Waking the Beast(5)
“Then you’re crazier than I thought.”
His eyes were livid. “Go get my tools,” he ordered Southy. “I’m not crazy. I followed you. I’ve been following you for years. I was there when you travelled through Africa, speaking of legends with the local bush people. I may not speak Swahili like you do, but I had a translator.”
“You followed me in Africa?” She’d had no idea he’d been there.
“I’ve followed you since you woke up in the hospital and went to live with your grandmother.” He walked to the cell and leaned against it. A shiver went down her spine at the hate in his eyes. “You should have died. It should have been you. Not Jake. Never Jake.”
“I know.” She agreed with him. Her father would still be alive if he’d just let her die instead, if he’d just loved her a little less, if he’d not been the protective man he was.
“But then we wouldn’t be here having our little reunion .”
Southy’s boots thumped loudly on the stone floor, and Harlan turned from her.
“Did you get everything?” he demanded, and Southy grunted, as he pulled stuff out of the bag he held for Harlan to inspect.
Harlan took the stuff from Southy, and Abby felt the blood drain from her face as she watched. There was a stick that looked like it might shoot an electrical charge, like something they would use on cattle. There was another club that reminded her of a police baton. Then there were the knives and syringes.
“Don’t do this. Whatever you’re thinking, I promise you, you’re wrong.”
“I’m right, Abby. And do you know how I know I’m right?”
She shook her head.
“Because you’re here. The legend says the one who carries the mark of the beast will awaken the lion.” He walked over and pointed the prod at Utah’s tattoo. “The mark of the beast.”
“It’s a tattoo. It’s just a tattoo.”
“You don’t believe that any more than I do.”
“Oh, God.” She moaned the words as she watched a very dazed Utah start to come around. “Don’t do this. Please, I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t do this.”
“You’re going to do whatever I want anyway,” Harlan promised as he turned his full attention to Utah. “So how much do you think he can take before the lion emerges?”
“He’s not the descendent of the pride leader. For God’s sake, he’s white.”
“Not fully,” Harlan argued. “Besides the blood’s been diluted over time. He can’t be expected to be pure still.”
“The alpha lion would have to be pure. Utah can’t be him.”
Harlan looked at her for a moment, and she held her breath, hoping he’d believe her. But after a too brief moment, he smiled and shook his head.
“You’re lying. This is him. You go to the bar he works at every night just to watch him. You don’t even drink. You pretend to look over your papers when instead you watch him. Searching. Watching and waiting for the truth to show itself.”
She shook her head frantically. “It’s a legend, a myth. It isn’t real.”
“All myths are founded in some form of truth. It’s what gives them the longevity to withstand time.”
“No. It’s the fantasy that breaches the span of time. Nothing more.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Then why watch? Why focus on him?”
Utah was awake now. Abby could tell, though he kept his eyes almost completely closed. His body was more tense, as if he were testing his bonds.
“I wanted him,” Abby said the only thing Harlan might believe. “I’ve been pretty much stalking him, trying to work up the nerve to ask him out.”
Utah’s head jerked up then, as he looked at her in surprise. That was not what she wanted him to do. Did the man have no sense of self-preservation? But Harlan had stopped and was completely focused on her for the first time.
Then he started shaking his head slowly. “I don’t believe you.”
“Why not?” she cried out with frustration. “He’s absolutely sexy as hell. What woman wouldn’t want him?”
Harlan glanced back at Utah then back to her. He shook his head again.
“You’re not that type of girl. Look at you. A woman who dresses like you is hiding, not trying to attract a man.”
“Thanks,” she muttered unable to hide her hurt, though it was only the truth. “That doesn’t mean I don’t dream about being with a guy like him.”
Utah was just watching her. She hoped he’d appreciate her efforts later if she could just convince Harlan to let him go.