So Tempting (15 page)

"I am not what you think, Justine." His eyes held worlds in them. "And you are not what I expected."

"Don't be obscure, damn it. Say what you mean." Her head was splitting.

"You are in pain again. I will be right back."

"No. Explain first."

"It is a long story."

"Give me the TV Guide version."

"Very well. I am a mage, a Light Walker. I am the protector of a powerful amulet, and it is lost to me. You are the key to finding it. And time is running out."

Jace stared. Blinked.
There are many facets of the ancient world that interest me...I've studied them all over the world.
She seized on the one part of his answer she could wrap her mind around. "How could I be a key when I've never heard of any of this?"

"I do not know. You are...a surprise."

Okay, she'd danced way out over the edge here, falling into bed with a man who was not only mysterious but possibly a real wacko. With gobs of money. "You have any idea how crazy this sounds?"

"I do."

"And that I don't believe in woo-woo crap?"

"In some ways you are very predictable, Detective." He sighed audibly. "So we are back to this, your refusal to open your mind to any world beyond your limited view."

"Screw you." Despite her aching head, she whirled and gave him her back. "I'm out of here."

"Not yet."

She glanced around her for a handy weapon. Hers was...he'd taken it. She snapped on the armor of control. "Am I a prisoner, then?" she asked with all the contempt she could muster.

"No. Of course not. I had only hoped..." His shoulders sagged. "I'll get you that remedy for your headache while I call Manolo to pick you up."

"I'd rather have Earl do so."

The mask was firmly back in place. "Fine. I will have Manolo call him again, and I will bring your clothes." He donned his own, covering that magnificent body, and she couldn't help a stab of regret that she wouldn't be seeing it again.

"I'll come with you."

"Please stay..." He exhaled wearily. "Fine."

She followed him down one flight of stairs to the tunnel she remembered, noting a second flight that led downward. A hidey hole? A getaway? She would remember it, just in case.

But he strode ahead of her as though they were on a summer stroll, his body language betraying no ill intent. Still, she would breathe easier once she was out of this tunnel, once she was in Earl's car.

But as they walked, faint stirrings of grief chided her for ever believing she was bulletproof. She wasn't, and it was deeply unnerving that, despite the woo-woo garbage, when they'd made love, he'd turned her inside out, gone past every safeguard she'd ever possessed. It was little consolation that she'd touched something in him, too.

And that terrifying sense of being flung outward into the vastness of a sky she'd never seen... She shivered. How did that relate to whatever the hell he was talking about?

A mage? A powerful amulet? Get real. How could she be any sort of key? Her mother's tales of a grandmother's gifts and Myra's insistence that she possessed otherworldly abilities echoing in her head, she was frantic to get away from all of this.

She was not that person. Even if she could, she refused to be.

Where was there room in the Jace she knew for what kept happening to her as Justine?

Once inside the cabin, she darted for the clothes that were scattered on the floor, trying her hardest to ignore the sofa where she'd lain, mesmerized by his tender touch...the chair where he'd stripped her down to her essence.

A woman is never more beautiful than when she is transported by hunger...when she loses herself in desire.

She'd damn sure done that, hadn't she?

He came to her, the same glass in his hand, the fragrant peppermint leaves floating in water she was parched for.

She swallowed greedily, savoring as the liquid sluiced down a throat gone dry, a body wrung out from the fury of their mating. "Thank you. Where is the aspirin?"

"Willow bark contains the same ingredients. I mixed it in."

She tensed.
Exotic poisons...
"With what else?"

"Ah, yes...there's my detective." A rueful smile curved his lips. "Nothing to harm you. You will awaken in the morning and be perfectly healthy and sound, never fear." The dark rings around his soft gray irises could not hold all his shadows at bay. "This will ease you and give you comfort." One finger stroked her face, bringing a sigh to her lips as he traced a pattern over their fullness. "You will sleep deeply."

Unnerved by the tenderness and sorrow she saw, she resisted the humming of her body, the craving that roared back to life. "You want me to trust you, but you don't do the same."

"How would you have me demonstrate it?"

