It took every ounce of strength she possessed. Every nerve was screaming. Every muscle tearing. Every step was as if she were walking on glass.
The doors seemed a mile away. If she could just reach them and get outside she would be safe.
Safe outdoors. Safe from Leo Makarios’s deadly, dangerous regard, with the bracelet safe in her pocket…
She didn’t mean to. She really, really didn’t mean to. But she could not stop herself. It was an instinct so overpowering that her hand moved of its own accord.
Her fingers brushed along her right thigh, feeling the hidden lumpiness of the rubies. Telling her they were still safe.
She was nearly at the doors. Behind her, she could hear Justin’s voice agitatedly resume, presumably telling his employer all the things the security personnel were doing to recover the missing jewellery.
Her hand was reaching out for the iron ring, to turn it and open the door.
Ten more seconds and I’ll be outside.
Just hold your nerve. Hold it!
‘One moment, if you please, Ms Delane.’
Leo’s command was like ice. Cold and very, very hard.
Anna froze.
She stood, quite immobile, her hand still reaching out to open the front door. She did not turn round. Had no power to do so. No power to do anything except stand there with her mind screaming at her.
She heard his heavy-booted footsteps ringing on the stone flags, walking up to her.
‘I’d like a word with you.’
She twisted her head round slowly, disdainfully. Claws crushed at her stomach, but she knew she had to keep her nerve.
What would she do if she were innocent?
She would be uncooperative, rejecting.
Her mouth tightened.
‘Yes?’ she said stonily.
‘In private.’ His voice was grim.
Deliberately, Anna stared at him. It was hard, punishingly hard, but she met his eyes. They were completely expressionless, and somehow that frightened her even more than if she had seen that look in them she hated.
‘I have nothing to say to you, Mr Makarios,’ she said, in a tight, low voice.
His expression did not change.
‘I have some questions to ask you.’ His voice twisted, and for a second she saw that look flash briefly. ‘Be assured it has nothing to do with the subject you so clearly wish to avoid.’ He gestured with his hand. ‘This way.’
Should she refuse? What would look worse?
If she made too much objection would she draw attention to herself? Arouse suspicions? After all, there was nothing he could know—nothing he could do.
Except ask questions she would find—would have to find!—innocent answers to.
‘Very well,’ she said, in a clipped, tight voice.
She marched off in the direction he was indicating. It was to a door on the far side of the hall, and she had no idea where it led. Behind her she could hear Leo Makarios’s heavy booted tread ringing on the flags. In her stomach acid pooled; her heart was racing.
Be glad about last night! It’s giving you a cover for your obvious tension now!
Anna gritted her teeth. She just had to hold her nerve, that was all.
She stopped outside the room. Leo Makarios opened the door and ushered her in.
It was an office, she saw instantly. Lined with bookshelves and predominantly occupied by a vast desk on which stood a PC.
She walked in and stopped. Then turned around and looked belligerently at Leo Makarios closing the door behind him.
It was not a small room, but as the solid wood door snapped shut it suddenly seemed claustrophobically confined.
‘Well?’ she demanded. ‘What’s all this about?’
Her chin lifted, but behind the belligerent expression on her face she could feel herself paling.
Leo was standing there very still, just looking at her.
Quite expressionless.
The dark padded ski jacket made him look even more formidable than he usually looked.
‘I would like you, Ms Delane, to empty your pockets.’
The blood drained from her face completely.
With an effort of will she forced an expression of astonishment to her features.
‘What?’
He did not move. ‘You heard me. Empty your pockets.’
‘No!’ she retorted indignantly, trying desperately to stay in character. She took a harsh breath. ‘What is this? What the hell is going on?’
‘You’ve gone pale, Ms Delane. Even paler than usual. Why is that, I wonder?’
His eyes were resting on her like weights, but she had to keep staring back at him angrily. Not letting her fear show.
But the fear was there, all right—like pickaxes gouging in her stomach.
‘Because I don’t want to be anywhere near you. That’s why! Isn’t it obvious, Mr Makarios?’ she thrust defiantly at him.
Did his eyes narrow very, very slightly?
‘Obvious—or convenient?’
‘What?’
His mouth tightened.
‘Just empty your pockets, please.’
‘No, I will not. What the hell is this about?’
‘Just do it.’
Anna’s expression hardened.
‘How dare you harass me like this—?’
Leo Makarios’s face suffused with instant thunder. His hand slammed down on to the surface of his desk.
‘You will not use that word! Christos—’ He took a harsh, ripping breath. ‘Very well—if you do not wish to empty your pockets, you need not do so.’ He moved his hand, picking up the phone. ‘You can instead let the police search you.’
‘The police?’ With all her nerve she tried to inject as much withering bewilderment into her voice as she could. ‘Are you mad?’ she challenged derisively. ‘I’ve had enough of this!’
She turned on her heel and headed for the door.
It was locked. Between fear and fury she rattled the handle viciously. She could no longer tell whether she was still in character as someone totally innocent, or succumbing to an overriding instinct to run and run and run.
‘Let me out!’
Footsteps sounded behind her across the carpet. Then Leo Makarios was right behind her.
‘Of course,’ he said smoothly. His arm came around her to unlock the door.
The other hand slid into her trouser pocket and drew out the bracelet.
He stepped back.
For one endless second Anna froze. Then she twisted round, pressed back against the door panels. Like a deer at bay, cornered by a ravening leopard.
Leo Makarios was just standing there, hand palm up, a river of fire draped over his long fingers. He was so close to her his presence pressed on her like