Secrets of His Own

by Amanda Stevens

  Carrie heard footsteps approaching the door and a split second before his key slipped into the lock, she realized her plan would never work. The grid was pulled out from the wall. He’d see it the moment he opened the door. He’d bolt it back in place or take Tia and Carrie somewhere else and they’d never get away from him then.

  Carrie’s heart was pounding so hard she could barely breathe. Scrambling to the window, she slid her body underneath the metal and as she pulled herself up to the sill, her shirt caught on the jagged edge of the grid. She tugged and tugged, but she couldn’t get it free.

  And then the door opened and the man stepped inside.

  He saw her at the window and screamed in rage as he lunged for her.

  Frantically, Carrie yanked at the tail of her shirt until the fabric finally ripped away. But it had cost her precious seconds. As she balanced herself on the sill, he reached under the grid and clamped a hand around her arm.

  Carrie fought him, but his grip was too strong. He held her with one hand while with the other he tried to rip the grid from the wall so that he could get at her. Instinctively, Carrie lashed out at him, digging her nails deeply into his flesh.

  The pain seemed to infuriate him even more. He released her then so that he could tear at the grid with both hands, and Carrie went tumbling to the ground.

  She landed with a bone-jarring thud on her stomach, and for a moment, she lay with the wind knocked out of her, too dazed and frightened to move. Then she came to her senses and jumped to her feet.

  Which way?

  All around her was darkness. Carrie had no idea where she was, which way she should go….

  Behind her, she heard him curse and then he went completely silent. For one split second, hope flooded through Carrie. If he couldn’t get the grid off the window, he wouldn’t be able to follow her. If she could somehow find Tia…

  He came out the front door at a run. Carrie heard his footsteps pound across the porch and down the steps, and she knew that she had to run or find a hiding place….

  He came around the corner, saw her and stopped dead still.

  From inside the cabin, Carrie heard a tiny noise. A whimper of pain…

  She looked up and glimpsed someone standing at the window, watching her.

  Tia! She was still alive!

  And then the man laughed and started toward her….

  THE MEMORY SKITTERED away as Carrie gasped. In a flash of lightning, she saw someone dart furtively across the courtyard. A woman…

  Pressing closer to the window, Carrie peered into the darkness thinking it must be Alma Garcia. She was certainly eccentric enough to be out in a storm.

  But as the woman reached the gate, another flicker of lightning drew her gaze skyward and for a split second, she stood highlighted against the dark backdrop of the jungle. Carrie’s breath caught in recognition.

  It was Tia.

  Chapter Nine

  Carrie’s heart flailed against her chest as she threw open the door and screamed Tia’s name. But it was too late. She’d already fled through the gate.

  Carrie whirled and ran back inside. Grabbing a flashlight from the desk, she sprinted out the door and across the courtyard.

  The storm had moved inland by now, and the lightning was so steady that she could see her way quite clearly. She shouldn’t have wasted those precious seconds retrieving the flashlight, because in that brief time, Tia had vanished.

  Carrie tried calling out to her, but the wind had picked up and her voice was lost in the thrashing of leaves overhead.

  Had it really been Tia? Carrie wondered desperately. Or had her mind conjured her friend’s face? She’d been so lost in thought, so caught up in the past that it was entirely possible she’d imagined the whole thing.

  But she wouldn’t give up searching. Not yet. What if it had been Tia?

  She didn’t stop until the trail split, and then she paused to recall what Nick had told her earlier. If she stayed on the path it would take her into the swamp. Veering right would lead her to the harbor.

  Carrie had no idea which way Tia had gone. She wasn’t even sure that it was Tia she was chasing. She wondered if, like Alma Garcia, she was becoming demented, delusional. If Tia had been in the courtyard, why wouldn’t she have come to her? Why had she run away when Carrie called her name?

  Nothing made sense on this island.

  Carrie stood indecisively, not knowing which way to go. Then a voice drifted up from the water and she hurried toward the sound.

  She came out of the trees on a slight incline that overlooked the harbor. Two boats—one motorboat and a larger fishing vessel—were anchored side by side and she could see men moving about in the stormy darkness, their voices rising over the wind and the crashing waves.

  The boats bounced and strained against their moorings, and Carrie wondered what had brought the men out in such weather.

  Instinctively, she knew that she shouldn’t let them see her, but just as she turned back to the path, a hand clapped over her mouth as an arm wrapped around her waist and dragged her back into the trees.

  She would have fought him, but she recognized him almost instantly. Nick put his lips against her ear and said, “Be quiet. Those men have guns. If they hear us, they’ll shoot us, understand?”

  She nodded.

  He eased his hand away, but he didn’t release her. One arm still held her just below her breasts while the other hand rested at her throat.

  Carrie’s heart beat a wild staccato against her chest. In fear, yes, but also because of Nick’s closeness. Because of the way he held her…

  They stood that way for the longest time watching the boats, and once, when Nick shifted his weight, his arm grazed the underside of her breasts. Desire shot through her, so quick and hot she almost gasped out loud.