"I want answers, real ones. None of this mystical stuff. Admit that you've seen me before, that you..." She grasped at thoughts slipping away like silvery fishes.

"I tried, but you did not want to hear them. You dance around what is between us when lives depend upon it."

"Lives?" she echoed, but her voice sounded far away.

Then he shifted and in the moonlight, she saw his expression change.

"What's happening to me?" A tiny tendril of fear arose.

"I am sorry, Justine. You are a danger as long as you cling to your willful ignorance." His voice turned fierce. "I wish I could find another way, but time is running out."

She wrinkled her forehead, a low buzz obscuring her ability to think. "I don't understand." Her skin felt hot, her body restless. Stirring, she sought out his touch.

Dante pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. When he withdrew, she saw eyes filled with pain.

"You are the key, the Prism, but until you embrace your fate... I should never have touched you. My need for you will make me careless. Vulnerable when I must be strong. Other lives are at stake."

"Why?" A part of her mind jogged her to move, to escape, but her muscles had become putty. Somehow she couldn’t seem to care. "What—what's wrong?"

"Easy..." he soothed.

"Let me—I have to...go." She sought the doorway, but she couldn't make her legs move.

He lifted her in his arms, and the spinning began again, only this time she couldn't focus, couldn't resist, couldn't...

"It will be all right. I promise you are safe." She could barely make out a bittersweet smile. "I've simply given you a potion to clear away this night. There are things you must not recollect, that you should not have seen, not as long as you refuse to believe me. When you awaken, all this will be lost to you. If you recall anything, it will be sketchy, like the remnants of a dream."

"You...the stars...when we touch...how can it be real?" Her voice sounded weak, even to her own ears.

"As long as you cling only to logic and the world you can see, what I've told you is a danger to you and you are a danger to others. The stakes are higher than you can imagine, and forces of evil are gathering. I cannot wait for you to open your eyes to the truth." He drew her against him, and she clung, the only stability in a world that made no sense.

"Let go, Justine...relax. You will drift...it will be pleasurable, but you will forget." His eyes darkened. "A rich irony, since I will remember forever." Voice mesmerizing and low, he leaned closer. "When you fall asleep, you'll awaken refreshed."

He pressed a kiss to her temple, murmuring to her all the while. "Slow, deep breaths...that's right...let go. Let the night slip away."

Surely he was wrong...she'd remember this, her senses so alive and responsive to his scent, his touch, his voice?

"Make love to me again, Dante." Was that her voice, so husky, the low purr of desire?

He shook his head, his face stark with anguish. "No. You do not know what you are saying." His own voice lowered even more, a rumble of male calling to his mate. "I am many things you cannot understand—refuse to understand—but I am not a man who would do that to you. No matter how much I want it." Forcibly he drew his gaze from hers. "I must take you home." He began to walk.

"Was it you, Dante? At The Club? I thought I'd lost my mind...how did you do it? I've never been like that before."

"The smoke comes from incense ground from
datura
, and the strength increases where the smoke is thickest."

Her head whirled. "So everyone hallucinates...and the aphrodisiac..." Her voice drifted off with her scattered thoughts. It was so hard to concentrate.

Then memory rose up again. She opened her eyes, staring at him. "You marked me as yours. And we went spinning into that blackness..."

His eyes turned molten steel. "Don't, Justine."

"How can you leave me, Dante? How can you turn away?"

"No more questions." His lips hovered, a breath above hers.

"No—don't take me home. Don't steal my memory. I trusted you."
I'll remember. I swear I will. And I'll ask him again.

He covered her mouth with his, the kiss a bittersweet benediction, turning hungry, pleading. Both tormented and cherished, Jace drifted off, a low buzz filling her ears.

"Don't...I want to remember...I need to ask..."

Just before the soft, swirling clouds claimed her, she heard him speak once more, his voice low and haunted. "I can only pray you will open your mind in time, but for now...I am sorry, Justine. This is the only way I can protect you."

Chapter Twelve

Nothing. She remembered not one second of last night. Jace sat at her desk, staring into space, groping for anything at all, while a sick, greasy fear rolled in her belly.

