ChapterOne

Awomaninred,veryblondandchic,stoodbeforetheMonaLisawithamuchtaller,darkmanand
madeasharpcommentinFrench.Themanlaughed.Theyseemedinclinedtolinger,buttherewasa
verylonglineoftouristsimpatienttoseethedaVincimasterpieceintheLouvre,andveryvocal
abouthavingtowaitsolongfortheirturn.Oneofthevisitorshadaflashcameraaimedatthe
timelessmasterpiece,whichhadbeenplacedbehindlayersofbulletproofglass,untilaguardspotted
him.

BrianneMartin,fromhervantagepointonanearbybench,foundthevisitorsasinterestingasthe
worksofart.Inhershortsandtanktop,withhergreeneyessparkling,herblondhairinaFrench
braidandabackpackslungoveronethinshoulder,shelookedwhatshewas—astudent.Shewas
almostnineteen,apupilatanexclusivegirls'schoolontheLeftBankinParis.Shedidn'tmixwell
withmostoftheotherstudents,becauseherbackgroundwasnotoneofwealthandpower.

Shecamefrommiddle-classparents,andonlyhermother'ssecondmarriagetointernationaloil
magnateKurtBrauerhadgivenBriannetheopportunitytosamplethisluxuriouslifestyle.Notthatit
wasbychoice.KurtBrauerdidn'tlikehisstepdaughter,andnowthathisnewwifeEvewaspregnant,
hewantedBrianneoutoftheway.AboardingschoolinParisseemedtheidealchoice.

Ithadhurtthathermotherhadn'tprotested.

"You'llenjoyit,dear,"Evehadsaidhopefully,smiling."Andyou'llhaveplentyofmoneytospend,
won'tthatbeachange?Yourfathernevermademorethanminimumwage.Hereallyhadno

inclinationtobetterhimself."

CommentslikethatmadethestrainedrelationshipbetweenBrianneandherpetite,blondmother
worse.Evewasasweetbutselfishcreature,alwayswithaneyetothemainchance.

She'dgoneafterBrauerlikeasoldieroncampaign,completewithfrillybattleplan.ToBrianne's
astonishment,hermotherwasmarriedandpregnantwithinfivemonthsofheradoredfattier'sdeath.
FromtheirnicebutsmallapartmentinAtlanta,theMartinwomenhadbeentransplantedtoavillain
Nassau.

KurtBrauerwaswealthy,althoughBriannehadneverbeenabletodiscovertheexactsourceofhis
wealth.Heseemedtobeinvolvedinoilexploration,butstrange,dangerous-lookingmencameand
wentattheNassauofficeheinfrequentlyoccupied.HehadahomeinNassauandbeachhousesin
BarcelonaandontheRiviera,andayachttosailbetweenthem.Chauffeur-drivenlimousinesand
mealsthatcostthreefigureswerecommonplacetohim.Evewasinherelement,richforthefirsttime
inherlife.Briannewasmiserable.VeryquicklyKurtsizedherupasathreatandgotheroutofthe
way.ShelookedaroundtheLouvrewithgreatinterest,asalways.Ithadbeenherfavoritehauntsince
she'darrivedinParis,andshewasinlovewiththeoldconvertedpalace.Ithadonlyjustgonethrough
amajorrenovation.Althoughsomeofthechangeswerenottoherliking—especiallythosegigantic
modern-lookingpyramids—shelovedtheexhibits,andshewasyoungenoughnottomindshowing
herenthusiasmfornewplacesandexperiences.Whatshelackedinsophisticationshemadeupfor
withspiritedenjoyment

Amancaughthereye.HewasstaringatoneoftheItalianpaintings,butnotwithmuchenthusiasm.In
fact,hedidn'tseemtoseeit.Hiseyesweredarkandquietandhisfacewasheavilylined,asifhewere
inpain.

Therewassomethingveryfamiliarabouthim.Hehadthick,darkwavyhairwiththreadsofsilverin
it.Hewasabigman,broadintheshouldersandnarrow-hipped.Shenoticedthathewasholdinga
cigarinonehand,eventhoughitwasn'tlit.Perhapsheknewbetterthantosmokeinherewithallthese
exquisitetreasuresbutcouldn'tdowithoutsomethinginhishand.Sheoftenpickedatherfingernails,
sometimestearingthemoffatthequickwhenshewasupset.Maybethecigarkepthimfrombitinghis
nails.

Thethoughtamusedherandshesmiled.Helookedveryprosperous.Hewaswearingacream-striped
sportcoatwithwhiteslacksandabeigeshirt.Notie.Hehadathingoldwatchonhisrightwristanda
weddingringonhisleftringfinger.Hewasholdingthecigarinhislefthand,sopresumablyhewas
left-handed.

Heturned,andshegotaglimpseofabroad,darklytannedface.Hismouthwasfirmandthinand
wide,andhisnosehadacrookinit.Therewasafaintcleftinhischin.Hehadheavydarkeyebrows
overlargeblackeyes.Helookedfascinating.Healsolookedfamiliar.Shecouldn'tquite
remember...oh,yes.Herstepfatherhadgivenapartyaftertheweddingforsomebusinessassociates,
andthismanhadbeenthere.Hewassomethingbiginconstruction.Hutton.Thatwasit.L.Pierce
Hutton.HeheadedupHuttonConstructionCorporation,whichspecializedinbuildingtransatlanticoil

drillingplatformsandalsohigh-rise,high-techbuildings.Hewasanarchitectofsomenote,
especiallyinecologicalcircles,andconservativepoliticiansdidn'tlikehimbecauseheopposed
slipshodconservationmethods.Yes.Sherememberedhim.Hiswifehadjustdied.Thatwasthree
monthsago,buthedidn'tlookasifhe'ddonemuchhealing.

Sheapproachedhim,drawnbythelookofhim.Hewasstillstaringatthepaintingasifhe'dliketoset
amatchtoit.

"It'sveryfamous.Don'tyoulikeit?"sheaskedathisside,fascinatedbyhisheight.Sheonlycameto
hisshoulder,andshewasfairlytall.

Helookeddownatherwithnarrow,coldeyes."Jeneparlepasanglais,"hesaidinavoicethat
chilled.

"Yes,youdospeakEnglish,"shecountered."Youdon'trememberme,Iknow,butyouwereatthe
receptionwhenmymothermarriedKurtBrauerinNassau."

"Mycondolencestoyourmother,"hesaidinEnglish."Whatdoyouwant?"

Herpalegreeneyessearchedhisdarkones."IwantedtosaythatI'msorryaboutyourwife.Nobody
evenmentionedheratthereception.Isupposetheywereafraid.Peopleare,aren'tthey,whenyoulose
someone.Theytrytopretendithasn'thappenedortheygetredinthefaceandmuttersomething
undertheirbreath.That'showitwaswhenmyfatherdied,"sherecalledsomberly."Ionlywanted
someonetoputtheirarmsaroundmeandletmecry."Shemanagedasmile."Thatneveroccursto
mostpeople,Iguess."

Hehadn'tthawedabit.Hiseyessweptoverherfaceandlingeredonherstraight,freckled
nose."WhatareyoudoinginFrance?IsBrauerworkingoutofParisnow?"

Sheshookherhead"Mymother'spregnant,"shesaid."I'mintheway,sotheysentmeoverhereto
school."

Hiseyebrowsjerkedtogether."Thenwhyaren'tyouinit?"

Shemadeaface."I'mcuttinghomeeconomics.Idon'twanttolearnhowtosewandmakepillows.I
wanttolearnhowtodoaccountsandbalancespreadsheets."

Hemadeasoundinhisthroat."Atyourage?"

"I'malmostnineteen,"sheinformedhim."I'mgreatinmath.ImakestraightA's."Shegrinnedathim.
"SomedayI'llcomeandpesteryouforajob,whenIgetmydegree.Iswear,I'mgoingtoescapefrom
thisruffledprisononedayandgetintouniversity."

Heactuallysmiled,evenifitwasreluctantly."ThenIwishyouluck."

SheglanceddownthewaytowardtheMonaLisa,wherethelinewasstilljustaslong,andthe
murmurswerelouderandgruffer."They'reallimpatienttoseeit,andthenthey'reshockedthatit'sso
smallandbehindsomuchglass,"sheconfided."I'vebeeneavesdropping.Theyallexpecttoseesome
hugepainting.Iimaginethey'redisappointedtohavewaitedsolonginline,andnottofindit
coveringawholewall."

"Lifeisfullofdisappointments."

Sheturnedbacktohimandsearchedhiseyes."I'mreallysorryaboutyourwife,Mr.Button.Theysaid
youweremarriedfortenyearsanddevotedtoeachother.Itmustbehell."

Hecloseduplikeasensitiveplant."Idon'ttalkaboutprivatethings—"

"Yes,Iknow,"sheinterrupted."Itneedstime,that'sall.Butyoushouldn'tbealone.Shewouldn'twant
that."

Hisjawtwitched,asifhewasexercisingalotofrestrainttokeephisexpressionundercontrol.
"Miss...?"

"Martin.BrianneMartin."

"You'llfindasyougetolderthatit'sbestnottobesooutspokenwithstrangers,"hecontinued.

"Iknow.Ialwaysrushinwhereangelsfeartotread."Herpaleeyesweresmilinggentlyasshelooked
upathim."You'reastrongman.Youmustbe,tohaveaccomplishedsomuchinlifealready,when
you'renotevenfortyyet.Everybodyhasbadtimes,anddarkplaces.Butthere'salwaysalittlelight,
evenatmidnight."

Sheheldupahandwhenhestartedtospeakagain."Iwon'tsayanotherword.Doyouthinkhe's
exactlyinproportion?"shewondered,noddingtowardtheexplicitpaintingofamanandawoman
thathe'dbeenlookingthrough.“Heseemsabit,well,stunted,don'tyouthink,forhissize?Andshe's
exaggerated,butthen,theartistwassomethingofaconnoisseurofplumpnudes."Sheletoutalong
sigh."WhatIwouldn'tgivetohaveherattributes,"sheadded."I'mgoingtobetwowalnutsfortherest
ofmylife."Shecheckedherwatch,unawareofhisstartandthestrange,reluctantsmilethattouched
hiseyes."Gosh,I'llbelateformathclass,andthat'stheoneIdon'twanttocut!Goodbye,Mr.Hutton!"

Sherantowardthestepsthatleddowntostreetlevelwithoutlookingback,herbraidflyinglikeher
long,thinlegs.Shewasganglyandinelegant.ButHuttonhadfoundheradelightfuldiversion.

She'dthoughthewasdispleasedwiththepainting.Helaughedshortlyashiseyesfelltothecigar,
unlit,inhislefthand.Hehadn'tcomeheretolookatpaintings,buttoconsideraplungeintotheSeine
afterdark.

Margowasgoneandhe'dtriedandtried,buthecouldn'tfacethefuturewithouther.Hewouldn'tsee
herblueeyeslightupwithlaughter,hearhersoft,French-accentedvoiceassheteasedhimabouthis

work.Hewouldn'tfeelhersoftbodywrithinginecstasyunderhisinthedarknessoftheirbedroom,
hearherpleas,feelhernailsbitinghungrilyintohisbodyashebroughthertofulfillmentagainand
again.

Hefelttearsstinghiseyesandblinkedthemaway.Therewasaholeinhisheart.Nobodyhaddared
approachhimsinceherfuneral.Heforbadethementionofhernameinthequiet,emptymansionin
Nassau.Attheoffice,hewastireless,ruthless.Theyunderstood.Buthewassoalone.Hehadno
family,nochildren,toconsolehim.ThegreatestpainofallhadbeenMargo'sinabilitytoconceive
afterhertragicmiscarriage.Itdidn'tmatter.Ithadnevermattered.Margowaseverythingtohim,and
hetoher.Childrenwouldhavebeenwonderful,buttheyweren'tanobsession.HeandMargohad
livedlifetothefullest,alwaystogether,alwaysinlove,rightuntiltheveryend.Byherbedside,asshe
wastedawaytoapalewhiteskeletonbeforehisanguishedeyes,Margohadthoughtalwaysofhim.
Washeeatingproperly,washegettingenoughsleep?Sheeventhoughtofthetimeafterward,when
shewouldn'tbetheretotakecareofhim.

“Youneverwearacoatwhenitsnows,''shecomplainedweakly,"oruseanumbrellaintherain.You
don'tchangeyoursockswhentheygetwet.Iworryso,moncher.Youmusttakecareofyourself,tu
comprends?"

Andhe'dpromised,andwept,andshe'dcradledhimonherthinbreastsandheldhimwhilebecried,
unashamedly,thereinthebedroomthey'dshared.

"God!"hecriedaloudasthememoriesrushedathim.

Acoupleoftouristsglancedathimwarily,andasifhe'donlybecomeawareofwherehewas,he
shookhisheadasiftoclearit,turnedandwalkeddownthestepsandoutintothehotParissunshine.

Theroutinesoundsoftrafficandhornsandconversationrestoredhimtosomesenseofnormality.
ThenoiseandpollutionindowntownParishadmadeahigh-strungpopulationevenmorenervous,
butthenoisedidn'tbotherhim.Heclenchedhisbigfistinhispocket,thenrelaxedandsearchedfora
lighter.Hetookitout,lookedatitthereonthestonestepsthatledtothesidewalk.Margohadgivenit
tohimontheirtenthweddinganniversary.Itwasgold-cased,inscribedwithhisinitials.Hecarriedit
always.Histhumbsmoothedoveritandthepainhithimrightintheheart.

Helitthecigar,puffedonit,feltthesmokechokinghimforaninstant,andthencalminghim.Hetook
abreathandlookedaroundattheglutoftouristsontheirwayintotheLouvre.Havingholidayfun,he
thought,glaringatthem.Hewashurtingrightdowntohistoes,andtheywereallsmilesandlaughter.

Hethoughtthenofthegirl,Brianne,andwhatshe'dsaidtohim.Howodd,tohaveatotalstranger
comeupoutofnowhereandlecturehimonthehealingofhisbrokenheart.Hesmileddespitehis
irritation.Shewasanicechild.Heshouldhavebeenlesscurttoher.Herememberedthathermother
hadmarriedBrauerandbecomepregnant.Briannehadmentionedthepainfullossofherfatherand
hermother'simmediateremarriageandpregnancy.She'dknowaboutpain,allrightShewasinthe
way,she'dsaid,sothey'dsentheroverhere.Heshookhishead.Itseemedthateveryonehadproblems
ofsomesort.Butthatwaslife.HeglancedattheRolexonhiswristwitharuefulsmile.Hehada

meetingwithsomecabinetministersinthirtyminutes,andinthemaddeningtrafficthroughthecityat
thishourhe'dbeluckyifhewasonlythirtyminutesoverdue.Hewalkedtothecurbandhailedacab,
resignedtobeinglate.
Briannesneakedintothebuildingandintohermathclassroom,grimacingashaughtyEmilyJams
spottedherandbegantowhispertoherfriends.Emilywasoneoftheenemiesshe'dmadeinthelittle
timeshe'dbeenatthisexclusivefinishingschool.Atleasttherewasonlyanothermonthtogo,andshe
couldbesentsomewhereelse.Tocollege,hopefully.Butfornowshehadtobearthisla-di-da
finishingschoolandthehighbrowsnobberyofEmilyandherfriends.

SheopenedhermathbookandlistenedtoMadamelecturethemonadvancedalgebra.Atleastthis
coursewasfulfilling.Andsheunderstoodequations,evenifshedidn'tunderstandmeticuloussewing.

AfterclassEmilypausedinthehallwithhertwocohortsflankingher.EmilywasfromatitledBritish
familythatcouldtraceitsheritageallthewaybacktotheTudorcourtShewasblondandbeautiful
andworethemostexpensiveclothes.Butshehadamouthlikeagutter,andshewasthecoldesthuman
beingBriannehadeverknown.

"Youskippedclass.ItoldMadameDu-bonne,"sheaddedwithavenomoussmile.

"Oh,that'sokay,Emily,"sherepliedwithanequallysweetsmile."Itoldherwhatyou'vebeendoing
withDr.MordeaubehindtheChinesescreeninartclassonTuesdayafterclass."

Emily'sshockedfacedrewin,butbeforeshecouldreply,Brianneflashedheragaminegrinand
skippedoffdownthehall.ItalwaysseemedtoamazeotherstudentsthatalthoughBriannelooked
fragile,almostvulnerable,thatlookconcealedastrongandstubbornspiritandaformidabletemper.
StudentswhothoughttheycouldpickonBrianneweresoondispossessedofthenotion.Shehadn't
beenlyingaboutwhatshe'dsaidtoMadameDubonne,either.Emily'scarelessassignationwiththe
school'sartprofessor,Dr.Mordeau,hadbeenoverheardbyseveralstudents,allofwhomwere
disgustedbythecouple'slackofdiscretion.Anyonewalkingintothestudiowouldhaveheardwhat
theyweredoing,evenwithouttheirsilhouettessovisiblebehindtheflimsyscreen.
Laterthatday,Dr.MordeauwentonextendedsickleaveandEmilywasn'tinclassthenextmorning.
Oneofthegirlshadseenherleaveinachauffeuredlimousine,suitcasesandall,justafterbreakfast.

Afterthat,schoolbecamelessofatrialtoBrianne,asEmily'sformercroniesrealizedtheirreduced
statusinthestudentbodyandbehavedaccordingly.Briannebecameclosefriendswithacopper-
hairedgirlnamedCaraHarvey,whowasjusteighteen,andtheyspenttheirfreetimegoingtoart
galleriesandmuseums,ofwhichParishadmorethanitsshare.Briannewouldn'tadmitthatshe'd
hopedtofindPierceHuttonatanyofthem,butshedid.Thebigmanfascinatedher.Heseemedso
alone.She'dneverfeltquitethatlevelofempathyforanyonebefore.Itwasalittlesurprising,butshe
didn'tquestionit.Notthen.

Thedayofhernineteenthbirthday,shewentalonetotheLouvreinlateafternoontolookatthe
paintingshe'dfoundPierceHuttonstaringat.ExceptforacardfromCara,herbirthdayhadgoneby
withoutanynoticeatallfromothers.Hermotherhadignoredit,assheusuallydid.Herfatherwould
havesentrosesorapresent,buthewasdead.Shecouldn'trememberabirthdaythatwassoempty.

TheLouvreforoncefailedtoliftherdroopingspirits.Shewhirled,makingtheskirtofherankle-
lengthslipdressflareoutIthadapalegreenpatternthatmadehereyeslookbigger,andwithitshe
woreasimplewhitecottonT-shirtandflatslippers.Sheworeafannypackinsteadofcarryinga
purse,becauseitwaseversomuchmorecomfortable,andherhairwasloose,long,blond,straight
andthick.Shetosseditimpatiently.She'dhavelovedcurlyhair,likesomeoftheothergirlshad.Hers
wasimpossibletocurl.Itjustfelltoherwaistlikeacurtainandhungthere.Shereallyshouldhaveit
cut.

Itwasgettingdarkandsoonshe'dhavetogobacktoschool.She'dsplurgeonacab,shedecided,
althoughshewasn'ttheleastafraidofParisafterdark.Asshescannedthestreet,lookingforacab,a
smallbistrocaughthereye.Shewantedsomethingtodrink.Perhapsshecouldgetasmallglassof
wine.Thatwouldmakeherfeelproperlyanadult.

Shewalkedintothedark,crowdedinteriorandrealizedatoncethatitwasmoreabarthanabistro,
andveryexclusive.Shedidn'thavemuchmoneyinherfannypack,andthisenvironmentlooked
beyondherpocket.Withafeintgrimace,sheturnedtogo,whenabighandcameoutofnowhereand
shackledherwrist.

Shegaspedasshelookedupintoblackeyesthatnarrowedatherstartofsurprise.

"Chickeningout?"heasked."Aren'tyouoldenoughtodrinkyet?"

ItwasL.PierceMutton.Hisvoicewasdeepandcrisp,butjustalittleslurred.Awaveofhisthick
blackhairhadfallenontohisbroadforeheadandhewasbreathingunevenly.

''I'mnineteentoday,''shefaltered.

"Great.Youcanbemydesignateddriver.Comeon."

"ButIdon'thaveacar,"sheprotested.

"NeitherdoI,cometothinkofit.Well,inthatcase,wedon'tneedadesignateddriver."

Heledhertoacornertablewhereasquarewhiskeybottle,halffull,satbesideasquatlittleglassand
atalleronewithwhatlookedlikesodainit.TherewasabottleofseltzerbesideAemandanashtray
whereathickcigarlaysmoking.

“Iguessyouhatecigarsmoke,"hemutteredashemanagedtogetintotheboothwithout
fallingacrossthetable.Obviouslyhe'dbeenthereforawhile.

"Idon'thateitoutdoors,"shesaid."Butitbothersmylungs.Ihadpneumoniainthewinter.I'mstillnot
quitebacktonormal."

"NeitheramI,"hesaidonaheavybreath.Heputoutthecigar."I'mnotanywherenearbacktonormal

inside.It'ssupposedtogetbetter,didn'tyousaythat?Well,you'readamnedliar,girl.Itdoesn'tget
better.ItgrowslikeacancerinmyheartImissher."Hisfacecontorted.Heclenchedhisfiststogether
onthetable."Oh,dearGod,Imissherso!"

Sheslidclosetohim.Theywereinasecludedcorner,notvisibletotheotherpatrons.Shereachedup
andputherarmsaroundhim.Itdidn'teventakemuchcoaxing.Inasecond,hisbigarmsencircledher
slenderwarmthandcrushedittohischest.Hisfaceburieditselfhotlyinherneck,andhisbighands
contractedathershoulderblades.Shefelthimshudder,feltthewetnessofhiseyesagainstherthroat.
Sherockedhimasbestshecould,becausehewashuge,allthewhilemurmuringsoothingnothingsin
hisear,crooningtohim,whisperingthateverythingwouldbeallright,thathewassafe.

Whenshefelthimrelax,shebegantofeeluncomfortableandalittleembarrassed.Hemightnot
appreciatehavingletherseehimsovulnerable.

Butapparentlyhedidn'tmind.Heliftedhasheadwitharoughsoundandproppedhisbighandsonher
shoulders,lookingatherfromunashamedlyweteyes.

"You'reshocked?American,aren'tyou,andmendon'tcryinAmerica.Theyburytheirfeelings
behindsomemachofacadeandnevergivewaytoemotion."Helaughedashedashedawaythe
wetness."Well,I'mGreek.Atleast,myfatherwas.MymotherwasFrenchandIhaveanArgentinian
grandmother.Ihave.aLatintemperamentandemotiondoesn'tembarrassme.IlaughwhenI'mhappy,
IcrywhenI'msad."

Shereachedintoherpocketanddrewoutatissue.Shesmiledasshewipedhiseyes."SodoI,"she
said."Ilikeyoureyes.They'revery,verydark."

"Myfather'swere,andsoweremygrandfather's.Heownedoiltankers."Heleanedcloser."Isold
themallandboughtbulldozersandcranes."

Shelaughed."Don'tyoulikeoiltankers?"

Heshrugged."Idon'tlikeoilspills.SoIbuildoildrillingplatformsandmakesurethey'rebuilt
properly,sotheydon'tleak."Hepickeduphisglassandtookalongsip.Asanafterthought,hepassed
ittoher."Tryit.It'sgoodScotchwhiskey,importedfromEdinburgh.It'sverysmooth,andithas
enoughsodatodiluteit."

Shehesitated."I'veneverhadhardliquor,"sheconfessed.

"There'safirsttimeforeverything,"hetoldher.

Sheshrugged."Okay,then,bottomsup."Shetookabigsipandswalloweditandsatlikeastatuewith
hereyesbulgingastheimpactalmostchokedher.Sheletoutaharshbreathandgapedintotheglass.
"Goodheavens,rocketfuel!"

"Sacrilege!"hechided."Child,that'sexpensivestuff!"

"I'mnotachild,I'mnineteen,"sheinformedhim.Shetookanothersip."Say,thisisn'tsobad."

Hetookitawayfromher."That'senough.I'mnotgoingtobeaccusedofseducingminors."

Hereyebrowsrose."Oh,wouldyou,please?"sheaskedbrightly."I'venever,yousee,andI've
alwayswonderedwhatmakeswomentakeofftheirclothesformen.LookingatstatuesintheLouvre
isn'treallythebestmethodofsexeducation,andjustbetweenus,MadameDubonneseemstofeelthat
babiesarebroughtbyseabirdswithbigbeaks."

Hisowneyebrowsrose."You'reoutrageous."

"Ihopeso.I'veworkedhardenoughtogetthatway."Shesearchedhisdarkfacequietly."Feeling
better?"

Heshrugged."Somewhat.I'mnotdrunkenough,butI'mnumb."

Sheputherfingersoverhisbighand.Itwaswarmandmuscular,andtherewerethickblackhairs
curlingintothecuffofhislong-sleevedwhiteshut.Hisfingernailswerewideandflatand
immaculatelycleanedandtrimmed.Shetouchedthem,fascinated.

Helookeddown,studyingherownlong,elegantfingerswithshortnails."Nopaint,"hemused."How
aboutonyourtoenails?"

Sheshookherhead."Myfeetaretoostubbytobeelegant.Ihaveusefulhandsandfeet,notpretty
ones."Hishandturnedoverandcaughthers.

"Thankyou,"hesaidabruptly,asifitirritatedhimtospeakthewords.

Sheknewwhathemeant.Shesmiled."Sometimesallweneedisalittlecomfort.You'renoweakling.
You'reatoughguy,you'llgetthroughit."

Heshrugged."Maybe."

"Certainly,"shesaidfirmly."Shouldn'tyougohomenow?"sheasked,glancingaround."There'sa
veryslinky-lookingwomanovertherewithplatinumhairoutofabottlegivingyoutheeye.She
lookslikeshe'djustlovetoleadyouhomeandmakelovetoyouandstealyourwallet."

Heleanedtowardher."Ican'tmakelove,"hesaidconfidentially."I'mtoodrunk."

"Shewouldn'tcare,Ithink."

Hesmiledlazily."Wouldyou?"hemused."Supposeyoucomehomewithme,andwe'llgiveitmy
bestshot."

"Oh,notwhenyou'resoused,thanks,"shereplied."Myfirsttimeisgoingtobefireworksand
explosionsandthe1812Overture.HowcouldIpossiblygetthatfromadrunkman?"

Hethrewhisheadbackandburstoutlaughing.Hehadanicelaugh,deepandslowand
robust.Shewonderedifhedideverythingaswholeheartedlyashegrieved.

"Takemehome,anyway,"hesaidafterthelaughterpassed."I'msafeenoughwithyou."Hehesitated
afterhe'dlaidthebillsonthetable."Butyoucan'tseduceme,either."

Sheputherhandonherheart“Ipromise."

"Allright,then."Hestoodup,weavingalittle,andfrowned."Idon'tevenremembercominghere.
GoodGod,IthinkIwalkedoutinthemiddleofnegotiationsforanewhotel!"

"They'llstillbegoingonwhenyougetback,"shechuckled."Heaveho,Mr.Hutton.Let'sfindacab."

ChapterTwo

PierceHuttonlivedinoneofthenewest,mostexclusivehotelsinParis.Hefishedouthiskeyforher
astheypassedthedoorman,wholookedsuspicious.Sodidthedeskclerk,whoapproachedthemat
theelevator.

"Somethingiswrong,MonsieurHutton?"heaskedpointedly.

"Yes,Henri.I'mverydrunk,"herepliedunsteadily.HisbigarmtightenedaroundBrianne."Doyou
knowmybusinessassociate'sdaughter,Brianne?She'sinschoolinParis.ShefoundmeatChez
Georgesandbroughtmehome."Hegrinned."Shesavedmefromafemmedunuitwhohadhereye
onmywallet."

"Ah,"Henrisaid,nodding.HesmiledatBrianne."Doyourequireassistance,mademoiselle?"

"He'sratherheavy,butIthinkIcancope.Willyoucheckonhimlater,justtomakesure?"sheadded
withgenuineconcern.

ThelastofHenri'smisgivingsevaporated."Itwillbemypleasure."

Shesmiledshyly."Mercibeaucoup.Andpleasedon'treplywithmorethaniln'yapasdequoi,"she
addedquickly,"becausethat'stheentireextentofmyFrenchvocabulary,despiteMadameDubonne's
mostdiligentefforts."

"YouareatLaBelleEcole?"heexclaimed."Why,mycousinisthere."Henamedagirlwhom
Brianneknewjustfaintly.

"Shehasblackhair,"Briannerecalled."Andshealwayswearsalongsweater,howeverhotitis,"she
addedwithachuckle.

"Old,"Henrisaid,shakinghishead."Theenfantisalwayscold.Here,letmehelpyou,mademoiselle"
hesaid,andassistedthemtotheelevator.

Henrihelpedthemintotheelevator,whichwasfortunatelyemptyexceptfortheoperator,
andinstructedthemaninrapidFrenchtogetMonsieurHuttonintohisapartment.

"Hewillassistyou,"heassuredBrianne."Andwewilltakeexcellentcareofmonsieur,"headded
gently.

Shegrinnedathim."ThenIwon'tworry."

Henodded,thinkingwhatakindyoungwomansheseemed.Andsuchgloriousblondhair!

SherodeupintheelevatorwithPierceandtheoperator,whohelpedhergethimtotheapartment,
whichsheunlockedwithhiskey.Theymaneuveredhimintothehugebedroom,doneinablack-and-
whitecolorschemethatseemedtosuithim.Thebedwasking-size,withfourpoststhatroselike
slenderwraithstowardtheceiling.Theyloweredhimontoit,andheopenedhiseyesashestretched
ontheblackcoverlet.

"Ifeelodd,"hemurmured.

"Idon'tdoubtit,"Briannemused,thankingtheelevatoroperator,whosmiledatherandclosedthe
doorbehindhim.

Pierce'sblackeyessearchedoverBrianne'sflushedface."Feellikehelpingmeundress?"heasked.

Shecoloredevenmore."Well..."

"There'safirsttimeforeverything,"here-mindedher.

Shehesitated.Hewasn'tinanyconditiontodoithimself.Hewasverydrunk.Probablyhewouldn't
rememberwhatshelookedlikeinthemorning.

Sheuntiedhisshoesandpulledthemoff,andhissockswiththem.Hehadnicefeet.Theywerelong
andelegant,andverybig.Shesmiledasshewalkedaroundthebedandeasedhimupintoasitting
position.Shetookoffthejacketandthenunbuttonedtheshirt.Hesmelledofexpensivesoapand
cologne,andunderthatshirtwasabroad,dark-skinnedchestwiththickblackhaircoveringit.She
toucheditaccidentallyandherhandtingled.

"Margowasavirgin,"hesaidsoftly."Ihadtocoaxheroutofherclothes,andeventhoughsheloved
medesperately,shefoughtmeatfirst,becauseIhadtohurther."HetouchedBrianne'sredfacegently.
"Idon'tsupposethereareanyvirginsleftthesedays.MargoandIwerealwaystheoddonesout.Very
traditional.Ididn'tmakelovetoheruntilweweremarried."

"Canyoumoveyourarm...?Yes,that'sfine."Shedidn'twanttohearthis,butshewas
acaptiveaudience.Shepulledtheshirtoffandhadtofightnottoadmirethetanned,musculararms
andchestHedidn'tlooklikeamanwhospentalotoftimebehindadesk.

"You'reonlynineteen,"hesaidonaroughbreath."Ifyouwereolder,IthinkIcouldmakeloveto
you.You'reverypretty,littleone.Yourhairexcitesme.It'ssolong,andthere'ssomuchofit."He
tookitinbothhandsandclosedhisfingers."Sexyhair."

"Yoursisnice,too,"shesaidforthesakeofconversation."Now,Idon'tthinkIcan..."sheadded,her
handshesitatingathisbelt

"Ofcourseyoucan,"hesaidquietly.Hecoaxedherhandstothebeltandheldthemthere,helpingher,
hiseyesonherfaceassherumbledthebuckleloose.Heguidedhertothefasteningsandthen
deliberatelyplacedherhandsunderbothwaistbands."Now,pull,"hecoaxed.Andhearchedhisback
tohelpher.

Ahundredshocked,outraged,delightedthoughtsfloodedhermindastheclothingcameawayfrom
thatlithe,powerfulbody.HewasnothinglikethepaintingintheLouvre.Hewasbeautifullymade,a
workofartinhimself,withnotawhitestreakorabulgeorahintoffatanywhere.Finehairshaded
themostintimatepartofhim,andshehesitatedwiththeslacksaroundhisknees,withherheart
beatinghertodeathasshestaredhelplesslyatwherehewasmostaman.

Itwasagoodthing,hethoughtdimly,thathewasdrunk,becauseherraptexpressionwouldhave
triggeredaragingarousalanyothertime.Asithappened,hewastoorelaxedtofeeldesireatall,and
forhersake,hewasglad.Shefoundhimintimidatingeveninrelaxation.Hepermittedhimselfa
smallupturnofthelipsasheconsideredherexpressionifshesawhiminfullarousal.

That,ofcourse,wouldneverhappen.Margowasdead.Hewasdead,insideandout.Thebriefamused
lightinhiseyeswentout.Helaybackonthepillowswithalongsigh.

"Whydopeoplehavetodie?"heaskedwearily."Whycan'ttheygoonforever?"

Shebrokeoutofhertranceandfinishedstrippinghim,beforeshetuggedthecoverletoverhishipsto
spareherselfanymoreembarrassment.

"IwishIknew,"sheconfided.Shesatdownbesidehimonthebed.Herhandwenttorestonhiswhere
itspreadoverhischest."Trytogetsomesleepnow.It'sthebestthingforyou."

Hiseyesopened,searching,haunted."Shewasonlythirty-five,"hesaid."That'snoageatallthese
days."

"Iknow."

Hishandturnedandcaughthers,smoothingitpalmdownintothethickhairthatcoveredhim."White
knightscomeinbomsexes,itseems,"hemuseddrowsily."Where'syourarmorandlance,fair

Joan?"

"Inmypocket.Wanttosee?"

Hesmiled."You'regoodforme.Youchasethecloudsaway."Hestudiedher."ButI'mbadforyou.A
verybadinfluence."

"Itwasonlyasipofwhiskey,"sheremindedhim.

"Andastriptease,"headdedblithely."I'msorryaboutthat.IfI'dbeenmoresober,Iwouldn'thaveput
youinsuchanembarrassingsituation."

"Oh,itwasn'tsobad.I'dseenthatpaintingintheLouvre,amongothers,afterall."Sheclearedher
throat."Hereallywas,uh,stunted,wasn'the?"

Hechuckledwithpuredelight.

"Sorry."Shepulledherhandawayandgottoherfeet."CanIbringyouanythingbeforeIgo?"

Heshookhishead.Itwasalreadybeginningtohurt,despitethestupor."I'llbeallrightnow.You'd
bettergetbacktoschool.Didyougetintroubleforcuttingthatclass?"

Shechuckled."Notabit.I'llfinishnextmonth."

"Thenwheredoyougo?"

Shelookedforlornforaninstantbeforeshedisguisedit."Oh,backtoNassau,Iguess,forthe
summer.Butnextfall,it'suniversity,whatevertheysay,evenifIhavetopayforitmyself.I'malready
ayearbehindtheclassIshouldbein.I'mnotwaitinganylonger."

"I'llpayforitiftheywon't,"hesaid,surprisingly."Youcanpaymebackwhenyouhaveyourdegree."

"Youwould...dothatforatotalstranger?"

Hefrownedslightly."Totalstranger?"heaskedpointedly."Whenyou'veseenmetotallynude?"

Shecouldn'tmanagearesponse.

"Whichissomethingofanaccomplishment,letmetellyou.Untilnow,Margowastheonlywoman
whoeversawmelikethat."Hiseyesbecamedullagain.Hewinced.

Sheputherfingersagainsthischeekinacomfortinggesture."Ienvyher,"shesaidgenuinely."It
musthavemeanteverythingtoher,tobelovedlikethat."

"Itwasmutual,"hemanagedtosaythroughhisteeth.

"Yes,Iknow."Shedrewherhandawaywithalittlesigh."I'msorryIcan'tstopitfromhurtingso
much."

"Youcan'timaginehowmuchyou'vehelped,"herepliedsolemnly."ThedayIwasintheLouvreIwas
lookingforawaytogettoher,didyouknow?"

Sheshookherhead."Ionlyknewthatyouseemedtotallyaloneanddespondent."

"Iwas.Youeasedthepain.Today,itcameback,andyouwerethere."Hesearchedherpaleeyes."I
won'tforgetthatyoupulledmebackfromtheedge.Whateveryouneed,I'llbearound.Ihaveahouse
ofmyowninNassau,nottoofarfromBrauer's.Whenthingsgettoohot,youcanalwayscome
visiting."

"ItwouldbenicetohaveafriendinNassau,"sheconfessed.

Hiseyesnarrowed."Idon'thaveafriend.Atleast,Ididn't."Helaughedcoolly."You'readamned
funnyfriendforamanmyage."

Shesmiled."Iwasgoingtosaythesamething."

"Sopeoplewilltalk.Letthem."Hecaughtherhandandbroughtthepalmtohismourn.Itwasfirm
andcoolagainstthefaintmoistureunderherfingers."I'llseeyouagain,Brianne."

"Iknow."Shegottoherfeet,andhereyeslingeredonhisbroad,darkface."Youhavetolookahead,
youknow,"shesaidgently."Oneday,itwon'tbesohard.Youmusthavethingsyouhaven'tdonethat
you'vealwayswantedto,designsthatyouhaven'ttriedyet,projectstocomplete."

Hestretchedalittlesorely.“Forthepasttwoyears,ItookcareofMargowhilethecancerateher
alive.It'snoteasy,learningtoliveformyself.Idon'thaveanyonetotakecareof."

Sheopenedhereyeswide."Don'tlookatme.I'mindependent,Iam."

Hiseyesdarkened."You'reamiracle,"hesaidunexpectedly."Maybeguardianangelsreallydoexist
andyou'remine.Butit'sreciprocal.Igettobeyours.PickthecollegeyouwantI'llgetyouin,evenif
it'sOxford.Ihaveconnectionseverywhere."

Hereyestwinkled."Youdon'tlooklikeanyone'sfairygodfather."

"Appearancescanbedeceptive.I'veneverseenafatherconfessorwithlongblondhair,either."

Shechuckled."I'mgoing."

"Goon,then.Thankyou*"headded.

"Itwasnotrouble.You'reworthsavingfromyourself."Shepausedatthebedroomdoorandlooked
back,alittlelessbubblynow."You...willbeallright,won'tyou?"sheasked."Imean,youwon'tdo
anything..."

Heleaneduponanelbow."Iwon'tdoanything,"hepromisedsolemnly.

Shemadeanawkwardmovement,alittleunsureofherself."Takecareofyourself."

"You,too,"hereplied.

Sheopenedthedoor,hesitated.

"Iknowyoudon'twanttogo,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandalittlecurt."Butyouhaveto."

Shelookedathimoverhershoulderwithhuge,curiouseyes."Idon'tunderstand,"shemurmured
worriedly.

"We'velearnedmoreabouteachotherinalotlesstimethanpeopleusuallydo,"heexplained."It'sa
kindofbondingthatIhaven'texperienced,either."Hesmileddryly."Don'tworryabouttryingto
understandit.Friendshipisararething.Justacceptit"

Shesmiled."Okay."

"Waitaminute.Handmemyslacks."

"You'regoingwithme?"shemused,handingthemtohim.

"Funnygirl,"hemuttereddarkly."I'dfalldowntheelevatorshaftinmypresentcondition.No.Iwant
togiveyousomething."

"Ifyoutrytopayme...!"

"Willyoustopflashingthoseeyesatme?"hegrumbled,pullingacardfrombiswallet.Hetossedit
ontothecoverlet."Thathasmyprivatenumber,hereinthehotel.Ifyougetintrouble,ifyouneedme,
useit."

Shepickeditupandliftedhereyestohis."I'msorryImisunderstood."

"AndwhatexactlywouldIpayyoufor,anyway?"hedemandedirritably."Thesortofwomanyou're
thinkingofdoesalittlemorethantakeoffaman'spants!"

Shegasped.

"Getout,"hetoldher."Andtakeyourevilmindwithyou,nastygirl."

"Youstopcallingmenames,"shesaidhaughtily."Idon'thaveanevilmind."

"Ha!"

Shepatthecardinthepocketofherdressandsmiledathim.”Youmustbefeelingbetter,you're
growlingagain.Now,I'mreallyleaving."

"It'sjustaswellifallyouhavetooffermeareinsults."

Sheglaredathimfromthedoor."WouldyoulikemetogobacktoChezGeorgesandsendthat
womanwiththethicklipstickupheretovisityourwallet?I'llbetshe'dknowwhattodowhenshegot
yourpantsoff."

"Why,youlibertine,"heaccusedsoftly.

"Andoneofthesedays,I'lllearnwhattodo,too,thenyoujustlookout."

"Brianne."

Sheturnedwiththedooropen."What?"

Hisexpressionwasverysolemn."Becarefulabouttutorsforthatparticularskill.Beverycareful."

Shetossedbackherhair."Oh,youdon'tneedtoworry.Ialreadyhavesomeoneinmind."

"Really?Who?"heaskedcurtly.

Shesteppedoutthedoorandstuckherheadaroundit."You,whenyou'vehadenoughtimetogetover
yourgrief,"shesaidgently."Ithinkyou'llbeworthwaitingfor."

Andwhilehewasgettingoverthatshock,sheclosedthedoorandlefthim.

Nassauwasfilledtoburstingwithtourists,strollingalongthecoastlinefromthenewdevelopmentat
CoralCayallthewayintoNassauitself.Colorfuljitneysdartedthroughtraffic,barelyavoiding
collisionswithmopedsandcarsandpedestrians.BriannewanderedthroughthemarketatPrince
GeorgeWharf,admiringthecolorfulstrawpursesandhatsanddolls,butallsheboughtwasanew
hat.Thisonewasmadeofcrushablehempwithwovenpurpleflowersonthebrim.Asshepaidforit,
shegrinnedatmeladywhosoldittoher,thenmovedalongtowatchanoceanlinerfromtheUnited
Statesbeingmaneuveredoutoftheexpandedbay.Shewassurethatshe'dnevergettiredofwatching
thehugeshipscomeinandoutoftheportcity.Often,too,thereweremilitaryshipsinport,likethe
UnitedStatesdestroyerdownattheendofthepier.Sailorsfilteredthroughthetouristsontheirway
backtotheship,pausingtoadmireaprettybrunetteboardingoneoftheglass-bottomtouristboats.

Itwastimeforlunch,butshewasn'treadytogohome.NotthatKurt'svillacouldbecalledanyone's
home,exceptperhaps,hermother'sandhalfbrother's.Thebaby,Nicholas,wasayearoldnowand

theappleofhismother'seye.

Briannespentaslittletimeatthevillaasshecould.Kurthadabusinessacquaintancestayingwith
them,aMiddleEasternnationalwhowasverynearlyPierce'sage.Hewastallandslenderanddark,
withscarsononeleancheekthatgavehimadangerouslook.Briannehadn'tmethimbefore,andnow
shewishedshehadn'tcomehome.PhilippeSabonwassaidtohaveapervertedobsessionforyoung,
innocentgirls.Hewassomesortofrichstate-officialinanunderdevelopedArabnation.Sabon's
motherwasofArabdescentandhisfather,allegedly,wasFrenchbutofTurkishancestry.Verylittle
wasknownabouthisshadybackground.Hehadmillions,theysaid,buthe'dspokentoBrianneof
small,raggedbeggarsinthesouksofBaghdad,asifheknewfirsthandwhattheirlifewaslike.Ifit
hadn'tbeenforhissmarmyreputation,Briannemighthaveenjoyedhiscompany.

KurtkeptthrowingBrianneandSabontogetherateveryopportunity.Hewasalwaysnice,butthere
wassomethinginthewaySabonlookedatherthatmadeherverynervous.HewantedKurttoinvest
insomeprojectinhishomelandofQawi,whichwassandwichedbetweenseveralothersmallnations
inthePersianGulf.Itwastheonlynationthathad,untilnow,refusedtoconsiderdevelopingitsoil
potential.Itsruler,anelderlysheikh,wasoldenoughtorememberEuropeandomination,andhe
wantednomoreofitSabonhadconvincedhimthattheabjectpovertyinhisnationwastoo
widespreadtoignore.Sabonownedhisownisland,Jameel,justoffshorefromQawi.Thename,he
toldBrianne,meant"beautiful"inArabic.

SabonhadapparentlytalkedKurtintoapproachinganoilconsortiumforhim,andeveninvestingin
thisschemetodevelopthepoorcountry'soilwealth.Asahighministerinthatnation—andmanysaid
thathe'dboughttheoffice—Sabonnowhadpowerenoughtoputthroughanysortoflanddealhe
chose.Hecontrolledthecountry'sminingrights.HehadgivenKurtapartinterestinthese,andKurt
hadsentafirmofminingengineerstodoastudyontheoil-producingpotentialoftheuntouched
land.Themovehadbeenagoodone.Theengineersfoundawealthofuntappedgasandpetroleum
underthehotsands.Allthatwasseededwasmoremoneyforequipmenttoexploittheresources,
becausetheoilcompanywasonlywillingtoprovideapercentageofthecapitalrequiredfordrilling,'
andthenationaltreasuryofQawiitselfwasapparentlyoff-limitsforsuchindustry.Briannethought
thatodd,butKurtseemednottocareaslongasheheldtitletohalftheminingpotentialofthe
country.

KurtandSabonhadcombinedtheirownresources,andKurthadcoaxedanoilconsortiumtojoinin
theventure.Kurtnowhadmostofhisfortunecommittedtotheenterprise,whichheexpectedtoput
himinthebillionaireclass.HehadtokeepSaboninhishands,however,torealizethatpotential.
SabonhadalreadyinferredthatanotherrichMiddleEasternfriendwouldbehappytoreplaceKurtin
theendeavor.Kurthadtoomuchmoneytieduptoriskbackingoutnow.He'dnoticedSabon's
fascinationwithBrianne.IfdanglingBrianneasbaitwouldkeepSaboninhispower,hewasmore
thanwillingtoprovideit,withorwithoutherpermission.

TherewerestoriesaboutSabon'sperverseappetitescirculatingalloverNassau.Thewayhe'dlooked
atBriannewhentheywereintroducedmadeherfeelasifhe'dtouchedherbodyunderherclothing.
HefoundBrianne'scoldnessachallenge;shefoundhimfrightening.

Therewassomethinginhisdark,intenteyesthatintimidatedher.Hewasdignifiedandcourteoustoa
fault;hewascharming.Buttherewassomethingabouthimthatbeliedhisreputation,andBrianne
couldn'tthinkwhatitwas.Hewaslikeaniceberginthesensethatmostofhischaracterwascarefully
hiddenbehindashieldofreserve.Peoplesaidhewasperverted,yetBriannesawnothingaboutthe
manthatspokeofperversioninanyform.Heseemedalwaystobeapartfromothers,alwaysalone.
HesoughtoutBrianneandwatchedherquietly,buttherewasnohintofdisrespectorlewdnessinhis
mannertowardher.Perhaps,shemused,itwasherinexperiencethatkeptherfromseeingthetruth
abouthim.

She'dheardthatSabonwasanenemyofL,PierceHutton,whohadpubliclydenouncedSabon'srecent
supportofanationthatwasconstantlyundersanctionsfromtheworldcommunitybecauseofits
aggressivepoliticalstance.PierceseemedcertainthatSabonwasonlyseekingpoliticalsupportinthe
regionbyhispublicfriendshipwiththeothercountry.Hewantedwealthandpoweranddidn'tmind
whathehadtodotoobtainit.

Inthat,hehadsome-flungincommonwithKurtBrauer,Briannemused.Kurtdidn'tseemtohavea
conscienceoralimitinhissearchformaterialwealth.Andtherewasstillsomethingveryshady
abouthisincome.Heseemedtodonorealworkofanysort,althoughhewasconnectedinsomeway
tooilexploration.Butthemenwhovisitedhimdidn'tlooklikeoilmentoBrianne.Theylookedlike...
well,likekillers.

PhilippeSabon'scontinuedpresenceatthevilla,andhisunwaveringscrutiny,madeBriannevery
nervous.Shespentasmuchtimeawayfromthevillaaspossible.Hermotherthoughtshewas
overreactingtoanolderman'sinterestinher,andKurtdidn'tcarewhathisfriendandassociatewas
uptoaslongashebenefitedfromitfinancially.Briannehadnoalliesinthateleganthouseonthebay,
notone.

PierceButtonhadcomebacktotheislandthreemonthsearlier,butBriannehadonlyseenhimonce,
lastnight,atafancysocialgarneringthatKurtandhermotherhadtakenherto.Hewasconducting
businesswithavengeance.Helookedmuchbetter,buttherewasstillahaunteddarknessinhiseyes.
AndheseemedillateasewhenhesawBrianne.

Sherememberedwalkinguptohimwithasmile,onlytohavehimgiveherastrangely
hostileglareandturnhisbackonher.Ithadhurtmorethananythinginrecentyears.Presumablyhe
onlywantedtobefriendswithherwhenhewasdrunk.She'dtakenthehintandshe'davoidedhimall
evening.Notonewordhadpassedbetweenthem.Thathadprobablybeenthebestthingthatcould
havehappened,becauseSabondislikedPierceandKurtwouldn'tdoanythingtoirritatehim.Certainly
itwasn'tlikelythatPiercewouldreceiveanyinvitationstotheBrauerhomewhileSabonwasin
residence.

AsshegazedatthecrowdsatPrinceGeorgeWharf,sherealizedthatthoughtsofPierce'shostilityhad
keptherawakemostoflastnight.Silly,shethought,toimaginethathe'dmeantanythinghesaidwhile
hehadhalfabottleofScotchwhiskeyinsidehim.Shereallywasnaiveforsomeonewho'djustturned
twentyyearsold.Sherememberedherlastbirthdayvividly.She'dspentitwithPierce.Thisyearhad
nosuchpleasantassociations.Hermotherandstepfatherhadgivenherapearlnecklace,andher

friendCaraHarveyhadmailedherascarffromPortugal,whereshewasspendingthe.summerwith
herparentsandhavingarough.timewithaPortuguesenoblemanwhothought
shewastryingtoseducehisyoungerbrother.ExceptforCara'sgift,ithadbeenasingularly
uneventfulbirthday.

Sabonhadwantedtothrowherapartyonhisyacht,butshe'dquicklyfoundareasontogointotown.
Shehadvisionsofbeingkidnappedandcarriedoffintosexualslaverybythatlibertine.She'dheard
rumorsabouthimthatdidn'texcludekidnapping.

Thewindblewherloosenedblondhairaroundtheshouldersofthepinksilktanktopshewas
wearingwithwhiteBermudashortsandsandals.Sheworeafannypacksoshewouldn'thavetoluga
purse,andshefeltyoungandfullofginger.Ifithadn'tbeenforhersituationathome,Nassauwould
havebeenallshewantedfromlife.Itwassofascinating.

Asshewatchedthebigwhiteoceanlinerbeingturnedbytwotinytugboatsinabaythatseemedfar
toosmallforsuchanoperation,shebecameawareofsomeonestandingjustbehindher,watching.
Sheturned,andtherewasPierce,neatasapininwhiteslacksandayellowknitshirt.

Hehadhishandsinhispockets.Hisblackeyeswerestillfullofstorms,buttheywereoddlyintenton
herface.

"Hello,Mr.Button,"shesaidpolitely,andwithasmile.Itwasthesortofsmileshe'dhavegiventhe
mostdistantacquaintance.Heknewit,too.

Hisbroadshouldersshiftedasheglancedpasthertotheship."I'vebeenentertainingabusinessman
fromtheStates."Henoddedtowardtheoceanliner."Hejustleft,onthat."

Shedidn'tknowwhattosay.Sheonlynoddedawkwardly,turnedandstartedbackdownthepier
towardthewharf,herlonghairflyingawayinthebreeze.Sheknewthathewantednothingtodowith
her;he'dmadethatclearattheparty.Shewaswillingtoobligehim.

"Oh,hell,stop!"

Shefroze,butshewouldn'tturnaround.

"Yes?"sheasked.

Allaroundthem,touristswalkedpast,talkingexcitedly,gesturing.Nearby,oneoftheboatowners
wassingingaWestIndiantune,hopingtoattractmorebusinesswithhistalent.Briannewashardly
awareofthenoise.Herheartwasbeatingsoloudlythatitshookher.

Shefeltthewarmthofhisbodyatherback.

"I'vebeentryingtoforgetParis,"hesaidafteraminute.

"You,andHumphreyBogart,"shesaiddryly.

"What?Oh.Oh!"Hechuckled."Isee."

