Eyes of Fire by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

with.
    If he’d even noticed that she was naked, or, if he had, if he’d cared in the least.
    Wonderful. She’d been attacked, nearly…what? Kidnapped? Murdered? Yet here she was, worrying about Adam. What in God’s name was the matter with her?
    She leaped up when he was gone, hurrying to dress. She threw on panties, a bra, black pumps and a long-sleeved black knit dress. When she was dressed, she drew a brush through her not-really-washed-and-half-damp-hair, wincing as she hit the tangles. She told herself to toughen up, dragging the brush through her hair until it had a semblance of neatness to it, then hurried out of her bedroom—anxious to see if he had really left her cottage.
    She didn’t think he had.
    And he hadn’t.
    He was seated in her living room, comfortably leaning back in the deep Victorian brocade sofa. Despite his evening attire, he’d managed a pose of casual ease, his feet propped up on the cherrywood coffee table. There was a bottle of beer in his hand, and he sipped it slowly, reflectively, as he stared at the treasure map on the wall. He lifted the bottle, indicating the map. “I’m surprised you keep that.”
    â€œWhy?”
    He shrugged. “Your father.”
    â€œI’d have to discard the entire island if I couldn’t bear memories of my father.”
    â€œI didn’t mean the memory,” he murmured. “I meant—he disappeared searching for the Beldona, right?”
    â€œYes,” she said.
    His eyes suddenly seemed more veiled than her own. “He loved that ship.”
    â€œHe didn’t love the ship—he couldn’t love the ship—he never found her. He just loved the sea, the adventure. And he loved the island. Look, forget my father for now, what about tonight? Should I call the mainland police? Make out a report?”
    â€œYou could.”
    â€œCould? What does that mean?”
    â€œWell, the police will come out, question you and question all your guests. You won’t find out who attacked you, and you might well empty the island.”
    She hadn’t thought of that. “But—but what about the danger to my guests?”
    â€œI’d bet my life that the attacker is very specifically after you.”
    â€œGreat. Then I’m in danger.”
    â€œYes. You’ll have to be extremely careful.”
    â€œAnd how am I supposed to do that?”
    â€œStay close to me.”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “That could be difficult when you’re running around with your well-endowed—and not-so-well-endowed—women.”
    â€œDid I arrive here with a woman?”
    â€œNo, but they always seem to appear around you.”
    â€œBut I’ll be watching you. ”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œLook, if the police come, they won’t be able to do a damned thing but file a report. Your innocent guests will leave the island. And you’ll still be in danger.”
    â€œThat’s your opinion.”
    â€œYou’re right. That’s my opinion. Hank Jennings disappeared searching for the Beldona, as well, didn’t he?”
    She frowned, thrown by his abrupt change of subject—or determination to return to the original one. “Did you know Hank Jennings?” she asked, trying to keep her voice level.
    â€œI heard about his disappearance,” he said, his eyes on the map once again.
    â€œNaturally you heard about it. I wrote to you, asking for help. You didn’t come. But then, you didn’t show up after my father disappeared, either, and you’d become bosom buddies with him.”
    He didn’t offer her a sarcastic reply, which she might have expected. He didn’t even remind her that she had asked him to leave Seafire Isle.
    He just shook his head, taking a long swallow of beer. “I didn’t get your letter for nearly a year after your dad disappeared,” he told her. His voice seemed a little