Tender Savage by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

surroundings like a runaway roller coaster.
    “How do you do it?” she asked suddenly, her laughter fading. “How do you manage not to let being here bother you? I’ve only been in this cell one day and it would have driven me crazy if you hadn’t taken my mind off being here.”
    “There are usually small pleasures you can find to distract yourself in any situation. If I hadn’t been here to show you the way, you would have eventually found it yourself.”
    “I’m not sure you’re right about that.”
    “I’m sure.”
    “Why?”
    A sudden brilliant smile lit his face. “Because you don’t like to lose.”
    She chuckled. “I can’t deny that, can I? But it’s not the kind of—” She broke off as she heard the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. She tensed, her gaze flying to the door.
    “Easy,” Ricardo said quietly, sitting up straighter. “It could be nothing.”
    “Or something.” She moistened her lips with her tongue. “Animal, vegetable, or mineral?”
    “Good.” Ricardo’s tone reflected both surprise and respect. “Laughter will always keep you from losing, Lara.”
    A key was being inserted in the lock.
    “I’ll try to remember that. Though it’s going to be—” She broke off as the door was thrown open and Jurado strode into the cell followed by two guards.
    “Animal,” Ricardo said precisely. “No guessing there.”
    Lara found herself laughing even as she felt fear tighten her throat.
    “Very amusing,” Jurado said as he looked at both of them. “Evidently your entire day has been amusing.”
    “If you didn’t want us to have fun, you should have joined us instead of eavesdropping.” Ricardo stretched his legs, crossing them at the ankle. “The sight of you usually succeeds in putting a damper on any party.”
    “I didn’t put the woman here for you to play children’s games with her.” Jurado’s voice heldbarely restrained fury. “You sounded like two squabbling infants.”
    “Sorry.” Ricardo shrugged. “Maybe I think of her as an infant. You’ll just have to wait and see if I change my mind, won’t you?”
    “Will I?” Jurado crossed the cell in two strides and grabbed Lara’s wrist. “I don’t like to wait.” He jerked her to her feet. “You didn’t think of her as an infant last night in the shower. My guards have eyes.”
    Ricardo stiffened as his gaze shifted to Lara’s frightened face. “You’re angry with me, not her. Let her go.”
    “Oh, no. I think you need a little jolt to make you realize who is in control here.” He pulled Lara toward the door. “My guards don’t think of her as an infant.”
    “No!” Ricardo jumped to his feet. His expression was guarded, but his muscles were bunched as if ready to spring. Then his stance changed as he forced himself to relax. “All right, I admit I find her desirable. Is that enough for you, Jurado?”
    “Of course not. She still goes with me.”
    Terror iced through Lara as Jurado jerked her toward the door. She would not cry, she told herself fiercely. This entire scenario was aimed at Ricardo and she knew Jurado wanted her to weep and plead to make it more difficult for him.
    “Do you want me to beg?” Ricardo asked hoarsely. “Very well, I’ll do it. She has nothing to do with our war. Don’t hurt her, Jurado.”
    “No please?” Jurado taunted as he glanced at Ricardo over his shoulder.
    “Please,” Ricardo grated, through clenched teeth.
    “It’s not enough. I believe I’ll let you have time alone to consider how much you appreciate the woman’s company.”
    “What are you going to do to her?”
    “I’ll let you guess.” Jurado’s eyes gleamed with malicious enjoyment. “You know me. What do you think I’ll do to her?”
    “Jurado, damn you. Don’t do—”
    The slamming of the door of the cell cut off Ricardo’s protest, and Jurado propelled Lara down the corridor toward the door of the cell block.
    ——————
    The last rays of the setting sun