Sheturnedaroundthenandsquaredhershoulders."Look,youdon'towemeathing.Idon'twant
rewardsorevenattention.I'mdoingallright.IthinkKurtwillbemorethanwillingtoputmethrough
collegejusttogetmeoutofhishair."

Hiseyesnarrowed."Thatisn'twhatlocalgossipsays.Ihearthere'samovetoinvolveyouwithhis
brand-newbusinesspartner,asortoffamilymerger."

Shelostcolor,butshedidn'tblinkaneyelash."Really?"

"Don'tprevaricate,"hesaidimpatiently."IknoweverythingthatgoesoninNassau."

Shefeltherbloodgocold.Kurthadn'tsaidanysuchthingtoher,butifitwascommonknowledge
aroundtheisland,itmightbetrue.Shestraightenedhershoulders."Icantakecareofmyself."

"Atnineteen?"

"Twenty,"shecorrectedhim."Ihadabirthdaythisweek."

Hemadearoughsound."Okay,maybeyou'renotsuchakid,afterall.Andmaybeyou
cantakecareofyourself,inyourownleague.But,honey,you'refightingcityhallwhenyoutangle
withKijrtBrauer,muchlesswithSabon."

“Somethingyouknowfromexperience?''

Hecockedaneyebrowandsmiled.Hedidn'twanttotellherthathe'donceintervenedinashadyoil
dealthatBrauerwasmakingwithaterroristgrouptoprovidethemwitharmsinreturnformakingan
assaultonarival'soiltankerfleet.Thatinformationhadn'tgonepasthisownsecuritychief,Tate
Winthrop,aformergovernmentoperativewho'dfoiledBrauer'sattemptedcoup.Winthropwasafull-
bloodedSiouxIndianwithamysteriousbackgroundandfriendsinsomeofthehighestofficesin
Washington,D.C.HehadsourcesthatevenPiercedidn't.

HesmiledatBrianne."Ididn'tsayIcouldn'twin.Isaidyoucouldn't.Whereareyouinsuchahurryto
go?"

"IthoughtI'dgetonmyswimsuitandlieonthebeachforawhile.KurtownstheBritannyBayHotel,
youknow.Icanusethefacilitiesthere,andIkeepabathingsuitintheoffice,"

"Comehomewithme.Ihaveaprivatebeach.Youcanswimthere."

Sherememberedhisattitudethenightbeforeandhesitated."Youdon'treallywantmearound."

"No,"heagreedatonce."Idon't.Butyouneedsomeone.Iseemtobeallyou'vegotrightnow."

Sheflushedwithangrypride."Thanksalot!"

"Don'tknockit,"headdedheavily,andhiseyeswereresignedandquietashestudiedher."You'reall
I'vegot."

Thestatementrockedherrightdowntoherfeet.Hewasthemostastoundingman.Hecameoutwith
themostprofoundthingsattheoddesttimes.

"Itoldyou,"headded,"thatIdon'thavefamily.Iwasanonlychild,andafterMargomiscarried,she
couldn'tconceiveagain.ExceptforsomecousinsinGreeceandFranceandArgentina—alldistant—I
havenofamily.Andnoclosefriends."Hestuckhishandsinhisslackspocketsandstaredoutoverthe
turquoisewaterofthebayashespoke.

"Brianne,doyoureallythinkanyoneelsewouldhavegivenadamnifIgotrolledthatnightIdrank
toomuch?"heaskedruefully."DoyouthinkanyonewouldhavecaredifI'ddiedrightthere?"

"Iwouldhave,"shesaid.

"Yes,Iknow.Itdoesn'tmakethingsanyeasier.You'retooyoung.''

"You'retooold,"sheretorted.Shesmiled."Doesitmatter,really?"

Hisblackeyessurveyedherwithfaintamusement."Isupposenot.Comeon.I'vegotthecar."

ChapterThree

TheentrancetoPierce'svillawasthroughahighwrought-irongatethathadtobeopened
electronicallybyadeviceintheMercedeshedroveontheisland.Thepaveddrivewaywaslinedby
toweringcasuarinapineswiththeirfeatheryspines,andflametreesingloriousbloom.Alongthe
sandthatflankedthedrivewaywerebloominghibiscusplantsandseagrapetreeswithcircularleaves,
whichslavesweresaidtohaveusedforplatesinthedaysofpirateships.

TwohugeGermanshepherdslivedinakennelnearthemainhouse.

"KingandTartar,"Piercesaid,indicatingthedogsastheydrovepastthechain-linkfencethat
containedtheanimals."They'reletlooseatnightinsidethegates.Iwouldn'twanttorunintothem
myself."

Shesmiled."Iguessinyourincomebracket,youcan'taffordtotakechances."

"Idon't.IhaveasecuritychiefwhomakestheWhiteHousebrigadelooksloppy."Heglancedather.
"I'llhavetointroduceyouoneday.He'sSioux."

Hereyebrowsrose."Indian?"

"Indigenousaborigine,"hecorrectedherwithagrin."Don'tevercallhimanIndian.Hespeaksfive
languagesfluentlyandhasadegreeinlaw."

"Notyouraveragesecuritychief.”

"Notatall.There'sstillplentyIdon'tknowabouthim,andhe'sworkedformeforthreeyears."He
pulledupinfrontofthehouseandstopped.AshehelpedBrianneout,amiddle-agedmanwitha
Mediterraneanlookcameoutthedoor,smiledandreplacedPiercebehindthewheel.

"Arthur,"Piercesaid,wavingthemanaway."Heusuallydrivesme.He'llputthecarinthegarage.
AndthisisMary,"headded,smilingattheprettymiddle-agedblackwoman
whoopenedthedoor."Shecamewiththevilla.Nobody,butnobodycooksconchthewayshedoes."

"Nobodyexceptmymama,"Maryagreed."Howyoudoing,miss?"

"I'mfine,thanks,"Briannesaid,andsmiled.

"Anycalls?"Pierceasked.

"Onlyone,fromMr.Winthrop,buthesaiditwasn'turgent."

"Okay.We'llbeatthepool."

"Yes,sir."

Maryclosedthebigwoodendoorbehindthem,andPierceledBriannedownacoolarchedstone
walkwaythatledtoahugeswimmingpoolwithacommandingviewoftheoceanbeyondit.

Sheshadedhereyeswithherhandandlookedtowardajuttingpromontorywherecasuarinapines
wavedinthebreezeandtwosailboatslayatanchor.

"It'ssopeacefulhere,"shecommented.

"That'swhyIlikeit."

Sheturnedbacktohim.Hepulledoutacushionedchairatawhitewrought-irontablewithan
umbrellacoveringitandindicatedthatsheshouldsitdown.

"Doyouspendmuchtimeinthepool?"sheaskedcuriously.

"Notalot.Icanswim,butIdon'tcaretoomuchforit.Iliketosunbatheouthere.Ithelpsmethink
thingsthrough."HemotionedtoMary,whobroughtatraywithtwotall,milky-lookingdrinksonit

andaplateofsmallcakes.

Maryputthetrayonthetableandsmiledassheleftthembythepool.

"Marymakesgoodteacakes,"hesaid,reachingforhisdrink."Helpyourself."

ShereachedforoneandputitonthesaucerMaryhadprovided.Shetasteditwithdelight.

"Howdelicious!"sheexclaimed.

"Marysaysit'stheamountofflavoringsheusesthatgivesthemsuchanicetaste."

Shereachedforherdrinkandsippedit,surprisedtofindthatitdidn'tcontainanyalcohol.

Henoticedherexpressionandchuckled."I'mnotgivingalcoholtoaminor,eveninNassau,"he
murmured.

"I'mnotexactlyaminor,"sheinformedhim.

"You'renottwenty-oneyet,"hereplied.Hisdarkeyesslidoverheryouthfulfigureanduptoher
prettyfacewithintensescrutinyashesatwithonebigleanhandwrappedaroundhisglass."You're
young.Veryyoung."

"Blameitonashelteredchildhood,"shesaid.Hergazeslidoverhimlikesearchingfingertips."How
oldareyou?"sheaskedabruptly.

Onebushyeyebrowlifted."Olderthanyou."

Shewrinkledhernose."Mucholder?"

Heshruggedandsippedhisdrink."Mucholder."Hisdarkeyesmetherslevelly."Almosttwiceyour
age."

"Youdon'tlookit,"shesaid,andmeantit.Hehadthephysiqueofamantenyearsyounger,andthere
wereonlytracesofsilverathistemples.Shesmiledathimwistfully."Iguessyouhaven'tgivenalot
ofthoughttoseducingme?"

Botheyebrowswentup."Ibegyourpardon?"

Histonewouldhavemadealesserwomanfalter,butBriannewasmadeofstouterstuff."Wetalked
aboutitinParis,"sheremindedhim."Ofcourse,youwereprettydrunkatthetime,soIcan'treally
expectyoutoremembertoomuchofourconversation.ButIdidadmitthatIwasgoingtowaitfor
you."Shegrinnedwickedly."AndIhave,despitethetemptation."

Hehatedhimselfforasking."Whattemptation?"

"TherewasaveryhandsomePortuguesenoblemaninoneofmyclasses.Hewasolderthantherestof
us,verycultured,verycorrect.Allofuswerewildabouthim,buttherewasafianceewaitingback
home."Sheshookherhead."PoorCara."

"Who'sCara?"

"Mybestfriend.She'sfromTexas.ShewenttoPortugalthissummertostaywithhersister,andguess
whosebrotherherbabysistergotinvolvedwith?"

"Thenobleman's."

"Bingo.Iunderstandit'sbeenopenwarfaresincehershipdocked."Sheshookherhead."Caranever
likedRaoulinthefirstplace,"sherecalled."Theycouldn'tgetalong."

"Butyoulikedhim."

Shenoddedandsmiledathim."Verymuch.Hewasnicetome."

Hechuckleddeepinhisthroat,andtherewasalookinhiseyesthatdidn'tmakemuchsensetoher.

"Whyareyoulaughing?"sheasked.

Hegaveheracomplicatedlook."DoyouthinkI'mnice?"heaskedsoftly.

Shelookedstunned."Nice?You?GoodLord,you'reabarracuda!"

Thelaughtergrew,deepandrich."Well,you'rehonest."

"Itrytobe."Shelookeddownintoherglasswithasigh."PhilippeSabon'safterme,youknow,"she
saidwithvisiblediscomfort."Hewantedtothrowabirthdaypartyformeonhisyacht,andmy
stepfatherwasallforit.Irefused,andnowhe'snotspeakingtome.ButIheardthetwoofthem
talking,anditmademenervous."

Hedidn'thavetoaskwhySabonwasinterestedinher.Healreadyknew.Hespuntheicearoundinhis
glassbeforehetookanothersip.

"AccordingtowhatI'veheard,Sabonhasayenforvirgins,"hesaidcurtly."Iwon'ttellyouwhathe's
saidtodowiththem.Butheisn'tdoingittoyou."

Hisconcernmadeherfeelwarminside.Shesmiled."Thanks.Couldyouloanmeyoursecuritychief
forafewdaystomakesureofit?"sheaddedhalf-jokingly.

"I'lltakecareofitmyself,"hesaid,andhedidn'tsmile.Hiseyesnarrowedonheryoung
face."Youcanhangoutoverhereuntilheleaves.Iunderstandthathe'sfacingthethreatofamilitary

coupbyapoorneighboringcountrywithnooil.Theywanthis."

"Sodoesmystepfather,"sheinformedhim."He'sallbutbankruptedhimselfputtingmoneyinto
developingtheoilfieldsoverthere,andhe'sattractedotherinvestorstohelphim.Ifthemilitarycoup
succeeds,he'llbestandingonthestreetcornersellingpencilsoutofacup."

"Ordivingforconch,"headdedmockingly.

"Thatisn'tlikely.Hecan'tswim."

"He'smadeabadbargainthere,"Piercemurmuredthoughtfully."Arealdealwiththedevil."Hisdark
eyesnarrowedastheyslidoverher."Whatareyousupposedtobe,collateral?"

Sheflushed."Overmydeadbody."Hedidn'treplytothat.Hewasthinking,andhisthoughtsweren't
pleasant."HowdidyouendupwithBrauerforastepfather?"heaskedafteraminute.

"Mymotherisbeautiful,"shesaidsimply."I'mjustapoorcarboncopyofher.Shewasselling
jewelryinanexclusiveshopandhewasbuyingapresentforafriend.Shesaiditwasloveatfirst
sight."Sheshrugged."Idon'tknow.Anyway,myfatherhadjustdiedafewmonthsearlierandshewas
lonely.Butnotlonelyenoughtobecomearichman'smistress,"sheaddedwithafaintsmile."Itwas
marriageornothing,sohemarriedher."Shetoyedwithherglass."Theyhaveanewsonandhe'sthe
wholeworldforMother."

"IsBrauergoodtoher?"

"No,"shesaidflatly."She'safraidofhim.Idon'tknowthathe'sactuallyhither,butshe'sverynervous
aroundhim.Nowthatshehasthebabytothinkabout,sheneverargueswithhimlikesheusedtowhen
theywerefirstmarried."

"Doesshetalktoyouabouthim?"

Sheshookherhead."KurtmakessurethatIneverhavemuchtimealonewithher."Shemethiseyes.
"Ididn'tlikehimfromthebeginning,butshethoughtIwasresentfulbecauseitwassosoonafter
Dad'sdeath."

"Brauerisnobody'sideaofawhiteknight,"hemurmuredcurtly.

Shestudiedhim."Youknowsomethingabouthim,don'tyou."

"Iknowthathe'sdeviousandunderhandedandthathe'lldoabsolutelyanythingtomakemoney,and
hedoes,"hesaidflatly."We'vebeenrivalsforsometimenow.Icosthimalotofmoneyafewyears
ago,andhe'sneverforgotten.Ifhehasanenemieslist,I'mattheverytopofit."

"CanIaskhowyoucosthimmoney?"shewonderedaloud.

Hewasreluctanttotellher,butintheend,hedecidedthatsheneededtoknowthetruthabouther
stepfather."Hewastryingtomakeadealwithaterroristgrouptoattackanoilplatformandcausean
environmentaldisaster."

“Why?''sheasked,aghast,

"I'veneverbeenquitesure,"hetoldher."Kurtplaysaclosehand,andhisbusinessdealingsarekept
underthetable.AllIknowisthatanenemyofKurt'swasmakingsomethreats.Kurtreasonedthatby
makingthemanlookcriminallycarelessaboutdamagingtheglobalecology,hecouldgivehim
enoughbadpublicitytobringhimdown.Anditmighthavesucceeded."

"Youstoppedit?"

"TateWinthropdid,"hesaidwithafaintsmile,"Mysecuritychiefhascontactseverywhere,andwe
souredthedeal.Brauerneverknewhowitwasdone,butIknowhesuspectsthatIwasbehindit."

"Areyouincompetitionwithhim?"

Hechuckledashefinishedhisdrink."Notreally.I'mintheoilbusiness,ofcourse,butIdeal
primarilyintheconstructionofoilplatforms.Kurthasaninterestinanoilshippingfirm.Still,he's
gotafewscorestosettlewithme,andI'veheardsomeveiledthreatsthatIdon'tlikeaboutmynewest
site.Ican'taffordanenvironmentaldisaster.I'vespenttoomuchmoneybuildingthisplatformwith
adequatesafeguardstopreventanywholesaleleaks.SoI'vesentWinthropandsomeofhismenoutto
mynewplatformtostandguardwhileitgoesintooperation.Justincase."

"Whereisit?"

"IntheCaspianSea,"hesaid."It'sbrimmingoverwithoil,butmostdrillerswon'tputalotofmoney
intoextractingitbecauseofthediceysituationintheMiddleEast.Itwouldhavetobepipedthrough
hostileterritoryortankedaround.Butwe'reworkingonadeal,andwithanyluck,wemaystrikea
bargainthat'smutuallybeneficial."

"Itsoundsverycomplicated."

"Itis.We'reverysensitivetoenvironmentalissues.Idon'twanttocauseanoilspill.Andnotbecause
it'sbadpublicity.Ihavenopatiencewithpeoplewhoarewillingtosacrificetheplanetonthealtarof
profitmargins."

Shesmiledathim."NowonderIlikeyou."

Hesmiledback.Shewasbrightandsheseemedtosparkle.Helikedher,too.Itwouldn'tdotoletthat
feelinggetoutofhand,ofcourse.Hehadtotrytothinkofherasachild.

"Youaren'teatingtheteacakes,"hepointedout."Don'tyoulikesweets?"

"Verymuch.ButI'mnotreallyhungry,"sheconfessed."I'vebeenworriedaboutMr.Sabon."

"Youcanstopworrying.I'lldealwithSabon."

"He'sveryrich,"shesaidworriedly."Heownsawholeislandsomewhereoffthecoastofhisnative
countryintheMiddleEast.It'scalledJameel."

"Iowntwoislands,"hecounteredwithachuckle."One'sofftheeastofSouthCarolina,andIownone
hereintheBahamianchain."

"Really?"Shewasimpressed."Aretheyinhabited?"

Heshookhishead."Notinhabitedordeveloped.I'mleavingthembothaswildlifehabitats."Hesmiled
atherdelightedexpression.“I’lltakeyoutothemonedayandshowthemtoyou."

Herheartskippedandshesighedwithopenpleasure."I'dlikethatalot."

Hesearchedherfacewithquiet,thoughtfuleyes.Hisexpressionbecamesomber."SowouldI."Heput
hisemptyglassdownonmetable."Tellmeaboutyourfather.Whatdidhedo?"

"Hewasaloanofficerinabank,"shesaid."Hewasn'thandsomeorterriblyintelligent,buthewas
kindheartedandhelovedme."Hereyesgrewsadwiththememoriesofhim."Motherneverhadtime
forme,evenwhenshewasathome.Sheworkedasix-dayweekatthejewelers,andshealways
seemedtofeelthatDaddidn'tgiveherthelife-styleshedeserved.Hewasafailureinhereyes,and
sheneverstoppedtellinghimso."Shegrimaced."Onedayhewenttoworkandwegotaphonecall
justafterlunch.Theysaidhe'dstartedtowardanofficetotalktooneofthevicepresidentsandhejust
foldedup.Hediedrightthereofaheartattack.Nothingtheydidbroughthimback."

"I'msorry.Itmusthavebeenrough."

"Itwas.Motherdidn'treallyevenmourn.Andjustthreemonthslater,therewasKurt,andsuddenlyI
didn'thaveafamilyIbelongedinanymore."

Alongsilencefellbetweenthem.Thenhesaid,"Ineverhadafamilyatall.MyparentsdiedwhenI
wasingrammarschool,inaplanecrash.Iwenttolivewithmyfather'sfatherinAmerica.Hehada
smalloiltransportfleetandasmallerconstructioncompany.Myfirstjobwashelpingtoputup
buildings.Ilearneditfromthegroundup,thehardway.Grandfatherneverpamperedme,buthe
lovedme.HewasGreek,veryold-worldevenafterbecominganaturalizedAmericancitizen."He
chuckledatthememoryofthegruffoldman."Iadoredhim,rudemannersandall."

"Butyourlastnamedoesn'tsoundGreek,"shesaid.

"ItwasPevros,beforehechangedittoHutton,afterawealthyfamilyhe'dreadaboutintheStates,"he
replied."HewantedtobeAmericanalltheway.IstillhaveFrenchcitizenship,butIcouldqualifyas
anAmericancitizen,havingspenthalfmylifeinNewEngland."

"Yousaidyourgrandfatherhadasmallconstructioncompany,"shemurmured."Butyoursis
enormousandinternational."

Hisbroadshouldersroseandfell."Ihadasortofsixthsenseaboutmergersthatpaidoffbig.OnceI
gotthehangofit,therewasnostoppingme.Isoldtheoiltankersandparlayedtheproceedsintoan
enterprisethatbecamethecorecompanyofanempire."Hiseyesnarrowedashestudiedher.
"Margo'sfatherhadachainofbuildingsupplycompaniesinEurope,"herecalled."Themergerledto
amarriageandtenofthehappiestyearsofmylife."Hisfaceseemedtohardentostone."Ithoughtshe
wasimmortal."

Impulsively,shelaidherhandoverhisbigoneonthetable."Istillmissmydad,"shesaidsoftly."I
canonlyimaginehowitmustbeforyou."

Hishandstiffened.Thenitrelaxedandturned,envelopinghersinitswarm,stronggrasp."That
empathyofyourssavedme,"hesaid,searchinghereyesquietly."Ifyouhadn'ttakenmehometomy
hotelthatnightinParis,Ireallydon'tknowwhereIwouldhaveendedup."

"Ido,"shemurmureddryly."You'dhaveendedupwiththatindustrial-strengthblonde,beingrolled
foryourwallet!"

Hechuckled."Iprobablywouldhave.Iwastoodrunktocarewhathappenedtome."Hiseyes
softened."I'mgladyouwerethere."

Herfingerscurledtrustinglyintohis."I'mgladIwasthere,too."

Hiseyesgrewslowlydarkerastheystaredintentlyintohers.Histhumbbeganalazystrokingmotion
againstherpalm.Shefeltthesensationallthroughherbody,asifhewastouchingherbareskin
insteadofjustherhand.

Hesawthereactionanddeliberatelyenlargedtheareaofherpalmthathewasstroking.Hehadn't
wantedwomeninhislifesinceMargo'sdeath,andhecertainlyshouldn'tbeencouragingthisgreen
littleinnocent.Butshemadehimfeelkinglywhenshelookedathimwiththosesoft,drowningeyes,
whenshetrembledfromthemeresttouchofhishand.Anymancouldbeforgivenforbeingtempted.

Herbreathwaschoking'her.Shelookedathimwithanachethatmadehersickallover."Idon't
supposeyou'dliketostopthat?"sheaskedunsteadily..

"Why?"heaskedsoftly.r''BecauseI'mgettingthisawfulacheinaplaceIcan'ttellyouabout,"she
whisperedtightly.

Hishandtightenedaroundhersoftfingers.Hewasn'tthinkingaboutrightandwronganymore.He
hadanacheofhisown,andheneededsomethingtonumbitbeforeitdoubledhimover.

"SupposeItoldyouthatIhaveasimilarache?"heaskedhuskily,holdinghergazewithsteady,hot

blackeyes.

"Ina...similarplace?"sheaskedoutrageously.

"Tellmewhereyoursis,"hemurmuredwickedly.

"Justsouthofmynavel,"shesaidbluntly,andhermouthfeltbonedry."Andmybreastshurt,"she
addedhuskily.

Hiseyesfelltothemwithkeen,sharpinterestandhesawthepeakednipplesunderherthintop.His
intakeofbreamwasaudible.

“Nobodyeverlookedatmethere,ortouchedmethere,"shewhisperedwhenshesawwherehiseyes
wereriveted."I'vesaveditallup."

Hefeltasiftheworldwerecrashingdownonhishead.Hehadtostoplookingather,thinkingofher,
wantingher.He'dputherrightoutofhisminduntilhe'dcometoNassau.

Thenhe'dseenheragain,atherstepfather's,andallthewicked,forbiddenlongingshadsurfaced
againathisfirstsightofherafterthemonthsofabsence.

Hisfingersedgedbetweenhersinasensualcaress."I'mthirty-seven,"hebitoff.

"Sowhat?"sheaskedbreathlessly.

"Soyouaren'tevenlegalyet."

"Excuses,excuses,"shemutteredhuskily.Herlipspartedasthesensualcaressofhisfingers
threatenedtostopherheart."ForGod'ssake,can'tyoujustdosomething?Anything!"

Hiseyesnarrowedtoslitsashelookedather."WithMaryrightinthehouseandArthurlikelyto
comelookingformeanysecond?"

Shegroanedaloud.

Hemadearoughsoundunderhisbreathandglaredather.Hejerkedhishandbackandstoodup,
turninghisbacktoherwhilehefoughttostophimselffromreachingforher,rightoverthetable.

Hejammedhishandshardintohispocketsandgrimacedwhenhesawhowitoutlinedtheraging,
highlyvisiblearousalhecouldn'thelp.

Margowastheonlywomanwho'deverbeenabletodothistohiminstantly.Itseemedthatlong-the
longabstinencewasmakinghimcareless,andvulnerable.Hehadtogetthiswide-eyedinnocentout
ofhislife.

Shewasalreadyinsidethehousebythetimeheturnedaround,headingrighttowardthefrontdoor.

Hewentafterher,noticingwhenhejoinedheratthecurbthatshewouldn'tlookathim.

"Sorry,"shesaidthroughherteeth.Shewasclutchingherpurseasifsheexpectedittomakeabreak
forfreedom."Idon'thonestlyknowwhatcameoverme.Maybeit'ssometropicalvirusthatmakes
yourmouthindependentofyourbrain."

Hechuckledinspiteofhimself."Notquite.Butitseemstobecontagious."

Shewouldn'tlookathim."Don'tmakefunofme,please."

"Idon'tknowwhatelsetodo,"hesaidbluntly."I'mnotseducingchildrenthisweek.Sorry."

Sheglaredupathim."Iwastryingtoseduceyou,"shepointedout."Withnosuccesswhatsoever,I
mightadd.IguessI'llhavetofindsomesortofschoolwheretheyteachseductionandtakelessons."

Heburstoutlaughing."Youshamelesshussy!"

"Thanks.I'llfilethatcomplimentalongwithalltheothers/'

“Itwasn'tacompliment."

"Ifyoudon'tdoit,hewill,"shesaid,suddenlyserious.“I’llthrowmyselfinNassauharborrightin
frontofthePrinceGeorgeWharfbeforeI'llletSabontouchme!"

"WhatdoIhavetodowithhim?"heasked,genuinelypuzzled.

"Helikesvirgins.Virgins!"

"Ah,"hemurmured."Ibegintoseethelight.Ifyoubecomesuddenlyexperienced,he'llloseinterest,
youthink?"

"Yes,Ido.Andifyou'dcooperate,I'dberightofftheendangeredspecieslist.But,ohno,youcan't
makeonelittlesacrificeformywholefuture!Excusemeforaskingyoutoriskyourbodyinbedwith
me!"

Hiseyebrowsleveredupashestareddownather."Careful,"hesaidsoftly."You'rewalkingon
brokenglass."

"I'dliketocreatesome,"shemuttered.Shelookedawayfromhimandsighedloudly."Well,I'llgoto
thecasinooveronParadiseIslandtonight.Surelythere'ssomemandesperateenoughtogivemewhat
Ineed...."

Hejerkedheraroundandheldherbruisinglybyonearm.Hisblackeyesblazeddownather."Don't

youdare,"hesaidinavoicethatsentchillsdownherspine.

"Well,youwon't!"sheprotested.

"MaybeIwill,"hemurmured.Hewasdisturbed,andhelookedit.HefeltMargo'slosskeenly,still,
andeventothinkofsleepingwithanotherwomanseemedlikeadultery.ButBriannewasyoungand
sweetandloving,anditwouldn'tbeanyhardshiptogiveherwhatshewanted.Ontheotherhand,she
waspainfullyyoungand.impressionable.Ifithadn'tbeenforthespecterofPhilippeSabonlurking
somewhereintheshadows,hewouldn'tevenbeconsideringthisharebrainedpropositioninthefirst
place.

"Youjustholdyourhorses,"hesaidshortly."Don'tleadwithyourhead."

"Advice,advice,"shemuttered."Whydon'tyoujustbackmeupagainstawalland
giveityourbest?"

Hedroppedherarm."Youincrediblechild!"

"I'mnotachild,thankyou."

"You'reoutrageous,"hecontinued.

"Totally.Itcomesfromlivingamongidiots."Shestaredathimwithquiet,softeyes.

"I'llwearyoudown,"shepromised."Daybyday."

Hestaredatherwithmixedemotions."Whateverhappenedtovirginalterror?"

"Idon'tknow.I'llasksomeone."

"Aren'tyouafraidofthefirsttime?"

"Withsomeonelikeyou?Areyoucrazy?"

Helaughedinspiteofhimself.Hiseyestwinkledwithhumor."Allthoseexpectations.I'mgetting
older.WhatifIcan'tliveuptoyourexpectations?"

"Oh,butyoucan,"shesaidwithsolemnity."Youwantto.YoujustthinkI'mtooyoung.I'mnot,you
know.Igrewuparoundpeopleolderthanme,andI'vealwaysbeenmorematurethanmyownage
group;"

"I'mnotmakingyouanypromises,"heassuredher."IsaidI'dthinkaboutit."

Sheshrugged."Takeyourtime.Norush.Butifthatlobowolfcomeslookingforme,I'mcoming
afteryou,andIdon'tcarewhattimeitis."

"Howishesupposedtoknow,atyourage,thatyou'restillvirginal?"heaskedreasonably.

Shegloweredathim."Because,unknowntome,Kurthadaprivatedetectivefollowingmefromthe
dayIwentofftoschool,"shemuttered."Iwaswatchedlikeahawk,andtwomonthsagoKurt
demandedthatIhaveaphysicaltomakesurethatIhadn'tcaughtsomevirushesaidI'dbeenexposed
to."Sheshiveredatthethoughtofwhatthedoctorhaddonetoher."Partofthephysicalincludeda
gynecologicalexam,"sheadded."Ihadnoideathatthedoctorwasgoingtodothat,untilIwasinthe
examinationroomandthenursehadmeonmyback."Sheletoutabreath."Iyelledtheplacedown,
butthedoctorhadtheinformationKurtwanted."

"Noreputabledoctor..."Piercebeganfuriously.

"Hewasn'tareputabledoctor,"shereturned."HewasbarredfrompracticeintheStatesandcame
downheretorunsomesortofclinic."

"Isee."

"1neverconnectedituntilSabonstartedturningupatthehouseatallhoursandwatchingmelikea
hawk."Sheliftedhergazetohishardface."I'mnotscaredofmuch,"shesaid,"butthatmangivesme
theshiveringwillies."

"Don'tfeelbad.Hehasthateffectonsomemen."

Sheliftedhereyebrows."Onyou?"

Hechuckled."Iwasadrillriggerforacoupleofyears."Heheldouthisbighandsandshowed
her/hisknuckles,repletewithtinywhitescars.

Shepursedherlips."Toughguy,huh?"

"Yes,"hesaidsimply."AndI'mnotafraidofmuch,either."

Shesearchedhiseyes."Whatscaresyou?"Heleanedclosetoher,sothathiseyesfilledtheworld.
"Sex-crazedvirgins,"hewhispered.Helookedandsoundedsowickedthatsheburstintohelpless
laughter.

"Iaskedforthatone,"shemurmuredthroughherchuckles.

Helaughedwithher.He'dneverknownanyonelikeBrianne.Shewaschanginghim,changinghis
life,hisworld.Shemadethesuncomeoutagain,broughtbacktherainbows.Hedidn'tdareconsider
theimplicationsofwhathewasfeeling.HeturnedawayandwenttofindArthurtotellhimtobring
thecararound,sothathecoulddrivethembackintoNassau.

Intheweeksthatfollowed,BriannebecamePierce'sshadow.Toherstepfather'sdismay,shekepta

mileawayfromhisfriendPhilippeSabonandspentsomuchtimewithPiercethatrumorsbeganto
abound.Theywereseentogethereverywhere,fishingandswimmingandjustsunbathing.Mostlythey
didthelatteratPierce'shouse,butoccasionallytheywenttothebeach.

Thecompanionshiptheysharedwasasrareasthehumorthatboundthemtogether.Piercedidn't
realizehownecessaryBriannewasbeginningtobetohim,butthehourshespentalonebrooding
overMargoweredwindlingwithtime.HelookedforwardtoBrianne'swryinsightontheworld
aroundthem,tohersavvysenseofpolitics.Forayoungwoman,shehadamatureoutlook.Hewas
impressedwithher.Morethanimpressed.Hedidn'tmindherconstantpresenceinhishouse.

ButKurtdid.ThingscametoaheadwhenPhilippesailedintoportonhisyachttoseeBrianneandshe
wasn'tathome.Worse,hisprivatedetectivehadaverythoroughreportofwhereshe'dbeenmost
recently.

Sabon'sragewasallthemoreintimidatingforbeingquiet.HegloweredatKurt,hisblackeyes
flashing,hisleanfistsclenchedathisside."Youknowthatyourstepdaughterhasbecomespecialto
me,"hebegan."Ihaveeventoldyouthatmyplansforhermightincludemarriage.Yetyouhave
permittedhertopracticallylivewithButton.WhatmustIdotokeepheraroundwhenwishtoseeher,
kidnapher?"

Kurtheldnpahand,hisfaceworried."No,youhaveitallwrong.Youhavethemedicalreport,"he
saidquickly,waryofhiswife'spresencesomewherenearby.Hedidn'twanthertohearthis."Iassure
you,thegirlisfastidious,chaste,regardlessofthetimeshespendswithHutton!"

Sabondidn'tspeakforamoment.Hiseyescaughteverynuanceofexpressionintheotherman'sface,
fromthefearthatmadehimpaletothegreedthatmadehiseyeshot.Brauerhadnoideaatallofhis
realplans,orhistruedesire.Hehadmadecertainofit.Theman'scooperationwasessentialatthis
point.Hehadtoensureitanywaythathecould.

"Iknowhowbadlyyouneedmyhelp,"hetoldKurtcoolly."Ihavehadyourfinancialassetsexamined
mostthoroughly.IfIshouldbackoutnow,beforetheoilisdiscoveredandprocessed,andreplace
youwithsomeoneelse,youwouldbeleftdestitute,wouldyounot?"

Kurtswallowed.Hewasinoverhishead,withnowayout.Themanknewtoomuch.“es,Iwould,"he
confessedheavily.Hedrewoutaspotlesswhitehandkerchiefandwipedhis
sweatyforehead."Ihavenooptionbuttogorightthroughtotheend.Butthisbusinessabout
involvingtheUnitedStates—Idon'tknow.Idon'tknowifitwillwork."

Sabon'sthinlipspursedthoughtfully."Ofcourseitwill."HestudiedBrauer."IhavetoldyouthatI
thinkamarriagebetweenBrianneandmyselfmightbeadvantageousforbothofus.A...sealonour
agreement."

"Marriage."Kurt'sgreedyeyesglitteredasheturnedthethoughtoverinhismind.Sabonhad
millions.Hewassupposedlyoneofthewealthiestmenintheworld.Hewouldcertainlytakecareof
hiswife'srelations.Eveniftheoildealfellthrough,Kurtwouldhaveallthemoneyheneeded,

withouthavingtofallbackonhisusualmeansofmakingmoney—atrickyenterprisethesedays,with
somanycustomerswhorenegedontheirpromisesofpayment.Hewouldneverhavetoworryabout
moneyagain!Hesmiledfromeartoear."Whatawonderfulproposition!Yes,yes,itwouldbethe
perfectsealonourbargain!"

Sabondidn'tmeethiseyesashebenthisheadtolightoneofthesmall,thinTurkishcigarshelikedto
smoke."Ithoughtitmightappealtoyou."

Kurtalmostdrooledwithpleasure.Hisfuturewasassured.Nowhehadtotalktohiswife,quickly,to
makeherunderstandhowimportantBrianne'sacquiescencewasinallthis.Shewouldbackhimup.
Shewasthegirl'smother,andBriannewasstillaminor.Shecouldbemadetocomply.Andso,he
thoughtwithcoldreason,couldhermother.

"AndyouwillhandlethechoreIrequireofyouinAmerica,"Sabonadded.

"Ofcourse."Kurtwavedacarelesshand."Youmayconsiderthisdone.Itwillbemypleasure,infact
Briannewillmakeyoualovelywife,giveyoumanychildren!"

Sabonsaidnothing.Thethoughtofjoiningtheirfamiliesbymarriagehadturnedthetrick.Hewould
havenomoreworrieswithKurt.Brieflyhethoughtoftheyoung,brightBrianneinhisarmsandthe
tormentalmostbenthimdouble.Brauerwouldsellhisstepdaughter,anythingheowned,inhis
headlongsearchforpower.Sabonhidthecontempthefeltfortheunscrupulousmanbeforehimand
wished,notforthefirsttime,thathehadotheroptions,othermeans,toaccomplishwhathemustfor
hiscountry.Althoughhe'dsortedBrauerout,PierceHuttonwouldposeasbigathreatasthe
too-closeenemyonthebordersofQawi.HehadtokeepthemanatadistancebeforeHuttonlearned
anythingfromBriannethatmighttempthimtointerfere.

BydemandingBrianne'scompany,bydanglingthebaitofmarriagewithherbeforeBrauer,hehoped
toaccomplishthat.SabongaveoneregretfulthoughttoBrianne,sodesirableandkind,whowould
sufferatherstepfather'shandsbecauseofhisproposal.Buthecouldn'thesitatenow,whensomuch
wasatstake!Hehadtothinkofhispeople.

Kurtwatchedhimcuriously."Youweren'tseriousaboutkidnappingher?"

ThemorePhilippethoughtoftheidea,themoreitappealedtohim.Hisdarkeyesnarrowed
thoughtfully."Itwouldbeonewaytoensureher...cooperation,woulditnot?"

Kurtscowled.BriannewasanAmericancitizen,andHuttonwaspossessiveofher."Itcould
complicatematters,"hepersisted.

Philippesmiledcoolly."Indeeditcould,"Hesaidnomore,buttherewasanewandintrospectivelook
abouthimthatmadeKurtnervous.Hehadsomuchridingonthisendeavor,almosttoomuch!He
simplycouldnotaffordtoletPhilippedouble-crosshim.Andthebestwaytoaccomplishthatwasto
getinthefirstblow.

Kurthadhalftherightstothelong-protectedmineralwealthofSabon'slittlecountry.Ifhecould
overthrowthegovernment—andwhatsortofdefensewasasickoldsheikhwithasmallarmy?—he
couldcutSabonrightoutofthelooparnddealdirectlywiththeoilconsortium.He'dhaveallthe
wealthhe'deverneed,andhecouldputhisshadyfriendsonthepayrolltoprotecthisinvestment.He
wouldneverhavetoresorttoarmsdealing,histruebusiness,again.Themorehethoughtaboutit,the
betterhelikedtheidea.Sabonwassotrusting,really.Hethoughtheheldalltheaces.Hewould
discoverthathehadnothing.Nothingatall.

ChapterFour

TheminutePhilippelefttoreturntohisyacht,KurtBrauerwentimmediatelytofindhiswife.Shehad
toldhimthatBrianneandPiercehadgonetoFreeportonashoppingtrip.Shedidn'tknowthatthe
shoppingtriphad.beenalast-minuteinvention,becauseBriannehadseenSabon'syachtcominginto
portandshe'druntoPierce'shousetokeepoutofhisway.Infact,she'dstayedthereuntilshewas
surethatSabonhadsailedaway.

KurthadbeenimpressedbySabon'sthreats,andhisfinancesweresuchthathecouldn'taffordtoback
out.Hewasbetweentheproverbialrockandthehardplace,andBriannewasslowlycrushinghim
withherdeterminationtoavoidSabon.

Hewasupsetthatshewouldn'thelphimkeepinthegoodgracesofSabon,andangrythatsheseemed
determinedtooutflankhim.Hedidn'tknowifPhilippehadbeenseriousaboutkidnappingher,buthe
wasbeginningtothinkitmightbetheonlywaytomakeherseesense.Hespokefirmlytohiswife,
buthecouldn'tfindBrianneuntilthenextday.Hecorneredherinthelivingroomofthebeachhouse
theminutehesawherandspoketoheraboutit.

"Philippewentawayangryaboutthewayyouavoidedhim.HeknowsthatIcan'taffordtobackoutof
thedeal,andhe'stalkingaboutnewpartners.Idon'tlikeyourrefusaltohelpmeentertainhim,"he
saidinbisfaintlyaccentedEnglishasheglaredather,bothhandsshovedintothepocketsofhis
trousers."AndIespeciallydon'tlikeyouhangingaroundwithHutton.YoumustknowthatheandI
aren'tongoodterms."

"He'smyfriend,"Briannesaidsimply."AndIlikehim."

"Bosh!He'syearstoooldforyou,"hesaid,convenientlyforgettingthathisfriendSabonwasthe
sameageasPierce."Idon'twantyouspendingsomuchtimewithhim.Itlooksbad.Besides,"he
addeduneasily,"Philippehasheardofit,anditmademattersevenworse.Hedoesn'tapprove."

"Philippedoesn'tapp—"sheburstout.

HesilencedherWitharaisedhand."Youdon'tunderstandhowI'mplaced!"hesaidangrily."Ican't
affordtoupsethiminanyway!EverythingIhaveisinvestedinhiscountry'soilexplorationand
development.I'mriskingallofit!"

"Youshouldn'thavelethimtalkyouintotheinvestmentinthefirstplace,"shepointedout.

Heglaredather."Italkedhimintoit,"hecorrectedher,"becauseIsawthechancetotriplemy
investment.Myfinancesarenotwhattheyoncewere,"hesaidcoldly."IfIdonothing,Iwilllosewhat
littleIhaveleft.Thisisaperfectinvestmentopportunity,absolutelyfoolproof.Butinordertomakeit
work,ImustremainfriendlywithPhilippe.Icannotaffordtoantagonizehim—orpermityoutodo
so."Heclearedhisthroat,awareofthebuildingresentmentinheryoung.face."Itistimeyou
married,"hesaidharshly."Philippehassaidthathewishesit.Itwillbethebestwaytocementour
businesspartnership."

"Marryhim!"sheburstoutappalled."Listen,IamnotmarryingyourfriendPhilippe!Hescaresmeto
death!Youmustsurelyhaveheardthegossipabouthim,aboutwhathedoestoyounggirls!"

Heturnedandlookedatherdownhisnose."Yourmotherisquitehappyhere?"heaskedslowly.He
smiled.Itwasn'tanicesmile."Sheandthechild.Youwouldn'twantanythingto...upsether,now,
wouldyou?"

Asveiledthreatswent,itwasamasterpiece.Shefeltherbodygoingnumbas.sheconsideredwhathe
washintingat.Sheknewthathermotherwasafraidofhimandthatshewasdeeplyregrettingher
marriage.Briannealsoknewthathermotherwasvulnerablewiththenewchild.Shecouldn'treally
affordtomakeKurtmadderthanhealreadywas,forhermother'ssake.Buttherewasnowayonearth
shecouldmarrythatrepulsiveman,eventosavehermotherandhalfbrother!

Shestoodthere,defiantbutfrightened,uneasy,searchingfortherightwords.Piercecouldsaveher.
Shecouldn'ttellherstepfatherthat;herwordsmightinflamehimtothepointthathewoulddo
somethingdesperatetoherpoormother.Foralmosttwoyearsshe'dblamedhermotherforherhasty
marriageandequallyhastypregnancy,butbloodwasthickerthanwater.Shecouldn'tcauseheronly
remainingparenttocometoharm,regardlessofherfeelingsofbetrayal.

"Youunderstandme,Brianne?"Kurtcontinuedslyly."YouwilldoasIsay?"

"DoIhaveachoice?"sherepliedquitecalmly.

Hesmiled,notapleasantsmileatall."No,"hereturned."SoIthinkwemightdiscussplansforthe
wedding.Yourmotherwillbehappytoassistyou,Iamsure."

"Nottoday,"shesaid,andsearcheddesperatelyforanexcuse.Shesquaredhershouldersandcameup
withtheperfectone."I'mmeetingagirlfriendforlunchattheLobsterBardowntown."

"Agirlfriend?"Hewasimmediatelysuspicious."Whoisshe?"

Hermindwouldbarelycooperate."MyfriendCara,fromschool,"sheinvented."She'sonacruise
andwillonlybeintownthisafternoon.Ihaven'tseehersincegraduation."

Hehesitated,stillnotquitetrustingher.Hepursed,hislipsandthoughtforaminute."Verywell.But
Philippehassailedtooneoftheouterislandsandistoarrivebackheretomorrow.Iwillexpect

cooperationfromyou."

"Certainly."

Shewaspaleandnotasconfidentasshesounded,butsheforcedasmileforhimandwenttodress.

Brianne'smother,Eve,havingleftthebabywiththelive-innurse,slippedintoherroomasshewas
changingintojeansandagreensilkshirtthatmatchedhereyes.

“Hashespokentoyou?"theolderwomanaskedquickly.

"Yes,"Briannereplied.Shestaredathermother,seeingthenewlinesinherpretty,softface,thenew
hauntedlookinherpaleeyes."Indeedhehas."

Evetwistedherhandstogether."Ihadnoideathathewasgoingtotakeitthisfar,Brianne,"shesaid
miserably."Iknowyoudon'tlikeMr.Sabon.Iknowwhatpeoplesayabouthim.Buthe'sveryrichand
powerful—"

"Andyouthinkmoneyisthemostimportantthingintheworld,"sherepliedwithcoldeyes.

Hermotheravertedhergazequickly."Ididn'tsaythat.Hecouldgiveyouanythingyouwanted,
though.AnditwouldmakeKurthappy."

"Makingyourhusbandhappyisn'tmymaingoalinlife,Mother,"Briannesaidwithanunfamiliar
icinessinhertone."AndifyouthinkI'mgoingtomarrythatmantokeepKurtBrauerhappy,youare
sadlymisinformed."

Hermotherlookedhorrified."You...youdidn'tsaythattohim?"sheaskedwithrealfear.

"Ofcoursenot!"sherepliedquickly."Mother,I'mnotafool.Hedidmakecertainthreatsaboutyou,
andthebaby,"sheaddedreluctantly.SheandEvehadneverbeenclose.Attimeshikethis,itwassad,
becausetheycouldhaveconfidedineachother,comfortedeachother.Evehadalwaysliedabouther
age.Brianne'sverypresence,nottomentionherage,wasavisiblecontradiction.Likemanypretty
women,shehadahardtimeacceptingtheadvanceofheryears.

Evemadeahelplessgesturewithoneperfectlymanicuredhand.Theolderwomanlookedvaguely
hunted."Kurthasaverybadtemper,"sheremarked."Ihaven'tseenitoften,ofcourse,"shesaidwitha
waryglanceatherdaughter.“Butwearguedoveryou,quitebadly.ThatisonereasonIagreedwhen
hewantedtosendyoutoschoolinFrance.Thingshaven'tbeenquitecalmhereforsometime,and
especiallynotsincehegotmixedupwithMr.Sabon."

Shebrushedbackastrandofcolor-tintedblondhair.Hergreeneyespleadedwiththoseofher
daughter."Couldn'tyoupretendtoagreetomarryhim,justuntilIcanthinkofsomething,anything,
todo?There'sNicholas,thebaby,toconsider.Ireallycouldn'tbearitifKurt...well,ifhefoughtme
forcustody,Brianne.YouknowI'dlose.Ihaven'tanymoneyofmyown.Please!Ifyouwon'tdoitfor

mysake,doitforNicholas's!Youmustknowwhatsortoflifehe'dhavewithoutme."

Thesadtilingwas,shedid.Nicholaswouldgrowupatthemercyofamanwhohadnone.She
frownedworriedlyasshefinishedbuttoningherblouseoverhersmallbreasts.Sheturnedandstared
athermotherwithsadeyes."Youusedtosaythatallyouneededtobehappywasalotofmoney.Do
youstillfeelthatway?"

Theolderwomanpaled."Iwastiredofbeingpoor,"she^repliedbitterly."Ofhaving
nothingandworkingallhours.Yourfatherhadnoambitionatall!"

"No,buthehadakind-heartandageneroussoul,"Briannerepliedquietly."Hewouldneverhave
raisedahandtoyou."Herfacehardenedasshelookedatthewomanwho'draisedherbutneverloved
herorcaredwhathappenedtoher.CertainlyEvehadn'ttreatedherasshetreatedthebaby,cuddling
himandkissinghimandrushingtosatisfyhiseverywhim.Itwasapainfulreminderthatshehadn't
beenreallywanted,orloved.

"Yourepaidmyfather'sloveandloyaltybyleapingintoKurtBrauer'sarmsbarelyamonthafterhis
funeral,"Briannesaid,thinkingaloud,"Youcan'timaginehowIfeltaboutthat."

Hermother'sfacewasastudyinshock.Sheputahandtoherthroat."Why...Brianne,"shesaidhuskily.
"Younever...youneversaidaword."

"Whatwouldhavebeentheuse?"Brianne'sfacewasassadashervoice."Youdidn'tcareaboutmy
feelings,ormygrief.Youwouldn'twaitandrisklosingKurtandallhismoney."

"Howcanyouspeaktomeinsuchaway?"Eveaskedhuskily."You'remyownchild!"

"AmI?"sheaskedwithrealpain.Shesearchedhermother'sbrittle,beautifulface."Idon'tremember
thatyouevercuddledmeorheldmewhenIcried,ordidanythingexceptcriticizemeandwishme
outoftheway."

Eve,foronce,didn'thaveacomeback.Shelookedconfused,unsettled.

"Myfatherlovedme,"shesaidwithicypride."Hekissedthehurtplacesandtookmetoseeartshows
andconcertsevenwhenhecouldbarelyaffordit.Youdidnothingexceptcomplainthathewas
spendingtimewithmethathecouldhavespentworkinghiswaytoapromotion."

Evefrowned,searchingthefaceofthisstrangerintheroomwithher."Ididn'trealizethatyouwanted
tobewithme,"shesaiduncomfortably."Youneverseemedtolikemeverymuch."

"Nordidyoulikeme.Iwasn'tbeautiful."ThewordscameoutmuchmoreforcefullythanBrianne
meantthemto,butmerewereyearsofpainbehindthem.

Eveswallowed.Sheclaspedherhandsatherwaist,whichwasstillalittlefulldespitethebaby'sage.
"Ifyouhadyourhairproperlystyledandusedmakeupandworetherightkindofclothes..."

"Youmightloveme?"Brianneaskedwithahollowlaugh.

Eveactuallywinced.Shetookasinglestepforwardwithherhandlifted,butitwastoolate.Yearstoo
late.Thebarelyperceptiblegestureofconciliationwascompletelyignored.

Briannegatheredherpursefromherbedandsnappedit.shut.Shecouldn'tthinkofanythingelseto
say.

"Whereareyougoing?"Eveaskedhelplessly.

Brianneglancedather.Shedidn'tdarerisktellinghermotherthetruth."MyfriendCarafromschool
isintownjustfortheafternoon.Ipromisedtomeetherforlunch."

"Oh.Oh,that'sfine,then,"Evesaid.Sheforcedasmile."Now,don'tworry.Everythingwillbeall
righthere.It'sjustthisbusinessdealupsettingKurt.He'llbefineoncethepressureisoff,oncehe's
gotwhathewants."Shewasthepictureofastubbornwomanrationalizinganuntenablesituation."He
lovesme.Hedoes.Helovesthebaby,too.Hewon'tdoanythingtohurtus,nomatterwhathetold
you,"sheadded.

“Good.ThenIwon'thavetomarryPhilippeSabontokeepyousafe,willI?"

Thequestiontookallthecoloroutoftheolderwoman'sface.Shemovedforwardquickly,almost
frantically."Brianne,youmustthinkcarefullyaboutthis,"hermothersaidfrantically."Youmustn't
makeanysnapdecisions!"

"Iwon't."Sheturnedherpurseinherhands,alltooawarethatshelookedlikeanAmazonnexttoher
prettylittlemother.Briannehadnicelegsandprettyhair,butshefellfarshortofEve'sideaofwhat
herdaughtershouldbe.

Eveseemedtosensethat.Shereachedout,hesitantly,andforthefirsttimeinyears,shetouchedher
daughter,touchedthelong,thick,straightblondhairandfeltitscleantexturecuriously.

"Youdohavesuchlovelyhair,"shesaidslowly."Mystylistcoulddowondersforit.
Andyouhavethebodyforcouture.Inevernoticedhowelegantyouare."

YounevernoticedmeatalluntilIcouldhelpyoutucksomemoreprettyfeathersinyournest,
Briannethoughtresentfully,butshedidn'tsayit.Shesteppedbackandhermother'ssmallhandfell.

Shewentquicklytoopenthedoorandpausedtolookbackatthedoll-likefaceofhermotherwith
sorrowandpity."I'monlytwentyandIknowthathappinesscan'tbebought.Whyhaven'tyoulearned
thatinalmostfortyyears?"

Hermother'sprettyfaceclosedUp."I'mbarelythirty-five,"sheprotestedwithafalselaugh."And
besides,Ilikenicethings."

"Youmust.You'regoingtopayaveryhighpriceforyours."

"Itisn'tsomuchtoask,thatyoumarryoneoftherichestmenintheworld,Brianne.ThinkofallI've
doneforyou.ThinkofwhatKurt'sdoneforyou,"sheaddedquicklywhensherememberedhowlittle
shecouldclaimtohavecontributedtoherchild'swell-being,"Hesentyoutoaveryexpensiveschool
inParis,andhe'sevensupportingyounow.Youowehimsomethingforthat,Brianne,"sheadded,
tryingtoregaintheupperhand.Shesmiledthatempty,cold,socialsmilesheusedtoimpressKurt's
businessassociates,afrighteninggroupofpeoplewhoseexactconnectiontoherhusbandwas
somethingshestillcouldn'tquitefigureout."Iknowyou'lldotherightthing,onceyou'vethought
about'this."

