The Persuasion

by Iris Johansen

  “But he’ll need to be with his mom while that’s going on. She’s the only one he loves and is sure loves him.” He shook his head. “But at the same time he feels like he has to take care of her. I guess they’ll both have to learn how things work when there’s no Alberto messing up their lives for them. That’s kind of confusing, too.”

  “I can see how it would be.” Her eyes were narrowed on his face. “So just what are you asking, Michael? What is it that you want?”

  “I’d just like to be around Tomas when he needs me,” he said quietly. “I thought maybe we could rent a house for him and his mom somewhere near the lake cottage and help them get a new start. Maybe show them what a family could be like? Could we do that?”

  “It would be difficult.” It obviously didn’t seem too difficult to Michael. Just transplant two broken people and try to put them back together. Let them heal their own wounds, yet keep their roots and independence. And then show them how it could all be possible. How long had Michael been thinking, planning, trying to find the best way to save Tomas and his mother? Yet Eve could see problems looming, and she didn’t want Michael to believe that it would be that simple. “They’re foreign nationals and there could be all kinds of roadblocks to prevent them from entering the U.S. even on a temporary basis. Particularly since Tomas’s father was guilty of several gory homicides.”

  “It wasn’t their fault. It wouldn’t be right to blame them.”

  “Sometimes bureaucrats don’t pay attention to what’s right. They only see what’s in their rule book. It could be a hard battle.”

  “But we should do it.” He smiled. “We should fight it, if it would help them. You know that, Mom. And if we all do this together, you know we could win.”

  She looked at the eagerness in his expression and then slowly nodded. “We’ll do our best.” A brilliant smile suddenly lit her face. “What am I talking about? No, we’ll do better than that. You’re right, together we’re totally unbeatable.” She held out her hand to him. “Now let’s go call your dad and discuss how we’re going to find a way to make it happen.”

  * * *

  “He’s gone?” Jane stared blankly at the orderly who was taking the linens off Caleb’s hospital bed. She whirled on Lisa. “What do you mean he’s gone? He just checked out of the hospital? When? Why?”

  Lisa held up her hand. “I can only answer one question at a time.” She was drawing Jane out into the hall. “And some of them I can’t answer at all. All I know is that when I came to see Caleb this morning, the head nurse told me that she’d had notice he’d already checked out of the hospital.” She made a face. “She was as bewildered as I was because he’d not been dismissed by any of his physicians. Shortly before midnight last night, he just told the floor nurse he was leaving, and she wasn’t to tell anyone until the head nurse came on duty in the morning.”

  “And of course she’d do as he wished.” That damn persuasion again. “You didn’t know he was going to do it?”

  She shook her head. “I told you, I didn’t know until this morning. I left him at eight last night and he never mentioned that in four hours he was going to blow the place. The closest he came was telling me that he’d received a call about some offer of a hunt he might accept. At first, I was mad as hell that he didn’t trust me.” She shrugged. “But then I realized he might have thought I’d tell you. He’d been avoiding you recently, he wouldn’t even talk about you. So it might have been about you and not me.”

  Pain. Even through the bewilderment and rejection, Jane was feeling the pain twisting inside her. “Yes, it sounds like it might have been about me,” she said unsteadily. “That must have been a great relief to you.”

  “You’re right, it was a relief. Because trust is everything between Caleb and me. But then I realized he only did it because he knew I might have told you, if I’d known.” She was frowning. “Because he was wrong. He shouldn’t have hurt you like this. I don’t know why he did it, but he was wrong.”

  “I think so, too.” Jane swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “But I’m surprised that you believe it’s true, when Caleb is always perfect in your eyes.”

  “Not this time. He made a mistake. He’s entitled, but I saw how you fought to save him. You’re good for him. He shouldn’t walk away when you’re so good for him.” Her gaze was on Jane’s face. “And he hurt you. I can see it. You’re my friend and I don’t like him hurting my friend. He mustn’t do that.”

