“You’d do better to tell him yourself.” He was refilling her cup. “He doesn’t take bad news at all well, and I try to keep him in a good humor as much as possible. Except when I manage to strike on a subject that’s just too enjoyable to miss the fireworks.”

“I’ll talk to him,” she said curtly. “I just thought you—”

“Were more approachable,” he finished. “Yes, I am. Which is why he sent me to you. That reassurance thing…” He grinned. “See, you’ve already told me about Maxim and the piano and the fact that you’re going to run out on us at the soonest possible moment.”

Yes, she had done that, she realized. She was usually more wary, but there was something about Mallory that was appealing and unassuming. Perhaps because he had not tried to hide anything about himself or Tanner. Even now he was being open and frank. “Nothing I told you was important. Nothing I would have tried to hide. You just didn’t matter.”

“Oh, that hurt.” He flinched. “Cut to the quick.”

She found herself smiling reluctantly. “I don’t think so.”

“Maybe not. You’ve obviously begun to see right through me.” He got to his feet. “But you might not want to chat with me anymore at the moment since I’ve made you a little wary. So I’ll leave you to rest, and I’ll go find Tanner and do what you ordered me to do and see if he can think of a way to get your piano to wing its way to you. However, pianos are a bit bulky to do that.” He picked up the blanket from the chair where she’d been lying when she woke and draped it across her shoulders. “I’ll be sure to report back to you.”

“I don’t want to rest. And I certainly don’t need this blanket.” But she was a little chilly and the blanket felt good. “I’m not wary of you. I believe you’re harmless.”

“Another blow.” He was walking up the aisle. “But I’m definitely harmless to you, Lara. Remember that.”

She didn’t answer. She was tired and in spite of those two cups of coffee she was a little drowsy and didn’t want to be on guard right now. Mallory was probably more dangerous than she thought. When she was around any of Volkov’s men, she was aware of exactly who and what they were; absolutely she was wary. But neither Mallory nor Tanner gave off those ugly vibes. She felt almost comfortable with Mallory, though there was no question Tanner was one of the most dangerous men she’d ever run across. There was a sleek-panther aura about him, a watchfulness that was mesmerizing. Yet she hadn’t felt threatened—more excitement and a kind of eagerness. So she’d give herself this moment to catch her breath and try to relax before she started to think of the challenge that lay before her. She mustn’t be afraid. She must think of this as another Trial. She had to handle this opportunity and these new people who had come into her life very carefully.