Briannedidn'tsayanythingelse.Itwaspointless.Thetwowomenhadneverhadmuchincommon,
andnowtheyhadevenless.Hermotherwasn'tgoingtoletgoofKurtandhismoneyregardlessof
whatitcosther,she'djustsaidso.ShewasevenwillingtosacrificeBriannetokeepit.

ButBriannewasn'tgoingtobesacrificed.Shewasgoingtotheonepersonwhocouldrescueher.

Pierce,fortunatelyforher,wasathome.Hewasonthephonewithhissecuritychief,butwhathewas
hearingmadehimuneasy.

"Wehadanattemptontheriglastnight,"TateWinthropsaidinhisdeep,unaccentedvoice."Wefoiled
it,"headded,beforetheexplosionhecouldhearformingontheotherendoftheline."ButIdon't
thinkitwillbethelast.AndI'veheardsomenewrumblingsaboutSabon'scountry.Theysayoneof
hispoorneighborsisstockpilingweaponsfromasympatheticnationandisconsideringanattackto
capturethedrillrigsinSabon'sfirstoilfields.Hewasrightabouttheoil,youknow.They'vehitpay-
dirt,orsomysourcessay."

Piercestretchedlazily,andhiseyeswenttothewhitebeachbeyondtheconfinesofthe
swimmingpoolwherehewasloungingalone.Hesippedhiswhiskeysour."Iwonderiflettingthem
preventthedevelopmentwouldn'tbethebestthing,"hesaidafteraminute."Brauerwillsetupthe
fieldswithoutsafeguardsoranyregardfortheecologyifhehashisway."

"Iftheyattackandgetbeatenback,thefirstthingthey'llprobablydoissetfiretotheoil,"Tatepointed
out.

Piercewhistledsoftly."Whatadisasterthatwouldbe.Thatwouldn'tmakethemanyfriendsin
Washington."

"SpeakingofWashington,"Tatesaidquietly,"there'sarumorthatBrauerisabouttotrytopullsome
stringsandgettheU.S.involvedinthis."

"You'rekidding!"

"IusedtoworkfortheCIA—Idon'thaveasenseofhumor."

"Sorry."

"Brauerwenttoschoolwithoneofthesenatorsontheforeignaffairscommittee,"hecontinued."He's
beenintouch.Iunderstandhe'sdueinWashingtonsoontolobbyforU.S.aid."

"HewantsUncleSamtohelphimbuildanoilfield?"Piercedrawled.

"Notatall.HewantsUncleSamtoprotectitwhileit'sbeingbuilt."

"Saboiisamillionaireandheownshalfthecountry,nottomentionitskingandmostofitsministers.
Whycan'theprotectithimself?"

"He'swealthy.Hiscountryisn't.Oddduck,Sabon,"headded."Hehasareputationforperversesexual
habits,butthefunnythingaboutitisthatnochargeshaveeverbeenbroughtagainsthim,and
nobody'severfoundanyofhisdiscardedlovers."

“Curious."

"Brauerlabelshimasamoney-grubbingassassin,butthatisn'tthereputationhehasamongthe
peopleinhisowncountry."Therewasapause."Whywouldamandeliberatelypicturehimselftothe
worldasadebaucher?"

"Beatsthehelloutofme.I'vebeenwonderingwhyhewantedBrauerasabusinesspartner."

"NobodyelsehasanycloutwiththeUnitedStates,"Tatemused."Thinkthatmighthaveanybearing
onit?"

"Verypossibly,buthecouldn'thavepickedamoredangerousally.Brauer'sdonesomanyimmoral
thingsinhislifetimethathemakesSabonlookgood."

"I'lldrinktothat."

Theothermansoundedoffhand,distant."Yousoundpreoccupied,"Piercesaidsuddenly,becausehe
knewtheman'smindwasn'tonthesubjecttheywerediscussing.

"A...personalproblem,nothingIcan'thandle,"Tatesaidquietly."Look,I'lltalktoafewpeopleabout
BrauerandseewhoheknowsinWashington.Ifyouhearanythingnew,getbacktome."

"I'lldothat.Sabonwasintownyesterday,buthe'sgonenow."

"Thatwasaquicktrip.Whywashethere?"

Pierce'sdarkfacehardened."Brauerhasatwenty-year-oldstepdaughter.Sabonwantsher,
apparently."

"GoodGod!"

"Youknowwhathe'lldowithherifhegetsher,"Piercesaidcoldly."She'sspiritedand
smart,butshe'snomatchforamanlikeSabon.":

"Wantmetocomeover?"

"Icantakecareofher,"hereplied."I'mnotoverthehillyet."

Therewasarare,deepchuckleontheotherendoftheline."Nobodywhowatchedyou
knock
ColbyLane
tohiskneesonthatdrillingplatformwouldeversayyouwere."

"Speakingofthedevil,howishe?"

“ColbylinkedupwithanothergroupofmercenariesandwenttoAfrica,butIhearhe'scomehome
andhe'sworkingforUncleSamnow.He'schangedsomuchlatelythatIdon'tknowhim.That
damnedwoman!"

"It'snotherfaultthathecan'tgiveherupandlethersettlewithhernewhusband,"Piercereminded
him."Ifhewillgetdrunktwiceamonthandstartfights,hecanexpectsomeonetoknockhimaround
eventually."

"Nobodywasgametotryituntilyoucamealong."

"Notevenyou?"Piercechided.

"Oh,heknewbetterthantopickonme,"hesaidcarelessly."Didn'tyounoticethatbigwhitescaron
hisjaw?"

"Yourogue,you."

"Hecaughtmeatabadtime."

"I'dliketoseeanyonecatchyouatagoodonelately.Speakingofmenwithchipsontheirshoulders,
wecouldtalkaboutyours,"headded.

"Nottoday.I'vegotworktodo.Watchyourback.Sabondoesn'tlikeyouanymorethan
Brauerdoes,buthe'ssupposedlygotmoremoneythanBrauerandhe'sdevious.I'dhatetogetacallat
threeinthemorning,tellingmeyou'dwasheduponabeachoveratFreeport."

"Youwon't.Keepintouch."

"Sure."

Piercehungupandreflectedonwhathe'dlearned.Itwasunwelcomenews.Theoilbusinesshad
alwaysbeenboomorbustItwasmorecomplicatedmanitlookedtoanoutsider,aswell.Therewere
athousandworriesthatincludedoilspills,leaks,explosions,firesanddisgruntledemployeesmad
enoughtocauseaccidents.Therewerefundingproblemsandquarrelsoverwhoabsorbedwhich
costs,andsquabblingbetweentheoilcompaniesfootingthebillandtheconstructionoutfitbuilding
therigsandpipelines.Itwasanever-changingpatternofproblems,andPiercewaswherethebuck
stopped.

ThenewestventureinvolvedbuildingarigforaconsortiumintheCaspianSea,aprojectbesetby
legalandpoliticalwoes.ThepipelinewastogothroughanationthattheU.S.governmenthad
sanctionsagainst,andtherewasaceilingontheamountofforeigninvestmentsthatwereallowed.
TheRussiansarguedthattheusuallimitationsshouldn'tapplybecausetheCaspianSeawas
landlockedanddidn'tfallunderthespecifications.Theoilcompaniesinvolvedintheprojectwere
international,butnotabovethesanctionsthattheU.S.hadpersuadedothernationstohonor.

TherewasongoinginterferencefrompeopleinSabon'scountry.Theyneededapipelineinasimilar
area.ThedifferencewasthatSabonhadtherightcontacts,andanyenemyoftheUnitedStateswasa
friendofhis.Hedidn'tbotherwithsanctionsorpoliticalcorrectness;hesimplygreasedpalmsand
didwhatheliked.HeandBrauerhaddoneabitofthatoflate,andifTateWinthropwasright,amajor
politicalfracaswasshapingupbackhome.Brauer'sfriendintheSenatecouldcausesomereal
troublefortheconsortium'sproject,andthereforeforPierce,whowassupplyingtheequipmentand
labortoconstructit

HewasdeepinthoughtwhenthegateenclosingtheswimmingpoolopenedandBriannejoinedhim
nearthechangingrooms.

Hewassunbathingandhe'dlongsinceshedhistrunks.Briannehadstaredathimandblushedthefirst
timeshesawhimthatway,despitethetimeinPariswhenshe'dputhimtobed.Ithadamusedhimthat
shewasstillsoinnocent.Afterthatonce,sheacceptedhislackofclothingasderigueurandnever
commentedonitorbotheredtoaverthereyesfromhisblatantmasculinity.Infact,sheseemedtofind
himasfascinatingasshehadinParis.

"Youlookpreoccupied,"hecommentedwhenshesatdownontheloungerbesidehisanddroppedher
purseonthenearbytable.

"I'mnotpreoccupied.I'msuicidal."Sheglancedathimwitharuefulsmile."Wanttohelpmetiean
anchoraroundmyneck?"

Hesatup,seriousnow."What'swrong?"

"I'vebeenhandedanultimatum,"shesaidinacolorlesstone.Shestaredatherbarefeetintheflimsy
whitesandals."KurtsaysthateitherImarryPhilippeSabonorhe'lldosomethingdrastictomy
motherandhalfbrother.He'sprettydesperate,"sheadded."Idon'tthinkhe'sbluffing.He'stiedup

everypennyhehasinthisoildealwithPhilippe.HestandstoloseitallwithoutPhilippe's
cooperation,andhe'sgoingtolosethatifIdon'tmarrytherepulsiveMonsieurSabon."

Hisfacehardened.Hehadn'tthoughtthatevenBrauerwouldgosofarinhispursuitofwealth.Hewas
wrong.

"Whatdoyouwanttodo?"heaskedherabruptly.

Sheglancedathimwithawansmile."Can'tyouguess?"Sheslidherhandsoverherjeans-cladthighs.
"It'snowornever."

Hisblackeyesnarrowedastheysearchedoverherslenderbodywithcalculation."Wouldyoucareto
bemorespecific?"

"Sure."Shestoodupandabruptlypulledoffhersilkblouse.Therewasnothingunderitexcepther
small,prettybreasts."How'sthisforspecific?"sheaskedbluntly.

ChapterFive

PiercehadrefusedtothinkofBrianneasawomanlately.Hehadn'tovercomehisgriefforMargoand
hewasn'treadyforanyintimateinvolvement,especiallywithawomanasyoungandinnocentas
Brianne.

Butthesightofthosesoft,prettypinkbreastswiththeirhardmauvetipshadanimmediateand
unmistakableeffectonhim.

Hereyesfollowedthemovementofhisbodywithwidefascinationthatquicklyturnedto
apprehension.Shefoldedherarmsacrossherbreasts,andherbrazendemeanorwentintoeclipse.

"Lostyournerve?"hetauntedsoftly.

Shehad.Itwasn'tpossibletopretendthatshedidn'tfindhimintimidating."Sorry,"shesaid,because
hisirritationwithherwasalsoapparent."Themagazinesdon'tshowmenlikethat,"sheaddedself-
consciously.

“Theywouldn'tdare."Hegottohisfeetandmovedclosertoher,slowlytakingherhandsawayfrom
herbreasts.Theywerehard-tipped,justslightlyswollen.Helookedattheirdelicatepinkcontours
withpureappreciation.

"I'm...small."Shewantedsobadlytobesophisticated,butshefeltgaucheanduncomfortable.Hewas
lookingatherasifhelikedwhathesaw,butshewasself-consciousabouthersize.

"You'reperfectlyformedandnottoosmall,"herepliedgently.Hesmiledather,anditmadehimless
frightening.Hisblackeyesweretenderastheytracedthestarkoutlineofherbreasts.Hisgazelifted
toherfaceandhiseyesnarrowedwithfaintcalculation."Dotheyache?"

Shewonderedhowheknewthat.Shenodded,alittlestiffly.

Hisheadlifted."ComehereandI'llmakeitstop."Hisvoicewasdeep,soft,slow.Shewasnowaware
ofthesunbeatingdownonthemthroughthecasuarinas,thesoundofthewavesonthebeachjust
beyondtheprivacyfence.Shewasawareofanairplaneroaringoverhead.Butnoneofthosethings
reallyregisteredasshefelttheimpactofPierce'seyesonherbodyforthefirsttime.

Shedrewinherbreathandtookasteptowardhim.Shefelttight,swollen,allover.She'dalways
foundhimattractive,butthiswasbeyondherslightexperience.Itwaslikebeinginthegripofatidal
wave.Shecouldn'thelpherself.

Hisbig,darkhandliftedslowly,andhisfingerstracedlightlyaroundjusttheedgesofonesmall
breast.Shegasped.Hesmiledatherreactions,becauseshewastoogreentohidethem.

Hisotherhanddrewheralittlecloser.Hisbreathsighedoutatherforeheadashisthumbeasedjustto
theoutlineofthehardnippleandawayagain.Hefeltherstiffen,heardherbreathingrustleinher
throat.

"The...gate,"shesaidthroughdrylips.

"NooneevercomesthroughitwhenI'msunbathing.It'sanunwrittenlaw."Hewasfeelingalivefor
thefirsttimesinceMargo'sdeath.Itwaslikerebirthtofeelawoman'ssoftbreastunderhisfingers,
feelawoman'sshakingheartbeatagainsthishand,hearherbreathingcatchinherthroat.Brianne
smelledofspringflowers,andhethoughthowexquisiteitwouldbetotaketherestofherclothesoff
andtouchherwhereshe'dneverbeentouched.

Hisownheartbeatracedattheimagesthatclaimedhismind.Hestoppedthinkingaboutherageand
inexperience.Theydidn'tmatter.Nothingmatteredpasttheheatinhisloins.

Hisfingerswenttothewaistbandofherjeans.Heunsnappedthemandpulledthezipperdown.Her
handscaughthis,butheexpectedthefaintpanicandhisheadbentasshestruggledwithhisfingers.

"Virginityishardtogiveup,"hewhisperedatherlips."Butyou'lllikethewayItakeyours.It'sgoing
tobeslowandsweet,hereinthesun."Hismouthtouchedherupperlipandthenherloweroneashis
handsbegantomove.

Shemadeasoundandhesmiledpatiently.Hisheadbentandhismouthopenedoveronehardnipple.
Hesuckledittenderly,awareofherhandsfallingawayfromhis,awareofherbodyarching
helplessly,herfingerssuddenlytanglinginthethickblackwavesofhishairjustatthenapeofhis
strongneck.

Hehadherjeansdownbelowherhips.Shefelttheaironherbodyanditwaswelcome,becauseshe
wassohot.Shecouldn'tbreathe.Hewassucklingherbreasthungrilyanditmadeherbodyswelland
ache.

Itwasn'tonlyhismouthnow,itwashishand.Heprobedgently,touched,stroked,inthatplacethathad
neverknownaman'stouch.Sheshouldbeshocked,ashamed,butshewasn't.Itwasexciting.He
touchedherandherbodyfeltmoistthere,open,hungry,empty.

Shemovedherlegsapartforhim.Hertinygaspswerebarelyaudibleabovetheshockedbeatofher
ownheart.

Shearchedbackward,openingherbodytohim,towhateverhewantedtodotoit.Shewasfreeas
she'dneverbeen,wantonandbrazenandcompletelysubmissivetohisardor.

Itoccurredtoherinonelastflashofsanitythathewaseasingherdownontoabig,thicktowelinthe
smallpatchofgrassbesidetheconcreteedgeofthepool.Sheopenedhereyes,noticingthattheyfelt
heavyandweighted.

Hewasremovingthejeansandthebriefsunderthem.Thatwasnice,becausetheywerefartootight.
Heputthemaside,alongwithhersandals.

Hewasslow,patient.Hedidn'trushoractasifheweredesperatetodomorethanlookatherfor
severallong,breathlessseconds.Hekneltthere,betweenherlong,splayedlegs,withhishandsonhis
thighs,juststudyingherbody.

Sheshiveredattheheatinhiseyes.Hewasmorepotentthanshe'ddreamedhewouldbe,andalittle
frighteninglikethat.She'dneverseenpicturesofanarousedman,butitseemedthathewasalotmore
endowedthanthecenterfoldsinthosemagazinessheandherfriendshadpassedaroundinParis.

She'dexpectedhimtocomedownonher,tostartkissingherbodyortouchingherintimatelyagain.
Hedidn't.Hesimplywatchedherasifhismindwasdetachedfromhisvisibledesireforher.

"Aren'tyougoingto...todoit?"shewhispered.

Hesmiledslowly."Dowhat?"

Sheswallowed."Makelovetome."

Hesighed.Hisbighandssmoothedoverherthighsandsheshiveredwithpleasure."Iwantto,"hesaid
quietly."Iwantto,verymuch.Butmyconsciencewouldhauntmefortherestofmylife."

Shegrimaced."Whydoyouhavetohaveaconscience?You'renottakinganythingIdon'twantto
giveyou!Don'tyousee,ifIgobackhomeavirgin,thatman...thatfrighteningman...!"

Hisfingerscontractedonhersoftflesh."You'renotgoingbackhome,Brianne,"hereplied."Not
now,notever.You'restayingrighthere."

Shewassurprised.Awed."Youwantmetolivewithyou?"sheaskedbreathlessly.

Henodded.Hiseyeswenttothesoftfleshhishandwastracing,tothefaintgoldenhairsonherlegs,
whosesheenwaslikeflossinthesunlight.

"I'dlikethat,"shesaid.

"Yourstepfatherwon't,"hereplied."Andhecouldprobablygetsomelegalsupporttodragyouback."

Shelookedtormented."Iwouldn'tgo!"

"Hecouldmakeyou,ifhehadthelawonhisside."Hisfingersgrewslowlymorecaressing."That
beingthecase,we'regoingtomakearatherhastytriptoLas.Vegas."

Shestoppedbreathing."Nevada?"

"Nevada."Heremovedhishandsandstood,pullingherupbesidehim."Youreallydohavethemost
beautiful,nubileyoungbody,"hemurmured,liftinghisfingerstothehardtipsofherbreasts.He
teasedthem,enjoyingthewayshearchedtohistouch."Andifyouweretwoyearsolder,believeme,I
wouldn'thesitateasecond.Butyou'remuchtooyoungtobeanyman'smistress.SoI'mgoingto
marryyou."

Allherdreamswerecomingtrue.Shestaredupathimwithpuredisbelief."You'rekidding."

Heshookhishead."No,I'mnot.There'snowayinhellI'mlettingapervertlikePhilippeSabonget
hishandsonyou.ThisistheonlywayIcanprotectyou."

"Hewouldn'twantmeifI'dhadalover,"shefeltobligedtopointout.

"Youdon'tknowthat.Andhowwouldyouproveittohim?"

Shebitherlowerlip."IguessIcouldn't,really."

Hecaughtherbythewaistandpulledhernudebodycompletelyagainstthewarmcontoursofhis,
smilingwhenshefelthimagainstherbellyandgasped.

"Don'tbeintimidatedbyme,"hesaidgently."Yourbodyismoreelasticthanyourealize.Youcan
takeme,evenifyoudon'tthinksorightnow."

Shelaughedself-consciously."Caretoproveit?"sheaskedwithpurebravado.

"Notuntilwe'remarried,Idon't,"hereplieddryly.

Shesearchedhisbroad,darkfacecuriously."IsitbecauseIhaven'tdoneitbefore?"

"Yes,"hesaidsimply."I'mold-fashioned.Bodiescomecheap,butyoursisn't.Idon'tcarewhattherest

oftheworldthinksordoes.Igomyownway.Thisisit."

"Marriageornothing,hrnmm?"shemurmured,happyenoughtoteasealittle.Shereachedupand
touchedhisbroad,hair-coveredchest,likingthewaythemusclesrippledunderherfingers."Okay.If
you'resure,"sheadded,andlookedworried.

Hetouchedherlong,softhairandtangledhisfingersinit."I'msure,"hesaid,andhewas.Buthe
couldn'texplainwhy.

Hishandssmootheddownherbacktoherhips.Hedrewthemgentlycloserandstudiedhermouth.
"I'vetouchedyoulikealover,butIhaven'tkissedyou.Iwantto."

Shelinkedherarmsaroundhisneck,shiveringalittlewiththedeliciouspleasureoffeelinghisskin
againsthers."Me,too,"she.murmured,liftingherface.

Hebentandbrushedhisopenmouthagainstherlips.Hehesitated.Whathefeltwassuddenly
explosive.Hescowled,becauseitwasunexpected.Hebentagain,andthistimehenudgedherlips
apartwithhismouthandbrushedatitwithslow,whisperycontactsthatmadehisbodycontractand
hardenevenmore.

Sheheardthefaintintakeofhisbreathandfelthisbodystiffenagainsthers.Shedrewbackand
lookedintohisblackeyes,seeingtheglitterthatbegantoshineinthem.Therewasafainttremorin
hislong,powerfullegsaswell.

Hereyeswerecurious,possessiveasshelookedathim.Shesteppedalittlecloseranddeliberately
brushedherthighssoftlyagainsthis.Hebitoffasharpgroan,andthehandsholdingherhipsbitinto
thesoftfleshbruisinglyhard.

Herlipsparted.Why,hewasvulnerable!She'dneverhaveexpectedit,becausehiscontrolhadbeen
absoluteaslongashewastouchingher.Shewonderedwhatmighthappenifshe...touchedhim.

Herfingerswentbetweentheirbodies,andshespreadthemagainsthisdiaphragm,lookingstraight
upintohiseyesasshemovedthemveryslowlydownthroughthenarrowingofhairthatcoveredhis
stomachandhisloins.

Heclenchedhisteethbutmadenomovetostopher.Shehesitatedbriefly,self-consciousaboutwhat
shewasdoing.

Hedrewinaslowbreath."Doyouwanttotouchme?"

Shenodded.

Hesteeledhimselfnottolosecontrol.Hishandscoveredhersandslowlyguidedthemdownuntil
theyrestedonhisbodywhereitwastautandswollen.

Shelookeddown,surprisedandawedbythefeelofhisbodyinsuchdevastatingintimacy.Shesmiled
withmingledcuriosityandfascination.

Hemovedherhandsagainsthim,chucklinghollowlyatthepleasurethatshotthroughhimunderher
shy,warmlittlehands.

"Showmehow,"shesaiduninhibitedly,lookingupathimtenderly.

"Andshockyou?"

"It'sallright,"shesaid."Iexpectyou'regoingtoshockmeeventually."

"IthoughtIalreadyhad."

Heplacedhisbighandsoverhersmallonesandguidedthemslowly,patiently,explainingwhathe
wantedhertodo.Hisbodybegantoshiverandthentomovehelplessly.Heswallowed.Hebitoffa
harshmoan.Hishandsbecameinsistentandhetrembled.Itdidn'ttakelongatall.Hecriedoutandhis
bodywashelpless,pulsing,opentohereyesashewentovertheedgeandfeltherwatchinghim.The
pleasurewasoverwhelming.Hehadtoleanagainstanearbytreeforsupportasthegrindingwavesof
ecstasyconvulsedhisbody.Heletherwatch,enjoyedhereyes,hershyexcitement,hertriumphasshe
realizedwhathadhappenedtohim.

Heheldheragainsthim,sweatyandshiveringinthedeliciousaftermath.Helaughedwithglorious
delight,hisbodyopentothesunandhereyes,andnotonetraceofinhibitionorembarrassment
afterward.

"You'reso...uninhibited,"shesaidsoftly,smiling."IwishIwas."

"Doyou?"Hegotbackhisbreathandthensuddenlyliftedherclearoffthegroundandcarriedher
backtothebeachtowelthey'dabandonedminutesbefore.

Heputherdownandpositionedher,andhismouthfoundherinawayshe'donlyreadabout.

Itwasthemostshocking,startling,overwhelminglyurgentpleasureshe'deverdreamed.Shearched
andshudderedandsobbedashebroughthertoalevelofecstasyshecouldn'thaveconceivedof
feelingonlytenminutesbefore.Itwassounexpectedthatshewentovertheedgealmostatonce.Her
backarchedandsheheldhimtoher,begging,sobbingherpleasureasherslenderyoungbody
shudderedinthelong,sweetconvulsionsoffulfillmentforthefirsttime.

Ittookheralongtimetocomebackdownfromthefeverishheights.Shefelthiswarmmouthall
overherbody,tracing,touching,comfortingwhileshetrembledandtriedtogetonecompletebreath.

Hechuckledatherlookofunholyshockwhenhefinallyliftedhishead."Iletyoufulfillme,"he
pointedout.

"Yes,butIdidn't...!didn't...Idon'tthinkIcould...!neverevendreamed..."Hereyessoughthis.“Isit...
well...natural?''

Hegrinned."Thatdependsonyourdefinitionofnatural.Ifyoulikedit,itis.Ifyoudidn't,itisn't"

Shehesitated."Ilikedit,"shewhispered,andflushed.

"SodidI,"herepliedsoftly.Heslidalongsideheranddrewhertohim,holdingherinthelazy
aftermath."Notquitesex,butenoughfornow."

Sheshiftedonthetowel,feelingarousedalloveragain.Herbackarchedandshemoanedsoftly.

"Again,sosoon?"heaskedquietly,archingaboveher.

Sheopenedsoft,mistyeyesandmovedsensuously."I'msorry.MaybeI'mnotquitenormal."

Hishandlaygentlyonherflatbelly."You'recompletelynormal,aswellasanunexpecteddelight,"he
repliedwithsombereyes.Hemovedhishandandtouchedherverydelicately,gentlyatfirst,andthen
deliberatelyandwithsomeinsistence.

Sheopenedherbodytohisslowprobing,staringintohiseyesassherealizedwhathewasdoing.

Hisfacewassomberandverystill."Isithurting?"

Shenodded."Just...alittle,"sherepliedhuskily.

Heleanedcloser,hiseyesfillinghervision.Heprobedagainandpushed,slowly.

Shebitherlowerlip,buthereyesneverlefthis.Sheswallowedbecausethepainwasburningher.

"DoyourealizewhatI'mdoing?"hewhispered.

"Yes."

Hemovedcloser."Don'tlookaway,"hesaidhuskily."Don'tcloseyoureyes."

Herbackarcheddelicately,increasingtheburningpain.Shewinced..

Hishandmovedagainandhiseyesseemedtofilltheworld."Doyoufeelittearing?"hewhispered
deeply.

"Yes!"

Hereyesdilated.Sodidhis.Itwasthemostintimatethinghe'deverdonewithawoman.Itwasmore
intimatethansex.Histeethgroundtogether,andhemadeasoundinhisthroatjustasshearchedupto
himandsobbed.Hefeltthebarriergive.Hefeltit!

"DearGod!"hegroundout.

Sheshiveredagain.Hereyeslookedintohiswithanewknowledgeofhim.Shesawthesame
expressioninhisbroadfacethatsheknewwasinhereyes.

Shelifted.Thistimetherewasnopainatall,justthefaintdiscomfort.Hepushed,feelingherbody
opentotheslowthrustofhisfingersasithadn'tbeenabletobefore.

Herlonglegsparted.Shereachedup,invitinghim.

Buthewouldn'taccepttheinvitation.Heshookhisheadslowlyandwithdrewhishand.Shelooked
down,fascinated,

"WhenIhaveyou,"hewhisperedquietly,"therewon'tbeaglimmerofpain."

''But...whynotnow?''sheasked.

"BecauseIdidn'twanttoarouseyoutopassionandhavetohurtyou,togiveyouamemoryofsex
thatwasforeverlinkedwithpain."Hebentandputhismouthsoftlytoherown,smilingagainstthe
faintwhisperofherbreathagainstit."Yourfirstexperienceofmeisgoingtobeonelong,sweet
pleasure."

Sheliftedherselfagainsthimandkissedhimwithpurepossession,seductivelyslidingagainsthis
strongbody."Iknow,"shewhispered."Sowillyours,ofme."

Hesmiledtohimselfashehelpedhertoherfeet.Itdidn'toccurtohimuntilmuchlaterthat,forthe
firsttimeintwoyears,hehadn'tthoughtofMargo.HewantedBriannewithawhite-hotpassionthat
hehadn'tfeltsincehisteens.Itwasn'tlove,butitwascertainlyenoughtobuildafoundationon.He
wasgoingtomarryhertoprotectherfromPhilippeSabon,butmorethanthat,hewasgoingto
marryhertosatethepassionshearousedinhim.Itwasthemostpowerfulemotionhe'dfeltinyears.
Itfeltgood.Ithadbeenalongtimesinceanythinghadfeltgood.He'dbeenlivinginthepast,in
Margo'smemory.Hehadtostop.

Briannewasyearstooyoungforhim,butwhenshetiredofhimandwantedsomeoneyounger,they'd
dowhattheyhadtodo.Fornow,hewasgoingtoenjoyhersweet,lithebodyanddrowninthe
forgetfulnessofblindpassion.Hedidn'tconsiderhismotivespastthat.

TheyflewtoLasVegasthatveryafternoon.Severalhourslater,theywerestandingtogetherina
weddingchapel.Brianneworeashortwhitecoatdressandamatchinghatwithaveil,andshecarried
aposyofwhiteroses.Ithadbeenarushedsortofbuyingspree,andithadbeenfun.Piercehadgone
withherto,pickouttheensemble,scoffingattheideathatitwasbadluckforhimtoseeherinher
weddingdressbeforetheceremony.Heworeatuxedoanddreweyeslikemagnetsastheywalked
fromthebigblackstretchlimointotheweddingchapelwherehe'darrangedforthemtobemarried.

Shehadaring,alsoquicklypurchased.ItwasaVictorianreplica,offourteen-karatgold,,awideband
embossedwithivyleavesinanexquisitepatternofyellowgold.Theringwasoutlinedbytinybands
ofwhitegold.ItsuitedBrianne'sslenderfingerandshelovedit.ButPiercewasstillwearinghisold
weddingring..Shedidn'thavethenervetoaskhimtochangeit.That,shetoldherself,wasprobablya
mistake.Butshedidn'thavetimetoworryaboutit,becauseeverythinghappenedsoquickly.

Theministerperformedtheceremonywithtwopaidwitnessestoattesttoit.PierceliftedBrianne's
veilandbenttokissherwithcarelesstenderness.Hisfacewasverysomber,andshewonderedifhe
wasrememberinghisfirstmarriage.Shewascertainthatithadn'tbeenperformedsomeplacelike
this.Shesawtheneedforaquickceremony,because,ifthey'dhadaformalwedding,Kurtwould
surelyhavefoundsomewaytostopthemfrommarrying.Butshemournedsilentlyforthebeautiful
longgownshe'dalwaysassumedshe'dbemarriedin,andforthelovethatwasn'tpresentonthe
bridegroom'sface.ThatPiercelikedher,andwantedher,sheknewforcertain.Butwouldthatbe
enoughtokeepthemtogether,withalltheloveononesideandPiercelivingwithabeautifulghost?

Shelookedintohisblackeyeswithfaintmisgiving.

Hetappedtheendofhernose."Stopglowering,"heteased."We'regoingtobehappy."

"Oh,Idohopeso,"shesaidfervently.

Hesighed.Theteasinglightwentoutofhiseyestobereplacedbysomethingentirelynewashe
lookedatherinthemoderncoatdressthatshowedherlong,elegantlegstotheirbestadvantage.
"You'reveryyoung,"hesaidquietly.

"I'llgetwrinklessoonenough,rightnowifyoulike.Icansoakmyfaceinwateruntilitstartsto
shrivel,"shevolunteeredwithagrin.

Hechuckled."Hooligan,"heaccused."You'regoingtorunmeragged."

"Ipromisetodomybest,"shesaid.

Theyshookhandswiththeministerandhiswifeandthewitnesses,concludedthepaperworkandthe
fee,andwentbackoutsidetoclimbintotheblacklimo.

"We'remarried,"Briannemurmuredwithawickedglanceatherbrand-newhusband."Howabout
takingmetothenearestmotelandlovingmehalftodeath?"

Heonlysmiled,likeanadultindulgingasmallchild."There'snothingI'dlikebetter,"hesaid
carelessly."Butwehavetocatchthenextflightoutofhere."

Herexpressionfell."Wearen'thavingahoneymoon?"

"Biianne,wegotmarriedtosaveyoufromSabon,"hesaidseriously."Ienjoyedmakinglovetoyou
bythepool.Someday,maybeI'lldoitproperly.Butthisisn'tthetime.We'vegotsomemajor
complicationscroppingupthatyoudon'tknowaboutyet.Icouldn'tbeartotellyouandspoilour
wedding.Buttheceremony'soverandyouhavetoknow."

"Knowwhat?"sheaskedwithacoldpremonition.

ChapterSix

Piercegrimaced,asifhedidn'twanttosayit.Shestaredathimwithherheartpoundingandhereyes
likegreensaucers.

"Allright,IsupposeIcan'tkeepitfromyouanylonger,"hesaidheavily."IphonedArthuratthe
beachhousewhileyouwerechangingatthehotel.Yourmothercalledandaskedforyou.Itseems
she'shadaslight...accident.She'llbeallright,"hesaidquicklywhenherfacebegantopale."Shetold
Arthurthatsheslippedandfellonthesteps,buthesaidshesoundedprettyscaredandsheneededto
speaktoyouurgently.Hedidn'ttellherwherewewere,onlythatwe'dbebacktoday."

Sheletoutabreath."I'llbethehither,"shesaidmiserably."Hemadeallsortsofthreatsagainsther
andthebabyifIdidn'tcooperatewithhisplans.Isupposehe'llfindoutwhatwe'vedone?"

Henodded."Soonerorlater."

"HesaidthatPhilippewascomingbacktodayandhewantedtoseeme,"shetoldhim.Shesmoothed
backherhair."WhydidmymothermarryKurt?"sheaskedangrily."Couldn'tsheseewhatsortof
manhewas?"

"Sureshecould.Hewasrich,"headded.

Sheleanedbackheavilyagainsttheseat."Willhehurtheranymore,dpyouthink?Andwhataboutthe
baby?"

"They'reprobablysafeenoughfornow.ButSabon'sgoingtobeoutforbloodwhenhelearnswhat
we'vedone.I'vejustputyououtofhisreachforgood.Hewon'ttakeitlyingdown.He'llbeplotting
hisrevengeonbothofus,andonanyoneconnectedwithyou.Andprobably,sowillKurt."

Herpulsewasracing.Sheputupahandandbrushedbackherlonghair."Whatarewegoingtodo?"

"Well,you'renotgoinghome,forastart,"hetoldhergrimly."We'reflyingbackinto
FreeportinsteadofNassau.I'vealreadyphonedthehouseandtoldthemtohaveadriverwhodoubles
asmybodyguardtomeetus.Itwouldn'tdoforArthurtopickusup,anyway,underthecircumstances.
We'llstayinFreeportforthetimebeing,untilthingsdiedownandIcangetmysecuritychiefover
herewithateam."

"YoureallythinkPhilippeSabonisathreat,don'tyou?"sheaskedworriedly.

Hetookherhandinhisandhelditwarmly."Iknowheis.Butnothing'sgoingtohappentoyou.
You'remyresponsibilitynow.I'lltakecareofyou."

Shegnawedherlowerlip."It'slikeanightmare,"shesaidaloud."Thisisthe,1990s.Thingslikethis
aren'tsupposedtohappen!Heavens,Ican'thaveatotalstrangertryingtoforcemetomarryhim!"

"Sabonisfilthyrich.Heusuallygetsexactlywhathewants.Yourstepfatherisinhotterwaterthanhe
realizes."HeglancedatBrianne,whowasvisiblypale."Ithinkourbestbetistohaveyouliveinthe
States,wheremysecuritychiefcankeepaneyeonyou.Yousaidoncethatyouwantedtogoto
collegeandstudymath.Doyoustill?"

Shestaredathimwithcarefullyconcealedhorror.He'djustmarriedher.Shewasday-dreamingabout
livingwithhim,lovinghim,sleepinginhisarms—andhewasofferingheracollegeeducation.

"Ihadn'tthoughtaboutcollegelately,"sheconfessed.

"You'renottoooldtostart,"hesaideasily."We'llenrollyouinasmallcollegenearD.C.,andunder
anassumedname,sothatSabonwon'tbeabletofindyou.Butevenifhedoes,TateWinthropwillbe
somewherenearby,oroneofhispeoplewillbe.You'llbewatchednightanddayuntilthisisover."

"Ican'tstaywithyou?"sheasked,carefullyavoidinglookingdirectlyathim.

Hesighed."I'dlikeyouto,"hesaidbluntly,hisexpressionsolemnandintent."Butthatisn'tgoingto
bepossibleafterwhathashappenedbetweenus,Brianne."

Shewassurprised."Idon'tunderstand."

"Don'tyou?"Helaughedcoldly."Listen,honey,you'reatastylittlebanquetandI'mastarvingman.
Allmygoodintentionswon'tspareyouifwe'reunderthesameroofforverylong."

"ButIwantyou,"sheprotested.

"Want!"hescoffed."You'reachildonfirewiththeforbidden.You'vejustdiscoveredsensualpleasure
andyouwanttoexploreitI'vedonemyexploring.Ihavenothingtoofferyouexceptafewfeverish
lovemakingsessionsinmybed.I'dbreakyouryoungheart.Youwouldn'tbeabletoletgo,andyou'd
haveto.I'maloner.Idon'twantawife."

"Youmarriedme,"shesaid,makinganaccusationofit.

"Yes,toprotectyoufromSabon,"heagreed.Hestudiedher."You'rebarelytwenty,naiveandaching
tolayyourheartatmyfeet.Don'tIwantyou.Icouldtakeyouandenjoyyouandwalkawayfromyou
thenextmorningwithmyheartintact.Youcouldn'tYou'retoointenseforme,Brianne."

"YoumeanifIcouldjusthavesexwithyouanddisappear,you'dletmestay,"shesaidstiffly.

"That'sitinanutshell,"heagreed.

"PerhapsIcould."

"Notyou,"hereturnedimmediately."You'realreadyhalfwayinlovewithme,"headded,andwatched
theshockrippleacrossherfeatures."Didyouthinkitdidn'tshow?"heaskedsoftly."You'reanopen
book.Youhaven'tyetacquiredthesophisticationittakestohideyourfeelings."

Shetookadeepbreathandpushedbackherhairnervously.Shestaredoutthetintedwindowofthe
limousineinsteadofathim."Sowheredowegofromhere?"

"YougotocollegeandIgetonwithmynewproject,"hesaidcarelessly.

"Youwouldn'tliketosleepwithme?"

"Oh,I'dlikeit"hesaidbluntly."I'dloveit.ButIcouldtakeitinstrideandyoucouldn't.We'llsaveit
untilyou'realittleolder."

Sheturnedsadgreeneyesuptohis."Itwasaglitzyceremonyinavulgarplace,soyoudon'tconsider
thosevowsbinding?Sonowwegoourseparateways."

Hisheavyeyebrowsliftedsharply.He'donlyheardthefirstpartofhercomment."Vulgarplace?"

Sheturnedaway."Whatwouldyoucallit?"sheaskedquietly.

Hehadn'tthoughtaboutitatall,untilshehithimwiththerealityoftheirceremony.Ithadbeena
vulgarplace,atawdrylittlelegalizedsexoperationthatmadeiteasyforgirlstoforgettheir
principlesforaquickweddingthatcouldbefollowedbyanevenquickerdivorce.

Hescowled.Brianne,forallhermodernoutlook,wasathrowbacktoearliertimes.Shewas.thesort
ofgirlwhowouldexpecttobemarriedinchurch,inatrailingwhitegownwithbridesmaidsanda
flowergirl.Margohadbeengivenjustsuchawedding.ButBriannehadbeenhustledintoamarriage
mill.Despitethereasonfortheirwedding,hecouldhavefoundamoreconventionalwaytobringit
about.

"I'msorry,"hesaid,andgenuinelywas."IwassopreoccupiedwithgettingitdonethatIdidn'tquite
thinkaboutthedetails.You'dratherhavebeenmarriedinchurch,wouldn'tyou?"

Shedidn'tlookathim."Wereyou,thefirsttime?"

"Ofcourse,"hereplied."Margosaidthatshewouldn'tfeelmarriedifwedidn'thaveaproper
service."HesawBriannewince,andforthefirsttimeherealizedhowbadlyhe'dhurther.

"Thenwediditproperly,"shesaidinanamazinglycalmandcollectedtone."It'sashammarriageto
savemefromaworsefate.Havingitinchurchwouldbeasortofsacrilege.I'msorryIsaidanything.
Ishouldbegratefultoyouforwhatyou'vedone,insteadofcriticizinghowithappened."

Hereachedoutandtookhercoldhandinhis."Wedon'tknoweachotherverywell,"hesaid,feeling
theresistanceinherfingers."Isupposewe'llsteponeachother'sfeelingsagoodbituntilwebecome
betteracquainted."

"No,wewon't,"shesaid."NotwithmeintheStates,andyouinNassau."Sheturnedtohimandsmiled
athimvacantly."That'sthewayyouwantit,too,isn'tit?EvenifIweren'tbeingpursuedbyamadman,
you'dwantmesomeplacewhereyoudidn'thavetoseemeeveryday."

Hiseyesbegantoglitter."That'sright,"hetoldher.

Shesighed."Okay,"shesaidafteraminute."Igetthepicture.Iwon'tgiveyouanytrouble.”She
pulledtheweddingringoffherfingerandhandedittohim.

Hescowled."Wouldyouliketoexplainthis?"

"Sure,"shesaid."You'restillmarriedtoanotherwoman."Shegesturedtowardtheweddingbandhe
woreonhisbiglefthand."Thatbeingthecase,there'sreallynopointinmywearingaweddingband,
too."

Hejerkedhishandbackfromhersandglaredather."Iwon'ttakethisringoff,"hesaidshortly."Least
ofalltoplacateachildplayingatbeinganadult!"

Thewhiplashofhisvoicewasallthemorepotentforbeingsosoft.Sheshiveredwiththecoldnessit

intimated.

"SorryIhaven'tenoughmaturitytoplaythegameproperly,Mr.Hutton,"shesaid."ButI'lllearnsoon
enough."Sheavertedhereyesandclenchedherteeth."SinceI'mnotatruewife,Idon'tseewhyIcan't
dateothermen.That'swhatyouwant,anyway,isn'tit,formetofindsomeoneelseandgetoutofyour
life."

"IwantyousafefromSabon,"hesaidthroughhisteeth."Atthemoment,that'smyonlyconcern.As
forothermen,"headdedslowly,"ifyoubreakyourvowstome,you'dbetterhidewhereIcan'tfind
you."

Shegapedathim."Ibegyourpardon?"

"Youheardme,"hesaidshortly."We'remarried,glitzy,vulgarchapelnotwithstanding,andno
womanisgoingtocuckoldme"

."Well!"

"Ithasnothingtodowithjealousy,"hecontinuedharshly."Sabonisthereasonithastobeatrue
marriageandnotasham.OtherwiseyourstepfatherwillleapatanyopportunitytotossyoutoSabon
asaprospectivebride.Ifhelearnsthatyou'reoutwithothermen,hewon'tbelieveyouhavea
husband."

"Heisn'ttheonlyone,"shesaidunderherbreath.

Heglaredharder."I'vebeenhonestwithyou,"hesaidcoldly."WouldyouhavepreferreditifI'd
seducedyoubeforeweflewtotheStates?"

Shewasn'tgoingtotouchthatlinewithaten-footpole.Shetooktheringbackandplaceditonher
finger."Youdon'tthinkthatPhilippemightjustgiveupandgohomeifheknewweweremarried?"
sheasked,avoidinghispointedquestion.

Hehesitated,asifhewantedtopursuethesubjectthey'dbeendiscussing.Buthesighedandlether
diverthim."No,Idon't,"hesaid."Ithinkitwilljustmakehimmoredeterminedtohaveyou."

AfterthatPierceremainedsilentuntiltheyboardedtheplaneandtooktheirseats.Briannefellasleep,
andthenwokewithastart.ShelookedatPierce.Hehadabroodinglookashestaredtowardthefront
oftheplane,whereawaitresswasbendingtotakedinnersoutoftheplane'swarningovens.Thiswas
oneofthefewflightsthatofferedmeals.

"They'regoingtoservedinner.Doyouwantatray?"heasked.

"Yes."

Heopenedthearmofherseatandliftedouttheintricatelyfoldedtableforher,smilingatherlookof

surprise."SurelyyouflewhomefromParisfirstclass?"heteased.

"Actually,Icamehometourist,"shemurmured."Brauerhasbeentightwithmoneyforthepastyear.
Justbetweenus,Ithinkhe'steeteringonthevergeofbankruptcy."

"Ifheis,nowonderhe'ssoitchytoplacateSabon,"Piercerepliedthoughtfully."Andifhe'ssunk
everythingheownsintothisdevelopment,inhopesofdoublinghisinvestment,he'sinbigtrouble."

"Why?"

Heputhisowntrayintoposition."Becausewe'reworkingwithaconsortiumofoilcompaniesona
dealwiththeRussianstodevelopthatwellintheCaspianSeathatItoldyouaboutWe'regoingtorun
apipelinerightthrough—"Hementionedthecountry,andhereyeswidenedinsurprise.

"TheUnitedStateshaseconomicsanctionsagainstit,"sheexclaimed."NowonderBrauerwouldbe
upset—everyonewouldtakesides,andhe'dlosemoney.Butaren'tyouaUnitedStatescitizen?"

"Brianne,IcouldbeifIwantedto,butI'mnotaUnitedStatescitizenrightnow,"hesaid,reminding
herwithashockofhisEuropeanbirthandnationality.

"Iforgot,"shesaidquietly."YouspeaksuchperfectEnglish.Youdon'tevenhaveanaccent."

"Itoldyouthatmygrandfatherraisedme.HewasGreek,buthespokeseverallanguagesfluently.He
insistedthatIlearnEnglishtoperfection.Itwasthelanguageofthebusinessworld,heusedtosay,
andIdospendafairamountoftimeintheStates."

Sheshiftedsothatthestewardesscouldputdownthemeal,andthenwaiteduntilPiercehadbeen
servedbeforeshespreadhernapkininherlapandglancedathim."IguessIdon'tknowmuchabout
thepoliticsofothercountries."

Hesmiled."Youshouldlearn.It'seasiertogetalongwithpeopleifwehavesomeunderstandingof
theirpolitics,aswellastheirsocialandreligiousbeliefs."

"Howmanylanguagesdoyouspeak?"

Heshrugged."Onlythree,fluently."Heglancedatherandgrinned.“DoyouknowhowanArab
definesanilliterateperson?"

"No.How?"

"Assomeonewhospeaksonlyonelanguage."

Surprised,shelaughed."Well,thatputsmerightonthetopoftheirlist."

"I'llteachyouGreek,"hetoldher."It'sbeautiful."

SheknewthatFrenchwasoneofhislanguages,butshenoticedthathedidn'tofferanyinstructionin
thattongue.ProbablybecauseofMargo,shethoughtsadly,becauseshe'dbeenFrench.Heprobably
madeloveinFrench.Hereyeswentinvoluntarilytohisbig,beautifullymasculinehands.She
rememberedtheirskillonherbody,theexquisitesensationshe'dtaughthertofeel,andshecaughther
breath.

Heheardtheintakeofbreath,andhisblackeyesmetherswithaquestioninthem.

Sheflushed,movinghergazequicklytoherplate.

Shewasn'thidinganythingfromhim.Hecouldreadherlikeanewspaper.Heunwrappedhislunch
andstartedtobutterhisdinnerroll.Surprisingly,hefelthisbodytautenpleasurablywiththememory
ofBrianne'ssensuousmovementsashecaressedherbythepool.Shewasuntried,buteagerand
passionate.Hehadagoodideahowitwouldfeeltomakelovetohercompletely,andhewantedto.
Buteverytimehethoughtofit,hesawMargo'sbelovedface,andhefeltguiltyandashamedfor
thinkingoftakinganotherwomantohisbed.Itseemedlikeadultery.

Brianneateherchickencasseroleandsmiledappreciativelyatthestewardesswhopausedtopourher
acupofblackcoffee.ShenoticedthatPiercetookhisthesameway,withoutanythingadded.

"WherearewegoingtostayinFreeport?"sheaskedhimsuddenly.

"I'vebookedasuiteofroomsatoneofthehotels."Henamedit."Andunderassumednames.We'llbe
fine.Meanwhile,I'vesentforWinthrop.He'llbealongwithoneortwoofhismen."

"Youreallyaretakingthisseriously,"shesaid.

Henoddedashefinishedaswallowofcoffee,"YourstepfatherwillbeonhiswaytoWashington
today,ifwhatwe'veheardisaccurate."Heglancedather."I'vegottenwind
ofanotherrumorthatIlikeevenlessaboutwhatthey'replanning."Hisblackeyesnarrowed."There's
alotatstakehere.Sabon'scountryhasasmall,poorneighbor,whichhasdreamsofconquestand
possessionofallthatexpensiveoilthattheWestissodesperatetobuy.Theneighboringcountryhad
oil,buttheirreserveshavebeenexhausted.Theyhavenooilintheircountryanymore.Buttheyhave
powerfulalliesandaccesstostate-of-the-artweapons."

"Oh,mygoodness,"Briannesaid."Youdon'tthinktheymightinvadeQawi?"

"Suretheymight.Sabonknowsthat.Ithinkit'swhyhe'sluredBrauerintothedeal,becausehehasa
friendintheSenateinWashington.SabonmaybeusingBrauertoappealto.theUnitedStatesforhelp.
Theywouldn'tgiveittohimbecausehe'sintheirbadbooksforsupportinganAmericanfoeduring
theGulfWar."Hefinishedhischickenwithagrimexpression."ButifBrauercanbargainforU.S.
protection,withsomeinterestinthedevelopingoilfieldsforbait,Sabonwouldhavetheclouthe
neededtopushthedealthroughwiththeoilconsortium.Failingthat,hemightbedesperate
enoughtoattemptafirststrikeagainsttheneighbor."

"Startwar?"

"Yes.Startawar."Heglancedatherashewipedhismouthwithanapkin.

"Thissoundsfrightening."

"Itisfrightening.TheMiddleEastisatinderbox.Allitneedsisasparktothrowthewholeareainto
war.TherewasaclosecallwhenIraqattackedKuwaitandIsraelbackintheearlynineties.Thiswould
beevencloser.Countrieswouldlineuponeithersideoftheconflict,andithasthepotentialtospread
allthewaydowntothePersianGulf."Hesighed."Thatwouldbebadnewsforthoseofuswhohave
investmentsintheCaspianSeaproject.AndevenifthewarwasconfinedtoSabon'scountryandits
neighbor,westandtosufferdelaysandthethreatofarmedhostility.IfBrauercan'tgettheStatesto
interveneonhisbehalf,Ithinkhemightpaysomeofhishiredmercenariestoattackourdrilling
platformandputtheblameonthepoornationnexttoSabon's,justtostacktheoddsintheirfavor.
WiththeRussiansinvolvedwithus,thatcouldprovokesomeveryunpleasantretaliationonSabon's
behalfagainstthepoornation.Whichcouldattract
U.S.interventionaswell.Ishuddertothinkofthepossibleconsequences."

"Can'tyoudoanything?"

"I'mdoingit,"hesaid."I'vegotWinthropuptohisneckininvestigation.He'salreadystoppedone
plandeadinthewater.Ihaveeveryconfidencethathecanstopanother,withalittlehelpfromsome
oldfriendsintheintelligencecommunity.It'stotheiradvantagetokeepthelidonthisthing,you
know."

"Iguessso."Shesippedhercoffeeandstaredathimovertheplasticrimofthecup."It'sallvery
exciting,despitethepotentialforviolence,"shesaidafteraminute.Shelaughed."I'veneverdone
anythingdangerous,"shemused.."Mywholelifehasbeenonelong,dullseriesofroutinedays.Well,
mostofit."Shegrinned."You'vebeenanadventure,"

"Sohaveyou,"hemurmured,andhedidn'tsmile."You'vedisruptedmylife."

"Goodforme,"shereplied."Youneededsomeonetodisruptit.Youweregoingtoseed.You'remuch
tooyoungtowiltonthevine,sotospeak."

Hisgoodhumorcameback,"Iwasn'twilting."

“Youwereso.Youwerekeelingoverinbarswaitingtobepickedupbypotentialthieves."Shepursed
herlipsandfrowned."Say,whatifthatblondeeyeingyouinPariswasreallyaCIAagent,after
industrialsecrets?"

Hechuckled."Idon'tknowanyindustrialsecrets.Irunthebusiness,Idon'tdotheactualdrilling,andI
don'tunderstandtheprocessexceptfromalayman'sperspective."

"Yes,butyouknowhowtobuildadrillingplatform.Infact,youpatentedoneideaforplatformsthat
workbestinshallowareas,didn'tyou?"

Hewassurprised."Ididn'tthinkyouknewanythingabouttheoilbusiness."

