He took a step toward her, wanting to shake her. “Damn it, Rachael. If you don’t want to believe me about Tony, don’t, but don’t look at me as if I’m some monster you don’t know. Armando isn’t going to let you live. He can’t. You’re a knife poised over his head. You’re an eyewitness to murder. I have no intention of leaving here without you. Armando’s men are swarming up and down the river. He imported a couple of the best trackers. Men like Duncan. You can’t stay here, Rachael. Come home with me where I can keep you safe.”

There was no sound other than the wind and rain. The door was partially open and the wind blew in, stirring the mosquito net, setting it dancing. Rachael felt the wind on her face. Elijah felt the blade cut into his throat. Hot breath fanned his cheek. A soft growl rumbled dangerously close to his ear. “She isn’t going anywhere with you.”

18

RIO pressed the blade deeper into Elijah’s throat. “She isn’t going anywhere with you.” His voice was gravelly, a growl of sheer menace. “Not now. Not ever.”

“Rio, no, you can’t hurt him,” Rachael protested. “This is Elijah, my brother.”

Elijah didn’t move a muscle. He stayed perfectly still, feeling the burning sting of the blade across his throat. Instead of loosening his grip at Rachael’s command, Rio tightened his arm until it was a steel band, a vise squeezing ever tighter.

“Stay where you are, Rachael. This gentleman and I are going outside together. If you want to live, Elijah, take very small steps in exact sync with mine. One wrong move and you’re a dead man.”

“Rio, what are you doing?” Rachael took a step toward them.

The knife drew blood. Elijah held up his hand to his sister, halting her progress instantly. She watched with enormous eyes as the two men moved together out the door, back onto the verandah. Rachael followed at a safe distance, her heart pounding.

“I know you’re armed.”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“Gun at the small of my back. A second strapped to my leg. I have a knife up my sleeve and a second under my left arm.”

Rachael blinked. She glanced at the elder, who remained sitting quietly on the sofa as if they were all having tea. She had no idea her brother was armed. Where had all the weapons come from?

“Tell me why I should keep you alive.” The words were barely audible, a whisper of menace in the dead of the night. “Don’t look to Rachael to get you out of this. She loves you. It’s me you have to convince. Because I don’t love you.”