She should have known Jordan would feel a desperate sense of foreboding. He always knew what was going on with her.
'Tell me what's wrong,' he said quietly.
There was no use trying to stall him.
'I don't know if I can keep Devon alive,' she whispered. 'I saw it happen, Jordan. I saw her shot. I saw her die. I don't know if I can stop it.'
'If you can't, you can't. As you said, you're not a superwoman.'
'I can't go on like this. I have to find a way to turn it around. If I see it, I've got to find a way to stop it.'
'To stop it, you'd have to change the circumstances. Let's look at what you saw. Where did it take place?'
'Paco's canyon. And I've already tried to get her not to go there. She wouldn't listen.'
'Then find another piece of the puzzle. One small change that might alter everything. Was anyone with her?'
She thought about it. 'No one was standing beside her. If there was anyone else there, I didn't see them.'
'Did she have a weapon?'
'No.'
'Then change those circumstances.'
'And how the hell am I to do that? I've gone through this before. I change one thing, and something happens to change it back.'
'Then do you believe it's fate, and you have no say in it?'
'If it were fate, then there would be no reason for me to see it happening. This may be a screwed-up universe, but there has to be some kind of reason and balance. If I could stop it just
Jordan was silent. 'You're sounding desperate, Bridget. Do you need me to come?'
She had let him see the tension, dammit. 'No, I can handle it. You're busy setting up the island.'
'I can leave it. I can leave everything. You're the only one that's important to me.'
'Liar.' She had to get off the phone. 'I'll call you if I change my mind.'
He was silent again. 'I'll let you slide away from me now. Not for long, Bridget.'
'Good-bye, Jordan.' She hung up the phone and drew a deep, shaky breath. Talking to Jordan always sparked a mixture of emotions. He was brilliant and had the experience to cut through all the chaff and shine a light on the darkest corners of her mind. But that ability also made her feel infinitely vulnerable.
Change the circumstances. One little change could alter everything.
She'd think about it. But right now she had to set about getting Danner to Paco's canyon.
THE LIGHTS OF THE HELICOPTER speared down through the darkness to reveal Marrok, waiting on the plateau below.
Devon tried to smother the instinctive response that had nothing to do with anger. Dammit, she'd only had to see him to have her body tingle, ready. And not only her body…
He was striding toward the copter, jerking open the door. He stood there, looking at her. 'I'd offer to help you out, but I don't know if you'd take my hand.'
'I don't need help.' She got out of the helicopter by herself. 'Where's Ned?'
'I left him with the other dogs at a camp in the canyon. I want him to become accustomed to staying there while he's here. He's content with them, and they have guards to protect them.'
'From Danner. Bridget says that's why you're here.'
His lips tightened. 'I'd rather not talk about Bridget.'
'You're angry with her. She said you would be.'
'Damn straight, she betrayed me. She betrayed you.'
'No more than you did. She lied. You lied. She made a prisoner of me. That's what you were planning. Tucking me away somewhere out of your way. At least she released me and sent me on my way.' She glanced at Walt. 'I wasn't at all sure that Walt didn't have orders this time to take over the job you set Bridget to do.'
'Not me,' Walt said. 'That would be too tough. Marrok can do his own dirty work from now on.' He got out of the helicopter. 'I'm going to go find Sid Cadow and see if I can drum up a game of poker. Call me if you need me.'
Devon started walking toward the canyon. 'It sounds as if you've brought everyone from the ranch.'
He fell into step with her. 'Almost everyone. This canyon is like a labyrinth. There are nooks, ledges, and hiding places all over it. I put the dogs and their guardians in the safest one.'
'And I suppose the other nooks and crannies are good for ambushes?'
'Yes.'
'How do you intend to get Danner here?'
'I was going to have Walt pick up Nick Gilroy at Sarah's and bring him here. There's no question he'd be followed.' He shrugged. 'But Nick showed up at the ranch earlier today. He wasn't going to be left out of the action. I had him brought here.'
'So now what?'
'I'll find another way. I can concentrate now. I wasn't thinking of much beyond getting you back in one piece.'
'Bridget may be able to help. She was going to approach Danner and-'
'No Bridget.'
'If she intends to help, then we should let her. She may be risking her life. She deserves our help.'
'I can't trust her.'
'If I can trust her after all she put me through, then you shouldn't have a problem.'
'It's because of what she put you through that I'll never forgive her. Listen, I don't trust many people, but I trusted her. I'll never do it again. I won't risk you again.'
'You don't have anything to say about what happens to me,' she said coolly. 'And for some reason Bridget is as concerned about you as she is the dogs. You'd be a fool to ignore an asset like that.'
He didn't answer.
Stubborn, she thought in exasperation. She hadn't expected anything else. Neither had Bridget. But the more she thought about how alone Bridget was right now, the more she wanted to shake him. But she could tell by his closed expression that he wasn't going to be moved by argument. Maybe later.
She changed the subject. 'Where do I sleep?'
'I set up a sleeping bag for you in the cave. Unless you'd rather sleep out in the open.'
'I don't care. The cave's fine.'
He smiled faintly. 'I remember you had some objections to occupying the cave the last time it was discussed.'
She felt heat flush her body. 'Was that supposed to be provocative?'
'I hope it was. But it wasn't intentional. I know better than to make a move on you right now. I'm just glad you decided to come home.'
'This is your home, not mine.'
He shook his head. 'It's your home, too. I give it to you.' They had reached the cave, and he gestured for her to go inside. 'I started a fire for you. It gets chilly after midnight. There's a change of clothes and a toothbrush in that duffel. And there's plenty of bottled water in the icebox.'
She remembered that first day, when he'd reached into the box and brought out a bottle of water for her. He'd taken out a vial of Paco's potion and asked her to rub it into his wound.
Too many memories were flooding back. Stop before she remembered how she'd done it after they'd made love on the path. Too late. It was there before her, every move, every touch.
'Good night.' She hurried past him into the cave.
He followed her. 'I need to see that cut. How bad is it?'
'It's fine,' she said quickly. 'I don't need any of Paco's potion.'
'I have to see it.' He gently pushed her hair back from the bandage. He carefully removed it and traced the cut with his forefinger. He said thickly, 'Damn Bridget.'
She could feel her pulse leap under his touch. She stepped back. 'Superficial. Just as she said. I don't even need a ban dage now that the bleeding has stopped. It's just a scratch. Leave it alone.'
