The Survivor (Eve Duncan #30)

“Very generous,” Cade said. “Anything else?”

“You’re thinking about those single-horned animals?” She smiled. “But I’ve never said that they actually exist. Just another legend…”

Eve suddenly spoke. “As far as we know, neither did Silvana or those fabulous chests of jewels.” Her eyes narrowed on Maya’s face. “Yet you have no hesitation in offering those.”

Maya chuckled. “Perhaps those particular treasures have been sighted in the past? Much easier to identify than a creature that might prove to be extinct.” She was still grinning as she added, “But I’ll add that to the proposition if we happen to stumble on any while you’re there.”

Eve shook her head. “Not me. Though I admit I was fascinated by hearing about your Silvana. I was originally brought into this because Riley wanted to use me as a sounding board while she made up her mind. I’m still only striving to clarify it for her.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Maya said. “I would have liked you to see my island.” She smiled. “And I would have liked my island to see you.” She turned back to Riley. “So there it is. I’ve probably failed to impress Cade. I always knew it was a crapshoot. But do you want to hunt for Silvana’s tomb with me? You wanted to five years ago. I could see you thought it would be a great adventure. Since then you’ve found your Helen and let everyone in the world see what you can do. Don’t you want to do it again?” Her eyes were suddenly shining with intensity. “Now I’m even throwing in a few more legends and treasures for you to explore. Come along and I promise you a journey we’ll never forget. Don’t you want to—” She stopped and then shook her head ruefully. “But you have another life now. I’d try to keep you safe, but it would be a risk. You should tell me to go to hell.”

“You’re giving me all the pluses and minuses you can think of,” Riley said in exasperation. “I’d appreciate it if you’d stop telling me what to do. I’ll make up my own mind. Five years ago I might have been wobbling back and forth and you thought you might have to make up my mind for me, but even then, I made the right—” She had a sudden thought. “You’re very clever. The attack that night was genuine, wasn’t it? Nadim was going after us?”

Maya laughed. “I promise, you would’ve been dead before morning if I hadn’t gotten you out that night. But that’s no reason why you should go back into the frying pan because I ask you. I’ll find another way to save Palandan Island.”

“But you said you were desperate,” Riley reminded her.

“Maybe I was lying to you,” Maya said. “You were just saying how clever I am and wondering if I’d fooled you.”

“And you said I hadn’t, and I believed you.” She added firmly, “I still believe you.”

Maya turned to Eve. “I’ll leave it up to you. Do what she asked you to do. Make her see things clearly. Because I’m capable of trying to sway her in my direction, and I’m very good at it.” She turned and headed for the door. “I’m going for a walk by the lake so I won’t be tempted.” She glanced over her shoulder at Cade. “I’m done here. I’ll be ready to leave with Kirby within the hour.”

“But Kirby has already had a long flight. He might not be ready to leave yet,” Cade said. “We’ll have to discuss it.”

She nodded. “Whatever you say. But I need to be back on the island by tomorrow. See to it.” Then she was out the door and going down the stairs.

“She may need an attitude adjustment,” Cade murmured as he turned to Eve. “She seems to respect you. Perhaps you’d be the one qualified to take care of that problem.”

“Too late,” Eve said. “I could have told you that when she was telling us about sticking the dagger through that asshole’s hand. Besides, I still have to finish training Michael and Joe. I don’t have time to trek after Maya to her island.” She glanced at Riley and added, “And I believe you’ve been thinking very clearly indeed lately. Don’t expect any lectures from me.” She was pouring the tea. “But you might need to go out on the porch and have a discussion or two with Cade…”

“I’m not ready to discuss anything to do with that damn island at the moment, Cade,” Riley said as soon as they reached the porch. “I was furious with Maya, but I felt like running after her and comforting her. She was up against all of us in that room today. And probably felt as if the entire world was against her.” She went over to the railing and looked out at the lake. “Maybe it has been for most of her life. She never talks about her past. All I know is that she has that whole island depending on her.”

“She’s tough,” Cade said. “And I’ll bet she doesn’t want anyone feeling sorry for her. She’d probably spit in their eye.”

“Maybe. I don’t blame her. I’d feel the same way.”

“I know you would,” he said quietly. “You’re a lot like her. I can see why you bonded while you were on that island. It wasn’t only the fact that you felt you owed her a debt. You’re tough, too. And you’ve been chasing ancient history with your father since you were a little kid. Naturally, the Silvana legend would intrigue you, and Maya must have seemed part of it.”

“Yes, she did. Perhaps because my father and I had been trying so hard to find Helen, and sometimes I doubted if we ever would. But we were there on that island where Silvana had fled from Rome, and I listened to her legend, and I thought perhaps…” She broke off and shook her head as she turned back to face him. “Silvana was so brave fighting all those battles both in the arena and against the men who had made a slave of her. I wanted to be part of honoring her and showing the world what she’d created for herself in spite of all they’d done to her.” She shrugged. “And I think Maya felt the same way though she laughed at me as if I were one of the village children. But that didn’t stop her from telling me all the legends. I think she enjoyed them as much as I did.”

“And when she called on you to help, it caused you to remember more than the fact that she’d helped save your neck,” he said. “It confused you enough that you decided to come down here and talk to Eve.” He paused. “And completely ignored the fact that I might be interested in hearing about Nadim and even Silvana.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, that’s right, I was busy.”

“You were busy.” Her hands closed into fists. “And I would have told you eventually. I just had a decision to make.”

“Eventually,” he repeated. “But that sniper obviously interfered. What a shame.” His hands were suddenly grasping her shoulders, his eyes glittering. “Dammit to hell. You know how I grew up being fought over by my parents because of my grandfather’s billions. I swore I’d never be torn like that again. And when I found you, I knew it was the real thing and thought I’d gotten lucky. What have I done to you that you think I wouldn’t want to share everything? I love you. I thought we had a relationship.”

“We do.” She moistened her lips. “I do love you. But feeling like this about anyone is new to me. We just came together all of a sudden, and it was as great and exciting as the crash of cymbals. We were involved with the search for Helen, and the sex was fantastic and so were you. But we haven’t been together more than a few months. I told you, I’m accustomed to running my own life and making my own decisions.” She had to make him understand. “Look, it’s not easy living with a muckety-muck billionaire who has lunch with presidents and conferences with Arab princes. My experience is limited to African witch doctors, Egyptologists, and tomb raiders—who are much more interesting, but it’s sometimes hard to strike a balance. It’s better to just keep the groups separate.”

“Not if it also keeps me separate.” His hands dropped from her shoulders. He drawled, “‘Muckety-muck,’ Riley?”

He wasn’t angry any longer, she realized with relief. He was back in control and sounded almost amused. “It seemed an accurate indication of the differences between us.”

“You’d already indicated that without using that extremely unpleasant word.”

“It wasn’t really an insult. ‘Muckety-muck’ only means ‘important.’”

“With strong hints of arrogance,” he said. “When have I ever dared to be arrogant with you?”