Always - Iris Johansen [30]
“Then come with me.” His voice was suddenly low and urgent. “I’m in trouble, but it will blow over soon. You loved me once. Everything will be the way it was, you’ll see. I need you, Lisa.”
Oh, dear Lord, she couldn’t stand this. “The woman who thought she loved you doesn’t exist anymore, Martin. I can’t give you what I don’t have.”
“It’s the boy, isn’t it? You can’t forgive me for what happened to Tommy.”
“No, it’s not Tommy.” She tried to keep her voice from shaking. “I know you couldn’t help—” She broke off. “Oh, please, Martin. Just go.”
“Not until you go with me. I can make it up to you. Let me try, baby.”
“I’m not a baby. I’m an adult. You never understood that.” Oh, merciful heaven, the tears were too close. The memories were too close.
“Desmond must be quite a man. I’m warning you, I’ll find a way to get rid of him, Lisa.”
“His name isn’t Desmond,” she said. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. His name is—”
“Isn’t this the dramatic moment when I make my entrance?” Clancy asked sardonically. “Just like Hercule Poirot in an Agatha Christie thriller?”
“Clancy!” Lisa whirled to face him.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to do without your hat. I thought it was more important that I meet Baldwin.”
“You knew?” she whispered.
“It’s fortunate you’re a singer and not an actress. You’d never make it on the stage.” Clancy was looking at Martin with a touch of savage hunger in his eyes. “Aren’t you going to introduce us, Lisa? I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment. I’m Clancy Donahue, Baldwin.”
“Donahue!” A flush of rage mantled Martin’s classic features. His gray eyes narrowed on Lisa’s white face with an ugliness that was nearly tangible. “A setup? You’re shacking up with Donahue and trying to hand me to him gift-wrapped?”
“No. I tried to warn you,” Lisa said wearily. “You wouldn’t listen.”
“You didn’t try very hard. You wanted to get rid of me and then you and your police snoop of a lover could live happily ever after.”
“He’s not my lover.” She didn’t really expect to convince him. Martin always believed only what he wanted to believe.
“Don’t lie to me.” Martin’s eyes were blazing. “I can see the way he looks at you.”
“I am her lover,” Clancy said tersely. “You’re out of the picture, Baldwin. You’re also going to be out of my hair from now on.”
“The hell I am.” Martin stared at Lisa, smiling coldly. “You shouldn’t have done it, Lisa. You betrayed me. Betrayers have to be punished.” His voice lowered, grew silky and venomous. “You know, I was glad about what happened to Tommy. I knew you always put him first.”
Clancy took a step toward him. “You’re not going to punish anyone, Baldwin. If you’re extremely lucky, you may get out of this with your skin, but you’re not ever to think of hurting Lisa. It would prove fatal.”
“Threats?” Martin’s lips curled. “You’re defending your wh—” His powerful left arm swept forward with a lightning-swift movement and struck the precariously balanced rattan chests. Suddenly the whole stack came tumbling toward them!
Lisa heard Clancy’s muttered curse before he pulled her away from the chests that were crashing all around them. She heard the shrill, angry scream of the booth attendant, and then Galbraith was beside them.
“Did you see which way he went?” Clancy asked.
Lisa’s gaze flew to the shadowy corner where Martin had stood an instant ago. He was gone!
“Through that alleyway in back of the booth,” Galbraith said. “I put Hendricks on his tail.”
“Good.” Clancy let go of Lisa’s arm and turned away. “I’m going after him. Take Lisa back to the villa.” He jumped over one of the chests in his path and took off running.
Lisa gazed after him in a daze. Everything had happened so fast that it was difficult to comprehend.
Galbraith placed a gentle hand on her elbow. “We have to do as Clancy said, Miss Landon. Don