He stood looking down at her. Her smile faded as she saw his expression. Then he was kneeling beside her, stroking her hair back from her face, before tucking the comforter closer about her throat with the most incredible gentleness. “I don’t know if I deserve any of this.” He tenderly brushed a kiss over her forehead. “But I’ll take it.” He got to his feet and moved across the room toward the leather easy chair. “Try to nap at least, you stubborn woman.”

She didn’t answer. Her eyes were closing because she wanted to remember and hold fast that last look. It had been rather like the first few notes of a Rachmaninoff that only promised the intricacy and fascination to come…

* * *

Tanner’s phone rang two hours later. Lara raised herself on one elbow, her gaze flying to Tanner. He wasn’t answering! Then she realized why as he held up his index finger. It was the middle of the night and he didn’t want Volkov to know he’d set up the call. He waited for it to ring another two times and then picked up the call. “Tanner.”

“Boris Volkov.” Volkov’s voice was curt. “I’m very annoyed with you, Tanner. You have something belonging to me and I want it back. I’ve put the word out that I’m willing to pay top dollar and I haven’t heard from you. You’d do well to take it rather than make me come and take her. Name your price.”

“But I’m just becoming accustomed to having her around,” Tanner said mockingly. “I don’t think I can part with her yet. She tells me you didn’t treat her too well. I’m sure she’d prefer to stay with me.”

“It doesn’t matter what she prefers,” Volkov hissed. “She’s property. My property, and I want her back. You’d be wise not to get in my way. Just take the money.”

“How can I do that? That’s not the way I play the game. And I’ve heard you’re such a superb player that you should know that. Would you like to offer something else?”

Silence. “What are you up to, Tanner? Talk to me.”

“I’m only trying to make the game more interesting. I’ve lost something I value, and I can see you’re suffering a similar loss. Surely there’s some way we can find a way to soothe each other’s hurt.”

“And what have you lost?”

“Can’t you guess?”

“I don’t have time or inclination to guess,” he said coldly. “And I’m getting impatient with this stupidity.”

“I wouldn’t want that.” He paused. “I lost an old friend. And I feel just as sad as you do about your missing ‘property.’ I’m not saying I can’t be compensated, but it will take a little while for me to consider suitable compensation. Suppose you call me back in a day or so and we’ll discuss it?”

He cut the connection.

He leaned back in his chair and looked at Lara. “What do you think? Was he spitting fire by the time I hung up?”