His finger traced the curve of Kerry Murphy's cheek in the photo. It was strange to feel this mixture of emotions where she was concerned. His rage and desire to destroy in the most painful of ways were becoming tainted with an almost sexual attachment.

Because, even though she didn't realize it, he knew she didn't hate the fires she fought. She was fascinated by them; they possessed her.

And that possession formed a strong bond between them.

Linked.

Pardon me, Ms. Murphy. But it's after noon and Brad said that you needed to eat.”

Kerry opened her eyes to see George standing by her bed with a breakfast tray. “Oh, he did.” She yawned and sat up in bed. “I'm surprised you went along with him.”

“Oh, I agree with him on occasion.” He put the tray on her lap. “You haven't been eating decently since you came here. And he seemed convinced he was right. I thought it was worthwhile going along with him.” He tilted his head. “You look very rested. Sleeping late did you good.”

She felt rested. And calm. Damn Silver. She still wasn't entirely sure he hadn't left some sort of suggestion when he'd—

“You're frowning. Don't you like pancakes?”

She smiled. “I love pancakes.” She picked up her fork. “Thank you, George.”

“Thank Brad.” He turned to the door. “It was his suggestion.”

“I'm a little wary of his suggestions at the moment.”

“Indeed?” He glanced over his shoulder. “Would you care to elaborate?”

“No.”

“Too bad. I'm sure there were all kinds of layers to that remark.”

She suddenly remembered something. “You weren't here last night when we arrived. Or maybe you were. Did you go to bed early?”

“No, I took a little trip of my own.”

“Where?”

He smiled. “You might call it an exploratory journey. Brad wanted me to ask you if you'd see him after you got dressed.”

He wasn't going to tell her where he'd gone. Perhaps she shouldn't have asked. Everyone had a right to their privacy. “How very polite of him.” She took a bite of pancake. “You can tell him to come up now. I want to see him.”

“He's on the phone. From what I overheard he evidently got a call from someone who needed soothing.” He made a face. “It's weird to see Brad in that kind of nurturing mode. Like watching a tiger protecting a goat. I find myself waiting for him to pounce.”

“Was it Gillen?”

He shrugged. “I've no idea. You know this particular goat?”

“I just know about him.” She sipped her coffee. “And I don't think you need to worry about Silver devouring him. Maybe he's not as ruthless as we thought.”

“Don't count on it.” He studied her. “Do I detect signs of softening?”

“No, but he's like everybody else. I'm sure he has a good side and a bad side.”

“Yesterday you would have argued with me if I'd tried to tell you that. What changed you?”

“I was angry yesterday. I've had a good night's sleep and now I'm more reasonable.”

“And Silver is looking more like a pussycat than a tiger to you?”

She chuckled. “No way.”

He breathed a sign of relief. “You were beginning to worry me. I was afraid you were having a serious lapse of judgment.”

“Are you trying to warn me about Silver? It's not necessary, George.” She leaned back against the pillow. “And I'm surprised you'd try. I think you like him.”

“Oh, I do. I've always liked him. I admired his brother, but I've always felt a sense of empathy with Brad.”

“Because you're a tiger too?”

He shook his head. “We have similar savage instincts, but I'd consider myself more of a leopard. Less straightforward and very changeable.”

“Changeable . . .” Yes, she could sense the volatility beneath George's calm surface. “Yet you've chosen a profession that requires the utmost in trust and reliability.”

“That's my Dr. Jekyll persona.” He smiled. “And, as you've said, no one is one-dimensional.”

“But you're not Mr. Hyde either.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then that's more than I am.”

“Believe it. Lately I've come too close to a monster not to know one when I see it.”

“Trask.”

She nodded. “And your choices seem to have always been on the side of the good guys. Silver told me you were a commando and then worked for the Secret Service. Why did you decide to go to work as a butler?”

“Why not? I'm very good at it and the pay is extraordinary.”

“Because . . .” She frowned, trying to put her thought into words. “I can't see you . . . It's too . . . confining.”

“Exactly.” He laughed as he saw her troubled expression. “Stop trying to put me in my own niche. I'm the one who likes everything done properly.” As her expression failed to lighten, his own smile faded. “Some people should be confined, Kerry. When I was a boy growing up in a family of servants, I hated the idea of being like them. I couldn't stand the concept that everyone has a place in society. I ran away and sowed my wild oats, and in the process I learned a good deal about myself.”

“Such as?”

“I'm not at all civilized. I like violence. Yes, I chose the good guys, but given time I would have slipped. Violence is permitted, even applauded, in some professions. I had to find a cage where it was hard to break free.”

“A cage . . .”

“A cage isn't that bad as long as it's self-chosen.” He turned to go. “And I permit myself a few perks to liven it up.”

“What kind of perks?”

His eyes glinted as he glanced over his shoulder. “Like curiosity. I have an insatiable curiosity and it has to be satisfied. Do remember that, Kerry.” He opened the door. “I'll tell Brad to come and see you if he's off the phone.”

“Okay.” She stared thoughtfully at the door as it closed behind him. George's demeanor toward her had definitely changed as evidenced by the familiarity of calling her by her first name, and that last remark had definitely been a warning. George didn't like to be closed out, and he was evidently more formidable than she'd thought. Not that she actually considered him threatening, but his dry wit and bland manner had thrown her off guard even after Silver had told her his background. From now on she wouldn't make that mistake. In his way he might be even more dangerous than Silver.

No, just the thought that she was discounting Silver's power was disconcerting. She was becoming too confident of him.

The hell she was. How many doubts about him had attacked her since she'd woken today? But she'd dismissed them almost immediately.

Because she wanted him to be one of the good guys. She wanted to trust him. Oh, shit.

She pushed aside the tray and jumped out of bed. Stop fretting. Last night had been bizarre and unsettling and she was craving both explanations and reassurance. She probably had time to wash her face and brush her teeth before he showed up. She needed to feel alert and pulled together before she faced him.

Fat chance. She hadn't felt confident and pulled together since the moment she had met Silver.

Silver was staring down at her breakfast tray when she came out of the bathroom ten minutes later. “You ate almost your entire breakfast. Good.”

“I'm glad you approve.” She dropped down on the bed and shoved her feet into her slippers. “How is Gillen?”

“Not good. I may have to go see him. I can't put him off much longer.” He sat down in the easy chair. “How are you today?”

“You sound like a shrink. I'm fine. Just fine.”

“Stop bristling. It was just a question.”

“I'm not Gillen. I don't need your ‘services' to put me back together. There's only one thing I need from you and you didn't give it to me last night.”

“I told you it wouldn't happen overnight. Next time we may make more progress.”

“And we may not. If you're going to have to wait until I go to sleep, it may take weeks before—”

“I won't have to wait for REM cycle after we're together the next couple times. It was just easier for the first time. All it takes is for you to relax and I'll be there.”