Page 37 of Dark Lover

Sam watched, trying really hard not to feel sorry for him.

He faced her. “Ye should have told me about the file sooner. Who else has seen it?”

“I’m not sure. Probably everyone who is working on getting the page into government hands.”

“An’ how many people would that be?” he demanded. “Ten, twenty—a hundred?”

He was really upset at the idea that other people knew about his ordeal. “Probably less than five or six of us have seen it. Nick likes to keep things really tight and in his control. If he could, we’d all be puppets on his really short string.”

He nodded, his eyes still blazing.

Sam wanted to tell him that there were no details on his captivity in his file. It was hard to control the urge. The information would undoubtedly soothe him, but if he found that out, they’d lose their leverage—if his file could be used against him.

“I want to see Nick tomorrow,” he said with warning. He was already at her door.

“Don’t worry. I’ll bet he wants to see you, too.”

Ian stopped, his hand on the knob. He didn’t turn it. “Ye need to be careful of Hemmer. I came here to warn ye.”

Sam started, genuinely surprised. Maclean was warning her of danger? Why would he do that? And how could Hemmer pose a threat? “Why? By now he knows you stole his favorite new toy, unless you dismantled his surveillance system.”

“He knows I stole the page. But he mentioned ye, Sam. He thinks to use ye in our little war.” His eyes flashed silver all over again.

Sam wasn’t particularly disturbed or convinced. “Maclean, how can he use me? Why would he use me? I’m not very easy to use, by the way.” She didn’t smile. “You can attest to that.”

His face hardened impossibly. “He’ll use ye against me.”

His single statement sent a rush of desire through her. She refused to acknowledge that. She couldn’t be used against Maclean—he didn’t care what happened to her. “You must have laughed like crazy at him.”

His expression never changed. “Hemmer is evil,” he warned. “He may be human, but he has power an’ he has deamhan friends. He’ll do whatever he can to have revenge on me. Stay far from him.”

“Like you care,” she said slowly. “Because you just said it—he is after you, not me.”

“I have no wish to see anyone hurt or used,” he said firmly.

“Well, then you’ve fooled me.” When he didn’t speak, she added, “Are you trying to convince me that you’re a good guy after all? Because I’ve seen you in action and we have your file. Even our supercomputer has all kinds of doubts about you.”

He shrugged.

“Is it even remotely possible that you inherited some predisposition toward heroism from your father?”

“I am nothing like my father.”

She’d hit a nerve. “Too bad. I liked him—once he was redeemed.”

He stared at her and Sam realized he was trembling. “Why are you pissed? We can’t talk about you or your dad? Why is he off-limits? He’s a hero. Frankly, I’d love to see some of Aidan’s drive to destroy evil emerge in you.”

“I don’t care what ye want or hope for! I came to warn ye that Hemmer is evil and he has plans to use ye against me,” Ian snapped.

Another subject he didn’t like. “Hemmer doesn’t worry me.”

“Of course he doesn’t, because you have no fear.”

It was almost an accusation. “There’s no point in being afraid. One day I’m going to die. We both know I’ll go down in battle. And my death will be Fate.”

His face was so hard now that Sam was surprised it didn’t crack. “What are you thinking?” she asked. “What does that livid look mean? I know you don’t care if I live or die.”

He took her chin and tilted it up. Sam went still. His grasp was brutal. She didn’t flinch; their gazes locked. “Sometimes Fate isn’t what ye think it will be.” He dropped his hand abruptly.