Forbidden Passion

by Rita Herron

  Rage fueled his blood, and he sprinted to the front door, inching sideways as another employee stumbled out. Behind him, the fire engine roared up and screeched to a stop. Another police car and an ambulance wailed to a stop, lights flashing, and rescue workers jumped into action.

  “Everyone get back, clear the area!” one of the firefighters yelled.

  Dante ignored them and headed inside the building, yelling Marlena’s name as he scanned the smoky entrance. The front office was ablaze, smoke clogged the hallway, and ceiling bits caved in with a loud crash.

  Dragging a handkerchief from his pocket, he crammed it over his mouth and plunged into the smoke-filled hallway. Normally he would have been mesmerized by the flames, sucked in by the heat and the intensity and power of the fire.

  But all he cared about was that Marlena was inside.

  That she might be dead. Killed by his first love, the fire.

  For one brief moment, he suddenly hated it. Wished he had the power to extinguish the flames, not give life to them.

  But he didn’t.

  Flames licked his jacket, teased his face, and scalded his hands and legs as he forged on. The thick smoke nearly blinded him as he dashed up the stairs, and he blinked to clear his vision.

  “Marlena!”

  Glass shattered as a window exploded, and he kicked aside burning rubble and wove through a maze of debris. “Marlena!”

  Finally he spotted her lying on the floor in the hallway, face-down, the flames licking at her. His pulse pounded, and he jogged over to her, dropped to the floor, and checked her pulse. Seconds ticked by. “Come on, Marlena, you can’t die...”

  Finally he felt her chest rise, and her pulse kicked in.

  It was faint, but she was alive.

  The wall behind him collapsed, splinters of burning wood flying. He snuffed out the sparks on his sleeve, then scooped Marlena into his arms, shielding her with his body as he raced back through the burning building. Another wall crashed, blocking his exit.

  He cursed, searching for an escape route. Then he spotted an opening and wove his way back to the stairs. Desperate to get her out, he jogged down the steps, dodging crackling wood and ceiling tiles flailing down.

  Marlena moaned in his arms, her breathing labored as he carried her outside. Chaos reined, the lawn crowded with frightened and shaken employees.

  “Dante...”

  “Shh, I’ve got you,” he murmured.

  Paramedics were tending to an older woman, and be hurried toward the ambulance. “Dr. Bender needs medical attention,” he yelled.

  One of the medics glanced up, then nodded and retrieved a stretcher from inside the ambulance. Dante carried her to the stretcher and eased her down onto it.

  A strangled sound made him jerk his head up, and he glanced sideways and noticed Prudence Puckett standing at the edge of the crowd. She was hunched in her coat, her hair draped down to hide her scar, but the cold way she was staring at him and Marlena made him pause.

  Marlena stirred as the medic shoved an oxygen mask over her face, and Dante jerked his attention back to her.

  “How did the fife start, Marlena?” Dante asked.

  She pushed at the mask with a cough. “I don’t know.”

  Rage shot through him as he looked back at the blaze. He’d bet his life it was arson, that the killer had intentionally set the building on fire and was somewhere close by, taking perverse joy in the havoc.

  Out of the corner of his eye, a woman’s image caught Dante’s attention. He jerked his head sideways. Prudence Puckett.

  A sinister smile curled her lips, then she ducked her head and dashed through the crowd away from the burning lab.

  Dante squeezed Marlena’s arm. “I’ll be right back.”

  Instincts alert, he jogged after her. Why was Prudence running away? And what was she doing outside Blood-Core?

  The crowd had thickened as the news reporters arrived, cameras rolling. Damn, Jebb Bates was right in the thick of things, interviewing employees, asking questions, probably planting suspicion.

  Dante darted through the spectators, but Prudence disappeared into one of the side alleys between two other buildings housing other medical offices. The acrid scent of smoke clogged the air as he chased her through a row of parked cars.

  She broke into a full run, but his speed kicked in, and a second later, he snagged her arm.

