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He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not going to like it, am I?”
“Probably not,” I admitted.
“Then don’t tell me.”
“I’ll regret it if I don’t.”
Whit flattened his mouth, his shoulders tensing as if preparing for a mortal blow.
I took a deep breath, and forced myself to meet his eyes. They were formidable and cold. I shivered.
“I’m attracted to you, Whit. More than I’d ever expected.”More than a friend,but I bit down on the words. I still had my pride, and she governed me ruthlessly. “There’s no tomorrow for us, we don’t even have today. But I wanted you to know how I felt. Even if you don’t feel the same way.”
He regarded me without saying a word. He kept quiet while I stood, and quiet while I gathered my things. It was only when I went to walk away, my legs trembling, that he finally spoke.
“Inez,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, “it goes both ways.”
I paused, shoulders stiff, wanting to throw myself in his arms. To give in to what we both wanted. But we were impossible. He was going to bemarried. I clenched my jaw and walked out of the chamber and then up the stairs, my heart pounding the whole way back to my room.
In a matter of hours, I would be leaving with my mother, carryinghundreds of priceless artifacts to Cairo where they’d be safe from Tío Ricardo’s clutches.
I ought to feel relief. But I couldn’t stop thinking how I might have made a mistake in telling him how I felt.
WHIT
The devil damn me.
The light from the torch cast flickering shadows against the wall as Inez walked away, her sweet scent trailing after her, slowly driving me insane. She held her shoulders straight, the weight of the world on them. It would have been easier if she hadn’t spoken, and I was afoolfor saying what I did. No better than a lie. With shaking hands, I pulled my father’s missive and read each line, my heart in my throat.
Whitford,
I tire of writing the same thing over and over. Your mother is at her wit’s end. I don’t know how much more she can take. This will be my last before I come myself.
You will not thank me for the visit, I promise you.
Come home.
—A
A yawning pit opened inside me, threatening to devour me whole. I hadn’t found the parchment despite searching for weeks. It had been a futile, desperate wish. Nothing could keep me here any longer. I stood, a calm reserve settling over me, and walked to the guttering torch.
And set the letter on fire.
CAPÍTULO VEINTISIETE
The moon’s reflection rippled over the water as the song of the Nile swirled around me. Frogs croaked, birds trilled, and every so often a sudden splash punctuated the still night. I stood on the bank, arms folded tight across my shaking chest, my large bag by my feet. Cold seeped under my linen clothing, and a chill skittered down my spine.
Mamá materialized from out of the darkness, her slight form taking shape high up on the bank. She waved, and I returned the gesture. My hand fell awkwardly to my side when I spotted a taller figure coming down with her. It was a man, dressed in a casual suit, his dark hair windblown. He had kind blue eyes, and a tentative smile.
“Inez, this is my friend I was telling you about.”
He held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Your mother has told me all about you.”
I pulled back my palm. There was an easy familiarity between them, and his relaxed manner loosened the knot of tension between my shoulder blades. But my mind burned with questions. When did they meet? How was he involved in our situation? Why did she trust him? Did he know about Cleopatra, my uncle, or Papá?
Mamá gestured to my bag before I could ask my questions. I held my tongue, knowing I had plenty of time during the ride back to Cairo. For now, we had to move quickly.
“Any more artifacts in there?” Mamá asked.
