Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [35]
“Screw you.”
“By the way, does Kelby know about Kafas?”
“What do you know about Kelby?”
“That you're holding Marinth out as a carrot and you shared adjoining rooms in Nassau. I imagine you're giving him a very good time. I think I'd enjoy discussing Kafas with him.”
“Why?”
“From his rather flamboyant reputation I'd judge he's a man of varied experience. I imagine he'd appreciate the same type of play I do. What do you think?”
“I think you're a sick son of a bitch.” She hung up.
So much evil. She felt as if she'd touched something slimy. She felt dirty . . . and scared. Jesus, she was scared. The muscles of her stomach were tied in knots, and her chest was so tight she could scarcely breathe.
There are other Kafas in the world.
Not for her. Never for her.
Forget what he'd said. He meant to frighten her. Terror gave him the power.
Christ, she couldn't forget it. He wasn't going to let her forget one minute of the memories she'd confided to Carolyn.
Deal with it. That's what Carolyn would have said.
Her phone rang again. She wouldn't answer it. Not now. Not until she was stronger.
The phone was still ringing when she half ran out of the bedroom and onto the lanai.
She stood by the French doors and breathed in the moist warm air. Ignore the phone. He couldn't touch her as long as she was here on the island. She was safe.
She was lying to herself. She'd never be safe. Not as long as there were men like Archer in the world. There would always be risk and moments of terror like this. She would have to accept and deal with it as Carolyn had taught her. She would have to find strength within herself. It was the only—
“Are you going to go for another swim with your dolphins?”
She stiffened and turned to see Kelby walking toward her across the lanai.
“No.”
“What a surprise. It seems to be the number-one escape route.” His gaze went beyond her to the bedroom. “Your phone is ringing. Are you going to answer it?”
“No. It's Archer. I've already talked to him.”
“Would you like me to answer it?” His lips tightened. “I assure you, I'd be delighted.”
“There's no point.” She closed the French doors to muffle the ringing. “I'm the one he wants to hurt.”
“Well, he's certainly accomplishing that. He's putting you through the wringer.”
“I'll get over it.” She crossed her arms tightly over her chest. She wished the ringing would stop. She should go in and turn down the volume. No, then she wouldn't know when he'd given up. She'd imagine the phone ringing and ringing. . . .
“What does he think he's going to get out of harassing you?”
“He wants to drive me crazy. He thinks I'll give him the tablets if he can make me stressed enough,” she said jerkily. “He wants to keep gnawing at me until I bleed to death. Like Carolyn. She bled to death. But I'm not going to let him do it to me. I won't be helpless again. That's what he wants. That's what they all want. I won't go crazy and I won't—”
“For God's sake, shut up.” His arms closed around her. “And don't stiffen up on me. I'm not going to hurt you. I just can't stand to see you like this. It's like watching someone being crucified.”
“I'm okay. He didn't hurt me. I wouldn't let him hurt me.”
“The hell he didn't.” His hand reached up to cup the back of her head, and he rocked her back and forth. “Shh, it will be fine. You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you.”
“Not your responsibility. I have to deal with it. Carolyn said I had to deal with it.”
“Deal with what?”
“Kafas.”
“What's Kafas?”
“The cage. The golden cage. He knows about it. That's why he sent me that birdcage. He knows everything about me. I feel as if his dirty fingers are on my soul. Though he'd rather have them on my body. He's one of them. I can tell. I can always tell when they—”
“Melis, you're not yourself. You'll regret—”
“No! I'm not out of control. I'm fine.”
“Jesus, I didn't mean you were going off your rocker.” He pushed her back and