  “Let me go,” she said in a shrill tone.

  Dante tightened his grip. “What are you doing here, Prudence?”

  She tried to jerk away, but he forced her to look at him. “I asked you a question. What were you doing at the lab? Did you set that fire?”

  “Of course not. I came to talk to Dr. Bender.” She yanked her arm free. “But when I arrived at the lab, it was already on fire, so I didn’t go inside.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Then why were you running away?”

  She stared at the smoke curling into the sky with an odd, faraway expression. “I don’t like fire,” she said, then touched her cheek self-consciously.

  “What about Dr. Bender? Do you have a grudge against her?”

  A bitter laugh escaped her. “Don’t be ridiculous; I’ve been seeing her for therapy.” Prudence rubbed at her wrist

  as if he’d hurt her.

  Dante studied her for another moment, sensing she was holding back information. “Do you know any of the other doctors here?”

  She folded her arms. “Dr. Sneed,” she said icily. “I’m having plastic surgery, and he was giving me therapy to increase my immunity against rejection of skin grafts.” She touched her cheek again with a shaky hand, her fingers lingering over the puckered flesh as if the memory was raw, fresh.

  “What kind of therapy?”

  She pressed her lips together as if she didn’t intend to answer him.

  “Come on, Prudence, tell me, what kind of therapy? Was it some new technique, maybe experimental?”

  “He gave me injections to boost my immune system,” she said defensively. “Now let me go. I don’t have to discuss my medical condition with you. It’s private.” With a snort of disgust, she turned and ran from him as fast as she could, the snow swirling around her as she disappeared.

  Questions ticked in his head as he watched her go. He still didn’t trust her. She’d been at the scene of the fire, had been watching in the crowd.

  How exactly had she been burned? Could she be a pyromaniac?

  Adrenaline pumping, he strode back to the lab. One of the firemen met him at the edge of the lawn, tugging at his hat. “Are you the sheriff?”

  Dante nodded.

  The firefighter crooked a thumb toward the building. “We found a man’s body inside. Poor guy didn’t make it.”

  Dammit. Dante followed him to a second ambulance, scanning the crowd, but a sea of faces swam in front of him and no one stood out.

  Gritting his teeth, he pulled back the sheet to view the body. Bruises and burns marred the man’s face and hands, and his clothes were torn and ragged. His face had suffered minor burns, but not enough to disfigure him.

  “His name is Gerald Daumer’ Dante said tightly. “The police have been looking for him.” He shifted on the balls of his feet. “I want an autopsy performed on this man, and the fire investigator and CSI team to look for evidence of arson.”

  “Why do you think arson?” the firefighter asked.

  “Because Daumer’s wanted by the police for questioning in the murders of the three women in town.”

  “You mean he’s the Torcher?” the fireman muttered.

  Dante grimaced. Jebb Bates had dubbed the man with that name. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

  But if he was the serial killer, how had he ended up dead?

  He smiled as he watched the chaos on the lawn beside the lab, the frightened lab employees, the rescue workers, the horrified expressions of the spectators, the tears from the terrified and injured.

  Valtrez looked stumped as he conferred with the fire
chief, and one of the deputies canvassed the crowd asking questions, trying to sort out what had happened.

  Firemen dragged hoses and dumped water on the burning building, desperately trying to extinguish the flames. The beautiful flames that spurted into the sky, shooting off brilliant colors; red, yellow, orange, even a faint purple streak from the chemicals stored in the lab.

  Smoke thickened the stormy sky, mingling with fresh snow and painting a haze that reminded him of the gray areas in the underworld, the planes where life ceased to exist but hell had not yet claimed ownership of the spirit.

  His smile quickly faded as Dante hurried to his car and followed the ambulance. He’d chased after the scarred woman and questioned her. What had she told him? About the evil blood that now ran through her veins? That she was turning evil?

  That Marlena Bender wanted to help her?