"Ididn't.AfterItookyoubacktoyourhotelinParis,IdecidedthatifIwasgoingtogetmixedupwith
amanwhobuiltoilrigs,Ishouldknowsomethingabouttheoilbusiness."

"Howdidyouknowyouweregoingtogetmixedupwithme?"hepursued."Ihadnoplanstogoto
Nassauorlookyouup."

"Yes,Iguessedthat.ButIknewyouhadahomeinNassauandIplannedtolookyouup!"sheretorted.
"Ilostmynerve,though.Ifyouhadn'tbeenatthatpartyKurttookusto,Idon'tsupposeIwouldhave
seenyouagainexceptbyaccident."

"Idon'tknow,"hereplied.Hefinishedhiscoffee."Itoldyouthatyouweretooyoungforme."

"Seventeenyears."

"Eighteen."

Shegrimaced."Youdidn'ttellmeyou'dhadabirthday."

"No,Ididn't,didI."

HiscoldglanceendedanyattemptathumoronthatsubjectSheputdownherforkandopenedher
dessert,achocolatepie."Idon'tknowwhatsortofmusicyoulike,whatkindofbooksyouread,or
whatyouliketodowhenyouaren'tworking."

Hewasreluctanttosharethoseintimatedetailswithher.Shewastryingtowormherwayintohislife,
andhedidn'twantherto.

Butallthesame,hefoundhimselfspeakingwhenhehadn'tplannedto."IlikeDebussy,Respighi,
Puccini,andmoderncomposerslikeJohnWilliams,JerryGoldsmith,JamesHomer,DavidArnold
andEricSerra.Ireadmostanything,butI'mpartialtobiographiesandancientGreekandRoman
history.".

"Ilikethosecomposers,too,"shesaid."AndIloveopera.MyfavoritesarePuccini's—Turandotand
MadameButterfly."

Hedidn'twanttotellherthatthosewerehistwofavorites."Whatdoyouliketoread?"

"Romances,"shesaidwithagrin.

"Becauseyou'restillyoungenoughandidealisticenoughtobelieveinhappyendings,"hesaidwith

faintmockery."I'moldandjadedenoughtoknowtheydon'texist."

"Youhadtenwonderfulyearswithawomanyoulovedwholovedyouback,"shepointed
out.

"Andshedied,"hesaidbrutally."Somuchforhappyendings!"

"Maybealittlehappinessisallwecanexpectinthislife,"shesaidthoughtfully."Whatifyou'dnever
metMargoatall?Wouldyouhavebeenhappier,really?"

Hedidn'twanttoanswerthat.Heglanceddownattheremainsofhischocolatepiewithblankeyes.

"Youwouldn't,"shesaidforhim."Youwereveryluckytohavehadsuchaspecialrelationship.You
havememoriesthatarebetterthanthedailylivesofmostpeople."

He'dneverthoughtofhimselfaslucky.Maybehewas.Margohadlovedhimunselfishly,generously.
HelookedatBrianneandthoughtwithastartthatMargowouldhave
likedher.Shewassimilartohislatewifeinmanyways,nottheleastofwhichwasinherempathyand
compassion.Shewasagivingperson.Shewasn'tbeautiful,asMargohadbeen,butshewasprettyin
herownway.

"Haven'tyoueverbeeninlove?"heaskedcuriously.

"Onlywithyou,"shesaidhonestly.

Hisjawtightenedandheturnedhiseyesbacktohiscoffeecup.Itwasempty.Helookedaroundfor
thestewardessandmotionedtothecup.Shecamebackwiththecoffeepotandrefilledit.Brianne
shookherheadwithasmileandthestewardesswentondowntheaisle.

"You'retooyoungtoknowwhatloveis,"Piercesaidafteraminute."You'rehotforyourfirstaffair
andyouwantme.It'sdesire,nothingmore."

Shesmiledwistfully."Whateveryousay."

Hesippedhiscoffeeandscorchedhisupperlip.Hemadeafaceasheputthecupbackdown.

"You'llmeetsomeone,"hesaid."Someday,you'llfindamanclosetoyourownage,andyou'll
understandwhatImean."

"I'mmarried,"shereplied."Ican'tgolookingforahusbandwhenI'vealreadygot
one.".

"Wewon'tbemarriedforever,"hesaidshortly,lookingstraightather."Oncethisisover,we'llgeta
quietannulment."

Herheartseemedtostopinherchest.Sothatwaswhathemeanttodo—staymarriedtoher,butnot
intimatewithher,untilthetroublewithSabonwasover.Thenanannulment,whichwouldbeeasyto
getsincethemarriagehadn'tbeenconsummated.Nowonderhedidn'twanttogotobedwithher.He
wasalreadymakingplanstogetheroutofhislifeforgood!

Briannetoyedwithherpapernapkin,tracingtheembossedlogooftheairlinewiththetipofher
fingernail.

"Isee,"shesaidwhensherealizedthathewaswaitingforhertoanswerhim.

"Youknowitwouldneverwork,"hecontinuedshortly."There'stoomuchdifferenceinourages.
We'refromdifferentgenerations.Wedon'teventhinkthesameway."

"Andevenifwedid,there'sMargo."

Hiseyesflashedangrily."Ilovedher,"hesaid,hiseyesglittering."Iwon'tcheatonher."

"Pierce,she'sgone,"shesaidsoftly."Shewon'tevercomeback.Youmayliveforanotherthirtyor
fortyyears.Doyoureallywanttolivealoneforallthattime,byyourself,withnooneforcompany?"

"Yes!"

Hesaidit,buthedidn'tsoundconvincingtoBrianne.Itmustbeverydifficultforhim,especially
whenhewasalonewiththememoriesthatwouldbeasmuchcurseascomforttohim."Shewouldn't
wanttis,"shemurmured,thinkingaloud."Shewouldn'twantyoualoneandgrievingforever."

"Youdon'tknowwhatthehellyou'retalkingabout,"herepliedicily."Letitdrop.Idon'twanttotalk
aboutit."

"Whateveryousay,"shereturned."Idon'tsupposeyou'dliketotryhavingsexinthewashroomwhile
we'reuphere,wouldyou?"sheaddedwickedly,tryingtolightenthetoneoftheirdisturbing
conversation."Isawitinaracymovieonce,andI'vealwayswondered..."

“Wonderbyyourself!"Hereturnedhistraytothearmofhischair,gotupandwentstormingdown
theaisletothebathroom.Hewentinsideandlockedthedoor,leaninghisforeheadagainstitscool
surfacewitharoughsigh.Damnthewoman!Couldn'tshestopgettingathimaboutthepast?Didn't
sheknowthatitwaskillinghimtorememberMargo'sface,herbreathinhismouth,herhandsonhim
inthedarkness?Hislifewasgrowingmoreunbearablebytheday.

Hethoughtaboutthirtymoreyearsofthisagonyandhisheartthreatenedtocrackinsidehim.

Ifonlyhedidn'tfindBriannesoattractive.Hedidn'twanttothinkabouther,hedidn'twanttohavethe
temptationofhernearby.Ifshewentaway,he'dbesafe,withonlyhismemoriesofMargo.He
wouldn'thavetofighthishungerforBrianne.

Itwasn'tjustthesightofherthattantalizedhim,itwastheselittleremarksshemade,half-teasing
invitationstoravishherinairplanerestrooms.Helaughedinspiteofhimself.Shewasso
uninhibited,despiteherinnocence.Hefoundheracontinualdelight.Shewasthefirstwomansince
Margowhocouldmakehimfeellight-hearted,whocouldmakehimlaugh.Hewasanimpatient,
irritablemanmostofthetunethesedays,alwaysspoilingforafight,becauseangercouldlessenthe
painofgrief.Brianneknockedthefireoffhismercurialtemper.Shemadehimseetheworldwithher
ownsoft,happyeyes.It
wasironic,hethought,thatawomanwithsuchtragedyinherownlifecouldbesooptimisticand
upbeat.

Hestaredathisfaceinthemirrorandsawthesilverpepperingtheblackhairathistemples.There
werelinesaroundhiseyes,too.Heputahandtothetracesofsilverandlaughedhollowly.Couldn't
Briannelookathimandseehowoldhereallywas?Itsurprisedhimthatawomanofheryouthand
attractivenesscouldwanthim.Hewonderedwhatshesawinthatbroad,hardfacestaringbackathim.

Brianne,sittingquietlyinherseat,waswonderingthesamething.Hewasn'tparticularlyhandsome,
notwithhandsandfeetandanosethatsize.Certainlyhewasalotolderthanshewas.Butshe'dnever
knownamaninherwholelifewhocouldholdacandletohim.Hewasjustdynamite,anditwas
killingherthatshecouldn'tfindawaytogettohisheart.

Thestewardesswasofferingmorebeverages.Wasthatchampagneshewasoffering?Well,whynot?
Piercehadmadeitclearthathedidn'twanther,andshewasfeelingprettysorryforherself.Maybea
littlepick-me-upwouldbejustthething!

Twoglassesofchampagnelater,Piercecamebacktohisseat.

Briannetoastedhim,sloshingalittleofthefizzyliquidontoherdress."Oops,"shesaid.Sheleaned
towardhim."Sorry.Myhandslipped."

Hestaredatherwithwideeyes."Whatare^youdrinking?"

"Champagne."

"Youcan'thavechampagneoranyotheralcoholicbeverage,"hesaidshortly."You'reaminor!"

"Shegaveittome,"shesaid,indicatingthestewardesshalfwaydowntheaislebehindthem."Gotell
hershe'sbreakingthelaw.Idareyou,"sheaddedsmugly,anddownedanotherswallow.

"Givemethat."

Hetooktheglassawayfromherandfinishedthetwoswallowsshe'dleftintheglass."Idiot,"he
muttered,staringather."Youcan'tholdliquor.You'vegotnoheadforitatall."

"Icanlearntodrink,"shetoldhimhaughtily."I'mmarried."Shehadasuddenthoughtandhereyes
twinkled."Sothisiswhymarriedpeopledrink!"sheexclaimed.Shegavehimarakishlook."See

whatyou'vedonetome?"

"Ididn'tdoathing,"heprotested.

"Youdid,"shereturned."Yousaidyouwon'tsleepwithme!"

Hervoicecarriedandhegroanedaudibly."Shutup!"hemuttered.Hecouldfeelthoseamusedlooks,
evenifhecouldn'tseethem.

"Iwon't,"shereplied."Thisisnotabadsubstituteforourweddingnight,''shetoldhim."Atleastit
numbsthepartsofmethatache."

"You'retoodamnedyoungtohaveachyparts,"heremarked.

"Ihaveanachyheart."Shesmileddrowsily."Thatwasasong.Irememberit.Wantmetosingitto
you?"Shedid,evenwhenhestartedshakinghishead.

Hehelduphishandandthestewardesscamequicklytotheirside.

"Bringhersomecoffee,please,"hetoldthewoman."Strongcoffee.Quick!"

"Oh,dear,"thestewardesssaid.

"Shedoesn'tdrink,"Piercesaid."Notever.Andshe'saminor."

Thestewardessmadeahorribleface."They'llcutoffmyearsandfeedthemtothesharks!"

"No,theywon't.I'llsayIforcedyoutogiveittome,"Briannesaidhelpfully.

"How?"Piercedemanded."I'llsayIthreatenedtojumpoutawindow,"sherepliedwithasmile.

Piercelookedatthetinywindowandbackather."Oh,they'llbelievethatinaheartbeat."

"I'llgogetthatcoffee,"thestewardesssaidquickly."Dear,dear,Iamsorry."

"It'sallright,"Briannesaid."Youdidn'tknowthatI'maminorandthatIjustgotmarriedtoaman
whodoesn'tevenlikeme.Howcouldyouknowthathewon'teventakeme
to—".

"Brianne!"Piercegrowled.

"Paris,"shefinishedwithawickedglanceatherfurioushusband.

"YoushouldtakehertoParis,"thestewardesstoldhim."It'sbeautifulthere."

"Coffee,"Piercerepeated."Andsomethingtoeat.Now."

"Yes,sir,rightnow."

Thestewardessretreated,andBrianneleanedherheadbackagainsttheseatandstareddreamilyat
Pierce."Ican'tbelieveyouhavesomanyhang-ups,"shetoldhim."You'repositivelyriddledwith
them."

"Ihopeyourheadexplodes,"hesaidvenomously.

Shegapedathim."Lookwho'sgotatemper!"sheexclaimed."Ionlyhadalittledrink."t

"Twolittledrinks,andlookatyou!"

"Ilookverynice,"sheinformedhim.

"Youlookverysauced."

"I'llsoberupwhenwegetbackontheground,"shepromised."Meanwhile,I'mgoingtoworkon
waystoseduceyou.Ireallyshouldbuysomemorebooks,"sheaddedthoughtfully."Maybeavideo
ortwo."

Heclearedhisthroatandturnedtosearchforthestewardess.Helookedlikeadrowningman
clutchingatalifepreserver.

Brianneputasofthandonhisbroad,powerfullymuscledthigh.Heactuallyjumped.

"Youprude,"shewhisperedwhenhegrabbedherhandandpusheditaway."We'remarried!"

"No,we'renot,"heshotback."Wewentthroughapaperceremony.That'sallitis,andthat'sallit's
goingtobe!"

Briannepouted."That'snowaytotreatabrand-newwife,"shemuttered."HereIsitdyingforloveof
you,andyouwon'tevenletmetouchyou."

Hefeltasifhiswholebodywasonfire.Shewastoointoxicatedtorealizetheeffectshewashaving
onhim,whichwasjustaswell.Shehadhimsohotthatallhecouldthinkofwashowshe'dfeelinbed.
Hehadtogethersoberbeforehelostcontrolofhimselfentirely.

Thestewardesscamebackwithacupofcoffeeandasnackmeal,whichPiercetookgratefully.

"Here,"hetoldBrianne,-puttingthecupcarefullyinherhands."Now,drinkit!"

"Spoilsport,"shemumbledirritably.Butshedrankit.Heopenedthecellophane-coveredsnackmeal
andwatchedwhileshenibbledatit,too.Thewaitresscamebackwithasecondcup,andathird.The

caffeinejoltedhersystemlikeabatterycable,helpedbythefood,whichseemedtoabsorbsomeof
thealcoholinherstomach.Shebegantofeelherheadclearing,anditwasn'tanaltogetherwelcome
tripbacktoterrafirma.She'dsaidsomeembarrassingthingstoPierce.Helookedsomberandglum,
andshewonderedifshe'ddonesomeirreparabledamagetotheirtenuousrelationshipwhileshewas
inhercups.

Heburiedhimselfinanewspaperhegotfromthestewardess,andhedidn'tsurfaceuntiltheylanded
inFreeport.

Briannelethimleadherdownthecoveredwalkwayuptotheconcourse.Hescannedthelimodrivers
foraplacardwithhisnameonit.ButwhathefoundwasonewithBrianne'sname,badlyprinted.The
manholdingit,ascrawnylittledarkfellow,didn'tlooklikealimodrivertoPierce,who'dseen
plenty.

Brianne,unconsciousofanythingoutoftheordinary,went,smiling,towardthelittleman."I'm
BrianneMartin,"shesaid,forgettingthatshewasmarriedandherhusbandwasrightbehindher.

"MissMartin,"themansaidinthicklyaccentedEnglish.Hesmiledandtookherarm."Youwillcome
withme?"

"Yes,waitjustaminute,though,"sheprotested,andstartedtoturntowardPierce.

He'dalreadygatheredthatsomethingwasbadlywrong.Hemovedforwardquickly,withtheintention
oftearinghiswifefromtheman'shardgrasp,justashefeltsomethinginthesmallofhisback.
Somethingroundandhard.

"Youareherbodyguard,yes?"cameanothervoice,deeper,frombehindhim."You
comealong,too,then.WetakenochancethatyouinformtheHuttonman."

Piercewassurprisedatthecomment,andhesawBrianne'sheadturn.Hehadjustenoughtimefora
covertjerkofhishead.Fortunately,shewassoattunedtohimthatsheunderstoodatoncewhathe
wantedhertodo.

"WhatareyoudoingwithJack?"sheaskedsharply,havingpickedthenameoutofmidair.

"Hecomealong.Nottakechancehetalktopolice,"thescrawnymantoldher."Youcryout,myfriend
shoothimdead.Youunderstand,lady?"

"DoIever,"shesaid,scared."Okay,it'syourparty.Wherearewegoing,ordoIgettoask?"

"Youfindout.Come."

Heledher,with"Jack"andhisguardintow,outtoalongblackstretchlimowaitinginfrontofthe
terminal.Thetwoofthemwerestuffedin,andthetwomencamerightbehind,bothholdingautomatic
pistolsnowandsittingfacingthemintheinteriorofthelongcar.

Thescrawnymancalledsomethingtothedriver,whonodded,andpulledoutintothelineoftraffic.
Buthedidn'tdriveoutoftheairport.Hedrove,instead,rightaroundtooneoftherentalhangarsthat
stoodapartfromthemainbuildingsoftheterminal.Thelimousinepulledupbesideafancylittle
corporatejet,whosedoorsstoodopenandwherealadderwassuspended,readyforitscargo.

PierceandBriannewerehustledinside,againwiththetwoarmedmensittingnearby.Buttherewere
twomorearmedmenwaitinginside,atotaloffour.Pierceexchangedahelplessglancewithher.
Therewasnothingeitherofthemcoulddobeyondacceptingtherealityoftheirsituation.Against
fourarmedmen,theywerepowerless.

"Wherearewegoing?"Brianneaskedagain.

Nobodyansweredher.Shesatbackinherseat,acrosstheaislefromPierce,withoneoftheir
kidnappersnexttoherontheaisle,andclosedhereyes.Shemightaswellgetalittlerestwhileshe
could.Shehadahorriblefeelingthatsheknewwhowasbehindthiskidnapping.

ItreekedofPhilippeSabon'sstyle.

Hourslater,theylandedonatinystriponasmallisland.Briannehadseenasmallcityfromtheair,
andsherememberedthatSabonhadtoldherabouttheislandheownedinthePersianGulf,nearthe
smallcountrywhereheheldsomuchpoliticalinfluence.

ThereweretwooldBritishlimousineswaitingforthem.Briannewasherdedintoone,Pierceintothe
other.Shebarelygotaglimpseofhisbackbeforeshewaspushedinside.Thecarsspedaway.

"Wherearewe?"sheaskedoneofthemen,portlyandalittlelessformalthantheothertwowhohad
kidnappedher."Island."

"Yes,butwhichisland?"shepersisted."Jameel,"hereplied,confirmingherworstsuspicions.Helaid
hisheadbackagainsttheseatandgaveheranappraisalthatsentcoldchillsthroughherbody.

Hesmiled.Histeethlookedasiftheyhadn'tbeenbrushedinthepastdecade,andtherewasafaint
odorofliquoronhisbreath."Verypretty,"hesaid.

Sheglaredathim."IfyouworkforPhilippeSabon,you'dbetterrememberthathemakesabad
enemy,"shesaid,takingachance.

Itwasagoodshot.Themansoberedatonce.

Thetallerofthetwoothermen,theonewho'dheldthegun,saidsomethingabruptand
sharptotheman,whomurmuredinaconciliatoryway.

"Younottoworry,"thetallman,grayingatthetemples,toldBrianne."Nobodyhurtyou."Heglared
attheportlyman,whoturnedhisheadquicklytowardthewindow,watchingthelowscrubfloraofthe

islandwhizbythetintedwindows.

Briannefeltsicktoherstomach.Theonlywayherremark.wouldhaveaffectedthatportlymanwasif
Sabonreallywasbehindthiskidnapping.Nowsheknewthathewas,andshewouldbeinhisclutches
soon.Piercewasaspowerlessasshe,overwhelmedbysheernumbersandautomaticweapons.The
islandwaslikeaprison,fromwhichtheycouldn'tescape.Sabonwouldhaveher!

Sheclosedhereyes,fightingagainstthefearassherememberedwhatshe'dheardaboutSabon's
perversions.Howwouldshebearit?Thatman,touchingher.AsPiercehadoncesaid,shedidn'thave
theexperiencetofakesophistication.TheperversionsthatSabonwouldinflictonherwoulddestroy
herasawoman.

ShewonderedifanyofSabon'smenwouldrecognizePierce.Iftheydid,hedidn'tstandachance.
They'deitherholdhimforransomandthenkillhimorthey'dkillhimonthespot.Almostcertainly,
Sabonwouldn'triskakidnappingtrialinvolvingtheUnitedStates.PiercemightnotbeanAmerican
citizen,butBriannewas,andSabonwascountingonKurt'scongressionalfriendstosavehisoil
fields.

ThatbroughtforthanotherunpleasantthoughtWhenSabonhadfinishedwithher,hecouldn'trisk
releasingher.Shestoodtovanish,too,perhapsturnedlooseinthecrueldesertofthecountryadjacent
tothisisland,whereSabonwasinpower.

Shecouldn'tdielikethis,insuchasordidway.Shehadtouseherbrain.Theremustbesomemeans
ofescape,ifshewerevigilantandkepthereyesopenforopportunities.

Shewasn'tgoingtoletSabonwinwithoutafight.Shemightdieindieattempt,butdeathwasalmost
certainregardlessofhercompliance.Asherbelovedfatherhadoncesaid,itwasbettertogooutina
blazeofglorythaninaninsignificantpuffofsmoke.Ablazeitwouldbe,somehow.

Piercewasthinkingthesamethoughts,withmorepessimismthanBriannemighteverknow.Here,on
Sabon'shomeground,hehadnochanceofescape,andneitherdidshe.Hecouldn'tprotecther.He
thoughtofherongoingpleasandcouldhavekickedhimselffornotgivingintothem.Sabonwould
soilhersexualityinawaythatnopsychologistcouldfix.Hewoulddegradeandhumiliateher.That
delightfulspontaneityshehadaboutintimacywouldbegoneforever.Hewouldmournit.Andhe
wouldforeverblamehimselfforitsloss.

He'dspokentoWinthropjustbeforetheirflighthome,andWinthropwouldlandshortlyinFreeport
tomeethim.Herelaxedjustalittle.TateWinthropwasthebestsecuritychiefhe'deverhad.Hecould
trackabutterflyoverconcrete.He'dfindPierceandBrianne.Thequestionwasifhecoulddoitin
time.

Theoldlimousinespulledupatanimposinghouseoverlookingahuge.bodyofwater—probablythe
PersianGulf,ifBriannerememberedhergeography.Therewasalotofsand,andthevegetationwas
similartothatintheCaribbean,whichthiscertainlywasn't.TherewasanArabicflavortothescene,
andthewhite-garbedservantsthatcameontothelongtiledporchalongwithuniformedguards

lookedArabiantoBrianne.

SheandPiercewereboundandproddedintothewide,airyhouseandalongawidehallwaytoasmall
roomwithonehighwindowtoosmallforeitherofthemtoescapefrom.Therewasasmallbedframe
withasinglerolled-updirtymattressandnolinen,arattanchair,asmalltable,alampandbaretiles
onthefloor.Therewasabathroom,nothingbutatinyroomwithacommodeandasink.Nofacilities
forbathingwereprovided.Therewasathinsliverofsoaponthecrackedoyster-coloredporcelainof
thesink.Thepipeswereoldandrusted,tikethewaterinthetoilet.

"Youstayhere,"theshortmantoldthem,stickinghispistolinhisbelt.

"Couldyouatleastuntieus?"Brianneaskedwearily,holdingoutherarms."WhatifIneedtousethe
restroom?Ican'tdoitwithmyhandstied."

TheguardspokeinArabictothetaller,olderman,andtheyseemedtobearguing.Thetalloneuseda
harshwordandpointedtothehigh,iron-barredwindow,andthentotheheavylockonthedooritself,
madeofthickcarvedebonywood.Heseemedtobesaying,Howwouldtheygetout?

Theshortmanmusthaveseenthattheycouldn't.Eveniftheystoodonthechair,theycouldn'tpossibly
reachthewindow,whichhadironbars.

"Okay,"thefirstmansaid.HeuntiedBrianne'shands,butleftPiercebound.Themenwentout,
closingandlockingthedoorbehindthem.

"ThankGodwe'realonenow...."Briannesaid,runningtoPiercetountiehim.Theknotswereheavy
andcumbersome.Shefinishedhertaskandsaid,"Well,lack,oldboy,wheredowegofromhere?"

Piercebrushedtheloosenedropesawayandrubbedhiswrists."Westayputuntiltheydecidewhatto
dowithus,"heanswered.

Shesatdownonthechairwithaheavysighandglancedatheronce-cleanoutfit,nowdirt-streaked,
andwrinkledbeyondmention.

Piercewaswearingslacksandasportsshirtwithawhitejacket.Hedidn'tlooklikeamillionaire
today.Hewasdressedthewayhisrealchauffeuroftendressed,neverinuniform.

Nowondertheyhadn'trealizedwhohewas!ButSabonwould.Theminutehesawhisoldenemy,he'd
knowhim.HewasfuriouswithPierceaswellasBrianneforstandingbetweenhimandhisplans.No
doubthe'dfindnewwaystomakethembothsufferItwasn'tapleasantthought.

"Well,thisisanotherfinemessI'vegottenyouinto,"shetoldPiercewithahintofheroldvivacity.

"We'llgetoutofit,"heassuredherwkhafaintsmile.

"Thinkso?"Sheglancedtowardthehighwindow."Ifweonlyhadaladderandasledgehammer,"she

saidwithasigh.

Hewaswatchingherwithnarrow,speculativedarkeyes.Hisfacegrewharderbytheminuteashe
contemplatedwhatcouldhappentoheratPhilippeSabon'shands.Herfirstexperienceofaman
shouldn'tbedisgustingorfrightening.She'dbescarredforeverifSabonhadher.

"Dreamon."

Sheglancedathim."You'releeringatme,"shemurmuredandgrinned."There'sabedinhere,justin
caseyoucan'trestrainyourselfaminutelonger,"shesaid,pointingtoit"Iwouldn'tmindatall.In
fact,"sheaddedpersuasively,"you'dliterallybesavingmefromafateworsethandeath."

"NamelySabon,"heagreedsolemnly.Hiseyesgrewnarrowandhot."Ican'tstandthethoughtof
Sabonasyourfirstlover."

Herheartjumpedupintoherthroat.Shefeltherbreamcatchasshemethissearchingeyes."Neither
canI.Sowhilethere'sstilltime,whydon'tyoudosomethingaboutit?We'remarried,youknow."

Hiseyebrowjerkedandhechuckledsoftly."Wemustbe.Youhaven'tstoppedremindingmesincethe
ceremony."Hegotupfromhischairslowly,glancingidlyfromcornertocorner.Therewereno
surveillancecameras.Hehadn'texpectedthattherewouldbe.Thehouse,whilebeautiful,wasoldand
hadnomodernfixturesthathe'dnoticed.Hecouldbecertainthatnospyingeyeswouldseethem.

Hetookthechairhe'dbeensittinginandproppeditunderthedoorhandlesothatnoonecouldwalk
inwithoutmakingalotofnoise.

ThenheturnedtoBrianne.Hisexpressionwasoneofresignation,buthiseyesweresmolderingashe
consideredthedelightsthatlayaheadforbothofthem.

ChapterEight

"Arewereallygoingtodoit?"sheaskedbreathlesslyasheapproachedher.

Hetookherarmsandpulledherupagainsthimwithasoft,amusedsmile.Shewasincorrigible."You
lookalittlenervous,"hemurmuredashishandscaressedtheirwayslowlyoverhertautbreastsand
downherbellytothefasteningofherslacks.

"Who,me?I'monlytremblingwithsheeranticipation!"Shelockedherarmstightaroundhisneck
andfeltherbreathcatchattheexpressiononhisface."Oh,Pierce,I'vewaitedsolongforyou!It's
goingtobe...heaven!"

Hewasfeelingasimilaremotion.Tautwithneed,heglancedsidewaysatthebedandhopeditwould
holdbothofthemwithoutcrashingtothefloor.Thenhemetherexcitedgazeand,asthezippergave
way,hestoppedbeingconcernedaboutitatall.

Briannemethislipshalfway,holdingonhungrilyashekissedher.

Hedrewawayabreath,chuckling."Notsofast,baby,"hemurmuredashelethisslacksfalltothe
floor."We'repressedfortime,butitdoesn'thavetobethatquick."

Hernailsdugintohisshoulders."I'mjustmakingsureyoudon'tletgo,"shewhispered."Nota
chance,"hebitoffagainsthermouth."Brianne.,.!"

She'dthoughtthathewasgoingtobequick,andthatshewouldn'tbeabletoenjoyit.Shewaswrong.
Thefeelofhisbig,faintlycallusedhandsonherbareskinwaslikeanarcotic.Hetouchedher
delicately,tenderly,whilehismouthopenedandprobedatherlipsinquick,hardcontactsthatwere
violentlyarousing.Shehadn'treallyexpectedthatshecouldbesoimmediatelyoverwhelmedevenby
Pierce,butshewas.Heunfastenedhertunicandslidherlacybraaside,thenhisheadbentandbis
mouthslidontoonesoftlittlebreast,histeethgentlycatchingthenippleandtastingitsfirmness.She
couldfeelherbodyswellinstantlyashesuckledher.Ittrembledashefoundthatmostintimatepartof
herandtracedarounditinanexplorationthatwasatfirstteasing,andthenallbutunbearable.She
liftedtowardhim,moaning,becausesheneededmorethanthismaddeningsuggestionofpleasure.

Sheheardherownquick,flutteringbreath.Evenwhenhe'dmadelovetoherontheisland,ithadbeen
nothinglikethis.Heusedallhisskilltoarouseher,anditwasvast.Inthespaceofheatedseconds,she
waswildforhim,soarousedthatshewasfightingherbriefsandhisownwithtremblinghandstoget
themoutoftheway.

"Yes,"shechokedintohishardmouth."Yes...please...please...please!"

Shetuggedhishandsbacktoherbarefleshandheldthemthereasshewhisperedfeverishlywhatshe
wanted.Hehelpedher,amazedathisownheadlongrushintopassion,despitethecircumstances.He
groanedandliftednergentlyontothebed,slidingalongsideherwithachingpleasureasthenewness
andthesweetnessoftheirintimacymadefiresinsidehisstarvedbody.Hepinnedherhipswithhis
own,hisstomachbareagainsthers,thethickhairticklingashepositionedher,andslowly,delicately
enteredherforthefirsttime,carefulnottohurther,becausehewasmorepotentthanhe'dbeenina
longtime.Hetrembledhelplesslyatthesurgeofpassionthecontactarousedinhim.

Heheardhershockedgaspatherfirsttasteoftrueintimacy,andheopenedhiseyestolookstraight
intohersashemovedhungrilyagainsther.

Hecouldn'tstop,buthehadtoask."Thedoctor...youaskedhimtogiveyousomething?"hebitoff.

"Yes,andhedid—"shesobbed.

Hervoicebrokeonawaveofred-hotpleasurebeforeshecouldaddthatshe'dforgottentobringthe
pillstotheStateswithherandthatshehadn'tyettakenmorethanone.Itwouldbedangerous.Very
dangerous.

Theknowledgethatshecouldbecomepregnantonlymadetheintimacymorepoignant.Shegripped

hisshouldershardenoughtoleavetinymark'sfromhershortnailsinhisskin,buthedidn'tseemto
mind.Hegroanedsoftlyashemovedevenclosertoher.

Heshiftedher,andhismouthbitintohersashisbodyimposeditselfonhers,closerandcloserand
closer,inanintimacythatfarexceededherdreamsabouthim.Shecouldfeeltheheatandpowerof
himthere,inhermostsecretplace.Shecouldfeelhimthrobbing,asherownbodythrobbedaround
him,thehotsilencebrokenonlybytheurgentrushoftheirbreathandthefaintsoundoftheirbodies
slidingagainsteachotherashisrhythmbecamequickandroughanddemanding.

Itwaslikefallingintolava,shethoughtwhentheexplosionofheatrushedupfromherloins.She
stiffenedunderthecrushofhispowerfulbodyandsobbedlikeachild,herteethclenched,herwhole
bodyconvulsingasifwithsomeunknownandfrighteningfever.Spasmsofpleasuresodeepthey
rivaledpain,contractionsthatwentonendlessly,carryingheralong,blindanddeaftoeverything
else.Shefelthishotbreathatherear.Hewaswhisperingsomethingthatshecouldn'tquitehear,his
ownvoicebreakingasheconvulsed,too,andgavehimselftotheviolenceoftheecstasythatthey
achieved.

Heshudderedintheaftermath,stillholdingherpinnedtothebed.Therewasafilmofcoldsweaton
hischestandabdomen,andonhers.Theyclungtogetherunsteadily,breathinginstrained,spastic
jerks.

Shestillthrobbedwheretheywerejoined,apleasurethatfingeredonevenafterthecataclysmic
passion,andshemovedexperimentallytoenjoyitagain.

Hestilledherhipswithawearychuckle."No.There'snotime,"hewhispered,bendingtohermouth.
Hekisseditslowly,softly,ashebroketheintimateconnectionthathadjoinedthemsoclosely.

Herefastenedhisownclothingbeforehedidthesameforher.Shewassoweakthatshecouldbarely
standalone,overwhelmedbyherfirstpassion.Hekissedhereyeswithatendernesshehadn'tfeltin
years,cradlingherheadinhisbig,warmhandsuntilshewasbreathingnormallyagain.

Hebentandkissedhertenderly,searchinghereyeswithrememberedpleasure.Shekissedhimback,
hersoftgreeneyesdrowsywithloveandfulfillment.Shegrinnedathimirrepressiblyandchuckled.
"Talkaboutcheatingthehangman,"shemurmureddryly.

Heliftedaneyebrow."Sabon'sloss."Hepushedbackherdamphairandtookalongbreath."I'msorry
ithadtobesoquick,"hemurmured."Oneday-I'llmakeituptoyou."

Shepursedherlipsandlookedhimoverblatantly."When?Nameadateandatime.Idareyou."

Heturnedaway,shruggingitoff,butthecommentmadehimfeelguilty.Hismotiveshadbeen
somewhatunselfish,butnowtheenormityofwhatthey'ddonehithimsquarelybetweentheeyes.
"Youcanhavethebathroomfirst,"hesaidquietly,holdingthedooropenforher.Shepassedhim,
confused,butshedidn'treply.

Heclosedthedoorbehindherandwentlazilytothechairandpulleditoutfromthedoor.Hesat
down,hislegscrossed,hisarmsfoldedoverhisbroadchest,outwardlytheverypictureofbored
indifference.Inside,hewaschurningattheexperiencehe'djusthad.He'dneverimaginedthatheand
Briannewouldcometogetherforthefirsttimeinsuchastaggeringpassion.He'dhavepreferredit
somewhereelse,ofcourse.Notinthebeachhouse,though,becausethatwaswhereheandMargo...

Margo!Heclenchedhisteethashethoughtofher.He'dbetrayedherwithBrianne.He'dswornthat
he'dnevertouchanotherwomanaslongashelived,andhe'dlied.

No.He'donlydoneittospareBriannethehorrorofPhilippeSabonasherfirstlover.Yes,thatwas
why.Ithadnothingtodowithdesireorlove,itwasanactofcharity.

Helaughedoutloudathisownrationale.That—anactofcharity!Ithadbeenthemostexplosive
fulfillmentinyears,verynearlyequaltothepassionheandMargohadshared.He'dthoughtof
nothingexceptthesoftnessofBrianne'sbodyunderhis,theshyenticementofhermouth,thesobbing
delightofherecstasyundersuchterriblecircumstances.Herfirsttime,andshe'dachievedsatisfaction
withhim.Itgavehimafeelingofprideononehand,andthenofshameontheother.Theywere
married,ofcourse.Amanwascertainlypermittedtomakelovetohiswife.Butitwasasham
marriagecontractedonlytoprotectherfromSabon,justastheintimacyhadbeentospareherthe
madmanasherfirstlover.

Yet,whathefeltwithherwassurelymorethansurfacedesire.Hescowledasherememberedhisown
pleasure.Overtheyears,beforehismarriage,therehadbeenwomen.Somewerebeautiful,some
wereveryexperienced.He'denjoyedthoseencounters.Butnoneofthemhadcomparedwiththose
brief,heatedminutesinBrianne'sarms.Itpuzzledhimthatheshouldhavehadsuchareactiontoher.
Ofcourse,itcouldhavebeenherinnocence.Therewassomethingdeliciouslyprimitiveabout
initiatinghertopassion.Andnotonlytohaveinitiatedher,buttohavedoneitwithoutfearorpainon
herpart.He'dgivenherasmuchpleasureasshe'dgivenhim.

Histhoughtswereinterruptedby,heremergencefromthebathroom,herfacefreeofmakeup,her
hairunbrushedbuttidierinabraiddownherback.Shecouldn'tquitemeethiseyesnow,andthefact
ofhershynessmadehimfeelprotective.

"Whatdoyouthinkthey'lldowithus?"sheasked,sittingdownonthebarebedspringsofthetinybed
withherhandsfoldedonherthighs.

"Goodquestion,"hereplied.

"Ican'tseethemlettingusgo,"sheadded.

Hedrewinalongbreath."Frankly,neithercanI,"heagreed,decidingthathonestywasbestinthe
longrun.

Shelookedupandsearchedhiseyesbrieflybeforeshedroppedhergazebacktoherlegs."Well,it's
beenniceknowingyou."

Healmostmissedthefaintgleamofmischiefinhergreeneyesastheyflashedtohisfaceandfell
again.

"It'sbeenniceknowingyou,too,MissMartin,"herepliedgently.

Shedrewinalongsighandlookedtowardthelockeddoor."Idon'tsupposeyou'vegotabattering
raminyourpocket?''

“Ifyouhadahairpin,Icouldtrypickingthelock,"hemurmured..Shegrinned."Actually,Idohave
one."

Shepulleditoutandhandedittohim,justasthedoorknobrattledandakeyturnedinthelock.The
dooropened.Twomencamein.Oneheldasmallautomaticweapononthemwhiletheotherrudely
pulledhairpinsfromBrianne'shairandhand.

"Noescapes,"theshortermansaidinthickEnglish."MonsieurSabonarrivetonight."Hegrinnedat
Brianne."Youmakepresentforhim."

Theothermanfrownedandsaidsomething.HelookedatPierceandbackatbiscomrade.

Theshortermanlookedsuddenlyworried.ThetwoofthemspokeinArabic.Briannedidn't
understandaword,butPiercewasabletounderstandafewphrases.ThemenwereworriedthatSabon
wouldn'tlikehavingamanintheroomwithhisintended,notevenaservant.

ThetallermanbrokeoffandmovedtojerkPierceupbyhisarm."Youcomewithus,"hesaid.

Brianneopenedhermouthtoprotest,butasharplookfromPierce'sblackeyesstoppedherinstantly.

"WhatareyougoingtodowithMr.Hutton'sbodyguard?"sheaskedhaughtily.

"Weputhiminroombyhimself,"theshortermansaid."Toremovetemptation."

"Temptationindeed!"Briannehuffed."Idon'tplayaroundwithservants!"

ThemenproddedhimoutthedooratgunpointandBriannewasleftsittingaloneintheroom.

Itwasdarkwhenthetwomenreturnedwithbreadandcheeseandaglassofredwine.Thetall,older
oneheldtheweaponinavaguelythreateningwaywhiletheshorteroneplacedthetrayonthesmall
table.Brianneglaredat

theglass.

"Idon'tdrinkredwine,"shesaidshortly.

"Can'tIhavewater?"

Theshorteronelookedharassed."Wineisgoodfornerves."

"Idon'thavenerves,"shesaid,glaringathim.

Thetwomenexchangedamusedglances.

Theshorteronetookthewineandleft,returningshortlywithatallglassofwater.Heputitinfront
ofherwithaflourish.

"I'mBrianne,"shesaid."Whoareyou?"

Theshortermanwassurprised."Rashid,"hetoldher.

"Andyou?"sheaskedthetallone.

"Mufti,"hemurmured,andseemedembarrassed.

“HaveyouworkedforPhilippeSabonforalongtime?"

"Onlybriefly,''Rashidinformedher,andhisbrokenEnglishslowlygavewaytoformalenunciation,
asifhehadn'tspokenthelanguageinawhilebutwasbeginningtoremembermoreofit."Hehas
givenmuchtoourvillage—moneytobuymedicinesandfoodforthepoor."

Shewassurprised,butitoccurredtoherthatevenevilmenmusthaveaglimmerofgoodinthem
somewhere."HismotherwasanArab,wasn'tshe?"sheasked,recallingaglimmerofgossip.

Rashidnodded."Allhisfamily."

"ButhehasaFrenchname."

Rashidglancedatthetallman,Mufti,andgrimaced."TherearethingsofwhichImust
notspeak.SufficeittosaythatMonsieurSabonhasthebestinterestsofourcountryatheart.Heisa
braveandgoodman."',-

"Heisakidnapper,"shesaidfirmly.

Heshrugged."Thingsarenotwhattheyseem,mademoiselle.Weliveinperiloustimesthatmaysee
usundone,butwewilldowhatwemusttosurvive.Inallah,"headded,whichwasArabicfor
somethinglike"Godwilling."Hepaused,thencontinued."Weareconstantlyunderthreatofinvasion
byourenemy,whoenviesuseventhesmallreservesofoilwehaveonlyjustdiscovered."

Briannelistened.She'dneverquestionedwhererawmaterialscamefrombefore,orhow
theywereobtained.

“MissMartin,''Rashidtoldher,“theWesternnationsaredependentonpetroleum.Wehavethelargest
supplyintheregion.Inothertimes,theWestsoughttocontrolandexploitthespiceproductionofthe
Indies,therubberproductionofAfrica,theteaproductionoftheFarEast.Evennow,therainforests
aredwindlingbecausetheWestwantsitslumber,andfastfoodchainswanttoclearitforlandson
whichtoenlargetheproductionofbeef."

Shesatwide-eyed,staringatthemwithcompleteshock.Thesemenhadseemedlikeruffians,thugs.
Buttheyknewmoreaboutthepoliticalrealityoftheworldthanshe'deverlearned.

"Youareveryyoung,"Muftitoldher."Andyouknowverylittleoftheuglinessofcommerceorthe
evilnessofman."

"Iknowsome,"sheargued.Shestaredatthemcuriously."Youbothseemtobeintelligentmen.Why
doyouworkforPhilippeSabon?"

"Ihavefourchildren,"Rashidsaid."Oneofthemhasaformofcancerthatiskillinghim.Monsieur
SabonpaysforhimtohaveexpensivetreatmentinFrance."

"AndIlostmyfamilyandmyhomewhenbombsfellwhilemywifepreparedmemealforourtwo
littleones."Mufti'svoicebroke.Hegotafirmergripontheweapon."MonsieurSabonheardofmy
lossfromoneofmycousinsinthevillageonthemainland.Onlyrecently,hecametofindmeand
offeredmework."Muftishifted,asifsomethingabouthissituationbotheredhim.Odd,heseemed
ratheroldtohavesmallchildren.Hishairwasgraying.Infact,helookedmuchtheageBrianne's
fatherwouldhavebeen,hadhelived.

"Rashid,wetalktoomuch."Muftigesturedwithhisweapontowardthedoor."Weshouldgo."

Briannefeltlessthreatenedthaneverbeforeasshelookedatthelean,darkfacesandsawtheharsh
linesinthem.Herlifehadbeenrelativelycarefree;atleastshehadn'thadtolearntouseagunand
fightinwars.Thelivesthesemenhadledshowedintheirfaces,olderthantheyshouldhaveseemed.
ShethoughtofMufti'swifeandchildrendyinginahailofbombs.Shehadtorememberthatthere
weretwosidestoeverystory,andshefeltsorryfortheman.

"I'msorry.Aboutyourfamily,Imean,"BriannetoldMufti.

Helookedsheepishanduncomfortable."Asifyouhadanythingtodowithit,MissMartin,"hesaid
kindly?."Itisasadworldinwhichwelive.Peoplearedrivenbycircumstancesandmisfortuneand
necessitytodomanyindecentthings.Iregretyourcapture.Butitwasanecessity."Hehesitatedatthe
door."MonsieurSabonwillnotharmyou,"headdedsurprisingly.“Itwasnotforanyimmoral
purposethatyouwerebroughthere."

Theynoddedpolitelyandleft,lockingthedoorbehindthem.Now,whateverintheworlddidthat
mean?Shewonderedaboutitlongafterdarknessfell.

Therewerevoicesoutsidethedoor.Sheheardafamiliaroneandcaughtherbreathassherecognized
it.Sabon!

Shegotoffthemattressandwenttositinthechair,stiff-backedandunyielding.Shewasstillthere
whenthedoorwasunlockedandPhilippeSabonwalkedin.Hetossedaharshcommandtohistwo
menandclosedthedoor.

Briannestaredathislean,scarreddarkfaceandnarrowblackeyeswithrealfear.

Hewavedahandimpatiently."No,no,"hesaidquickly,"IhavenotcomeforthatItwas
convenienttoleteveryonethinkthatIintendedyouforadepravedappetite,thennottoomany
eyebrowswouldberaisedwhenyouvanished.ItwouldbeassumedthatItookyoufor...nefarious
purposes."

"Ib-begyourpardon?"shestammered.

Hesatdownonthemattressandcrossedhislong,elegantlegswhilehelitoneofthesmallTurkish
cigarsheliked.

"I'mnotsuchamonsterthatIenjoyravishinginnocents,"hetoldhercalmly."AlthoughIdofindyou
attractive,andifyouwerewilling,andIwerestillwhole,Imightbetempted."

Hereyesaskedthequestionherlipscouldn'tform.Helaughedcoldly."Youhavenoidea,haveyou?"
Heleanedforward."Sinceyouwillnotleavethisplaceforsometimetocome,Icananswerthe
questionyoufeartoaskme.IstoodonalandmineinPalestineonabusinesstrip;aleftoverhorror
fromoneofmanyconflictsinthisgreatregion.ThewoundsweresoterriblethatIceasedtobea
man/'headdedharshly.

"HencethefictionthatIhaveperverseappetites."Hemadeadistastefulgesture."Itwaskinderthanthe
gossipIwouldhaveattractedhadthetruthbeenknown."

"I'msorry,"shesaid,andshewas,inspiteofheroverwhelmingreliefthatshedidn'thavetoworry
aboutherownseductionnowandhiscuriousstatementthatshewouldneverleavetheisland.“Itmust
be...terribleforyou.''

“Terrible.''Hesavoredthewordashestaredblanklyatthetipofhissmallcigar."Yes.It
was...terrible."Hiseyesliftedtoherfaceandremainedforatime,asifheweresearchingfor
mockeryorsarcasmoramusement.Hefoundnoneoftheseinthatquiet,gentleface.Hegrimaced."A
womanlikeyoucanmakeamanashamedofhisbaserinstincts.IfIhadmetsomeonelikeyoubefore
this,Imighthavebeenverydifferent.Asitis,thewell-beingofmypeopleisallIhavetosubstitute
foranyotherpleasuresImightlackinmylife."

"WhatareyougoingtodowithMr.Hutton'sbodyguardandme?"

Heshrugged."Thosedecisionswillhavetobemadelater.Huttonwillsurelycomelookingforyou,

andthatcouldcausemesomeproblems.You'see,yourstepfatherandIhaveconcoctedawayto
provokeyourso-protectivegovernmentintosendingtroopstoprotectouroilfieldswhileweopen
themtodrillinginthenearfuture."

"Kurt?"

Henodded.Hegotupandpacedtheroom,makingagrimaceofdistasteathersurroundings."Thisis
uncomfortable,Iknow,butitwashastilyarranged.IwilltrytoimproveyoursurroundingswhenI
can."Heturnedbacktoher."Kurthassentinabandofmercenariestoattackus,beforeourenemies
rushtodothesamethingandwithoutpretence.Wewillthenblametheattackonthegovernment
presentlyhostiletoyours,andpleadforAmericaninterventiontostopthembeforetheyrealizehow
weakwearerightnowasanationandrushoverourborders.KurthasafriendintheSenatewhohas
persuasivepowers,andIthinkthatyourgovernmentwillnotneedmuchexcusetolaunchanattack
againstourmutualenemy,"

Briannestoodup."Youmustn't,"shesaidearnestly."You-couldstartaworldwar!"

Heshruggedagainandpuffedonhiscigar."Betterthatthanlettheoilfieldsbecapturedbyour
enemiesbeforewecanstartexploitingthemforthebenefitofourpeople.Believeme,ithasnotbeen
easypersuadingthesheikhthattheoilourcountrypossessesmustbedrawnoutoftheearthtosave
oureconomyfromcollapse.HebelievesthatitiswrongtodependontheWest,evenforthe
developmentofourpotentialwealth.Ihavearguedlongandhardtoconvincehimthatthebenefitto
ourpeoplewillbeworththeforeigninteresthere."

"Benefittoyourpeople...?"

Heglaredather."Youhaveaninterestingpictureofme.Iamamonster,yes?Avicious,perverted
manwhoenjoysnothingmoremandespoilingwomenandmakinghimselfricher!"

Shemadeanimpotentgesturewithherhands.

"Mygrandmother'svillage,theplacewhereIwasborn,isawastelandofpoverty,ofmalnutritionand
diseaseandignorance.Allaroundus,theoil-producingnationsarecountingtheirwealthwhilewe
standatthedoorknocking,tobeturnedawaybyservantsricherthanweare.''Shewasutterly
speechlessforafewseconds."Butthereisforeignaid...."

Hesmiledwearily."Hownaiveyouare,"hesaid."Hownaiveandtrusting.Youliveinthedecadent
West.Youhaveplentytoeatanddrink,clothestowear,carstodriveyou,airplanestoflyyou
anyplaceyouwanttogo.Youhavenoideahowmostoftherestoftheworldlives,MissMartin."-He
puffedonhiscigar.,"Youmightfindamonthinmycountryenlightening.Unlikethemetropolitan
citiesofourneighbors,hereinQawiyoucanliveinamudhutwithnoindoorfacilities,drawwater
fromasandywell,killanddresswhateversmallanimalyoucancatchtocookoveranopenfire,spin
wooltomakethreadtoweaveclothtomakeyourownclothing,andwatchyourbabiesstarvetodeath
ordieofdysenteryandfeverforlackofmedicine.WehavenoEuropeanshere,andnomodern
cities."Henoddedatherlookofconsternation."Youseemstunned."

"Itsoundsprimitive."

"Itisprimitive,"hesaidshortly."Primitiveandhopelessanduseless!Withoutmoneythereisnohope
ofeducatingmypeople.Withouteducation,thereisonlypovertyforever."

Shewasatalosstomakesuggestions.Astonishedatwhathewastellingher,atthewarpedpictureshe
hadofhimandtheworldhelivedin,shewasabsolutelywithouttheabilitytodebatehim.

"AndnowwefacetheproblemofwhattodowithyouwhileKurtbargainsformeinAmerica,"he
continued.

Shelookedaroundherworriedly."Areyougoingtokeepmehere?But,why,ifyoudon'twantme
for,well,fornefariouspurposes?"

Hesighed."IbroughtyouheretoensureKurt'scooperationwiththefictionthatIwantedtomarry
youandbringourfamiliesintoanalliance,"hesaid-honestly."Hewasmostanxioustoagreetomy
plan,whichappealedtohisunbridledgreed.ButIunderstandthathiswifetriedtotalkhiminto
backingoutofthedeal.Hedealtwithherinawaythatbringsnorespectfromme.Ihavenopatience
withmenwhohittheirwomen,whateverthereason."Heheldupahand."Sheisnotmuchhurt.Imade
sureofit."

Brianne'sfirstthoughtwasforhermother'ssafety.SoshewasrelievedtohearSabon'sreassurance
thatEvewasallrightfornow.

Shejerkedhermindbacktothepresent."Youmean,I'mheresothatKurtwon'ttrytogoagainstyou."

"Exactly,"hereplied.Hesmiledcoolly."Ofcourse,hethinksIhave...otherplansforyou,anditwas
convenienttolethimbelieveso."Hiseyesbrieflysparkledwithhumor."Ibelieveyourmother
actuallythreatenedtoleavehimifyouareharmed.Surprising,no,suchconcerninsuchamercenary
woman?"

Shecaughtherbreath."Howdoyouknowsomuchaboutmymother?"

"Ihavespieseverywhere."Hestudiedhersoftfeatureswithrealregret."Youarenoconventional
beauty,butyouhaveaqualityofcompassionthatissorareastobeprecious.Ilookatyouandgrieve
forthelossofthemanIoncewas.Iwouldhavecherishedyou."

Herbreathingsuspendedatthestatement,sounexpected,andsosincere.Heseemedsovulnerable
then,sotormented,thatherheartachedforhim.

