Edge of Passion by Tina Folsom Page B

entire body coiled in tension. Was he going to fondle her here in the car? Then maybe she could grab the steering wheel and cause an accident. It would give her occasion to escape.
    Yeah, if you survive the accident.
    Shit, why was she such a coward?
    “Leila,” he said so softly, she whirled her head to look at him, trying to make sure he was still the same man, because for all she knew, she could be hallucinating. As she had earlier when she’d thought she’d seen him pass through the locked door.
    It looked as if he wanted to say something, but then he didn’t. Instead, he pressed a button on his steering wheel. She heard a dialing tone, then the sound of a speed dial. The call was answered on the first ring.
    “Aiden? What do you need?” A male voice came through the loudspeakers.
    “My charge’s apartment went up in flames,” Aiden explained.
    Charge?
    “Shit!” the man cursed.
    “Listen, Manus,” Aiden continued, “I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Anything on the car yet?”
    “Negative, Pearce is running the plates right now. Another half hour or so.”
    “Good. I need you to listen in on the fire department. They just arrived at the scene and are putting out the fire. I need to know what they think the cause is. My guess is arson.”
    Leila felt as if a fist clamped around her heart. Arson? Somebody wanted to kill her? No, that couldn’t be true.
    “I’m on it. Is she hurt?”
    “No, thank God, I got her out in time.”
    He’d saved her, yes, he really had. So did this mean, he wasn’t the one who’d set her apartment on fire? Could she trust what she heard now?
    “Where are you taking her?”
    “To a safe place.”
    “Call me when you get there,” the other man said.
    “Later.”
    He pressed a button, and the call disconnected.
    “What are you? FBI? CIA?”
    He gave a slow shake of his head. “Not exactly.”
    If he wasn’t with the government, he had to be something else, something more dangerous. “Mafia?”
    She knew her voice was laced with fear. Aiden had heard it too, because he gave her a long look before his lips parted once more to speak. “By the life of my parents, I promise you one thing: I’ll never hurt you.”
    At his words, a single sob tore from her chest. She’d completely forgotten about her parents. Oh, God, what would happen to her parents if she was gone? Who would make sure they continued to receive the care they needed? Who would make sure the caregivers didn’t mistreat them? She had to fight to get away. Her parents needed her. They counted on her, even though on their bad days they didn’t always know who she was. Yet there was still a chance for them to at least gain back part of what Alzheimer’s had robbed them of—if only she was able to finish her research in time.
    Besides, she wasn't brave enough to face death. There was so much more she needed to do, so much more of life she hadn't experienced. No, she couldn't allow this stranger to kidnap her and take her away from everything that was dear to her. She had to bargain with him.
     

TEN
     
    Behind a dumpster in a deserted alley, Aiden brought the car to a stop. Leila sat in the passenger seat, her body coiled in tension, her lips pressed together as if fighting with herself not to cry. Given the circumstances, she’d reacted with far less hysterics than he’d expected from anybody in her situation.
    Aiden realized it had been wrong to kiss her after all that had happened, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. The fire had been so close, and fear had thickened his blood to the consistency of gel, making his heart nearly stop at the thought that she might get hurt. He’d never been so afraid for anybody else. Never feared losing anybody like he feared losing her. Even though he had no right to possess her in the first place.
    But he’d needed that kiss. Needed it to make sure she was unharmed. Like a release, he’d craved it, and when she’d given in, he’d nearly come in his