Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [36]
“You're not like him. I'd be able to tell. I couldn't stand you touching me if you were like him. And why should I tell you anything? It's none of your business.” She took a step back. “I'm sorry. You meant well. I was— I have to come to terms with it. It just came as a shock and sent me spiraling.”
“You're still not in good shape.” He looked away from her. “Archer thinks he knows something about your past that could hurt you. Is it possible he could blackmail you?”
There was a note in his voice that surprised her. “What would you do if I said yes?”
“I might cancel the bargain and just go after Archer for free.” His smile was cold. “I don't like blackmailers.”
She stared at him in surprise. “He can't blackmail me. I got over worrying what the world thought of me a long time ago.”
“Too bad. I really wanted to break someone.” He met her gaze. “And don't go telling me that's the typical male reaction. I'm not in the mood.”
“I wasn't going to say that. I'm all for you breaking Archer. If I don't get him first.” She moistened her lips. “He knows about you. He believes we're lovers. He may try to go through you to get to me. He seems to think that knowing about Kafas will bother you.”
“Since we're not lovers, he's out of luck, isn't he?”
“Yes, and I don't care what he thinks, what you think. I don't care.”
“Then I wish to hell you'd stop shaking.”
“I will.” She started to turn away. “I'm sorry I upset you. I won't bother—”
“For God's sake, that's not what I meant.”
“It's my problem. I have to deal with it.” She drew a deep breath. “But there may be some good in that filth he's throwing at me. If I can convince him he's breaking me, we may be able to turn the tables on him.”
“And you want me to help you spring the trap?”
“Yes, it might be easier now. He's going to want to talk to me.” She smiled without mirth. “He wants to be my new best friend. He's licking his lips with anticipation.”
“For God's sake, you're not going to listen to that filth and let him hurt you again?”
“Oh, yes, as long as he thinks he has a chance of sending me over the edge, I'm the one who has the upper hand. But I can't cave in too quickly or he'll be suspicious. I have to wait until he thinks he's won.”
“If you can stand it.” His gaze went to the French doors leading to her bedroom. “You don't seem to be doing too well at the moment.”
“I have to get used to it. It's . . . difficult.”
“Really? What a surprise.” His voice was rough. “It must be a little like being drawn and quartered. But I'm sure you'll become perfectly accustomed to it. You'll deal with it.”
“Yes, I will.” Her lips tightened. “But it doesn't help to have you so angry and sarcastic.”
“It's my only weapon at the moment,” he said harshly. “What the hell do you expect? I feel helpless as hell, and when I feel helpless I get mad.” He started to walk away and then glanced over his shoulder. “But do me a favor, dammit. Don't take his call again tonight. That would be a little too much for me.”
She was silent a moment. “Okay, I won't answer it. Who knows? It might make him all the more eager to talk to me tomorrow.”
He muttered a curse before disappearing into the house.
He was gone, but she still felt an explosive lingering tension that was like the acrid smell of lightning after it had struck. His response had been almost as draining for her as Archer's call.
Was the phone still ringing?
She drew a deep breath and opened the French doors. The phone was silent, but it would start again. Archer still thought of her as a victim. He wanted to bring her down, use her, destroy everything she'd built from the ruins of her life. He'd use every weapon those records and tapes had given him.
She wouldn't let him. She was strong enough to fight him and win. She would listen to his filth and let him think he was breaking her.
Then, when the time was right, she'd break him.