“What family? Did he own the estate near the forest outright, or did it belong to his family?”

“His brother owned it with him.” Her voice was without any inflection whatsoever, but he felt the distaste. Revulsion even. It was almost tangible in the room between them. “They shared all the homes, even the ones in the States.”

Rio’s radar went off immediately. “So they are very wealthy. They really can afford the million-dollar reward. Rachael, has it occurred to you that the reward is only to be paid if you’re returned alive? The sniper wanted you dead. Could there be two factions at work here?”

She swung her head around to look at him, some emotion flickering in the depths of her eyes. “I didn’t think of that.”

“So it’s possible.”

Rachael nodded reluctantly. “Yes. And both sides have a great deal of money. My brother and I inherited my stepfather’s share of the estates and his part of the businesses.”

“How did your stepfather and your mother die?”

“They were executed. The official police report said they were murdered.”

“Then there were autopsies performed.”

She shook her head. “The bodies disappeared out of the morgue. They were stolen. It was a big scandal. I was still young and it was a terrifying time.”

“So where did you and your brother go after your parents died?”

Her shoulders were rigid. “To our uncle, my stepfather’s brother. He shared the estates and businesses and took us in.”

“So it’s your uncle who is either paying to keep you alive or wants you dead.”

“He would never pay to keep me alive.” She struggled to keep bitterness from stealing into her voice. “Why are we talking about this, Rio? Just the thought of him makes my skin crawl. I left that place. I left those people. I don’t want them here in this house with us.”

“Your brother is a part of you, Rachael. I can tell you love him. It’s in your voice when you talk about him. Sooner or later this has to be resolved.”

“You obviously care about the elders in your village, but they banished you. I can love my brother and know I’m a liability to him and that it’s better for him if I’m not around. Better for both of us.”

He tapped his finger on the wall. “Why? What have you done that makes him better off without you?”

Her gaze was suddenly cool as it swept over him. “I don’t talk about my brother with anyone, Rio. It isn’t safe for you, for me or for him. If you can’t accept that…”

“Don’t go getting all edgy on me again. I asked a perfectly reasonable question.”

She watched the heat shimmer in his eyes. “I don’t think anyone with a temper like yours should ever call me edgy. I’m hungry, not edgy.”