  Foolish. Marlena couldn’t stop it from happening, couldn’t keep the scarface from embracing the darkness within her. Couldn’t stop the evil.

  The blood was too powerful.

  Dammit.

  He’d wanted Marlena for himself.

  But not now she’d slept with the demon.

  Now he wanted her dead.

  Chapter Twenty-fire

  Marlena slipped in and out of consciousness in the ambulance, the nightmare of the past few hours reminding her that life could be snuffed out in a split second.

  But Dante had saved her again.

  Why did she feel such a powerful connection to him?

  Now they’d made love, she felt it even more strongly.

  With one touch, he’d ignited a raging, burning need and desire inside her. Even exhausted and frightened and angry that he’d avoided her for days, she wanted him beside her.

  Yet he didn’t want her.

  Sleep pulled at her, silly dreams of marriage and babies and a life with him teasing her. But the fact that someone might want her dead and that demons actually existed intruded.

  The ambulance jerked to a stop, the back door swung open, then the paramedics lowered the stretcher and rolled her into the emergency room.

  “Her name is Dr. Marlena Bender. She was caught in the fire at BloodCore. Her vitals are good,” one of the medics told the nurse and doctor who met them. “Check her for smoke inhalation.”

  Sirens wailed around her, the voices of doctors and nurses echoing through the noise. Wheels squeaked, and she closed her eyes, slightly nauseated, as they pushed her through the double doors to the emergency room.

  A warm hand closed over hers, and she opened her eyes and gazed up at the physician with blurry eyes. “Dr. Bender, I’m Dr. Able.”

  She nodded, although images of faceless demons suddenly surfaced. Terrible, hideous faces of creatures attacking her.

  And this man was one of them. He had shifty eyes, jagged teeth, misshapen ears

  She blinked, but then his face morphed into that of a normal man.

  Heaven help her. She must have inhaled more smoke than she’d thought—she was delusional.

  “Don’t worry.” The doctor patted her arm. “We’ll take good care of you.”

  She nodded sluggishly, although a tingle of nerves rippled up her spine as they rushed her into the exam cubicle. The doctor examined her, then stepped aside, and a nurse treated her cuts and abrasions and drew a blood sample. An IV came next to hydrate her, and she dozed off while the saline dripped into her system. When she opened her eyes the next time, the doctor stood over her, one hand in his lab jacket, the other on her arm.

  “Are you feeling better, Dr. Bender?”

  She licked her dry lips. She was so thirsty. “Yes. I just want to go home.”

  “I think that can be arranged.” An odd look settled in his eyes. “By the way, we ran your bloodwork.”

  Something about his tone alarmed her. “What did you find?”

  “Did you know that you’re pregnant, Dr. Bender?”

  Marlena’s stomach clenched.

  A low sound echoed from the doorway, and she looked up. Dante stood in the doorway, a savage look in his eyes.

  Had he heard the doctor’s report?

  Shock momentarily robbed Dante of speech.

  With demons, he’d never had to use birth control. Had never worried about having offspring.

  But with Marlena. . . his hunger for her had blinded him to anything but the fierce need to live in the moment. To indulge in the passion he felt for her.

  Myriad emotions played across her face, and her hand automatically fell to her stomach. Silence stretched between them, filled with memories of the erotic night they’d shared, filled with questions, with tension.

  If Marlena knew the truth about him, would she want this child?

  His child?

  Emotions he’d never expected to feel welled in his chest and nearly choked him.

  The thought of Marlena carrying a Dark Lord both thrilled and frightened him. For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine what their child would look like. A beautiful, spunky little girl with silky blond hair and green eyes. A son with dark hair and brown eyes. A little boy torn between a world of good and a world of evil.

  A Dark Lord who had to live with the evil gnawing at him constantly.

  But he would also carry Marlena’s blood. Marlena who was an angel compared to him.

  Marlena who wanted to use genetic therapy to eradicate violence.

