“No, I wouldn’t say that fits the description of a friend. Did he make you unhappy?”
“Of course not. Are you a fool? He was wonderful. He…filled me with melody.” Her face was suddenly luminous. “And he taught me to listen for the music and then how to let it flow out of me. Much better than any friend.”
“I can see that.” His gaze was narrowed on her face. “How long did he teach you?”
“Maria started to take me to his house in the village when I was three. My last lesson was after I came back from Moscow after the competition. They’d delivered the piano they’d given me as a prize, and he came to tune it. He told me I had to be worthy of such a fine instrument or he would no longer be proud of me. He went away the next day. Maria told me he’d left the village.” She added quietly, “But I thought it might happen someday, and I was ready. I knew that I just had to keep doing everything that Maxim had taught me, and the music would still be there for me.”
Mallory cleared his throat. “Very good thinking. And you still had your mother.”
She nodded. “Maria was always there.” She suddenly frowned. “But you took me away from my piano. If it’s as fine an instrument as Maxim said, it might be too expensive for me to replace. Though that doesn’t really matter, it’s still part of me.” So much a part, she thought. She’d started and ended every day at that piano. Just the thought of being without it was throwing her into a panic. “You said Tanner is brilliant. Do you think that he can find a way to get me my piano?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised, or one that’s comparable. But that’s not important. First, we have to get you settled.”
“It is important. If he can’t get it for me, I’ll have to find a way to do it myself. And I’ll get myself settled after I make sure Maria is safe. Just getting me free is probably all that Kaskov wanted from you.”
“That wasn’t the deal,” Mallory said. “And Tanner always keeps his word. I’m afraid he’ll insist that we keep to the original arrangement.”
She shook her head. “No. What difference does it make to you if I want to be on my own? Just because I’ve lived in a small town in Russia all my life doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself. I’ve had to go places and do things that would surprise you. I won’t be stupid enough to get killed and mess up Tanner’s deal.”
“I’m very aware you can take care of yourself,” he said gently. “Kaskov didn’t let us go into this blind. But why not accept a little help?”
“I’m safer on my own.” Then when Mallory didn’t speak, she said stiltedly, “Look, Volkov is going to be coming after me as soon as he figures out that I’m on the run. What if Kaskov changes his mind and makes a deal with him to turn me over to him? Or what if Tanner decides to make a deal with Volkov? I’ll be better off if I don’t depend on anyone but myself. You can tell that to Tanner.”
“You’d do better to tell him yourself.” He was refilling her cup. “He doesn’t take bad news at all well, and I try to keep him in a good humor as much as possible. Except when I manage to strike on a subject that’s just too enjoyable to miss the fireworks.”
“I’ll talk to him,” she said curtly. “I just thought you—”
“Were more approachable,” he finished. “Yes, I am. Which is why he sent me to you. That reassurance thing…” He grinned. “See, you’ve already told me about Maxim and the piano and the fact that you’re going to run out on us at the soonest possible moment.”
Yes, she had done that, she realized. She was usually more wary, but there was something about Mallory that was appealing and unassuming. Perhaps because he had not tried to hide anything about himself or Tanner. Even now he was being open and frank. “Nothing I told you was important. Nothing I would have tried to hide. You just didn’t matter.”
“Oh, that hurt.” He flinched. “Cut to the quick.”
She found herself smiling reluctantly. “I don’t think so.”
“Maybe not. You’ve obviously begun to see right through me.” He got to his feet. “But you might not want to chat with me anymore at the moment since I’ve made you a little wary. So I’ll leave you to rest, and I’ll go find Tanner and do what you ordered me to do and see if he can think of a way to get your piano to wing its way to you. However, pianos are a bit bulky to do that.” He picked up the blanket from the chair where she’d been lying when she woke and draped it across her shoulders. “I’ll be sure to report back to you.”
“I don’t want to rest. And I certainly don’t need this blanket.” But she was a little chilly and the blanket felt good. “I’m not wary of you. I believe you’re harmless.”
“Another blow.” He was walking up the aisle. “But I’m definitely harmless to you, Lara. Remember that.”
She didn’t answer. She was tired and in spite of those two cups of coffee she was a little drowsy and didn’t want to be on guard right now. Mallory was probably more dangerous than she thought. When she was around any of Volkov’s men, she was aware of exactly who and what they were; absolutely she was wary. But neither Mallory nor Tanner gave off those ugly vibes. She felt almost comfortable with Mallory, though there was no question Tanner was one of the most dangerous men she’d ever run across. There was a sleek-panther aura about him, a watchfulness that was mesmerizing. Yet she hadn’t felt threatened—more excitement and a kind of eagerness. So she’d give herself this moment to catch her breath and try to relax before she started to think of the challenge that lay before her. She mustn’t be afraid. She must think of this as another Trial. She had to handle this opportunity and these new people who had come into her life very carefully.
Or she might not get another chance.
* * *
Tanner was sitting just outside the cockpit as he watched Mallory stride toward him down the aisle. “Mission accomplished?”
“You tell me.” He dropped down in the seat next to him. “How long have you been sitting there eavesdropping? Is there anything I can still fill you in on?”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just wanted to get out of the cockpit.”
“And away from her file while you had Jordan next to you seeing how it affected you. Not pleasant reading, was it? How angry did it make you?” He was scanning Tanner’s expression. “Ah, the great poker face. That much, huh?”
“Stop trying to get a reaction,” he said coolly. “She’s a job that I have to do and I’ll do it. I have to know everything I might contend with. Kaskov probably gave me that file for a reason, and I won’t let him manipulate me. He used Sandrino to tip the balance, and I’m going to hold him to it no matter what else he throws at me.”
“Of course you are,” Mallory said. “I don’t doubt that for a minute. But I’m glad you read the file. I don’t want to be the only one who feels the need to kill both those bastards.” He got to his feet. “Well, I’ll go back to the cockpit and keep Jordan company. I wouldn’t want him to feel insulted because we both deserted him.”