Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [28]
“Dead?”
Carolyn lying on that cold metal slab.
“Oh, yes.”
“And you don't believe the law will catch them?”
“I can't take the chance. And there's a chance I'd spin my wheels for a long time if I tried to find them myself. I don't have influence or money. This island is the only asset I have in the world. No, you're my best bet. You have as much money as Midas. Your background in the SEALs has taught you how to kill. Now you have motivation. I just gave it to you.”
“But I have to give you what you want before I get my reward.”
“I'm not a fool, Kelby.”
“Neither am I. You didn't help Lontana find Marinth, and you cared about him. Why should I believe you'll meekly lead me to it?”
“You won't believe me. But you're obsessed like Phil, so you'll take a chance that I'll keep my part of the bargain.”
“You're sure of that?”
“Sure enough.”
“Give me proof you know where Marinth is located.”
“I don't have proof here I can show you. You'll have to trust me.”
“If it's not here, where is it?”
“It's near Las Palmas.”
“That's vague enough. Why don't we fly out there and you can show me?”
“If I showed you the proof, you might decide you didn't need me.”
“Then you'd have to trust me, wouldn't you?” He shook his head. “We're at a stalemate. Outfitting a ship for this kind of expedition can be very expensive. I'm supposed to spend all that cash on the chance you're telling me the truth? Wilson wouldn't approve of me going on a wild-goose chase.”
“Why are you arguing?” She frowned. “This is what you've wanted from me since you met me. Now I'm giving it to you.”
“You're telling me you're giving it to me. Do you know how many times in my life I've trusted people and had them bite me in the ass? A long time ago I swore it would never happen to me again. You show me why I should think you're any different. I don't see any sign of either proof or bond.” He was silent a moment. “I'll think about it.”
She felt a ripple of panic. She hadn't expected his hesitation. Phil wouldn't have hesitated. Anything and everything for the dream. “What else do you want?”
“I said I'd think about it.”
“No, I need you to do this. Carolyn was . . . I can't let them go free after what—” She drew a deep breath. “What do you want from me? I'll do anything. Do you want me to go to bed with you? I'll do it. That's a sort of promissory note, isn't it? Whatever it takes to make sure—”
“For God's sake, shut up. I don't want to screw you.”
“You've never thought of it?” Her lips twisted. “Of course you have. Men . . . like me. They always have. It's something about the way I look. Carolyn used to say it aroused the conqueror instinct, that I had to accept it and deal with it. Well, I'm dealing with it, Kelby. You want a little something extra added to Marinth? You can have it. Just give me your promise.”
“Son of a bitch.”
“Just your promise.”
“I'm not giving you anything.” He took a step toward her, his eyes glittering in his taut face. “Hell, yes, I want to fuck you. I've wanted to do it from the first time I saw you in Athens. But you don't try to jump a woman who's already walking wounded. Dammit, I'm not an animal. I won't treat you like a whore even though you're offering to be one. If I decide to go after Marinth, it won't be because I want to get in you.”
“Am I supposed to thank you for that? You don't understand. I don't care what you do. It won't mean anything to me.”
He muttered an oath. “Jesus, no wonder you're a target. I don't know a man who wouldn't want to fuck you just to prove you wrong.” He turned on his heel and headed for the lanai doors. “I've got to get the hell away from you. I'll talk to you in the morning.”
She had blundered, she thought in despair when he'd disappeared inside the cottage. She had meant to be cool and businesslike, but at the first hint of opposition she'd panicked. She'd offered him the one commodity she knew was acceptable.
But it hadn't been acceptable to him. For some reason she'd made him both angry and indignant.
Not that he hadn't wanted it. She knew