On the Hunt - Page 77

“If you let me, I’ll be happy to take some of those responsibilities off your hands. I understand it’s called sharing.”

“I believe I’ve heard of the concept. I was glad to get a demonstration. But I’m still worried about Fiona. I don’t like that word ‘might.’”

But Harlan was already releasing her and turning toward the launch’s throttle. “She’s under Kalim’s personal care. We both trust him.”

“But we both know what a wild card Fiona can be,” Kira reminded him. “Make sure that Kalim knows what he might have to contend with if Taylor raises his ugly head anywhere near her.”

“I’m already doing it.” Harlan was punching the phone number as he spoke, and he turned up the volume when Kalim answered. “Harlan here, Kalim. I just wanted to tell you that Kira is safe and free and I’ll be bringing her to your island as soon as possible.”

“God be praised,” Kalim said. “Fiona will be very happy. I’ll call her right away.”

“Call her?” Harlan repeated. “Isn’t she with you?”

“Not at the moment. But she’s quite safe and very busy. She’s in the hills training Sinbad. It’s not as if Mack isn’t always with her. Tell Kira she was right about Fiona. She’s doing an amazing job with Sinbad. I believe there’s not a doubt about her being a horse whisperer.”

“Of course I wasn’t wrong,” Kira said as she came on the line. “But bring her down from those hills and keep her close until we can reach the island. Do you hear me, Kalim? We’re not sure that she’s entirely safe there.”

“So I take it the news isn’t all good,” Kalim said grimly. “Taylor?”

“Who else? The devil himself,” Harlan said. “I eliminated the men he brought to the cave and prevented him from grabbing any treasure, but he appears to have wriggled out of the trap I set for him.” Harlan paused. “He could be heading in your direction. Make sure all your border guards are on the alert.”

“They will be,” Kalim said. “And I’ll call Fiona and tell her to bring Sinbad back to the stable so she can see you’re alive and well, Kira. That should bring her running. She was very concerned about you when I talked to her earlier today. She was still determined to continue Sinbad’s training, but she wanted to find a way to help you at the same time.”

“That sounds like her,” Kira said. “Always trying to control the situation.”

“Which seems to be a very familiar trait,” Harlan murmured.

“Hush,” Kira told him. “Kalim, call us back after you’ve talked to her, will you? I’m going to go to Harlan’s yacht to change into dry clothes, and then we’ll be on our way to your island. Keep everyone safe.”

“That goes without saying,” Kalim said. “And may I mention that Harlan did extraordinarily well getting you away from that fiend from hell? I might have to compliment myself for allowing him to do it instead of going after you myself. I may even have to reward him in some manner. I’ll have to think about it.”

“Arrogance, thy name is Kalim,” Harlan said dryly. “Naturally, it was all your doing.”

“Well, it is my island,” Kalim said. “And didn’t I allow Kira to use the treasure to lure Taylor into the trap?”

“I don’t remember you being consulted,” Harlan said.

“Because you realized my consent was implied where Kira was concerned. I understood that.” He paused. “However, I didn’t find your handling of the encounter to be unacceptable. We’ll discuss all this later. I need to call Fiona now and get her out of those woods and down here to the castle. Goodbye, Harlan. I’ll see you shortly.” Kalim hung up.

Harlan cursed softly. “Every time I think I might be able to actually like that bastard, he pulls the rug out from under me.”

“Well, he did say that you weren’t totally unacceptable.” She was grinning. “And I think that you were absolutely splendid.” Her smile faded. “But right now all I care about is getting to your yacht so that I can change and go check on Fiona.”

He lifted a gym bag. “I have some clothes for you here. It’ll be faster if we just take this launch over. I admit I’m a bit uneasy myself…”

“They’re both safe, Kalim?” Fiona felt a swift rush of pure relief as her hand tightened on the phone. “That’s wonderful. You’re sure Harlan said he was able to get Kira away from that monster? It’s almost too good to be true.”

“I wouldn’t steer you wrong, Fiona,” Kalim said. “I spoke to Kira myself. I told her about your work with Sinbad, and she was very happy about it. But she was almost as worried about you as you were about her. She wants you to get out of those hills and come back to the stables at the castle. She said she’d meet you there.”

“Why is she worried?” Fiona asked, puzzled. “Kira knows I wouldn’t have any trouble with Sinbad.” Then she stiffened. “But you haven’t told me everything, have you? What did you leave out?” She inhaled sharply as it came to her. “Taylor!”

“I’m certain that Harlan must be very disappointed, but he didn’t manage to kill that bastard down in the caves today.” Kalim paused. “He also said there’s a chance that Taylor might be heading in this direction.”

“Probably more than a chance,” Fiona said dully. “He’ll be bitter and ugly and full of rage. I can remember his face when he had me prisoner on his cruiser, filled with hatred and wanting revenge so bad he could taste it. I threw a cup at him after he told me how he’d killed my father. Did you know he did that, Kalim?”

“I heard the story,” Kalim said. “But don’t be afraid. We’ll all try to protect you. I’m going to take several guards to come meet you and escort you down here to the stables.”

“‘Several guards’…” she repeated. “Here we go again. It seems as if I’ve been surrounded by guards all my life. Just to keep me safe from Taylor.” Her lips twisted. “And this time he’s going to get a real treat. He might even get another chance to take down Kira and Harlan. Because I’m the bait that can bring them running to the rescue.” She found her hands clenching on Sinbad’s reins. “And you’re the master of this entire island, Kalim. How many of your villagers would suffer if anything happened to you?”