Dark Summer

hear that, Bridget? Now do what she tells you.' His smile faded, and his gaze narrowed on Bridget's face. 'I think I felt her hand move.'

Devon inhaled sharply. 'Should I call someone?'

'No, it's gone now. But it was there-' His phone rang, and he picked up. 'Marrok.' He listened for a moment. 'No, I don't care who you are. She's not in a condition to receive visitors. Call tomorrow and we'll-' He frowned. 'Arrogant bastard. He hung up on me.'

'Who hung up?'

'Some friend of Bridget's. Jordan Radkin. He said he was coming to see her.'

'Where was he?'

'Downstairs. He said he'd just flown in from London. Well, he can just turn his tail around and fly back. I won't have him bothering her.'

Devon was puzzled. 'How did this Radkin even know she was hurt?'

'How do I know? I'll ask the son of a bitch when I see him.'

'Before or after you kick him out?' His attitude reminded her of that first confrontation between Marrok and Sid Cadow. Evidently, this Jordan Radkin had stirred the same male antagonism. 'Let me talk to him.'

Marrok slanted her a glance. 'Are you trying to save me from myself?'

'I'm curious, and I don't want you rude to someone Bridget may care about. She didn't impress me as having that many people close to her.'

'Quite right.'

They turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man standing in the doorway. 'I'm Jordan Radkin.' He came toward the bed. 'And since Bridget has limited support on the personal front, I have to make up for it in determination.' He looked down at Bridget. 'She almost bought it, didn't she?'

His voice was cool, Devon thought. Everything about him was cool and contained. He was somewhere in his thirties with a dark complexion, chestnut-colored hair, and gray eyes that glittered with alertness and intelligence. 'You don't seem upset. She could still die.'

He shook his head. 'You have no idea how upset I was when it first happened. But my being upset would do her no good right now. Emotion gets in the way.'

'Tomorrow would be a better day for a visit,' Marrok said tersely. 'I believe I mentioned that.'

'I believe you did. But Bridget will be better off with me to help her. Besides being distant relations, we've been together a long time.'

'Not for the last three years,' Marrok said coolly.

Radkin smiled faintly. 'Yes, even the last three years, Marrok.' He turned to Devon. 'And I appreciate your trying to keep the peace between me and Marrok, but it's time we came face-to-face.' He took Bridget's hand and said to her softly, 'Rest time is over. Time to come back to us now.'

'That's not going to do any good. She's been unconscious for-'

But Bridget was opening her eyes!

'That's a good girl,' Radkin said. 'Now don't try to talk. That might be too-'

'Screw you,' Bridget whispered.

Radkin chuckled. 'I thought you'd object to that hint of condescension. Have I told you how much I missed that scalding tongue of yours?'

'I've got to call the nurse and tell them you're awake,' Devon said as she headed for the call button. 'He's right, don't talk, Bridget.'

'No hurry now,' Radkin said. 'Marrok's shi'i'go has done its work. She'll recover very quickly now. I just had to be here and jar her a bit. Sometimes she actually pays attention to me. Oh, for the old days when she looked upon me as a god.'

Bridget snorted.

Radkin's brows rose. 'I believe that disgusting sound might take more effort than words.' He squeezed Bridget's hand. 'So I'll leave and let you pamper yourself. I'll be back tomorrow. I have a few things to do.' He turned to Marrok. 'It wouldn't hurt for you to stay with her for the rest of the day. It's not necessary, but it may help a little.'

'I wasn't planning on leaving her. If I were, I wouldn't give a damn what you think.'

Radkin smiled. 'You're just as Bridget described you. Only she said that you'd made progress and were ready. I'm not at all sure she's right. She has a tendency to become involved and lose her perspective.' He turned away and wheeled to face Marrok. 'By the way, you won't have any problem with Danner's death. I called on a few friends with MI6, and they sent a team out to do cleanup. The body will be found in an alley behind a Las Vegas casino. An obvious theft and assault.'

'Why would you do that?' Marrok asked.

'We'll discuss it tomorrow.' He headed for the door, then stopped as he saw Wiley sitting in the corner. 'Well, what have we here?' He squatted before the German shepherd. Wiley tensed and gazed at him warily. He bared his teeth. 'Shh, it doesn't have to be this way. Let it go, Wiley.' He put his hand out and gently touched the dog's head. 'Let it all go…'

Wiley froze, his eyes closing. Then he slowly sank to the floor, the tension leaving his big body.

'Good,' Radkin said. 'Now remember…' He got to his feet. 'I'll see you tomorrow, Bridget.' He left the room.

Devon was staring at Wiley, who was still lying in the same position and appeared mellower than she had ever seen him. 'What the hell did he do to him?'

'Wiley… difficult,' Bridget whispered. 'Jordan likes… difficult.'

'I've seen you have that effect on animals.' Marrok was staring after Radkin. 'But not that-'

'Powerful,' Bridget said. 'I'm not that powerful. I never wanted to be. Not like him. And I was right about you, Marrok. He knows I am. It's time…' The nurse was hurrying into the room, and she made a face. 'Stay close. They may kill me trying to find out why I'm getting well.'

Marrok reached down and touched Ned's head. 'We won't leave you. You told Devon I owed you. You couldn't be more right.' He stood up. 'But I'll move out into the hall for a few minutes.' He paused. 'Just who is Radkin to you?'

She smiled. 'All kinds of things. He's right; I was dazzled by him when he first came to me. It took a while for me to get over that. Since then he's been teacher, cousin, friend, thorn in my side, bane of my existence.' She paused. 'And it was Jordan who sent me to you, Marrok.'

He frowned. 'No, it was Chad Lincoln. I came after you after he recommended you.'

'As Jordan said, he has friends at MI6. He pulled strings, and they told Lincoln what to do.'

'What's all this about? I don't-'

'You'll have to leave, Mr. Marrok,' the nurse said. 'The doctor will be here any minute, and I have tests to make before he gets here.'

'I told you,' Bridget murmured. 'Stay close, Marrok.'

CHAPTER 20

DEVON STARED INTO THE darkness of Bridget's hospital room. The atmosphere was so different than it had been only hours ago. Then fear, dread, and guilt had been present every minute. Now there was only infinite gratitude and relief.

'You're smiling.' Bridget had opened her eyes. 'I'm glad someone is happy. Why didn't you or Marrok keep those doctors from giving me a shot? I didn't want to go to sleep.'

'They did it before they let us back in.' Devon handed her a cup of crushed ice with a straw. 'And a little more sleep didn't hurt you.'

'Turn on the light.' She took a sip. 'How much sleep?'

'About six hours.'

'Where's Marrok?'

'He was with you until about fifteen minutes ago. He had to take the dogs for a walk. He should be back soon.'