Captive Star by Nora Roberts Page A

the call from Bailey's line, she realized. Traced it quickly and efficiently.
    And if Jack hadn't moved fast, they might very well have snapped her up just as quickly, just as efficiently.
    The smaller of the two went into the bar while the other stood by the phone booth, scanning the street, one hand resting under his suit jacket.
    "He'll pass the bartender a couple of bucks to see if you were in there, if you were alone, how long ago you left. They won't hang around long. They'll find out you're still with me, so they'll be looking for the car. We won't be able to use it anymore around here tonight."
    She said nothing as the second man came back out, joined the first. They appeared to discuss something, argue briefly, and then they climbed back in the van. This time it didn't creep down the street, it rocketed.
    She remained silent for another moment, continued to stare straight ahead. "You were right," she said at length. "I'm sorry."
    "Excuse me? I'm not sure I heard that."
    "You were right." She had to swallow when she found herself distressingly close to tears. "I'm sorry."
    Hearing the tears in her voice only heightened his temper. "Save it," he snapped, and started the engine. "Next time you want to commit suicide, just make sure I'm out of range."
    "I needed to try. I couldn't not try. I thought you were overreacting, or just pushing my buttons. I was wrong. How many times do you want me to say it?"
    "I haven't decided. If you start sniveling, I'm really going to get ticked."
    "I don't snivel." But she wanted to. The tears were burning her throat. It cost nearly as much to swallow them as it would have to let them free.
    She worked on calming herself as he drove out of the city and headed down a deserted back road in Virginia. The city lights giving way to comforting dark.
    "No one's following us," she said.
    "That's because I'm good, not because you're not stupid."
    "Get off my back."
    "If I'd sat in there another five minutes waiting for you, I could be as dead as Ralph right now. So consider yourself lucky I don't just dump you on the side of the road and take myself off to Mexico."
    "Why don't you?"
    "I've got an investment." He caught the look, the glimmer of wet eyes, and ground his teeth. "Don't look at me like that. It really makes me mad."
    Swearing, he swerved to the shoulder. Yanking the key from his pocket, he unlocked her hands, then slammed out of the car to pace.
    Why the hell was he tangled up with this woman? he asked himself. Why hadn't he cut himself loose? Why wasn't he cutting loose right now? Mexico wasn't such a bad place. He could get himself a nice spot on the beach, soak up the sun and wait for all this to blow over. Nothing was stopping him.
    Then she got out of the car, spoke quietly. "My friend's in trouble."
    "I don't give a damn about your friend." He whirled toward her. "I give a damn about me. And maybe I give one about you, though God knows why, because you've been nothing but grief ever since I watched you swagger up those apartment steps."
    "I'll sleep with you."
    That cut his minor tirade off in midstream. "What?"
    She squared her shoulders. "I'll sleep with you. I'll do whatever you want, if you help me."
    He stared at her, at the way the moonlight showered over her hair, at the way her eyes continued to glisten. And wanted her mindlessly.
    But not in a barter.
    "Oh, that's nice." Bitterness spewed through his voice. "That's great. I don't even have to tie you to the damn railroad tracks." He stepped toward her, grabbed her by the arms and shook. "What the hell do you take me for?"
    "I don't know."
    "I don't use women," he said between his teeth. "And when I take one to bed, it's a two-way street. So thanks for the offer, but I'm not interested in the supreme sacrifice."
    He let her go, started back to the car. Fury had him turning back. "Do you think your friend would appreciate the gesture if he found out you'd slept with me to help him?"
    She took a deep, steadying breath. The