"What happened to you?" Earl growled.

Jace jerked at his voice. "I—I hurt my head."

"I can see that. How?"

"I—"
Don't know.
"Hit it on the corner of a cabinet."
Or maybe in my car?
She kept thinking it had something to do with driving, but though her bumper might be a little crooked, she could see no other sign of damage.

But neither could she remember the cut, nor the bandaging.

Or the whole of one night. Only snippets, nothing more than pieces of dreams. The last thing she recalled clearly was visiting Dante's greenhouse.

Dante
? When had she started thinking of him by his first name? Why did his face appear to her, bending over her in sorrow...face tight in longing?

Earl grunted. "What are you working on?"

"What?"

"You need to go back home, Jace, or you gonna join the rest of us here today?"

She shook her head and winced. "Sorry. Got a lot on my mind." Straightening, she drew in a deep breath. "I want to subpoena Dante Sabanne's phone records."

Earl frowned. "Why?"

Because I think he lied to me when he said he'd only heard of The Club? Because he's growing datura and other little poisons in that greenhouse of his?

Because when they touched, weird things happened, things that just could not be?

He haunted her, and she didn't understand the reason. "Just a hunch. I got a note."

"About him?"

Jace rubbed her forehead absently, trying to figure out how much to tell Earl. "It said that he knows more than he's telling."

"Where did you find it?"

She dodged Earl's eyes. "On my pillow."

He sat down heavily on the corner of her desk. "Go on."

"I got it dusted. It came up clean." She frowned. "I'm going to have to talk to him again. Victor said he can't identify a spike in his readings with their equipment. He suggested asking Sabanne for help."

"What for?"

"Victor thinks that some of his wealth comes from a big pharmaceutical firm in Europe. He says he could probably get the tests done for us."

"And what does Sabanne say?"

Jace drew a deep breath. "I haven't asked him."

"But you will." Not a question.

"I—I don't know." She was compelled to see him again, yet the thought unnerved her.
Come on, Jace. You said you could play with the big boys
. "How can I if... I mean, we need him. And every public official in the state knows him."

"You really think he's a suspect?" Earl was clearly incredulous, yet they both knew human nature was unpredictable. Not many people looked like obvious criminals. "You got anything to convince a judge?"

"He's growing
datura
in his greenhouse." At his incomprehension, she explained. "Scopolamine, hyoscamine, atropine. It's a plant that contains all three."

Earl whistled through his teeth. "But what's his motive?"

Jace sighed. "To kill an old hippie and a young girl? Doesn't make much sense, when he's got all the money in the world and is an acknowledged expert on poisons. He's far too intelligent to be so blatant."

"But?"

"I don't know. I just—"
Something about that mask in his library...
She lifted her palms. "I've heard about this new cult that Sam Sunshine might have joined."

"What does that have to do with Sabanne?"

"He's also interested in ancient rituals and religions."

Earl frowned. "So? What's the connection?"

"Cults have rituals, don't they?" At Earl's nod, she continued. "What if Sam took something that killed him?"

"Like what? This
datura
stuff? You know anybody who's inside? Any leads?"

My brother?
She couldn't throw Jimmy to the wolves. "Just...rumors. Nothing I can lay my hands on yet."

"Pretty thin, if you ask me. How does that tie with the girl who died at The Club?"

"Do we know for sure that's where she was?"

"Girlfriend of hers confirms that she was headed there that night. We know that it was held in the next building over from where she was found—looks pretty solid. Girlfriend was supposed to go, too, but she got grounded."

"So besides some weed and one compound nobody can identify, we have nothing to link Sam and Sarah Brown?"

"Not yet, we don't." He stared at her meaningfully.

Jace sighed. "You still want me to ask Sabanne about getting the lab tests done." She lifted her eyebrows. "Want to go with me?"

"This guy bother you?"

Yes.

But you wanted the big time, Jace.

"I'll be fine." She'd have to be.

"Captain wants you to make another visit to The Club. You okay with that?"