Hesawthatexpressioncrossherovalfaceandhewinced."Child,thesightofyouhurtsme,"hesaid
hoarsely,andheturnedaway."Inevermeanttoinvolveyouinthis,inanyway.Kidnappingwasthe
lastthingonmymind,butitwasasmuchforyoursakeasminethatIbroughtyouhere.Kurtis
unpredictable,andhistemperhasbecomeunmanageable.Iwouldnothaveyouhurtfortheworld,"he

addedhuskily,glancingather.

Unexpectedlytouchedbyhisattitude,shegotupoutofherchairandmovedtowardhim.Hewas
nothinglikethemonstershe'dmadeofhiminhermind.Hewasnothinglikethemantheworldsaw
andhated.Hesitantly,shetouchedhisarm,nolongerafraid.Shefeltpityforhim.

Helookeddownatthesofthandontheexpensivematerialofhissleevewithastonishmeat.Hisblack
eyes,sodifferentfromPierce's,soforeign,methers.

Hereachedtowardherinamomentofsuspendedtime,hesitantlylikeayoungboyaloneforthefirst
timewithagirl.Hisleanhandsgentlytouchedherupperarms."Youwill...permit?"heasked,slowly
drawinghertowardhim.

Shelethimdrawherintohisarmsandholdher.Itwasthemostincredibleexperienceofherlife,
thereinmeroomwhereshewasaprisoner,tostandinthecircleofthatman'sarmsandlethimhold
her.Thatwasallhedid.Hemadenomovetowardintimacyorviolence.Hetouchedherhairasifit
fascinatedhim,andshecouldhearhisbreathsighoutroughlyatherear.Foraninstant,shefelthis
cheekagainstthetopofherheadandheardasoftgroanpasshislips.Ashiverranthelengthofhis
tall,leanbody.Theycalledhimamonster.Acriminal.Abeast.Hetrembledinherarms.

"Can'ttheydoanythingforyou?"sheaskedquietly.

Heswallowed."Nothing."Hisvoicebrokeontheword.Hishandscradledherhead,andaftera
minute,theyframedherfaceandliftedittohiseyes.Theywerewet.Hewasun-
ashamedofhisreactionashestudiedherinapainfulsilence.Heclenchedhisteethashesawthestuff
ofdreamssoclosethathecouldbreatheitinthroughhisnostrils,andsofarawaythatitmighthave
beenadistantstar.

Herfingersreacheduptohischeekandtoucheditlightly."I'msorry,"shesaid.

Hedidn'tblink."AllIhadleftwerememoryanddreams."Hemanagedafaintsmile."NowIwillhave
thelookinyoureyesaswell."Hemovedawayandtookherhands,palmsup,tohislips."Thankyou,"
hesaidhuskily,anddroppedthematonce.

Hemovedawaytothedoorandstoodthereforaminute,gatheringhisself-control."Youwillnotbe
harmed,ever,bymeoranyoneclosetome,"hesaid,glancingbackather."Igiveyoumyword.And
ifyoueverneedhelp,foranyreason,Iamyourstocommand."

Shestaredathimwithfaintwonder."Why?"

Oneofhisshouldersmovedalmostimperceptibly."Perhapsbecauseyouhaveaheartmorefragile
thananyIhaveeverknown,aheartthatcanpityamonsterlikeme."

"Youaren'tamonster,"shesaid.

Hiseyeshardened."Yes,Iam,"hereplied."AndIneverrealizedituntiltoday."

Shedrewinalongbreath."Mr.Sabon,whataboutJack?"

"Philippe,"hecorrectedherquietly."WhoisJack?"

"Mr.Hutton'sbodyguard,"shesaid,hopingagainsthopethathewouldn'tfindoutwho"Jack"was."He
wasbroughtinwithme.Theyputhimsomeplaceelse."

"SoHuttonsentabodyguardwithyou,"hemused."Hemustthinkmeagreatthreattoyourvirtue."

"Yes,hedoes,"sheagreedatonce.

Hislaughwashollow."Therewasatime,"hesaidgently,"whenthatthreatwouldhavebeenavery
realone.Withhairandskinlikethat,youwouldtrulyhavebeen'whitegold'toamanlikeme.
PerhapsitisfortunateforyouthatIwenttoPalestinethatday."

“Whatis'whitegold'?''sheasked,diverted

"Therewasonceaflourishingslavetradeinthispartoftheworld,whereawhitewomanwouldbring
herweightingold."Hechuckled."Youwouldhavebroughtaveryniceprice."

Whileshewasworkingoutareply,heglancedathiswatch."Ihavebusinesstoconduct.Youwillhave
everythingyouneed,"hepromisedasheturnedbacktowardthedoor.Hepausedandglancedather
again,withasoft,curioussmile."MuftiandRashidspeakhighlyofyou.Youarenotwhatanyofus
expectedyoutobe."

Hershouldersroseandfell."Neitherareallofyou,"shereplied."Isupposeweallthinkin
stereotypesuntilweknowsomethingaboutthepeoplebehindthepolitics."

Henodded."Thisistrue.AndIamindeedsorryforyourconfinement.Buttoomuchisatstaketorisk
lettingyougo."

Heknockedonthedoor.Itwasopenedandheleftwithhistwomen.

Briannegnawedonherlowerlipwhileshecursedsilentlyatherinabilitytoswayhimfromthis
maniacalcourse.Itseemedperfectlylogicaltohim,tostartawarinordertosavehiscountryfrom
conquest.Butitwashercountryheexpectedtofightitforhim!Shehadtostopthis.Shehadtogetto
Washington,tostopKurtfromwhathewasplanning,totellsomeonewhatSabonwasplanning!

Butfirstshehadtoescape,sheandPierce.Howwouldtheygetaway?Anddespitehiscourtesytoher,
whatmightSabondotoPiercewhenhefoundoutwhohehadinhispower?Surelyhe'dusePierce's
capturetohisadvantage!Hecouldholdhimforransomifnothingelse.Here,inthispoorplace,a
richWesternerwouldbeinthegreatestdanger.

Shepacedthefloor,turningplansoverandoverinhermind.Shecouldn'tscalethewallorbreak
throughironbars.Thatleftthedoor,andthemenwereguardingit.Couldsheplayontheiremotions,
weakenthemandthenoverpowerthem?Ofcourse,shethought,amusedatherownnerve.Shecould
weakenthemwithpityandthenknockthemout,twobigstrongmenwithloadedautomaticweapons.
Despitetheirregardforher,theyprobablywouldn'thesitatetoshootherifshethreatenedtheirboss's
plans.

Shesatbackdownagain,perplexedbySabon'sstrangebehavior.Sherecalledbeingsoafraidofhim,
sorepulsedbythemanshethoughthewas.Nowherownsympathyforhimputthosememoriesaside.
Aslongasshelived,shewouldremembertearsinthatman'seyesasshelethimholdher.

Shegotasuddenpictureofherselfwithasignaroundherneckofferinghugstothemadmantwo
countriesover,andshelaughedtoherself.ShewasgettingStockholmSyndrome—identifyingwith
hercaptors.Piercewouldlaughhimselfsick.

Pierce.ShewonderedwhattheyweredoingtoPierce.Sheflushed,rememberingtheirearlier
encounter.Wouldn'thefeelterriblewhenherealizedwhathe'ddone,thattherewasnothreatfrom
SabonatallandBriannewasn'tonthepill.Hemighthavemadeherpregnant.Thatwouldplayhell
withhisownplans,becausehe'dsaidthathewantedtobealone,anddidnotwantapermanent
relationshipwithBrianne.Thingswereverycomplicatedandshehadnoideahowtoresolvethem.

Rightnow,shehadtothinkonlyofescape.Later,whenshewassafelyathomeagain,shecouldworry
aboutthethingsshedidn'thavetimetoconsiderrightnow.

TateWinthrophadjustgottenoffthephonewithoneofthemeninhispersonalnetworkof"interested
observers"oftheworldsituation.Hiswide,chiseledmouthpulledintoathoughtfulexpressionashe
staredoutthewindowofhisluxuriousWashington,D.C.apartmentatthecity'snightskyline.It
glitteredlikediamondsandsapphiresandrubies.Itwasbeautiful,hemused,butafarcryfromthe
naturalcolorsofaSouthDakotasunsetnearthePineRidgeSiouxReservationwherehe'dgrownup.
Hestudiedthefaceofayoung,dark-eyedblondwomaninthesimplewoodframeonhisdesk.Hehid
thephotoofCecilywhenevershecameoverforsupper,whichshedidoccasionallywhenthe
Smithsoniancouldspareher.Hecouldn'tletherknowthedepthofhisfeelingsforher.Shewasa
forensicanthropologist,andsheoftenworkedwiththeFBItoexamineskeletalremains.Itwasa
grislyprofessionforasensitiveyoungwoman,butithadbeenherdreamtoescapeherstepfather's
clutchesandgetaneducation.Tatehadmadethatpossibleforher.Shehadnoideahowmuchshe
owedhim,andhewantedtokeepitthatway.Hefeltresponsibleforher,buthe'dneverpermittedeven
theslightestintimacybetweenthem.HewasSiouxandshewaswhite.Hewantednomixingofblood,
nochildoftwoseparateracesgrowingupwithoutatrueidentity.Exceptforthat,hemighteasilyhave
givenintohisfeelingsforher,hemusedashestudiedthedelicatefeaturesofherfaceinthe
photograph,CecilyPetersonwasn'tbeautiful.Shewasprettyandslender,andshehadcourageand
spiritandakeen,cuttingwit.Ifhehadaweaknessatall,Cecilywasit.Andjustlately,she'dbothered
himmorethaneverbefore.

PierceButton'sphonecallhadcomeatanopportunetime.ItwouldgethimawayfromCecilywhile
herefortifiedhisdefensesagainsther.Hehadtodothatperiodically.Sometimesitwasagonynotto

justreachforherandhavedonewithit.Amanoflesserscruplesandwillpowerwouldhave,years
ago.

Hesmoothedlong,darkfingersoverthedeskandponderedhowtoproceed.Piercehadwantedhim
tobringtwomenandmeethiminFreeport.NowacontactinFreeportreportedthatPierce'splanehad
landed,butPiercehadnevershownupatthehotelwherehewasregisteredunderanalias.Neitherhad
theyoungwomanwhowassupposedtobeaccompanyinghim.

ThatmeantthatPiercehadbeensnatched.AndTatehadafairlygoodideawho'dsnatchedhim.
PhilippeSabonandKurtBrauerwereuptosomething,andPiercehadlandedhimselfrightintheway.

Hegottohisfeet,tallandleanandpowerfulinthelightfromthewindow,stretchinghissix-foot
frametounknotthemusclesinhislongback.Hesmoothedahandoverhislong,thickblackbraid.It
wassillynottocutbishair,sincehelivedinawhiteworld,buthestillharboredsomefaint
superstitionsandbeliefsthathadbeenhandeddowninhisfamilyforgenerations.Hebelievedin
talismans,andhislonghairwaspowerfulmedicine.Theonlytimehe'dcutit,he'dbeenshotinthe
chestandalmostdiedwhileworkingforasecretgovernmentagencyoverseas.Sincethen,itwas
occasionallytrimmedandnothingmore.

Hewenttotheclosetandpulledoutasmallcasewithsomeitemshewasgoingtoneed.Thenhe
phonedtwoofhisbestmenandtoldthemwheretomeethim.Hisheartracedatthethoughtofwhat
layahead.Smallsurgesofadrenalinekepthimaliveduringthemonotonyofsecuritywork.This
mightbedangerous,butitwasalsogoingtobefun.

PierceButton,lockedinamuchsmallerroomthanBrianne's,triedunsuccessfullytopickthelock
withapapercliphe'dfoundinatabledrawer.Therewassomerustinsidetheoldlock,anditwouldn't
budge.Hedroppedthetwistedpapercliptothefloorwithamuffledcurseandthrewhisshoulder
againstthedoor.Itdidn'tbudge.Thedamnedthingmusthavesteelrightthroughit,becauseitmade
hisarmsore.Helookedup,onlytofindanotherofthosehighbarredwindowsthatseemedtobe
everywhereinthisfortress.

HewonderedhowBriannewas,andwhattheyweredoingtoher.He'dneverbeensoangryorfeltso
helpless.Hecouldn'tbearthethoughtofherbeinghurt,buthehadnowaytopreventit.Hiseyes
flashedasherememberedthethingshe'dheardaboutSabon.IfthemanhurtBrianne,he'dpayforit.
Piercewouldhunthimdownifittooktherestofhislife!

Heheardanoiseoutsidethedoorandthenthesoundofvoices.Hemovedcloser,puttinghisearto
thethick,heavysurface.

Herecognizedthevoice,eventhoughhe'dhearditinfrequently.ItwasSabon!

"Can'taffordtoletthemgo,notyet,"hewastellingsomeone.

''Youdon'tmeantokillthechild!''onemanexclaimedinEnglish.

''GoodGod,no?"camethesharpreply."Imeantokillnoone.Butwecannotrisklettingthemfree
beforeweachieveourgoal.TheAmericansmustcometoprotectus.Itwouldnotendearustothem
tofindthatwehadkidnappedoneoftheircitizens,regardlessofthereason!"

"Thatisso,butcanwenotmovehertoabetterplace?"

Therewasapause."Wewilltakeher,andthebodyguard,tothemainlandandplacethem
intheoldfortress.Itisnotsomodernasthis,buttheywillhavemoreroom.Youhaveheardnothing
ofHutton?"

"Nothing.ApparentlyheisstillinthewesternUnitedStates."

"ThenletushopeheremainsthereuntilKurthasconcludedourbusinessinWashington.Damntheir
media,itwillbealloverthenewsandHuttonwillknowthen.Butperhapsitwillbetoolateforhimto
preventit.Heissurelyinthecountryonalimitedbasis.Besides,hehasenemiesthere,andheisno
moreanAmericancitizenthanIam.KurthasjointGermanandAmericancitizenship.Thatistowork
toouradvantage,Ithink.Come,letusseeifKurt'swell-armedfriendshavearrived."

Piercescowled,reflectingonwhathe'dheard.Sabonhadn'tsoundedlikeamanobsessedwitha
youngwomanatall.Therehadbeensomealarminghintsofaggressioninthatquickrhetoric,andif
KurtwasintheStates,whywashethere?Whatplanwasunfolding?Piercecursedsilentlyathis
helplessness.Somethingbigwasbrewinghereandhewasashelplessasacatinasack.Beonlyhoped
thatWinthropnoticedhisabsenceandcameafterhimintime.Behaditinhimtofeelsorryforthese
poormenwhenhissecuritychiefarrived.Winthropwouldn'tbegentlewiththem.

Inthehoursthatfollowed,therewasalotofmovementoutsideBrianne'sdoor.Shedidn'tseeher
captorsagain,butsheheardallsortsofnoises.Marchingfeet.Mechanicalsounds,likegunsbeing
cocked.Loudvoices.Therewerealotofmeninthecorridorforseveralminutes,andthentheywere
marchingaway.Outside,sheheardsoundslikethoseofaircraft.Notairplanes.Belicopters,perhaps?

SherememberedwhatPhilippeSabonhadtoldherabouthisplanstogarnerAmericanintervention,
andsheshivered.Bereallymeanttoattackhisownpeopleandblameitonaneighboringcountry.Did
Kurtknowthat?Washepartofit?AndwhataboutBrianne'smotherandlittleNicholas,wheredid
theyfitintothisinsanity?Kurtcouldn'tbesodesperatethathe'dhelpSabonstartawar!

Incensedbyherlackofsightinhere,shepoppedthechairupsidedownonthebed-springsandstood
onit,tryingtogethighenoughtoseeoutthewindow.Butallshecouldmanagetoseewastheblades
ofahelicoptergoby.Thiswasinteresting.Surelyitwaspartof

206

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

207

theassault,anditwasreadytostart.Shecouldn'twarnanybody.Shecouldn'tevenhelpherself.Surely
Sabonwouldn'tkillhisownpeople.Hemustmeantofakeanattack,forthebenefitofanyforeigners
whomightbeinresidence.

Themainlandwasseveralmilesaway.Butthesoundofbombsandmissilescarriedafairdistance,so
whenBrianneheardexplosionsafewminuteslater,sheknewwhattheymustbe.Itwastoolateto
preventthis.Ifonlyshecouldgetoutofhereintimetowarnsomeonebackhome,beforeKurtspoke
tohissenator.

Shestood,frozen,assheputthepiecesofthepuzzletogether.KurtwasalreadyintheStates,Sabon
hadsaid.Heknewtheattackwascoming.Hewasgoingtobe"conveniently"inWashingtonwhenhe
wasinformedofit.He'dtellhissenatorfriend,who'dtellsomecolleagues,and—

No,wait!They'dhavetohaveahearingandappointacommittee,justastheyalwaysdidbefore
sendingtroopsanywhere.Shebreathedasighofrelief.Therewasn'tgoingtobeanydanger.What
wasshethinking!TheAmericansweren'tlikesomeothernations.Theydeliber-

atedbeforetheyacted.PoorKurt!AndpoorMr.Sabon,too.Thiswasallfornothing.

Shegotoffthebed,turnedthechairbackoverandsatdownonit.Shedidn'tneedtoworryabouta
war.Herownsituation,andPierce's,seemedofparamountimportancenow.Sheonlyhopedthey
hadn'tdiscoveredhisidentity.Hissituationwasalotmoreprecariousthanherown.

Shewonderedifhewasthinkingabouther,aftertheirtorridinterlude.Shedidn'tdaretellhimthe
truthaboutSabonjustyet.WhenhefoundoutthatSabonwasincapable,he'dbefuriousthathe'dgone
tosuchlengthstoprotectBrianne.Worse,ifhefoundoutthatshehadn'ttakenherbirthcontrolpills
fortwodays,he'dbelivid.Thethreatofpregnancywasaveryrealone,becauseshewashalfway
betweenhermonthlies—thebesttimeforittohappen.Sheletherselfdreamaboutalittleboywith
Pierce'sdark,wavyhairandblackeyes.Butitwasasaddream,becausehe'dhatebothofthem.He
wasstillinlovewithhisdeadwife.Shewincedassherecalledsomethingfromtheirintimacythatshe
hadn'twantedtoremember.Justashebegantorelaxfromthestrainanddelightofsatisfaction,he'd
whisperedaname.Butit

205

DianaPalmer

hadn'tbeenBrianne's.Sheheardthewords

echooverandoverinhermind."Margo,dar

ling."•,••••

Sheclosedhereyes,tryingtoblotoutthememoryofallthatpassionshe'dthoughttheyweresharing.
She'donlybeenasubstituteforhisbeautifulghost,andshehadn'tknownituntilitwasallover,and
shewasabouttowhisperhowmuchshelovedhim.Shewasgladshehadn't.Itwouldonlyhavemade
abadsituationworse.Hedidn'tloveher.

Shewrappedherarmsprotectivelyaroundherchestandrefusedtothinkaboutitanymore,forfearof
goingquietlymadinthelonelyroom.She'dfacealltheunpleasantnesslater,whenshehadthetime.
Rightnow,shehadtothinkupsomewaytogetoutofhere!EvenifSabonhadn'tachanceof
attractingAmericantroopshere,hismercenariescouldmisstheirtargetandaccidentallybombthe
housesheandPiercewereheldin.Orsomeofhiscountrymen,unawareoftherealidentityoftheir
attackers,mightfightbackandcauseagreatertragedy.WhileshesympathizedwithSabon'sposition,
shethoughthisapproachtoasolutionwasdeadwrong.Hehadtunnelvision.Heonlysawhisown
roleinthis,notthegreaterpicture.

209

OnceinParis

WorldWarincouldeasilystartoversuchamisguidedattempttoprotectasmall,poornation.He
wasn'tconsideringanyothercountryexcepthisown.Perhapshehadgoodintentions,buttheywere
beinglostinhismania.Presumablytheelderlysheikhwhoruledthiscountrywasbeingkeptinthe
darkaboutPhilippe'splans.Pooroldman.Perhapshewasbeingheldcaptive,justasshewas.

Sheheardasoundatthewindow.Itcameagain.Theroomwasviciouslyhotasthesuncameupand
spilleddown,makingshadowybarpatternsonthetiledfloor.Therewasnoglassatthewindow,only
thoseironbars.Suddenlyasmallprojectilewhizzeddownandlandedatherfeet.Shebentoverthe
paper-wrappedstoneandopenedwhatappearedtobepartofanenvelope.

"Distractthem"wasprintedinblockletters,inEnglish.

Shecrumpledthepaperinherhandandstoodup,pursingherlipsassheconsideredthemeaningof
thenoteandtheintentbehindthewords.Hereyesbegantotwinkle.Well,well,rescuewasathandand
neededahelpinghand,hmmm?

Shetookadeepbreath,startedworryingher

270

DianaPalmer

hairandlookingasifshecouldn'tgetherbreathatall.Shegrabbedherthroat,contractingitalittleto

makeherfacelookveryred.

"Oh...!"shecriedouthoarsely."Oh...Ican't...breathe...myheart!"

Sheclutchedherchestandfelltothefloor,givingaverygoodimpressionofsomeonehavingaheart
attack.Atherageitwouldhavebeenunusual,tosaytheleast,buttheguardhadbeentoldspecifically
byMonsieurSabonhimselftokeephersafe.Sowhenheheardherhewentrunningdownthehallto
herroom,keyinhand.

Healmostmadeit.AshadowsteppedoutfromthewallandputasteelyarmtohisthroatHewent
downinstantlyandwashelpedtostaytherebyanothersharppunch.

Thekeyswereextracted.Ahandmotionedtotwoothershadowyfiguresintotallyblackgarb,right
downtothefacemasksandcombatboots.Theotherinvaderswentmethodicallydownthehall,guns
inhand,checkingeachdooralongtheway.

Briannewasstandingwhenthedooropened.Allshecouldseewasapairofblackeyesinaface
mask,butinaleanerfacethanPierce's.

"Areyouthecavalry?"sheaskedhopefully.

211

OnceinParis

"Yes,andIdon'tmeanCuster's,"hereplied,givingasmuggrinathislittlejokeandshowingaflash
ofhisperfectwhiteteeth."MissMartin,Ipresume."

"Mrs.Hutton,actually,butI'msurehe'llfindasolutionforthatmomentarily.Doyouknowwherehe
is?Isheallright?"sheasked.

Stunnedbythenewsofhisboss'smarriagebutnotshowingit,TateWinthroptookherarm
impersonallyanddrewheroutthedoor."We'reabouttofindout.Stayjustbehindme,please."

"Roger,wilco,"shesaidwithanextendedthumb.

Heshowedanotherflashofperfectteethbeforeheturnedback,automaticweaponinhand,toadvance
downthewidecorridor.

AsoftbirdcallcamearoundthecornerandTatestopped,listening.Hemadeasimilarcallback.He
startedwalkingagain.

Justastheyroundedthecorner,threemencamerunningatthem,menincamouflagedresswith

weaponsfiring.

Brianne'sbreathstoppedinherthroat.She'dneverexpectedthissortofdanger,butapparentlythe
maninfrontofherhad.Hefiredtwoshortburstsfromtheweaponinhishand.

272

DianaPalmer

"Don'tlookatthem,"hesaidinasoft,deepvoiceasheherdedherbesidehimdownthehall.

Shetriednottolookatthebodiesonthefloor,butshecouldn'thelpit.Oneglimpsewasenoughto
makeherstomachheave.Sheswallowed,andswallowedagain,givingwaytosilenttears.Thosemen
hadn'tbeenArabs.Theywerefair.SomeofSabon'sinvaders,nodoubt,andbloodthirstyenoughto
killanythingthatmoved.Heropinionofherhostchangedatonce.Menlikethatweren'tgoingtofake
anyinvasion;theyweregoingtodoitforreal,casualtiesandinnocentvictimsandall.

Tatefeltherarmtenseinhisgrasp,buthecouldn'tstoptoreassureher.Hekeptwalking,hiseyes
everywhere.Ithadbeen.crazytodothiswithonlytwomen.Evenso,theystoodabetterchancethana
largearmedforcedidofbreachingthesecurityhere.HehopedtheycouldgrabPierceandgetout
withoutanymoregunplay.Itattractedunwantedattention.

"IwishIcouldtellyouwherethey'vetakenPierce.Idon'tknow,"shesaid,shakenbutmovingright
alongbesidehim."Mymenhavefoundhim,"heassuredher.

213

OnceinParis

"Thedoorisgivingsometrouble.Thelock'srusted."

"Can'ttheyjustshootitopen?"

Heglancedatherwithanotherflashofwhiteteeth."Asteeldoor?WestGermanmanufacture,justlike
oldSaddam'sbombshelters.Choiceengineering,exceptfortheironlock'srust."

"Oh,dear."

"Oneofmymenonceservedtimeforbankrobbery,"hemurmured."Thereisn'talockmade,rusty
orotherwise,thathecan'tcrack,giventime."Helookedaroundthemwithkeenscrutiny."We'relucky
thosegunshotsdidn'tbringcompany.They'retoobusyonthemainlandtobotherwithusrightnow,
butthatwon'tlastlong.Sabonwillbeonhiswaybackanyminute,oncehe'sassuredhimselfthat
thingsaregoingaccordingtoplan."

"Hesaidheonlywantedtoprotecthiscountry'soilfieldsfromapoorneighbor,thathispeopleare
starvingandhewantstomakelifebetterforthem,"

"Andyoubelievedhim."Hesighed."WhataUtopiawe'dhaveifeveryonetoldthetruth."Herounded
anothercorner,tensed,andthenre-

214DianaPalmer

laxed.TwomenwerehurryingtowardhimwithPiercerightalongside.

Briannestartedtogotowardhim,butherrescuerheldherback.

"Hurry!"hecalledtotheothers."We'vegotabouttwominutestoclearthebuildingbeforethe
communicationscentergoesup!"

"What?"Briannegasped.

"Iminedthecommunicationsequipment."Hedrewheralong.

"We'vegottogetbacktotheStates,pronto,"Piercecalled,fallingintoadeadrunbesidethem.
"Brauer'salreadythere."

"Yes,heis,"Briannepantedassheran,"andthisattackisbeingmadebyKurt'shiredmercenaries,not
theneighboringcountry!They'regoingtoblameitontheneighbortogiveKurtanexcusetodraw
Americantroopsinhere."

"GoodGod!"Pierceexploded.

"Well,maybewehavetimetostopKurtfromgettingtohissenatorfriend,"Brianneadded
breathlessly."There'llhavetobecommitteemeetingsandcongressionalhearingsandpublichearings
beforetheyeventhinkofsendingtroops...."

215

OnceinParis

"Whatplanetdidyousayshecamefrom?"TateaskedPierce.

"Whatintheworlddoyoumean?"sheexclaimedasshegaspedforbreathatthepacetheyweregoing
towardthefrontentrance.

"Youdoknowthatcovertoperationsinseveralsecretgovernmentdepartmentsactimmediatelyin

caseofaggressionthataffectsAmericaninterests?"hepersisted."Inotherwords,groundtroopscan
behereandinthethickofbattlebymorning,withoutcongressionalknowledgeorapproval."

Herheartjumped,andnotduetothespeedofherlegs.''You'rekidding!''

"I'mnot."Hewentoutthedoorjustbehindher.Ahugehelicopterwaswaitingforthem,military-
lookingandarmedtotheteeth.Itlookedasifadozenpeoplecouldsitinitwithoutcrowdingone
another."Inside!"Tateyelled.

PiercecaughtBrianne'sarmstoliftherinbesidehim.Theothermenfollowedsuit.Tatetappedthe
pilotonthehelmet,andtheytookoff.Secondslater,theywerebeingsubjectedtoaveritablehailof
bullets.

"IbelieveSabon'speoplehavejustdiscov-

216

DianaPalmer

217

OnceinParis

eredthatyou'remissing."Tatelookedathiswatch."Six,five,four..."

"Whyishecounting?"BrianneaskedPierce.

Theanswercameinanexplosionofimpressiveproportions.

"Hewon'tbecallingforreinforcementsrightaway,"Tatemurmuredwithagrin.

"Wheredidyouleavetheplane?"Pierceasked.

"Notattheairport—"camethedryreply."Iknewitwouldbeaprimarytarget.Ileftit—"Hebroke
off,andhisgoodmoodvanishedashelookedoverthepilot'sshoulderandlistenedtoasuddenburst
ofArabicthatevenPiercecouldn'tgrasp.

Thepilotmurmuredsomethinggrimly.

"Wehavetoputdownatthenextportandhopeforamiracle,I'mafraid,"Tatetoldthemsomberly.
"Sabon'shiredguerrillasblewuptheairportanddidn'tstopthere.TheyfoundthestripwhereIleftthe
planeandblewitup,too."

"Smartboys,"Piercemurmured.

"Theyshouldbe,Ihelpedtrainatleasttwoofthem,"Tatesaidgrimly."Weallstartedoutin
governmentservicetogether."Helookeddownatthelandbelow."SometimesI'msorry

Meftit.Likerightnow."Herappedonthepilot'shelmetandgavehimasharpcommandinArabic
beforeheturnedbacktohiscompanions."We'vegottogetoutofthischopperbeforewecostHamid
hislife.Hecanflyitovertheborderandhe'llbesafe,sincehe'sacitizen.Wewon'tbe,"headdedwith
aruefulgrin."Theydon'tlikeforeigners."

Briannecouldn'tblamethemnow.She'dlearnedalotaboutthispartoftheworldinaveryshorttime.
•

"Howdowegethome?"Pierceaskedeasily.

"Wehoponafreighter,"Tatereplied."Mostofthemwilltakepassengersifthepriceisright."

"Ihidmywalletinthejetcomingoverhere,sotheywouldn'tfindoutwhoIwasrightaway.Itwill
turnuponeday,butnotintimetohelpus,"Piercesaid.

"Noproblem,"Tatesaid."Ibroughtplentyofcash."Heleanedacrosstheseatandstuffedawadof
billsintotheman'sflightsuit.Hedidthesamewiththetwouniformedmenbesidehim.Noneofthe
threehadtakenofftheirmasks.

"Sincethey'remaskedandtheyhaven'tspo-

275

DianaPalmer

219

OnceinParis

ken,youwon'tknowthemagain,"Tatesaid,explainingthemasks.

"Wouldweknowthemiftheyweren'tmasked?"Briannehadtoask.

"Thatdependsonhowmuchattentionyoupaytothepicturesonthewallsinthepostoffice,"Tate
returneddryly.

Briannelookedatthemenwithnewinterest,wide-eyed."Really?"sheasked.

"Now,don'tdothat,"Piercemurmureddisgustedly."You'resupposedtolookscared."

"Iam?"Shesatbackinherseatandcontortedherfeatures."Isthatbetter?"sheaskedpolitely.

Theybothstartedlaughing.

"Youarethedamnedestwoman,"Piercesaidwithpuredisgust.

"Amentothat,"Tateagreed.Hecheckedhisgunandpulledanautomaticpistolfromhisjacket.He
checkedtomakesurethesafetywasonandtherewasn'taroundchamberedbeforeheextendedit,butt
first,toPierce."Rememberhowtousethat?"

Piercenodded.Hecheckedthesafetyhimselfandstucktheguninhisownpocket.

Briannewasgettinguneasierbytheminute.Sherememberedthetwomenhercompanion

hadshotandthewaythey'dlookedthereonthetiledfloor,sovulnerableandhelplessandpitiful.Her
eyeswentslowlyaroundtheinteriorofthehelicopterandshesawwhatshe'dmissedatfirstThese
werekillers.Theyknewhowtousethosegunsandtheywouldn'thesitateifthreatened.Piercehada
knowledgeoffirearmsthathadsurelycomeofusingonehimself,perhapsinsomeconflictorduring
sometimeofdangerinhispast.

Shefeltyoungandgauche.Shewrappedherarmsaroundherselfforcomfortandavertedhereyesto
thepilot.Hewasstartingtobringthechopperdownnearwhatlookedlikeaseaport,buthewasn't
landinganywherenearit/Therewasalotofsandandalotofpeopledownthere,allofwhomlooked,
astheynearedtheground,veryArabic.Theywouldn'tblendin,sheandPierceandwhoevertheir
rescuerwas.

Whenthechopperlanded,theirrescuerpulledabigduffelbagfromunderoneoftheseatsand
jumpeddownbesidePierceandBrianneandtheothers.Thetwomenwho'daccompaniedhimwere
wishedwellandreleased.Thepilottookoffwithacursorywave.fe-"Whatdowedonow?"Brianne
askedwor-

220

DianaPalmer

221

OnceinParis

"Weblendin,"saidtheirrescuer,andhepulledoffthemaskthatconcealedhisentirehead.

Briannesawatoncethathecouldhaveblendedin,betterthansheandPierce.Themanwasdarker
thaneitherofthemandhehadroughfeaturesratherthanhandsomeones.Hehaddeep-setblackeyes
withafaintalmondshapetothem,heavybrows,abroad,straightnoseandawide,chiseledmouth.
Hischeekboneswerehigh,andhischinsquare.Histhickblackhairwasinastraightbraidbehindhim
thatreachedbelowhisshoulderblades.Itdidn'ttakemuchimaginationtodivinehisidentity.

"Mr.Winthrop,Ipresume,"Briannemurmuredwithadrysmile.

Thetallmanliftedaneyebrow."Myreputationprecedesme,Igather?"

"Heonlysaidthatyouatescorpions,"shepointedtowardPierce.

"Rattlesnakes,too,butonlywhentheytrytobitehim,"Piercesaidwithagrin.Heextendedahand.
"Thanksforcomingafterus.Idon'tthinkSabonintendedtoletusgoforquiteawhile."

Tatereturnedthefirmhandshake."Thisiswhatyoupaymefor,"heremindedtheother

man."Hellofashametowastemoneybylettingmesitonmythumbsallthetime."

"Howdidyoufindus?"

Tategrinnedathim."Icouldtellyou..."

''Butyou'dhavetoshoothim,"Briannesaidforhim.

"Ireallywouldhavetoshoothim,"Tateassuredher."Itookanoath."

"Hetookseveral,"Piercemurmured,"butheonlyusesthemwhenitsuitshim."Hesobered."If
BrauergetstotherightpeopleinWashingtonbeforewedo,it'sgoingtomeananexplosionofepic
proportionsinthispartoftheworld.ThewholeArabcontingentwillgotowar."

"Ibroughtaphone."Tateopenedtheduffelbagandproducedtheinstrument.Butwhenhetriedtouse
it,nothinghappened.

Heturneditoverandexposedthebattery.Therewasnobattery.Hesaidsomethinginanunfamiliar-
soundinglanguage.

"Wecanfindaphone...."Piercebegan.

"Nothere.There'snotatelephone.Onlythewirelessonthefreighters,andIdon'thavemycodeswith
me.Ineedalandline."Tateletoutanangrybreath.

222

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

223

"Whathappenedtothebattery?"Pierceasked.

"Ourpilothasasmallblack-marketoperationontheside,"hesaidirritably."Ineverthoughthe'd
stooplowenoughtorobme.Ishouldhavecarriedaspare.Iusuallydo.Butnotthistime."Heshook
hisheadandglancedatPierce."Youshouldfireme."

Piercechuckled."Getushomefirst,thenI'llthinkaboutit.""I'mserious."

"SoamI."Pierceclampedahugehandontheotherman'sbroadshoulder."Anybodycangetcaught
upincircumstances.Youhadabatterypackstolen.Igotkidnapped."Heshrugged."We'reeven."

"Okay."TatedugdeeperintheduffelbagandtossedtworoomyblackgarmentsatPierceand
Brianne."Ididn'thavetimetoworrymuchaboutsizes,butthey'revoluminous.Theyshouldworkall
right.Andwindthesearoundyourheads—especiallyyours,"hetoldBrianne,glaringatherwealthof
palehairthatremindedhimsomuchofCecily's."Youstickoutlikeasorethumbhere."

Sheshruggedintothelargegarment"That'snowaytotalkabout'whitegold.'"

Tatefrowned."What?"

"Whitegold,"sherepeated.ShelookedatPierce,whowasfaintlyamused."That'swhatMr.Sabon
thinksofme.HesaidI'dhavebroughtquiteapriceinearliertimesintheslavetrade."

"Didhereally?"Pierceaskedwitheyesthatgrewcolderbytheminute."Igatherthatyoufoundhim
lessrepulsivethanbefore?"

Shefrownedslightlyathistone."Ifeltrathersorryforhim,ifyoumustknow."

Hiseyeslookedlikeblacksplintersofheat."Howinteresting.Thenwemarriedfornorealpurpose,I
gamer?"

She'dalmostforgottenthat.TheyhadmarriedtosaveherfromSabon,who'dturnedouttobeno
threattoheroranyotherwoman,andthey'dconsummatedtherelationshipforthesamereason.
Annulmentwasstrictlyoutnowunlesstheybothwantedtolieabouttheintimacyoftheirrelationship.
Itwouldtakeadivorce,andthatwouldtaketime.

ShelookedintoPierce'sblackeyesandblushed,seeingalloveragaintheheatandpassionofbis
expressioninthatmostintimateofencounters.

Heavertedhisowngaze.Hedidn'twantto

224

225

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

remember.Hewasgoingtoputthewholeepisodebehindhim.They'dgohome,stopBrauerandhis
littleplot,andthenthey'dgetadivorce,quietly,andBriannewouldgotocollege.Itwouldbeeasy.
Rightnow,hehadtoputfirstthingsfirst.

"Weneedtomove,"Piercetoldhissecuritychief.

Allthreeofthemworetheflowinggarmentsandturbans.Intheguise,Briannelookedamazinglylike
ayoungboy.Herskinwasveryfair,butArabshadmixedcomplexions.Shewouldn'tstandouttoo
much,especiallyinthecompanyofPierceandTate,bothofwhom'weredarkerthanshe.

TheymadetheirwayslowlyintothemainpartofQawi'ssmallcapitalcity,tryingtoblendinwiththe
populace.Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleinasmallvillage,whereeveryoneknewhisneighbor.But
thiswasaportcity,andtherewerealwayscrowdsfromotherpartsoftheMiddleEastmovingalong
thedocks.Theydidn'tattractmuchattentiononcetheywerenearthemooredships.Theonething
Briannedidnoticewasthepoverty.Philippehadbeenrightwhenhesaidthathiscountryhadnoneof

themodemappearanceofotherMiddleEasterncountries.

TheywandereddowntherowofdisreputablefreightersuntilTatesawonethatherecognized.

"Iknowthistub,anditscaptain,"hesaidquietly."Stayhere.I'llgoaboardandseeifhe'swillingto
giveusberths."

"Canyoutrusthim?"Pierceasked.

Tateshrugged."Youcan'ttrustanyonethisfarfromhome,buthe'shonestenoughifhe'spaidwell.I
won'tbelong."

Hewentaboardtheship,holdingontotheropelinesashepassedcrewmencomingdownthe
gangplank.

"Sothat'stheelusiveMr.Winthrop,"Briannesaid.ItwasthefirstchancesheandPiercehadbeen

giventotalksincetheirconfinement.Shewasuncomfortablewithhimnow.

"Yes.He'simpressive,isn'the?"

Shenodded.Shecouldn'tquitelookathim.Shewasconfusedandembarrassed,evenalittleshy.

Hemovedinfrontofherandtiltedherfaceuptohis.Theexpressioninhergreeneyesmadehimfeel
guilty.Herememberedthathe'dcalledherbyhislatewife'sname,andsomust

226

227

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

she.Itwasthere,inthefaintaccusationthatshadowedhergaze.

"I'msorry,"hesaidquietly."IwantedtospareyouSabon.ButI'dalreadytoldyouthatitwastoosoon
forme."

"Twoyears,"shereplied."Mostpeoplewouldstarttohealbythen."

"Shewasmylife,"hesaidthroughhisteeth,droppinghishand.

"Iknowthat.Shestillis."Shemovedawayfromhim."Ididn'tlearnanythingthatIdidn'talready
know,exceptthatnowI'mnotrawmaterialforavirginalsacrificeanymore,"sheaddedcoldly.

Hehatedknowingthat.He'ddonewhathehadto;he'dprotectedherfromSabon.Sheactedasifhe'd
hurtherdeliberately.

"Wasn'tthepointofthethingtospareyouSabon'sadvances?"heasked.

"Yes,andyoudid,"sheagreed,refusingtotellhimthetruthaboutanyofit.Shekeptherbacktohim,
herarmsfoldeddefensivelyoverherchest."Noharmdone."

That'swhatshethought.Helookedatherandachedallover.Forabriefencounter,itwasdevastating.
He'dthoughtofnothingelsesincethey'dtakenhimfromhercell.Hewantedher.

Thethoughtshockedhim.Yes.Hewantedher!Buthowcouldhe,whenhisheartstillbelongedto
Margo?

Shewasn'tlookingathim.Hergazehadgonetothefreighter,arustedoldhulkwithseveralforeign-
lookingmenaboard.Itwasadangeroussteptheyweretaking,totrusttheirsafetytothecaptainof
thatship.Butiftheydidn'tgoonthefreighter,soonerorlatertheiridentitieswouldbediscoveredand
Sabonwouldhavethembackinhisclutches.Shewasn'treallyafraidforherself,becauseshe.knew
toomuchaboutSabon.ButshewasafraidforPierceandhisfriend.Theirtreatmentwouldbe
unpleasant,especiallyafterWinthrophadshotsomeofSabon'smercenaries.Theirfriendswould
wantrevenge.

Shewonderedwhatthey'ddoiftheywererecaptured,anddecidedthatshe'dfaceeachminuteby
itself,slowly,andnottrytoswallowtheentiresituationinagulp.Mostofall,shecouldn'tgiveinto
fear.Onlycouragewouldseethemthroughtherestofthisordeal.Shehadtobestrong,for
everyone'ssake.ThatincludednotarguingwithPierceaboutsomethinghecouldn'thelp.He'dbeen
gallant,doingsomethinghehadn'treallywantedtodo,for

228

DianaPalmer

229

OnceinParis

whathethoughtwasforhersake.Sheknewthattohim,itmusthavefeltlikeadultery.Howcouldshe
blamehimbecausehecouldn'treturnherlove?Itwasn'thisfaultthathelovedMargoandstill
consideredhimselfboundtoherbyinvisiblebonds.Itwasn'tfairtomakehimfeelguiltybecauseof
somethinghecouldn'thelp.

Sheturnedbacktohim,hereyeswideandsadandapologetic."I'msorry,"shesaidbeforeshelosther
nerve."Youdidwhatyoucouldtoprotectme,andI'mgrateful."

Hewassurprisedatherchangeofattitude.Hestareddownatherintently,curiously.

Sheforcedasmiletoherlips."There'sabsolutelynothingtoworryaboutnow,"sheassuredhim."I'm
onthepill,andthankstoyou,PhilippeSabonwon'teverbeathreattomeagain.Wedon'toweeach
otherathing.We'requits."

Thatwasonlyhalftrue,butwhybotherhimwithsomethingthatmightneverhappen?Ifitdid...well,
shecouldloseherselfsomewhereintheworldandhe'dneverhavetoknow.

"Quits?"heasked,andhisvoicehadroughened.

"We'llgetoutofthis,"shesaidwithconviction."Whenwedo,I'llgoawaytocollege

andyoucangetaquietdivorce.Nooneevenhastoknowthatwewereevermarried."

Thiswasmovingtoofast.Hewantedtoslowdown,tolookback,tothinkaboutthismuddletheywere
in.Shewasrunningfortheborderandhehadn'tevenlookedattheevidenceyet.Hescowledand
searchedfortherightwordstoexpresswhathewasfeeling.

Butbeforehecouldspeak,therewasamovementaboardtheshipandhesawTateWinthropcoming
downthegangplank,grinningfromeartoear.

"Comrades,"hetoldhiscompanions,"wehavefriendsinthestrangestplaces,itseems!"

Hegesturedoverhisshoulderatthemancomingdownthegangplank.Itwasatall,strangelyfamiliar
man.Whenhegotcloser,Briannerecognizednun.ItwasMufti,oneofhercaptors!

231

OnceinParis

ChapterTen

MuftigrinnedatBrianne."Youaresurprised,yes?"

"Iamsurprised,yes!"sheparroted."Whatareyoudoinghere?"

"IamspyingforthegovernmentofSalid,"hetoldher,withaflashofyellowedteeth.

"That'stheneighboringcountrythatthisattackisgoingtobeblamedon,"Tateinformedher."We
havetogetMuftioutbecausehe'sjustbecomeourstarwitness."Hedidn'ttellhertherestofthestory,
thatMuftihadbeencapturedandalmostassassinatedbyoneofTate'smenbeforehethrewhimselfon
theirmercyandtoldthemwhohewasandwhyhe

wasinthecompound.Hisstory,easilyverifiedwiththeappropriateauthoritiesinSalidvia
shortwave,pannedoutandMuftibecameanunexpectedally.Tatehadsenthimaheadtofindthe
captainofthisboatandmakethetravel

arrangements.

Tatespottedthecaptaincomingquicklydownthegangplank.Heexcusedhimselfandwenttomeetthe
man.Therewasabriefconversationandthecaptainranbackupontotheship,shoutingordersand
wavinghishands.

"Hejusthadashortwavecall.Sabon'smercenariesareontheirwayhere,"Tatesaidquickly."The
captainsayshecan'tpossiblysailtoday,anyway.He'llwaitforustomorrow,butwehavetofinda
placetolielowforthe

night."

"Where?"Pierceasked,gloweringashelookedaroundthematthebusyport."Eveninthisgarb,
we'renotgoingtolooklikenatives.Wecan'tjustbookintoahotelandblendin."

'"Thatwasn'twhatIhadinmind,''Tatetoldhim.Hemotionedtohiscompanions."Muftihasrelatives
nearhere,inatinyvillagethat'soffthebeatentrack.I'vegotanidea."

Twohourslater,BriannewassweatingandcallingTateviciousnamesinhermindasshe

232

233

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

toiledtomilkacowinamakeshiftstableofadobeandstrawafewmilesoutoftowninavillagethat
lookedasifithadremainedunchangedsincethefirstcenturyA.D.Themenwerebusilypitchinghay
andcleaningstalls.Mufti,hisgrayinghaircoveredbythesamewoundclothashiscompanions,was
carryingsacksofgrainfromadilapidatedtruckintothestable.Theyweren'tgettingpaidforallthis
labor,buttheyweregoingtohaveaplacetosleep—onthecleanhayintheloft.

Brianne'sderrierewasstillsmartingfromthecamelridetothisisolatedvillagewhereMuftihadled
them.ItwasthelastplaceSabonandhismenwouldthinktofindthem.Nodoubthewasstillscouring
theseaport,lookingforthem.Alltheyhadtodowasstayhiddenforthenightandsneakbackinto
townandontotheboatinthemorning.

Presumingthattheyweren'tdiscoveredfirst.

AsBriannestruggledwithherfirstattemptatmilking,Sabon'squietwordsabouttheplightofhis
peoplecamebacktoher.Shelookedaroundattheprimitivewaythepeopleintheseoutlyingareas
livedandfeltguiltyforhersilkdressesandleathersandalsbackhome.The

poorestfamilyinAmericalivedtentimesbetterthanthis,shethought.Thewomenlookedmuch
olderthantheirchronologicalages.Thewearandtearonthemfromthissortofexistencewas
obvious.

Themenwerestoopedandmalnourished,andmostoftheyoungwomenwerebearingbabiesontheir
backsastheywentabouttheirchores.Thelackofproperclothingwaspainfullyobvious.Someofthe
youngchildrenhadthetrademarkbloatedlittlebelliesthatdenotedlackofadequatefood.Theolder
onesdrewwaterfromadeepwellwithametalpail,which,accordingtooneofthewomen—Mufti
translatedforthem—hadbeenagiftfromtheWest.Thisvillagehaditsownmetalpailanddidn'thave
tousetheanimalskinbagthatmostvillagesdid.

Briannemarveledatthepleasuresuchatrivialthinggavetothesepoorpeople.Shemarveledaswell
attheiracceptanceofthelivestheyled.Nooneseemedtocomplainorblameanyoneforthepoverty
thatwassoobvious.Nordidtheyseemtomindthatjustacrosstheborderinarichneighboring
countrywasacitymodernenoughtocompetewithanyinEurope.Manyvillagershadgonethere,she
learned,

235

OnceinParis

234

DianaPalmer

onlytoreturnwithcrushedhopesoffindingprosperity.Peoplewholivedunderprimitiveconditions
hadnocomputerorliteracyskillstobetterthemselvesinacity.Theverylackofeducationdefeated
themintheend,justasSa-bonhadsaid.

ThevillagewascomposedofMuslims,andthesimplesincerityoftheirdailyprayerswastouchingto
her.Timeseemedtoslowdown,almosttostop.Shecouldimaginepeoplehavinglivedhereinthis
samemannerathousand,twothousandyearsbefore.Shefeltaconnectionfrompasttopresent,asif
sheweretouchinghistory.

"Youlookverypensive,"Piercesaidashepausedwithasackofgrainoveroneshoulder.

"Iwaslookingatthepast,"sherepliedwithafaintsmile."Isn'titamazinghowlittlechangethere's

been?Thesepeoplehavenothing,yettheyseemtobehappymspiteoftheirlackofworldly
possessions."

"Theirsenseofvalueshasn'tbeendistortedbymaterialism,"hereplied.Heliftedhisheadandlooked
aroundthem."Cleanair,notimeclocksdictatingauseforeveryminuteoftheday,norealcrime,no
drugsorblatantviolence."Hemethereyesandsmiled."There's

alottobesaidforlivingclosetonatureinsmallgroupswhereeveryoneknowseveryoneelse."

"There'salotofdisease,though,andareallackofhealthcareandeducationalfacilities."

Hescowled."Wheredidyoulearnthat?"

"fromPhilippeSabon,"shereplied."Hesaidthateducationwastheonlyhopethesepeoplehaveto
escapethepoverty."

"He'sright."Hiseyesnarrowed."Ihopeyouhaven'tlethiminfluenceyou."

"Hemaybemisguided,andhe'sdeadwronginthewayhe'sgoingaboutit,butIthinkhedoescare
abouthispeopleandwantstohelpthem."

Hestaredatherintently."Whyaren'tyouafraidofhim?"

Shepickedataloosestrandoffiberinthebasketshewasholding."Heisn'twhatheseems,"shesaid
finally."AndI'dbetevenmoneythatagoodbitofwhat'sgoingonhereisKurt'sdoing."

"Yourstepfather?"Hemovedastepcloser,toweringoverher,"Whydoyouthinkthat?"

Shesearchedhisblackeyes."Mr.Saboncouldhavedoneanythingtome,ortoyou.Buthegave
ordersthatweweren'ttobeharmed.

236

237

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

Hetoldmethattheattackonhispeoplewassupposedtobeamockone.Butthosewererealbombs
andbullets,weren'tthey?"

"Yes,"Piercerepliedcoldly."Mufti'scousinsaidthatthebodycountwasterrible."

Shegrimaced."DearLord!".

Piercewasstillpuzzled."DoyoumeanthatSabondidn'tknowitwasgoingtobeforreal?"

"That'sexactlywhatImean.Atleast,mat'swhathesaid,andIthinkhewassincere.Hisgrandmother
wasborninthiscountryandlivedhereallherlife.Hehasrelativeshere.Muftiwilltellyouaboutthe
thingshe'sdoneforhispeoplethattheoutsideworlddoesn'tknowabout.Doesitmakesensethathe'd
killsomanyofhiscountrymen,eventotrickanothercountryintosendingprotectionforhisoil
wells?"

ThatwasaquestionPiercedidn'twanttoface.HispictureofthemonsterSabonwaschangingbefore
hiseyes."No,"hesaidfinally.

"WhatifKurthiredthemercenariesandsenttheminhimself,onPhilippe'sorderbutwithdifferent
instructionsthanhetoldPhilippehewasgivingthem?"

Pierce'sbrowfurrowed."Kurtwillbeluckyifhelivestotellaboutit,ifthatwasthecase."

Shenodded."Exactly.ButKurt'sinWashington.HehasPhilippeinaverytrickyspot.Hecansay
anythinghelikestohissenatorfriend.Philippecan'tdefendhimself.SupposeKurttellsthemin
WashingtonthatPhilippeisamadmanwho'stryingtostartawarwithhisneighbors?Supposehetells
themthatPhilippeisbehindamilitarycouphereandistryingtotakeoverthegovernmentandset
himselfupasdictator?"

Pierce'seyeswidened."GoodGod,Kurt'snotthatcrazy!"

"Hestandstoloseeverythingheownsalready,"shereplied."Philippehasmadesomeveiledthreats
aboutbackingoutofthedeal.KurtmaybelookingforawaytocutPhilippeoutoftheloopandtake
overtheoilwellsforhimself.IfhecanprovokeinterventionbyaccusingPhilippeofleadinga
militarycouphere,hecouldclaimthatwithhispartnerPhilippediscredited,heownsthemineral
rightsoutright.Thegovernmentwouldbeintoomuchturmoiltoassertitself.Kurtcouldwalkright
in,takehisplacewiththeoilconsortium,andcleanup.Philippewouldbeinprisonordead.AndKurt
wouldberich."

