Blind Alley

Hot.

Smoke was beginning to creep through the rocks.

Antonio was just ahead, moving swiftly.

Go faster. Keep from coughing. He mustn't know she was following.

He was gone!

No, he must have just disappeared from view around a turn in the tunnel.

She mustn't lose him. She was committed and there was no turning back.

She started to run.

Don't lose him. Don't lose him.

She turned the corner.

“Can't we go the rest of the way together?” Antonio was outlined against the glowing rocks.

She skidded to a stop. “You knew I was following you.”

“I knew there was a good possibility. You're smart and you don't want to die.” He held out his hand. “Second chance, Cira. For me and for you. We both know second chances don't come along very often. We can make this work.” He grimaced. “If we get out of here in time.”

“I don't want a second chance with you.”

“You loved me once. I can make you love me again.”

“You can't make me do anything. I choose. Always.”

“That's what I've always said. But I'm willing to give in . . . a little. For you.” He coughed. “The smoke is getting worse. I'm not standing here begging. No woman is worth dying for. But you may be worth living for.”

“It's the gold you want. And you can't get the gold away from here without dealing with Julius.”

“Maybe not under the usual circumstances, but the world is ending tonight. There's a chance Julius may end with it. Or that we can find a way to escape to someplace he'll never find us.”

“And you can be emperor,” she said sarcastically.

“Why not? I'd be a magnificent emperor.”

“In some primitive village hiding from Julius?”

“It wouldn't be primitive long if we were both there.”

He was exerting that charisma that had first drawn her to him and the force of his personality was almost overpowering. She mustn't be seduced by him. He was too dangerous.

But he was also beautiful as a god and possessed a reckless, wicked charm that made the danger seem worth risking.

“Don't give me all your trust,” he said. “Take it one step at a time. Just let me get you out of here.”

She looked down at his outstretched hand. She could take his hand as she'd once taken his body.

No, she'd never be that foolish again.

“One step at a time,” he said softly.

“If you wanted to get me out of here, why didn't you just let me follow you?”

“Because we'll need each other before we reach the end.” He stiffened as a rumble shook the earth. “Make up your mind, Cira.”

“I told you that—”

The earth beneath her feet broke apart and she looked down into hell!

She was falling, dying. . . .

“Antonio!”

Jane lunged up in bed, her heart beating so hard she thought it was going to leap from her chest.

Fire.

Liquid, molten fire.

She was falling. . . .

No, she wasn't falling. She took a deep breath and then another. That was better. She swung her feet to the floor and stood up.

Toby sat up and looked at her inquiringly.

“Yeah, it happened again. No fun, huh?” she whispered. She glanced at the clock. Three thirty-seven in the morning, but there was no way she could go back to sleep. Cira had taken care of that. Or her weird psyche or whatever. “Let's go out on the porch. I need some air.”

Night with no air. Heat. The earth exploding beneath her feet.

She grabbed her robe and her phone that she'd put on the nightstand before she went to bed. “Be quiet now. It's the middle of the night. You don't want to wake up Eve or Joe.”

Toby's tail thumped happily on the wood floor and the knocking was far from quiet.

“Get up, silly.”

He leaped to his feet and the thumping stopped but his tail kept wagging. He streaked down the hall and reached the door before her.

The air was cool and fresh against her cheeks as she sat down on the top porch step. She could see the dull gleam of the patrol car down the road and waved to Mac and Brian. Their headlights blinked on and then went dark again.

Lord, the air felt good. She filled her lungs and the clean, soothing sensation made her almost heady with pleasure.

Night with no air . . .

Toby whined as he settled beside her.

“It's okay,” she murmured as she stroked his head. “Only a dream. Nothing bad . . .”

Then why was she so terrified?

The world is ending tonight.

Not her world. Forget it. The dream had probably been triggered by Trevor's words and had no basis in—

Her phone rang.

She stared at it with no surprise. Why else had she taken it with her? It was Trevor and that was no surprise either.

“Are you alone?” he asked.

“If you don't count Toby.”

“I wouldn't dare not count Toby.” He paused. “How are you?”

“Fine. I was fine when you left us. You didn't have to use me as an excuse to bolt.”

“Jane.”

She wasn't being honest and they both knew it. “Okay, you freaked me out.”

“I know and it surprised me. It wasn't the reaction I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“Curiosity. Interest. Maybe a little excitement.”

And that was exactly the response she would have experienced if he hadn't mentioned Cira. He'd gauged her well. “Then obviously you don't know me as well as you think you do. The only thing you accomplished by leaving us yesterday afternoon was to irritate Joe and give him a chance to get on the phone and try to substantiate what you told us about Guido Manza.”

“And did he do it?”

“Not yet. He shouldn't have to do it that way. Help him, blast it. You made a deal.”

“You weren't ready. And you're the one who's important to me.”

“I'm ready now.”

He was silent a moment. “I think you are. I wish I could see your face. I'd like to be sure.”