The Persuasion

by Iris Johansen

  “Oh, I know I can use him.”

  “You’re right, I don’t want you to let Alberto see him again. I want to go back and look at his wounds and make sure they’re healing.” She paused. “And I want you to start thinking about what price you’re going to demand to let that little boy go.”

  He chuckled. “What a delight you are, Jane. So bold…I have no problem with the first two demands. It falls into line with teaching you that I’m the giver and taker of all things—as a true patron should be regarded. But the last one requires thought.”

  She made a rude sound. “You’re lying. If you’ve been making plans as long as you say you have, you’d have another list ready.”

  “But the question is: Do I want to bargain or take? Now that I have you secure, I have a choice. Both are interesting in their own way.” He had stopped before an ornately carved oak door. “What are you offering?”

  “You’re talking about sex.” She met his eyes. “You want to rape me? A man like you would think of that first. It involves cruelty, pain, and domination and you’d believe that would give you some kind of advantage. It wouldn’t. Go ahead. I won’t fight you. Sex is nothing compared with saving a child. It wouldn’t take me long to forget it ever happened. Because you’re nothing to me.”

  His smile faded. “Now, that annoyed me. I assure you that I’d make sure you’d remember every minute I was with you. But I’ll let it go for now. I have other business to attend to that has to do with Seth Caleb.” He opened her door. “You look quite dreadful and still smell of smoke. You’ll find a complete wardrobe in the closet. Change for dinner at seven on the veranda. Make certain you’re exceptionally beautiful. I want all my men to see what a prize you are. Again, prestige is everything. You’re free to roam wherever you wish in the tower. You’ll be watched, of course. I’ll always know where you are. And if you cause me trouble, I’ll send Alberto to pay another visit to his dear son.” He was walking away from her. “I do hope you’ll enjoy my preparations for you. You’ll see that I put a lot of thought into establishing you comfortably into your new life.”

  And she could see what he meant when she entered the suite. It was enormous and the décor rich and lush, from the king-size bed to the tufted satin couch at its foot. The portrait of Fiona occupied the primary position on the east wall. Jane stopped short as she caught sight of a small painting on the south wall. Good heavens, was that a Da Vinci? She thought she recognized the technique but not the work itself. If it was a Da Vinci, it was probably an original. Her gaze shifted to the north wall, which was composed entirely of windows. A canvas and easel were set up in front of it to take advantage of the sunlight pouring into the suite.

  Of course there was a canvas, she thought bitterly. Her talent as an artist was the prime value he’d indicated she had for him. He wanted to have his private gallery and had chosen her to fill it to his specifications. But she still found herself walking over to examine the paints and canvas he’d chosen. Her work was often her salvation. And it wouldn’t mean anything she created belonged to him just because it was painted here.

  She stood there in front of the canvas. Top quality. Paints, the same. The view of the verdant hills outside the window was a scenic marvel. Once she started painting, she could get lost in them and soar away from all the ugliness that surrounded this tower. It would be so easy…

  No, it would not be easy at all.

  I have business to attend to that has to do with Seth Caleb.

  And those words had frightened her almost as much as what she was going to have to face with Luca. Because of what she’d done when she’d traded herself for Michael, she’d put Caleb squarely in danger. She hadn’t allowed herself to think of anything but Michael when she’d gone after him, but Luca had made it clear that he’d use Caleb if he could.

  And Caleb would never allow himself to be used unless he chose. All his life, he had been used by everyone around him; Luca would just be one more. But this was different, because he’d let himself be used for her. She knew it. He might be a mystery to her in many ways, but she knew that Caleb would always be there for her when she needed him. It was strange that out of all the uncertainty that had torn her apart during these last months, this single truth was so clear to her now.

  I’d die for you.

  Those words that had so shocked her and filled her with a sense of profound wonder.

  “I thought you must be afraid of him,” Lisa had said. “Everyone’s always afraid of him.”