239

255

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

Pierceranahandthroughhiswavyblackhair."Brianne,that'salotofifs."

"Iknow.Butitmakessense,doesn'tit?"

"Itmakestoodamnedmuchsense."Hewhistledthroughhisteeth."GodAlmighty,whatamess!"

"Foreveryone,ifwedon'tgetbackintimetostopit,"shetoldhim."Andifthemercenariesare
Kurt's,andhe'sdictatingtheiractions,theywon'ttakeanyprisoners.Iftheyfindus,they'llkillusall,
andPhilippewillbeblamedforit."

Hewasmoreworriedatthatmomentthanhecouldeverrememberbeing.Briannewasveryastutefor
someoneofhertenderyears,andshemadesense.He'dplacedSabonbehindeverything.ButSabon
hadtoomuchtolosebykillingbisownpeople.Kurtwouldn'thesitate.Hispastrecordspokefor
itself.Hewasunscrupulousandhehadnosenseofhonorormorality."He'llkiUPhilippe,too,"
Brianneaddedsuddenly.

"He'llhaveto.Heknowstoomuch."Piercestuckhisfistsonhishipsandstaredintospace,thinking.
"Wecan'tgetoutofheretonight.Evenbyboat,it'sgoingtotakeawhiletoreachMiami.Kurtwill
probablyhavesomeofhis

mercenarieswaitingthere,expectingus,eveniftheydon'tdiscoverhowwe'regoingtogettothe
States.They'llbewatchingtheairportsandthemarinas."

"Can'tyourMr.Winthropstealaplane?"

Hesmiledgently."Ifmerewasonetosteal,yes.Thereisn'texactlyamajorairportaroundhere."

Shelookedaroundthemandnoddedresignedly."Muftiknowsmoreaboutthismananybody.Mufti
canputKurtinjail,ifwecangethimbacktoD.C.alivetotellbisstory."

"We'lldoit,"Piercetoldher."Somehow."

Shedrewhereyesdowntohisbroadchestandwishedthatshecouldcurlupinthosehardarmsand
letnuncradleherwhilesheslept.Shewassleepyandworn-outfromtheordealofthepasttwodays.

"Tired?"heasked.

Shenodded."ButIcanmakeit."Shebitherlowerlip."Pierce,Idon'tsupposewecouldtellPhilippe?"

"Howwouldwegettohim?"heaskedreasonably,irritatedbyherprotectiveattitudetowardtheir
captor."Besides,hekidnappedus."

"Iguessso.Buthewasdoingwhathethoughtwouldsavehiscountry."

241

OnceinParis

240

DianaPalmer

"Thatdoesn'tmakehiminnocent."

Shestaredintoherbasket."Hecouldhavekilledus.Hedidn't."

Hemovedcloser.Hisbig,leanhandtiltedherfaceuptohisandhelookedstraightintohereyes."Tell
mewhatchangedyourmindabouthim."

Shesighed."Ican't.Butsomethingterriblehappenedtohim.Heisn'twhatheseems.Ifyouknew,
you'dfeelthesamepityforhimthatIdo."

Hedidn'tlikeherhavingsecretsfromhim,especiallysecretsthatinvolvedanotherman.Hewas
jealous.Hewouldneverhavebelievedhimselfcapableofsuchanemotion,butthereitwas.

Hiseyeswentoverherlitheyoungbody.Herememberedhowsweetithadbeentolookatherand
touchherbackinNassaubythepool.Herememberedthesecretsoundsofhervoiceinecstasyashe
movedagainsthersensuallyintheroomwherethey'dbeenheldcaptive.Hewantedheragain,wanted
herwitheverycellofhisbody.

Shewasfeelingsomethingsimilar.Thescentofhimwasfamiliar,arousing.Sheforgother
resentments,herunhappinessatbeingMargo's

stand-in.Sheforgoteverythingexceptthepleasurehecouldgiveher.Shewantedit.Shemovedalittle
closer,sothattheywerealmosttouching,sothatshecouldfeeltheheatfrom

Msbody.

"ThesepeopleareMuslim,"hewhisperedhuskily,stiffening.attheproximitythatwasmakinghis
headspin."Theydon'tacceptsug-~gestivebehaviorinpublic."

Shestaredathismouth.Herbreathingwasquickandragged."Iknowthat."

"Thenwhyareyoulookingatmymouth?"

"BecauseIwanttokissyou/'shesaidinasoft,shakytone.

Hedidn'tanswerher.Hewasonfire,andhehadn'teventouchedher.Heclenchedhisfists."Wecan't."

"We'remarried,"shesaidmiserably.

"Iknowthat,butwewon'tbealone,eventonight,"hesaidthroughhisteeth."Thereisn't;anywayin
hellthatIcanhaveyouhere."

Shefelttheheatpulsinginherlowerbody,likealivingthing.Sheshiveredwiththememoryofthe
pleasurethey'dsharedandwantedituntilitwaslikeasickness.

"Damn,"shewhisperedbrokenly.

"Anddoubledamn,"heagreedfervently.

242

DianaPalmer

243

OnceinParis

Hiseyesnarrowed,glittered."Iwantyou,too.Iachetohaveyou!"

Itwasthefirsttimehe'dadmitteditsoblatantly.Shedidn'tevencareaboutbisreasons.Itwasenough
thathesharedthehungerthatwasconsumingher.

Hedrewinaharshbreathandavertedhisgazetothehorizon."You'reveryyoung,Brianne,"hesaid
afteraminute."Evenunderthecircumstances,ourfirsttimetogetherwasgood.It'snaturalthatyou
wanttoexplorethenewnessofit.Butthisisn'tthetime."

Sheclosedhereyesanddrankinthescentofhim,thefaintcolognethatstillclungtohim,thesmell
ofcamelandleatherthatoverlaiditfromtheirrideintothedesert.

"Areyoulistening?"heaskedwhenhesawthatshewasn'tlookingathim.

Helookedatherwithachingpassion.

Hereyesopened,asgreenasspringbuds,softwithtenderness."IwishwewerebackinParis,"she
saidabsently.

Helaughedfaintlyinspiteofhimself.”Iwastoodrunktohavedoneyouanygood,"heremindedher.

"Youwerevulnerable,"shereplied."Youneededme.Youhaven'tbeenthatwaysince.

I'malternatelyaresponsibilityandanuisance,andmaybeonceIwasaconvenience.ButIcan'tget
closetoyouatall."

Hisjawtautened."We'vealreadyhadthisconversation."

Sheletoutasoftbreath."Yes,Iknow.Youdon'twanttogetinvolvedwithme.Onceweescapefrom
here,I'llgotocollegeandyou'll°getonwithyourbusiness."Shesearchedhisblackeyesquietly.
"Butbeforeyousendmeaway,Iwantawholenightwithyou,"

Hisbodycordedasifithadbeenstarched.Hethoughtofthat,ofhavingherinabig,softbed,withall
thelightsblazing."Thatwouldonlymakethingsworse,"hesaidcurtly.,"Theycouldn'tbeworsethan
theyalreadyare,Pierce,"shereplied.Sheloweredhereyes,breakingmespell,andmovedaway."I
wanttobeawholewifebeforeI'madivorcee,"shesaidflatly."Onebriefencounterisn'tenoughto
live,on."

Hehatedthememoryofthat.Ithadbeen,likeallhisdealingswithBrianne,villainous.He'dcheated
herofaproperweddingandaproperweddingnight,nottomentionpermittinghertobekidnapped
andriskingherlife.

245

244

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

"Itwasn'tmeanttobememorable,"hesaidshortly."IwassparingyouSabon."

"Soyouwere."ShethoughtaboutpoorPhilippe,whocouldhavenothingwithawoman,anditmade
hersad.EvenhercursoryencounterswithPierceweremorethanPhilippewouldeverbeableto
enjoy.

"You'dbetterfinishyourchores,"hesaid."Therestofusaregoingtostartbuildinganewwallwith
theadobebricksthemenmadeearlierintheweek."

"Rightupyouralley,Mr.Hutton,"shesaidwithaforcedsmile."Construction."

Henodded."Butnotinaplaceofmychoosing,"hemurmuredasheturnedaway.

Shewatchedhimwalkawaywithherheartinhereyes.Shewasgoingtohavetogetusedtothatview
ofhim.Prettysoon,itwouldbethelastoneshe'dget,perhapsfortherestofherlife.

Whentheyfinallyfinishedtheirlabors,theyhadascantymealofbreadandgoat'smilkcheese,which
wassurprisinglygood.Thentheyallsataroundthefireandtalkedoftheday'slabor.Thevillagers'
languagewasmusicalandsoothingtoBrianne'sears,eventhoughshe

couldn'tunderstandawordofit.Shewassleepyandhernerveswereallbutworn-out.Shedozeda
little.

"She'stired,"Tatesaid,smilingatthepictureshemadecurledupatPierce'sside."Andyoulook
prettydrawnyourself.Whydon'tyoutakeherontobedandgethersettled?Iwanttoaskourhosts
somequestionsaboutthisso-calledcoup.MyArabicisalittlerustyinthisdialect,soI'llneedMufti
totranslate.We'llbe.alonglater."

"Watchyourback»"Piercecautioned."ItrustMufti,butwemayhaveenemiesthatwedon'tevenknow
about."

Tategrinned."Ifthereareanyhere,I'llfindthem,"hesaid."Idon'tdoubtit"

PiercebentandliftedBrianneintohisarms,,answeringthegood-naturedteasingthataccompanied
theaction.HesmiledandnoddedtowardthegroupashecarriedBriannetheshortdistancetothehay-
filledstableandintothelaststall,whichwaspackedwithfreshstrawandtwolargewovenblankets
thatwouldserveas

pallets.

Helaidherdown,notingthatherarmsdidn't

247

DianaPalmer

fallawaywhenshewasrestingononeoftheblankets.

Hereyesopenedandlookedupintohisinthefaintflickeringlightoftheoillampthathadbeen
placedinthestalltolighttheirway.

Hefeltthebarestpressureofherfingersinthehairatthenapeofhisneck,heardherbreathinggo
ragged,feltherhungerasifitweretangible.Hisfacetightened.Hereachedupforthelampand,
lookingdownather,deliberatelyblewitout.

Sheheardtherusticofstrawashereplaceditonanearbyshelf,andtherusticoffabricashecame
downbesideher.

Hisbig,leanhandssmoothedthegarmentshewaswearinguparoundherhips,andpausedonthe
waistbandofherbriefsasheslowlysearchedforhermouthandcovereditwithhis.Hemovedover

her.Shecouldfeelhimwantingher.Herlegspartedtoadmitthewarmweightofhim.Shearchedas
hismouthnuzzledasidethetopofherrobeandfounditswaytohersoftbreast.Hesuckledher,
enjoyingherhuskymoansinthedarknessofthestall.

Theremightbeverylittletime.Hedidn'tdareriskaleisurelyloving,regardlessofhishungerforit.
Herousedherquickly,everyca-

OnceinParis

ressintendedtokindlefires.Herbodyarcheduptohimasheincreasedthesuctionofhismouth,as
hishandssmootheduphersoftthighsandfoundhermostsecretplaces.

Shewhimpered.Heliftedhisheadandmovedtofindhermouthandsilenceit.Whilehekissedher
withslow,fierceintent,hemovedhisowngarmentasideand,catchingherupperthigh,broughther
hipsintosudden,starkcontactwithhisown.

Whileshecaughtherbreath,heshiftedandbegantoenterherwithexquisitecare.Shewasnewtothis,
anddespitetheirearlierintimacy,hehadtostopandrousehercarefullybeforeshecouldacceptallof
himwithoutdiscomfort.

Thefaintnoisestheymadeastheymovedagainsteachotherseemedveryloudinthesilence.She
clungtohim,shiveringalittleaseachmovementofhishipsbroughtthemevenclosertogether.He
shiftedagain,andshegaspedattheswellofhotpleasurethatstabbedintoher.

"There?"heaskedquietly.

"Y-yes,"shebitoff.*

Hefelthernailsbitingintohimashemovedagain,deeperthistime,dragginghiships

249

DianaPalmer

againstherssothatthecontactwasintensified,prolonged.

Shesobbed,bitingherliptokeepbackthesharpcry.

Hismouthbrushedheropenlipsashebegantoincreasetheslow,powerfulrhythmofhisbody.He
drewherlegoverhishipsandsmoothedittherewithteasingcaresses,andstilltherhythmbuilton
itself.

Shewasgaspinginhisear.Shecouldfeelhimineverycell.Itwasbeautiful.Theywerelikepuzzle
pieceslockingtogether,smoothandsoftandtender.Itwasn'tevenlikesex.Itwassoexquisitetobe
intimatewithhim.Shearchedherbackandhatedthedarknessthathidthemfromeachother.She

wantedtolookathim.

Hersensualmovementsdelightedhim.Sheslidherarmsaroundhimandmovedonherown,
intensifyingthesilkenthrustswithherownsinuousmotion.

Helaughed,deepinhisthroat,atthesensationsshecaused.Hestilledoverherforaninstantand
caughthisbreathasherbodyteasedhim.

Shefeltthetensionandhesitated.

"No,don'tstop,"hewhisperedhuskily."It

OnceinParis

|;:4Hakesmethroballoverwhenyoudothat.Doitagain."

Shefollowedhislead,likewarmsilkwhereshetouchedhim.Herhandssmoothedupunderthefabric
ofhisownrobeuntiltheyfoundhishair-roughenedchestandbegantocaressit

||hungrily.'•

tf-Hepausedlongenoughtopushherownrobeupunderherarmssothathehadaccesstohersoftj
barebreasts.HemadeabanquetofthemWhilehisbodycaressedhersintheheatedsilenceofthe
stable.

Shelovedthesensualityoffeelinghisskinagainsthers,hishair-roughenedchestdraggingwith
exquisiteabrasionagainsttheverytipsofherbreasts.3Sheliftedtoprolongthecontact,awareof

'••ffefeheatthatwasgrowing,thethrobbingfull-nessthatthreatenedtoexplodeinsideher.She
graspedhisshouldersandheldonastheslowthrustsbegantobuildaterrible,sweettension^her.
limbs.Shegaspedasthepleasuregrewtoathrobbingheatandthenasilkenorgyofsensationthat
greweversweeter,evermorede-liciouslyprovocative.

_'Itbecameurgentsoquickly.Fromlazysen-soaUtytofiercepassion,themovementsbecame

251

OnceinParis

250

DianaPalmer

desperateinseconds.Hecaughtherheadinhisbighandsandbroughthismouthdownhotlyonher
lipsashedroveagainstherblindly.

Shewrappedhersilkenlegsaroundhisandfollowedhisquickmovementswithcounter-movements
ofherown,helpinghim,demanding,pleadingforanendtotheexquisitepainofunbearablepleasure.

Shemoanedharshlyunderhismouthasshefeltherselfgoingoversomedark,sweetprecipice.She
sobbed,arching,shiveringasthetensionsnappedandsheconvulsedallover.

Hefeltherbodygiveitselfcompletelywithasenseofwonder.Onlythendidhepermithisownbody
toachievesatisfactionwithinhers.Hearcheddownintohersilkenfleshwithaharshgroanand
gloriedintheanguishedspasmsthatrackedhimaboveher.Itseemednevertostop.Hesobbedasthe
pleasuregrewandfeduponitself,asitwashedoverhimlikeredfire,likeredsilk,likeredwavesof
throbbingheat.

“Oh,Pierce,"shewhisperedathisearasshefelthiminthatmostintimateofcontacts,buryingher
faceinhisthroatasshesavoredthehelplessmotionsofhisbigbodyandfeltthe

surgeofheatthatlefthimexhaustedandshiveringaboveher.

Hecouldn'tgetbisbreath,couldn'tspeak,couldn'tthink.Hecollapsedagainstherandfoughtfor
enoughairtomakehislungswork.Hecouldn'trememberatimewhenhe'denjoyedawoman'sbody
sointensely,sothoroughly,withsuchincrediblepossessionthathe_feltherinthecellsofhisskin.
Hewassatedtotherootsofhisthickhair.Underhim,shewassoftandwarm,andhefeltherskin
slideagainsthiswhenhemovedhelplesslyagainsthertoenjoytheechoesofpleasurethatlingered
evenaftertherelease.

Sheliftedtothemovementsofhishipsandsighedsharplyatthedelicioussensationshersensitized
bodyfelt.

Herolledslowlyontobisback,drawingheralong,stilljoinedintimatelytohim.Hesmoothedher
bodydownonhis,catchingherhipsandpullingherevencloser.

Shegaspedandhernailsbitintothehardmusclesofhisupperarms.

Hearchedsinuouslyandshiveredwithpleasure."Ilovethewayyoufeellikethis,"hesaidgruffly.
"Youfitmelikeawarmsilk

253

OnceinParis

252

DianaPalmer

glove,sothatwhenImove,Ifeelyouallaroundme."

Shehidherfaceinhishairychest."Itwasuncomfortableatfirst,"shewhispered.

"You'lladjusttome,butI'llalwayshavetobecarefulwithyouwhenI'mthisaroused."Hishands
pressedsoftlyagainstherhips."DearGod,Brianne,I'msatedallthewayupanddownandIstillwant
you."

"Canyou,again?"shewhispered.

"Idon'tthinkso."Hearchedhisbody,waiting,buthisbodywastootiredtocooperate.Helaughed
softly."ButIwishIcould.Itwasgood,wasn'tit?"

"Oh,yes."

Hisfingerssmoothedupanddownherbackinlong,lazycaresses."Youcontractinside,allaround
me,whenyouclimax,didyouknow?Itmakesthepleasureallthatmuchgreaterforme."

Sheshiveredatthebluntdescription.Intimacywasstillnewtoher,andalittleembarrassing.Shewas
feelingsomeguiltaswell,becauseshehadn'ttakenherpillindaysandhedidn'tknowthatshecould
alreadybepregnant.

Hislonglegsmovedapartandheslidthemoverhers.Intheintimatepositiontheywere

sharing,thecontactwassuddenlyevendeepermanbeforeandshegaspedasshefelttheincreased
pressureofhimthere.

Hishandssettledonherhipsandhebegantomoveherbodyagainsthimwithalazytendernessthat
hadexplosiveresults.

Hefeltherbodybegintotauten,toshiver,tomovehelplesslywithhim.

"Baby,"hewhisperedurgentlyintoherear.Hisbreathingwassuddenlyragged."Baby,do

youfeelit?"

Shecriedoutsoftly,becausesomethingwashappening,somethingthathadn'thappenedbefore.She
caughtathisarms,feelinghislegscontractaroundhers,feeling'hisbodybecomeinsistentunderher.

?*<fNo,"shesobbed,gasping.Thepleasure"wasfrightening.Frightening!

Shemusthavesaiditaloud,becausehewaswhisperingtenderlytoher,hislipssoothingatiher

forehead."Don'tbeafraid,baby,"hewhis-*«fesed,"Letithappen.Giveyourselftoit.Feelit^keyou.
Surrendertoit,"tfcShecouldn'tgetcloseenough.Sheeo«Jdn't...Herbodyfeltasifithadbeen
tedineverymuscleanddrawnoverarack,wastooweak,shewouldn'tbeableto

255

254

DianaPalmer

reachthatimpossiblyhighpinnacleofpleasure.Itwassoharsh,sodemanding,thatitdrainedherof
strengthandbreath.Itwassodeeplyconsumingthatitalmostmadehersick.Shegroanedpiteously
andshivered.

"Youcan'timaginehowit'sgoingtofeel,"hewhispered,hisvoicedeep,throbbingashemoved
underher."Youcan't...imagine!"

Itcaughtherunexpectedly,ahotwaveofpleasurethathadtheimpactofabodyblow.Shecriedout
helplesslyasthespasmscon-,vulsedherinhisarms.Shefelthimmoving,turning,lifting.Shewas
againsttheblanketnowandhewasaboveher,herthighsinhishands,hisbodydrivingintohersin
thedarkness.Shecouldhearhisharshbreathing,feeltherigidclenchingofhismusclesashisfingers
becamepainfulonherhipsandsuddenlycrushedthem.Sheheardhishoarsegroans,felthimthrob
andthrobandshiverasthepleasureoverwhelmedhim.

Shewhisperedtohim,somethingwicked,somethingunexpectedandstark.Shefelthimconvulse
againasthewordsheightenedhispleasuretonearoblivion.

Hisheaddroppedtoherbreastsandheshiveredonelasttimeashesliddownagainsther

OnceinParis

inheavyexhaustion,herhipsstillclenchedinhishardfingers.

Severalminutespassedbeforebisgriploosened."You'llhavebruiseshere,"hesaidapologetically.

,Shemovedexperimentally,swollenwithpas-sionanditsfulfillment,languidintheaftermath."I
don'tmind.Pierce...issexalwayslikejhis?"sheasked,dazed.

Hehesitated.Heliftedhimselfcarefully

awayfromherandsatupwithaudibleattempts

%catchhisbreath.Hepulleddownhisrobes

iandthencarefullyrearrangedherowntherein

thehotdarkness.

"Pierce?"sheaskedinawhisper,awarethatsomethingwaswrong.

Hesmoothedthefabricoverheralmostimpersonally.Thenhelaybackdownbesideher,withhis
handsunderhishead,andstaredintomeblacknessoftheceiling,hatinghimself.

"DidIdosomethingwrong?"sheaskeduneasily..Hedrewinalong,harshbreath."No.Idid."

"What?"

Heshiftedimpatiently."Trytosleep,Brianne.We'vegotalongdayaheadofustomorrow."

257

256

DianaPalmer

Shelaybesidehimunmovingassheregisteredtheforcedcarelessnessofhistone,atoddswiththe
tensionshesensedinhim.

Asshecameslowlybacktotherealityoftheirsituationshethoughtsheunderstoodwhatwaswrong
withhim.ShewasstandinginforMargoagain,andnowherealizedthatitwasn'tMargoandhewas
feelingguilty.Shewashiswife,buthewasstillmarriedtoMargo.He'djustcommittedadultery,for
thesecondtime.He'dbeenunfaithfultohisdeadwife:IfBriannehadn'tbeensotiredandso
disillusioned,she'dhavecriedhysterically.WouldsheneverlearnthatshehadnoplaceinPierceV
lifeexceptlikethis,asasubstituteforthewomanhe'dlost?

Shewonderedifitmightnothavebeenbetterifshe'dnevergottentoknowhimatall.Ifshehadn't
spokentohimthat.dayinParis,noneofthiswouldeverhavehappened.She'dhavebeensingleand
heartwhole.Perhapsshe'dhaveendedupmarriedtoPhilippeSabon,thatpoorshellofamanwho
wassoaloneindieworld.Hehadnothingtogiveher,butatleasthestillhadawholeheart—-
somethingPiercehadn't.

OnceinParis

SheheardthehayrustlenexttoherasPiercechangedpositions.

?:"Itwasn'tsex,"hesaidabruptly.Andallationce,hegottohisfeetandleftthestable.

259

OnceinParis

ChapterEleven

.Piercedidn'tcomebackrightaway,andBrianne,exhaustedfromhisfiercelovemakingandstill
puzzledbyhisoddbehavior,fellasleep.

Whenshewoke,shewassoreinunexpectedplacesandaloneinthestable.Shegottoherfeet,
wrappedtheturbanaroundherhairandwentouttolookforhercompanions.

Piercecametojoinherwhenshesteppedoutsidethestable,bisexpressionimpassive,hiseyesgiving
awaynothing.Onlywhenshelookedcloselycouldsheseethetelltalelinesthatdenotedlackofsleep.
Hewasbackinhisshellagain,shethought,andregrettinghislapse

withher.Nothinghadchanged;atleaston

hispart.

"We'regoingoverlandtothenextport,"hetoldherquietly."It'stoodangeroustotrygoingbackthe
waywecame.Mufti'scousinsaysthatSabon'shousehasbeencapturedandSa-bonhimselfisonthe
runfromhisownmercenaries.They'replayinghavocinthestreets.""Oh,goodgrief!"she
exclaimed,thinkinglofthetreacheryofherstepfather.ShehopedSabonwouldgetaway.

"Itlooksverymuchasifyourtheorywascorrect.IbelieveyourstepfatherhassoldoutMspartner
andhopestotakeovertheoilprojecthere,"hereplied."We'dbettergetgoingwhilemere'sstilltime."

EveninthebatteredoldvehicleMufti'sin-lawsdrove,ittookalongtimetogettothenextsmallport
becausetheyhadtomakefrequentstopsanddetoursalongthewaytomakesuretheyweren'tbeing
followed.Fortunately,thefarthertheywentfromthecapitalcityofthesmallcountry,thelessturmoil
theyencountered.Theciviluprisinghadn'tyetspreadthisfar.TheislandwhereSabon'shousewas
locatedwasapparentlynowcapturedterritory,

261

260

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

accordingtogossipthatMuftigleanedontheirway.

Thenextportwaslargerthantheonethey'dstartedat.Onlyonethinginthedirtylittleharborwas
familiar,andthatwastherustedoldtubthatthey'dbookedpassageonthedaybefore.

TateWinthropmetthecaptainandfinalizedthearrangements.Theywentonboardinaflurryof
confusionaftersomeonesetofffirecrackersonthedockstosimulateanarmedattack.Tensionswere
runninghigh,becausenewsofthemilitarycouphadreachedevenhere.Thegovernment,oneof
Tate'scontactshadsaid,wasonthevergeofcollapse.Theoldregimewasontherunandthe
mercenarieshadtakenoverthecapital:Theyhadtheoilconsortium'sexecutivesundercloseguard,
alongwiththesupervisorsandthemenonthedrillingrigs.Allcommunicationswiththeoutside
worldhadbeencutofforcrippled.Kurtwasliterallytakingoverthesmallcountryandnobodyknew
itexceptthepeoplewhowereinvolvedinit

Therefugeeswerehustleddownintothecargoholdandconcealedtherebythecaptain,givenfood
andwaterandassurancesthatthey

wouldsoonbeininternationalwatersandsafefromreprisals.Muftileftthethreeforeignersdownin
theholdandmergedwiththeothersailorsondeck,withthecaptain'shelp.

Brianneheldherbreathuntiltheshipslippedhermooringsandsetouttosea.Rightupuntilthelast
minute,she'dbeencertainthattheyweregoingtobestopped.ShesparedaworryforPhilippe,who
mustbefeelingverybetrayedatthemoment.

Shehopedthatsheandhercompanionswouldmakeitoutalive,totelltheirstorytotheappropriate
peoplebeforeKurtcompletedhismilitarycoup.

"There'sanotherhitch,"Tatetoldthemoncetheyweresettledonsacksofgrainintheholdwiththeir
fewprovisions—somebreadandcheeseandseveralsmallbottlesofwaterfromTate'ssurvivalpack.

"Whatnow?"Pierceaskedwithresignation.Heneededashaveratherbadly,andwaslookingmore
andmorelikeamercenaryhimself.

"ThecaptaincanonlytakeusasfarasSt.Martin,"hesaid."He'sbeenofferedaking'sransomto
transportsomecargoforaforeignnationalhe'stomeetthere.Wecan'tmatchthe

263

262

DianaPalmer

otherofferbecausethemanmakingitishisbrother-in-law."

"Sowe'llbestrandedinSt.Martin,"Briannesaidheavily."WhilemystepfatherdestroysPhilippe's

countryandblamesitonhiminWashington."

Tatesmiledather."Hopefullywecanbookpassageonanotherfreighter."

"Withwhat?"Pierceaskedirritably."MywalletisonSabon'sjet.Ihaven'tgotadime."

"NeitherhaveI,"Tatesaid."ButifIcangettoabank,we'llhavethefunds."

"Whynotjustflyhome?"Brianneasked.

"Becausebynowthemercenariesknowwe'veescaped,andthey'llbelookingforus,evenhere,"Tate
said."WehavetosneakbackintotheStates."

"ItamazesmethatKurtwasabletogetawaywithsomuch,"Brianneremarked.

"Piercetoldmewhatyou'dsuspectedaboutyourstepfather,"Tatesaidastheyatecheeseandbread
later."You'reremarkablyastuteforanonpolitician."

"IknowKurt,"sherepliedwitharuefulsmile."AndhecalledPhilippeSabonamonster.Imagine
that."

OnceinParis

"Sabonmustbefeelingprettystupidrightaboutnow,"Pierceagreed.

"Howrightyouare,Hutton"cameadeep,faintlyamusedvoicefromthehatchthatleddowna
corridortotherestofmeship.

Threepairsofstartledeyesmetthoseofatall,robedArab.Thedeepscarsdownonesideofhislean,
darkfacestretchedashesmiledat

hisownfolly.

Hejoinedtheotherswithoutinhibitionandproducedagoatskinfromunderhislongrobe.Hetossed
ittoPierce."Wine,"hesaid."BeingaMuslim,I'mnotpermittedspirits,butdon'tletmyinhibitions
restrainyou."

"Isthepoisoninthewineoronthemouthofthebag?"Piercemurmuredwithanicy

glare.

PhilippeSabonheldupahand."I'mnotthat

stupid,"heasserted."Besides,"hesighed,

reachingforabitofbreadandcheese,"Iex-

,pecttospendweekstryingtoexplainmypart

inallthiswhenweregainthegovernment

here."

“Howdoyouplantodothat?''Pierceasked.

Sabongavehimawryglance."Isentmymostloyalmenovertheborderwiththesheikh,theminute
Kurt'smercenariesstartedslaugh-

265

OnceinParis

264

DianaPalmer

teringmyhousehold,"hesaid,andtheamusementlefthisface."Dozensofmypeopleliedeadinthe
streets,whenIgavestrictordersthatthebulletsweretobeblanksandtheexplosivesofthe
Hollywoodvariety."HeglancedatBrianne."Yourstepfatherhasamaliciousnature,andIhavebeen
theworld'sbiggestfoolforputtingmyselfandmycountryinhishands.Iactuallybelievedhimwhen
hepromisedtheattackwouldbeasham."

"YouwerewillingtostartawartoprovokeAmericanintervention,"Brianneremindedhim.

"Iwaswillingtosimulateone,"hecorrectedher.Hisshouldersroseandfellheavily."Iwatcheda
childstarveonce,withfoodinitshands,"hesaidquietly,staringatthebitofcheeseandbreadleftin
hisfingers.”Therehadbeennograinforsometime,andoursupplieswerestoppedattheborder.
Sanctions,youunderstand,"headdedbitterly,''becausemygovernmenthadpqbliclysupportedan
enemyoftheUnitedStatesinthelastconflictonthisregion.Wewereabletobegrationsfroma
nationfriendlytous,butbythetimetheycame,someofthechildrenwerestarvedbeyondhelp.They
diedtryingtoeat."Heletthecheeseandbread

fallintohislap."Howtired1amofrichindustrialnationswhodictatepolicyandturnblindeyesto
thepoor."

Piercescowledattheotherman,awareofequalconfusionfromhissecuritychief."Whatareyou
doinghere?"

TheArab'seyebrowslifted."EscapingexecutionbyBrauer'scutthroats,ofcourse."

"You'refilthyrich,"Pierceremindedhim."Youcouldhaveboughtashipandsailedout

ofhere."Sabonlaughed."Themercenarieshavemy

house,"heremindedthem."So?"Piercepersisted.Sabonshookhishead."Thegossipmusthave
reachedyouatsomepointthatIdonottrustbanks."

"You'rekiddingme,"Piercereplied.

"Sadly,Iamnot."Sabonhelpedhimselftoasmallplasticbottleofwater."Mypocketmoneybought
meapassageonthisvessel.IfIcanmakeittoneutralterritory,IhaveeveryhopethatIcanorganizea
revoltamongmyownpeoplewithmymenwhoescapedasacoreofsupport,andwithsome
borrowedcapital."

*'Borrowedfromwhom?"

SabonfixedPiercewithawordlessstare.

266

267

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

"Youareoutofyourmind,"Piercetoldhimflatly."Youcan'texpectmetolendyoumoneyafterall
you'vedone...youkidnappedus,forGod'ssake!"

"IkidnappedBrianneandamanwhowaspresumedtobeherbodyguard,"Saboncorrected,him."It
wasnotuntiltheescapethatIknewwhohadbeenoccupyingmyotherstoreroom.Whichreminds
me..."Hereachedintohisrobe,extractedPierce'seelskinwalletandtosseditto-him.

Astonished,Piercecheckeditanddiscoverednothingmissing,nothiscreditcardsorhiscash,and
therewereseveralhundreddollarsinthebillfold.

"Mypilotfounditwedgedinaseatonmyprivatejet."Hefrowned."Isupposethey'veblownitupby
now.Ah,well."Hetookasipofwater."I'vepersuadedthecaptainofthisvesseltodropmeoffatSt.
MartinonthewaytotheStates.Ifyou'llmakemealoanoffiftythousanddollarsorso,Icanreclaim
mycountry,andmywealth,fromKurt'shiredassassins."

Piercethrewuphishands."Youmusthavebeenhitinthehead,"heexclaimedangrily."I'mnot
loaningyouadime!"

"Yes,youare."

"Why?"

Sabonpickedthebreadandcheesetidbitsfromhisrobeandatethem,washingthemdownwithwater.
"BecauseIcanconnecttheattackonyourCaspianSeadrillingplatformwithKurt.Thesesame
mercenarieswereresponsibleforyourproblemsandthedeathsofseveralofyourworkers.Icantell
youwhotheyare."

"Youhelpedhirethemforthismassacre!"Pierceasserted.

"Ididnot.Kurthiredthemandassuredmethatmyinstructionswouldbefollowedtotheletter.Iwas
willingtogivehimafreehandsolongashewasofusetome.Hehadfriendsamongtheoil
consortium,yousee,andtheyweremuchmorelikelytolistentoawealthymanwithconnectionsin
theoilbusinessthanapoorArab."

"PoorArab,thedevil!"TateWinthropscoffed.

"Mywealthisonlycountedinmillionsamongmyownpeople,"hereturned."Youmustremember
thatourinflationrateatpresentissomethinglikeeighthundredpercent.Surelyyoudon'tthinkKurt
BrauerwouldwastehistimeonanunknownArabwithathinwalletin

269

268

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

astarvingnationunlesshethoughthecouldprofitlargelybyit?"

Piercegotupandpacedthefloor."Idon't

understand.Therewererumorsthatyouhad

millions,ifnotbillions,thatyouwereseen,in

allthemostexclusiveresorts,eveningambling

palaces."-

"Excellentrumors,weretheynot?"Sabontookanothersipofwater."Istartedthemmy-.self."

"Youdid?"

"IneededtoappearwealthytointerestKurtinhelpingtodevelopmyoilfieldsandkeepmyenemies
atbay,"Sabonsaidwithashrug."IshouldhaveknownthatIcouldn'ttrustsuchaman."Hefrowned."I
assumethathe'sinWashingtonrightnowtellingtheworldthatI'veattemptedabloodymilitarycoup
inmyowncountry?"

"Youknew?"Brianneasked,astonished.Henodded."Itwasthemostlogicalstephecouldhavetaken."
Hesmiled."Anditwill,ifyou'llexcusethepun,blowrightupinhisface."

Piercesatbackdownonabaleofgrain."Couldyouexplainthat?""TheUnitedStateswillfind
newsof

ifirauer'scovertdealingsveryinteresting,"hesaid."AndIcanprovidethemwithinformationS&ey
don'thaveabouthisforthcomingplanstosetfiretocertainoilfieldsandblameanationiferyhostile
totheAmericans."•"Whywouldhedosuchathing?"Brianneasked,aghast.

v1"Tostartmorewars,ofcourse.He'sanarmsdealer.Didn'tyouknow?"Sabonaskedbis
companions."That'showIconnectedwithhiminthefirstplace."

"Hedealsinoil,"TateWinthropsaidslowly,

s,"Hedealsinoilonlysothathehasaccess|tosensitiveinformationaboutthecountriesinwhichthe
oilisfound,"Sabontoldhim."Bymanipulatingcertainevents,hecansellarmsatahugeprofitand
stillhavetheauraofrespectability.Helostheavilywhenawarwasrecentlyaverted.Nowhehopesto
recoupbislossesbyathreatenedmilitarycoupandcleanupbyarmingtheneighboringnations.It
washisrealplanallalong,butIhadnoknowledgeofitIthoughthisinterestindevelopingtheoil
wealthofmycountrywassincere,becauseIknewveryfittieabouttheprivatefaceofsuchapublic
fig-

271

OnceinParis

270

DianaPalmer

ure."Heshookhishead."Itwasonlyameanstoanendforhim."

"WhykidnapBrianne?"Pierceasked.Sabonlookedatherwithquiet,secretiveeyes."Kurtwas
waveringinhissupportformycause.ByhintingthatIwishedtomarryBrianne,Iappealedtohis
greed.Allthosemillionsinthefamilyandhewouldneverhavetoworryaboutmoneyagain,you
see."Hesighed."TheonlyexplanationIhaveisthathefoundoutsomehowthatmyclaimstowealth
wereexaggerated.Imusthaveleftaloopholeforhimtofind."Heleanedforward,crossinghis
forearmsoverhiskneesandlockinghislongfingerstogether."It'sironic,youknow.Hewould
actuallyhaveseenaprofitontheoil,"headded."Butnotforsomeyears.Perhapshewastoo
impatient.Gunrunningis,afterall,aprofitableprofessionwiththepotentialforimmediatecapital."

"Hetoldmethathisfinancesweredesperate,"Briannementioned.

"AndIgatherthathealsosawthroughmyofferofmarriage."Sabonglancedatherandhissmilewas
genuine.

"Sawthroughit?"Piercestaredattheothermangrimly.

Sabonmetbishostilegaze."Icannevermarry,"hesaidcurtly.Hegotupfromhisseatandstretched.
Helookedaroundtheirsurroundingswithresignation."Thatitshouldendhere,insuchaway,"he
mused."Allmyhopesformypeople..."

"Fiftythousanddollarswon'tbeenoughtomountacounterrevolution,"Piercesaid.

Sabonturned."Yes,itwill,"heargued."Thesemercenariesarebloodthirstyandmerciless.Butthey
arenomatchforthesortthatmymencanhireacrosstheborder."

"Whatsort?"

Sabon'seyesnarrowed."Ithinkyoualready

know."

Piercegrimaced.Hesearchedtheotherman'scoldeyes."Idon'tlikebeingapartyto

carnage."

"NordoI,"theothermansaidwithbarelycontainedrage."ButIalreadyhavebeen.MyDouse
servant,Miriam,hadbeenwithmefortenyears.Theyleftherinthegarden,inaconditionthatit
hurtsmetorecall."Hebitdownaardandavertedhiseyes,tryingtoblankoutthememory.He
clenchedhisleanfistsathisside."Iwillhavemycountryback,"hesaidtightly."AndIwillseetoit
thatBrauerpays

272

DianaPalmer

averyhighpriceforhistreachery."HeglancedatPierce."Helpme."

Piercethrewuphishandsindefeat."Ican'tbelievethis,"hesaidwithpureexasperation.Heletouta
heavybreathandstaredhardattheotherman."IneverthoughtI'dseethedaywhenIlineduponthe
sideofmyworstlivingenemy."

"Iwasneveryourenemy,"Sabonsaidsimply."Ihadnoknowledgeoftheattackonyourdrilling
platformorIwouldhavewarnedyou.Kurtappearedtobearichforeigninvestorwithcontactsinthe
oilbusiness.Ineverthoughtofmyselfbeforeaspoliticallynaive,butperhapsmyeducationwas
scantyintoomanyspots.Imustrethinkmyabilitytojudgepeople."

"Kurthadalotofpeoplefooled,"Briannesaidsoftly."Includingmypoormother."

Sabon'seyesnarrowed."Fortunately,hewillhavelittletimeforheratpresent.Whenhefinisheshere,
onewayoranother,herlifewillbeinjeopardyifsheknowsanythingatallofhisbusinessdealings.
Hewillnotwanttoriskhavingtoomanywitnessesaround.Accidentscaneasilybearranged."

"Oh,myGod,"Briannewhispered.

OnceinParis

"Don'tborrowtrouble,"Piercesaidgently."We'llprotecther."

"Assoonaswegetoutofhere,I'llgetamessagetomycontactinFreeport,"Tatesaidinadeep,quiet
tonethatwasreassuring."He'llgetyourmotherandthechildoutofNassaubeforeKurtgetshome."

"Thankyou,"Briannesaidwithheartfelt

gratitude.

"SothatwashowyouknewwheretofindHuttonandBrianne,"Sabonmused,watchingTate."I
underestimatedyou'rightdowntheline,Mr.Winthrop."

-"Mostpeopledo,"Taterepliedwithaflashofwhiteteeth.

"IthinkIhearsomethingoutsidetheship,"Piercesaid,cuttingintotheconversation.

Theylistened,andthesoundcameabruptly:sirens.Theygrewlouderandlouder.7"TheCoast
Guard!"Brianneexclaimed,

"InthePersianGulf?"Sabonaskedwithliftedeyebrows."TheAmericansmaythinktheyownthe
area,butIassureyou,theyhaven'ttakenpossessionyet!"

"It'stheharborpatrol,attheveryleast,"Tatemurmured.HerushedtotheportholeandlookedoutA

minutelater,heletoutthebreath

274

DianaPalmer

275

OnceinParis

hewasholdingandturnedbacktotheothers."They'reboardingaship.Notours.We'vealmost
clearedtheharbor."

Therewererelievedsighsallaround.Iftheywerediscoveredtoosoon,thecaptainmighthaveno
choicebuttoturnthemoverondemand.ItwouldmeancertaindeathifBrauergottothembeforethey
reachedsanctuary.

PierceandTateexchangedworriedglances.Theywerealongwayfromhome.Theyhadconnections
andPierce'ssuddenwindfall,butiftheyusedhiscreditcards,Brauer'smenwouldtraceany
transactionimmediatelyandclosein.EveniftheylandedatMiami,theyweregoingtohavetooutwit
thehenchmenwhowouldcertainlybeonthelookoutforthem.Theyweren'tevensureofpassageout
ofSt.Martin.Iftheywerebeingwatched,andthatwaspossible,theymightnevermakeitaboard
anotherwestward-boundfreighter.

Sabonstaredatthemwithapensiveexpression."ThecaptainisnotgoingontoMiami,whichisas
well.IfyoudidgoallthewaytoMiamionthisvessel,you'dbecarriedonshoreinbodybags,"he
said.

Threepairsofeyesturnedtowardhim.

"Wewereplanningonchangingships.This

isasfarasthecaptaincantakeus.ButIhaveacontactinMiami,"Tatesaidafteraminute.

"Brauerwillknowwhoitisbynow.Don'tunderestimatehisintelligencenetwork.Idid,andyoucan
seewhatitcostme,"Sabonremindedhim.

Tateexhaledroughly,andhisthinlipscompressedashetriedtothinkrationally.

"Haveyouapenandpaper?"Sabonaskedafteraminute.

"Youwanttowritehome?"Piercemurmureddryly,buthehandedthemanwhathe'daskedfor.

Sabonscribbledanameandanaddress,addedanoteinArabicandhissignature,andpressedthering
onhislittlefingerintothepaper.HehandedittoPierce,alongwiththepen.Hisexpressionwas
somber.

"ForallIknow,this—"Piercewavedthepaperathim"—couldbeourdeathwarrants.Ican'tread
Arabic."

"UnlessI'manevenworsejudgeofcharacterthanIthought,hecanreadit,"Sabonmused,nodding
towardTate.

"Canyou?"Pierceaskedhissecuritychief.

Tatetookthenote,scanneditandhandeditbacktoPierce.Hisblackeyesnarrowedashe

277

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

276

studiedthetallArab.Helookedperplexedforamoment,andthenhenodded,veryslowly."It'sa
legitimaterequestfortherecipienttogiveusanyaidpossible."Hedidn'taddwhatelsethenotesaid.
Buthisgazewaseloquent

Sabonalsonodded.Alookpassedbetweenthetwomen.Sabonspokeinquick,sharpArabic.Itwasa
questionthatneitheroftheircomrpardonscouldbegintounderstand.

Taterepliedinthesamelanguagewithequalfluency.

"Whatisthis,charades?"Pierceaskedcurtly.

"Nothingthatconcernsanyoneelse,"Tateassuredhim."Andnothingtodowiththematterathand."

Hesaidnothingmore,nordidSabon.Nightfell,andthefourofthemslept.

"St.Martin,"Sabonsaidashestudiedtheapproachingisland."Andmydestination."Hepulledthe
hoodofhisrobeoverhisheadandpausedtolookbackatbiscompanions."WeMoorsoncehadvery
strongSpanishconnections.ThegentlemanwhosenameIgaveyouisSpanish,buthehasa
grandmotherinmycountry.Hewilldowhathecanforyoube-

causeIrequesteditandheowesmeafavor.Trusthim.Buttrustnooneelse.Yourlivesmaydepend

onit."

"Whyareyouhelpingus?"Pierceaskedshortly.

"Askyourcomrade"camethequietreply.Hemettheotherman'seyes."Iwillbehereforthreedays,
underanassumedidentity.Ifyou'restillwillingtohelpme,wirethemoneytoSeiiorAlfredoCantada
incareoftheGardellBank."

Piercesighed."GodknowswhyIshould.ButIwill.Idon'tmakepromiseslightly."

"We'llerectastatuetoyou,asourbenefactor,"Sabonsaidwithtwinklingdarkeyes.

Piercedidn'treplyforaminute."Hemayfindyou,ifyoustayherethatlong."

"Hismenwon'trecognizeme,"Sabonreplied."IhaveresourcesthatIhaven'tusedinyears.Hewon't
findme."

"Goodluck,then,"Piercesaid.

"Andtoallofyou.IncludingMufti,"headdedwithasecretivegrin,"whohasbeentryingdesperately
toavoidmesinceIcameonboard.TellhimthatIdidknowwhohewas,andthathekeptmysecret,as
Iwillkeephis.Therewillbenoreprisalsagainsthisfamily

278

279

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

whenmypowerisrestored."HelookedatBriannelongandpoignantly."Bygettingyouout,hesaved
allhisrelatives."

Briannewasmoretouchedthanshewantedtobe.Shefeltsosorryfortheman,andevenvaguely
guiltyforhavingsobadlymisjudgedhim."Takecare,MonsieurSabon,"Briannesaidgently."Good
luck."

Hesmiledather."Andbanchancetoyouaswell,che*rie,"herepliedinasofttone.Hiseyessearched
hersintensely."Iwillmournyoufortherestofmylife,"headdedinArabic,withunexpected
emotion.

Heturnedandwentuptothedeckveryquickly,andwithoutlookingback.

"WhatdidhesaytoyouinArabic?"Pierce

askedTate.".,

"Justthathewasn'tsellingusout,"herepliedevasively."Interestingman."

"Damnedinteresting,"Pierceagreed.

TateglancedatBrianneandfrownedcuriously."Idon'tsupposeyouknowwhyhesaidthattoyou?"

"Idon'tspeakArabic,"sheremindedhim."Whatdidhesay?"

"Justthathewasdyingforloveofyouand,

havinglostyou,he'llneverbeabletothinkofanotherwoman,"hesaidfacetiously.

"Idiot,"Piercemurmured,chucklingasheturnedaway.

ButTateWinthrop'sdarkeyesmethersandhewasn'tsmiling.

Briannefrownedcuriously,buthedidn'tsayaword.HeturnedbacktoPierceandlookedoutdie
portholeasSabonblendedintothecrowd.

"We'dbettermakeamove,andquickly,"Tatesaidafteraminute."Wedon'thavelongtofindthisship
Sabonmentionedandgetaboard."

"Ifwearen'twalkingintoatrap,"Piercesaiduneasily:HeglancedatBriannewithascowl."Ihopewe
knowwhatwe'redoing."

“Don'tknowaboutyou,''Tatereplied.”ButIknowexactlywhatI'mdoing."

ThethreepassengersstrippedofftheirArabrobesandstashedthemintheholdundersomesacksof
grain.They'ddonnedtheirEuropeanclothingthemorningoftheirdepartureandtheywerestill
wearingthemnow.Muftiwaswearinghisheaddress,butheborrowedasweatsuitfromanother
sailorandshaved.HelookedvaguelyAmericanwhenhewasthrough.

280

DianaPalmer

Brianne'ssilkslackswerehopelesslycrumpled,likeher.blouseandjacket.Sheknewherhairwasa
terriblemessandshewantedabathuntilitwasalmostpainful.Butshewasmoreworriedabout
reachingtheAmericancoastline.EvenwithSabon'sdubioushelp,itwasgoingtobeverydangerous.

"Idon'tevenhaveagun,"shemurmured.

Pierceglancedather."Whatbroughtthaton?"

"Wemayhavetofightourwayout,"shesaidsimply."Idoknowalittlekarate."

PiercenoddedtowardTate."Tenthdegreeblackbelt,taekwondo,"hetoldher.

Shewhistledthroughherteeth."Notbad,Mr.Winthrop."

"Whatwasyourdiscipline?"heaskedher.

Shesmiledruefully."Taichi,"shesaid."Ithoughtofthemovementsasballet."

"They'regraceful,"heagreed."Butifyouputspeedbehindthosegracefulmovements,theycankill."

"I'dbebetteroffwithatiretool,I'mafraid.Iwishyouhadasparegun."

"Canyoushootone?"heasked.

"I'mgreatwithlasertag."

"Thesetargetsshootbackandtheydon'tuse

OnceinParis281

blanks,"hereturned."You'dbetterleavetheshootingtous."

Shewonderedifsheshouldmentionthejudoclassesshe'dtaken.Shedecidednotto.Shealreadyfelt
likeathirdlegonthistrip.

283

OnceinParis

ChapterTwelve

Ihefourprospectivepassengerswandereddownthemarinaandblendedinnicelywiththetouristsin
port,intheirEuropeanclothing.Itwasn'thardtofindthevesselinthemarina.Itwasanother

freighter,butcleanermantheonethey'djustdeparted,withSpanishregistration.Itswirylittlecaptain
readthenoteSabonhadscribbled,tookalonglookatBrianneandofferedthemthehospitalityofhis
shipwithoutanyhesitationwhatsoever.

Theyweretakenbelow,andtheshipstartedupatonceinthemarinawhereitwasmoored.

"WhataboutcustomswhenwegettoMiami?"Brianneaskedworriedly."WhatifKurthassomeofhis
menwaitingthereforus?"

"Thisisn'tHollywood,"Piercereplied."Littlefishslipthroughbignets.We'refugitives,youknow.
Wedon'tdothiswithpassportsandsuitcases."

"Fugitives?"sheexclaimed.

Piercenodded."Ifwecomeintothecountryinanylegitimateway,wewon'tgettoacarbeforewe're
cutdownbyBrauer'smen.Wehavetosneakin."

"It'sillegal,"shegroaned."Wecouldgotojailforcircumventingcustoms!"

"She'scatchingon,"Tatemurmureddryly.

Sheshruggedbackherinhibitions.Onedid,afterall,havetorollwiththepunches.Atleastshe'dhave
companyinprison."Okay.Whatdowedo?"

"WeavoidMiamialtogether.ThiscaptainissailingtoSavannah.He'sletmeusehisradiotogetin
touchwithmypeopleintheStates.We'llgetoffwheretheywon'tbeexpectingus,"Tatetoldher.
"You'lllikeit.There'sacandyfactoryrighttherenexttotheharborwhereyoucangettheworld's
bestpralines."

"Canwebuysomewithoutgettingshot?"shewantedtoknow.

"Let'sfindout."

284

285

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

Piercefrowned."Ihopewecantrustthiscaptain."

"Wecan,"Tatesaidwithconviction.

"Howcanyoubesocertain?"Pierceasked.

TateglancedatBrianneandaway."Nevermindhow.ButIam."

"ThenIsupposewe'llhavetotrustyourinstincts."

"You'rereallygoingtowireMr.Sabonthemoneyheaskedfor?"Briannemurmuredastheywatched
thecoastlinegrowfartherawaythroughtheporthole.

"Godknowswhy,butIam,"Pierceagreed.

"He'snotabadman,"shepersisted."Heonlywantsabetterfutureforhispeople."

"Heshouldleavethatuptothesheikhwhoruleshislittlekingdom,"Piercemuttered."Andspeaking
ofthesheikh,insteadofrunningfortheborderwithhisbodyguardandhisharem,heshouldbeout
likeadecentleader,tryingtoworkonhiscountry'sbehalf."

"Heis,"Taterepliedwithoutlookingathim.

"Howdoyouknowthat?"

Tateturnedandlookedathim."DidyoulookcloselyatthesignatureonthatslipofpaperSabongave
you?"

Puzzled,Piercedrewitoutandstudiedit,withacuriousBriannepeeringoverhismusculararm.

Thescribblewasallbutundecipherable,exceptforaaembossedimpressionnearitthatwasonly
visiblewiththelightonitinacertainway.

