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“It doesn’t have to be.”
He tilted his head. “Because you never felt as if it was really yours? I always meant you to know that what was mine was yours. It seems I failed there, too.”
She didn’t want him to feel that way when he’d never been anything but generous to her. She found the words tumbling out. “It didn’t matter. It was just a place. I liked it because you were there. I’ve never felt anything about a place like Eve does about the Lake Cottage. But that was because of her memories. I’ve never been in any place long enough to have a lasting memory.”
He was suddenly smiling. “It’s not only places that furnish memories. I think we’ve created a few together that had nothing to do with brick and mortar. We’ve just got to combine and embroider a little more.” He winked. “See you later, Riley.” Then he was gone.
And Riley was left to look after him and try not to think about what he was going to face within the next minutes. It was all very well to tell Maya how good he was and that she shouldn’t worry about him doing what he said he could do. It was different having to stay here and watch him walk out that door.
Then why do it? she thought recklessly. She was done here; why not go find Maya and wait with her until Cade came back? She left the first-aid room and caught sight of Maya across the square, standing gazing at the glow of the fire in the forest. She started across the village to join her.
“Why is it so quiet out there?” Maya murmured. “We’ve only heard four shots since they went into the forest. That was thirty minutes ago. What’s happening?”
“As long as those four shots didn’t go into Cade or Kirby, I don’t give a damn.” Riley’s voice was shaking. “And I’m not sure they didn’t. Why the hell couldn’t he have waited until midnight when they’d have backup?” Her eyes were straining as they focused on the flames. “I haven’t even seen any of those bastards who were guarding that blasted fire since I came to stand beside you. Though I thought I caught a glimpse of someone on the far side of the fire five minutes ago.” She shrugged. “But then he was gone. It might have been a shadow or my imagination.”
“Or it might not.” Maya grabbed her arm. “Because I just caught sight of Kirby.” She pointed to a shadowy figure emerging from the smoke. “Though there’s no sight of Cade yet. But don’t start worrying again. Kirby doesn’t look as if he’s on edge.”
But Kirby was definitely alert and carrying his rifle with care and purpose Riley noticed. The next instant Cade was beside him and then they were both running toward the wall.
Riley was on her feet as they slid behind the wall. “What’s happening? Why didn’t we hear any guns?”
“Because there wasn’t anyone to fire them,” Cade said. “Kirby and I were very slick about slipping behind enemy lines, and we were about to start picking off the snipers.” His lips twisted. “But we couldn’t find any. What a conundrum.”
“What are you talking about?” Maya asked hoarsely.
“I think you might have an idea,” Cade said. “Nadim’s snipers had flown the coop. They must have slipped away earlier in the evening and taken off for their designated pickup place.”
“Why?” Riley asked blankly.
“My guess is, their job was done,” Cade said. “Just to be sure, we did a thorough look around the area. It was entirely clean of all the vermin who had been tormenting the village. I set a few of the island guards to reconnoiter, but I don’t expect to find anyone else.”
“It’s too soon,” Riley said. “Why would they leave almost as soon as we got here?”
“Yes, why?” Cade turned back to Maya. “Would you like to hazard a guess?”
“No, I’d like to have an answer.” She moistened her lips. “Did you do as I asked you?”
He nodded. “Would I disappoint you?” He held out his hand to her. “Back out. I don’t want to do this. You won’t want to do this.”
“But I have to do it. You’re just making it harder.”
He muttered a curse. “Then are you ready to come with me?”
She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. “Not ready, but I have to do it. I’ll be right back, Riley.”
Riley shook her head as she examined Maya’s pale face. “I don’t think so. I don’t like the way you look. What’s happening here?”
“Maya just wants a closer look at the bonfire those snipers built for us,” Cade said through clenched teeth. “I promised I’d show it to her. Of course, she could back out. She won’t do it.”
“Then I’ll go with her,” Riley said.
“No, you won’t,” Cade said sharply. “You stay here.”
“To hell with it.” Maya shook her head and started across the field. “They wanted me to see it. I’ll see it.”
Cade caught up with her in six steps. He muttered a curse. “Why don’t you give it up? I think you know what’s there. I’ll tell you about it.”
“Then he’d win. He wants to hurt me. I have to show him he can’t do it. But I’ve got to see it.” She was looking at the glow of the fire as she grew nearer and nearer. “They must have put fresh wood on the flames before they left or it would have gone out by now,” she said dully. She could feel the heat now, the scent of the wood and something else…