This behavior had surprised Anthony. He'd thought people like Juan sold this stuff butwere smart enough not to partake. That was a myth. Juan and his men were all hooked, and the level of the box never went down.

"Do you need something?" Anthony closed the door and sat down as far to the left as he could to have a chance of reaching for his gun, if it came to that. "You haven't up to now. Between making jokes about me and whispering with your friends, you've got it all under control. There's no need for me to be here."

"You know why I haven't told you my plans?"

"Considering all I've given up to help you, I'd love to hear it."

Anthony crossed his legs and clamped his mouth closed, trying to keep down the nausea as he watched Juan dip the tip of the gun into the cocaine again. He silently wished Juan just needed another hit.

"You with me, Mr. FBI, or you with G.I. Joe on the corner?"Juan neared and pointed the barrel under Anthony's nose. "You want me to let you really work for me?" He pressed the barrel to the skin of his upper lip. "Then show me you're with me."

Of all the things that could've popped into Anthony's head, his talk with Annabel Hicks came to the forefront of his mind. The Bureau always knew what you did wrong, no matter how much you tried to hide it, and they didn't care what your reasons were. This was his line in the sand. If he crossed it he could still go back, but the return would be tainted.

"My uncle's a fool, but he's right about you," Juan said.

The words weren't a commentary on the truth but, in Anthony's mind, a taunt. He looked directly at Juan and snorted the c.o.ke off the pistol, then repeated the action when Juan held it up on the opposite side.

Anthony felt like someone had pried shingles off his eyes and he was seeing the world in its true bright colors for the first time. The drug pulsed through his system and wrapped seductively around his brain, making him feel euphoric enough to question why he'd fought so hard to keep this away from whoever wanted to use it.

"Tell me," Anthony said. The barrel of Juan's gun was still pointed at his head, but he was flying too high to think about fear.

Juan put his gun down and his hand on Anthony's head."Whatever you want to know."

Annabel and her warnings melted from his thoughts as he looked at Juan. He'd taken his chances and now was in the stronghold people like Shelby and Joe would never find. There was only one difference in his plans. He would take Cain and Juan out, but no matter how that went down, the teak box was his. No way was he giving up the chance to feel like this again.

Chapter Forty-Seven.

"Hey, none of that."Remi tried to reach up to touch Dallas, but the movement made her grimace in apparent pain. "We knew this guy's signature, and Cain had Mano order the best body armor available for both of us. And the guys think I've been reading all those knight books for nothing."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Dallas tried to keep from crying, but having Remi on her back appearing so vulnerable made her realize that no matter how she felt about her, she could lose her. "When I saw that, I thought my heart would stop."

"I'm sorry. I never expected it. Once I was on the ground, Simon got me in the car and out of there." Remi held her hand and smiled.

"We're really going to have to do something about that front lock of yours."

"I'm just glad you're all right. You're all right, aren't you?"

"I haven't been x-rayed yet, but our family doctor made a house call and said I probably have a couple of either bruised or cracked ribs. Don't worry. I'll be fine."

"Since I have you at my mercy, I want to have that talk with you before we take this any further. It's the only way I can make this fair to you. You need to know the real me before you commit to anything."

"Come closer," Remi said. Dallas lay down carefully and tried not to add to Remi's pain. "I want you to know how committed I am to you."

The phone next to the bed rang and Dallas picked it up, thinking it was Kristen. "Sorry," she said to Remi.

"I know you're home, so don't think about avoiding me. I'm just around the corner," Bob said, and disconnected.

"Who was it?" Remi asked.

"Bob, he wanted to see me, but it's"

Remi moaned, and she obviously didn't do it out of pleasure, but she rolled over and kissed Dallas. "You don't want tois that what you were going to say?"

"It's hard to explain, but I have to put up with him. You might think I'm insane for doing it, but like he keeps reminding me, he's not going away."

"I want you to let Emil deal with him. That way we can finally have that talk."

Dallas sat up and ran her fingers through her hair to try and order it.

"Let me get rid of him and make him understand I need a few more days alone." She backed out of the room, but when Remi said nothing, she came close to getting back into the bed. "I'll be right back."

Halfway down the stairs, Dallas heard the buzzer to the gate and ran to press the b.u.t.ton to release the lock. Even if she wanted Emil's help, she didn't notice him on her way out. Bob was already halfway through the courtyard and snarled when he saw her.