"Younoticedtheringhewearsonhislittlefinger?"Tatepersisted.

"No.Ididn't."

"Itcontainsanofficialseal,"Tatesaid."Isawhimmaketheimpression.Youmightnoticethecrest.It's
thecoatofarmsoftheTafluksheikhdom."

Piercewasreallypuzzlednow."So?"

"WhodoyouthinkPhilippeSabonreallyis?"Tatemurmuredwithadrysmile.

Piercewasverystill."Notthesheikhhimself."

Tatechuckled."Notquite,buthewillbeoneday.Therulingsheikhishisfather,aratherrotundand

agedgentlemaninfailinghealth.Philippeisthepowerbehindthethronethesedays.Sohedidwhat
hisfathercouldn't;hedisguisedhimselfasawealthybusinessmanandwentouttoattractinvestorsto
develophis

287

OnceinParis

286

DianaPalmer

country'suntouchedoilreservesandkeephistreasuryfromgoingbankrupt."

"Whynotdoitashimself,then?"Brianneasked,astonished.

"Toorisky.Ifhewerekidnapped,hiscountrywouldbebankruptedevensoonertryingtoransom
him."Tatesmiled."Hellofanidea,wasn'tit?Andhealmostaccomplishedhisplan."

"Nowonderhehadsomuchpullinhisgovernment,"Pierceagreed."Hewasthegovernment."

"Hestillis,"Tatesaid."Andthatgroupofsoldiershesentovertheborderishispersonalguard,the
eliteofhisfather'smilitary.They'reonalevelwiththeBritishSAS,andthey'llrecruitmercenariesto
wbrkforthem,tohelptaketheircountryawayfromBrauer."

"NotunlesswecangettoWashingtonintimetostopBrauer'splanfromworking,orAmerican
troopsmaybombhimoutofexistence,thinkingthey'restoppingWorldWarffl,"Piercesaidgrimly.
"CanyougetamessagetoD.C.?"

Tatenodded."Butwho'sgoingtolistentouswithoutproof?WehavetotakeMuftitosomeonehigh
upinthesecretaryofstate'sof-

ficeandlethimspillhisguts.Thenwehavetowaitwhilethestoryischeckedout.Thewheelsof
progressturnslowlyatthediplomaticlevel."

"Mufti?"Briannerealizedsuddenlythattheyhadn'tseenMuftisincethey'dboardedtheship."Where
ishe?"

“Hefoundapokergamedownbelow,"Tatechuckled."Hehasn'tanythingtowagerexcept
matchsticks,butifwecangethimtoVegas,Ithinkhecanbreakthebank.He'sanatural."

ThementionofLasVegasmadeBrianneuneasy.Shedidn'tlookatPierce.Shedidn'tlike
rememberingthequick,unemotionalceremonythathadjoinedthemtogether.Hersadeyeswentto

thegoldbandonherringfingerandshetoucheditwistfully.Ifonlyhe'dbeenabletoloveher,justa
little.Whenthisadventurewasover,theyweregoingtheirseparateways.She'dbeadivorceelong
beforesheeverlearnedtobeawife.Notthathe'dcare,shemused.Hemightenjoyherinbed,but*bis
inhibitionsaboutbeingunfaithfultoMargowouldalwaysbetherebetweenthem.

Sheturnedawayandwenttotheportholetostareoutatthesea.

"IthinkI'llgocheckonMufti,"Tatesaid.

258

DianaPalmer

289

OnceinParis

Hewentthroughthehatchandcloseditgentlybehindhim.

PiercejoinedBrianneatthewindow."Onewayoranother,it'sbeenamomentousfewdays,"he
remarked.

"I'llbegladwhenthey'reover."Hervoicewasstrainedasshespoke.Shewaslyingthroughherteeth.
She'dratherbeindangerwithPiercethansafewithouthim,butshehadnochoiceleft.

Hestuckhishandsinthepocketsofhisslacksandstareddownatherbentheadsadly."I'msorryabout
theothernight,"hesaidalittlehesitantly."Inevermeantittohappen."

Sheshrugged."Noharmdone.Igotmyonenightafterall."

Hecaughtherarmandturnedhertowardhinu"Don'tmakeitsoundcheap,"hesaidshortly."It
wasn't."

Shesearchedhishardfacequietly."Goahead,then.Tellmehowyouwerethinkingofmeinsteadof
Margowhileyouweremakinglovetome."

Hisintakeofbreathwasevenlouderthanthethroboftheengines.Hestaredatherwithnarrow,
glitteringeyes,sointentlythatsheloweredherownquickly.

"Oh,damn,I'msorry,"shemutteredtightly."I'msorry!Butwebothknowyoudon'treallywantme,
Pierce,exceptasasubstitute.I'mtooyoungandtoounsophisticated,and,we'vealreadyagreedthat
I'mboundtoclingtoomuch."Sheliftedherresignedfacetohis."Let'sjustthinkofitasanexercise
inmutualattractionandletitgoatthat,"sheaddedinadull,lacklustertone."I'mlookingforwardto

college,youknow,"shesaidsuddenly,forcingasmiletoherface."I'dliketogototheSor-bonne,if
youdon'tmind.''

Hestuckhishandsinhisslackspocketsandstaredblanklyouttheporthole."Whateveryouwant."

"Youcangetaquietdivorcewhenwegethome,"sheadded,notlookingdirectlyathim.

"We'llflybacktoVegasforit,"hesaidwithacoldsmile."Ibelieveitcanbedoneintwenty-four
hours.I'llmakeallthearrangementsandletyouknowwhenI'vegotafreehourinmyschedule.I
expecttodoalotoftravelingwhenthisisover."

She'dhavelikedtodosomeherself,butshehadtobecontentwithParisagain.Shefeltasuddenchill
andwrappedherarmsaroundherselfforcomfortItmighthavebeenbetterif

291

OnceinParis

290

DianaPalmer

she'dlefthimtothatwallet-pinchingladyoftheeveninginParis,shemusedsilently.Atleastherown
poorheartwouldhavebeenspareditspresentstateofmisery.

Hestudiedhersilently,hisdarkeyesrunningfromherdisheveledblondhairtohersmallfeet.She
wasprettyandsweet,andinbedshewasallanymancouldask.Shelovedhim.Hewasthrowingall
thatawayforhisghost,sothathecouldgoonpretendingthatMargowasn'treallydead,thatshe'djust
goneawayforawhileandwouldcomeback.

Listeningtohisownthoughtsstartledhim.Didhereallybelievethat?Washewillingtobealonefor
therestofhislifebecausehecouldn'tfacetherealityofhisloss?

Hescowledashelookedattheslenderyoungwomannearhim.Howmanymenwouldn'tgodownon
theirkneestohavesuchaprettylittlethinglovethemunconditionally?Briannehadspiritandclass,
andaheartasbigasthewholeworld.She'dgoawaytocollegeandsomebright,eageryoungman
woulddiscoverallherassets.He'dwanther.Perhapshe'dtreatherasPierceneverhad,tenderly,with
constantattention,littlepresentsofflowersandcandyandtrinkets,late-nightphonecallsandlazy
lunches

andlatedinners.Theopera,perhaps,andthetheaterandconcerts.

Hedrewinawoundedbreath.Briannedeservedthatsortofattention.Shewasarareandunusualgirl.

No,shewasarareandunusualwoman,heremindedhimself,andhisbodybegantothrobashe
recalledherinitiationatbishands.Shewassweetheaventolove.Herskinwassoft,likeapetal
wannedbythesun.Herbodyrippledwhenhetouchedit.Sheneverheldbackorplayedgameswith
him.Hecoulddoanythinghelikedtoher,andsheacceptedhimeagerly.Buthewasgoingtowalk
awayfromherbecausehecouldn'tacceptthereality,thefinality,ofhisbelovedMargo'spassing.
Margowasdead.Shewouldn'tcomeback.He'dbealoneforever.

Briannesensedbispainandsheturned,lookingupathimwithsoft,curiousgreeneyesthat

lovedhim.

Heglaredather.Sabonhadgonetothistrouble,arrangedthispassage,forBrianne.Why?Whathad
shegiventhemaninreturn?

Jealousy,newandsurprisinglyfierce,surgedthroughhimandleftafaintblushacrosshishigh
cheekbones.

293

OnceinParis

292

DianaPalmer

"WhatdidyoudowithSabon?"heaskedabruptly.

"Ibegyourpardon?"

"Whyishegoingtosomuchtroubleonyouraccount?"Heshifted,hiseyesnarrowing."Whatdid
yougivehim,Brianne?"headdedinadangerouslysofttone.

"I—Igavehimnothing,"shestammered.

"Don'thandmethat!Hisreputationcan'tbeallconjectureandlies!"

Shecouldn'ttellhimaboutSabon.Itwouldbecruelandunfair,topermithimtobemadea
laughingstock,anobjectofpityinaworldwheremasculinitywasdefinedbycapability.Piercemight
onedaymentionittosomeone.Itwouldbedevastatingenoughforacommonman,butforsomeone
whowouldonedayruleasheikhdom,inaverymasculinepartoftheworld,itwasunthinkable.

ShestaredbravelyintoPierce'sangryeyes."Believewhatyoulike,"shesaidfinally."IfyouthinkI'm
deviousenoughtousemybodyasabargainingtool,thenyoudon'tknowme,anyway."

"Suchasweetbody,"hemurmured,buthismeasuredscrutinyofitwaslewdandinsulting."Enough
tomakeamandoanything,evengo

againsthisownprinciples.Iimagineheenjoyedit"

"Atleasthewasn'tthinkingofanotherwomanandcallingmebyhername!"sheexclaimed,tornby
thememoryofPiercedoingjustthat.

Hisfacepaled.Hecouldn'tevendenyit.Butwhathithimhardestwasheradmissionthatshe'dgone
fromhimtoSabon.Heclenchedhisfistsinhispocketsandfoughtdownhomicidalrage.Hewouldn't
giveSabonapennytomounthiscounterrevolution.He'dkillhiminstead!

Briannerealizedtoolatewhatshe'ddonetoSabon'schancesforaloan.Shedidn'tquiteknowhowto
repairit.

Shefoldedherhandsatherwaistwithalongsigh."Hewantedto,butIcouldn't,"shelied,averting
hereyestothefloor.ItwasPhih'ppewhocouldn't,butnoneedtotellPiercethat.

"Why?"

"BecauseI'mmarried!"sheshoutedathim,lividandwoundedbybissarcasm,byhiswillingnessto
believethatshecouldbetrayhim."Evenifyoudon'tconsideryourselfmyhusband,I'mnotgoingto
cheatonyouwithanotherman!"

Heknewshewastellingthetruth,andhefelt

295

OnceinParis

294

DianaPalmer

ashamedofhissuspicions.Jealousywasnewtohim.Hedidn'tlikeit.

"Allright,"hesnapped,irritatedbyhisownerraticbehavior."I'msorry."

Sheshruggedandturnedaway."Youcan'thelphowyoufeel,Pierce,"shesaidstiffly."I'mgratefulfor
whatyou'vedoneforme,especiallysinceitseemsthewholecharadewasunnecessary.Philippeonly
wantedtobringmetotheislandsothatKurtwouldthinkhewasseriousaboutmarryingme.Hewas
suretheprospectofallthatmoneyinthefamilywouldkeepKurtfrombackingoutofthedealwith

hisinvestment.Hewaswrong."

"Whyareyousuddenlywillingtocredithimwithnoblemotives?"

"Becausewetalkedalittle,"sherepliedhonestly."Andhismentalkedabouthim.Fromthebeginning
he'dhadhissightsonme,asameanstogetKurtinvolvedintheoilwells.Hepretendedaninterestin
me,andKurtdangledmeasbaittoreelusbothin,seeingamergerthatwouldguaranteehim
financialsecurity."Shelaughed."Howstupidhemusthavefeltwhenhediscoveredthatitwasalla
farce,thatPhilippewasn'tamultimillionaire,thatheonlyneededKurttoapproachtheconsortium
andin-

vestinhisoildevelopment"Sheshookherhead."Kurtisavindictiveman,"sheaddedquietly."He'll
killPhilippeifhecan.He'slosthisshirt.Hemaynotevenbeabletobuygunsonconsignmenttosell
topeopleintheMiddleEast.Ifitgetsoutthathe'shiredmentoinvadeandoverthrowasheikhdom,
theinternationalcommunitywillgoafterhim.Hecan'taffordtoleaveanywitnessesaround."

"You'reabsolutelyright,"Pierceagreed.'TildowhatIcanforSabon,"headdedreluctantly."Butnot
becauseIwantto.Ijustdon'twantBrauertogetawaywithit."

“NeitherdoI."Sheturnedandstaredathim

quietly."Philippeisn'tatallwhatheseems.

Despitehispowerandwhateverwealthhere

alizesfromhisoildevelopment,hehassolit

tle."J*

"Tellmewhy,"Piercedemanded.

Sheshookherhead."Itisn'tmysecrettotell."Shewalkedawayfromhimandsatdownonaboxed
cratenearby.”HowlongwillittaketogettoSavannah?"

"I'mnotsure,"hereplied,distracted."Whydon'tyoutrytogetsomesleep?I'mgoingtofindTateand
Mufti."

Shelookedaround.Thereweresomeold

297

296

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

sacksnearby.Shelaydownonthemandpillowedhercheekonherhand.Shehadn'trealizedhow
tiredshewas.

"Theywon'tgetus,willthey?"sheaskeddrowsily.

"No."Hesoundedsupremelyconfident.Shesmiledandwenttosleep.

ThefreighterpulledintoSavannahharborandthefourpassengersintheholdweresuddenly
confrontedbymenindarksuits.

Thetallestofthethreenewcomersglancedfromonetensefacetoanother,thenlingeredonTate's.A
lookpassedbetweenthem.

"U.S.Customs,"thetall,suitedmansaidabruptly,andflashedopenawallet,showingabadge.He
closeditbeforeitcouldbeseenclearly."Comewithus,please."

Thefourpassengersweremarchedupondeck.BriannefeltforPierce'shandandheldontight.She
wasseeingalengthytrialwhiletheytriedtoexplaintheirpredicament,followedbyajailsentence.
Shehatedclosedplaces.She'dnevergettocollege.She'dneverbearealwifeandmother.She'dbea
jailbird.

Onceinsideatthecustomsgate,theywerestoppedbyothercustomsofficialswholistened

tothecurtexplanationthetallmangavethem.Therewassomedifficulty,butitwasquicklysorted
out,andBrianneandhercompanionswerehustledfromthebuildingandoutintothehumidheatof
Savannahwithitsperfectsquaresandliveoaksandsecretgardens.Briannelongedtoseeitall,but
shewasn'tatourist.

Theirescortsledthemdownthesideofthebuilding,intotwowaitingstretchlimousines.Black,of
course.

"We'vebeencapturedbythe'meninblack,'''Briannemoanedastheywaitedforthesuitstogetinto
thecar."We'ftneverbeseenagain!"

Tatechuckled.Whenthetallmanwasinthefrontseatandthecarwasmoving,heopenedtheglass
partitionandleanedovertheplushblackleatherseat.

"Idamnednearhadtodeckthecustomsguy,"thetallmanmuttered."Whycouldn'tyoujustflyinto
Miami?"

"Wewereexpectedmere,"Tatesaid.HeheldoutahandandtheothermanhandedhimanUzi.Heslid

itunderhisjacket.Heglancedathispuzzledcompanions."ThisisMarl-boro,"heintroducedthem.
"Heworksforme,"headded."Sodotheothertwo."

299

OnceinParis

295

DianaPalmer

"You'renotcustomsofficials?"Brianneburstout.

"No,butwedidusedtobelongtothegovernment,"thetallmansaidsheepishly."I'dtellyouwhich
part,butthenI'dhaveto..."

"Shootus,"Briannemuttered.Shesighed."See?Everybodysaysthat!"shetoldPierce.

"That'strue.Butheisn'tkidding,either,"Tatemurmureddryly.

Hereyeswidened."Really?"

Thetallmangrimaced."Idon'tlikeshootingwomen."

Brianneactuallygasped.

"Itwasonlyonewoman,andsheturnedouttobeamaleforeignnationalwithapackofplastique
hiddeninher...his...well,nevermind,"Tatemuttered."Anyway,itwasamatterofnationalsecurityand
the'woman'drewfirst."

"Wheredowegofromhere?"Pierceasked,confidentthathissecuritychiefwouldgetthemwhere
theyweregoinginonepiece.

"StraighttoD.C.,"Tatereplied."Bywayofaprivateairstrip."

TrustTatetoknowsomeoneeverywhereheneededassistance,Piercethoughtamusedlyasthecar
pulledoffonadirtroadandstopped,

finally,atadesertedairstripwhereasmalljetwasparkedandwaiting.

"Don'ttellme,"Piercemurmuredastheyclimbedaboardthesmall,neataircraft."Someoneowedyou
afavor."

"Well,hedid,"Tatesaidenigmatically,andgrinned."Sodidthispilot."

"HiringyouwasthebestthingIeverdid,"Piercetoldhim.

Tatechuckled."I'mgladyounoticed.I'llsit

upfront."

Briannefoundherselfsandwichedinbetweenthetwosecuritymen,withanirritatedPierceanda
silentbutamazedMuftiacrosstheaislefromthem.

"Youmarried?"thetallermanaskedBrianneexpectantly.

"Yes,sheis,"Piercesaidtersely.

"Geewhiz,thebestonesalwaysare,"thetallmansaid."Guessyourhusbandwillbegladtoseeyou
backhomeandsafe,huh?"

"Herhusbandissittingacrosstheaislefromyou,"Piercesaidinavoicethatwaspleasantenough;it
washiseyesthatmadethreats.

Thetallermanunfastenedhisseatbeltandgotupatonce,movingtoaseatbehind

301

OnceinParis

300

DianaPalmer

Brianne."Sorry,Mr.Hutton,"hesaidinastrainedvoice.

"Noharmdone."Piercedidn'tmovetositbesideBrianne.Heleanedbackandclosedhiseyes.

Brianneglaredathim.Somehusband,shethoughtangrily.Doginthemanger,morelike.Sheclosed
herowneyesandshuthimout.

Astheysuspected,theplanedidn'tlandinWashington,D.C.ItlandedonapalatialestateinVirginia,
whichBriannelearnedlaterwasownedbyashadowyfigurewithtiestotheworldofespionage.He,
too,apparentlyowedTateafavor.

Acarwaswaitingforthem,andthreemoresuitedmenwerestandingaroundit,alsowearing

sunglasses,andcarryingautomaticweapons.

"Aren'tautomaticweaponsillegal?"Brianneaskedworriedly.

“Ofcourse,''Tateassuredher.

"IsawtheUziyouweregiveninthelimousine,"sheremarked."Theselookjustthesame."

Henodded."That'swhattheyare,allright."

Shestaredathim.Hisleanfacedrewintoa

smile.

"Youaren'tgoingtotellmeanything,areyou,Mr.Winthrop?"sheasked.

Hewasstillsmiling.

"Youmightaswellgiveup,"Piercetoldher."Whenhesmiles,you'vealreadylosttheadvantage.The
hellofitisthathealmostneversmiles,andonthistriphe'sdonelittleelse."

"1liketightescapes,"Tatesaidwithashrug."Lifehasbeenmostlyboringintheoilindustry...untila
fewdaysago."

"Nowthatwe'resafelyhome,"Piercereplied,"weneedtofindtheundersecretaryoftheState
DepartmentandletMuftitellwhathe

knows."

"Noproblem,"Tatesaid."I'vealreadyhadmymenphonenunandbriefhimonwhat'sbeen
happening.There'sagroupofintelligencepeoplewaitingforusevenaswespeak.Let's

getrolling."

"Brianne,youcomewithme,"Piercesaidwhenshehesitatedaboutwhichofthetwolimousinestoget
into.

Shejoinedhim,notingthathebarelytouchedherarmtolethergetinsidefirst.Theiradventurewas
nearlyover,andshehadnoideawhat

302

DianaPalmer

ChapterThirteen

layinstoreforthem.Allsheknewwasthatverysoon,Piercewasgoingtodivorceher.

Shesparedathoughtforhermotherandhalfbrother.ShehopedthatTatecouldkeephispromise
aboutgettingherfamilysafelyawaybeforeKurtreturnedfromtheStates.Shealsothoughtof
Philippe.Shehopedthathecouldretakehisgovernment.Hemighthaveastrangewayofgoingabout
it,buthedidcareforhispeople.

ShesatbesidePierce,awareofhim,butnotspeakingasthebigcarateupthemilesheadingnorth.

ApparentlythemysteriousMr.Winthrophadcoveredhistracksverywell,Briannethoughtasthebig
carspedtowardWashington,D.C.Theyweren'tbeingfollowed,hesaid,andhemustknow,because
hehadallsortsofelectronicgadgetsupandworking.SheunderstoodwhyPiercehadhiredhim.Very
likelythegovernmentagencythesemenhadbelongedtowasconnectedinsomewaytotheCIA.For
allsheknew,itmighthavebeentheCIA.Theywerequiet,veryprofessional,andlookedcapableof
handlinganyeventuality.

TheoneconcessionTatemadetocomfortwastostopinCharlestonatasmallpinkbuild-

305

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

304

ingwithwrought-ironbalconiesandpalmtreesandtropicalvegetationalloverthesandylot
surroundingit.

"BestseafoodinCharleston,"Tatesaidastheotheroccupantsofthecardisembarked."Mills,check
aroundtheperimeterandmakesurewe'resecure."

"Yes,sir,"theotheragentsaidatonce,andwenttodoashewastold.

"It'safamilybusiness,"Tatetoldthemastheywentupthewidestepsintotherestaurant"I'veknown
theownerforsomeyears.Hewaswithmeoverseaswhen...Well,nevermind,he'safriend."

ItwassomethingofashocktoseethattheownerofaconservativelittleCharlestonseafood

restaurantwasanotherNativeAmerican,almostastallasTate,withsparklingblackeyesanda
ponytail.

ThetwomenshookhandsandspokeinalanguageBriannehadneverheard.

''ThisisMikeSmith,''Tateintroducedthem:"That'snothisrealname,butit'swhathe'sgonebyfor
severalyears.Heandhiswifeanddaughterruntherestaurant."

"You'realongwayfromSouthDakota,"Piercesaidwithagrinastheyshookhands.

"Ilikefish,"hereplied,chuckling."Nobodyelseinmyfamilyeatsit,butaseafoodrestaurant
soundedlikeagooddeal."

"Hewonitinapokergame,"Tatesaid,tongueincheek."That'swhyitsoundedlikeagoodidea."

"Don'tknockit,"theothermanreplieddryly."Imakeagoodliving."

Tatelaughed,thenchangedthesubject."WeneedtogetintoD.C.unseen.Anyideas?"

Theothermanbecamesomberandpensive."Givemetenminutes.Inthemeantime,sitdownandI'll
haveMaggiebringyouamenu."

"Thanks,"Tatesaid."I'lloweyouone."

"Youalreadyowemethree,"Smithreplied."AndwhenIcollect,you'dbetterbeingreatshape."

"I'lldomybest!"

Theyhadaquicklunch.Itwas,indeed,someofthebestseafoodBriannehadevertasted.Sheloved
thesetting.Throughthepicturewindow,shecouldseesomethingofthecharmingoldcityfrom
whoseharborthefirstshotoftheCivilWarwasfired.TherewereSouthernmansionsandsmall
houses,palmtreesandsand.It

306

DianaPalmer

307

OnceinParis

wasvaguelyreminiscentofarchitecturalstylesintheCaribbean,andshesaidso.

"Itis,isn'tit,"Piercemusedashesippedhiscoffee."AlotofSouthCarolinaplanterssettledinthe
Caribbeanafterthewar,toavoidtakingtheOathofAllegiancetotheUnion.Someeventually
returnedhere.Infact,therewereseveralpiratesfromtheCarolinas."

"Irememberreadingabouttheminschool,"Briannereplied.

Itwasareminderofhowyoungshewas.Pierceturnedhiseyestowardherandstudiedherwithquiet
remorse.Sheshouldbedatingboysherownage,havingrun,learningaboutlifeandtheworld
aroundher.Instead,shewasmarriedtoamucholdermanandrunningforherverylifefromagang
ofcutthroats,notunlikethepirateshe'djustmentioned.

Shecaughthisintensescrutinyandturnedtolookathim."What'swrong?"sheaskedsoftly.

"I'mcountingmyregrets,"hesaid.Hisblackeyesnarrowed."Youshouldneverhavebeenmixedup
inthis."

"Blamemymother,"shereturned.Shegrimaced."SheandIhavehadourdifferences,

butIdocareaboutherandaboutNicky,too.Iexpectshe'sscaredtodeath."

"IaskedTateaboutherwhileyouwerefresheningupintheladies'room,"hereturned."Hesaidthat
hismaninFreepprtgotherontoaship,withthechild,andtheysailedforJamaica.He'sgotfamilyin
MontegoBay.He'llhidehermereuntilthethreat'sover."

"Oh,thankGod!"sheexclaimed,wipingawayquicktearsofrelief.

"Tate'sresourceful,"hemurmured.Heglancedaroundhimatthesuitedmenatvarioustablesand
noticedthattheyhadPierceandBriannecompletelyenclosedwithoutitbeingobvious.Nobodycould
threatenthemwithoutgoingthroughTate'speople.

"Heis,indeed.Heisn'tmarried,ishe?"sheadded,justtomakeconversation.

"No,he'snot.There'sayoungladyinD.C.who'dgiveherrightarmforhim,buthewon'tlethernear
him,"hementioned."Heputherthroughschoolandstillkeepsacarefuleyeonhersafety.Ifthere'sa
womaninhislife,it'sCecily,butyou'dnevergethimtoadmitit.Strictlyaplatonicrelationship,you
see,onhisside.Orsohesays."

"Poorwoman,"shemurmured,thinkingpri-

309

OnceinParis

308

DianaPalmer

vatelythatsheandtheshadowyCecilyhadalotincommon.

"She'saforensic-anthropologist,workingonherdoctorateatGeorgeWashingtonUniversity,"he
murmured."DoesalotofworkfortheFBI."

"Howexciting!"

"Iwouldn'tcalllookingatdeadbodiesexciting,"hesaidquietly."She'softencalledupontoidentify
peoplefromskeletalremains."

"Ilikedanthropology,"shereplied,"Ionlyhadonecourseinit."Shepursedherlips."MaybeIcould
studyitincollege."

Hisfaceclosedup."Maybeyoucould."

"Butaccountingisgoingtobemymajor,"shesaid."Ilovenumbers."

"LearnitwellandI'llgiveyouajob."

Sheglancedathimwithawansmile."No,thanks.IexpecttofindajobasfarawayfromyouasIcan
get."

Hescowled."Why?"

Sheputdownhercupandwipedhermouthwiththemiennapkin."Don'tbedense,Pierce,itdoesn't
suityou,"shereplied."Iwon'tspendtherestofmylifeeatingmyheartoutbecauseyoudon'twant
me.ThatwillbeeasierifTmsomeplacewhereyouaren't."

Heclenchedhisjawhard."Itwasinfatuation,coupledwiththefascinationofyourfirstsexual
experience,"hesaidbluntly."That'sallitwas.You'reveryyoung.You'llgetoverit."

"OfcourseIwill,"shesaid,rising."JustlikeyougotoverMargo."

Sheturnedandwenttowardtherestroom.

Tatecameandsatdownbesidehimtheminutesheleft."There'sacomplication,"hesaidshortly.
"Brauerhaslearnedthatwe'reintheStatesandhe'sgothismentrackingus.It'sjustamatterofhours
beforetheyfindus.Smithsayshecansmuggleusontoashrimpboatintheharbor.Itwillbesmelly,
butwewon'thavetoriskagunbattle—unlessyouwantto."

"NotwithBrianneinthelineoffire,"Piercerepliedatonce.

"That'swhatIexpected.We'llgorighttotheboat.Smith'sgoingtodriveusthereinhisvan.Mymen
willgetbackintothestretchlimosandcontinuetoD.C/'

"Theymightbeattacked."

"Theycanhandlethemselves,"Tatereplied."Andtwoofthemdon'tbelongtous.They'refederal."

"What?"

"That's'needtoknow.'Youdon't."Hegot

311

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

310

up."IfBrauer'smenjumpthem,they'llbeontheirwaytoprisonimmediatelyafterward."

"You'reastrategicgenius,"Piercemurmured.

"That'swhatmydrillsergeantintheGreenBeretsusedtosay."Tategrinned.

Piercewipedhismouthanddroppedthelinennapkintothetable."Thefoodherereallyisfirstclass."

"Itoldyou.Smithhashismoments."

"Wewon'tbeendangeringhisfamily?"

Tatelookedaroundthemandleanedcloser."The'family'ishiscover.He'snotrelatedtoanyone
here."

"Brauerwon'tknowthat."

"Nevermind.Ifhesendsgoonsinhere,they'llcomeoutlookinglikefreshsausage.Andthat'sallI'll
sayonthematter.Let'sgo."

Piercegavehissurroundingsanotherquickscrutiny.Thewaitersweretallandwellbuilt.Thewoman,
Maggie,hadshortblackhairandblueeyesandrealmusclesunderthatthinT-shirt.Shewastallfora
woman,too.Infact,shehadarealmilitarybearing.Somethingwasmysterioushere.NotunlikeTate

himself.

ButPiercehadnotimeforconjecture.HefollowedTatetothedoor,whereBriannehad

justreappeared.Mikeloadedthemintothevanandtookofffortheharbor.Themeninsuitsdidn't
evenwave.TheygotbackintotheircarsandfollowedtheVanoutontothehighway.ButwhenMike
turnedofftowardthebay,theotherscontinuednorth.

"Nooffense,butI'mreallytiredofships,"Briannemutteredastheysatinthehold.oftheshrimp
vesselwiththesmellofitsrecentcargoallaroundthem.

"ImustconfessthatIamtiredofthemaswell,"Mufti,who'dkepthissilenceformostofthetrip,
replied.Hesighed."Mypoorpeople,"headdedquietly.

"MonsieurSabonwillprotectthem,"sheassuredhim.

"Weareenemies,"heprotested."HewillwantrevengebecauseIspiedonhiminhishousehold."

"Hesaidhewouldn't,"sheremindedhim.

Heshrugged."Thingsareunsettled.IftheAmericanscomewiththeirbombers,manywilldie.Evenif
mycountryisnotblamedfortheuprising,itwillsuffer."

Sheputagentlehandonhisarm."Mufti,thingshappenthewaythey'resupposedto.It

313

312

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

maynotbelogical,butthereitis.Youhavetoacceptwhatyoucan'tchange."

Hegrimaced."Ahardthingtodo."

"Forallofus.Butusually,wehavelittlechoice."

Henodded.

Sheglancedtowardtheotherendofthehold,wherePierceandTatewerespeakinginhushed
whispers.ShewonderedwhynoneofTate'smenhadcomewiththem.Surelythey'dbesaferunder

armedguard.Butperhaps'hethoughtthatitwouldbelessconspicuousthisway.

Astheychuggedupthecoastline,Briannewentoutondeckforsomeair.Twocrewmenwhowere
mendingthehugenetsthattheshipusedtocatchshrimpwerewatchingherstealthily.Sheglancedat
them,puzzledbecausetheydidn'treallylooklikefishermen.Theyhadclean,neathandswithtrimmed
nailsandnodirtbeneaththem.Theirshoes,deckshoes,lookedbrand-new.Theywerebothwearing
lightweightdarkjackets,andtherewerebulgesunderthem.Theyliftedtheirheadsandstaredather
withthatsameunsmiling,seriousgazeshe'dcometoexpectfrommenlikeTateWinthrop.Andthat
waswhenitallclickedintoplace.Thiswas

noshrimpboat.Itwasafacsimileofashrimpboat,butwithacrewthatprobablycamenocloserto
searchingforfishthanwithaforkinarestaurant.

HerarmwasgraspedfirmlybyPierce'sbig,leanhand,andshewasledbackdownintothehold.

"We'rewithintelescopedistanceofthecoast,andhelicopterscanreachushere,"hesaidfirmly.
"Don'tgooutondeckagain."

Shelookedhimstraightintheeye."Thisisn'tashrimpboat."

"Clevergirl,"hemused."No,itisn't."

"WhoisSmith?"

"Aprofessionalmercenary,"herepliedquietly."Andnotoneofthosebloodthirstyassassinsyour
stepfatherhired.Smithonlytakesonafewjobs,andtheyhavetomeetastrictcriteria.He'sworked
forourgovernmentatimeortwo."Heputhisfingeragainstherlips."Youdidn'thearthatfromme.
Youknownothing."

"Ifeellikeaspy,"shemused,enjoyingthetouchofhisskinagainstherlipswhenshespoke.

"Doyou?"Heframedherfaceinhisbighandsandbenttotakehermouthtenderly,

314

315

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

gently,underhis."Trytostayoutoftrouble,"hewhisperedintoheropenlips.

"Who,me?"sherepliedunsteadily."Inevergolookingforit,itjustseemstofindme."Shereached
upwithherarms."Comebackhere,"shemurmured,tuggingathisneck.Hesighedwithresignation,
smiledandliftedheruptohiswaitingmouth.Itwasalong,hungrykissthatneverseemedto.end.But
beforeitbecameurgent,hesetherbackonherfeetwithajolt.

"I'mdivorcingyoutomorrow,"hesaid-Shesearchedhiseyes,hopingforhumor,buttherewasn'tany.
Hewasserious.

"Areyousure?"sheasked."Icouldmakeitworthyourwhiletokeepme.""Oh?"

Shestaredathismouth,hischin,histhickwavyhair.Shemethissearchingeyessquarely."Pierce,
don'tyouwantachild?"sheaskedsoftly.

Thereactionshegotwasunexpectedlyviolent.Hejerkedherhandsdownandpushedheraway
firmly."No,Idon'twantachild,"hesaidthroughhisteeth."Notever!"

Shewasalittlesurprisedbyhisvehemence."Whynot?"

Hiseyeswereflashingdangersignals."Don'taskmethat."

"Iwanttoknow,"shepersisted."Whydon'tyouwantchildren?"

Heturnedawayfromherinanagonyofgriefandloss.HerememberedthebabyheandMargohad
anticipated,thejoyofherpregnancy,thedreamsthey'dshared.Hermiscarriageandthesubsequent
knowledgethatshecouldneverbearanotherchildhadshatteredbothofthem.HetoldBrianneofthe
loss,nevermeetinghereyes.

"Oh,nowIsee,"shesaidinaresignedtone."Margolosthers,soyoudon'twantonewithanyone
else."

Hejammedhisfistsintohispockets."Dreamsdiehard."

"Tellmeaboutit,"shereturnedharshly.

"Achildwouldmakeatiewecouldn'tbreak,"hesaid,notgivinganinch."Divorcewouldbe
impossible."

"Why?"sheasked."Don'tyouthinkIcouldraiseababyonmyown?I'mnothelpless."

Heturnedslowlyandlookedather."Therewon'tbeachild,Brianne,"hesaid."Idon'twantonewith
you."

316

DianaPalmer

317

OnceinParis

Thatwasthehardestblowofall.Hewasn'triskinghisheartagain,eitherwithawomanora
pregnancy.Hisemotionsweregoingtohibernate.He'dalreadywithdrawnfromBrianneinmost
respects;nowhewasfortifyingbarriers.Hedidn'twantanythingthatwouldbindthem,leastofalla
child.

Itwasaninterestingcomment,whensheknewquitewellthatshewasn'ttakingthepillandthey'dbeen
intimateattheverybesttimeforachildtobeconceived.Well,hedidn'tknowthatandhewouldn't
knowit.Hedidn'twantachildwithher,soifonehappened,he'dbethelastpersonintheworldto
knowaboutit,shedecided.Itwouldbeherbaby.Hersalone.

"I'llrememberthatyousaidthat,"sherepliedquietly.Sheevensmiled.Sheturnedawaywithalong
sigh."ArewegoingstraighttotheCapitol?"sheaskedpleasantly.

Heponderedherquestion,whichtemporarilydivertedhim."Nearenough.Allwehavetodoisgetto
theSenateofficebuildingwithoutbeingshot."

Shelaughed."Whatareassuringwaytoputit."

"Tateandtheseguyswillgetusthere,"hesaid.

"Ihopeyou'reright."Shewenttotheportholeandlookedout.Therewasonlymilesofoceantosee,
buteventhatwaspreferabletohavingtolookatherhusband'sclosedface.

Piercewasfeelingguiltyaboutwhathe'dsaidtoher.Butitwouldn'thavebeenfairtoletherhopethat
anythingwasgoingtochange.She'dgotocollegeandhe'dgobacktowork.Achildwould
only...complicatethings.HiseyesnarrowedashelookedatBrianneandhadasudden,shocking
pictureofherwithanursingbabyatherbreast.She'dbeaperfectmother,hethoughtirritably,She'd
doalltherightthingsforit,cherishandloveit.Itwouldbeawantedchild,aneededchild.Heclosed
hiseyes.Hecouldn'taffordtolethimselfthinkthatway.Shewastooyoungtomakethatsortof
commitmenttoaman,hewascertainofit.Hewasn'triskinghisheartonagamble.Hegaveherone
last,lingeringlookandwenttofindTate.

TheshrimpboatpulledintoalittlemarinaneartheriverinletthatledtoWashington,D.C.Along
blacklimousinewaswaitingforthethreepassengerswhocameupondeckwhentheboatdocked.

Alean,darkmaninasuitgotoutandap-

319

OnceinParis

318

DianaPalmer

preachedtheboat,flankedbytwoofTate'smenwho'dmettheminSavannah.

"Lane,"Tatesaid,shakinghandswiththenewcomer,whowasalmostastallashimself.

"Goodtoseeyou,boss,"ColbyLaneansweredwithabriefsmilethatwasmorelikeagrimacein
Pierce'sdirection.

"Youcandropthesweettalk,"Piercemuttered."Myfisthasalmosthealed."

Colbyrubbedhisjaw."Sohasmyjaw,"hemused."Iwon'tmakethatmistakeagain!"

"Seethatyoudon't,"Piercerepliedpleasantly."Haveanytroublegettinghere?"

"AminorskirmishattheMarylandborder,"hereplied."TwoofBrauer'smenarenowinfederal
custody/'

"Goodforyou."

"Let'sgo,"Colbysaid."We'restillbeingfollowed,butIthinkwecanoutrunthem."

"Everybodyinside,"Tatesaid,motioningbiscompanionsintothecar.

Muftigrimacedashecomparedhissweatstothedignifiedsuitsofthepeoplewithhim."Ilooknot
veryconvincinginsuchclothing,"hemurmureduneasily.

"Youlookquiteconvincingtome,"Tatereplied,andsmiledathim."Nobodyisgoingtoexpectany
ofustolookbandboxfresh."He

wrinkledhisnoseatthewaytheyallsmelled."Goodtfaing,too.Wesmelllikeacheapshrimp
dinner."

"Andmanydaysold,too,"Briannemurmuredwithasubduedchuckle.

"We'vetrackedSenatorHoldentohishottub,"Tatetoldthem."He'llsmellbetterthanwedo,buthe
won'tbeasnicelydressed."

"IsthatBrauer'sfriend?"

Tateshookhishead."Wewouldn'triskapproachinghim,underthecircumstances.Brauer'sprobably
gothimconvincedthatwe'redangeroussubversives.No,Holdenis..."Hehesitatedandavertedhis
eyes."He'ssomeoneIknow.Cockyasallhell,andhardtotalkto,buthe'shonestandfair.He'llgive
usahearing."

Somethingwassuspiciousthere,butPiercedidn'tpushhissecuritychiefforinformation.Itwas
hardlythetime.HeglancedatBriannewithrenewedworry.Nothingwasgoingthewayhe'dplanned,
lately,leastofallhisprivatelife.He'dbegladwhenthiswasoverandhecouldmakedecisions.

321

OnceinParis

ChapterFourteen

TheridethroughthecapitalwasoneBriannewasn'tlikelytoforget.Anotherblacklimousinepicked
themupastheyheadedintoD.C.,andshotswerefiredatthemfrombehind.Shedidn'trealizethecar
wasarmoredandhadbulletproofglassuntilshesawthelackofeffectthebulletshad.

"Pullintothenextlane,"Tatetoldthedriver,pullinghisautomaticweaponfromunderhisjacket.His
friendColbydidthesame.

"Don'tgetshot,"Piercemuttered.

Tatelookedshocked."I'mbulletproof,"hesaidhaughtily.

"Me,too,"Colbyagreed.

"Allright.Butbecareful."

Thecarstoppedandthetwomenleapedoutofthedoorssimultaneously,slammingthemshutonthe
wayout.

Itwaslikeballet,Briannemused,spellboundasshewatchedtheactionthroughthetintedwindows.

Themeninthecarthathadbeenfollowingthemjumpedoutoftheirownstoppedvehicleandstarted
firingnonstop.Thegunfirewasreturned,butinshort,sharpbursts.

"SASstyle,"Piercemused.

"What?"Brianneasked.

"Twoshots,pause,twoshots."

"What'sanSAS?"

"TheBritishspecialforces."

"Oh,thoseguys!"sheexclaimed."I'vereadaboutthem."

"Everybody'sreadaboutthem,butTateonceservedwiththemonahush-hushmissionintheMiddle
Eastintheearlynineties."

"Isthereanythinghehasn'tdone?"sheasked,aghast.

"Notmuch."Hewaswatchingtheaction,too.Suddenly,PiercepulledBriannetohimandhidherface
inhisshirt,holdingherevenwhen

323

322

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

shetriedtodrawaway."Staythere,"hesaidcurtly.

"Why?"shedemanded,hervoicemuffledbyhisshirt.

"Youdon'tneedtoseethis."

Thegunfirehadstopped.Secondslater,Tatewasbackinthecar,leavingColbybehind.Anotherofthe
suitedmennoddedtowardTateandgotout,slammingthedoorbehindhim.

"They'llphonetheappropriateauthoritiesandclearthisup,"Tatesaid."Getgoing,"hetoldthedriver.
Hedidn'tsayanotherwordfortwoorthreeminutes."Youcanletherupnow.They'reoutofsight."

PierceletBrianneliftherhead."I'mnolily,"shemutteredasshepushedbackherdisheveledhair.

"You'renorock,either,"Piercetoldherfirmly.Hecaughthersmallhandinhisandhelditwarmly.
Hewasgoingtomissher,hemusedsadly.Shewastheonlyreasonhe'dhadtosmileinrecentmonths.

Thesmilefadedashetriedtopicturehislifewhenshewasn'tinit.Hedidn'tlikewhathesaw.

Shedrewherhandawaywithamockglare."Youdon'thavetoholdmyhand.Iwouldn'thityou,"she
saidinnocently."Well,notvery

hard."SheglancedtowardTate,wholookedunapproachableandtaciturnasthecarturnedintoalong
drivewaythatledtoaGeorgianmansionhiddenbehindsometrees.

"IthoughtweweregoingintoD.C.,"Pierce

remarked.

"Weare,whenwegetthroughhere.Thesenator'shadthefluandhe'sconfinedhereforanotherday
ortwo.Colbyspoketohim.Hethinks,consideringwhatwe'vejustsustained,thisisthesafestwayto
proceed."Hecheckedhiswatch."Rightontime,too."

IfBriannewaspuzzled,sowasPierce.Hissecuritychiefwasoneofthebestinthebusiness,butthe
manwasirritatinglytaciturnsometimesabouthisobjectivesandhowheaccomplishedthem.

"You'resureHoldenwon'tturnusin?"Pierceasked.

"Oh,I'msure,"Tatesaid.Hedidn'tsmile.Ifanything,helookedtenseanduneasy.

Theygotoutofthecaratthefrontdoor,andwithwaryglancesallaround,theyrushedintothehouse
thatabutlerwasholdingopenforthem.

"SenatorHoldenisinthelibrary,sir,"the

324

DianaPalmer

325

OnceinParis

mantoldTate,asifheknewhim."He'sexpectingallofyou."

"Thanks."Tate-avoidedtheman'ssearchinggazeandstrodeaheadoftheothersintothewalnut-
paneledlibrary,fulloffloor-to-ceilingbookcasesandleather-coveredfurniture.

Themansittinginathickbathrobeandpajamasbeforethemcameasashock.Hecouldn'tbeNative
American,Briannesurmised,buthecertainlylookedit.Hehadblackeyesandstraightblackhairwith

morethanatraceofsilverthreadingthroughit.Hewasbigandburly,morelikeawrestlerthana
politician.

"Well,don'tjuststandthere,sitdown,"hesaidinagruff,huskyvoice,reminiscentofasoldier's
commandingtones.HescowledatTate."Arethesethepeopleyouhadyourcohorttellmeabout?You
couldn'thavespokentomeyourself,ofcourse."

Tateseemedtogrowtaller.Hisblackeyesflashed.Whenhescowled,helookedamazinglyliketheir
host."Therewasn'ttime,Senator,"hesaid,fightingdownhishostility."Myboss,PierceHutton,his
wife,Brianne,andMufti—ourstarwitnessagainstBrauer."

"I'mgladtomeetyou,"theoldmansaidsharply."Thisthingisverydisturbing,very

disturbing,"herepeated."Isimplycan'tbelievethatanyrationalhumanbeingwouldbendsolow.
Startingawarandblamingitonaninnocentnation—it'sobscene!"

"Yes,itis,"Piercesaid."Buthethinkshecangetawaywithit.He'striedeverywayhecouldthinkof
tostopus,rightdowntoattemptedassassination."

"Youmadeit.Iknewyouwould,"thesenatorreplied,withahostileglancetowardTate.'.'He'sgood.
Infact,he'stheverybestatwhathedoes—professionally."

Itwasadig,andPiercewassurprisedtoseeitregisteronhissecuritychiefsimpassiveface.Tate
rarelyshoweddeepemotion.HewasfeelingitnowandPiercewonderedwhy.

"Iwantthewholestory,"thesenatorcontinued.HestaredatMufti."Let'sstartwithyou."

Muftiwasnervousatfirst,butthesenator,despitehisgruffness,quicklyputthemanatease.Aftera
fewminutes,Muftifeltlikeanoldandtrustedfriend.Hetoldthemaneverything,fromhisattemptsat
spyingonSabon,tothesuddenappearanceofthemercenaries,toSabon'sflight.

327

326

DianaPalmer

"ThismanSabon,hewasinonit?"thesenatorasked.

"Onlyatfirst,"Briannesaidquickly,knowingthatnobodyelsewoulddefendPhilippe.Sheexplained
whothemanwasandwhyhe'denticedBrauertohiscountryandusedhimtoapproachtheoilcartel.

"Brauer'stoldhisfriendintheSenatethatSabonistheculprit,"hereplied."ThatSabonusedthe

excuseforamilitarycouptotakeoverhiscountry,becausehe'sreallyworkingforthe
revolutionariesinSalid."

"PhilippeSabonisthesonoftherulingsheikhofQawi,"Briannesaid."Somethingthatmystepfather
doesn'tknow.YetItdoesn'tmakesensethataftergoingtosomuchtroubletoattractinvestorsand
oilmentohiscountry,Philippewouldsabotagethewholethingbystagingamilitarycoupthathe
doesn'tneedinordertogainpower.Healreadyhaspower."

"HewantedAmericanintervention."

"OnlytosavehisoilfieldsfromMufti'semployers,"BriannesaidwithanapologeticglanceatMufti,
whowaslookinguncomfortable."They'reevenpoorerthanPhilippe'scountrymen,andtheywere
lookingtowardanassaultonthoseoilfields,hopingtocapture

OnceinParis

someofthem.I'msorry,Mufti,buthehastoknowthewholetruth.Awarwillservenoone."

Heseemedtoslump."Yes,Iunderstandthat."

"ThirdWorldnations,"thesenatorsaid-withaheavysigh."Mostofthemhaveeconomiesthatamount
tolessthanmyannualgrocerybill.Starvingpeople,starvingeconomies,andtheindustrialnations
justgorightonlettingithappen.Millionsforarmsandresearchtomakebetterweapons,penniesto
feedthehungry."Hesmiledruefullyastheothersstaredathim."I'maliberal,"hesaidshortly."You
can'teatmoney."

Piercechuckled."No,butyoucanfeedalotofpeopleifyoucanconvincethosewhohaveittouseit
wisely."

"Youdon'thavetopaintmeanypictures,Button,Iknowhowyouuseyours,"hereturnedwithalook
ofadmkation.”You'vedonemoreforreliefeffortsthananyotherbusinessmanIknow."

Pierceshrugged,ignoringBrianne'ssurprise."IdowhatIcan."Hiseyesnarrowed."Brauerhastobe
stopped.Wethinkifheknowshow

329

OnceinParis

328

DianaPalmer

badlyhe'sbeing*beaten,hemayorderhismercenariestosetfiretotheoilfields."

"Whatwouldbethepoint?"

"Revenge,plainandsimple.HecanthrowsuspiciononSabonandevenonMufti'speople.Ifhe
managestostartawarthatway,couldn'tthethreatofanecologicaldisasterintheregionprovoke
U.S.intervention?"

"Itcould,"thesenatorsaidgrimly.Heranahandthroughhisthick,straighthair."Damn!"

"Canyougetusintoseetheundersecretaryofstate?"Pierceasked.

SenatorHoldenwasthinking.Hedidn'treplyforaminute."Brauerwillhavespikedyourgunsbythe
timeyougetthere.Iimaginehe'sgotgovernmentagentslookingforyourightnow."

"Thenwhatcanwedo?"Brianneasked.

Thesenatorstudiedthefourpeopleintensely.Hepursedhislipsandsmiled."Ihaveafriendatthe
newsstationINN,"hemurmured.

Hedid,indeed,haveseveralfriendsattheInternationalNewsNetwork,andtheycametohishome,
completewithreporter,camerasandsoundequipment.Inthesenator'sstudy,the

wholeterrifyingplanthatKurtBrauerhadevolvedwaslaidoutfortheworldcommunitytohear.
MuftiwaseloquentindefenseofhispeopleandthewaytheywerebeingusedinBrauer'sattemptto
overthrowSabon'slittlecountry.Bythetimetheyfinishedandthecameracrewwasonitswaybackto
D.C.,thereweremanybusypeopleinthecapitallookingforKurtBrauer.

Hewasn'thardtofind,oncethebreakingnewsstoryhittheairwaves.Hewasarrestedrightinthe
officeofhisfriendthesenatorandtakenawaybyfederalofficials.Someofhismercenarieswere
pickedupinFlorida,othersinGeorgiaandnearthecoastofVirginia.

InternationalpoliceofficerscaughtanotherbatchinSt.Martinjustastheyclosedinonadark
Europeanwho'djustexitedalocalbankthere,ontheFrenchsideoftheisland.

TroopsfromanationfriendlytotheUnitedStates,andworkingunofficially,wenttosupporta
contingentofSabon'smilitaryovertheborderastheyreturnedtolaunchacounterrevolutionagainst
Brauer'shiredmercenaries.ManyofBrauer'scohortswerekilledinthefirefight,manyotherswere
takenawaytojail.Inamatterofdays,therulingsheikh,returned

330

331

DianaPalmer

fromexile,wasbackinhisseatofoffice.Theoilfieldswereunderguardnow,andtheoil
consortium'sofficialsandworkerswerefreetoreturntotheirjobsthere.

KurtBrauerwasheldunderafederalwarrantbecausethemercenarieshe'dusedwereAmerican
nationals.Hewasaccusedofmultiplecrimes,oneofwhichfoundhimcomingtotheattentionofthe
KGBunderawarrantissuedbytheRussiangovernment.Hisattempttodestroyanoilriginthe
CaspianSeawasdocumentedinaswornandnotarizedstatementbyamannamedPhilippeSabon.The
Russians,itwassaid,weredemandingKurt'sextraditiontoMoscowfortrial.Tateseemedtothink
thattheAmericansmightberelievedtohaveBrauerofftheirhands.

i

"YourmotherissafeinJamaica,"TatetoldBrianne,whenallofthem,includingMufti,hadgathered
inPierce'sWashingtontownhousetodiscussthefuture."Shecancomehomenow.She'llbesafe."

"Thankyou,"Briannesaidwithheartfeltgratitude.

Heshrugged."ThankPierce,"hemused,withasmileathisboss."Hegivestheorders."

OnceinParis

Sheturnedtoherhusband.Shenoticedthathe'dhadachancetoshowerandshave,becausehelooked
fresh.She'dshowered,too,butthedaysofuncertaintyhadlefttheirmarkonher.Shewaspaleand
she'dlostalittleweight,eveninthebriefspaceofdayssincethey'dbeenintheStates,tellingtheir
storytoonesubcommitteeafteranother.

"Thankyouforsavingmymotherandthebaby,"shetoldhim.

Pierceonlysmiled."Noproblem.She'llhaveanythingshewantswhenshereturns.I'vemade
arrangementsforhertohaveahouseontheoceaninJacksonville.She'lllikeit."