  “The Hunter.” Caleb’s sardonic words. “That’s how you always thought of me. I knew it even that first time you came to sleep with me. You were trying to overcome it, but I could feel it.”

  She hoped it wasn’t true, but perhaps he’d been right, because she’d been so confused and bewildered about what she was feeling for him during that time. That bewilderment was gone now, lost in the fear for him and the knowledge that no matter the danger, he would always choose to reach out to her.

  But she had no right to force him to make that choice. The mere idea was agonizingly painful. She was the one who had made the decision to save Michael. Now she had to get herself out of this nightmare and not pull anyone else into it with her.

  So stop dreaming of paints and emerald-green hills and get to work trying to find a way out of here. She turned away from the blank canvas and headed for the bathroom to wash away some of the smoke and filth before she went back to Tomas. It was time to examine that little boy’s wounds and try to heal them. Tomas had been caught in the middle of this horror, and she had to find a way to get him out of here before he ended up on that crucifix again.

  She shuddered at the thought. She could almost see that hideous photo of Tomas on the crucifix before her eyes. The solution seemed simple: Save the innocent, keep Caleb out of this, and try to live through it herself.

  Yeah, piece of cake.

  * * *

  “I’m coming back,” Eve said hoarsely. “No arguments. You wouldn’t have a leg to stand on, Joe. There’s no reason now why I shouldn’t be with you. That bastard has her.”

  “I’m not arguing. I’ll take all the help I can get. I told you how Michael is feeling. He needs you. I need you, too. We’re both feeling as guilty as hell.” He added grimly, “Though I’m the only one who has any right. I shouldn’t have run into the castle when the fire broke out there.”

  “And then Lady Kendrick might have died,” Eve said.

  “She was fine after I got her out. She’s a tough old bird.”

  “But you couldn’t have known that. So quit blaming yourself. It’s pure instinct. You’ll always be the one who goes after the old or helpless.”

  “And leaves his own family to be gathered up by the Lucas of the world,” he said bitterly.

  “Shut up, Joe. I’m not listening. I’m sure you heard enough of that bullshit from Caleb.”

  “I did. More than enough. And I took it for the most part. All that mattered was getting him over that first rage so that he’d start thinking again and find me some way to get to her.”

  “And he’ll do it. He won’t stop, Joe. Now let me get off this phone and throw some things into a suitcase. I have to get to you right away. I need you, too.” Her voice was unsteady. “And I don’t want to be alone out here in this blasted jungle. All I can think about is the Jane we first knew when she was as young as Michael. So fragile and yet brave as a lion…”

  She had ended the call.

  Joe’s hand tightened on the phone. That call had been just as difficult as he’d told Caleb it would be, he thought wearily. But Eve was coming and they’d be together and somehow they’d make everything right.

  “Mom was scared for Jane?” Michael asked from behind him at the tent entrance. “Did you tell her how that Luca hit her?”

  “I didn’t go into that particular detail.” Joe turned to face him. “She was upset enough, and I didn’t think she needed to have that on her mind on the long trip here. It might be a good idea if you do
n’t mention it, either.”

  Michael nodded. “I won’t. Not unless she asks me.” He met Joe’s eyes. “But I bet you told Caleb. You’d want him to know.”

  “Yes, I wanted him to know. Sometimes arousing an emotional response in Caleb can be…valuable.” His lips twisted. “I’m surprised you weren’t eavesdropping on my conversation with him, too.” He tilted his head. “Or did you?”

  “No, I thought you wouldn’t like it when you were probably talking about how to catch Luca. You always try to keep me away from stuff like that.” He added quietly, “Even if you’re wrong.”

  “Michael.”

  Michael went on quickly, “But could I call Caleb and talk to him? I don’t think he’d feel the same way. He might think I could be valuable, too. Sometimes I know stuff or feel things. I wouldn’t get in your way, Dad.”

  “I realize you’d try not to do it. And you are valuable, Michael,” he said gently. “It’s not a good idea for you to contact Caleb. I imagine he’s going to be very busy. You can always come to me and I’ll listen and we’ll talk about it.”

