The Face of Deception (42 page)

Why do I feel as if Ive been summoned to the principals office?

Guilt?

Logan shook his head. Dont play that game with me, Quinn. Im not buying it.

You accused me of deceiving Eve and youre doing it yourself. She thinks youre being kind to her.

I will be kind.

Youd better be. She needs it now. He added de-liberately, And if she so much as calls and tells me shes broken a fingernail on that island, Ill be there.

Youre not invited. He smiled faintly. And, for your information, there are no volcanoes on the island.

She told you?

She was amused. She was relieved that you didnt give her any arguments. I was a little relieved myself, but, after I thought about it, I realized that it would have been a wrong move on your part. You dont make many wrong moves, Quinn.

Neither do you. You handled Eve very smoothly. She honestly thinks you only want to make amends and help her get her life together.

I do want to help her.

And you also want her in your bed.

Absolutely. He paused. But I also want her in my life for as long as I can keep her there. He smiled. That shook you. You dont mind the idea of a sexual interlude, but you dont want me to become com-mitted. Its too late. I am committed and Im going to make a damn good stab at making sure she becomes committed too.

Joe looked away. It wont be easy.

I have time and solitude on my side. Shes a re-markable woman. I dont intend to let her go. No matter what you do.

But Ive no intention of doing anything. Joes gaze shifted back to him. Right now. I want her to go away with you. I want her to go to bed with you. If you can, I want you to make her love you.

Logan lifted a brow. How generous. May I ask why?

It will be the best possible thing for her. She needs it to come back to life. She made a break-through when she gave up the chance to get Bonnie back. You can help her take another step.

So youre prescribing me as therapy?

Call it what you like.

Logans gaze narrowed on Joes face. But, God, you hate it, dont you?

Joe didnt answer the question. Its the best thing to do. You can help her right now. I cant. He added, But if this experience doesnt prove as good for her as I hope, believe me, I can always find a volcano.

Logan believed him. Quinn was lying wounded in that bed and should have looked helpless. He didnt look helpless. He looked strong and contained and en-during. Logan remembered when he had judged Quinn one of the most intimidating men hed ever met. Now he realized the protective side of Quinn was even more dangerous. Ill be very good for her. He couldnt resist a tiny goad as he moved toward the door. Of course, you may not be able to judge. We may be too busy to see much of you in the future.

Dont try to stand between us. It wont work. We have too much history. He stared straight into Logans eyes. And all I have to do is tell her that I have a new skull and need her and shell come.

The hell she will. What kind of bastard are you? You want her to heal, but youre ready to pull her back into that world.

Youve never understood, Quinn said wearily. She needs it. And as long as she needs it, Ill give it to her. Ill give her anything in the whole damn world she needs. Including you, Logan. He turned his head away. Now, get out of here. Shes waiting.

Logan wanted to tell him to go to hell. He did understand Eve and he was going to be good for her. All he needed was the chance, and Quinn was giving him that chance.

Quinn? What the hell? He was acting as if Quinn was some powerful figure standing behind the scenes, pulling all the strings.

Bullshit.

Eve is waiting. He opened the door. Shes waiting for me , Quinn. In three hours well be on board that flight that will take us a world away from you. Have a nice day.

He was grinning as he sauntered down the hall toward Eve.

Damn, that last jab felt good.

She was here. Diane stood in the doorway. The nurses are all talking about it at the desk. Why did Eve come?

Why not? She wanted to see me. Joes gaze nar-rowed on her face. She was worried because she couldnt reach me by phone. The hospital wouldnt put her through.

An almost indiscernible emotion flickered across her face. Really?

Guilt, he recognized wearily. Hed been hoping it wasnt true. Or maybe hed been hoping she had done it. It would give him an excuse to do what he should do.

You know, dont you? Diane said bitterly. I broke the rules. I interfered. Her hands clenched at her sides. Well, dammit, I had a right to do it. Im your wife. I thought I could go on watching the two of you together, but shes interfering with our life and I wont have it. Do you know what people are saying about the way she drew you into this mess? Its not fair. Its bad enough for me to know how little I count. Youve shown the whole world that you dont give a damn about

Its true, he said gently. Everything you say is absolutely true, Diane. Ive not been fair and youve been very patient. Im sorry I got you into this. I was hoping it would work.

She didnt speak for a moment. It can still work. She moistened her lips. You just have to Maybe I lost my temper and said some things I didnt mean. We just have to talk this out and come to a fair compromise.

But she was asking for the one compromise he couldnt make. He had disappointed and hurt her enough. He wasnt going to keep on doing it. Shut the door and come and sit down, he said quietly. Youre right, we do have to talk.

Are you okay? Logan stood beside Eve, who was looking out the window from her airplane seat. Your hands are clutching the arms of that chair as if it were going to take off without you.

She released her grip. Im fine. It just seems strange leaving home and going so far away. Ive never been out of the country.

Really? He sat down beside her. I didnt know that. But then, there are a lot of things I dont know about you. Its a long flight. Maybe we could talk?

You want me to confide all my girlhood dreams, Logan?

Why not?

Because I dont remember having any girlhood dreams. Ive always thought they were sappy fairy tales made up by Madison Avenue.

Adult dreams?

No way.

God, youre a difficult woman. His gaze went to the metal case on the floor beside her. Is that what I think it is?

Mandy.