"Youdon'thavetodothat,"shebegan.

"I'mafraidIdo.Brauerinvestedeverythinghehadintheoilscheme.Hedidn'tleaveapenny
unaccountedfor."Hisdarkeyesnarrowed."Icanaffordher,Brianne.Shewon'tbeabletoliveas
extravagantlyasshehas,butshe'llgetby,sheandthechild."

Briannestillfeltuncomfortablelettinghimkeepherfamily,especiallysinceshewasshortlytobehis
ex-wife.

"Puttingmethroughcollegeisgoingtobeexpenseenough,"shesaidtightly.

"Pocketchange,"hesaidflatly."Ordidn't

333

OnceinParis

332

DianaPalmer

yourealizethatwhenpeoplesaidIwasrich,theyweren'tkidding?"

Sheavertedhereyes."Yourmoneywasneverofmuchinteresttome."

"Iknowthat."

Sheturnedaway."I'dbetterpack."

Piercefelthisheartkickhardagainsthisribs."Pack?"

"Pack."

Shekeptgoing.

Tatestudiedhisbosscuriously."Isshegoingsomewhere?"

Piercerammedhishandshardintohispockets."ToLasVegastogetadivorce,"hesaidthroughhis
teeth.

Tatepursedhislips."Smartgirl."

Thelookontheolderman'sfacesurprisedhissecuritychief.Itwaveredbetweenhomicideandshock.

Tatewasn'tintimidated.HewenttothepianoandpickedupaframedphotoofMargothatstillstood
there.TheglancehegavePiercewaseloquent.

Pierce'sexpressionhardened.Heknewwhattheothermanwassaying,evenwithoutwords.

Tateputthephotodown."Shemusthavebeenauniqueandveryspecialwoman,tode-

servesuchloyaltyfromyou."Hisdarkeyesnarrowed."ButBrianneisuniqueandspecial

herself."

"Theyearsarewrong,"Piercesaidshortly.

Theothermansmiledsadly."I'veusedthesameargumentmyself.Butintheearlyhoursofthe
morning,whenI'malone,it'snotmuchconsolation."

Piercecouldn'tdetectashadowofemotionintheotherman'sface,andhefeltvaguelysorryfor
Cecily,wholovedhissecuritychiefwithsolittlehopeofhappiness.

"Shelovesyou,"Tatecontinued.

Pierce'sfacehardened."Shethinksshedoes."

Tate'sbroadshouldersroseandfell."Suityourself.Whereisshegoingtoschool?"

"ShewantstogototheSorbonne,inParis.I'drathershewenthere,inD.C.,sothatyoucankeeptabs
onher.Brauermaystillhavehenchmenwhoowehimafavor."

"She'dbejustassafewithyouinNassau,"

Tatereturned."AndIdon'tneedanymore

complicationsinmyliferightnowthanI've

alreadygot,especiallyfemaleones."

ThatwaswhenPiercewascertainthatsome-

335

OnceinParis

334

DianaPalmer

thinghadgoneverywrongforTateWinthrop."CanIhelp?"heaskedsincerely.

Tateshookhishead."Personalproblems,andtheyaren'teasilyresolved,evenforthepeople
involved."

"Cecily?"Pierceprobed.

Tale'sfaceclosedimmediately."Ican'tthinkaboutCecilyrightnow.Iwon't"

Thatmeantthatshewasn'tdirectlyinvolved.Hewonderedwhatwas.

“IfIgetinovermyhead,I'llletyouknow,''Tatetoldhim."Andthanks."

"Whatarefriendsfor?"Pierceturnedaway."Allright,I'lllethergobacktoParis.Itisn'tasifI'vegot
muchchoice.Assignoneofyouragentswithacurrentpassporttogowithher,andgethimavisa.I'll
alsowantonetokeepaneyeonMrs.BrauerinJacksonville.Hiremorepeopleifyouhaveto.Thisis
importanttome."

"Willdo.I'llsendMarlowewithBrianne.He'syoungandhandsomeandsharpasatack.She'lllike
him."

Piercewhirled,hiseyesfurious.Hedidn'thavetosayaword.Thatexpressionsaiditforhim.

"So,"Tatemused,smilingfaintly."Notasuninvolvedasyoupretendtobe,hmmm?"

Pierce'sbigfiststightenedathisside.Herealizedatthatmomentjusthowinvolvedhewaswith
Brianne,soinvolvedthatthemerethoughtofherwithsomeoneelsewasenoughtomakeamadman
ofhim.

Tatesobered."Liveyourlifeasyouplease,"hetoldhisboss."Butifyoulethergo,you'llhaveto
realizethatshe'syoungandprettyandfulloffire.Shewon'tbesittingaroundbyherself."

Theknowledgewaspainful.Ofcourseshewouldn't.She'dbeoutdininganddancing,havingfunwith
peopleherownage,enjoyingheryouth.OncePiercewasoutofthepicture,itwouldn'ttakelongfor
somenewmantostepintoit.Hefeltrageallthewaytohistoesasheconsideredthat.

"Pity,"Tatemurmured,turningaway.

"What'sapity?"

"Thewasteofallthatwide-eyedwonder.Brianneisn'tusedtowealth.Sheisn'tblas6aboutlifein
general."Heshookhishead."Shemighthavegivenyouanewperspectiveontheworldaroundyou.
But,asyousay,it'sjustaswell.She'llbehappierwithsomeoneyounger."

336

DianaPalmer

ChapterFifteen

HewenttofindMufti,totellhimaboutthearrangementsthey'dmadetoflyhimbacktoSalidinstyle.
Atleastthingswereworkingoutforonememberoftheirlittleparty,hethought.

latetookMuftitotheairportandsenthimhometohisnativeland.

"He'llbeahero,"PiercetoldBriannewhentheothershadgoneandtheywerealone."Ofcourse,he'll
alsoconveyawarningaboutwhatcaphappenifhispeopledecidetomakeagrabforQawi'soil."

SheglancedattheframedphotoofMargoandwrappedherarmsaroundherself.Shefeltachillas
shethoughtaboutthecomingtriptoLasVegas.Margohadwonagain.

"WhendoweleaveforLasVegas?"sheaskedwithherbacktohim.

Hedrewinasharpbreath.Thattriphadno

339

OnceinParis

338

DianaPalmer

appealtohimwhatsoever.Hewasworn-outfromtheircaptivityandescape,anditwoundedhimto
thinkofthrowingBrianneoutofhislifesoquickly.Shelookedvulnerableinhersoftoystersilk
pantsuit,withherlongblondhairwoundinabraidaroundherhead.

"Nottoday,"hesaidshortly."IhavetogetouttoourplatformintheCaspianSeaandcheckonmy
men'sprogress."

Sheglancedathimcuriously.Shouldn'thebeanxioustogetitoverwith?Hereyesatehimup,from
hispowerfullonglegsinblackslackstohisbroadchestinanopen-neckedbeigesilkshirt.Helooked
biggerthanever,soattractivewithhisthick,wavy,silver-fleckedblackhairandblackeyesandolive
complexion.Sheachedforhimalloveragainandhatedherselfforhervulnerability.

Hemovedclosertoherasifdrawnbyinvisiblethreads.Thesilenceintheapartmentwassuddenly
tense,alive.

Hestopped,toweringoverher,hisblackeyesslidingwithgrowinghungeroverherliftedface.

Hiseyesnarrowed."Doyouwantme?"heaskedinatoneshe'drarelyeverheardhimuse.

Herheartjumped."Wh-what?"

"Youwantedonenight,"heremindedher."Notarushedencounterwhereinterruptionswerealwaysa
threat."Hejerkedhisheadtowardthehall."Thebedroomisthroughmere.It'saking-sizebed,"he
addedhuskily.

Shewantedto.Shedidn'thavetoputitintowords.Itwasvisibleinhereyes,herface,hertensebody.

"Doyou...wantto?"shewhispered.

"Oh,yes,"hesaidwithbitterself-contempt."Morethananythingintheworld."

Sheliftedherarms,andhebentandswungherupoffthefloor,feelingafoottaller,tenyears
younger,assheburrowedcloseandburiedherwarm,softmouthagainsthisthroatwherethickhair
peekedoutoftheopeningofhisshirt.

Hisarmscontracted.Hewalkeddownthehallwithher,intohisbedroom.Hekickedthedoorshut
behindthemandlightlytossedherontothecream-and-brownstripedcoverletAfterheunpluggedthe
telephone,heunbuttonedhisshirt,standingoverherpronebody,biseyessmolderingashishands
dealtwiththepearlbuttons.

Shewatchedhimundress,herbreathcomingrapidly.Itwasbroaddaylight.Thecurtains

341

340

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

wereopen.Shecouldheartrafficinthestreetbelow,shecouldseethestripesthesunmadeasit
filteredthroughtheVenetianblindsandontothebeigecarpetoftheroom.

Herwholebodywastensewithdeliciousanticipationwhenhecametoher,tallandfitandcompletely
uninhibitedabouthisnudity,andbisarousal.Hedrewheruplongenoughtodivestherofherown
clothing.

Hislean,warmhandsslidoverthesoftnessofherbodyfromherbreastsdownherflatbellyandthen
toherhipsandthighs."You'retrembling,"hechidedsoftly."Surelyyouaren'tafraidofme."

Shearchedalittleundertheelectrifyingsensationscausedbybiscaressinghands."I'monfirefor
you,"shewhisperedhuskily.

Hesmiledgently.Shewasnevercoyorcoquettishaboutthis.Hetouchedandsheyieldedcompletely.
Itmadehimproud,becauseheknewhowcoolshewaswithothermen.

Hedrewhergentlytohim,enjoyinghersoftgaspasshefelthisarousalagainsthersoblatantly.

Hismouthbrushedagainsthers.Hetookhistime,nibblingfirstherupperlipandthenthelowerone,
toyingwithhermouthbeforehefi-

nallyeasedhisownbetweenit,andbegantokissherwithslowinsistence.

Hernailsbitintothehardmusclesofhisupperarms,andshemovedcloserasthefamiliarthrobbing
achesettledinherlowerstomach.

Hishandseasedbetweenthemtotracearoundherfirmbreasts.Hetouchedherdelicately,withfingers
thatbarelybrushedher,incirclesthatwerelazyandsweetandarousing.Shearched,butheignored
theinvitationandkepthishandsatadeliberatedistancefromhernipples.

Hernailsbitharderintohim."Pierce!"Hishardmouthteasedhersoftlipswhilehishandscontinued
theirsubtleplayonherbody."Don'tbeimpatient,"hesaidquietly."I'mgoingtotakealongtimewith
you."

Shemadeanoddlittlesoundinherthroat.Hecoveredhermouthwithhisown,andhishandsmoved
everclosertothosehard,achingpeaks.Finally,finally,whenshewasalmostmadwithhunger,his
thumbsandforefingerstookthenipplesbetweenthemandcontractedgently.

Herhoarsecryofpleasurewasloudinthesilenceofthebedroom.Pierce'smouthonher

343

342

DianaPalmer

lipsbecameinsistentasherheadlongresponsekindledaroughnessinhim.

Buthecontrolleditquickly.Heliftedherontothebedandheldherbetweenhishandswhilehismouth
replacedhishandsonherbreasts.Hesuckledherinasilencethatwasalivewithtensepassion.She
writhedhelplesslyunderthetormentofhiswarmlipsastheymovedfromherbreaststoherribcage,
tohersoft,flatstomachandthendowntothesilkysoftnessofherupperthighs.

Timeseemedtogointopermanenteclipseintheheatedminutesthatfollowed.Hetouchedandtasted
andnippedandteased,savoringherviolentreaction,hersoftlittlecriesofdelightashepleasured
her.

Whenhepoisedatthethresholdofherwomanhood,shecaughthishipsandtriedtopullhimdown,

buthewouldn'tbemoved.

Heliftedhisheadandblackeyesbitintohersatpoint-blankrange."No,"hewhispered."Liestill."

"Pierce,"shesobbed,shiveringwithtorment

"Abreathatatime,Brianne,"hewhispered,movinggentlyashelookedintohereyes.Shegaspedand
hishipswithdrew,hesitated,and

OnceinParis

thencamebacktohersinaslow,seductivedance.

"I...can't...''shesobbed.

"Youcan."Hecaughtbothherhandsinhisandheldthemoverherheadonthecoverlet.Onelongleg
movedhersgentlyapart,andheeaseddownandthenupagain,repeatingtheteasingmovement
rhythmically,butnevercomingcloserthanthat.

Shetensed,shivering,aseachmovementofhispowerfulbodysentthrillsofpleasureupanddown
herspine.Herheartwasracingmadly.Heseemedcompletelyremovedfromwhattheyweredoing,
hiseyeswatchful,intotalcommandofhimselfandher.

Heshiftedsinuously,increasingthecontact.Shecaughtherbreathandherbodyliftedtobis

helplessly.

Helookeddownthelengthofherbody,enjoyingitssoftinnocence,itswondrousresponse.Hecould
smellherlightperfume,thefaintsweatthatclungtoher,thewomanlysmell

ofher.

Hereyesfollowedhis,alittleshockedattheintimacyofit,andthenmethisownagain.Therewas
delightinthem,mingledwithlingeringtracesofinhibition.

345

OnceinParis

344

DianaPalmer

Hebentandbrushedhislipsoverhers."Youhaven'tlookedbefore,"

"Itwastooquickbefore,"shesaidunsteadily.

"Andnowitisn't."HetracedherupperUpwithhistonguewhilehisbodyroseandfelltenderly
againsthers."Iwanttofeeleveryporeofyouasclosetomeasyoucanget,"hebreathedintoher
mouth."WhenIhaveyou,Iwanttopossessyoucompletely."

Shecaughtherbreath,arousedbythewordsasmuchastherhythmofhisbody.

Heshiftedroughlytoonesideandthentheother.Theactionwassoarousingthatshecriedout.

Hepusheddownsuddenlyandliftedjustassuddenly,feelingherbodyconstrictwithpleasure.He
gasped,too,overwhelmedbythedeliciousstabofdelightitgavehimtofeelherlikethat.

Hemovedagain,slowlylosingcontrol.Hismouthopenedagainsthersandpenetrateditinwarm,soft
thruststhatmirroredthemovementsofhisbody.

Shearcheduptohim,tearswettinghereyesasthepleasurebecameunbearable.Herfingersgrasped
hisfeverishlyassheshivered.

"Itwon'tbeenough,"hesaidroughly."DearGod...!"

Heshiftedherquickly,sittinguponthebed.Hishandsgrippedherthighsandheldheroverhim,his
breathraspinginhisthroatashelethereasedowntopossesshiminoneslow,ach-inglysweet
motion.

Sheclenchedontohisbroadshoulders,feelingthethickhaironhischesttickleherbreastsashe
movedheragainsthim.

Heliftedherandthenpulledherdown,shiftingherbodysharplywitheachslowthrust,hisblackeyes
lookingstraightintohers.Hecouldbarelykeepbishead.Hefeltthepleasurebuildandthenflarelike
afirewithgasthrownonit.Hewatchedhereyesmirrorthefierceecstasyshewasgivinghim.His
bighandscontractedharshly,bruisingher,ashebegantobuildthe

rhythm.

Sheheardtheboxspringsofthebedmakealarmingsoundsashemovedherevercloser.Shefelthim
inanintimacythat,despitetheirbriefmarriage,wasbeyondanythingshe'dever

known.

"I'veneverbeenthispotent,Brianne,"hewhisperedtoherashishandscontractedagain.Hegrimaced
andgroanedasthefeverburned

346

DianaPalmer

347

OnceinParis

inhim.Heshivered."Icanfeelyou..."Hisbodyshuddered."Iwanttoget...closer,"hebitoff,hisblind
eyesmeetinghersinthegripofmadnessashismovementsbecameviolent."Iwantto
go...deeper...deeper...deeper!"

Shefeltherbodysuddenlyopentohimcompletely,feltthethrobbingpleasureexplodeinwavesof
unbelievableecstasy,feltherbodyconvulseoverhisasthetensionsnappedandsplinteredintoa
scaldingheatofsatisfactionthatmadehercryout.

Sheknewhewaslookingather,seeingherface,herwide,shocked,unseeingeyesasherbody
whippedagainsthim.

Thecontractionsspreadfromherbodyintohis.Hegroanedharshly,hisvoicebreakingashegripped
herhipsandheldheragainsthim,rivetedhertohim,astheviolentspasmsliftedhimstraightupinto
thesun,intoanoblivionsopassionatethathefelthimselfthrobbingforendlesssweetsecondsbefore
thereleasecameinashatteringrush.

Sheleanedherdampforeheadagainsthisequallydampchest,herwholebodyasensitiveinstrument
thatregistereddeliciouslittleexplosionsofpleasureintheaftermathoftheirloving.

Heshivered,too,holdinghercloseashesavoredthedelicioussensationofherbodyweldedtohisin
suchintimacy.

Herbreastsweresoftwheretheylayagainsthischest.Hemovedandfeltherallaroundhim,like
warm,moistsilkwhereshesheathedhim.

Hebecameawareslowlyofthepositiontheywerein,andforaninstanthefeltstaggeringconcern.
"Brianne,didIhurtyou?"hewhisperedurgentlyatherear,hisfingersslowlylooseningtheir
bruisinggriponherhips.

"No,"shewhisperedback,tooshytomeethiseyes.Herlipstouchedhisneckhesitantly."We...never
diditlikethis,"sheadded.

"I'veneverdoneitlikethis,"herepliedinadeep,solemntone.Hishandsmoveduptocaresshersoft
back."Ishouldn'thave.Icouldhavedamagedyou."

Shelookedupintohisworriedblackeyes.

"How?"

Helookeddownatwheretheywerejoinedandswallowedhard."Youtookallofme,baby,"hesaid
gently,liftinghiseyesbacktohers."AreyousureIhaven'thurtyou?"

Sheshookherheadandsmiledtenderly.Shetouchedhishardmouthwithsoftfingers."Itwas
incredible,"shesaid,alittledazed.

349

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

348

Hishandsframedherfaceandhetouchedhismouthtenderlytohereyes."Incredible,"heagreed
huskily."Icouldn'tgetcloseenough,"headded,soundingasdazedasshefelt."I'veneverhaditlike
this,neverfeltitlikethis."Hedrewinashakybreathandshifted.Ashedid,hisbodyreactedsuddenly
andviolentlyandhegasped.

Shefeltthereactionwithawe."Thebookssaythatmencan't,sosoonafterward,"shewhisperedshyly.

"Thatpartofmecan'tread."Hemoved,easingherdownontothemattress.Hepositionedhergently,
sothattheywerecurledtogetherwithherlegsoverhis,hiskneesoneithersideofherbody.Heheld
herfaceinhishandsashemovedtenderly,watchinghereyesregisterthefiercepleasurehegaveher.
Itoccurredtohimatthatmoment,inthegripofthemostsweepingtendernesshe'deversharedwith
anywoman,thathewantedmostdesperatelytomakeherpregnant.

Helovedherasifhecould,asiftheexquisiteunionwouldproduceachild.Ridiculous,ofcourse.
Shewasonthepillandhewasgoingtodivorceher.Buthecouldpretend.Andhedid.Hemadelove
toherinsuchawaythat

whenthecontractionscame,theywerethemostpoignantandprofoundpleasurehe'dfeltinhislife.
Shefeltit,too.Heknewwithouttherushed,whisperedwordsthatweretornfromherthroatasthe
ecstasyshotthroughherlikesweetfire.

Theylaylikethatforalongtime,unmoving.Heneverwantedtopullaway.Hewantedtostayinher
armslikethis.Hewantedtostaywithher.

Thesweetnessofitdrainedhimofstrength.Hefelttheworldblurringaroundthem.Heslept,andshe

slept,intimatelyjoinedtohimonthecoverofthebigbed.

Sometimeduringthenightheawokeandpulledherunderthecoverswithhim,cradlingherinhis
armsastheysleptagain.

Butwithmorningcamesanityandshockanddisbelief.Helookedatherprettynudebodyonthewhite
sheetsandhisheadspunwithmemoriesofwhatshe'dgivenhimsogenerously.

He'dneverfeltmoreconfusedormoreafraid.Shewassweetandyoungandshelovedhim.Hecould
staywithher.Hecouldgiveherachild.Theycouldlivetogetherforever....

Heturnedawayandjerkedclothesfrom

351

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

350

drawersandtheclosetbeforehewenttoshowerawaythescentofherfromhisskin.

Anhourlaterhelethimselfoutoftheapartment,leavingabrief,tersenotebehindtoexplainthathe
wasmakingallthearrangementsforhertogotoParisbeforeheleftfortheCas-^pianSea.They
coulddiscussthedivorceatsomelatertime.Hesigneditwithhisinitialsandhadtofightnottogo
backintohisbedroomandlookattheexquisitesightofhisyoungwifeinbed.

He'dsharedthatbedwithhisbelovedMargo,andhefeltlikeatraitor,anadulterer.Margowasdead,
andhewasalive.Herealizedthathehadtofacethefuture,buthecouldn'tdoitnow,intheshadowof
thatexquisiteexperiencewithBrianne.Hehadtogetaway,tothink,toreasonitout.Hehadto!

Briannewokeandfoundthenote.Itdidn'tsurpriseher.Hewasfeelingguiltyagain.Shewenttothe
pianoandlookedatthesmilingfaceinthephoto.

"Ilovehim,too,"shetoldit."WhatamIgoingtodo?"

Asshespokethewordsfromabreakingheart,sherealizedthattherewasonlyonething

shecoulddo.ShehadtogotoParisandgivePierceenoughtimetomakeadecisionabouttheir
future.Shehopedandprayedthathemadetherightone,forboththeirsakes.Inthemeantime,she

huggedthesweetmemorytoherselfandthoughtthat,ifshehadto,shecouldliveonlastnightforthe
restofherlife.

353

OnceInParis

ChapterSixteen

EveBrauerandheryoungsonNicholassetuphousekeepinginanicestuccohouseoutside
Jacksonville,neartheAtlanticshoreline.BriannespentafewdayswithhermotherandNicholas
beforesheleftforParis.EveandBriannehadenteredintoatentativenewrelationship,alittlestrained
onbothsides.Evewasdevastatedtofindherselfwithahusbandfacingastiffprisonsentenceandalso
withnomoneytosupportherself.

Thefollowingweek,oneofTateWinthrop'smenwenttoPariswithBrianne:anolderagentwitha
wifeinthemilitary.ShealmostgrinnedattheideathatPiercehaddonethatdeliber-

ately,toremoveanychanceofhergettingtoochummywithherbodyguard.Butifhe'dbeenjealous,
shereasoned,he'dhavegonetoPariswithher.Hehadn'tphonedorwrittensincehisabruptdeparture
fromtheapartment.Oddly,shedrewcomfortfromthatIfhe'dbeenabletobeindifferentorcool
aboutit,surelyitwouldn'thaVebotheredhimtogetintouchwithher.Thefactthathehadn'tgaveher
hope.

HedidgoouttothedrillingplatformintheCaspianSeaandstayedthereforseveralweeks,withouta
singlewordtobisabsentwife.Heachedforhernightafterlonelynight,despitehisdeterminationto
forgetwhathadhappened.

BrianneenrolledattheSorbonne,surprisedtofindthatherapplicationhadalreadybeenacceptedand
herclassesassigned.Fortunately,herFrenchwasadequateforhercourseofstudy,mostofwhich
involvednumbers,anyway.Shebuckleddownandburiedherbrokenheartinhardwork.

AboutthefourthweeksincetheirreturnfromtheMiddleEast,shestartedlosingherbreakfast.The
followingweek,shefaintedatthesightofacutfingerinherbiologylabduringadissecting
experiment.Thesixthweek,shestoppedhidingherheadinthesandandwent

355

OnceinParis

354

DianaPalmer

toseeaphysician.Itseemedtherewasareasonforallhersymptoms,anditwasn'tstrainor
overwork.

Coincidentally,shehadanunexpectedvisitorontheonedayshewasillenoughtoskipclassesand
stayhomeinherluxuriousParisapartment.

Theapartmentbuildinghadperfectsecurity,ofcourse;Piercewouldn'thaveletherstayanywhere
else.Sothebuzzerintheapartmentsoundedwhenthesecurityguarddownstairswasaskedwhereshe
couldbefound.

"Thereisagentlemandownhereaskingforyou,madame"camethesoftlyaccentedvoice."He
wishestoimpartnewsofaMonsieurSa-bon...."

"Oh,please,sendhimrightup!"Briannesaidwithouthesitation.She'dwonderedwherehercaptor
wassincehisreturntohisowncountry.Apparentlythingsweresettlingdownthere,becausethe
defeatofthemercenariesandthereturnoftherulingsheikh,aswellastheoilconsortium'sdiscovery
ofenormousoilreserves,hadbecomefrontpagenews.

Shebrushedherlonghairandpulledagold-and-whitecaftanoverhernightgowntomeethervisitor.
Itwasn'tarevealinggarment;it

lookedmuchmorelikealoungedressthana

bathrobe.

Whenthedoorbuzzersounded,sheopenedthedooratonce,expectingadignitaryfromSa-bon's
country.Instead,therewasPhilippeSa-bonhimself,inagrayItaliansuitthatlookedasifeverythread
initwasplacedwiththeutmostcare.

Hesmiledathersurprise,pullingthescarsonhischeektight,sothattheywerewhiteandnoticeable
againsthisswarthycomplexion.Heproducedabouquetofwhiterosesandbaby'sbreathandhanded
ittoher.

"Imaynotbewelcome,butIhadtocome,toseeformyselfhowyouare,"hecommented,not
revealingthejoyithadgivenhimtohearhervoiceexcitedattheprospectofnewsabout

him.

"You'reverywelcome,"shesaidwithasmile,cradlingtheroses."Docomeinandsitdown.Would
youlikecoffee?"

Heheldupahand."Iwishtoputyoutono

trouble...."

"Itwon'tbe.Therese!"shecalled,andtheyoungmaidcameoutandwasgiveninstructions."Andslice
somepoundcake,Therese.Ourguestmaybehungry."

357

556

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

"Iam,indeed,"Philipperepliedashestudiedherdrawnfacewithanarrow,clinicalgaze."Youlook
pale,andIamsureyouhavelostweight."

"Alittle,perhaps,"shesaidnoncommittally.

Heleanedforward,withmischiefinhisdarkeyes."Comehomewithmeandliveinmyharem,"he
challenged."Iwillhavetheservantsfeedyousweetmeatsandmarzipanuntilyouareapropersize!"

Shelaugheddelightedly."That'sthebestofferI'vehadinweeks,"shesaid.

Hesmiled,too,lessabrasiveaboutbislimitationsthanmostmenwouldhavebeen.Hestudiedher
withsofteyes."Wouldthatitwereso,"hesaidonagentlebreath."Butaharemwouldbringconstant
dangerofdiscovery,woulditnot?SomethingIwouldneverdarerisk."

"You'rethesonofthereigningsheikh,"sheremindedhim."Won'tyouhavetohaveanheir?"

"Certainly."Hecrossedonelonglegovertheotherandstudiedherquietly,drinkinginherradiant
beauty."Yourfirstbornwillbemyheir."

"That'snotfunny."

"Itwasn'tmeanttobe,"hesaidnonchalantly."Myfatherknowshowitiswithme,Brianne,"headded.
"Itisagreatsorrowforusboth.Butyourhusbandisdarkandthechildislikelytobeso,aswell,with

Greekbloodinhisveins.Akingdom,evenasmallkingdom,isnothingtoturnyourprettynoseupat,
cherie."

Shewasstunned."Butwhy?"

Hejuststaredather,foralongtime."Ithinkyouknow-why."

Shewasstillabsorbingthatwhenthemaidcamewithatrayofcoffeeandcondiments,andaplateof
slicedcake.SheputaglassofmilkinfrontofBrianne,whomadeaface.

"Itisgoodforyou,"themaid,awidowwiththreegrownchildren,saidfirmly."Youdrinkit."

Philippeeyedthemilkwithachuckle."Doesheknow?"heaskedpointedly.

Shesippedthemilkwithamilitantglare."No,hedoesnot,"shesaidthroughherteeth."Hedoesn't
wantachild,sotherewon'tbeone.Godhasspoken!"

Heburstoutlaughing."Itamazesmethatyoucouldkeepitfromhim,"hesaid,studyingher."You
lookmysteriousandcontent."

359

558

DianaPalmer

"Howwouldheknow?He'ssittingoutinthemiddleoftheCaspianSeaplayingwithhisoilwell."

Heputcreaminhiscoffeeandsatbackonthesofatosipit."Youshouldcallandtellhimtocome
home."

"Asifhewould,"shescoffed.

"Youunderestimateyourcharms,"hereplied.

Shewasrememberingsomethingthatshe'dalmostletslipaway."Whenyouleftus,yousaid
somethinginArabictoTateWinthrop.Whatwasit?"

"Askhim."

"Ihavenoideawhereheis,"shereplied."Tellmeyourself."

Heshookhishead."Somesecretsshouldbekept,don'tyouthink?"Hefinishedhiscoffee."Icameto
giveyouthisforyourhusband,"hesaid,producingasealedenvelopethatshetookandplacedonthe
sidetable."Therepaymentofhisloan,"heexplained."AndalsoIcametoaskbothofyoutoattend

mycoronation."

Herheartskipped."Isyourfather...?"

"No,he'snotdead,"hesaidatonce."Butherealizesthathishealthmakesitimpossibleforhimto
continueasheadofstate.Asheikh-

OnceinParis

domisnotthesameasakingdom,youunderstand,butitisasovereignnationjustthesame.Nowthat
wewillhaveaccesstooilmoney,fromourfirstverysuccessfulwells,wemustmoveintothe
twentiethcentury.Thiswillnotbeeasyforthevariousnomadictribesthatmakeupmynation.Itwill
notbeeasyforme,either,sincemybloodismixed.Butthesedays,suchthingsmatterlessthanthe
authorityandstrengthoftheleader.Ihopetobeequaltothe

task."

"Certainlyyouwill,"shesaidwithouthesitation.Shestudiedhislean,darkfacewithfaint

sadness.

"Don'tpityme,"hesaidstarkly."Ihavemorethanmanymen.Allahdecidesthesethings.Onemust
neverfightthatwhichis

fated."

“NowyousoundArabian.''

Hesmiled."AsIshould,yes?"Heputtheemptycupdown."Willyoucome,withyourhusband,of
course,toseemeinvested?Itisaveryancientceremony,fullofritualandcolor."

"I'dliketo."

"AndPierce?"

Sheshrugged."I'llaskhim.Whenisit?"

361

OnceinParis

360

DianaPalmer

"Inthespring.Sixmonthsfromnow."Heglancedattheflowingcaftanunderwhichherchildlay.
"Thatmightbeanawkwardtime,butifitisn't,I'llmakesureallthearrangementsaremadeforyou.
Allthreeofyou,ifnecessary,"headdedwithagrin.

"Wewouldn'thaveescapedsoeasilywithoutyourhelp,"shetoldhim.

"Youwouldn'thavebeenindangerifIhadn'tdonesuchaninsanething.Atthetime,itseemedquite
logical."

"Mostthingslookclearerinhindsight,"sheagreed.

Hestoodupandsodidshe.Hetookbothherslenderhandsinhis,andkissedthemlightly,before
droppingthemagain."Keepwell.ImeantwhatItoldyou.Ifeveryouneedhelp,inanyway,Iam
yourstocommand."

"Thanks,"shesaidsincerely."ButI'llmuddlethrough."

"Andtakegoodcareofmyheir,"headdedwithasmileinthedirectionofherbelly.

Afterhewasgone,shewentouttothebalconyoverlookingthecityandstoodinthefaintbreeze,
lettingitruffleherhair.ShefeltsorryforPhilippeandsorrierforherself.Shewaspregnantand
alone.Piercewouldn'tevenwrite

orcallher.Itwasasifhe'dshuthercompletelyoutofhislife,attheveryworsttime.Shewonderedif
shewasgoingtoseehimbeforetheirchildwasborn.

Shewouldn'thavewonderedifshe'dseenhisfacetwohourslater,whenatelephonecallinterrupted
bisconferencewithhisdrillriggeronthedrillingplatformintheCaspianSea.

"Shewhat?"heburstout,bisblackeyesexplodingwithrage.

Helistenedagainforafewseconds,cursedandbroketheconnection."Getthehelicopterpilotup
here,"hesaidshortly."I'mflying

out."

"But,sir,there'sagale...."

"Idon'tgiveadamnifthere'sahurricane.Gethimuphere!"

Tenminuteslater,theywereairborneandonthewaytothemainland.

Itwasdark,andBriannewaswatchingaFrenchnewsbroadcastwhenthefrontdooroftheapartment

swungopenandPiercestalked

in.

Shesatuponthesofawhereshe'dbeenlounging,stillintheprettywhite-and-goldcaf-

363

362

DianaPalmer

OnceinParis

tan,andgapedathim.Hewasdisheveled,hisshirtunbuttoned,histiedrapedlooselyaroundhisneck
underhisjacket.Helookedabsolutelydangerous.

"Whereishe?"hedemandedfiercely.

"He?"

"Sabon!Don'tdenythathe'sbeenhere,I'vealreadycheckedwiththedesk!"

Shecouldbarelyfindwords.Hewaseatenupwithjealousy.Itabsolutelyoozedfromeverypore,and
thedelightshefeltalmostchokedher.Sheforcedwordsout."Yes,hecametopaybacktheloan,"she
said,andmovedtoproducetheenvelopewithPierce'snameonit.

Hedidn'tevenlookatit.Hewastoopreoccupied."Whatelsedidhewant?"

"To—toinviteustowatchhisfatherhandovercontrolofthegovernmenttohim,"shestammered.
"Hisfatherissteppingdown."

"Idon'tcaretowatchhimbecomekingorsheikhorwhateverthehellitis,"hesaidshortly."Iwantto
knowwhathewasdoinghere!Hecouldhavemailedthecheckandsentamessage."

"Whyareyousoangry?"sheaskedwithawickedlittlesmile.

"BecausehetoldTateWinthropthatyouweretheonlythingonearthworthlosingakingdomfor,
that'swhy!"

Sothatwasit.Themystery.Shestudiedherfurioushusbandwithfascination."Whyshouldyoucare
whathesaid?"sheaskedinnocently."YouwentofftotheCaspianSeatoforgetaboutme.Ilivealone,
Igotoschoolalone,Idoeverythingalone.Whyshouldn'tIhavecompanyifIwantit?"

"You'remarried!"

Sheheldupherringlessfinger."No,I'mnot,"shesaid.She'djusttakentheringoffearliertowash
herhands.

Hischeekswentruddywithtemper.Hisbigfistsclenchedathissides."Puttheringback

on."

“ItookitoffanddroppeditinthesandbackinQawi.Ihavenoideawhereitis,"sheinformedhim.

Hisjawlookedasifheweregrindinghisteeth."I'llbuyyouanewone."

"Iwon'twearit,ifitsonlypurposeisgoingtobeforshow,"shereplied."Speakingofweddings,
whendoIgetmydivorce?"sheprobeddeliberately.

365

364

DianaPalmer

Thestraininhisfacegrewworse."Why?HasSabonproposed?"

"HewouldifIaskedhimto,"shesaidconfidently.

"You'remarriedtome.I'mnotgivingyouadivorce."

Thatwassurprising,andabsolutelydelightful.Shestaredathimwithdeliberatehauteur."Doginthe
manger,Pierce?"shetaunted.

Shesaw,actuallysaw,hiscontrolsnap.Hewenttowardherlikeanavalanche,neverpausingtocount
thecost.Hetossedherdownonthecushionsandfollowedherdown.Shebarelyhadasecondtoget
herbreathbeforehishard,warmmouthmovedontohers.

Hewasheavy,buttheweightofhimwaswelcome.Shereachedaroundhisneckandgaveintothe
ardentfury.Itwaslikecominghome.Shelaughedsoftlyunderthecrushofhismouthandwrapped
herselfaroundhim,gloryinginhisanger,hisjealousy,hisheadlongpassion.

"Oh,Pierce,youidiot,"shemoanedintohishardmouth."AsifIcouldever...ever...lookatanother
manafteryou!"

Heheardmat,buthecouldn'tstopkissinghertoanalyzeit.Hisbodywasonfireforher.

OnceinParis

Hegroanedasthekissgrewtoaclimax,andhefelthimselfgoingrigidwithachinghungerforher.

Briannewasfeelingjustashungry.Buteventhroughtheunbridleddelight,shefelttheincreasingly
familiardiscomfortrisingintoherthroat.Itwasalwaysworselyingflat.Shesquirmed,fighting
nausea,anddrewhermouthfromunderhis.

"Damn!"shewhisperedmiserably,swallowinghard."Youhavetoletmeup,darling.IthinkI'mgoing
to...oh,Lord!"

Shepushedathim,surprisinghimintoshifting.Shewasupandrunningforthebathroom.Shebarely
madeitintime.

Hefoundheratthefrontofthetoiletandsuddenlyeverythingmadesense.Herealizedimmediately
whatwaswrongwithher,andhisfacepaled.AllhecouldthinkofwasthatnightwithherinD.C.,and
hishungertomakeherpregnantButthiswastoosuddenforhimtothinkrationally.

"Yousaidyouweretakingthepill,"hegroundout."Youpromised,methatyouwereprotected!You
lied!"Shecouldn'tanswerhim.Sheliftedashak-

367

366

OnceinParis

DianaPalmer

inghandandwavedhimaway,restingherheadonherforearm.

Hecontainedhimselflongenoughtojerkawashclothfromtherackandwetit.Hehandedittoher,
watchingasshebegantorelax.Aminutelater,sheflushedthetoiletandmanagedtodragherselfto
thesink,tobatheherfaceandrinsehermouth.

Shetriedtogoaroundhim,becausehisbulkwasblockingthedoorway,butheswungherupand
carriedherintothebedroom,depositinghergingerlyonthebedspread,whereshelayclutchingthe
clothtohereyes.Helookedlikethunderandlightning,andsheknewthatnewsofhisapproaching
fatherhoodhadhithimhard.Veryhard.Theywererightbacktosquareone.

"Okay,you'reright,it'sallmyfault.Whydon'tyougobacktoyouroilplatform?"shesaidina
ghostlytone."Thereseisheretolookafterme.Idon'tneedyou!"

Hedidn'tspeak.Hecouldn'tmanagewords.Hewastornbetweenindignationandterror.Shewas
pregnant.Shewascarryinghischild.Itwasacomplicationhe'dbeendeterminedtoavoid.Shehadn't
eventoldhim.Wassheevenplanningto?

Shemovedthewashclothtoherdrylipsand

staredupathimwithresignation.Thefuryinhisdarkeyestoldherhowhefelt.Shedidn'tneedtoask.

Sheputtheclothbackoverhereyes.Itscoolmoisturetookthenauseaawayandsoothedthe
beginningsofaheadache.

"You'repregnant,"hesaidflatly.

"Givethatmanacigar."

"Wereyougoingtotellme?"

"No,"shesaidatonce."Iassumedthatyourfirstquestionwouldbewhoitsfatherwas."

Herflataccusationmadehimuneasy."Iwouldn'tasksuchastupidquestion,"hemuttered.

"Imaginethat!"'

"Don'tmakejokes.Itisn'tfunny."

"Iwon'tcontestadivorce,"shesaidthroughthefoldsofthecloth."Goaheadandstartthe
proceedings."

"Icanseeusnowincourt,withyouinamaternitydress,petitioningforanannulment."

Shetookawaytheclothandglaredathim.Itsurprisedhertofindhimnotmockingorsardonic,but
actuallysmiling.Andsmilingtenderly,atthat!

369

368

DianaPalmer

"Ididn'tsayanannulment,"sheclarified."Isaidadivorce."

"Whogetscustodyofthechildifwedivorce?"

"SinceI'mcarryingit..."

"Iputitthere,"heremindedher.

"Howlonghaveyouhadthenausea?"headdedgently."IrememberthatMargoneversufferedwith
it..."

Shethrewthewashclothathimwithanexpressionthattoldhimshewisheditwereabrickbat."Get
out!"sheragedathim."Getoutofmyapartment,outofParis,outofmyMe!Ihateyou!"Shesobbed
withmingledfuryandgrief."Idon'twanttohearaboutMargo!"

Hewinced.Hedidn'tknowwhattosay,buthecertainlyhadn'tmeanttosaythat.

Sherolledoveronthebedandburiedherhotfaceinthepillow."Leavemealone,"shesaidina
hoarsewhisper.

Hehesitated,buthedidn'twanttomakemattersworse,ifthatwasevenpossible.Helookedather
smallfigurecurledupinthevoluminouscaftanandwonderedatthefragilityofit.Sheseemedso
strong,socapablenormally,thatitwasashocktoseehervulnerable.

Intheend,hedidgooutofthebedroom,

OnceinParis

thoughnotbutoftheapartment.HewentintothekitchenandhadTheresemakesomehotherbaltea
forBrianne.Whenitwasreadyhetookit,withasmallpacketofunsaltedbiscuits,intoheronatray.

Shewassittingupinbedwithredeyesandwetcheeks.Heputthetraydownonthebedsidetableand
satbesideheronthebed.

"Here,"hesaidgruffly,handingherthedelicatechinacup."Theresesaysyoulikethis.It's
chamomile."

Shetookitreluctantly."Ithelpssettlemystomach,"shemurmured,sippingit.

Hewatchedherdrinkitwhilehethoughtaboutwhathewasgoingtosay.

"LasVegasisthatway,"shepointedout*thewindow."Youcandivorcemebyyourself,

can'tyou?"

"Trytobereasonable,"hesaidcalmly."Amanjustdoesn'tdivorceapregnantwoman."

"Youdon'twantit,"sheaccused,staringintohertea."Youwereafanaticaboutbirthcontrol."She
lookedupangrily."Ikeepmypillsinmybedsidetable,whichwasn'tincludedinourimpromptutrip
toPhiUppe'sisland!"Sheloweredhereyesagainquickly.

371

570

DianaPalmer

"Afterward,theredidn'tseemmuchpointintakingthematallanymore."

"Ofcoursenot:IwastryingtosaveyoufromSabon."Hiseyesnarrowedandhestudiedherface
thoroughly."Rumorsandgossipaside,Taledidsomechecking.It'shintedthatSabonisn'tcapableof
fatheringachild,andIdon'tthinkit'saquestionofsterility."

Shestaredatherhusbandwithastarkexpressionthatinvoluntarilyconfirmedhissuspicions.

"Don'tworry,"hesaidquietly."Idon'tintendtoadvertisewhatIknow.Rather,whatTatefoundoutfor
me.ItwastheonlyexplanationIcouldfindforSabon'sstrangeattitudetowardyou,andthefactthat
oncewewerekidnapped,youweren'tafraidofhim."

Sheshifteduncomfortablyandsippedmoretea."IpromisedIwouldn'ttellanyone."

"It'snicetoknowthat,"hemused,watchingherclosely."Icantellyoumyownsecretsandnothaveto
worrythatthey'rebeingrepeated."

Sheglaredathim."Younevertellmeanything.NotthatIcare."

Hetracedapatternonthecaftanoverhersoftlyroundedbelly."Youhaveanobstetrician?"

OnceinParis

"No,IthoughtI'dletthestorkdothedelivery....OfcourseIhaveanobstetrician,I'mnot

stupid!"

Hesighed."Youmeantokeepit,then."Theglarebecamepronounced."Accidentornot,Iwantthe
baby,"shesaidshortly."Ifyoudon'tlikeit,that'sjusttough!"

Helookedstraightintohereyesashisbighandflattenedoverhischild.Hehadn'tdonemuchthinking
aboutbeingaparent,butallsortsofoutrageouseventsfixedthemselvesinhismind.Alittlechild
withdarkwavyhairandBrianne'ssoftgreeneyeswhomhecouldteachabouttheoilbusinessandthe
worldofhighfinance.Achildtocuddleintheeveningswhenhecamehomefromwork.Heand
Briannecouldtakeittothemuseumandtheopera,later,whenitwasolder....

"Isaid,whydidyoucomeback?"she

asked.

Heliftedhiseyestoherface.”Becauseyourbodyguardphonedmeonthedrillingplatformandasked
ifheshouldkeepaneyeonyourArabvisitor."

373

OnceinParis

ChapterSeventeen

Jjriannegrinned."Sothat'swhyyourushedhere."

Shelookedsmug.Well,whynot,shedeservedto.Hesmiledsheepishly,andhisbroadshouldersrose
andfell."IsupposeitwasinevitablefromthatfirstdayinParis,"hesaidabsentlyashestudiedher
withatendersmile,"whenyoudrewmeoutoftheshellIwashidingmyheartin."Hecaughther
smallhandinhisandsmoothedoverit."IwastryingtogetbacktoMargo,buttherewasnothingI
coulddoshortofsuicidetoaccomplishit."Helookedatherevenly."Theyearsarestillwrong,but
thebabyismyguaranteethatyou

won'tdashoffwiththefirstyoungermanwhocatchesyoureye,"headdedwithamocking

smile.

Why,hewasjealousofher,shethoughtdazedly.Andnotonlyjealous;frightenedaswell,thathe
wouldn'tbeabletoholdher.

"Iloveyou,"shesaidbluntly."WhyshouldIwanttorunoffwithanyoneelse,youngeror

not?"

Shefelthisfingerscontractpainfullyaround

hers.

"Whatdidyousay?"heaskedinahusky

whisper.

"ThatIloveyoudesperately,Pierce,"sherepliedmatter-of-factly.Shesearchedhisblackeyeswitha
sigh."Didn'tyouknow?"

Hisgazefelltohersofthand,engulfedinbothofhis.Hereleasedthepressure."Notreally,"hesaid,
hisvoicestarkandflat."Ihaven'tgivenyoumuchreasontolovemelately."Heeasedhisfingers
betweenhersandscowledashelookedatthem.

"WhyelsewouldIstaywithamanwho'sstillmarriedtohislatewife?"sheaskedalittlesadly."Any
womanwithgoodsensewouldhaveruntheotherwaywhilemerewasstilltime."

375

374

DianaPalmer

Hisfingerscurledcloserintohers."IlovedMargo,"heagreed."Ittookalongtimetoletgoofher."
Heliftedhisface."ButTatewasright.HesaidthatyouhadthesamequalitiesMargohad,andthatI
wasafooltoletyougo."Hesmiledhalfheartedly."Iwouldn'tlisten,ofcourse.IwenttotheCaspian
Seaandbecamemymen'sworstnightmare.Iimaginethey'realldrunkwithjoybynow,having
wavedmeoffinthehelicopterinvirtualdroves."

Shesmiledback."Really?"

"IwaslookingforwardtoknockingSabonthroughthewindow,"hecontinuedwithashrug."Iguess
wedon'talwaysgeteverythingwewant."Heglaredather."Fromnowon,hecomestoseeyouonlyif
I'mathome.Period."

"Youpossessivechauvinist,"sheaccused.

Heliftedhersmallhandtohismouthandkisseditgently."I'mnotsharingyou,notevenwiththehead
ofaforeigngovernment."Heglancedattheenvelope."Ididn'texpecthimtopaybacktheloanatall,
muchlessthissoon."

"He'sdrowninginoil,"sheremindedhim."Isupposehiscountryisgoingtohaveanewleaseon
life."

OnceinParis

"Hecanstayinit,withmyblessing,"he

saidshortly.

Shedecidedthatitwasn'tapolitictimetotellhimaboutPhilippe'sotherpromise,about

theirchild.

"Youhavetogoback,Isuppose,"she

fished.

Hedrewherhandtohisbroadthighandhelditthere."I'mtheboss,"hetoldher."Idon'thavetogo
anywhereunlessitpleasesme."

Herheartjumped."You'restaying?"

Hisblackeyesslidoverherslenderbodyintheprettycaftanandhesmiled."Forafewyears,Iguess.
Fiftyorso."

Shedidn'tfeelherbreathwhisperinginsideheratall."Fifty...years?"

Henodded.Hishandmovedbacktoherroundedbelly."I'mnotleavingyoutogothrougha
pregnancywithmybabyalone.Mybaby,"hesaidagain,hisvoicefullofwonderandhesitantdelight.
"Ineverthoughtabout

babies."

"YouneedtocometotheSorbonnewithmeandstudybiology,"shetoldhim.

Heglaredather."Iknowwhatcauses

them."

Shechuckledshyly."Inoticed."

377

OnceinParis

376

DianaPalmer

Hesmiledgently."I'lltakegoodcareofyou,"hesaidquietly."Allmylife."Hiesmilefadedashe
tracedherfacewithtenderness."I'llgiveyouanythingyouwant."

Shefeltathicknessinherthroat."Ionlywantyou.ButI'lltakecareofyou,too,mydarling."

Hisindrawnbreathwasaudible.Helookedatherwithsuchpoignanttendernessthatsheblushed.He

bentandkissedhersofteyes,withfiercegentleness."Brianne!"hewhispered.Hedrewinanother
steadyingbreathandlookedatherhungrilyforalongtimebeforehespoke.

"What'swrong?"sheaskedsoftly.

Hisfingerstouchedhersoftmouthandhestaredatit,strugglingwithwordshedidn'twanttosay."I
can't...loseyou,"hewhispered."DearGod,Brianne,Ican'tloseyou...!"Incredibly,hisvoicebrokeon
thewords.

"Mydarling!"Shereachedupanddrewhimhungrilydowntoher,kissinghimeverywhereshecould
reach,cradlinghim,overwhelmedwiththewonderofhisloveforher.Shefelthisbroad,warmface
atherthroat,felttheunashamedwetnessagainstitasshemurmuredsoftlyandkissedhimwith
breathlesstender-

ness."I'lldomybesttoliveaslongasyoudo,butyoucan'tleaveme,either!"shewhisperedona
waterychuckle.Herarmscontractedhungrilyaroundhim."Oh,Pierce,Idoloveyousomuch!"

Hisarmsbecamealmostbruisingashereactedtothepassioninhervoiceandtheloveforherthat
knockedthebreathoutofhim.Shefelthismouthatherear."Iloveyou,Brianne,"hewhisperedback.
"Jet'aimesibeaucoup!"

Notonlydidheloveher,hetoldherhelovedherintwolanguages,shemused,dazedwithwonder
andjoy.Sheheldhimcloser,andclosedherownveryweteyestosavorthesoundofit.Pierceloved
her,andtherewasgoingtobeachild.Theyhadalifetimeaheadofthemtoshare.Itwasthehappiest
momentofherlife.

Margo'simagedidn'tfadeimmediately,butoverthemonthsitbecamelessapartoftheirlivesasshe
grewlargewiththebaby,andPiercediscoveredmeunadulteratedjoyofapproachingfatherhood.She
hadtwoclosetsfullofbabytoysandanurseryalreadyequippedwitheverymodernconvenience
knowntoman.Piercechoseanewweddingband,withher,and

379

378

DianaPalmer

heworeitnow,insteadoftheringMargohadgivenhim.

Everyoneknewthatshewaspregnant,becauselongbeforeshebeganwearingsmartmaternity
clothing,Piercewasannouncingitwithbeamingpridetoanyonewillingtolisten.

ThebabywasbornontheverydaythatPhil-ippeSabonbecameregentofhiscountry,sotherewas
noquestionofthembeingabletoattendtheceremony.Butdespitetheimportanceofthedayin
Sabon'slife,hestillmanagedabouquetofwhiterosesforBrianneandawordofcongratulationsto

theMuttonsonthebirthoftheiryoungson,EdwardLaurence.

AwearyBriannekissedherexuberanthusbandwhilehegazedwithaweandfascinationatthetiny
childinherarms,feedinghungrilyatherbreast..

"Thankyoufornotfussingabouttheroses,"shewhisperedwithatiredsmile.

Hechuckled."Oh,Icanforgivearoseortwo,sincehe'sanoceanawayfromus,"hemurmured.
"God,Brianne,isn'thebeautiful?"heexclaimed,watchingthechild.

"Verybeautifulindeed,"sheagreed.Shesearchedherhusband'sdarkfaceandsmiled.

OnceinParis

Thebaby'sfingerscurledaroundoneofbisandhesmiled,too.

"AndyouthoughtIwastooyoung,"she

chided.

Hechuckled."ThatwasbeforeIrealizedhowyoungyouweregoingtomakeme.Whatapresent,"he
murmured,bendingtokisshisson'slittlehead."Ican'tthinkofanythingofequalvaluetogiveyou."

"He'smine,too,"sheremindedhim.Shereachedupandtouchedhishardmouthgently."Wemight
giveeachotheradaughternext

time."Hepursedhislipsandgaveherarakishgrin.

"Okay."

Shelaughed.LifewassosweetShesparedathoughtforpoorPhilippe,whowouldneverknowthe
gloryofholdinghischildinhisarms.ButitwasonlytheonethoughtTherestwerecenteredwholly
onthetwomostbelovedmalesintheworld,inherarms.