The Phantom of Black's Cove by Jan Hambright Page B

untwisting the spin. Maybe venting to Jack had weakened her position, made her vulnerable…easy to manipulate.
    “I haven’t gone near her since you stopped us from mowing her down on Main Street.”
    Olivia put the flame of anger out in favor of eavesdropping, even though she really wanted to smack the shapely brunette in the teeth for lying.
    “What about Rick?”
    “I don’t keep tabs on him. You’ll have to ask him yourself.”
    “I will.” He bent over and opened the top of the box. “I can get this, Diana. I’ll see you next week with the rest.”
    “Are you sure?” She stepped close to him, reached out and put her hand on his arm.
    Olivia recoiled, suddenly consumed with an emotion that made her mad all over. Jealousy?
    “Why don’t you come to me anymore, Jack?”
    He straightened and took a step back.
    Olivia’s cheeks heated, every nerve ending in her body frayed, spilling information she didn’t want to accept, much less witness. There was familiarity between the two of them. It made her bristle.
    “I can’t anymore.”
    “But we need each other. We’re alike.”
    Alike? Horror surged in Olivia’s veins, her stare going to the woman’s flip-flop-clad feet, to a spot on her left ankle where three distinctive black dots could be seen.
    She was one of the test subjects from the clinic? She had the mark and abilities like Jack’s?
    His jaw clenched, he pulled his shoulders back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I won’t be back.”
    “Are you sure about that, Jack?” She stepped toward him, a seductive sway to the movement of her hips. “You liked it once.”
    Olivia nearly gave up her hiding place to charge in, but she pulled back. Did kissing him give her the right to object?
    Jack reached out and caught Diana by the upper arms. He squeezed until he saw her eyes widen. His decision was final, although he didn’t know why thewoman he’d once lusted after no longer held any appeal in his mind or for his body.
    “Leave, Diana, and don’t come back. And if you ever try to hurt her again…I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you ever do.”
    He released her. She rocked back, dusting at her arms where he’d touched her.
    “You don’t frighten me, Jack. She’s made you fuzzy in the head. We’ll all go down if you don’t do something. I’ve got milking to do at the shop. Call me when you come to your senses.”
    He turned back to his task, ignoring her as she strode across the lawn toward the driveway.
    Releasing Diana was something he should have done long ago, and just the thought of touching her ever again left him stone-cold.
    Dipping into the lined box, he netted the first koi, and released it into the pond. Catching its mate, he put it into the water and watched it swim away, disappearing into the murky depths.
    He had Olivia to thank for his newfound need. Kissing her the first time had been spontaneous. Doing it a second time had negated his resistance. Now he wanted more. So much more.
    “Who was that, Jack?”
    Surprised for the first time in a long time, he swung around to find Olivia standing a couple of feet away. She stood with her fists at her sides, ready to fight. Tension tightened her features and sent warning currents rippling out around her.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “That woman, you know her?”
    “Yes.”
    “She’s the one who called my cell this morning and lured me into the path of the train. I recognize her voice.”
    Caution slipped down his spine and fanned out across his nerves. What was Diana’s game?
    “You’re sure?”
    “What is she to you, Jack?”
    “Nothing that can’t be remedied.”
    “Where does she live? I’m going to interrogate her. Find out what’s going on. Find out why she tried to kill me.”
    “Hold on, Olivia.” Jack dropped the net and stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
    “I’ll take you. Just promise you’ll calm down and you won’t charge in.”
    “Why?”
    “She’s dangerous.”
    She stared up at