"You stupid b.i.t.c.h," he said, and grabbed her arm. "You honestly thought that d.y.k.e was going to ride in here and save you." He yanked her, making her lose her balance and stumble. "Know how I'm going to pay you back for going against me? We're going to call Johnny together and tell him where to find you so the sheriff can finally press charges for what you did. I can even give the sheriff the rock you used. What, you didn't think I noticed it sitting on your coffee table like some kind of trophy? Then you can tell dear old Dad where he can find your little sister."

"What are you talking about?" Dallas asked in a panic. Kristen was someone she'd been careful to hide.

"You're a riot." He laughed. "She was as easy to find as you were to figure out. From the beginning I made a point of getting to know the one person in this world who knows you, Katie Lynn. I called that sick f.u.c.k you call a father." He ran his finger down her cheek and across her lips. "You've made enough money for me, and it'll serve you right to start warming Johnny's bed at night again."

"Dallas, I'm sorry I took so long," Emil said. Bob didn't let go of Dallas. "Why don't you go inside and wait for me?"

"Dallas doesn't want you here. Tell him." Bob squeezed her arm harder and pressed up behind her. "Go back to wherever you came from."

"Dallas," Emil said gently as he wrapped his fingers around Bob's wrist. It didn't take much to break his hold, but when Dallas took a couple of steps back, Emil still didn't let go. "Go on inside," he repeated. "Bob and I need to have some time alone."

"Don't tell me you forgot what we were just talking about?" Bob said. His tight mouth showed Dallas he was trying to break Emil's hold. "There's only one way to keep me quiet, so think before you throw everything away. And that's what it'll be, Dallas, you throwing it away. When Johnny gets back what you stole from him, it'll be your fault, but I'm sure he'll take his time with Kristen."

Every word was like a nail pinning Dallas's feet to the ground. She couldn't move but she wasn't completely still. Bob's threats were making her shake like she did as a child and saw her father in the doorway of her room. Back then she didn't make a sound either, not wanting to wake Kristen in case her father turned his attention her way.

"It's going to be all right." Emil c.o.c.ked his head toward the door.

Dallas took a deep breath and let her head fall back. Taking the step Emil was asking of her would free her of Bob, but he would savor taking her freedom away again.

"No, it's not going to be all right, and you know that," Bob said, his voice close to a hiss.

"Let me make it easy for both of you then," Emil said. He smashed his fist into the side of Bob's head. He fell like pins being hit by a bowling ball. "Sorry you had to see that."

"I would've been more sorry not to see it," Dallas said, her attention on the rise and fall of Bob's chest. He appeared to be in a deep, peaceful sleep.

Emil laughed at her observation. "Go ahead and join Remi, and I'll take care of this."

Upstairs, Remi pressed her hand to her chest and sat up, pausing when the pain made her light-headed. The phone Dallas had just used was next to the bed and she figured it wasn't tapped, but she'd keep the call brief on the off chance it was.

"I need something."

"Name it," Cain said.

"I've got a package I need delivered, and I've got a chance to go shopping."

"I'll send my best delivery guy. Wrap it up the best you can."

It took Cain an hour but she got Lou's nephew, Nick, to the alley behind Dallas's place. He sat for half an hour after that to make sure Lou didn't spot anyone watching. Emil brought out the rug from the guest bedroom rolled up on his shoulder and dumped it in the back of the van. Nick then left to follow Emil's directions, confident that unless he was caught speeding no one would stop the produce van from one of the local markets.

The way Bob was taken out of her house didn't worry Dallas as much as watching Remi try to make it down the stairs. From the way she moved, Dallas could tell she was in pain, but what had happened had to be finished. She knew that without any explanation from Remi or Emil.

"Do you have to leave right now?" Dallas asked. She took a seat on the sofa, so Remi would have plenty of room if she needed to join her. "Before you go through all this trouble, I want to tell you a few things about myself."

"You don't have to."

"I want to be honest with you."

"Katie Lynn, we've all made mistakes. They're what make us smarter and stronger in the end. If you want my help, all you have to do is ask, but if you want me to condemn you, I can't."

"You know?" Dallas started crying again.

"Probably not everything."

"If you know, I'll understand why you can't stay. I'm so ashamed."

Dallas couldn't help but let out all her insecurities.

"I'd be willing to bet your sins don't come close to mine. Your past is exactly thatyourpast. You had to invent Dallas Montgomery for a reason, and as soon as I get back we can start on that story."

"Why go through all this trouble for me?"

