Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [64]
She brushed a swatch of hair away from her cheek, and moistened her lips nervously. “How did you know where to find us?” she asked falteringly.
The line of Donovan's lips hardened, and he finished half of his drink in a quick swallow. “I suppose like most women, you're enamored of explanations, and must have everything laid out for you,” he said cynically. “I wouldn't probe too deeply into my discovery that you were gone, if I were you. My emotions are still a bit raw, and I'm trying hard to control my less than civilized impulses.”
She looked at him bewilderedly. “I don't understand.” she said slowly, her brown eyes widening.
“Still playing the innocent?” he asked derisively. “You do it very well, Brenna, but the game is over.” He took another swallow of his drink. “However, I'm willing to satisfy your curiosity.” He leaned indolently against the side of the fireplace.
“Bob Phillips was in the garage, tinkering with the Mercedes, when he saw you get into the car with Chadeaux. He hadn't been notified that you were going out today, so he called through to my office on the car phone to check.” Donovan's mouth twisted bitterly.
“I recognized the description of Chadeaux at once, and told Phillips to follow you and report back to me on the CB radio. I was at the airstrip in ten minutes, and have been in constant contact with Phillips on the ground ever since. When it became evident that you were headed for Portland, I radioed Monty to pick up Doris Charles and get her there on the double.”
Brenna rubbed her head wearily, her face still puzzled. “But why would Phillips notify you just because he wasn't told I was going out?”
Donovan shrugged. “It was his job to keep track of you,” he said coolly.
Brenna put her glass down very carefully on the end table beside her. “Do you mean that Phillips wasn't a chauffeur at all?” she asked quietly. “That he was some sort of spy with orders to report to you?”
“Not a spy, a bodyguard,” Donovan replied incredibly. “When you married me, you automatically became the target of all sorts of undesirables, from kidnappers to cranks who think they have a grudge against me for one reason or another. I was trying to protect you.” He smiled mirthlessly. “I trusted you. We had a bargain. You're to be complimented. You were very convincing. I don't often trust a woman's word.”
Brenna flinched at the stinging sarcasm of his tone, and the smoldering anger that couldn't be mistaken in his eyes. She began to feel a rising sense of aggravation at Donovan's antagonistic attitude. She had played the victim long enough in this scenario. First with that swine Chadeaux, and now with Donovan and his incomprehensible sniping.
“I'm a bit tired of your sarcasm and innuendos, Michael,” she said lifting her chin. “I have nothing to be ashamed of, and if you have some complaint, I wish you'd speak up.”
“I believe the time for speech is past,” Donovan said harshly, as he replaced his glass on the bar. “We have nothing further to discuss, Brenna. It's time for the payment of debts.” In two long strides he had reached her, pulling her to her feet and into his arms with an explosive release of the savagery that had smoldered just beneath the surface. His mouth crushed hers with a brutal strength that bruised her lips and robbed her of breath. She grew faint and dizzy as it seemed to continue interminably.
When his lips left hers they were both breathing hard, and she leaned weakly against him, her shaking legs unwilling to support her.
“What was the matter, Brenna?” Donovan said savagely, his blue eyes burning. “When I told you it was time you kept your bargain, did you panic at the thought of giving yourself to anyone but that miserable bastard, who used you and then deserted you? Did