Tusks by William Maltese

Author:William Maltese [Maltese, William]
Language: nld
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

RICHARD'S HEART STOPPED. WHEN it started again, its wild thumping battered painfully against his rib cage.

Christopher stood in the door of the restaurant, the gaze of his black-flecked golden eyes sweeping the room. Displaying a wide smile, he spotted Richard and headed toward him.

Richard's hopes of reprieve vanished. For a short while, he had thought he would get to finish his breakfast and leave with the government team before Christopher's arrival. He should have known better. The fates never gave him any breaks, and they weren't starting now.

"Hi!" Christopher said cheerily, joining Richard in the corner booth chosen for its inconspicuousness. "Feeling better?"

Richard had slept horribly, his attempts at rest disturbed by haunting nightmares. He was torn apart by what had brought him to Great Zimbabwe, hadn't recovered from the shock of losing all hope for happy tomorrows. "I was just leaving," he said. That wasn't what he had planned to say. He had planned painful accusations. Suddenly, though, he didn't have the willpower to go through with them. He needed more time. He should have skipped breakfast, but he was hungry from missing lunch and supper the day before.

"Oh, stay for a couple of minutes," Christopher cajoled, reaching for the menu. "It looks as if your teammates are taking care of everything outside. Why be the big cheese if you can't delegate authority on occasion?"

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"Really, I've got to go," Richard said, starting to stand. It wasn't any move on Christopher's part that caused Richard to sink back into his seat. It was Christopher's pained expression and how he put the menu aside, no longer interested in it.

"There's something wrong, isn't there?" Christopher said.

How very perceptive!

"I don't want to go into it right now," Richard said; Christopher wouldn't let it go at that.

"No, I see you don't," Christopher observed dryly. "But I do. I thought we were off to a fresh start. Why the change?

Did your friend, Captain Sylo, do some bad-mouthing on your flight back yesterday? Was that the reason you skipped supper last night and are running scared this morning?"

"Don't blame Craig for any of this!" Richard said angrily.

"He tries his best to make me see your good points."

Christopher settled back in his seat and folded his strong arms across his chest. Not many hours ago, Richard had been in those strong arms, had felt their sensuous embrace as Christopher kissed Richard's breath away. How cruel life was.

"Why do I find the thought of Captain Sylo championing my romantic interests so unbelievable?" Christopher asked sarcastically.

"Why shouldn't he?" Richard wanted to know. "He wants you on the side of wildlife as much as I do. He thinks I can persuade you."

"Do you find it flattering that he's willing to pimp you off on another man for the sake of a few animals?" Christopher baited. "I wouldn't give you up for that cause or for any other. I'm suspicious of any man who claims he could."

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Tusks

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Richard was torn between feeling flattered by the compliment and

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