Rebel Heart (39 page)

Frustrated, tired, she held still, staring at his chest, unable to bear the awful feeling of being trapped so.

"I will find it," Cameron warned softly. "Your ploy is futile."

"I will not give it up," she murmured.

His finger touched her chin again, forcing it to rise. She didn't fight him any longer, didn't protest, but looked into his thoughtful and philosophical eyes. "Oh, babe," he said very softly. "You are too obvious. Every action, every subtle glance tells me exactly where it is. Give it up. It is over." He drew his hand away from her chin, settling his finger over her shoulders and brought her forward away from the books.

"You have no right to do this."

"I do it for your own protection. I don't mean to hurt you. Hurting you is the last thing..."

She swallowed hard and turned to the shelves. She gasped as he reached around her and selected the volume of Romeo and Juliet. She straightened her back, dismayed by the feeling of his muscular arms and back. The sensation did not last long. In only a second, he had what he wanted. Within minutes, he had secured the disc within the box with the pins then he smiled at her.

"I had thought we would work together, you and I. But now that I realize I cannot trust you, I am not so sure," he muttered suddenly, his voice husky and warm.

She stiffened instantly, astonished at how very frustrated she was at his declaration, and that she would somehow change his opinion of her.

He must have understood her frustration, for he chuckled softly. "Perhaps if you learn to accept my authority..."

"Never," she gasped with outrage and disbelief. The nerve of him. She would start over from scratch if she had to.

He whirled on his heel and walked through the front room to her office. She didn't follow him, but she watched. Tori started to squirm when he sat down in the leather chair by her desk.

"You've taken everything important to me. You have to--"

"You have to learn that marriage is sharing, a melding of minds as well as bodies."

"Then share." She held her hand out to him, all the while looking pointedly at the little box he set on the desk. She wanted it desperately. She could think of no way to wrench it from him. He didn't even hold it.

He ignored her. Rising from the chair, he left the box exactly where he had set it down just moments before. The window was open, and he walked to it, his back to her.

"Barbarian," she whispered through clenched teeth. "Your arrogance has no boundaries. You hold power over me only because..."

"I am stronger than you," he finished for her. He didn't turn around. "You had best get that through your pretty little head, Victoria. Your life will not be easy until you do."

"So you say."

"So I promise."

"Really. And if I'm a good little girl you'll take care of me--bring me presents--keep me tucked away, barefoot and..." She paused, catching her lip between her teeth.

It was that moment Savage chose to turn around. "And pregnant, how droll. Although it does sound entertaining. Perhaps we should wed first."

"Tori--Dr. Savage?" Nessa interrupted. "She really must get dressed now--the wedding."

Tori pulled the sides of her robe together. She'd forgotten. She looked up to see Savage watching her, his eyes as clear as a summer sky, yet hard--unyielding.

How glad I am that Nessa came back, Tori thought in silence, hugging her arms around her. This is not over yet, Savage! she thought. I will find a way to live with you.

He did not look as if he wanted it to be over either. He simply stepped around her.

"She has ten minutes, Nessa," he informed her.

"Then you must leave," she replied, watching Dr. Savage. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

Tori's head began to pound.

"Are you all right? You're white as snow..."

"I--"

"I think she was a bit upset by the mention of bad luck," Cameron said blithely.

"I'm sorry." Nessa studied her sister, her confusion obvious, and a frown creasing her brow. "I, well, if you'd just leave, we could finish here."

"She's had time and a half to finish dressing."

"But you've interrupted her, and really, Dr. Savage, I've tried to be patient, but your presence up here has not helped."

"You both wanted me here. Now you want me gone. Make up your minds, but I swear if anything else happens to delay the wedding..."

"Ah, impatience, could be a good sign," Nessa looked wryly between the two. Then she set her arm through Dr. Savage's, leading him pointedly to the door. "We'll be down shortly."

Tori still couldn't seem to speak. Nessa gave Savage a little nudge out the door then closed it.

His footsteps clamored for a few seconds outside while he paced. When she could hear nothing more, she let out a long sigh.

Nessa flipped on the security monitors. His departure was swift and uninterrupted. By the time he reached the ground floor, Tori was aware of the quick preparations. All her assistants and personnel were hurrying about. Food lined the tables in the dining room. Decorations graced the visitor center.

It all appeared as mass confusion. Her eyes rose to Nessa and she flushed with panic.

"I don't think I can do this."

"You no longer have a choice."

Tori felt as if her heart sank to her feet. She knew what her sister said was true.

"But--"

"Dr. Savage is the perfect man for you, Tori. His interests are the same as yours. Together you will form a solid alliance against Sheridan and his men. You'll strengthen Jonathan's cause."

Tori brushed the hair from her eyes, watching as Nessa walked purposefully to her wedding finery. She closed her eyes listening to her heart pound and the blood rush through her veins. It was a thundering in her temple. She was so very afraid of what she was about to do. "If he would only grant me my freedom, I could find a way to compromise." "Perhaps you have to earn his respect first."

Tori inhaled and exhaled softly. She wanted to tell Nessa the truth about Savage, about The Phantom.

She could not.

