Shattered Mirror (Eve Duncan #23)(75)
“Oh, I’ll be going to the compound,” Jock said. “But I’ll pick up my rental car and be right behind you.” He looked at Eve. “I assume this is your choice? No manipulation by Kaskov?”
“My decision. My choice,” Eve said quietly. “Any manipulation was on my part. I knew you wouldn’t like it, so I thought I’d face you and Joe with a fait accompli.” She got into the limousine. “I wasn’t in any shape to face a struggle.” She gestured to Cara and Darcy, who had followed her into the limo. “They were going to come with me no matter what I said. I had to find the best way to protect them.”
“Best way?” He shook his head as his gaze met Cara’s. “Major mistake, Eve.” He turned on his heel and strode toward the rental-car lot.
Nikolai slammed the door and moved around to the driver’s seat.
Eve looked at Cara. “He thinks you betrayed him by not telling him what I was going to do,” she said wearily. “I just didn’t know what else to do. As I told him, I’m rationing strength right now.”
“He’ll get over it,” Cara said. “And if he doesn’t, I’ll face it then. I know he’s been too important to me. I can’t let what he thinks run my life.”
“Hey, Jock isn’t going anywhere.” Darcy smiled and reached for Cara’s hand. “You did what Eve wanted, and he’ll come to terms with it. If he doesn’t, we’ll send him on his way, and I’ll show you how to live life like you’re in the middle of a tornado. Of course, we’d have to change the destruction for sensuality, and add a really sexy rock star to the mix. You haven’t lived until you’ve had a rock star or two. There’s something about their rhythm that translates to—”
“Please don’t.” Eve was smiling. “Let her find her own way, Darcy.”
Darcy grinned. “Only if she lets me come along for the ride.”
“No question,” Cara said. Darcy had managed to lighten the heaviness of the moment for both her and Eve. She was ready to face both Kaskov and Jock now. She squeezed Darcy’s hand, then released it. “You’re here for the long haul, Darcy. I’d have no idea how to handle that rock star.”
*
Eve braced herself as Nikolai drove the limousine through the guarded gates of Belle Grace and up the sweeping driveway to the huge, columned mansion. Jock had told them that it was a compound, but the outbuildings were so graceful and well built and that no one would guess the men inhabiting them were criminals. Light was pouring out of the open front door, and she could see Kaskov silhouetted against the brightness. It was one thing to fire orders to Kaskov over the phone, but entirely different to come face-to-face with him. She remembered how intimidating he could be.
But no one was more intimidating than that monster who was holding her son.
Cara sensed that tension and leaned forward. “It will be fine. I’ll stay with you.”
Eve shook her head. “I’m not afraid of Kaskov. I’m just wondering how to handle him.” Nikolai was opening the door and helping her out. “I’ll work it out.”
“Pleasant flight?” Kaskov was coming forward to meet her. “Welcome to Belle Grace.” His voice was deep, silky. “I do hope you’ll enjoy it since you were obviously so eager to come.”
“I don’t believe either one of us is going to enjoy my visit,” Eve said. “All I can hope is that it’s successful. It has to be successful, Kaskov.” She turned to Darcy, who had just gotten out of the car. “Darcy Nichols. Sergai Kaskov, Darcy.”
Darcy smiled. “I’ve heard interesting things about you, Mr. Kaskov.”
He chuckled. “And that’s an interesting way of greeting me.” He looked at her critically. “Fantastic-looking. You may be worthwhile just for decoration.” He turned to Cara and took her hand. “Here you are at last. I told you that you should come early. I’m sorry that it was this tragedy that brought you.”
“I’m sorry, too. I know our coming will turn this place upside down.” She looked him in the eye. “But I’m glad that you’re going to help Eve. Michael is very important to me.”
“I remember. After he was born, you couldn’t be pried away from Eve. I had to wait a long time.” He gestured toward the open door. “Come in. May I offer you all something?”
“We had a snack on the plane,” Eve said as she followed him into the house. “We need rest more than food. None of us have slept much in the last twenty-four hours. If you could get Cara and Darcy settled, I’d appreciate it.”
“Everything is prepared … as ordered.” He turned to Nikolai. “You know what rooms to give them. The first three in the west wing. See that Cara and Miss Nichols are comfortable.” He turned back to Eve. “I’ll give you a glass of wine before you retire for the night if you don’t mind?” He gestured to the lavish parlor. “Our conversation was so hurried when you called this afternoon. I’m sure we’ll both sleep better to have everything clear.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” She waved for Darcy and Cara to follow Nikolai upstairs. Kaskov’s voice was silky smooth, but she could hear the thread of steel running through it. She had expected to meet nothing less. “A glass of wine always makes one more relaxed in difficult situations.”