“You phoned me. You wanted me here,” he said harshly. “Now take me as you find me.”
“No, I won’t do it. Why should I?” She gestured to the chair next to her. “Now sit down, and we’ll talk, then I’ll let you go and see Jane. But not until I think you’re ready.”
“That decision was out of your hands the minute you told me she was dying.”
“Not unless you want to knock me down to get past me. And neither one of us thinks that Jane would want you to do that.”
His hands were clenched into fists at his sides. “I need to get to her.”
“And you will.” My God, she had been aware of his savage anger and determination, but now she was seeing much deeper. Wild despair, hurt, incredible disbelief that this could happen to Jane, that he couldn’t have somehow prevented it. “Now sit down and you’ll be able to break free of me that much sooner.”
He didn’t move for an instant, then dropped down in the chair. “Talk to me. Get it over with.”
“Okay, first I’ll tell you why it happened and what we’re up against. Because even if you manage to save her, the fight won’t be over. You didn’t ask me any questions, and I didn’t tell you anything but the bare minimum to get you here.”
“I didn’t care. I still don’t care. I just need to keep her alive.”
“I’ll be as brief as I can. But you will listen, Caleb.” She quickly and concisely filled him in on the details that had brought Jane to this state. “That’s why the security is so tight. Santos could decide to send someone to finish the job at any time.”
“That won’t happen.” He repeated the name. “Santos. I’ll remember. I can’t deal with him right now. But I’ll remember.”
“That’s not why I told you about him. I gave that job to Catherine. She made me a promise. You just have to have the full picture, so that you can do what you have to do.”
“So you’ve given it to me. May I go to her now?”
“In a minute.” She paused. “I think you should know something else. Santos may not be the only one you may be fighting to bring her back from that coma. When we found Jane in that car covered in blood and so terribly near death…” She paused. “It’s crazy, but she was smiling.”
Caleb stiffened. “And?”
“You know how depressed she’s been since Trevor was killed. Almost suicidal.”
“Jane’s too strong for that bullshit.”
“But maybe not too strong to accept what she deems as fate.”
He was suddenly smiling recklessly. “Then I’ll have to convince her to change her mind, won’t I? Being killed by that son of a bitch, Santos, isn’t her fate.” He met her eyes. “And Trevor was never her fate. He can’t have her.”
“She loved him,” Eve said gently. “He was everything she wanted in a man.”
“Do you think I don’t know that? Trevor had the good looks of a movie star, he was brave, he was intelligent. He was also gentle and civilized and a great guy who she could trust and live within never-never land forever.”
“That’s a difficult combination to beat, Caleb.”
“But I would have done it if Trevor hadn’t been killed. I didn’t get the chance. I knew it was going to be hell when he was dying.” His lips twisted. “Do you know even then he was trying to protect her? He wanted me to take care of her. He wanted me to be him. There was no way I was going to do that.”
“But it seems that you’re going to have to do what he wanted anyway,” she said sadly.
“My way. Not Trevor’s.” He got to his feet. “Are you going to take me to her or not?”
She nodded. “I’ll come with you. I don’t want you to disturb Joe any more than he is now. We’ll leave you alone with Jane for a little while. Though I don’t know how much good it will do with her in a coma.”
“I’ll still be able to reach her.”
“How? As far as I’ve heard, you’re no psychic.”
“I don’t need to be. I can control the blood. The mind and the blood interact on so many levels. She won’t be able to hide from me.”
“That still sounds very—”
“I’ve done it before with Jane. Of course, not precisely in this kind of situation. I was angry with her once and I— Never mind. Needless to say she was annoyed with me, but I definitely was able to get below the top layers of consciousness to what was underneath.”
“I can imagine she was annoyed,” she said dryly. “No wonder she’s so wary with you.”
“We’re wasting time. Just take me to her and leave us alone. Jane and I don’t need anyone else.”
“Maybe you don’t. But Jane is different. She cares about people.”
“And you think I don’t?”
“I think you care about Jane. That’s the only reason I brought you here.” She studied him. “And perhaps Trevor found something in you on the day he died that could be a salvation for Jane. Or maybe he saw what was coming and was hedging his bets.” She shrugged wearily. “But right now, you’re the only game in town for us. So I’ll play it the way you want it played.” She paused. “As long as I see no harm in it for Jane.”
He nodded curtly. “And after I save her, you’ll try to send me on my way. I understand it. I’m no Trevor. I’m not safe.”
That went without saying, she thought as she stared at him across the room. She could almost sense the darkness and flames surrounding him. But there was also power and feeling so intense that it took her breath away. She could understand why Jane had always been drawn to Caleb. The difference between him and Trevor was incredible, but there was a part of Jane that reached out for adventure and danger and the mysteries of life. But that power Caleb emitted was giving Eve hope and lifting her spirits in a world of despair.
“I’ve never thought you were safe, Caleb.” She moved across the room and followed him into the hall. “I’ll deal with that later. After you bring my Jane back to me.”
“No, after that it will be up to Jane.” He strode quickly down the hall. “Just as it always was and always will be…”