The Survivor (Eve Duncan #30)

She shook her head. “She and Joe are going to check it out at top speed, but she knows that it’s probably a long shot. She’s just moving as fast as she can and hoping to help us out. No emperor, no caretaker, only our good friend.”

“And that’s more than enough.” He tilted his head and asked curtly, “Are you okay?”

She was suddenly aware of the stormy recklessness threading his words. “Why shouldn’t I be?” she asked warily. Then she made a face. “Except that I was a little emotional myself when I left here before. I’m sorry, I promise I won’t do that again.” She deliberately avoided his eyes and shifted her gaze to the box beside the door. “What’s that? Supplies to take with us?”

“You might say that. Actually, it’s a few little items for you.”

“What?” She started to get up.

“Don’t get up.” He moved toward the box. “I’ll bring them to you. I want to make a presentation.”

She frowned as she watched him open the box. “What on earth? This is weird. What the hell is it?”

He reached in the box and drew out a pack containing a camouflage uniform. “I thought you might need something appropriate to wear.” He threw it down on the bed with barely restrained violence. Then he took out a pair of combat boots and put them beside the uniform. He pulled out an automatic pistol and put it on the bed. “That should do it. If there’s anything else necessary, I’m sure I’ll get around to furnishing it.” His lips tightened. “After all, I wouldn’t want you not to have all the proper equipment when I drag you up the mountain to that sarcophagus. If the altitude doesn’t get you, Nadim or Bevan might be waiting in the wings to take you out.”

She shook her head in bewilderment. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about with this charade. Why are you so angry with me?”

“I’m not angry with you.” He knelt beside her and grasped her shoulders. “If anything, I’m angry at myself. I was just down at base camp, and I saw all this crap on the shelves, and it suddenly hit home to me what a complete idiot I’ve been since all this started. I shouldn’t have brought you to the island at all, and now I’m going to drag you with me up that mountain as if you were Kirby or one of the paid mercenaries and you didn’t matter.” His hands tightened on her shoulders. “But you do matter. No one matters as much as you do to me. We should stop right here, and I should send you back to Eve and let you help her where you’ll be safe and surrounded by Joe Quinn and Loring’s men.” He added through set teeth, “But you won’t let me do that, will you?”

“Of course I won’t.” She shrugged off his grip. “Because it’s all nonsense. I wouldn’t leave you here. You’re not going to walk away. You promised Maya, so you’ll still be here until it’s over. And you brought Kagan here. Are you going to send him back to one of his mountains and let those unicorns be butchered by Nadim? I don’t think so. I told you that we’re in this together now. Forget anything else, including all that protective bullshit. That really pisses me off.”

“May I bring it to your attention that I’m considerably more experienced at taking care of myself than you are?”

“You mean all those medals and going after poachers and other assholes? Yes, you have experience. But then so do I. I grew up in the jungle.” She touched the barrel of the automatic pistol he’d placed on the floor at her feet. “You’ll remember I’m fairly good at shooting one of these. Though I’m better with a Luger.” She looked him in the eye. “And I’ll admit that you’re an expert at all that other stuff, but I’m smart and learn very quickly, Cade. Instead of worrying and trying to put me in a box, why don’t you take me with you whenever you have the opportunity and start teaching me what you think I should know? Because that’s the only way you’re going to be absolutely certain that I’ll be safe.” She added with emphatic softness, “If I do it myself.”

He swore and shook his head. “That’s supposed to make me not worry? I want you surrounded by an army.”

“I believe it will be fine once you get over the first painful twinges. I’ll be reasonable, but naturally it will have to be reciprocal.” She smiled mischievously. “To blend in with your theory that we have to learn from each other. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll wear the camo uniform, complete with combat boots, that you so kindly brought to remind me.” She scooted over on the sleeping bag. “Now come and hold me. It’s late and we only have a few more hours to sleep before we start looking for that waterfall. You said the arrangements have all been made?”

“Except for the plane. It’s taken some time to get the right pressure equipment on board.” He was already undressing. “But we’ll still have time to get it done before we need it. It will take us almost half a day to climb up to the tower room and get the coffin. Another half day to get it down and packed on the helicopter to take to the airport where the Gulfstream is waiting.” He grimaced. “Providing everything goes well. We don’t know what we’re going to find when we get to the tower room.” He was naked and sliding under the blankets. “Kirby will be piloting both the helicopter and the Gulfstream.” He paused. “I can’t talk you into going with him to join Eve at the Lake Cottage?”

“We’ve just discussed that,” Riley said as she pulled off her nightshirt and threw it aside. “You never give up, do you?”

“Not when it’s something I really want.” He moved over her. “I can compromise and I will, but don’t expect me to surrender. Not when it’s about you.” He kissed her. “Because there’s nothing I want or need more.” He was gently stroking her hair back away from her face. “I love holding you. It’s one of my favorite things.” He kissed her again. “But I wonder if the holding could be later instead of sooner?”

“I don’t see why not.” She was having trouble breathing as he came into her. “Later would give us something to look forward to.” She gasped at a sudden deep move. “What do you think?”

He laughed. “I believe that it’s all good and it’s not going to matter one damn bit…”

Nadim cursed. He and Bevan had been driving for over an hour down a jungle road that seemed to appear and disappear almost every few minutes. They were on the island of Pulau Tiga, at the head of a three-car caravan and chasing a lead he was increasingly convinced would take them absolutely nowhere. He turned toward Bevan, who was driving. “Are you sure this isn’t a complete waste of time?”

“Positive. I trust my sources on this.”

“Tell me more about this man we’re seeing. This… Chodak.”

“Tenzin Chodak.”

“Couldn’t we have brought him to meet us somewhere a bit more civilized? Given him five thousand dollars and a charter plane ticket?”

“He wouldn’t have come.”

“Okay, ten thousand.”

“He makes a good living right where he is.”

“Here?” Nadim waved his hands at the jungle around them. “Doing what? Is he a drug dealer?”

“No. He owns a small boat on the island’s south side. The oil companies pay him well to take their experts to other islands in the area. They’ll be drilling all around here in the next five years or so. They’ve been snapping up leases like crazy.”