, until it’s too late.”
She swung back to face him. “Too late for what?”
“For you… for Daidan… for your company.” He reached over and pulled her toward him.
She yanked herself out of his grip and stepped away. “I’m warning you. Leave now and you might be able to leave in one piece.”
He laughed. “You? Threaten me? That’s rich. I seem to remember you were easily overpowered.”
“Drugs do that to people,” she spat out.
He gripped the string of diamonds around her neck and grabbed her with his other hand and pulled her hard against his body. This time she couldn’t move away. “Let go!” She struggled, helpless in his cast-iron grip.
“No.” There was no humor now in his face, only a steely determination. “No, Taina. It doesn’t work like that. It’s no longer only about me. I’m working for people more powerful than you and your precious husband can imagine.”
A wave of icy dread seized her. “Who?”
His lips curled into a mirthless smile. “You really want to know?”
She nodded. “Tell me. This needs to finish. Now!”
She tried to knee him where it hurt but he deflected her attempt. “God, you turn me on when you’re like this.” Before she could react his hand was around her neck, gripping it as he pulled her face to his and kissed her.
Daidan looked across to where he’d last seen Taina, talking to Mark’s girlfriend in the shadows of the castle walls. The girl had returned to her seat but Taina hadn’t. She’d been gone for ten minutes and he was beginning to worry. As the last note of the soprano settled into the air, there was a brief lull of silence before enthusiastic applause burst forth. He rose, clapping along with the others as they began stretching their legs, walking around the courtyard, topping up their drinks, eating and admiring the ancient castle. After leaving one particularly persistent group of people, Daidan began to walk over to where he’d last seen Taina when a piece of jewelry caught his eye, revealed by a loose scarf as it flew away in the stiffening breeze. He stared, not believing what he was seeing. The Kielo necklace? Taina’s necklace? Here?
He felt as if he’d been struck. All he could see was the beauty of the necklace, its cold glittering diamonds sparkling in the stray beam of sunlight, taunting him with chilling clarity. Even before he could think it through, he knew. A cold blind fury overtook him as he glanced over at the empty seat beside the woman who was quickly replacing the scarf around her neck, hiding the necklace once more.
“Natalya, is it?”
“Yes.” The woman smiled nervously and extended her hand. “I met your wife earlier. She asked me to let you know she didn’t feel well and had returned to the house for a while.”
“Ah, right.” What was Taina up to? Before he found out he first wanted to reclaim what was hers. He looked at Natalya’s throat where the jewels were now hidden by the scarf that was now back in place. “Your necklace. May I see it?”
She tilted her head coquettishly to one side. “Sure.” She flicked her blond hair to one side and pulled away her scarf revealing a deep cleavage, which she seemed keener to display, and the necklace.
“It’s beautiful.” He narrowed his gaze. “Who made it?”
She shrugged and pouted her pretty lips. “I don’t know. I think Mark did tell me. Apparently it’s priceless. I’m not meant to show it to anyone until I’m back on the boat but your wife spotted it, too.” She shrugged. “I couldn’t resist showing it off. It’ll be back in the vault tomorrow.”
“Of course. Such things are much safer in a vault, where no one can see them, or claim them.” He paused. “May I see the clasp?”
“Sure.” She turned around and held up her hair.
In one swift movement, Daidan had undone the necklace.
She gasped and turned around as Daidan held it up to the light. “As I thought. It’s Finnish. Would you mind? My wife would be fascinated. It’s a family piece, you see.”
The woman’s face had gone white. “But… Mark wouldn’t like—”
“Don’t worry. I’ll clear it with Mark. Where is he?”
She shrugged nervously, fingering her now bare throat. “I haven’t seen him. He disappeared about ten minutes ago.”
Daidan immediately slipped the diamonds into his pocket and walked over to where he’d last seen Taina. Behind the castle walls were a maze of half-ruined rooms which were out of bounds to the public. He knew instinctively it would be there that he’d find them. Just as he knew that she was still trying to protect him from the knowledge that Mark had raped her. She was trying to deal with the situation alone. But there was no way he was going to let her.
He cursed softly as he ran up the stone steps to the upper floors. He’d imposed so many security measures, done so much to prevent such a thing as this happening, and yet it had happened. The most priceless jewel of all, Taina, had been caught in the security measures he’d imposed. He’d trapped her in a net of his own making, with the man he most wanted to protect her from.
When he reached the top of the stairs he stopped in a cloud of dust. Taina was in Mark’s arms and they were kissing.
Fury roared through Daidan and he bridged the gap between him and the kissing couple in a split second, hauling Mark from Taina. A misplaced punch from Mark sent Taina flying down into the dirt. Daidan gripped Mark’s shirt at his throat and slammed him against the wall.
“Daidan! No!” Taina scrambled to her feet
and tried to pull him off Mark. “No, don’t.”
Daidan brought back his arm to land a punch on Mark but through the bloody haze he felt Taina’s soft touch on his arm and slowly her pleas filtered through to him. He turned in confusion. Why the hell didn’t she want him to sort this animal out after what he’d done?
“Don’t,” she appealed again.
He pushed Mark up against the wall and let him fall to his feet. “Christ, Daidan,” gasped Mark as he doubled up, coughing. “Thought you’d lost your mind for a moment there.”
“No, I’ve lost it now, letting you go.” Daidan stepped back as an added security against him hitting Mark again.
“She begged me for it, so what could I do?” Mark dusted off his jacket. “A nice piece. I can see why you took her back. We were just having a bit of fun. You know?”
“No, I don’t know.” Daidan didn’t turn around to Taina. He wasn’t going to take his eyes off that snake. “It didn’t look like fun to me. Taina?” There was silence. He turned around then. “Taina?” But she was gone.
A cold fear gripped his heart that had nothing to do with the man in front of him and all to do with the woman he’d believed had loved him but who hadn’t stuck around to tell him so. Had everything that had gone on between them these past months been a charade, a parade of lies? Simply a trick to get what she wanted after all?
“Run away, has she?” Mark taunted. “Didn’t like being caught out by her husband. Sorry, mate.”
Anger and frustration beat back the fear as Daidan focused on Mark. He’d deal with Taina later. But now he’d deal with Mark.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A sudden sound made Daidan twist back around, ready to pounce, all thought of calm gone. Mark was trying to walk away.
Daidan stepped wide, blocking his path.
If Taina had looked fearful, that was nothing to how the Aussie looked. His eyes shifted around, searching for escape like a trapped animal. Which he was, thought Daidan.
“Where do you think you’re going, Mark?”
