“The lives of the Royal Family.” He spun the dial as Hannah’s heart began to drum. “Five million dollars to assassinate the Bissets. Five million dollars to give me a full plate of revenge and the sweet dessert of power. Do you think it so much?” His eyes glittered as he turned back to her with a large case. “My dear child, you could have asked ten times as much. For over ten years I’ve plotted, and twice very nearly succeeded in killing a member of the Royal Family. Now, for the paltry sum of five million dollars, you have disposed of them all for me.”

*   *   *

“That’s it,” Reeve announced as Deboque’s voice came over the receiver. “Move in. Slowly.”

Bennett’s hand closed over his brother-in-law’s. “I board with you.”

“It’s out of the question.”

“I board with you,” Bennett repeated in a hard, icy voice. Moment by moment, he had listened and sweated as Hannah stood alone with Deboque. As Deboque put his hands on her. As Deboque prepared to pay her for the murder of everything and everyone he loved. “Give me a weapon, Reeve, or I go unarmed.”

“My orders are to keep you here.”

“If it were Brie?” Bennett’s eyes were hot and reckless. “If it were Brie, would you stay behind and let others protect her?”

Reeve looked down at the hand closed over his. It was strong and capable. And young. Then he looked into the eyes that were darker than his wife’s but that held the same passions. Rising, he took a. 45 automatic from the arsenal.

*   *   *

They would move now, Hannah thought and struggled to keep her voice impassive. “Do you tell me this now so I can regret?” She laughed and walked to the desk. “Five million will do me nicely. I plan to invest and to live quietly in Rio for the next few years.”

He kept his eyes on hers as he unlocked the case. The money was there, but would be for his own uses. “You have no desire to continue in my employment?”

“Unfortunately, that would be risky for both of us after the events of tonight.”

“Yes.” His thoughts exactly. But he opened the lid so that she would at least have the pleasure of seeing the money before he killed her.

“Lovely.” Clinging to the role, Hannah stepped forward and lifted a thick stack of crisp hundreds. “Do you know how sensual new money smells?” She fanned the stack.

“Indeed.” He slid the top drawer of his desk open. Inside was an elegant pearl-handled revolver. He thought it just to kill her with style. He closed his fingers over it when the first shots were heard from above.

Hannah swung toward the door, hoping he would take excitement for alarm. “What game is this?” she demanded. She slammed the lid on the case, and taking the money headed for the door. Her hand closed over the knob.