Rebel Heart (17 page)

"But you are an intellect to be reckoned with, most certainly," Sheridan said. As always, he watched her. His subtle gaze shifted ever so slightly.

She turned to him with a smile intact. "An intellect in one of the finest research centers then. If you insist," she said, modestly lowering her lashes before she looked up once again.

He didn't move or flinch, but she watched a mottled coloring cover his face. He lifted his glance in a salute of appreciation. "A toast then. Here's to the amazing intellect of Tori DeMontville, indeed a valuable scientist and physician."

"An intellectual," Morray repeated wryly while his gaze devoured her.

She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes, saw the lust and the heat in his gaze.

Nessa was right. She should have arrived looking like a dowdy middle-aged scientist, perhaps an old maid.

But she could not return to her room now. Quentin Morray's hand had already encompassed her own, his long fingers twining around hers, pinning her hand to the table. The tattoo of the serpent seemed to stare at her. It's evil gaze sending shivers up her arms.

"Intelligent and beautiful," Morray assured her.

She snatched her fingers back as quickly as she could. "Please, you stretch the truth. But thank you anyway. Excuse me. As it seems I still have much to see to before we close down for the evening, let me check the kitchens for something sweet to finish the meal."

Morray caught her fingers again when she would have passed him. She hesitated, gazing down into dangerous eyes. "You're the only dessert I want, Victoria. And I'm very hungry."

"Indeed?" she inquired coolly. "It was always my understanding one woman was not enough for you," she said, and spoke in so pleasant a tone he had released her, and she had left the room before he could reply, before Sheridan turned his anger toward him.

"In any case, Morray, she will be a handful once you've married her. The girl has been left alone to run wild far too long. She's a worthy opponent, don't you agree?"

"A bitch, you mean! I'll fuck her, though. Any way I can. Any time I want," Morray muttered fiercely, the lines of his mouth tightening with each word.

Sheridan leaned back against the chair, slowly crossing his arms over his chest, studying Morray. He remained thoughtful. "Remember who her father was and before you do anything foolhardy, recall his followers. This is no meek, frightened woman you seek to tame. She would not hesitate to use all resources available to her if she feels threatened."

Morray stood suddenly, knocking his chair over. "You're forgetting something, my colleague. We seek answers, and power, and more men in the coalition, remember?"

Sheridan smiled lazily at Quentin. He was not immune to the shortcomings of his followers. Impatience, he thought, would get them all killed. And yes, Morray was right. He did seek to have men in the Council of Representatives, men he could control, weak men who would do as he bid without question.

"I think, Morray, there are times I would love to disavow all ties to you. You see only an inch at a time, a fraction of what there is to see, never the entire picture. Tori is too unique, too beautiful for the likes of you."

"She is only a woman," Morray said quickly. "A warm, wet woman meant to give a man what he wants in bed."

"Foolishness." Hammond suddenly spoke up. He had watched the conversation idly twirling his wine in the glass. "It's true. You give him a modern laboratory, a beautiful woman capable of running it when what he craves is a sex slave. Someone he can fuck every night whether she likes him or not." He broke into bellows of laughter.

Morray turned, furiously glaring at the hacker.

"Hammond," Morray growled. "All you need is a keyboard beneath your fingers to stir your lust."

Sheridan glared at both men with distaste. "Enough! We all might be better off if the two of you would work together. This beauty we speak of has the ability to thwart all our efforts."

"Her expertise is limited, and the computer blocks she has set up are child's play. They can be broken just as she can." Morray rubbed his jaw, all the while glaring at the corner monitors. "I will see to it."

"And that may prove costly," Sheridan said idly, his dark eyes narrowing. "Perhaps I should look for someone else to take over. This is far too important--"

"No!" Morray's lip had thinned to a narrow white line, his hands clenching tightly. "I will have her and the laboratory." Sheridan studied the man in front of him. "What a shame that I need your thieftakers to back me up, Morray."

"You promised this facility to me and her along with it. I'll settle for nothing less."

"A mistake, I'm afraid. Pity I can't rectify it," Sheridan said, purposely stoking Morray's temper. "She is worthy of a man, don't you think?"

Morray walked to the camera, slowly tilting his head back then smiling into it. "A man? Yes she is," he said very dangerously.

Before Sheridan spoke, he looked pointedly at the wires connecting the camera and nodded. "Then we'll proceed as planned," he spoke as soon as Morray ripped the wires from the camera. "See that all the rooms are made acceptable," he added with a touch of humor.

Morray was traversing the perimeter of the dinning room, inspecting what he thought were hiding places, finding nothing else that would intrude on their privacy.

"We can speak then without fear of being overheard?" Sheridan asked.

"I think so, but without a bug detector, I can't be positive."

Sheridan folded his hands, set his elbows on the table and leaned close to Morray. "Now listen. If you would snare Tori DeMontville, you'll have to move cautiously. Charm her. Seduce her if you have to. But find a way."

"She will refuse me," Morray warned. "But if I get her with child... No, I must take away something she values more than herself."

"It doesn't matter. In the end, she'll have no choice. I won't give her one. We will finalize matters tonight."

CHANGE IN POV

Morray said something in return. What it was Tori didn't know. She couldn't make the words out.

When Morray ripped out the monitor, she'd left her office with the intention of letting the men know her displeasure, but she hesitated at the door to the dining room. It was a glass door and by standing in a certain place near the entrance, she could see them without being seen herself. Prudence, she reminded herself, was something she could use more of. Nessa stood beside her now, listening, while she shook with barely controlled rage.

