“And that’s your concern too.”
“Of course.”
“You love your sister very much, don’t you?”
“That’s no secret.”
“And you wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her.”
She went still. “My God, are you threatening Mellie?”
“Yes, I suppose I am.” He turned to look at her. “I have to leave here soon. I’ve got to get back to Amsterdam. I’d like to take you, Melissa, and Cassie with me. It’s the only way I can think of to salve my conscience at leaving.” His lips twisted. “And I admit the package deal will make getting out of here easier.”
Panic shot through her. “You can’t leave.”
“ I can’t do anything else.”
“The hell you can’t. Andreas won’t let you.”
“I’m going, Jessica.”
“Cassie will die.”
“Not if you come with me.”
“And Mellie.”
“She’s been getting stronger. She might survive even if Cassie doesn’t.”
“You son of a bitch.” She brought her trembling hand to her lips. “It’s crazy. For God’s sake, you’re talking about kidnapping Cassie. They’ll find you, lock you up, and throw away the key.”
“Not if we find a way to heal her.”
“We? You think I’ll become involved in this criminal madness?”
“Do you have a choice? You’re crazy about Cassie and Melissa. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to them.”
“Nothing will happen to them.” She glared at him. “You’re staying and we’re going to go on just the way we have been.”
“Not quite.”
“What do you mean?”
“If Cassie has a nightmare, I won’t come to help her.”
“What?” She stared at him in disbelief. “You have to come.”
He shook his head.
“You may be a bastard, but you couldn’t refuse to help Cassie when she suffers.”
“It’s your call and your responsibility. I’ve told you I’m willing to help her . . . on my terms.”
“You’re bluffing. You’re not that cold.”
“When I have to be, I’m colder than you could ever imagine.” He stared directly into her eyes. “Am I bluffing, Jessica?”
Oh, God, she was afraid he wasn’t. His face was without expression, but his eyes . . . She had gotten to know him over the past weeks; he wasn’t capable of letting Cassie go through a nightmare without helping. “You’re bluffing.”
“I’m sorry. I hoped to make it easy for all of us. I wouldn’t mention this to Melissa. It will only worry her. After all, you’re rolling the dice for her well-being too.”
“I’ll do what I like.”
“No, you’ll do what’s best for the people you care about. That’s what I’m banking on.”
Her hands clenched as she watched him walk away. Damn him. Damn him.
He was bluffing. He had to be bluffing.
The next night the lights came on in Cassie’s room.
The phone in the gatehouse rang.
“Get over here,” Jessica said. “Now.”
“Nightmare?”
“Yes.”
He hung up the phone.
Don’t call back.
Don’t go to the manor.
Don’t think of that little girl.
He went back to the window.
And waited.
Thirty minutes later he saw Jessica running down the driveway. He opened the door and waited for her.
“You son of a bitch.” Tears were streaming down her cheeks. “You bastard.” She grabbed his arm. “You come with me.”
“ No.”
“You’ve got to come—”
“I don’t have to do anything. I do what I choose to do.”
“I’ll have Fike come down and drag you up there.”
“And I’ll sit in the chair by her bed and not say a word.”
“You couldn’t—” She stared at him in disbelief. “You could. My God, you’re going to let Mellie and Cassie . . .” She turned and ran back up the driveway to the house.
Jesus, he felt sick.
Don’t give in. You’ve gone this far. If you give in tonight, you’ll have to do it again tomorrow or the night after.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
The phone rang.
“All right, you bastard.” Jessica’s voice was shaking. “I’ll do anything you want. Just get up here.”
“I’ll be right there.” He started up the driveway at a dead run.
Christ, it had been even more ugly than he’d imagined it could be.
“What happened, Jessica?” Melissa’s voice was weak. “It went on for so long. . . .”