  “I know you will.” He was frowning. “But you worry a lot because you know Mom will worry. Caleb won’t worry, he’ll just go do what he has to do.”

  “Which isn’t always a desirable course of action,” Joe said dryly. “I’d prefer that Caleb worry a little more.”

  “He worries about Jane. That’s all that counts.” He was studying Joe’s face. “Is that the only reason you don’t want me to call him?”

  “It’s a very good reason. I think your Mom is scared enough about what’s happening to Jane. She almost lost you, too. She’d be a lot happier if you weren’t involved in this at all.” He paused. “Or at least at a good distance away from the action. Caleb will never be that in a hundred years.”

  Michael nodded slowly. “I thought that was it. I was trying to do what I promised you, but I hoped maybe I could talk to Caleb sometimes if I needed to do it.” He turned away. “But it’s okay. I’ll work it out.”

  Those last words were sending up red flares for Joe. “I don’t want you to work it out. I want you to come to me if you see any problem. I’ll always be here for you. Why would you have to go to Caleb?”

  “Maybe I won’t.” He was gazing soberly at him over his shoulder. “You’re so smart and you understand everything, Dad. It’s just that Caleb seems to think the same way I do most of the time. And he doesn’t let anything get in the way. That kinda helps sometimes.” Before Joe could reply, he changed the subject. “Lisa just got back from the hospital and she’s going down to the tents to help with the cleanup. A lot of the volunteers lost their belongings in that fire. May I go with her?”

  Joe was just as content to have this conversation that was going nowhere end. “That seems like a good idea. It appears as if the entire camp is in total chaos. I have to call Tovarth at Scotland Yard, and then I’ll be down to help. Try to get Lisa not to overdo it until I get there.”

  “She says she’s okay. See you…”

  Joe watched Michael leave the tent before he reached for his phone again.

  He seems to think the same way I do most of the time.

  Of course Michael and Caleb would think alike, he thought in frustration. Both had gifts that were unique and could be more troubling than rewarding. And because they’d been forced to confront every imaginable trauma connected with those gifts, they’d developed ways of coping that puzzled even the people who loved them. For an instant he felt a flash of sympathy for Jane, who’d had to deal with a much more mature and complicated Seth Caleb these last years. At least Michael had known only love and honesty in his short life.

  Regardless, the man and the boy were clearly feeling a bond that might cause Joe problems down the road.

  All he could do was keep an eye out for possible repercussions.

  * * *

  Tower House

  “I told you to be ready at seven.”

  Jane stiffened as she looked up from dressing Tomas’s wounds to see Luca standing in the doorway. “I’m not done here. I’ll be with you when I’m finished.”

  “Wrong. You are done here.” He strolled over to the bed and looked down at the little boy. “Isn’t she, Tomas? You don’t want her to get in trouble with your father, do you?”

  “No.” Tomas’s eyes widened in terror. “Don’t tell him to do bad things to her. I didn’t ask her to stay.” His gaze flew to Jane’s face. “Go away. He’ll hurt you, too.”

  “Does it make you feel like a big man to frighten a little child?” Jane asked Luca as she got to her feet. She smiled down at Tomas. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Take those pills I found in the drawer and gave to your mama. They should make you sleep.”

  “Don’t come back.” His voice was frantic. “You were nice to me. I don’t want them to—Don’t come back.”

  “I’ll be here tomorrow,” Jane repeated. “Your beast of a father won’t touch me.” She glanced at Luca. “Because this other beast who pulls his strings won’t let him. We’ll come to an agreement and everything will be okay. Won’t it, Luca?”

  “If we come to an agreement.” He added softly, “And if you don’t disobey when I give you orders. I don’t see why Tomas should get upset again.”

  “Neither do I.” She strode out of the room and down the hall. “He’s gone through enough.”

  “But you appear to be a comfort to him in his time of need. He was looking at you as if you were an angel from heaven.” He added mockingly, “Are you going to be able to save him from me, Jane?”

