Page 69 of The Promise
Nick slammed the gun back into place at her neck. "Why yes, Cara, treasure beyond my wildest dreams."
"What treasure?" Michael spat the words out.
"Remember, Mr. Macpherson, curiosity killed thecat." Nick's eyes narrowed, his voice malevolent. "But then I suppose there's no harm in the telling. Dead cat's tell no tales after all." He tightened his hold on Cara, his breath hot against her temple.
"It all began with the fact that little boys are great listeners. And doddering old men love to talk. One in particular." Nick sneered. "My grandfather. He spent his days in the bar. And I spent my days at his feet.Listening.
"It seemshisfather, a cowboy named Amos, was obsessed with finding the silver from a lost mine. A fortune in silver to hear him tell it. Anyway, my grandfather inherited the obsession. Sadly, he died before he could find it." His voice held no remorse. "So the quest passed to me, along with his worldly goods. And until recently I was cursed with his bad luck.." Nick sighed. "you see, there's been the little problem of finding the mine."
"The Promise."
"A star for the boy toy."
Michael frowned. "That's why you wanted Cara's paintings."
"They were really just insurance." Nick relaxed his hold and Cara tried to struggle free. "Do hold still, darling." He twistedhis hand, turning her wrist until she thought it would snap. An involuntary moan slipped between her clenched teeth. Michael's look turned murderous.
"Insurance against what?" Michael growled.
"Perhaps I should have said back-up. You see, Cara here is the real prize." Michael took a step forward. "I'd stop, if I were you." Michael held his ground. "Now, I know you have the hots for our little girl. Truth be told, so do I." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "But she is oh so much more important than that. You see Cara can take me to the Promise."
"There's nothing to take you to, Vargas. There is no silver. It was stolen long ago."
"That's what you'd like me to believe, isn't it? But I think your appearance here, is testament to the fact that there's something up there. And Cara here is going to show me the way."
"She doesn't remember where it is," Michael said. "But I do."
"Rubbish. But a good try, Macpherson. In fact, the truth is you have absolutely no value at all. So…" He slowly pointed the gun at Michael.
Cara reacted instantaneously. She slammed her free hand into Nick's arm and bent back her leg, driving her foot into his groin with all the force she could muster. He grunted in pain and relaxed his grip. She wrenched free just as a shot rang out.
She ran for the rifle as Michael dove for Vargas, Nick's shot ricocheting harmlessly off a wall. Circling Nick's gun hand with steely fingers, Michael shoved him backward. They struggled and the gun went off again, the bullet embedding itself in the ceiling. Cara scooped up the rifle, but realized that the two men were too tangled for her to get a clear shot.
They continued to wrestle, each, from Cara's vantage point, seeming to hold his own ground. Somehow, Nick managed to twist their arms around so that the gun was between them,pointed at Michael. Cara froze, watching as an unholy smile lit Nick's face.
"Michael." She screamed his name in warning. He reacted instantly, managing to turn Vargas' hand just as the gun exploded. The sound reverberated through the room. Nothing moved. Gripping the rifle, she inched forward, her heart beating a frantic cadence in her ears.
One of the bodies moved, disentangling itself from the other. "Michael?" Her voice came out a croak. She seemed to be incapable of saying anything but his name. Dropping the rifle, she threw herself at the man standing before her.
His arms locked around her, and she heard him murmuring her name over and over. She breathed his scent, feeling the press of tears now that the danger had passed. They stood locked together, for a minute, an eternity, content to simply feel the other breathe.
Finally, she tipped back her head, meeting his blue-black gaze. Blood streaked his cheek and she reached to wipe it away with gentle fingers.
"Is he dead?"
"I think so." He pulled away and walked toward the body. Nick lay face down, blood staining the floor.
Suddenly she felt sick. "Don't touch him. Let's just get out of here. Please." She felt the world start to spin. Michael caught her just as her knees gave way, swinging her into his arms. He started for the door. And she remembered their mission. "The pendant."
He nodded and deposited her gently near the door to the mud room. "Stay here."
She leaned against the wall and smiled weakly. "Don't worry."
He dashed into the bathroom and was back in an instant, handing her the necklace. "Shouldn't we call the sheriff?" He jerked his head toward Nick's body.
"Not now. There isn't time. It's already nearing sunset. And if we're right about time being the same then tomorrow is the day."
Michael's face tightened. "All right. Let's go."
