Silencing Eve

Always willing to strike out when it’s only a child or a man who can’t defend himself. Is that what you call winning? Maybe in your twisted—” Her head jerked back as Doane whirled and punched her in the face.
    Pain.
    “Really, Eve, I don’t need you to defend me.” Zander’s eyes were open, and his gaze was on her face. His own face was without expression. “I wish you’d stop. I’m finding it a little humiliating. This situation is difficult enough for me.” His stare shifted to Doane. “I never dreamed I’d be in this position. You’re not good enough, Doane.”
    “Oh, but I am. I got you, didn’t I?” He tilted his head. “And I don’t think you liked it when I hurt our Eve.” He drew back his hand and slapped her. “Perhaps I may entertain myself until it’s time for our grand finale.” He slapped her again. “There are so many ways … Kevin knew them all.”
    “By all means, if it amuses you.” Zander’s tone was bored. “But don’t expect me to respond in the way you’d like. I don’t know this woman. Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter to me what you did to her. You keep thinking that because she’s my daughter, it should make a difference. She’s only the product of a one-night stand. I care nothing for her.”
    “It will make a difference,” Doane said harshly. “I know the power of kinship. My love for Kevin ruled my life from the moment he was born. You may not think that it will make a difference, but when you see her die, you’ll feel the loss, the emptiness. You killed my son, you bastard. I’ve waited five years, and tonight I’ll kill your daughter.”
    “I don’t know her,” Zander repeated. “How can she mean anything to me? There’s nothing you can do to her that would make me suffer.”
    Eve could see the mixture of torment and anger in Doane’s expression. “It will matter when I—” He broke off in frustration. He wasn’t sure, Eve realized; his grand revenge was disappearing before his eyes. “I think you’re lying.” He forced a smile. “But I’ll assume there’s some truth to what you’re saying. You’re such a cold bastard that maybe that part of you is frozen, too.” He shrugged. “So let’s let you get to know her. Everyone around her appears besotted by the bitch. Perhaps a few hours alone in her company will rouse all your fatherly feelings.” He turned and headed for the door. “I have a few calls to make. One of them to my dear ex-wife to tell her that she’s to come running if she wants to see you die, Zander.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Don’t think that I won’t come back and check on you occasionally. You won’t get away.”
    “How are we supposed to get away?” Eve asked sarcastically. “You have us both hog-tied, dammit.”
    “That’s right. But one can’t be too sure.” He smiled. “However, I’ll enjoy sitting out on the porch and looking out over Kevin’s graveyard of driftwood. By the time I come back, I may have chosen the place to bury you. Side by side as is fitting for a father and daughter.”
    The door closed behind him.
    “Did he hurt you?” Zander asked quietly.
    “Of course he hurt me,” Eve said. “What do you think? It’s what Doane does.”
    “I know you can handle pain. I meant anything you can’t get over quickly. Bleeding, broken teeth, concussion. Anything we’ll have to deal with?”
    She shook her head. “Bruises. One tooth feels a little loose.” She blinked her left eye. “And I’ll probably have a black eye.” She looked at him. “Your lip is bleeding.”
    “I expected worse. You distracted him and took the brunt.”
    “Not intentionally,” she said curtly. “I just couldn’t believe you’d been stupid enough to let him catch you. You’re supposed to be so fantastic, and here you are trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey.”
    “You’re angry.” He was suddenly smiling. “You mustn’t let Doane hear you castigating me. He’ll give up all hope of my coming to love you like a daughter.”
    “An impossibility. Love grows and builds with time and experiences. We don’t have the time, and you never wanted the experiences.”
    He was silent, staring at her. “That’s the first time that you actually sounded as if you believe I am your father. You always denied it before.”
    “I don’t know what to believe.” She added reluctantly, “But I think perhaps it might be possible. Doane says that I am. He’s crazy and could be mistaken.