The Survivor (Eve Duncan #30)

“I didn’t really care at the time. I’m still a bit suspicious. I care even less now. We need answers.” He added grimly, “And before she leaves here, we’ll have them.”

“This is my business, Cade,” Riley said. “And if I’m considered a target, what kind of bounty would Nadim put on Maya? She pulled some strings and got him exiled to India after he attacked our camp on the island.”

“I’ll keep her safe,” Cade said. “And I’ll get her back to her island. But not until we get those answers. She’s already cost you too much already.” He held her gaze. “Payback is all very well, but you realize in this case I’m making sense.”

She didn’t want to admit it. But how could she deny it when she’d intended to get the answers herself before committing? She slowly nodded. “But Maya has to be safe.” She turned to Eve. “Unless you have an objection. You’ve already had those assholes destroy part of your home. Maya might be an even greater temptation for Nadim.”

“I’ll trust Cade,” Eve said. “I’m very pissed off about my boathouse, and even more so about what they did to you. I want to see them hurt.” She shrugged. “And I want answers, too.” She turned and headed for the front door. “But right now I have to call Joe and keep him from leaving Michael and getting on the first flight home. I was going to call him when I first got here, but then I decided that I’d wait until I could talk to you and Riley. Michael needs Joe right now, and you’d better make certain that we don’t, Cade.”

“First priority,” Cade said lightly. “And I’ll call him myself after you hang up. Not that he won’t respect your input much more than mine. But it will give him someone to blame when he can’t do what he wants to do.”

“There’s never blame where we’re concerned,” Eve said. “When every moment is precious, you learn never to waste one of them.”

Cade turned to Riley when Eve disappeared into the house. “Very healthy philosophy. I wonder how long it took to reach that particular state of nirvana. We don’t seem to have climbed the first rung of the ladder yet. Did I detect an edge of resentment just now?”

“Perhaps. You have a habit of taking over, and I find that upsetting. Dammit, you lead a fuller and more complex life than anyone I’ve ever met, and I never question your choices. No matter where you go, what you do.” She added, “I accept them, and I expect the same of you. Maybe it would have been more polite to share that phone call I received from Maya, but you were too busy, and I didn’t see why I shouldn’t handle it the way I’ve handled everything else in my life.”

“Very practical. Ordinarily I could see your viewpoint perfectly. Particularly since I’m familiar with the nomad existence you led with your father, who let you almost raise yourself as you traveled all over the world. But I find I’m having difficulty with the concept after I saw you in the hospital today. I think perhaps we might have to change it. Suppose we talk about it and explore as we go along.”

She frowned. “If you like. But it sounds a little cold-blooded.”

He chuckled. “That will never be one of our problems. The words I was having trouble with were ‘polite’ and ‘too busy.’”

“But it was true.”

“Was it?”

She made a dismissive gesture. “What we have to be concerned with is when Maya is going to get here. Did she give you any idea?”

“I didn’t leave the departure time entirely up to her. I sent Kirby to fly down to Palandan Island and pick her up. I thought it safer to slip her discreetly away from there if we can manage it. I did promise you that. He should arrive at the island in another hour and thirty minutes. He’ll let us know when they have an ETA here.”

“Or when Maya decides to come,” she said dryly. “I told you that she writes her own rules.”

“You did. Which both intrigues and disturbs me. I can’t wait to see what Kirby has to report about her.” He turned and headed for the stairs. “But rules can be adjusted. I’d better get busy and see what I can do to make this entire area welcoming and safe for her. I’ll see you later, Riley.”

PALANDAN ISLAND

“We have to get out of here, Ms. Fallon,” Kirby said impatiently as he strode into Maya’s office, where the blasted woman was on another phone call. “I have my orders, and Cade isn’t the most patient man even when he’s not dealing with a bastard like Nadim. I’ll give you another ten minutes.”

“You don’t understand,” Maya said coolly. “I don’t obey your orders. You’ll give me as long as I need to get my people safely away.” She ended the call she was on and turned to Tashi. “I’ve given the guards and the workers in the groves their orders. I want you to leave the main house and go deep into the island. I’ve already said goodbye to Bailey. Take her to the mountain and keep her there until I get back. If there’s any sign of Nadim, send her to the temple under guard.”

“You’ve told me that before,” Tashi said. “Do you think I’m deaf or just a fool?”

“Neither.” Maya wearily shook her head. “Perhaps I’m afraid I’m the fool for being drawn away from here. It may be for nothing.”

“It won’t be,” Tashi said. “You will speak, and he will listen. Riley would not have chosen anyone so stupid as to ignore you. And I don’t like you worrying about such nonsense.”

“Then of course I won’t.” She smiled faintly. “Since I’m sure you will handle everything splendidly. I will call you when I reach Atlanta. Goodbye, my friend.”

“Farewell.” Tashi inclined her head. “All will go well, and I promise nothing will happen to the child.” She swept out of the room.

Maya turned immediately to Kirby. “And now we’ll leave. I’ve done what I can here. It might be enough since I was able to find you a safe landing field away from the coast.” She got to her feet. “Get me out of here quickly, Kirby. I don’t want Nadim to know I’m gone. I’ve arranged a diversion if he finds out, but I don’t want to use it.”

“Then you should have put on a little more speed,” he said flatly. “You’ve kept me waiting over two hours.”

“It was the best I could manage. You can’t imagine how complicated it was to coordinate. But you will, because it’s a long flight and I’ll explain it to you. In return, I’d appreciate it if you tell me what I need to know about Cade so I make no mistakes with him. I think underneath that gruffness you must be an intelligent man or Cade wouldn’t have sent you. Therefore, it’s important we learn to know and cooperate with each other.”

“It’s only important that I get you safely to Atlanta. You can be assured I’ll do that.”