Remi couldn't lift her arms very high so she placed her hand on Dallas's knee. "If you don't know, then I want plenty of time to explain it to you. For now I'll give you the short version. I feel strongly about you. Last night wasn't about filling some base need, but more like filling one in my heart."

"Will you come back when you're done?"

"If it's okay with you, Emil and I will be your guests for a couple of days, or until Cain and my fatherfind the guy who used me for target practice."

"That's good to hear." Dallas kissed her and helped her stand. By the time Remi and Emil walked out, Remi felt less stiff.

Emil opened the back door for Remi. As they left, Simon went in to stay with Dallas, but her eyes lingered on Remi like she was making sure she was okay. They drove out of the city, and Remi rested her head back and closed her eyes. She'd been to where they were going on a few occasions to help Emil during harvest. The location was remote, making any tail on them stick out like a naked wh.o.r.e at Sunday services.

The marina looked so dilapidated it appeared to be abandoned, but in the middle slip sat a new airboat with an alligator-skin driver's seat. Emil helped Remi board, and she nodded to Cain and Lou, who were already seated.

"Thank G.o.d we're doing this while it's still cool," Lou said.

"What's the matter? You don't like mosquitoes?" Emil asked. His laughter as well as that of the others was drowned out when he started the powerful engine.

The fan blade behind the cage at the back started spinning slowly as he backed out but cranked up when he closed his hand around the accelerator control. Two minutes into the trip they were in the blackness of the swamp, but Emil had made this trip thousands of times and swerved around the ancient cypress trees as if gifted with some sort of night vision.

Halfway there they started to see orange orbs glowing at the top of the water, quickly disappearing as the roar of the airboat neared.

Remi had learned from Emil that the orange lights were the female gators floating at the top of the water waiting for a late-night meal.

According to Cajun lore, only the female eyes glowed because they were the more cunning of the species, so G.o.d gave anyone who wanted to mess with them fair warning.

"Thanks for helping me out with this," Remi said as Emil brought them in slowly to the camp that appeared to be floating above the murky water. The small structure made of cypress wood from the trees surrounding it was built on stilts that raised it fifteen feet into the air.

Cain walked next to Remi as they ascended the ramp to the front porch. They were all dressed in black and blended in well with the worn wood. The two friends sat in rockers outside, and Cain dropped a bag between them.

"I know you don't especially like getting your hands dirty," Remi said.

"There's always an exception to every rule," Cain said, setting her rocker in motion. "I asked Muriel to put together the papers that would fix this. All we have to do is talk him into signing them. But talking to Bob is probably like that old expression about trying to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of time all the way around."

"I want him out of her life."

"That's the wisest thing, but he still won't answer all your questions unless he's in a talkative mood. I think you and I should be the ones to get whatever we can outof Bob tonight. I know you trust Emil like I trust Lou, but this is the kind of guy who's going to talk just to watch you squirm. They won't forget what he might say, and you don't need to do that to Dallas," Cain said. She pointed to the bag. "What's in there goes with you after we'redone, and to my grave with me."

"Then I owe you a debt."

"This is my wedding gift to you," Cain said with a smile. "At least that's what my wife tells me is going to happen with you two. The way you look at her predicts the future." She stood up and offered Remi her hand. "Let's get this over with."

Nick was sitting at the table with a gun in his waistband. Even if Bob had tried to run there was no way he'd ever find his way out, since he'd made the trip wrapped in a rug. Cain walked in and sat to his right.

"If you know what's good for you, tell this idiot to take me back,"

Bob said.

"What's good for me?" Cain tilted her head to the side, trying to decipher what exactly that meant. "I give up. What do you plan to do to me if I don't?"

"I'm not an idiot."

Cain knocked on the table with her knuckles and laughed. "That's negotiable." She waved Nick outside.

"I know who you are, and the minute I get back I'm sure the authorities would love to hear what you did to me."

"I'm here doing a favor for a friend, nothing more than that, but I thought we'd have a talk first."

"This is about Dallas and her trying to get rid of me. I own that b.i.t.c.h, and if you think this intimidation act is going to change my mind about that, it's not. Like I told that d.y.k.e that got herself killed, I've faced worse and lived to tell the tale."

"I'm no stranger to intimidation, Mr. Bennett, but that's not why you're here. Dallas happens to be a friend of mine, and you've taken some things that don't belong to you. I think it's only fair that you give them back. It's that simple."

"What things?"

"Just minor things like her house, her money, and some papers, and if you're cooperative I won't ask you how you got those away from her."

"f.u.c.k off."