On the Hunt - Page 65

Kira nodded. “And by that time maybe I’ll be able to find something of equal value to keep you interested.”

“Perhaps. It could be exciting watching you dangle, never sure when I’m going to pull the string and have you slowly suffocate.”

She could see he was enjoying the thought. “Don’t try to intimidate me. You’d rather have the treasure.”

“I’m not that certain. You’ll have to convince me. You’ll never know which choice would please me most.” He went back and leaned on the railing. “But you’ll aways have that tiny worry gnawing at you, won’t you? Ah, here comes Donovan. He’s frowning. He never likes to fail me. It’s made him very angry with you. Perhaps you might realize within a few minutes what your fate will be.”

“I’m not worried. You’re enjoying this too much.” Kira gave a mock yawn. “And I still think you’re going to go for the treasure.”

Donovan was running up the ramp. “That bastard had a motorboat. I have to get a few of the guys and go after them. We’ll hunt them down.”

Taylor muttered an oath. “And how do we know it’s not a trap? We’ve already been here too long. Up anchor. Lock her up in the bedroom, and let’s get back to the safe house.” He turned to Kira. “Well, there’s your answer. It appears you have a little time to get all your ducks in a row. But you’d better be ready to move and give me what I want as soon as we’re in position. Otherwise, you’re not going to be happy.”

They were obviously going to move the cruiser to a different location, Kira realized as Donovan roughly grabbed her by the arm and pushed her toward the cabin area. “I’ll be ready.” At least enough time had passed so that with any luck Aban should have Fiona almost back at the encampment by now; at least she wouldn’t have that to fret about. Her only concern would be how to handle Taylor until she could get that sled in position and keep him greedy enough so that he’d have no choice but to go after the treasure. But what with his anger, greed, and lust, it might turn out to be a very long night for her…

Don’t think about it.

Just concentrate on doing what had to be done to survive it.

ABDULLAH’S VILLAGE

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

“Where the hell are you going, Harlan?” Kalim was scowling as he stepped in front of Harlan’s Range Rover. “I thought we’d agreed to take one of my trucks until we reached the shore.”

“We did,” Harlan said curtly. “But my plans suddenly changed. I have to make a side trip back to the encampment. There appears to be a problem we weren’t counting on.”

“And you can fix the problem if you go back to the encampment?”

“I hope to God I can,” Harlan said harshly. “But I have my doubts. It might be too late. I can’t get through to Aban.”

Kalim stiffened. “Aban? What does Aban have to do with it? I gave him orders not to go with me on this hunt.”

“Well, it seems Kira gave him different orders.” He leaned over and opened the passenger seat door. “And yes, I told her that she wasn’t wanted on this mission. But she doesn’t pay any attention to me, either. Would you care to come with me? Perhaps Aban will answer your calls. You appear to have a good deal of influence with him. Though neither of us has as much influence as Kira.”

Kalim stood there staring at him. “You’re worried as hell,” he said slowly. “And I don’t believe it’s about Aban. Is it Kira?”

“What a brilliant guess,” Harlan said caustically. “Yes, it’s Kira.”

“What happened? Was she upset I wouldn’t let her come on the hunt with us?”

“Yes, of course. But that didn’t last long. Then she decided that she’d go on a hunt of her own.” His lips tightened. “And that’s what she did. Are you going to come with me or not? I’ve got to get to that encampment.”

Kalim glanced at Mack, who was curled up on the back seat. “You’re taking her dog back to the camp?”

“He won’t be there for long. Kira told me he has to stay with me. I’m not about to do anything she doesn’t agree with at the moment.” He added grimly, “That may come later.”

Kalim shook his head, troubled, as he got into the passenger seat. “I can’t believe Kira would be that foolish. It wouldn’t be at all like her.”

“No, it wouldn’t,” Harlan said jerkily. “Unless she had a reason to think it was worth the risk.” He started the Range Rover and headed down the road. “Sit back and I’ll tell you all about it while we’re on our way to give Aban the third degree. Kira found the perfect reason to go hunting down that son of a bitch,” he said hoarsely. “Why not?” Because it was almost certain to get her killed…

Aban was waiting near the edge of the encampment when Harlan pulled up and stopped beside the campfire. He ran forward as Harlan put on the brakes. “I didn’t like the idea,” he said quickly. “I told her that you wouldn’t, either. But she wouldn’t listen. She just kept giving me orders.”

“I believe you,” Harlan said as he got out of the car. “But why the hell didn’t you answer my calls?”

“She told me that no one must catch me while I had Fiona. I was afraid someone might trace the calls. I couldn’t have that. No one was allowed to know where she was but you, Harlan.”

“You still could have answered my call and let me come and pick you up. Where is Fiona?”