  “I’m in complete agreement. But I’m glad that you’re on my side this time.” Jane took a deep breath. The pain and shock were gradually fading, and she was left with bewilderment and yet perhaps the start of a vague notion why this had happened. “And I have an idea Caleb might have deliberately handled this abrupt departure just the way he intended, with all the brutality and cruelty those early Ridondos would have shown.”

  Lisa frowned. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Neither do I. But I’m going to find out.” She turned and started down the hall toward the elevator. “Right after I find Caleb.”

  “You might not be able to find him,” Lisa called after her. “Not if he’s on a hunt.”

  “You don’t think so? Believe me, Caleb’s never had anyone as determined as I’ll be on his trail. He doesn’t stand a chance.” She added grimly, “Don’t worry, I’ll find him.”

  * * *

  Outside Paphos, Cyprus

  Three Weeks Later

  He was close!

  Jane was half running, her eyes narrowed on the shadowy trees that bordered the trail. He could be anywhere.

  But Caleb had already left the hotel, so that meant he would be heading down this hill toward the sea.

  Move fast, before he reached the cruiser he’d stashed in the cove. She couldn’t let him—

  She fell to the ground as a tackle from behind brought her down!

  She instinctively started to struggle.

  “Stop,” Caleb said roughly. “We don’t have time for that. I have to get off Cyprus in the next ten minutes, and now I’ll have to take you with me.” He got off her and pulled her to her feet. “Run, dammit.”

  “That’s what I was doing,” Jane said as she tore down the hill. “And you didn’t have to tackle me. All you had to do was stop and let me catch up.”

  “Which was difficult when there might be three goons coming down the hill from that hotel who might want to shoot me…and you, on sight.” He’d reached the cruiser in the cove and he lifted her onto the deck. “Just keep low until we get out on the open sea.” He untied the boat and started the engine. “This was totally idiotic, Jane. I can’t believe you did it.”

  “Yes, you can.” She sat down on the seat as the cruiser tore out of the cove. “You might have even expected it. Oh, not that I’d actually follow you on a hunt itself, but that I wouldn’t let you go easily. You know me well enough to realize how determined I can be. That’s why you crept out of that hospital in the middle of the night.”

  “Crept?” His lips twisted. “Really, Jane. And it wasn’t the middle of the night.”

  “Close enough.” She looked back over her shoulder at the hotel on the hill. “There are lights all over that driveway now. You timed it right. Ten minutes. Why did you think there would be pursuit? What happened up there tonight?”

  “I kept a promise.”

  She was silent. “Prey?”

  “I think you realized that I was on a hunt.” His eyes were narrowed on her face. “But I don’t know how you knew where to find me.”

  “Joe. You mentioned a hunt to Lisa. I told Joe that I had to know where you were going right away. You know how many contacts he has with law enforcement and agencies all over the world. I asked him to sift through them and give me the most logical location for you.” She shook her head ruefully. “He exhausted all of his own contacts and then started on yours.”

  Caleb was swearing beneath his breath. “Palik.”

  She nodded. “Palik knew you we
re working with Joe to get Luca. I guess he didn’t think there would be anything wrong in telling Joe you’d be here tonight. He even gave him a few details.” She looked back again at the hotel, which was almost out of sight. “What promise did you keep, Caleb?”

  “To Nicco Barza. I promised him that a very ugly crime boss named Santo would never trouble him again. Barza was the one who talked Davron into betraying Luca at the airport. It was time I kept my word.”

  “How?”

  “Santo had a massive heart attack tonight after returning from dinner at his wife’s parents’ home.” He tilted his head. “You see how considerate I’ve been? I’d rather have chosen a far more bloody and painful death for the son of a bitch, but there was no use upsetting his wife and children.”

  “But you still thought there might have been pursuit.”