Its a good thing we have a private charter. You would have scared airport security if that had passed through X ray. His gaze was still on the case. Im afraid Id forgotten about her. But, of course, you wouldnt have forgotten.

No, I dont forget.

Thats both promising and terrifying. I hope youre not planning on working on her during the flight?

She shook her head. It wouldnt be safe. Turbulence.

What a relief. I could see bones flying about like shrapnel. Im glad youre waiting until you get to the island. Okay, since youre not working and you wont tell me your innermost secrets, maybe we could play cards?

He was smiling at her and trying to make her feel at ease. A little of her loneliness and tension ebbed away, and she felt warmth ripple through her. He was right. The flight was going to be long. The time theyd spend together before she would have to come back to the real world was going to be even longer. So make it as easy for him as he was trying to make it for her. Maybe we could.

A first break in the armor, he murmured. If Im lucky, youll even smile at me by the time we reach Tahiti.

Only if youre really lucky, Logan.

She smiled at him.

EPILOGUE

"This beach isnt like the one near Pensacola Bonnie said. Its nice but I think I like the water better there. This surf is too smooth.

Eve turned her head to see Bonnie building a sand castle a few yards away. Its been a long time. I thought maybe I wasnt going to dream about you again.

I decided to stay away awhile and give you a chance to let me fade away. Bonnie put a finger into the side of her castle and began to make a window. It was the least I could do when Joe was making such an effort.

Joe?

And Logan too. They both want the best for you. She made another window. Youve been having a good time here, havent you? Youre much more relaxed than when you came.

Eve looked out at the light shimmering on the blue ocean. I like the sun.

And Logan has been real nice to you.

Yes, he has. What an understatement. During these months she had tried to keep Logan at a distance, but he wouldnt have it. He had drawn closer and closer both mentally and physically until he had become firmly entrenched in her life. The development filled her with a mixture of comfort and uneasiness.

Youre worried about him. You dont have to be. Everything shifts and changes with time. Sometimes things start out one way and become something else down the road.

Dont be ridiculous. Im not worried about him. Logan can take care of himself.

Then, why are you so restless?

I guess I feel as if Im marking time. She made a face. And I have to go back next month and give my testimony against Lisa Chadbourne in court. Im dreading that. Detwil has made a deal to testify against her, but shes still fighting.

I dont think youll have to testify.

Of course I will

Bonnie shook her head I think shes already de-cided its time to give up. Shes done all she could for Ben. She wont want it all to come out in court.

Shes going to confess?

Bonnie shook her head But it will be over.

Ill know the moment to quit and step asidehellip; just like Ben did, Lisa had said.

Dont think about it, Bonnie said It makes you sad.

It shouldnt. She did terrible things.

Youre having a hard time because she wasnt like Fraser. It frightens you to know that the best of inten-tions can spawn evil. And what she did was evil, Mama.

I think she would have found you, baby. I think she would have kept her promise.

And killed you.

Maybe not. Maybe I could have found a wayhellip; Im sorry, Bonnie. Maybe if I hadnt wanted so badly to trap her, I could have done something to

Will you stop it? I keep telling you thats impor-tant only to you. It doesnt matter.

It does matter. She swallowed I thought when you didnt come to I mean when I didnt dream of you that you might be angry. Because I hadnt chosen to bring you home when I had the chance.

For goodness sake, I was glad you didnt knuckle under to her. But all that agonizing you did afterward was a great disappointment to me. Joes right, youve taken your first step. You chose life instead of a pile of bones, but you still have a long way to go.

Eve frowned I havent heard from Joe lately.

You will soon. I think hes located Timwick.

Another court case.

Bonnie shook her head

What do you mean?

Hes not going to want you upset, Mama. Timwick will probably just disappear. She tilted her head and studied her. Youre taking that very well. Youve accepted that side of Joe.

I dont like it, but its better than blinding myself to it.

I think youd accept almost anything if it means keeping Joe in your life. Everyone else could slip away, but Joe has to be there. Have you ever asked yourself why?

Hes my friend.

Bonnie laughed Good heavens, youre stubborn. Well, I think your friend will soon be here.

She smothered the leap of excitement. And how do you know? You heard it on the wind, I suppose. Or maybe it came to you in a clash of thunder in that storm we had last night.

You know, Joe is a little like a storm. Full of lightninghellip; He kind of swoops sometimes and then he quiets down again. Interesting. Arent you glad hes coming?

Glad? Oh, God, to see Joe againhellip; How can I be glad about something I dont know is true? Im probably just doing guesswork about why I havent heard from Joe.

Its true. She frowned down at her castle. I wish I had a flag for the battlements. Remember that tiny flag you made for my castle in Pensacola? You tore a piece off the red beach towel.

I remember.

Oh, well, I guess its fine as it is.

Its a wonderful castle, she said unevenly.

Now, dont get soppy.

Im not getting soppy. Actually, your castle could use at least one more turret. And wheres your drawbridge?

Bonnie threw back her head and laughed Ill do better next time. I promise, Mama.

Youre going to stay here?

As long as you stay. But youre already getting bored

I am not. Im perfectly content

Have it your own way. She jumped to her feet Come on, Ill walk partway back to the house with you. Logans planning a wonderful evening for the two of you. Her eyes were twinkling. It should make you veryhellip; content.

If Im napping beneath this palm tree, how am I going to stroll back to the house with you?