Forbidden Passion (23 page)

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.

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.

“I need to get dressed,” she said. “Please turn around, Dante.”

A sarcastic laugh escaped him. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No,” she said between clenched teeth.

“Marlena…
He lifted a strand of hair and rubbed it between his fingers with a devilish grin. “I’ve already seen every beautiful inch of you. I’ve touched it and tasted it and I will again.”

A blush stained her cheeks. “That was before’ she said repeating his very words. “We were caught up in the moment.” She clutched the sheet to her chest, suddenly feeling vulnerable.

“You’re damn right we were.” His sultry gaze raked over her with an intensity that made her nipples harden as if he’d touched her naked flesh.

As if he was reliving the moment as well, he growled an obscenity, then pivoted, his arms folded. “All right. Get dressed.”

“You’re insufferable,” she whispered. He had the audacity to laugh, and she shook her head in agitation.

Hastily, she shed the gown and pulled on her clothes, wincing as her muscles stiffened, and she inhaled the smoky odor lingering on her clothing.

Seconds later, a knock sounded, then the nurse appeared in the doorway pushing a wheelchair. Dante stepped forward and took her arm, and she humbled herself enough to allow him to steady her into the chair.

While the nurse wheeled her to the elevator, Dante retrieved the car. By the time she reached the front door, he was parked in front. He jumped out and helped her into his SUV. A tense silence settled between them as he drove her back to her house. A storm raged outside, the clouds dark and rumbling, a funnel cloud swirling behind them.

“Damn, it looks bad,” Dante said as he dodged a falling branch. “Do you really think it was wise to leave the hospital?” Dante finally asked.

She shot him a deadly look, frowning as she glanced ahead at the swirling wind and rain. “I’m a doctor, Dante. Don’t insult my intelligence by questioning me.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he kept his comment to himself. The ride stretched out painfully slow, the weather escalating, the funnel cloud chasing them all the way along the mountain until they reached her house. Afraid he was going to do something ridiculous like try to carry her inside, she opened the door and climbed out before he could make it to the passenger side of the car.

But he quickly circled the front, slid his arm around her waist, and helped her slog through the snow-packed ground and blinding rain to her porch. Shivering with the cold and roar of the storm, she huddled inside her coat while he took the key from her shaky hand and unlocked the door.

She punched in the security code while he flipped on a lamp in the den and searched the house. When he returned, he stopped and stared at her. “Do you want to go to bed?”

Exhaustion clawed at her, but she was too anxious to sleep. “Not yet. I might make some tea.”

“I’ll make it and build a fire. Just sit down.”

“I’m perfectly capable of making tea,” she said.

“For God’s sake, Marlena, stop being so damn stubborn. It’s just a cup of fucking tea.”

She moved to the kitchen, but he took her hands and coaxed her into a chair, then filled the teakettle with water and dropped a tea bag into a mug.

She hugged her arms around herself. “Dante, you don’t need to baby me. I’m fine.”