The Survivor (Eve Duncan #30)

“I was angry.” She shrugged. “And I’d already had one bad run-in with him. He’d just struck one of my foremen on the head with the butt of his gun. It was a delicate situation. I wanted to punish, not cause the incident to escalate.”

“And if you hadn’t been surrounded by another ten or twelve more of your men, I’m sure that he would have taken you back to his camp that night for fun, games, and painful interrogation. I guarantee he wouldn’t have been nearly as sparing with your blood.”

“He didn’t have the chance. Besides, I’d already decided I was going to throw him off the island.” Her mouth tightened. “And I did.”

“Yet bad things could still have happened. That’s why I’m here to tell you that you’re entirely too gentle for this kind of business. You need to take on a partner.” He smiled. “And I happen to be available. Don’t you think this is the time?”

“Where did you hear Nadim was on his way?” she repeated.

His smile faded. “I’ve no objection to bribery, either. And I don’t like the idea of Nadim stealing something that I’ve been wanting to acquire for myself. Nadim’s top man, Max Gunter, has been in my pay since the night you kicked Nadim off the island. You’ll probably be upset to know Nadim did very well in India. He’s got a full crew now and he’s ready to go after you and whatever treasure he believes you have tucked away on this island. Plus, he’s sure any poaching he does on Palandan will be immensely profitable since you don’t allow any hunting on the island or in those mountains that belong to it.” He shook his head. “I could be a good partner to you, Maya. We’ve done business here for the last two years, and you know I’ve never cheated you. Why not take the next step? I’ll protect you and keep Nadim from cutting your throat. In return, naturally, I’ll require you to be accommodating enough to consider making the arrangement even closer. I’ve always had a yen for you when you’re not being lethal. You might also furnish me with that prize Nadim thinks you’re keeping hidden from him.”

She gave him an incredulous look. Then she laughed scornfully. “You don’t want much, do you?”

“I want everything,” Bevan said. “And I’ll get it, either from you or from Nadim. It would help if I knew exactly what it was that he was trying to relieve you of, but even Gunter couldn’t tell me that. He only said that Nadim told him he’d drain you dry before he killed you. What is it? Jewels? Money? I’ve been waiting and watching, but you’re very clever and I haven’t found it for myself yet.” He lowered his voice to soft persuasiveness. “But it will come, Maya. You think that all these villagers you have surrounding you here on the island will keep Nadim away? He’ll crush them like ants in an anthill. I could do it myself. Make the deal with me and I’ll find a way to keep you alive.”

“I don’t think so.” Maya shook her head. “I’m not as gentle or tenderhearted as you think, Bevan. And I don’t appreciate that you’ve been waiting until you were sure you’d have Nadim as backup before you decided to make your move. Neither you nor Nadim had better threaten or attack any of these villagers, or I’ll find a way to punish you.” Her lips tightened. “It’s true I don’t like to kill or maim, but I believe I could make an exception in your case.” She opened her desk drawer, pulled out her Smith & Wesson, and pointed it at him. “I think you’d better leave now.”

His smile faded as he saw the weapon. “You’re making a mistake, Maya.”

“I’ve made them before, but I don’t think this is one. This feels entirely right. Get out, Bevan. Don’t come back.”

His face flushed. “Oh, I’ll be back. There’s no point in getting all upset over a disagreement. Let’s forget this little discussion. You’re an exceptional businesswoman, and my produce and construction companies have made you and your villagers a good deal of money in the past couple years. I only want the best for you. I’ll give you another chance later to reconsider… an expansion. And I guarantee you’ll welcome me. Perhaps on your knees, Maya.” He turned on his heels and strode out of the house.

Maya’s hand instinctively tightened on the gun. He’d tried to mend fences in those last few minutes, but that initial threat couldn’t have been more clear. Then she deliberately relaxed her grip and returned the weapon to the desk drawer. She’d been a little hasty. Think about it, acknowledge the threat, but don’t let it get in the way of keeping Palandan safe.

“He was angry.” Tashi, her housekeeper, came into the office and brought them both a cup of tea. In her full-length silk beige-gold sarong and chic upswept, gray-streaked hair, she was elegant, graceful, but definitely disapproving. “I eavesdropped, of course, and I think you should have shot him. He showed you no respect.”

“And I showed him the same lack of respect.” Maya sipped her tea. “It was that kind of conversation.” She chuckled. “And you always think I should shoot first, negotiate later.”

“It would be safer for you.” Tashi sat down in the brocade chair beside the desk. “Jann Lu would have done it. Sometimes the old ways are best.”

“Jann Lu is dead.”

“She would not be dead if she’d shot the last man who tried to kill her,” Tashi said. “She was not fast enough, but she never hesitated to go after any enemy. You should learn from her.” She gazed at Maya critically. “Bevan frightened you. You hid it from him, but I could tell. You were frightened for us. You should know that we are much better fighters than Bevan or Nadim.”

“But they have more lethal weapons.” Maya leaned wearily back in her chair. “We’re too vulnerable. We have to change and become stronger. We’ve always been able to take down the Nadims and Bevans of the world, but technology is making it harder. And what about India and China right on our doorstep? Who knows who will be next? It’s a different world, and there are too many Nadims ready to leap out and attack. Bevan could be right; it may be time to make a deal.”

“No!” Tashi shook her head. “You cannot do that. You won’t do that. We won’t let you.”

“You can’t stop me.” She reached out and affectionately covered Tashi’s hand. “And you know that I would never do anything that would bring pain or dishonor to the island, nor to the villagers who have given their lives to protect it. But maybe I can strike a balance. Bevan could be right about making a deal. This might be the time when I can reach out and change our world. Would you trust me?”

Tashi didn’t answer immediately. “Perhaps. You’re thinking of Riley Smith? I thought you’d given up on that possibility.” She didn’t wait for an answer. “We’d be willing to let you try. If you’re not foolish enough to get yourself killed rather than pull that trigger. That can’t happen.”

“It won’t.” Maya was frowning. “But the situation is going to be very sensitive, and I don’t know how much time I’ll have. Did someone follow Bevan when he left here?”

Tashi nodded. “Dawa. We knew you’d want to keep track of him after he treated you with such disrespect.”

“In case you wished to punish him?” Maya asked sarcastically. “At the moment, all I want is to know where he is and who he’s meeting with here on the island. It would help if I knew when and where he might also be meeting with Nadim. I believe that will be inevitable.”

Tashi nodded. “Then we will find out.” She rose to her feet. “Bevan was right: You should have slit Nadim’s throat when you had a chance. It would have been much more efficient.” She shrugged. “But you have problems making that move. I understand. You are still young. It is good that you at least have a certain intelligence.”

“I’m glad you believe I have something going for me,” Maya said wryly.

“You’ve been with us for many years. You have a good heart, and you fight for us. Therefore you belong to us, even if you could be wiser. But you must work on it, Maya.” She swept gracefully toward the door but stopped before she reached it. “I almost forgot, thanks to that foolish Bevan. You have to go see Bailey right away. She wants to see you before she goes to sleep. She is worried.”

“About what?” Maya sighed. “Or who?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I didn’t think it would matter to you. You know she will not sleep until she sees you. She was working on her studies all evening and then decided she had to see you. She was going to come to you. I knew you wouldn’t want that tonight.”