Eyes Of Fire

“The wrecks?”

“Of course.”

“The Beldona?”

Samantha let out a frustrated cry. “Yes, yes! He was as fascinated by the stories of that stupid ghost ship as my father was! She’s sunk beneath the sea, hidden, exactly where she belongs, and I wish to hell that people—especially people around me—would leave her alone where she lies!”

“You probably know more about that ship than anyone else on earth. You know that, don’t you?”

“I’m not a researcher or a marine biologist. I run a resort, and I don’t know everything there is to know about that ship, and I don’t want to know anything more than I do about her.”

“No one knows everything. But I imagine a lot of people consider you to be the current expert on her. You are your father’s daughter, after all.”

Sam sighed in complete exasperation. “When did this conversation start being about me? I want to know what you’re doing here, and you’re switching everything around so that you’re questioning me! It’s not going to happen. If you’d just tell me—”

He stood up suddenly, impatiently. Almost violently. She took a step back, but he didn’t even seem to notice. His empty beer bottle clinked on the top of the coffee table as he set it down. He dragged his fingers through his dark hair, staring at her. For a moment, just for a moment, she saw a flash of passion within him, yet she couldn’t begin to pinpoint exactly what that passion was for.

“All right, Sam. Someone on the island has been corresponding with SeaLink for several days now.”

“SeaLink?” Sam murmured, confused. She knew the name, but she couldn’t place it right away. “The marine supply company?”

“Marine supply company!” Adam muttered.

“They are a marine supply company, aren’t they? A big one. They sell boats, scuba equipment, maps, electronics.”

“Yes, yes. It was founded in 1970 by James Jay Astin. He’s also a treasure hunter. He and his employees have managed to dig up a fair amount of salvage from at least a dozen of the ships that have gone down off the coast of Florida.”

“I read an article about him in one of the diving magazines. He turns his finds over to the government, endows all sorts of museums—”

“And he keeps what he wants in his private collection, or sells it on the black market around the world.”

She wasn’t going to argue with him when she didn’t really know anything about Astin—except that he appeared to be a model citizen.

“Astin was friends with your father.”

“How do you know?”

“They went diving together once when I was here. I didn’t know who Astin was myself at the time, but I’ve had the opportunity to meet him since.”

Sam shook her head stubbornly. “I never met him. My father had his own life, and when he was alive, I didn’t necessarily meet and greet all the guests. So this Astin knew my father. Lots of people did. And it’s not illegal for Astin or his people to be visiting the island.”

“I didn’t say it was illegal. Just curious.”

“Besides, you’re not a cop anymore.”

“No.”

“So what is it to you?” she asked coolly.

“I told you, I’m working for private concerns.”

“And what do I know about your ‘private concerns’? I still think you’re at the center of all the trouble.”

“He was trying to drug you, not me.”

“I give up. You’re trouble, and you’re impossible.”

“Want to try throwing me off the island?” he asked pleasantly.

“Cause enough trouble, and I will.”

“This is a public vacation spot. I could sue the pants off you.”

“I could have you arrested for breaking and entering.”

“That’s what I get for trying to save your ass!” he exclaimed, hands on his hips. “Tell me, Sam, are you going to throw me off again?”

“I never threw you off the island.”

“You asked me to leave.”

“Your interests were elsewhere.”

“So, are you?”

“Like you just said, Seafire Isle is a public vacation spot.”

“I’m glad you see it that way. Because I don’t give a damn what you think, or what you want—I won’t be leaving until a few mysteries are cleared up.”

“Is that so?” she inquired politely.

“And you should be glad.”

“Really.”

“Yes—damned grateful, in fact.”

“Then thank God for your presence,” Sam muttered.

“Sam, my love, you can be one stubborn bitch,” he said wryly. He took the few steps needed to come close to her, lifting her chin. She managed to keep herself from wrenching it away.

“You bet!” she promised him softly. “The worst bitch you’ve ever come across if you’re trying to put something over on me.”

He smiled suddenly. “Aren’t we getting just a little bit carried away here? I didn’t come to pick up the pieces of an old argument right where we left off. And I probably did save your life.”

“Okay. Thank you for saving my life. Now, will you please get the hell out of my house? Maybe I can’t throw you off the island, but I know damned well I have the right to throw you out of here!”

“Miss Carlyle, you need me.”