  Zion will use anyone you care about to get to you.

  Would Zion use his own grandchild?

  A possessive streak ripped through him, and he had the urge to sweep Marlena and his unborn child away to someplace safe. Someplace Zion could never find them.

  The doctor cleared his throat and pivoted as if he’d just realized that Dante stood in the doorway. The craggy old man smiled again, then patted Marlena’s arm. “I’ll get the papers ready to release you. That is, unless you think you need to stay here tonight and rest.”

  Marlena propped herself on her elbows. “No, I want to go home.”

  “All right, but take it easy for the next few hours.” The doctor excused himself and disappeared down the hail.

  Dante stood, immobile. For the first time in his life, he considered the possibility that he might have a life with goodness in it. A future with Marlena and a child.

  But doubts quickly crept in. There were too many demons out there who might come after him. Demons, and Father Gio, and Zion.

  Marlena tugged self-consciously at the hospital gown.

  He crossed his arms to keep from pressing his hand over her belly where his unborn baby lay. “You’re sure going home is a good idea?”

  “It’s fine,” she said sharply.

  He gritted his teeth. “What about the baby?”

  Confusion and worry knitted her brows. “Dante, really don’t want to talk about this right now.”

  His temper flared. She obviously didn’t like the idea a having his child. “Why not?”

  “It’s just a surprise.” She closed her eyes and massaged her temple. “I need time to process the fact that I’m going to have a baby.”

  “We’re going to have a child,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument. But concern for her and the baby overrode the foreign emotions pummeling him.

  “Please,” she whispered. “I can’t deal with it now.”

  He studied her for a long moment, remembered the ordeal she’d just been through. “All right. But we will talk, Marlena. You can’t run from me forever.”

  A hiss escaped her, then she opened her eyes and looked at him defiantly. “Why does it matter to you, Dante? You made it clear that one night of sex meant nothing to you. I heard the message loud and clear when you pawned me off on your deputy.”

  He cleared his throat, determined she know he was serious. “That was before.”

  A bitter laugh escaped her. “Don’t think for a minute that you’re going to hold this child over me. I’m an independent woman. I earn a good salary, and if I choose to have this child, I can
and will take care of it by myself.”

  Rage obliterated any rational thoughts, and he stepped closer, the darkness inside him fueling his words. “You won’t do anything to hurt this child, Marlena’ he growled. “And as long as I live and breathe, neither will anyone else.”

  Dante’s threatening tone sent a shiver up Marlena’s spine. She had no idea why she’d baited him by even suggesting she might terminate the pregnancy. 9he was a doctor, sworn to heal and save lives. There was no way she’d consider hurting her own child.

  But she’d been in shock over the news herself, and she did have some pride.

  Fortunately, the doctor saved her from a response by returning with release forms. She hesitated for a second, wondering if she should stay overnight—not because she physically needed medical attention, but because if she did go home, she strongly suspected that Dante would not leave her alone or with his deputy tonight.

  Dante stepped aside and looked out the window as the doctor removed her IV, and she signed the release forms.

  The doctor handed her a bag holding her clothes. “Be sure to make an appointment with your OBGYN.”

  Marlena rolled her eyes. “Of course. I know what to do, Doctor.”

  He nodded and patted her shoulder again. “I’ll get the nurse to bring a wheelchair.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of walking,” Marlena said, then stood, one hand reaching for the gurney as a dizzy spell assaulted her.

  “You’re taking the damn chair.” Dante rushed to her and took her arm, steadying her. Yet his heady scent and strong arms made her want to hold on to him.

  He urged her to sit down, his movements gentle, almost tender, and emotions welled in her chest. She hated showing any weakness.

  The doctor stood watching them, his brows raised, a smile in his eyes. “It is policy, Dr. Bender.”

  Marlena glared at them both, hating to be ordered around by men. Dammit, she could take care of herself.

  But she had a child to think of now, so she accepted the fact that she’d have to accept hospital policy.