Silent Warrior: A Loveswept Classic Romance by Donna Kauffman Page B

I—”
    The confusion and the sudden yank back to reality served to jump-start her control. She straightened herback and put a small but crucial bit of space between them.
    “Don’t.” She looked into the shadow that was his face. There was nothing there to guide her. “Just let it go, okay?” She didn’t wait for an answer, knowing McShane did whatever he damn well pleased. She wasn’t remotely up to the task of finding out what pleased him at the moment. She turned and opened the door to find Quéval all but pressed up against it. It made her wonder how long he’d been there.
    Funneling irritation over the rush of emotions inside her toward Quéval was an easy out. She wasn’t too proud to take it.
    “I’m sorry, did you knock again?” she said with saccharine sweetness. “Thank you so much for your lab.”
    “The pictures, they are done? Can I see them?”
    Cali opened her mouth to tell him that she was terribly sorry but the photos were too drab and dreary, but John, apparently reading her mood too well, smoothly stepped between them.
    He nudged her firmly past Quéval, saying, “I think what I have here is great. I didn’t want to waste your chemicals doing them all up. We’re heading out of here right now.”
    Cali looked over her shoulder just as Quéval’s eyes lit up. He’d been following John down the hallway, but stopped. “You’re leaving the island?”
    Cali noted that John picked up on the undercurrents immediately. His congenial smile never wavered as he turned back to the shopkeeper. “Why, yes. Ithink my search is over. I’m going to head straight back to the studios and get to work on a presentation. I’ll develop them there. I appreciate your help.”
    “Your studio is in New York City?”
    Cali felt rather than saw John tense. She hadn’t missed his intentionally vague reference.
    “We have both East and West Coast offices.” He turned back down the hall, pushing Cali along in front of him. “Thanks again.”
    His pace wasn’t rushed, but his grip on her arm told Cali that nothing was going to stop him until he was outside.
    “You will let me know?” Quéval followed them down the hall, apparently so intent on getting information out of them that he was unconcerned over appearing anxious.
    “Sure thing.” John waved a hand over his head, then all but shoved Cali out the front door. “We’ve got less than an hour to get off this island,” he said, his voice low and carrying only as far as her ear. He picked up his speed, causing her to stumble along beside him for a few steps.
    She finally pulled away from him and stopped. “Can we slow down for a second?”
    “No.” He kept walking.
    “We forgot my box of merchandise. John—” She broke off on a frustrated sigh and stormed after him. Her legs were average length, but she was almost trotting to maintain his pace. “Do you really think they are so close?”
    “Breathing down our proverbial necks. Weren’t you listening back there?”
    “Of course. I know you purposely avoided telling him where we were heading. But that’s just good common sense.”
    “Everything we said will be common knowledge very shortly.”
    “Oh, come on, he’s a busybody, but the whole town isn’t in on this conspiracy.”
    “Someone nearby is. Bet on it.”
    “Your super-secret”—she stopped when he glared at her—“spy instincts,” she finished evenly. “I can get my stuff out of the bungalow in less than thirty minutes.”
    “No time for that. We’re heading directly for the harbor.”
    “There has to be time.” She stopped. “Harbor?” He kept on walking. She had to dash to catch up to him. She grabbed his elbow. “Slow down, or I’ll pass out before we get anywhere.” He did. Marginally. “John, I have to go back to the bungalow. Five minutes. Just let me get a few things. It’s important.”
    “You can get whatever you need when we get off the island.”
    “I’m not talking about cosmetics and a treasured