and ended up writing a series of articles. Do you remember?”
The old hurt came up again. That had been the last vacation she had shared with Brad shortly before his death. “Y-yes, of course I remember it.” And she also remembered Brad’s cold, biting anger because she had insisted upon doing the articles. He had wanted to relax around the Princeton Hotel, taking it easy, while she’d been as excited as a child at Christmas at an offered chance to meet Kang Ying, lao-pan, or leader, of the notorious pirates of the South China Sea. During the interview she and the lao-pan had developed a warm friendship that had endured, although they had not seen each other again. Brad had been furious with her for abandoning him.
Matt saw her face contort, her topaz eyes darkening with momentary pain. Out of instinct he reached across the table, briefly capturing her hand and giving it a squeeze. “Are you all right?”
The husky tenor of his voice was like a balm to her aching heart. For once she didn’t pull away from his touch. His fingers were warm, caressing the coolness of her own. The moment he moved his hand away she felt a stab of loss. Layne raised her head, trying to understand his actions. Either he was a consummate actor and knew when to touch her to gain her trust, or—she took a sharp breath—or he was a sensitive, caring man. Chewing on her lower lip, Layne fought to corral her emotions, not trusting her voice just yet to answer.
“I’m okay,” she said finally.
Matt could see that Layne was upset and wondered why she’d suddenly withdrawn. “I didn’t mean to stir up any muddy waters,” he apologized. “Kang Ying sent a message through one of our agents on Kowloon that he desperately needed your help.”
“The lao-pan himself?” Layne couldn’t hide the concern and anxiety in her voice. “Why would Kang want my help? This doesn’t make sense.”
Matt watched the waiter approach with the main course. “Here’s our meal, Layne. Let’s talk later.”
She couldn’t resist a smile. Matt Talbot had shifted from an engaging luncheon companion to all business in those split seconds. He wouldn’t want a shred of what they were discussing overheard by anyone—including a waiter. Oddly, though, his presence gave her a sense of security. As the waiter approached, setting Layne’s plate before her with a flourish, she offered Matt Talbot her first genuine smile. And she saw a brief look of surprise flare in his eyes. Let him wonder why she’d smiled at him. Let him stew in his own juices for a while. She laughed to herself, suddenly feeling lighter and happier than she had in years.
Chapter 3
Matt watched Layne covertly as she picked at her meal. After awarding him that heart-stopping smile, Layne had visibly relaxed. Was she excited about the reference to Kang? Her love of the Chinese and the Far East was well documented throughout her personnel file. Or was she beginning to like him? He shut off those hopes ruthlessly, as quickly as they arose. There was no room in his life for any kind of emotional entanglement. His brother was either dead or had been captured, and his need to get to Hong Kong and find him was paramount. This elegant, attractive woman sitting across from him could lead him to Kang and, he hoped, to Jim and his copilot, also lost in the crash.
Layne waited until the waiter had cleared the table before resuming their serious topic of conversation. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Kang knows your people. The Company has its tentacles into everything and everyone.”
“Kang’s a criminal, we know that. But he also has access to the tongs and triads over there, as well as to agents looking for information.” Matt rested his chin against his folded hands. “Time’s at a premium, Layne.”
Despite herself, she responded when he used her name. It felt like a caress. Trying to ignore her reaction to him, she frowned. “It’s not a normal ploy to drag a civilian into your cloak-and-dagger stuff, Major.”
He shrugged. “I agree with you. But we’re not running this show, Kang is. The incident that occurred has made him a necessary middleman through whom we have to deal. And he said he wouldn’t consider working with us unless you act as intermediary.” Matt’s frown matched hers. “Apparently he puts great trust in you, Layne.”
She touched the tendrils at her left cheek. “I remember your telling Lowell that you felt I couldn’t do it. Do what?”
Matt gave her a quick look. “You heard that comment?”
“I miss very little. Even when I’m in the throes of sobbing my heart out,” she warned him. “Please answer my question. What don’t you think I’m capable of doing?”
Matt took a breath and dove in. “We’re dealing with cutthroats, Layne. I question Kang’s reliance on you. A Chinese man never places his reliance on a woman. Why you? It would be beneath him. And you’re an outsider, as well.”
“Yet you’re trying to coerce me into joining you on a jaunt to Hong Kong to meet with Kang?”
“Lowell thinks you’re up to it.”
“And you don’t?”
“No.”
She gave him a close look. “Either you’re the cleverest liar I’ve ever met, or you’re working against your own people, Major.”
He remained silent, meeting her impertinent gaze.
“You’re expecting trouble on this mission, aren’t you?” she demanded. “Of course, what mission doesn’t have danger? You don’t think I can protect myself, do you? Kang is an honorable man, even if he is a pirate. These men live by their own unwritten codes. He wouldn’t hurt me, although it’s true they dislike Americans—they think we talk too much and can’t keep secrets.”
“I told you I wouldn’t lie to you, Layne,” Matt reminded her huskily. “And frankly, I wish I had met you under any other circumstances. You’re a woman of exceptional scope. Ordinarily, I don’t let anyone get under my skin…but you have. If I had my way about this, you’d stay here. If we had a penetration agent among the pirates, you wouldn’t even have been considered.” He gave her a veiled look. “But then, I’d never have met you.” Matt shrugged. “We’re both caught up in a web of events outside our control.”
Layne’s heart knew he was telling the truth. What agent would say I don’t want you on this mission? And yet he was still hoping to convince her to come. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re an enigma, Major Talbot?”
His boyish grin reappeared, relaxing his strong features. “I’ve been called many things, Layne. Enigma is just one of them.”
“So tell me,” she asked suddenly, “how would I explain to my colleagues that I’m taking a sudden vacation in the Orient?”
His eyes narrowed. “You’ll come?”
“I’m not sure. I hadn’t realized Kang was involved. But first, I want to know how you’re going to handle this assignment, Major.”
“We’ve arranged for a substitute teacher to take over your duties until you return,” he said in a quiet monotone, as if reciting it by rote. “If you come, you’ll pose as my wife. We’ll be spending our honeymoon and combining it with a writing and photographic assignment for a leading national magazine. It’s a perfect cover. You’re already established as an expert on the South China Sea pirates