This is where she should admit that she'd already been back there. Her stomach twisted at the thought of returning, but it had to be done. "Yeah. Somebody there must have seen the girl that night." She'd do her job, and she wouldn't let her imagination run crazy, either.

Earl stood up. "You think it's too big a risk, letting Sabanne get involved with the testing?"

Jace stared down at her hands. "Let's see what his reaction is to the request. If we can't find other options, I'll make sure Victor takes control and monitors the testing."

"Halliday goes inside with you at The Club, Jace." Earl grinned. "His heart is young. The strain of your short skirts won't kill him."

Jace rolled her eyes. "Thanks a lot."

But after he left, she stared at the desktop, deeply uneasy at the thought of contacting Dante.
Sabanne
, she corrected.

A shadow fell across her desk, and she looked up into vivid blue eyes. "Gabriel." She struggled to keep her voice even.

His knuckles grazed the surface. "How are you, Jace?" Nodding at her bandage, he asked, "What happened?"

She touched it gingerly, keeping her tone blasé. "Hit it on my kitchen cabinet. Not too swift."

Gabriel shifted his hands into his pockets and jingled his change. "So, how's it going?"

"All right, I guess."

His gaze bored into her. "You look troubled."

A sudden urge to unburden herself swamped Jace. He seemed so familiar, suddenly, solid and real. Her world was all shifting sands lately.

But what could she say to him?
There's this man I can't get out of my mind? I feel almost possessed by him? I've lost a whole night of my life—or maybe my mind?

She couldn't involve him. Couldn't flee to Gabriel simply because he was safe. So she dodged. "It's Jimmy. I think he's in trouble, and I can't find him. None of the patrol units have spotted him, either."

"He's a big boy, Jace. I keep telling you you're not his mother."

But I am, in all the ways that count.
"He needs me."

"Get real. How many guys like him have we both run across? Nothing you say will change him."

"You've never been responsible for anyone, have you, Gabriel?"

"What the hell does that mean?"

She looked away. He'd never understood.

"Listen, I only want to help you. I'm worried about you, damn it."

"I didn't ask for either."

He went rigid. "That's clear enough."

Damn it, she'd hurt him, and he deserved better. "Gabriel, I—"

His eyes darkened, his shoulders settling into resignation. "You would call me if you needed me, right?"

She almost reached for his hand, but quickly withdrew. "Yeah...thanks."

She focused on her printout until she heard his footsteps disappear.

But the print was blurred.

* * *

She'd been a prisoner in her room for two days now, Cassie fumed. Dante was nowhere to be found, at least that's what Manolo was telling her.

She'd had it. If only she could call someone, but she wouldn't put it past Dante to be recording her phone calls—and all because she'd been to The Club. Sheesh. If he'd just give her a chance to explain, she could tell him nothing had happened.

Well, nothing serious. The blond man had kissed her—Cassie touched one hand to her lips, remembering how it had felt. She couldn't understand the faint note of fear echoing in her mind. The kiss had been nice—well, sort of nice.

Jimmy's yelling bounced around in her brain.
Anyone but him...he's dangerous.

Just what she needed, another guardian. Cassie rubbed her temples and stared at the phone. She wanted to call Markos, but...

She stamped her foot hard on the floor. Dante couldn't do this to her. She'd call the police and tell them her brother was holding her hostage.

As if anyone would believe that when he's got more money than God, Cassie. He could pay off the whole department and who'd listen to you?

Whatever happened to the Dante who used to carry a little girl around on his shoulders? He once was her favorite companion, the one who always had time to play.

Not anymore.

She'd go out of her mind if she had to stay in here one second longer. Marching to the door, Cassie decided to tell Manolo to go ahead and shoot her if he didn't want her leaving the room.

He wouldn't. The worst he could do was pick her up bodily and lock her inside, but she could run pretty fast. Maybe if she got downstairs and told Mrs. Montoya—

Mrs. Montoya would side with Dante, she was sure, but she had to try something. The walls were closing in. Grabbing the doorknob and twisting, Cassie tensed in anticipation as the door swung open.

Manolo wasn't there.

