Hunting Eve

“No, but that seems to be unimportant to you at the moment.”

“Unless you made a breakthrough. I’ll take any break I can get.”

“That’s clear. What I want to know is how you made this particular breakthrough. It’s fairly mind-blowing.” He came toward her. “Talk to me, Jane.”

“The body is a wonderful machine. It takes its own time healing.”

“I’m happy as hell to see you better. I’m not happy you didn’t call me and tell me you were on your way to leaving the hospital.” He added softly, “And I’m not happy that Caleb seems to be ru

She didn’t answer.

“I told you that I’d heard some weird things about him after I had him investigated when I found out he was in your life. Most of it I didn’t believe, but I’m leaning more toward doing so with every passing minute.”

“What? Do you think he sucked my blood and gave me a high? He’s not a vampire, for God’s sake.”

“I don’t believe in ridiculous myths. I do believe Caleb is … unusual. How unusual, Jane?”

He wasn’t going to give up, so she might as well tell him. “Unusual enough.” She began putting her belongings into the suitcase. “He can control the blood flow in the body of anyone when he’s close to them. It’s a sort of gift passed down through his family. Eve said she once saw him kill a murderer by doing that.”

“Handy. What else, Jane?”

“Bringing the blood up to a wound and keeping it circulating is very healing. He said that medical researchers are exploring the benefits by using laser treatments to accomplish manipulating the blood flow.”

“But Caleb wouldn’t need a laser, would he, Jane?”

She looked him directly in the eye. “No, he didn’t need a laser. He asked me if I wanted him to help me get functioning and out of this hospital. He gave me the choice. I said yes.”

He drew a deep, ragged breath. “I can see how you would. He was in the right place at the right time.”

“With the ability to give me what I needed.”

“And did you give him what he needed? What did he do to you, Jane?”

“It’s none of your business, Trevor. I’ve told you more than I had to tell you.”

“Did you screw him?”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t know. I’m just jealous as hell and probably saying all the wrong things.” He was silent a moment. “If you did, I’d understand. I might kill him, but I’d understand.”

“You don’t have the right to—” She stopped. Trevor was on the edge of an explosion, and the last thing she needed at that moment was a confrontation between him and Caleb. She couldn’t count on Caleb not to exacerbate any conflict. “No, that didn’t happen.”

“What did happen?”

“He just … touched me.”

“And that’s all?”

“That’s all.” Swirling pulsing, heat, tingling arousal of every sense in her body. She turned away and closed the suitcase. “It seemed to work.”

“Yes.” She looked up to see his eyes narrowed on her. “But for how long? Is it permanent?”

“Maybe. If I start getting weak, Caleb said it might be necessary to do it again.”

“Oh, I bet he did.” He took her suitcase from the bed and put it by the door. “We’ll just have to make sure that you get enough rest so that that won’t happen.”

“You’re going to Colorado with us?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I’m sure that Caleb won’t mind another passenger.” He turned to Caleb, who had just walked in the door. “Will you?”

“Not at all. Why should I?” Caleb smiled. “This isn’t about us; it’s about finding Eve.” He glanced at Jane. “I’ve been to the office and arranged to have the dismissal papers and paperwork made out in advance of the final approval you’ll get when those other two doctors show up. All you have to do is go in now and sign the papers. That will save some time. I thought you’d want it handled like that.”

“I do. I want out of here the minute I get the final okays.” She grabbed her briefcase. “While I’m waiting, I want to check out the landscape of Mineral County.” She added grimly. “And try to reach Kendra or Margaret again.”

“Don’t try to do too much. I mean what I said.” Trevor took the briefcase from her. “Let me help.”

“She looks just fine,” Caleb said. “Look at the roses in her cheeks. How do you feel, Jane?”

She had an idea he knew exactly how she felt. His black eyes were glittering, and that smile …

Darkness and flame and something else.

“Good. Lots of energy.”

He gazed at her searchingly. “And nothing else?”

Your blood has become … accustomed to responding to me. It may continue to have a residual effect on your body responses.

She had thought that final idea he had implanted might have been merely to make her uneasy. Was it happening? Analyze, don’t accept mere suggestion.

Heat, heaviness in her breasts, a faint tingling and breathlessness. Not like the searing sensuality when he had been lying next to her, with his hands on her body. But the sensation was there, and it was coming from Caleb.

And that knowledge was making her a

She turned away and started down the hall. “Nothing I can’t handle. Come on, let’s go, Trevor.”

Rio Grande Forest

Colorado

IT WAS GOING TO RAIN.

That’s all she needed, Eve thought, as she looked up at the sky as she hurried up the path from Zander’s campfire toward the trail that led to the factory. There was still intermittent moonlight, but the cold wind already felt damp against her cheeks. When the rain started, it was going to be icy, and she couldn’t afford to stop and shelter. That smoke would eventually draw Doane, and she had to get past the factory and start down the mountain toward the ghost town while Zander kept him occupied.

Occupied. What a bland word for what Zander intended for Doane.

The sheath of the bowie knife felt heavy and awkward on Eve’s calf, and she stopped to pull up her pant leg to adjust it. The metal glittered in the moonlight, and it reminded her of how it had shone in the reflection of the campfire as Zander had put it on her.

Strange moment. Strange night. Strange man.

She pulled her pant leg down and continued quickly through the forest toward the trail that led to the coin factory. She had left Zander fifteen minutes ago, but she still felt as if he were with her. She could feel the lingering heat of his body in the vest he had fastened on her. The movement of that sheath on her leg was an even greater reminder. It was an odd combination. Protective warmth, cold aggressiveness. But no more odd than the hours that had preceded those actions.

Why had he done it? He had told her himself that he was not a sentimental man. He had also told her that he was her father. The first she had believed, the second she had found totally impossible. Even if she had believed it to be true, she could not have imagined that Zander would let it affect his hunt for Doane.

Yet he had let her go, made sure the elements would not harm her, and given her a weapon to guard herself from Doane. She must not read too much into those actions. She had no idea what forces drove a man like him. Curiosity, he had said. Perhaps he had only been telling the truth. What would it be like to be so drained of normal feeling that your prime emotion was something as remote as curiosity?

Remote? She had to admit that she, too, had been subject to curiosity during those hours, and she had not felt remote. She had experienced suspense, soaring hope, intense interest, and other less easily defined feelings. Zander was too powerful a personality to radiate anything but equally powerful emotions. In spite of her rejection, she had found herself considering the possibility that perhaps …