Diablo by Patricia; Potter Page A

north.”
    â€œPlanning a job?”
    Kane narrowed his eyes. He knew his own suspicion was showing now, but he didn’t care. In his role, he should be suspicious. “I thought questions weren’t asked here.”
    Thompson grinned suddenly. It was the first time he’d shown as much as a glimmer of a smile. “You’re right, of course,” he said. He held out the bottle, and Kane offered his glass for a refill.
    He was taking another drink when Nicole walked into the room. Surprise flitted across her face, then a deep flush settled in her cheeks. She turned to her uncle, her eyes asking a question even while she obviously ignored Kane. It was a deliberate slight.
    â€œUncle Nat?”
    Nat Thompson, Kane noted, was watching both of them carefully, too carefully. He couldn’t miss the red in Nicky’s cheeks. Kane hoped his own face registered only indifference, even while he felt his pulse race.
    â€œYou know Mr. O’Brien, of course,” Thompson said casually to his niece. Kane knew the comment wasn’t casual at all, though.
    She glared at Kane, acknowledging his presence for the first time. “Is he your guest?”
    Nat nodded. “I wanted to thank him for what he did the other afternoon.”
    â€œI don’t think …” She stopped suddenly.
    â€œYou don’t think what?” Thompson asked.
    â€œThat he’s a good influence on Robin,” she blurted out, not caring whether he heard or not.
    Thompson studied her for several moments. “And I am?”
    Nicky bit her lip, chewed on it for a moment, and Kane felt a moment’s sympathy for her. She obviously didn’t want to hurt her uncle. Just as obviously, she didn’t want Kane here, and he knew why. He’d been purposely rude the other day, as much for his own protection as hers.
    â€œI thought you wanted your ‘guests’ away from us,” she finally said defensively, her eyes avoiding Kane’s.
    â€œYou saw him the other morning,” Thompson said. There was the slightest question in his voice, so slight she could choose to answer or not.
    â€œThat was accidental.” She bit off the words. “It won’t happen again.”
    Warily, Kane watched the exchange. He had the oddest feeling of being the center of a tableau and yet not having the slightest hint of the story. Or more importantly, he felt as he had in prison when Ben Masters approached him: like a puppet in someone else’s hands. It made him damn angry. He turned toward his host. “Thank you for the invitation,” he said stiffly, trying to contain that anger. “I don’t want to cause problems in your family. I’ll have supper at the hotel.”
    â€œNo,” Thompson said. “There are no problems. My niece was just surprised. I think dinner is ready. We eat in the kitchen. Nicky, get your brother.”
    Kane didn’t miss the look of astonishment that passed over Nicky’s face. Either she was unused to being admonished, or she was still startled at her uncle’s invitation. Well, so was he. His first instinct was to leave, despite Thompson’s order. But then his better judgment overtook his anger. He was in Sanctuary for one reason; this supper might help him accomplish his goal. It still galled him, though, to sit at a man’s table with every intention of betraying him. Even if that man was Nat Thompson.
    But Thompson was already steering him toward the open door, and he was following. He sat in the chair indicated by Thompson, and Nicky returned minutes later, Robin following in her wake. If his sister hadn’t been enthusiastic about his presence, Robin obviously was. His eyes lit like a candle’s first darting flame.
    â€œDiablo,” he exclaimed with pleasure, and something inside Kane shriveled at the boy’s obvious pleasure. “I named the hawk after you. Nicky agreed.”
    Kane darted a glance at Nicky, who was