Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [89]
“Hush.” Kelby pulled her head down to rest on his shoulder. “It's over, unless you want to change your mind about me going back to see Lontana. I'm at your service.”
“That wouldn't change things. I'm always going to remember that he wasn't the friend I thought he was, that he sacrificed me for Marinth. I don't want to remember his death too.”
“Have it your way. But it would be a very pleasant memory for me.” His hand gently rubbed the back of her neck. “Does your wound hurt?”
“Some.” His body felt warm and strong and full of life against her. And, my God, Phil had coldly made a deal to snuff out that life. That was more terrible than all the torture Archer had put her through. He had to be punished. The anger would come, but now she was filled with sadness and loneliness. No, Kelby was gradually shutting out the desolation. How many times had he held her and comforted her like this in the short time they'd been together? She didn't remember and she didn't care. She didn't want to be strong and independent right now. She'd take what she could get.
“But Lontana hurt you more,” Kelby said. “And that's not a wound I can heal, dammit.”
“I don't want to talk about him anymore.” Though she would probably live with that sense of betrayal for the rest of her life. “Are we near the dock?”
“Another five minutes,” Nicholas said.
“Good.” She wanted to get back to the ship and hide for a little while. There was still Archer to think about, but she couldn't face it right now. She wanted to be away from this island.
Away from Phil in his little cottage overlooking the deep blue sea that held his dream.
It took Lontana three tries to get in touch with Archer. He tried to keep the panic from his voice when he finally reached him. “You promised me that you'd take Kelby out of the picture. You've got to do it now. I've got a ship waiting to take me out and claim salvage rights, but I can't do it with him alive. He and the Trina have got to be destroyed right away.”
“Where's the research, Lontana?”
“I've got it. Get rid of Kelby.”
There was a silence. “Why did you call me tonight?”
“Because you need to—” He drew a deep breath. “You tried to betray me. You tried to get my research from Melis tonight. That's all right, I understand. But now you know that I'm the one who has it and you have to do what you promised.”
“How do you know what happened tonight?”
“Call me when you've done what we agreed upon and I'll meet you and give you the research.” He hung up.
Archer stared thoughtfully at the phone after he'd hung up from Lontana.
The bastard was scared. And how the hell did he know Archer had tried to double-cross him tonight?
Unless Kelby or Melis had told him.
And how had they been able to tell him? Melis thought Lontana was dead. She certainly would not have his new phone number. Either he would have had to call her—not likely—or she would have had to talk to him in person.
On Cadora.
Yes.
He'd been trying to locate Lontana since they'd struck the deal, and now he had him in his sights. He should have known the elusive bastard would want to be close to Marinth.
Now he could go back to Cadora, scoop up Lontana and his damn research, and be home free.
Had Archer believed him? Lontana wondered. Jesus, he had to believe him. He couldn't let Kelby have Marinth. If Archer got rid of Kelby right away, everything would still be fine. Lontana would find a way of evading Archer's vengeance later. Everything would work out if he just had Marinth.
Marinth.
He left the cottage and walked to the edge of the cliff. He felt his anxiety ebbing away as he stood looking out at the sea. Of course Archer believed him. Marinth had always been