"Finalize matters," she parroted softly to Nessa, in an effort to hide her anger. Hammond had actually left the computers and stood near Morray and Sheridan, listening attentively. Janellen had reached out to touch her hand to Sheridan's, and the four of them, hovering so close and furtively over the table, resembled nothing more than a set of thieves and dishonest thieftakers.

She had no solid proof to believe they were out to dishonor or undermine her work, Tori reminded herself. All her fears might very well be groundless, based on rumors and here-say.

"Finalize what?" Nessa murmured. "What will we do? I don't think we are one step ahead of them any longer. Sheridan means to have Morray as the head of this institute, and if he has to marry you to Morray, he will. He's not going to waste any time."

"I'll say, no," Tori rounded adamantly. "He can't make me."

Nessa cocked a brow. "I'm sure he can find something you value more than your right to choose."

Tori didn't need to hear the truth. She already knew it. She had known this afternoon just what their intentions were. Now she had to play their game and play it without making any mistakes.

"I'll manage," she told Nessa. "I'm a big girl now. Truly, I can take care of myself." If only she were certain. Or if only she had managed to hear everything they had said.

"Say a prayer for me," she urged Nessa suddenly, squeezing her sister's hand warmly. Then, before Nessa could stop her with any more warnings, she swept back into the dining room.

"I'm feeling more like company than I did a few minutes ago," she said, nodding to everyone in turn then putting what she hoped was a calm, serene smile on her face. She sat down at the head of the table, feeling her skin crawl when Morray rested his hands on her shoulders.

Beneath the table, her fingers clenched the fabric of her tunic. This was completely, utterly impossible. She couldn't play this game. Was he so insensitive, heedless of other's feeling? He had been there that day in the forest, and he'd held a gun against her father. He'd murdered a helpless man.

She forced herself to speak. "I've a disturbing message. We've heard from the committee of disease control within the City. Perhaps you're interested."

"Interested? Of course we're interested. What have they to say for themselves?" Morray said flatly.

Sheridan picked up Tori's hand. "Never mind Quentin. He doesn't believe any center but our own has anything worthwhile to offer." She cocked her head, lowering her lashes slightly. Sheridan leaned back and waved a hand in the air. "Proceed."

Delicately, Tori arched a brow to him. "Nessa received a fax only a few moments ago. The new serum isn't working."

Instantly Hammond sat up. "New serum. Why weren't we informed?"

Her lips thinned as she saw Morray scrutinize Hammond then herself. She was sure he saw through this deception.

"You were. I sent the missive myself," she informed Morray. She stood, walking to the window that overlooked the City, thoughtfully resting her hands on the ledge. Then she turned and smiled at Sheridan. "Forgive me; I'm sure there must have been some kind of foul up at your end. I sent the information sometime last week."

Sheridan didn't hesitate. Staring at her gravely, he replied, "Too many mistakes, my dear. And because of that, I have to rectify the matter. I've no other choice. There is far too much incompetence here."

"What are you talking about? No choice? Incompetence?" she asked him, as if she didn't understand the situation. "I've made no mistakes. The screw up was on your end." She gazed innocently at Hammond then Janellen. "What are you implying?"

"I want a strong man here. And...I want your expertise in the field of medicine. Together you and Morray would compliment each other. Marriage, Victoria. You will marry Quentin, if only for the benefit of the City people. Together I'm sure the two of you can find a serum that will work on every mutant strain of the signe virus."

"Never," Tori murmured. Denying everything he said, she tried to hide her feelings behind a blank expression. "You must have my permission, and I refuse."

"Then I will simply command the center," Morray announced quietly.

Sheridan nodded his approval. "As I said before, Victoria, you have no choice. You know that I have the authority to give control over to Quentin, undermining even the dead Advisor DeMontville. I don't want to do that. Don't force my hand."

"Of course not."

"He wants to make you happy. And I want a successful, productive operation here. There have been too many questions associated with this place. It will end--today." Sheridan moved closer to her, smiling a smile that was dangerous. "I want to cement an alliance here--one that will benefit all. If you accept this proposal, I know you will be safe from thievery!

"And if I don't?" Tori challenged.

Sheridan shrugged.

They all held their breath, certain she would refuse.

She intended to. With all of her heart and soul! She wanted to leap up, to tell Morray she would die a thousand times over before letting his vile hand touch her or her work.

She dug her nails fiercely into her palms. She held back the volatile words she wanted to cry out, trying desperately to maintain her air of professionalism. "Thieves?"

All eyes were upon her. The silence was deathly.

"I promise your safety."

"If I agree to this proposal." Victoria allowed the flush of anger to paint her cheeks, yet quickly lowered her eyes.

"You will not regret your choice."

"It is an honor, Quentin Morray. Yet I see no reason for you to pursue this course. It is obvious there is no love between us. In a few months time all this trouble might be put to rest and a marriage--well it cannot be dissolved so easily."

Sheridan's eyes narrowed. "There is no time, Victoria."

She flashed him what she hoped was a beguiling look. "I will not marry him," she said determinedly. She rose, afraid she would scream out loud if she were with him one second longer. The thought of Morray touching her intimately, of him...

"Victoria, dear, if you refuse me this simple request and force my hand, you will be banished once more. I've already set the wheels in motion. Believe me when I say this will make your little convent seem like paradise on earth."