“Boujois said he had potential. He made sure he was well taken care of from the minute he bought him.”

“Then I’ll make sure I follow his example. Does this bad-tempered stallion have a name?”

“Of course he does. Chaos. His name is Chaos.”

“How amusing, since he appears to be raining down Chaos on my trainer and all his stablemen. As Davidow doesn’t seem to be able to handle him, I think I might have to bring the two of you together sooner than I intended.” He reached down and stroked her cheek. “I can’t wait.”

She forced herself not to move away from that touch. She had to keep him from asking more questions about Chaos. Even a mountain range away, the horse was still causing her problems. “Shouldn’t you go look for Baldwin?”

“Yes, but I admit you distracted me when you started asking about the horses. After all, it’s the only value you have for me. Unless I decide to go for a fat ransom from your parents.” He paused. “Now that I think about it, I remember it was only a few days ago that Baldwin mentioned we should explore that possibility. I’d told him I had other plans for you, but he kept pushing. He said it was peculiar that your parents hadn’t tried to establish contact with us to initiate negotiations like all the other parents.”

“My parents aren’t rich or influential,” she said quickly. “Why do you think I was interning in that stable with Boujois to earn my tuition? They’re probably waiting for you to offer some kind of package deal with the U.N. or CIA.”

“Poor Sasha. You do sound like a destitute little orphan. Though I can see why even your parents would have difficulty putting up with you. You’ve been a constant headache to me. Yet you’d think they’d make a token gesture.” He tilted his head. “Of course, I knew Baldwin probably only wanted me to get rid of you any way he could. But I’m wondering if he might have taken it into his head to do a little negotiating on his own. What do you think?”

“You know him better than I do. But he’ll get nothing from my parents. My mother divorced my father ten years ago, and she’s always complaining that he cheated her on the settlement.”

“We’ll see. You seem to be very eager to convince me, and that makes me want to dig a little deeper into exactly who you are and why your loving parents are not so loving. You’re such a treasure that I feel I need to know everything about you.” He smiled faintly. “But I think I have to find Baldwin first and ask the bastard a few questions about whether he’s already talking to your parents and starting negotiations.”