“Who are you kidding? That sounds passive on your part, and we both know that you’re never passive.” She was staring at him, seeing the strength, the contained explosiveness. But that explosiveness needed only a breath to break free of all restraints. Hu Chang had once told her that Cameron was probably the most dangerous man either one of them would ever meet. From what she had seen in the past, that statement had proved true.
So why not take what he offered? Anything that would keep Santos from any more killing was worth taking the risk of working with Cameron. She didn’t want to owe Cameron a debt of gratitude, but she would worry about that later. “As long as you work with me and not around or behind me.”
He smiled, his light eyes suddenly gleaming with mischief. “What about ahead?” He quickly held up his hand to avoid her response. “Only joking. I’ll be very meek.”
She made a rude sound. “That’s not going to happen.”
“You’re probably right.” He went around to the passenger side of the car. “Now that we’ve come to an agreement, I’ll let you drive me back to Louisville. There’s no use us taking two cars. I’ll have one of my men drive my car back later.”
“I’m surprised that you don’t want your own wheels,” she said as she slipped into the driver’s seat. “You do like control.”
“I can always steal yours if it becomes necessary.” He got into the passenger seat. “And I’ve found there are some situations where submission can be pure pleasure. Haven’t you discovered that, Catherine?”
She had a sudden searing memory of lying naked, Cameron over her, his hands moving in her with incredible erotic skill. Yes, she had been helpless, submissive then as she had never been before. And it had scared the hell out of her.
“You’re not answering,” Cameron said softly.
“Because this isn’t about us or sex games,” she said. “If you can’t realize that, you can get out of my car right now.”
“I realize all the nuances of our relationship, but one of those nuances is sex. It’s bound to pop up now and then.” He paused. “Now, what are you clenching so tightly in your hand?”
She opened her palm. “A gift from Eve.”
“Jane’s?” He took the dog tag and held it up to the sunlight. It glittered and turned in his grasp. “It has blood on it.”
“Eve didn’t want to wipe it off. She wanted Santos to see it when I returned it to him.” She took the dog tag back from him. “When I killed the son of a bitch.”
“I’d be delighted to do it for you.”
“No.” She jammed the dog tag into her jacket pocket. “I made her a promise.” She started the car. “I’ll do it myself.”
“As you wish.” He leaned back in the seat. “As long as Santos doesn’t annoy me any more than he’s doing right now. By the way, has Santos called you yet?”
“No, why are you certain he will?”
“Aren’t you? He enjoyed tormenting you before by outlining his agenda for you. It sounded to me like it was going to be an ongoing indulgence.”
He was right. She had been half expecting that call from Santos. “Who knows what he’s waiting for? Maybe he’s setting up another kill.”
“Then we’d better go on the offensive.” He took out his phone. “Now while you’re driving, and I’m being submissive, I’ll make a few phone calls that will push our agenda along a bit…”
*
The call from Santos came when she had reached Louisville and was pulling into her driveway.
She looked down at the ID. “Speak of the devil.”
“Wonderfully descriptive. Yes, I did. Do you suppose I’m psychic?”
“Not funny.” She put on the brakes, accessed the call, and pressed the speaker button. “Santos, you son of a bitch.”
“You sound stressed, Catherine,” Santos said. “Are you upset that I was able to fool you? I admit I enjoyed working out all the details. I suppose I can hardly blame you for being stressed after spending the morning with your friend Eve. Did she tell you that she hated you? I doubt that even the best friendships could withstand a daughter’s death.”
“She doesn’t hate me. She hates you. And Jane isn’t dead. Neither is Kelly. You keep failing, Santos.”
“Kelly Winters was not a designated target, she was merely a bonus I was going to allow myself. I just wanted to keep you busy and not thinking about other directions until I was certain that Jane MacGuire was a sure thing.”
“She wasn’t a sure thing. She’s still alive.”
“I knew that an hour after she was taken to St. Joseph’s. She must be remarkably strong. I heard that she should have died before she reached the hospital. I was upset that she didn’t die instantly, but that shot should have done the trick, so I can’t really fault my man.” He chuckled. “And perhaps it’s better that she takes a little time to die. That agony is greater for Eve, and that will hurt you. That’s why Jane MacGuire was my choice. It was a way to hurt you in a multitude of ways. I was going to send someone to dispense with her once and for all, but I decided to let her linger. I understand the doctors say she has no possible chance.”
“She might surprise you.”
“You don’t really believe that. You’re a realist. No, I did not fail with MacGuire. If I get impatient, I may decide to finish her off, but not before I wring every bit of pain out of your friend Eve Duncan.” He paused. “But at the moment, I’m busy planning on another gift to hand you. Who do you think will be next, Catherine?”
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“But then I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the scenario nearly as much. No suspense for you, no stabbing at the jugular for me. No, it’s much better the way I’m setting it up.”
“You don’t know who you’ll be able to take from me. I have them all protected.”
“Circumstances change. You can’t guard everyone all the time. Just when you think they’re safe, they’ll do something careless. Then I’ll have them.”
“Not if I have you first.”
“You won’t give up, will you?” He laughed. “But then I knew you wouldn’t. That’s what I told Delores. You’ll fight and fight until the minute I take you down.”