  At that moment, Carrie wasn’t certain who she feared more. Nick…or the armed men in the boats.

  Their nefarious business concluded, the men parted ways. The small boat took off first and was soon lost among the swells. The larger vessel was slower and more stable on the choppy seas, but it, too, was running without lights. Carrie thought both drivers must be out of their minds to be out in such weather.

  She glanced up, saw the hard lines of Nick’s face in the lightning and started to tremble.

  “It’s okay,” he said, mistaking her reaction. “They’re gone now. You’re safe.”

  He released her and Carrie turned slowly to face him. “Who were those men?”

  “Drug smugglers, most likely.”

  Her brows shot up. “Drug smugglers?”

  “Don’t sound so surprised,” he said with a shrug. “This is Cape Diablo, after all.”

  Yes, and they’d just been talking about Andres Santiago’s smuggling operation that very afternoon. “It’s still shocking to see it in your own backyard,” Carrie murmured. “What should we do?”

  Now it was Nick’s turn to sound surprised. “Do? I don’t know about you, but I intend to keep my mouth shut,” he said grimly.

  “But…we have to tell the police, don’t we?”

  “Think about what you’re saying, Carrie.” It was the first time he’d used her name, and Carrie felt a little thrill charge through her veins.

  I must be crazy, she thought. Here they stood talking about drug dealers and all she could think about was the way Nick’s voice sounded when he said her name. The way the lightning flashed over his face, making him seem more dangerous and exciting than ever.

  “By the time we can get word to the mainland, those boats could be halfway back to South America,” he said. “Then again, they could be holed up just an island or two away. If the police come snooping around Cape Diablo, they’ll know someone talked. They could come back, and next time they might not leave any witnesses.”

  Carrie shivered. She put her hand on his arm, then dropped it quickly. “What if Tia saw those men? What if they know she can identify them?”

  “That’s not likely. I’ve been he
re three weeks and that’s the first time I’ve seen boats in the harbor.”

  “But I saw her in the courtyard earlier and it looked as if she was running away from someone,” Carrie said desperately.

  “You what?”

  She nodded. “I saw her. At least…I think it was Tia. She ran through the gate and I followed her down here.”

  “You followed her down here to the harbor.”

  His voice sounded doubtful and Carrie frowned. “You don’t believe me, do you?”

  “You obviously believe you saw her. Are you sure it was Tia?”

  Carrie hesitated. She’d been certain earlier, but now, in the face of Nick’s skepticism, she was starting to have her own doubts. Maybe she’d seen Tia because she wanted to see Tia.

  “Are you sure it wasn’t Alma Garcia?” he pressed.

  “I guess it could have been.” And it made sense, considering that Carrie had seen Alma in the courtyard just the night before.

  “Cochburn told me that she rarely leaves her apartment,” Carrie muttered.

  “Cochburn doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Nick’s scorn for the attorney was apparent.

  “But he was so helpful and concerned when I called about Tia,” Carrie said. “And he came all the way out here with me yesterday to make sure I found the right island.”

  “Good for him. But if I were you, I’d think twice before putting my trust in a man I hardly know.”

  Was he warning her about Cochburn…or himself?

  “Come on,” he said, taking her arm. “Let’s head back before the rain starts.”

  As they hurried back down the path, Carrie couldn’t get his warning out of her head. She wanted to believe that she could trust Nick, but she didn’t know anything about him. He was a stranger, and yet she found herself drawn to him in a way that left her breathless.

  She’d had boyfriends before. She’d even had a few lovers. But no one had ever swept her off her feet the way Nick had.

  When they emerged from the trees near his place, Carrie turned. “You don’t have to come with me. I know my way back. And don’t worry. I won’t veer too far off the path,” she said, repeating his earlier warning.

  Although maybe she already had. Maybe she just didn’t know it, yet.

  BY THE TIME THEY MADE IT back to the courtyard, the rain arrived. They hurried beneath the loggia and stood watching the downpour in silence.

  Nick could see Carrie shivering in her wet clothing. In the rapid flashes of lightning, the outline of her bra showed plainly through the wet fabric of her T-shirt, but he didn’t want to stare so he tore his gaze away.

  She rubbed a hand up and down her arm. “I should probably go in.”

  “Yeah. That might be a good idea,” he agreed. Although he wished she wouldn’t.

  “Do you want to come in and dry off?” she offered hesitantly.

  “I’ll just get wet again.” He propped a hand on one of the support columns and stared down at her.

  She seemed to grow flustered. “Why are you doing that?”

  “What?”

  “Looking at me that way.”

  “You know why,” he murmured.

  He heard the sharp intake of her breath and then turning her face up to his, she said in resignation, “Why don’t you just kiss me and get it over with?”

  “Now that’s what I call an irresistible invitation,” he said dryly.

  She shrugged. “I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just…I’m no good at this. I figured the sooner you knew, the sooner you’ll—”

  “The sooner I’ll what?”

  “Stop looking at me that way.”

  “I’m not the only one looking,” he said softly.