Wrinkling her forehead, she didn't pause to ponder. Instead, Cassie raced down the stairs toward the kitchen.

Manolo appeared at the bottom, coffee cup in hand. His eyebrows lifted slightly. She hesitated but kept moving.

"I'm going crazy in there, Manolo. Go ahead and shoot me, but I'm not going back."

Impassive as ever, the huge man merely shrugged. "Boss said he wants to talk to you."

"Now?"

"He'll be back later today."

Cassie didn't care if she ever saw Dante again—except that she also wanted to claw his eyes out for doing this to her. Most of all, though, she wanted to leave.

What's stopping you?
Jimmy's voice echoed.
You're in bondage to your lifestyle.

Glancing around at the splendor of Dante's home, she realized that Jimmy was right.

Had been right. But somehow, very soon, she was leaving. She didn't know what she'd do or where she'd go, but she couldn't live like this.

Maybe Markos would help.

Lifting her chin, she eyed Manolo. "Fine. I'll talk to him later. But I'm not returning to my room."

He merely nodded and stepped to the side. "Boss says it's okay for you to come down today."

Boss says, does he?
Well, he wasn't her boss. Not for one second longer than it took her to find a way out. Hearing voices in the kitchen, Cassie moved that way, hoping Melinda was visiting her grandmother today. She'd sworn not to involve Melinda in anything else, but she was desperate.

Walking through the door, her spirits sank when she realized it was Melinda's Aunt Antonia whose voice she'd heard.

Mrs. Montoya turned. "
Buenas días,
Cassandra. Are you hungry?" Her kind eyes said she sympathized.

Cassie shook her head. "No, thank you, Mrs. Montoya. I was hoping—is Melinda here?"

"No, I'm afraid not.
Señor
Dante has asked her not to visit for a while."

Her fury almost blocked out Antonia's greeting.

"Hello, Cassandra. How are you adjusting to life in Santa Fe?" Something in the woman's dark eyes hinted of intimate knowledge of her situation.

Cassie frowned, then remembered seeing Antonia conversing intently with Markos at his party. Could he have mentioned her? Surely not—he wouldn't betray her. Markos was her friend.

She caught her breath. Markos was Antonia's friend. Maybe she'd help Cassie get word to him. Suddenly a woman she'd wanted to avoid started to look like her salvation. "It's been...challenging."

Antonia's elegant brows arched. "Oh? Is there something I can do to help?"

Cassie cut a quick glance over at her brother's housekeeper. Antonia seemed to understand that they could not speak freely in front of Mrs. Montoya.

"I—oh, not really. It's just, you know, making new friends, learning my way around, that sort of thing." She wished she knew how to get Antonia alone.

The older woman rose from the stool where she'd sat, watching her mother work. Moving to Cassie's side, Antonia placed one arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently.

"Poor dear," Antonia's low, husky voice purred. "Perhaps we could visit a little before I have to go...say, in the greenhouse? You don't mind, do you, Mama? I need to get back to the office."

"Of course not,
mija.
" Mrs. Montoya turned around, wiping her hands on her apron.

Antonia kissed her mother's cheek. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Mama." The she slipped one arm through Cassie's and walked down the hallway leading to the greenhouse.

A statuesque siren, Antonia had the strong profile of an Aztec goddess. A bronze silk dress draped her curves with loving care. Her jewelry mixed turquoise and copper with an earthy, exotic flair that only made her more glamorous. Somehow Cassie felt stronger, just being with her, as if maybe she'd found an ally to help her take the first steps from beneath Dante's suffocating wings.

"I understand you've been a bad girl, Cassandra."

Cassie readied her defense, then noted the amusement in Antonia's eyes and pitched her own voice low. "You'd think I'd murdered someone. He's keeping me under house arrest like some criminal."

"Perhaps he's only looking out for you, dear."

"I hate him. He's arrogant and cruel and cares nothing about me."

"Tut-tut," Antonia clucked her tongue. "I'm sure Dante is merely trying to protect you."

"From what? Living life?" Cassie heard her voice turn shrill and altered it. "Please, can you help me get out of here? I need to see Markos."