  “I’ll try. Someone has to do something. His mother is so frightened that she can barely function. She wants to help her son, but she let that atrocity happen to him. I lay the blame for that at your door, too.”

  “Of course you do. And I accept it. No, I welcome it. The man who wields the power is always to blame. It’s a sign of that power.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re incredible.” She increased her pace. “It will take thirty minutes for me to shower and dress. I’ll meet you on the veranda.”

  “Take your time,” Luca said. “You’ll be punished regardless. You disobeyed and you can’t expect me to overlook it again. But now you’ll realize that Tomas will know you’re not exempt and it will frighten him. I believe that will cause fewer incidents. You’re incredibly soft where children are concerned, Jane. First Michael, and now this youngster who is a complete stranger to you. Why?”

  “Other than sheer decency? Children are innocent, and the innocent shouldn’t suffer at the hands of people like you. There should be some special hell to send you to keep them safe.”

  “Innocent?” He tilted his head. “But didn’t Ernest Hemingway say something about everything that was truly wicked starting from innocence? Doesn’t that mean that poor, gentle Tomas will turn into his father as time passes?”

  “No.” They had reached the door of her suite and she threw it open. “It means that what you did to Tomas was sickening. And that I hope I find a way to pay you in kind.”

  He chuckled. “And in the meantime, I’ll have the child to use as a weapon against you. You do have such a delightful frankness. I’m really so glad that you’re completely unable to hide what you feel.” He turned away. “But you must remember you have to be magnificent tonight. You have to be everything I want you to be. It’s essential to my plans…”

  * * *

  The dining room on the veranda was faultlessly elegant and resembled any fine restaurant Jane had visited in Paris or London. The veranda was at the rear of the building and overlooked a lake that had been invisible from the tower entrance. The sunset view mirrored in the water was splendid. There were several tables covered in the finest linen, and she could see at least four waiters in attendance.

  But only one of those tables had anyone seated at it.

  Luca stood up and inclined his head as he saw her coming toward him. “You did very well.” His gaze went slowly over her, from the top
of her shining red hair, to the curve of her breasts revealed by the low neck of the peacock-blue taffeta gown. “Quite splendid with your hair. Even breathtaking.” After he seated her he motioned to the hovering waiter, who quickly disappeared. “I thought that blue would be wonderful on you. You look like a princess.”

  “It’s not my thing at all. But I couldn’t find anything simpler or less formal.” She met his eyes across the table. “And I was afraid that you would be an asshole and insist that I change if I showed up in slacks. I’m hungry and it wasn’t worthwhile to make an issue of it.”

  “I’m glad you’re hungry. I’ve already ordered dinner, and you’ll find it absolutely superb. I brought the chef from a hotel in Rome. He’s a master at his craft.”

  “Well, it must not take much effort since it looks like he has very little to do.” She glanced around the empty dining room. “Are you usually his only guest?”

  “Yes. For the time being, but that will change when I leave this place for a more permanent residence.”

  “The magnificent city-state you create in some extradition-free heaven?”

  “Exactly. I’m considering either the South Seas or Russia.” He watched the waiter pour her wine. “And I’m not appreciating your sarcasm, Jane. It will be as close to heaven as a man can get.”

  “Will it?” She glanced around the empty tables of the dining room. “It seems very boring to me. There’s no life. You’ve worked so hard to reach what you think is perfection but it’s like a barely begun sketch that will never be a painting. Unfinished.”

  “You said that before.” He quirked his lips. “It will be finished. It just takes money. I’ve come so far and I’m getting close. You’ll get me even closer.” He stared directly into her eyes. “Perhaps it will happen tonight.”

  She was suddenly wary. There was a reckless excitement in his face. “What do you mean?”

  “What I said.” He lifted his glass and finished his wine. “You with your talk of painting and unfinished work. You don’t know anything. I’ll have whatever I want. By the way, did you see the Da Vinci in your suite? I thought only you would properly appreciate it.”