  “I wasn’t sure I wasn’t seen. Santo had men all over that hotel.” He put the cruiser on auto and turned to face her. “And they wouldn’t have thought twice about shooting you or anyone else on the hotel property after they found Santo’s body. They’ve been trained to shoot first and ask questions later.”

  “He sounds very unpleasant, and if he was dead, then I don’t see why anyone would want to avenge him. I think you tackled me for no good reason.”

  He frowned and then reluctantly smiled. “I admit I enjoyed it. I was pissed off at seeing you there. You shouldn’t have come.”

  “You shouldn’t have left. I wasn’t pissed off, I was hurt. Which I believe to have been the purpose of the entire exercise.” She looked him in the eye. “Wasn’t it, Caleb?”

  “Why should I have gone to the bother? I had a job to do and I decided to go do it. I don’t answer to you, Jane.” He smiled mockingly. “Remember, you promised me no commitment. Maybe I found our relationship a little taxing after you almost got me killed. Everyone knows how self-centered I can be.”

  “Bullshit.”

  His brows rose. “Really, Jane. I’m disappointed in you. Where’s your pride?”

  “Where it’s always been.” She got to her feet and moved closer to him. “Pride is all very well, but it can get in the way. I’m proud of who I am. I’m proud of who you are. I have no intention of letting either fool me into losing what we can be together.” She reached out and grasped the edges of his jacket. “But I do want to hit you for giving me a bad few minutes when Lisa was telling me that I was the one you were trying to escape.”

  “Maybe you were.” His face was now without expression. “How can you be certain?”

  “Because I know you.” She shook him. “Because I love you. Because you’re the one who’s the idiot. Because I realized after I thought about it that I was the one you were trying to let escape. You almost died for me, and you thought that was a tie I’d never be able to break. You’ve been saying that you’d never let me go, and this would have sealed it, wouldn’t it? Yet when it came down to it, you walked away from me because you thought I wouldn’t be able to leave you.”

  “And I’m so noble that I’d do that?” he asked sardonically. “You must be thinking of someone else. Not likely, Jane.”

  “Very likely. Call it whatever you want. I’ve seen you with Lisa and I know you’d give up everything for her.” She paused. “And I think you feel the same way about me. You wanted to give me a chance to walk away if it was gratitude that was holding me to you. You didn’t mind plotting and planning and using persuasion, but you didn’t like the idea of gratitude. Heaven forbid that I be grateful to one of the wicked Ridondos for anything. Did it make you feel like a wuss?”

  “It might have.” He tilted his head, thinking about it. “There’s something very milquetoast about gratitude. It could totally ruin my image.”

  “No way,” she said unsteadily. “There’s nothing milquetoast about you.” She paused. “I was right, wasn’t I? Tell me I was right.”

  He didn’t speak for a moment. “You might have been right,” he finally said jerkily. “I do detest gratitude, and the worst thing I can imagine is having you chained like that.”

  “Good. I knew it.” She pulled him toward her and kissed him.

  “Oh, shit.” He jerked her into his arms and he was kissing her, stroking her, his hands on her breasts. Heat. His tongue moving, making her…

  She finally broke free and gasped. “Definitely not milquetoast.” She swallowed. “Though you have a lot of other faults. I’m getting very tired of you assuming that because you have all the talents of the Ridondo brothers, you’ve also inherited all their sins. That’s bullshit, and I want you to stop.”

  “Then of course I’ll do it. You’re right, maybe not quite all their sins.” His hand was caressing her throat. “Though I think I should probably confess that it was only two days after I left the hospital that I decided I wasn’t going to be able to follow through with my good intentions. I was only going to give you a month’s trial period without me before I went after you again.” He made a wry face. “Not exactly noble. Very Ridondo.”

  “But also very honest—a move that strikes a balance. I can handle the wicked brothers easier than all that noble bullshit.” She went into his arms and held him fiercely. “And now I want you to hold me and tell me that you won’t ever do this again. I want a promise. It wasn’t fair. It hurt me.”

