Eternal Nights by Patti O'Shea Read Free Book Online

George unfolded his arms and asked, “You find this amusing, Miss Thomas?”
    This time she opted not to correct him about her title. She did, however, clear the expression off her face and stand a little straighter. “No, of course not.”
    For an endless moment, the doctor did nothing but stare at her, and Kendall’s heart started to pound in double time. He was angry over her perceived disrespect. Very angry. Don’t let him take it out on Wyatt, she pleaded silently, and released a silent sigh when some of his pique appeared to subside.
    “Let’s take this gathering back to the pyramid, shall we?”
    They couldn’t let themselves be moved. As unlikely as it was that anyone would stumble across them here, the odds were even worse if they returned to the temple. She shifted, balancing her weight evenly. When Wyatt took action, she was fighting with him. Kendall wouldn’t run while he battled four armed men.
    She sensed someone approach from behind, but before she guessed what he was up to, he grabbed her. One arm went around her throat, the other over her raised arms, lowering them and pinning them at her waist. His hold was secure, giving her fewer options than Wyatt had left her. She kicked backward anyway.
    Though she was largely ineffectual, the man tightened his grip, cutting off her air. She didn’t stop struggling, not until the roaring in her ears blocked all other sound and blackness encroached on her vision. Passing out wouldn’t help, and Kendall quieted. The hold eased enough for her to breathe, and when her eyes cleared, she saw they’d moved a few steps away from Wyatt.
    Apparently, the stooges weren’t quite as untrained as she’d believed. Though she was far from expert herself, she could identify the wise choices they’d made—separating her from Wyatt for one, and using her for leverage to keep him in line, for another. Then there was the way the two who’d flanked Dr. George stayed out of Wyatt’s reach. He wouldn’t be able to disarm them, not easily and not in time to keep the guy who was holding her from snapping her neck.
    Kendall had the feeling she’d missed a few things while she’d been gasping for oxygen. They seemed to have decided on how they’d proceed to the pyramid. She thought about dragging her feet when they began moving, but didn’t. Wyatt was ahead of her, his hands on the back of his head, and since he was cooperating, she followed his lead.
    The distance between them increased even more as they neared the temple. Dr. George opened the carved door and the man she’d thought of as being the impatient one went in first. Wyatt was held back—she’d bet until the man got into position—then ordered inside. Kendall took a step forward as he disappeared and was jerked back by the arm at her throat.
    “Watch it!” she rasped.
    “I’ll tell you when to move,” her captor growled.
    Wyatt had been out of view for what felt like forever before she was walked inside the pyramid. With the cautions the goon squad was taking, it was a while before she and Wyatt were reunited. This wasn’t a secret passage, she realized, looking around, but a secret room. And there were dozens of alien relics scattered around. Damned thieves.
    She was still about eight feet away from where Wyatt stood in the square stone room when she was released. Though they ordered her to raise her hands again when she was beside him, Kendall only half obeyed. She put one arm in the air, and rubbed her throat with her other hand.
    When she noticed Wyatt had turned his head to study her, she looked up—and caught a glimpse of raw fury in his eyes. She quickly stopped kneading and raised that arm as well. Darn it, she should have followed instructions. Now he was pissed off because she’d been hurt and God knew what he’d do. “Marsh,” she breathed, using the nickname his men had for him, “cool it.”
    Unfortunately, the gray rock walls made her voice carry despite the fact it hadn’t even been