“You underestimate me. I never limit myself when it comes to keeping a relationship fresh.” He paused at the door, and said soberly, “Zahra’s very complicated, but you can count on her striking fast and hard when she decides she’s being threatened.” His gaze went to the statue in Eve’s hands. “And that’s a threat, Eve.”
The next moment, he was gone.
Eve drew a shaky breath as she shook her head. “Well, that appears clear enough.” Her hands tightened on the statue for an instant before she handed it back to Joe. Why was her hand shaking? The statue wasn’t that heavy. But it seemed heavy. “But I can’t let myself worry about Zahra Kiyani. I created that reconstruction for only one reason, and that was to find out if Varak was still out there.” She wearily rubbed her temple. “And he’s alive, Joe. I haven’t been able to really comprehend that yet. He’s out there…waiting.”
“Because you’re so exhausted that you can scarcely sit on that stool,” Joe said roughly, his gaze raking her face. “You’ve pushed yourself until you’re ready to collapse.” He turned to Jill. “Get out of here. Leave us alone.”
“Joe, she didn’t do anything,” Eve said quickly.
“I know that. Not this time,” Joe said. “And no one would have been able to stop you. I’ve been there. But now all the adrenaline is gone, and you’re crashing.” He glanced at Jill. “You did as good as you could under the circumstances. I just want you out so that she can draw a breath without looking or thinking about Varak for the next few hours.” He stepped toward Eve and pulled her to her feet. “Come on. I promise you that we’re on our way to getting the son of a bitch.” He slipped his arm around her waist. “We’ll just take a little time together now, okay?”
“Do I have a choice?” His arm felt strong and warm around her, and she felt secure for the first time since he’d left her so many hours ago. “I guess I do, and I choose you, Joe.” He was leading her toward her cot. “I’ll always choose you.”
“Because you’re very smart.” His lips brushed her temple. “Smarter than Varak or Zahra and sometimes even me. That’s why you’re going to rest now.” He glanced over his shoulder at Jill, who was on her way out the door. “See to it. You understand?”
Jill nodded, gazing thoughtfully at Joe, then Eve. “I believe I’m beginning to understand quite a bit.” She turned back and opened the door. “Don’t worry. She won’t be disturbed. I’ll take care of it.”
* * *
Kiyani Presidential Palace
He wasn’t answering her!
Zahra gazed furiously down at her blank screen. She’d texted him twice, and he was ignoring her. Arrogant bastard.
She texted again.
DID YOU GET IT? WHEN CAN I PICK IT UP?
No answer.
YOU SAID I COULD HAVE IT BACK TONIGHT. WHERE IS IT?
At last an answer.
THERE’S A PROBLEM. I’LL TEXT YOU LATER.
She stiffened. No, this couldn’t be happening. He had promised her!
I WON’T TOLERATE THIS. I’VE BEEN WAITING TOO LONG. I WANT IT NOW.
The answer came with swift brutality.
YOU’LL GET WHAT I CHOOSE TO GIVE YOU WHEN I CHOOSE TO DO IT.
The screen went blank.
Rage.
She closed her eyes, trying to subdue the anger. This was her fault, she had allowed him to intimidate her until he thought she was just another one of his cowed whores. And it had come down to this indignity.
It was over. She would not let it go on!
“Dalai!” She got to her feet as the maid came running out of the anteroom. “Come with me. We’re going out.”
* * *
Over an hour later, Dalai was driving Zahra off the main road and through the thick foliage of the jungle that surrounded and hid the armed compound and large house.
Zahra phoned as she got closer. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Call off your men, Varak.”
“I’ve known exactly where you were since you got off the road. What a fool you are. I’m tempted to sit here and watch them blow you to bits.”
“You won’t do that. I’m too valuable to you. I’m not afraid of you.” That was a lie. There were moments when she was afraid, but not of physical abuse. She was afraid of his reckless egotism and his power to send all her plans toppling. “So threaten all those idiots around you who can’t see through you. I’m done with bowing down at your altar to feed that ego.” She