“It must be the drugs. Even you’re looking mellow to me.”
“Mellow?” He tilted his head. “Then maybe I’d better take advantage of the moment while your defenses are down. Did Eve or Joe tell you that the operation was a success?”
“Joe.”
“Good.” He studied her face. “And you didn’t fight its being a success. That helped to make it work. I was a little worried Basle might have an uphill psychological battle in spite of everything I did to give those arteries a chance to heal.”
“No, I told you that … I knew I wasn’t being … fair. Trevor knew, too. He turned his … back. I’ll do what you all want me to do.”
“That will do until we can bring you back all the way. I made the operating staff promise not to reveal your condition to anyone else. As far as anyone knows, your status is still critical.”
“To keep someone from trying again? It … won’t work.”
He shrugged. “I don’t think so either, but I had to try. It will make Eve feel better.” He leaned forward. “You know that I’ll protect you?”
She could feel the dark intensity, the flames that surrounded him. But at this moment, they didn’t disturb her. “Yes, I’m … not worried about that.”
“You’re not worried about much of anything,” he said dryly. “I think now is the time I should probe a little, don’t you?”
“Not honorable.”
“And since when did you think I was honorable?”
“Never, but I think you have a … code. I just can’t read it.”
He chuckled. “Neither can I.” He tilted his head. “And why do you think I’m so determined to protect you?”
“Sex,” she said emphatically.
“Oh, I’m afraid of having my toy taken away?” He nodded. “Yes, sex has a good deal to do with it. Of course, you’d recognize that aspect. Anything else?”
She shook her head. “Can’t read your code.”
“But you could always read Trevor.” His smile faded. “And when you couldn’t, you knew what there was for you. You’ll never know that with me because it just keeps building and changing.”
“Don’t want to talk about Trevor. Makes me … sad.”
“Fine. So let’s go back to what’s important while you’re still mellow enough to listen and comprehend. I’ll be with you constantly until you’re out of here. I’m expecting problems, and I’ll not allow my work to be wasted. Whenever I tell you to do something, it will have nothing to do with what I eventually want from you. It will only be to keep you alive. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Believe me?”
“I think I do.”
“And you’ll do what I say?”
She was silent.
“Jane.”
“Until I get out of this hospital.”
He smiled faintly. “I couldn’t ask any more. I’d be afraid you had brain damage if you hadn’t qualified that.” He got to his feet. “I’d like to stay for a while, but I don’t want to push my luck. You understand, and you won’t fight me. I feel lucky to be given those concessions. I’ll go get Eve and Joe and let you relax for a while. But I’ll always be close.”
“I know.” She stared at him. Darkness and fire and a fascinating sensuality. Strange that she felt no tension or threat at this moment. “I’m perfectly relaxed.”
“The drugs. It probably won’t last that long.”
“Maybe not.” What would it feel like to be comfortable and at ease with him all the time? She would probably never know. Even now, she was experiencing a faraway, tiny ripple of uneasiness. “Too bad.”
He looked back over his shoulder. “Is it? We’ll have to see as time goes on…”
RAIN FOREST
GUATEMALA
Smoke!
Montez woke from an uneasy sleep with the acrid sting in his nostrils. The cave was dark, but he could see a veil of smoke hanging on the air.
He jerked upright. Had the cave he’d found been discovered? Were they burning him out? He reached for his knapsack and crawled forward toward the cave opening. He stopped warily, his gaze searching the darkness of the forest.
Smoke all around, but there was no fire licking toward his cave.
And no one appeared to be in the trees near him.
So where was the smoke coming from? All he needed was a forest fire trapping him in this cave.
Find out.
If the fire was no threat to him, stay here. If there was danger, go on the run again.
Or go to the monastery if he judged that it was now safe from Dorgal.
He was sure Dorgal had ordered it searched already, but Montez still had to let time pass before he made contact. He would never forgive himself if other innocents died because he was scurrying for shelter.
No, not the monastery yet.
This cave was shelter enough and threatened no one but himself.
He moved cautiously out of that shelter and glided toward the trees.
His lungs were burning. He started to cough.
Ignore it.
Where was the fire?
To the west. He could hear a deep whoosh of crackling sound.
Find out where it was and in what direction it was traveling.
He covered his nose and mouth with his handkerchief and moved through the forest.
The smoke was thicker now.
The crackling louder.
And dread was beginning to turn him cold with fear. No, it didn’t have to be—
Then he heard the screams.
And he realized what was on fire.
The monastery.
CHAPTER
12
Her cell phone was ringing, waking Catherine from sleep.
She jerked upright in bed and grabbed it from the bedside table.
Montez. Thank God, it was Montez.
“You’ve made up your mind?” she asked as she answered the phone. “I knew that—”
“Come and get me,” Montez said hoarsely. “I told you that I’d ask for a sign. Well, I have it.” His voice was strained with agony. “Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus, I have it.”