Concentrate.
Close out everything.
I’m prey, being hunted. But I’ll never make it easy for them.
Find a way to turn it.…
*
“You made good time.” Brukman moved quickly forward to greet Nicos and Salva as they entered the gate. “I have her ready for you.” He gestured to Margaret bound to the post. “She must be terrified. She’s been standing there with her eyes shut for the past few hours. Weird. But I didn’t want to do anything to her until you got here.”
“Very smart.” Nicos moved toward the post. “Since you’ve done everything wrong since the moment Lassiter got to you, that’s refreshing. What do you think, Salva? Do you think our Margaret is terrified at what’s going to happen to her?”
“She should be,” Salva said. “But she’s your toy. You know her better than I do. However, her reactions are always interesting.” He stopped a few yards from the post and called, “Tell me, are you playing possum, Margaret?”
“Hello, Salva.” Margaret opened her eyes and saw Nicos directly in front of her and Salva just behind him. It came as no shock. She’d been preparing herself for it. “Why should I keep my eyes open when everything here reminds me of you, Nicos? All the filth and the pain and Brukman, who’s as ugly and pitiful as you are. I had better things to—”
Her head snapped back against the post as Nicos’s hand whipped forward and backhanded her.
Pain.
Don’t show him.
Ignore it.
She stared him in the eye. “As I said, I had better things to do.”
“Saying your prayers?” Salva asked mockingly.
“Yes,” she said calmly. “But perhaps not the way you mean it.” Her eyes never left Nicos. “I needed the strength and wisdom to face you and to get you to free me. Who could I count on to give me those things, Nicos?”
Salva chuckled. “Are you giving him that voodoo bullshit again?”
“Am I, Nicos?” Her voice lowered. “Is it bullshit? What happened in that airport in Montego? Did you ever see the dogs go on the attack like that? I told you I was getting stronger. I don’t have to use the dogs. Do you want an enemy killed? I can do it for you. Usually with no evidence of foul play. It takes a little time and concentration, but I can do it. You love the idea of having your private slaves. Remember Rosa? Wouldn’t I be the ultimate in what you want?”
“She’s playing you, Nicos,” Salva said.
“Perhaps,” Nicos said softly. “But you’re not a good judge. You don’t believe what I believe. What I’ve seen with my own eyes. Of course I find what she’s telling me is exciting. And it’s true that the dogs had never attacked before. That Lab nearly tore off Ricardo’s thumb. He had to go to the emergency room to get his hand stitched.”
“It could have been his throat,” Margaret said.
Nicos laughed. “And served him right, the fool. He should never have let you get away.” His smile faded. “You betrayed me.”
“Betrayal didn’t enter into it. You were threatening me.” Her lips tightened. “Lassiter threatened me, too. He wanted to score off you any way he could. Why do you think he forced me to take that risk in Montego Bay? Why do you think he brought me down here when he knew that there was a good chance I’d be killed? He knew I was valuable to you. He doesn’t care about anything or anyone but Patrick.”
“Bitterness?” Nicos said. “But I’ve always known that Patrick was Lassiter’s Achilles’ heel. You couldn’t compete.”
“I didn’t want to compete. I wanted to be left alone by all of you,” she said. “But here I am back with you, Nicos. And I’m going to stay alive any way I can. So what do you want from me? Do you want me to take you to where Patrick is hiding?”
“Do you know?”
“Not for sure. But I could probably find him. No, I’m certain I can find him.” Her gaze shifted to Salva. “Or perhaps you’d like to test me? I can see how intrigued you are at the idea of lifting your finger and somebody dying. Who shall it be? Salva? He’s always annoyed you a bit.” Her gaze swung to Brukman. “And you’ll never trust Brukman again. It would probably happen anyway. Which one?”
Brukman began swearing, but Salva’s expression didn’t change.
“Tempting.” Nicos smiled. “But you were always tempting in so many ways, Margaret. This one, I admit, is more intriguing than usual.”
“Think about it,” Margaret said. “I’m at your disposal. No promises. I know you’d never believe them. But do you believe anyone? All you care about is power, and as long as you control me, you’ll have the power. Test me. Let me show you.”
“I will think about it.” He tilted his head. “But what may be more tempting is what Brukman is so good at.” He reached out and his hand closed on her breast. “I’ve been thinking about it all the way down here.” His hand tightened with bruising force.
Pain.
Don’t stiffen. Don’t scream. No expression.
He was waiting for it, watching for it.
And he was clearly disappointed. His hand released her. “But perhaps I can have both.”
She shook her head. “Concentration is everything, Nicos. You’d distract me. You’d be cheating yourself.”
“I’ll take over.” Brukman had stepped forward. “Let me do it, Nicos. You’ll like it. I promise.”
“Are you frightened, Brukman?” Nicos smiled maliciously. “I think you are. I find that amusing. Go ahead and chain her with the others.”
“You’re believing her lies?” Salva asked.
“You’re nervous, too, Salva? When we’ve been together so long?” Nicos said. “She’s eager to prove herself to me. She said she might be able to find Patrick. As for the other, I think that a risk always stimulates competition. It won’t hurt to have a threat hanging over both of you until I decide what I’m going to do with her.” He turned away. “And it won’t hurt to have a threat hanging over her. She may appear cool, but there’s always fear.”
“Test me,” Margaret said again. She looked between Salva and Brukman again. “You know you want to do it, Nicos.”
“I’ll see you in a little while, Margaret.” Nicos glanced at Brukman. “Don’t kill her, and tell me if she tries to escape.” He smiled slyly as he headed for the bunkhouse with Salva following. “After all, Salva will tell you that she’s not really a priestess with black powers, and that her threats mean absolutely nothing, won’t you, Salva?”
Margaret could hear Brukman cursing as he undid her manacles. Her legs were feeling weak and she had to make an effort to keep her face without expression. Any show of weakness to any of them would be dangerous right now. They were men who would take advantage of any sign that she could be easily taken down.