Eve - Iris Johansen [100]
“Black will be coming after you.”
“He’s probably breathing down my neck right now.” He looked her in the eye. “Which makes me criminally irresponsible to be here with you.”
“You can’t be responsible for an act I committed myself.” She pushed back her chair. “That’s not possible. Now I think it’s time I went to my room and took a shower and unpacked. Unless we’re going to be leaving here soon?”
“Not soon.” He got to his feet. “But it’s probably not wise to unpack.” He added, “Nor to go to your room. I want you to stay here tonight.”
She stiffened, her gaze flying to his face. “Why?”
“In another life, you wouldn’t even have to ask.”
She felt a rush of heat that surprised her. It was as if her body had memories of him that triggered responses that were purely instinctive. “But that was another life.”
“Have you ever considered reincarnation?”
“No.” She started for the door. “I’ll call you after I shower and we’ll discuss—”
“I meant it about staying,” he said. “And it wasn’t for the most obvious and pleasant reason. I just couldn’t resist giving the answer that I—” He shook his head ruefully. “I know that it would only make things more difficult, but I’m finding I don’t have much control. I’m reacting instinctively.”
As I have been doing, she thought. Evidently, they were both being ambushed by memories. “Then I think it’s best to think before you act.” She had to be honest. “This is strange for me, too.” She changed the subject. “Why do you want me to stay?”
“Because I set you up. And I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Set me … What the hell are you talking about?”
“I told you once that you couldn’t trust me. Not if it was something I really wanted.” He smiled crookedly. “I really want to get Paul Black.”
“Well, so do I. What does that have to do with anything?”
“I was trying to be so damn noble and all that crap. I was going to keep you from being hurt. I was going to try to make up for all I did to you.” He shrugged. “But I’m not noble. I’m worse than the kid who screwed you and left you alone and pregnant. You were right to tell me to keep to the plan and get out of your life.”
“You’re making me sound like a victim. I wasn’t one then, and I’m certainly not one now. I made sure I was in control of keeping myself from getting pregnant and I blew it. Now will you stop reminiscing and tell me what you’re talking about?”
“Reminiscing? That sounds almost sentimental. Neither one of us was ever that,” he said. “And I’m talking about the reason I gave in and brought you here. Insurance. It was clear for whatever reason that Black wasn’t eager to confront me. I needed a goad. He figured he’d hurt me before by killing Bonnie. Now he’s coming back to revisit the situation, and, lo and behold, you’re back in my life.” He paused. “As I arranged.”
“You’re saying I’m bait?” She shook her head. “Don’t flatter yourself. I wouldn’t be that passive. If you’d said that was what you intended, do you think that I wouldn’t have come? The only difference would have been that we might have gotten together a plan that was mutually agreeable.”
He stared at her and smiled slowly. “I thought I remembered everything about you, but some details must have slipped away.”
She looked at the door. “You think that Queen or Black will know I’m in Room 1502? No one knows you’re here?”
“I made sure that they wouldn’t. I bribed the clerk to give you 1502 and set up a signal alarm so that I’d know if anyone entered the room. I went in earlier and mussed up the bed and made it look occupied.” He paused. “And I set up a camera to record any visitors.”
Her brows rose. “My, you were thorough.”
“I’m a good hunter,” he said simply. “I’ve been well trained. Ask Queen.”
“I don’t want to ask him anything. From what I’ve heard of him, I’d just as soon not make his acquaintance.” She added grimly, “Unless it was to try to throw him into jail.” She turned away from the door. “It appears that I stay here.” She took her carry-on case and threw it on the bed. “How fast do you think Black will move?”
He shook his head. “I have no idea. But