The Survivor (Eve Duncan #30)

And that had been far too long, she agreed. He felt so hard and good against her. She pressed closer to him. She could feel her body readying. “Your fault,” she whispered. “You’re the one who’s always off saving the world. Want to go for a walk in the woods? We still have a few hours before you have to face being warm and welcoming. I’m beginning to feel very warm and welcoming myself at the moment.”

He sighed. “No, I’ve made sure the sentries know everything that goes on in those woods. I don’t want any of them to know you that well.” His lips brushed the hollow of her throat. “I’ll find a place.” He pushed her away. “Soon.”

Not soon enough for her, she thought. But then the sex had been this intense with them since the very first time. She took a deep breath and moved over to the front door. “Then I’d better go interrupt Eve’s work and tell her that Maya is going to be here soon. She might want to discuss it.” She winked at him over her shoulder. “And I find I’m suddenly in need of a distraction.”

Riley and Cade were waiting at the helicopter pad in the woods when the chopper landed several hours later. Maya jumped out and strode toward them, smiling tentatively at Riley. “I’d like to give you a hug, but I figure since I evidently screwed up, I should restrain myself and all overtures should come from you. You look well, better than I deserve.” She turned to Cade. “You must be Cade. You frightened me when you told me she was in the hospital. I think you probably meant to do it because you were angry with me. After I hung up, I called and checked her condition with the hospital. I was relieved that the wounds were minor, and she wasn’t lying at death’s door.”

“But could have been much worse,” Cade said coolly. “Yet you still came. Did you have a reason?”

She smiled faintly. “I always have a reason. She was hurt because I wasn’t careful enough. That was enough of a reason this time.” She looked at Riley. “And I was desperate enough to want to finish what I started with you, even though I’d obviously irritated Cade. But in the past you usually walked your own path, and I thought you still might.” She shrugged. “It was worth a shot. Should I get back on the helicopter?”

Riley was gazing at her searchingly. “Desperate. How desperate?”

“I told you, it’s the endgame.” She added, “But I don’t cheat, and you’ll all get your share if you help me. I thought long and hard before I decided to call you, Riley.” She smiled crookedly. “Though I had a hunch about you even back when we first met. But after you left the island, I watched and waited to see what you were going to do with all that enthusiasm and talent. You were amazing, and it seemed as if you were meant to help me.” She glanced at Cade. “Even when you chose the most difficult people, I realized I could work with them.”

Cade made a rude sound. “You’re not really telling us anything. Talk to us.”

“She’s trying,” Riley said as her gaze raked Maya’s expression. “And she’s the same person I knew five years ago. I think she does feel desperate.” She frowned at Maya. “But he’s right, you’re not being clear, and Cade always needs everything crystal clear.” She took a step forward and embraced her. “There’s no reason to feel desperate. See, I’m making the first move. We just need to straighten everything out.”

“Oh, shit,” Cade said.

And Maya started to laugh. “I don’t blame you, Cade. She’s just as affectionate and curious and impulsive as she always was.” She returned Riley’s embrace. “I promise I’ll make everything crystal clear. But I assume we’re on our way for me to meet Eve Duncan, so shouldn’t I wait until you can all hurl questions at me?”

“Excellent idea,” Cade growled as he turned back and called to Kirby, who was still at the helicopter. “Go find Loring and get something to eat. I don’t know how long we’ll be up at the cottage before this is over.”

“Hmm…” Kirby was grinning. “Maybe I should have set up that bet.”

“Nah,” Cade said as he started toward the cottage. “Because in the end, Riley is holding all the cards.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Maya murmured as she fell into step with Cade. “I don’t know the stakes, but you might all be able to win if we play it right. For instance, we can’t omit sweeping up anyone we even suspect of working with Nadim.”

“Is this a teaser?” Cade asked.

“No. I’m trying to hold off until we get to the cottage. But I will tell you that Nadim isn’t the only bad guy in the mix. The reason he knew I’d contacted Riley was that Charles Bevan must have bugged my office and sold the info to Nadim. He might have even made a deal with him. But Nadim has been bracing himself to attack the island, and he probably wouldn’t have wanted Bevan’s interference unless Bevan proved valuable to him. The bug could have been the opening negotiation. As soon as Nadim knew Riley’s destination, all he had to do was send a couple of his snipers here in time for her arrival at the Lake Cottage.”

“You’re certain?” Cade asked.

“Close enough. After you told me about the attack on Riley, I searched my office. I found the bug and got rid of it. The only person who had been in my office anywhere near that time was Bevan.” She added, “I wouldn’t play ball with him, so he went to Nadim. He also probably knows more than I’d like about the island. We can’t trust him.”

“‘We’? I have no idea yet if we’re going to be involved in your schemes.”

“You’ll probably be working against Nadim regardless. You won’t like the way he operates.”

“How do you know?”

“Nadim is involved in a number of ugly criminal activities, but one of his most profitable is poaching. He’d have to know you’re famous for hunting down men of his profession and putting them permanently out of business. One of the reasons that he was so upset that I was calling on Riley for help had to be that your relationship with her is all over the media. He wouldn’t have wanted you to stick your nose in his business.”

“And you’re saying it’s my fault he went after Riley?”

“No, I’m saying it’s entirely my fault, but you should know that Nadim will always be a threat to you now. He failed and he’ll hate it. You should be ready for him. Though he doesn’t operate anywhere near the places you usually target. Call Kirby and tell him to look him up for you. Try India.”

His brows rose. “Are you giving me instructions?”

“I’m trying to keep you alive. I don’t think Riley would forgive me if I didn’t.” They had reached the cottage and Maya was looking up at the staircase. “I’m a little nervous. I’ve heard a lot about her.”

“Do you need her to like you?”

Maya lifted her chin. “I don’t need anyone to like me.” Then she added, “But I respect her, and it would be nice.” She quickened her pace and caught up with Riley. “Will you introduce me, Riley? I saw a photo of the sculpture of Helen she did for you. Wonderful…”