"He's--he's not as he seems. He's--"

"At the least, Tori, he's a man who has lived life to the fullest. He expects to be in command, and he expects his orders followed. Not so unlike our father." She paused, holding the dress up for inspection. "And I do not believe he's at all cruel. In fact at times he seems a bit stuffy." She touched Tori lightly on the cheek with a warming smile.

This was not easing her mind.

"Nessa, what now?"

"You forget the past and move forward."

He had not tried to stop her, and she could not say the words, could not confess. She was not ashamed of what she'd done, but she'd had a pact with Nessa and she'd broken it.

The Phantom had his place. He did keep the thieves and thieftakers alike in continual fear. He kept them honest. Perhaps he was not truly a thieftaker. Anyone could be listening in on the monitors. She didn't dare reveal his identity or what she'd done.

She felt her breath coming more rapidly.

If only she had not woven a thousand lies around herself. She could close her eyes. Accept the enchantment.

"What is it?" Nessa insisted.

Tori looked at her hands then shook her head. It was too late for a confession. It would change nothing.

"I think, Tori, the two of you might find a love like our parents had."

"Theirs was one of a kind.

"And you, sister, may someday give up the freedom that you crave so openly for him."

"Never!"

"Ah, a word of finality but said with such passion, such conviction. Don't be so hasty to deny that which is in your heart. Come on now. We have five minutes."

Nessa turned from her then swiftly went to the sideboard. "I think a bit of wine would ease the jitters."

Tori nodded then accepted the wine her sister poured for her. She swallowed down nearly the whole glass full then looked at the crystal forlornly.

It did bring back memories of a time in her not so distant past when she realized The Phantom was Savage. Quickly, she downed another glass.

She did feel calmer. Before she could think of a way out, Nessa had her dressed in her mother's gown and Nessa was working on her hair.

"You're beautiful," Nessa said softly. "I'd gladly change places."

"No you wouldn't, Tori. You've an incredible man waiting for you, and I think you know it. He may be a bit arrogant, a little too bold, but it will not take you long to tame him."

Tame him? If only I could. A mysterious trembling swept within her. She thought back on the time in the forest. There had always been something between them, an unexplainable force and a sweet explosion of heat.

She relived the stroke of his fingers across her cheek. She remembered the tenderness in the way he held her. He did not mean to take her research. He meant to add his own expertise to it.

Could they work together in harmony?

The first test would be tonight.

Tori paused, watching Nessa and wondering when her sister would find someone, "You will be free to wed when this is through."

Nessa looked up, catching her lower lip lightly with her teeth. She turned from Tori; she was staring out the window as if she could see the future. "No, I've no one. No one who stirs my heart or my soul," she said softly.

But Tori could not refute those words. If she would stop battling, she would admit that she'd already lost the war, had already surrendered to him.

Nessa stepped back. "I think it's time."

Tori inhaled deeply. "All right."

Nessa smiled at her then opened the door. They descended the steps together, side-by-side.

Savage was waiting at the bottom of the steps for her. He took her hand, leading her to the visitor center. She felt the warmth of his hand, the comfort in his touch, but she felt much more. She felt determination and a cold resolve.

She must have passed the ceremony in a daze. She remembered nothing that was said or done until he slipped the ring on her finger, binding her eternally to his side. She felt nothing until he rested his hands on her shoulders and kissed her.

Savage slowly lifted his mouth from her, still watching. His eyes were sizzling, his lips turned up in a mischievously wicked smile. Tori was still dazed beneath the tumult created by the man's caress, by his hold. Her hands were at his chest, but they reveled in the feel of his muscle, the rhythm of his heart, and she did not push away.

The intercom was blaring.

Tori was dimly aware of the confusion that suddenly surrounded her. Then as the moment faded into the past, she realized the mayhem was not caused by their kiss. She began to hear sounds, distinct words. Then she heard Nessa.

"It's hit again."

Tori did not have to ask to know of what Nessa spoke. The signe virus.

Then it seemed Savage's attention was elsewhere. He stepped back from her and looked to Nessa then the monitors which had been switched to receive the incoming news.

"How many?"

"Two cities have been hit. Four hundred are sick. Only ten people have died."

"Can you tell me when the first case was reported?" Cameron asked him quickly.

"Early this morning, Dr. Savage, though I cannot believe the virus has spread so rapidly. Ten dead..." Luke replied.

Then Cameron was quickly issuing orders. "Nessa, go with your sister to the lab. Luke, I'll see you in the office."

Tori stiffened. This was her home, she thought, and she would have gone without an order. In her mind, she was already preparing for the epidemic. The terminal in her office was an immediate necessity, and she wanted nothing more than to escape there. "I will not be--"

He interrupted her before she was finished, brow arched in surprise. "Go to your lab."

"I'm your wife, I was--"

He lowered his voice. "I assumed you had your own work to pursue, but if I'm wrong, and you wish to sit on your backside and watch others, then be my guest."

"Oh..."

"Go now--do what you feel must be done, and report back to me."

"Yes, my love," she said sweetly.

"And I will expect a report from you in no less than an hour."

He arched a brow in amusement. A smile curled at his lip, and he moved a step closer to her. "You have a saucy little mouth when you think you can get away with it. This is a dangerous situation, and if you wish to plague me with your childish behavior, perhaps I can find another way to occupy our time. I could sweep you into my arms and up the stairs…"