  He was silent a moment, gazing down at her. “I won’t ever do it again,” he said hoarsely. His arms tightened around her, and he buried his lips in her throat. “Though God knows I shouldn’t promise you. Maybe someday I might actually be able to walk away and that would be the best thing for you.”

  “Too late. I’ve got you. And you don’t break your promises.” She pushed back and looked up at him. “Now one more thing. Considering that you nearly died for me, it’s not too much to ask that you tell me it was for a damn good reason. Do you love me, Seth Caleb?”

  “Extravagantly.” He added lightly, “Though I believe you said it wasn’t at all necessary. You said no commitment.”

  “That was before you sent me wildly hunting after you for these past weeks. I needed the reassurance. I had to be sure, because I think there’s only one way you’ll ever be sure I love you, trust you, and want to stay with you.” She drew a deep breath. “And it’s a hell of a commitment. Because you know what family means to me.” She cradled his face in her two hands and looked him in the eyes. “I want to be your lover for the rest of my life. But I also want you to be part of my family as I’m going to be part of yours, Caleb.” She paused before she could say the words, and then they came out in a rush. “Will you marry me?”

  His smile faded. “What are you saying?”

  “You heard me. You said you loved me?”

  “God, yes.”

  “Well, I want everything that means. I don’t want half measures. Will you give me what I want?”

  He turned his head and his lips brushed her palm. “You don’t know what you’re asking. You should know by now that half measures are safer for you where I’m concerned. I’d be a constant complication in your life. I shouldn’t do it.”

  “Yes, you should. I’m being very selfish. I’ve decided there’s no one in the world better for me than you. Why do you think I ran after you?”

  “You’re crazy?” He shook his head. “But it doesn’t matter any longer. You’re not getting away from me.” He pulled her closer and whispered, “All I want to know is how the hell am I ever going to convince Eve and Joe that you’re doing the right thing?”

  “You won’t have to convince them. They’ll know after our first child is born.” She could feel him stiffen against her, and she moved still closer. “Because that’s part of the deal, Caleb. Don’t you dare draw back from me. I know the blood talent isn’t passed down to every child, but whether it is or not, it will be our child. We’re not going to be cheated because we might have to contend with a child who is special. Michael is special and difficult and full of wonder. Any child you give me will be the same because you’ll be the father. You’ll pr
otect him and guide him and love him as you did Maria and Lisa and me. It will never be like what you went through growing up, whether he has a talent or not.”

  “You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said hoarsely. “You don’t know.”

  “And neither do you, because it’s all going to be new to us.” She stared him in the eyes. “But I do know that we’re going to make this work, because I won’t have it any other way. And I’m betting that you love me enough that in the end, you’ll give me what we both need and want.”

  “We’ll talk about it later,” he said warily.

  “Yes, we will.” She lifted her hand again to his cheek, her eyes twinkling. “Constantly. Forever. And I’ll be gentle with you for a while. But just remember that if you think I was completely relentless in tracking you down after you tried so idiotically to abandon me, you haven’t seen anything yet. I’m going to get my way, Caleb.”

  He looked down at her for a long moment, his eyes glittering with a multitude of emotions. Then he took her hand on his cheek and moved it to his lips. He smiled but his voice was thick with that same emotion as he said, “I’m very much afraid you will, Jane MacGuire. I don’t believe I have the slightest chance in hell. Lord save me from an obstinate woman.”

  “You won’t have to be saved. I might not know anything about persuasion, but I guarantee I’m going to work very hard on making both of us enjoy every minute of our time together.” She drew still closer and added unsteadily, “Every day. Every way. Count on it.”

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  About the Author

  IRIS JOHANSEN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 consecutive bestsellers. Her series featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan has sold over 20 million copies and counting, and was the subject of the acclaimed Lifetime movie The Killing Game. Along with her son, Roy, Iris has also co-authored the New York Times bestselling series featuring Kendra Michaels. Johansen lives near Atlanta, Georgia.