go.
She bent her knees as she hit the soft sand and took off. Hamilton rose, catching an updraft, and was soon sailing high above her.
Her legs were shaking, but she managed to run up to the road. She slowed to a walk when she knew she was safe. She tried not to think about the sharks and the bloody water.
Jamming her trembling hands into her pockets, she started to walk. Images bombarded her -- fire, blood, sharks, Isabel's lipsticked mouth like a scar. The sun around Isabel's head had looked like fire....Damp grass against her bare legs.
Smoke. Fire. Her mother bending over her, her hands on Amy's cheeks ...Amy shook her head hard. She didn't have to remember! She didn't want to! The images made her feel sick and dizzy and scared.You don't remember what you should never forget.
But what if she didn't want to remember? What if she wanted to lock away a memory forever?
CHAPTER 11
Mummy wasn't happy. That was never good.
But this time, it was sour-faced Spasky getting the heat. That was sweet.
Natalie kept her posture straight, even though it was difficult on the cushy sofa. She kept sliding forward on the slippery satin. But even while Mummy ranted, she could spot slumping shoulders.Ian sat next to her.
He'd come back seasick, his face the color of her new chartreuse Prada purse."This is your fault." Isabel's voice had taken on the cool, precise tone that Ian and Natalie privately called the scalpel.
It sliced you open and left you bleeding. She paced in front of Irina, her high heels making dents in the thick carpet of the hotel suite.
Her heavy charm bracelet jangled along with her agitation. "I had to soak for an hour to get the smell out. I had to throw away my entire outfit. And it was Chanel!"Natalie shuddered. Noth ing worse than losing couture.
"Not to mention that the girl got away!" Isabel put her hand to her throat, where Amy's jade necklace gleamed against her sleeveless white dress.
Natalie had no idea why she was wearing it when she could be wearing diamonds."Excuse me, but I don't see why this is my fault," Irina said.
"Reminder: I was not on boat."Ian stiffened beside her and Natalie stared at Irina, fascinated. Didn't she have any idea how to handle Isabel when she was angry? You had to agree with everything she said and apologize, no matter how unfair the accusations were. Otherwise, you were toast.
Isabel wheeled and approached her.
Natalie knew that look. Irina was about to get it.
Both barrels between the eyes. This was going to be very good."Excuse me," Isabel said witheringly.
"You had one simple assignment. Find Amy. Bring her to the boat.""Excuse me for second time," Irina said.
"She did go aboard boat, which was the objective. I do not see -- ""You do not see because you are a fool!" Isabel let her contempt drip from every word. "You were supposed to deliver Amy at three-twelve exactly.
And you were supposed to arrive by Argyle Street so that Ian could spot you with the binoculars and I could prepare the boat.
You didn't do any of it! You were fifteen minutes late. Fifteen minutes! That gave the Holts enough time to get organized.
Even those thick skulls don't need too long to figure out a plan!" Isabel planted herself in front of Irina. "They ha d us under surveillance.
And you are responsible for counter-surveillance. So add it up, Irina. Not only did you fail ... you failed miserably."Natalie smirked.
Why shouldn't she let Irina know how much she was enjoying this? Irina had never gotten it into her head that she wasn't the boss. Ian and Natalie were the personal representatives of Vikram and Isabel. They were the de facto Lucian leaders.
Irina couldn't bear that.Isabel held up her thumb and index finger a fraction apart. "I was this close to getting her to tell all the clues they had. This close! That little mouse was terrified."
"What if she didn't?" Irina asked."What if she didn't what?"
"Cooperate. You would throw her to sharks?"
"Don't bore me with what ifs,"
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