  “I know. I’m sorry.” She bit her lip. “I shouldn’t be leading you on.”

  “Is that what you’re doing?”

  “I’m attracted to you,” she admitted reluctantly.

  “Then what’s the problem?” He leaned in so close their lips were almost touching.

  “I’m not a good kisser,” she warned.

  “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?” He cupped a hand around the back of her neck and pulled her toward him.

  He didn’t touch her anywhere else nor did he kiss her at first. He merely stared down at her for the longest moment until he saw her lips tremble and part.

  And then he lowered his head and gently traced the outline of her mouth with his tongue.

  She gasped and drew back, but only for an instant. And then her mouth opened even more and he slipped his tongue inside.

  He could tell she was inexperienced, but she was wrong about being a bad kisser. What she lacked in technique, she made up for in passion. As her tongue tangled with his, she put a hand on his chest and twisted her fingers in his shirt, tugging him closer, eagerly letting him know that she wanted more.

  But he still didn’t touch her, though God knows he wanted to. His hands itched to slide beneath her wet top and caress her full, round breasts. To hold her against him and let her feel how much he wanted her, too.

  It was all he could do not to scoop her up and carry her inside to the bedroom, but Carrie Bishop was not a woman he wanted to take lightly. She’d been through a horror that few people could imagine, and the demons of her past still haunted her. He didn’t want to give her yet another reason to retreat behind her walls.

  When he finally broke the kiss, she leaned in, then caught herself and quickly stepped back. She touched her fingertips to her lips as she gazed up at him.

  “How was I?”

  He shrugged. “Not bad for a first kiss.”

  “That wasn’t my first kiss,” she said in a rush. “I may not have a lot of experience, but I’ve certainly been kissed before.”

  “I meant our first kiss,” he said. “It was good, but the second is always better.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Then she said almost shyly, “Now do you want to come in?”

  He shook his head regretfully. “Not tonight. I need to get back down to the harbor and make sure those boats don’t come back.”

  “But what if they do?” Her expression turned anxious. “Those men were armed.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

  And he always had been…until tonight.

  AS I WATCHED THEM from above, I knew that I was taking a risk. If they looked up, they would see me in the flashes of lightning, but I needn’t have worried. They were oblivious to everything but each other. Completely impervious to the danger that lurked so near them…

  The way he touched and kissed her made me burn with rage, but it wouldn’t be long now. Soon it would happen. Soon I would let her see me, and all those hours of lonely solitude would melt away in that first moment of realization.

  At long last, her time had come. I had saved the best for last.

  But I couldn’t let anticipation make me careless. I still had things to do.

  I needed to get rid of the body because the smell would soon be overpowering.

  Taking one last look, I slowly drifted back into the shadows.

  Chapter Ten

  Carrie awoke to sunlight streaming in through the bedroom window and someone banging on the front door. Alarmed by the sound, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and reached for her robe, pulling it on as she hurried down the hallway to the living room.

  She’d left the blinds up last night, and she could see Nick standing outside the door as she approached. She had the strongest urge to touch her fingertips to her lips, as if she could still feel the heat of his kiss, but instead she shrugged off the memory and opened the door.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked anxiously.

  His gaze traveled over her, making those memories come back in full force. “Sorry to disturb you so early, but I wanted to let you know that the supply boat is here.”

  Carrie frowned. “But it’s not supposed to be here until tomorrow.”

  Nick nodded. “Apparently, there’s been a l
ast-minute schedule change. Trawick’s having engine problems and he got his cousin to cover for him. I guess this was the only day the new guy could make the run. Anyway, I thought you’d want to know because if you don’t catch a ride today, you’ll be stuck here until next Tuesday.

  “But I’m not ready,” Carrie protested. “I’m not even dressed yet.”

  His gaze moved over her again, more deliberate this time. More intimate. “Take your time. I’ll go down and make sure he holds the boat for you.”

  Carrie folded her arms across the front of her robe, suddenly self-conscious under his relentless gaze. “What about Tia? What if it really was her I saw in the courtyard last night?”

  “We searched the island,” he said. “If she was here and wanted to be found, we would have found her.”

  “But it might not be that simple.” Carrie raked a hand through her hair. “If she’s in some sort of trouble, I don’t want to leave without making sure she’s okay. If something happens to her and I haven’t done everything in my power to find her, I’d never be able to live with myself.”

  “I repeat, you can’t find someone who doesn’t want to be found,” he said impatiently. Then his gaze softened as he stared down at her. Or perhaps that was her imagination, too, Carrie thought. “Look, I understand how you feel. But you’ve done all you can here. Maybe it’s time to go home and regroup.”

  Carrie drew a long breath. He was right and she knew it. She’d done all she could here. Besides, the longer she stayed on Cape Diablo, the greater the danger to herself.

  She had feelings for Nick Draco, and if she hung around much longer, she just might get in over her head.

  IT TOOK HER LESS THAN five minutes to pack. She’d only brought a few things with her, and after a second run-through of the apartment to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind, she was ready to go.