His fault. He knew he had been playing his own game of fire the moment he kissed her. Not following the rules was dangerous for many reasons. He combined two worlds into one. He'd thought there might be a chance if she fell in love with Daniel, but how could that work? Daniel was Dante. Eventually she'd find out the truth, and he'd be stuck with the same decision.
So stupid. His weakness and love for her had destroyed him. In a way, it was so much worse now. His one taste of her would never satisfy him. He'd dream of her every night of his life, stuck in a Purgatory he'd made himself.
He brooded and drank. This time, he refused to call Chase. He deserved to stay in hell. His separate identities existed for a reason. No one could ever know he was the same person. He needed to break it off with her on all fronts.
His heart splintered.
Was it time to move on? Disappear, buy a new business, change states and start over? God help him, just being near her was like a drug. Maybe he could continue being Daniel, her friend and mentor? Daniel, the mailman, who made her laugh and felt safe?
But he wanted more. Daniel wanted to strip her, kiss her, and make her want things she only dreamed about. With him.
He was completely screwed.
With a soul-tearing roar, the rage threw him and he surrendered. There was only one recourse. The only one he had left.
Tell her the truth.
Her accusation echoed over and over in his mind. Was he too afraid to trust her? When had he ever taken a chance on love? Had his own mother wanted his gift to become a curse? This woman called to him on every level. Wasn't it possible she was always meant to be his mate?
The thoughts echoed over and over with a haunting urgency that kept him from sleep.
Chapter Ten
SELINA stared down at the contract in her hand, poised on the edge of decision. Forrester had left two prior messages with a clear warning. Today at five o'clock was the deadline. He wanted to talk, and if she didn't meet him, the deal was off.
She closed her eyes and dug deep. What was she going to do? What was the right choice not only for her, but for everyone?
"Hey, boss."
She opened her eyes at the familiar voice that ruffled her nerve endings. Daniel walked into her office and laid the mail on the corner of her desk. She greedily took in his figure. Levis hugged his lean hips and thighs. He was wearing a Van Halen t-shirt, reminding her of their conversation from dinner. His long dark hair hung in rich, loose waves, emphasizing the raw bones of his face and the jagged knife scar down his cheek. His eyes burned with remembered intimacy and brought her back to the sidewalk in front of her apartment. Back to his kiss.
Guilt speared her, but she forced a smile. "Hey."
He studied her face. "You look sad. Bad day?"
"Yes." The weight of the explanation hung on her tongue but she couldn't express her mingled thoughts. Where could she start? The past and present loomed before her in an obstacle so overwhelming that she resisted the impulse to bury her face in her hands and cry. Not only did she need to make a decision on Forrester, she had to somehow get past her feelings for a midnight superhero that would never spend his life with her. Yet, Daniel was here, in the day-to-day world. The connection between them hummed at an insistent level. Maybe with Dante gone, she could focus on her burgeoning feelings for Daniel. In a strange way, she wondered if she was truly in love with two different men. So different, yet oddly the same.
"Is this about the Forrester deal?" he asked.
He waited for her answer as if he had all the time in the world. Selina was struck by the innate confidence in who he was. He worked in the mailroom, and delivered packages to the high executives of Inferno. He admitted he had no high ambitions, and no family. Yet, Daniel Stark didn't need to please anyone else. The way he walked, spoke and conducted himself every moment was a tribute to a strong man - a man who knew exactly who he was and what he wanted. The mystery nibbled at her subconscious and teased her to solve the puzzle.
Selina ached for his opinion. She wondered if she could word her dilemma in a way that wouldn't cause him to call the psychiatric ward. "I hit a wall," Selina admitted. "And I'm not sure how to proceed."
He nodded and crossed his arms in front of his muscled chest. "How about you talk and I listen? Maybe I'll see the missing piece."
Selina struggled to make sense of her thoughts. "I've told you how bad I want that promotion. My boss basically informed me if I close the Forrester deal, I gain the promotion. I choke, I stay put for the next few years and hope for another opportunity. Problem is, I discovered something about Forrester. Something almost impossible for me to overlook, let alone be able to work with."
"Is it a problem you can take to the higher ups?" Daniel asked shrewdly. "If it's something that skates on illegal, you can show just cause of why you couldn't close the deal, and that wouldn't affect your promotion."
"I have no proof," she said. "His word against mine. This is something only I know and can't forget."
"What if you walk away?"
She sighed and rubbed her neck muscles. "If I walk away, I can put Tom in lead and he may close the deal. But Forrester would be our big client, and unless I move off the team, I'd still have to deal with him. Come in contact. I don't know if it will work."
"Can you transfer to another team?"
"Not if I want to save my career and what I've been working for."
Daniel's eyes glittered. "Is there a way to fight him?"
"I don't think so," she said softly. "I need to make a decision today."
A few beats of silence passed as he concentrated. Maybe he would tell her what to do. Daniel may not know any details, but she almost craved someone to make the choice for her.
"If you've run out of time, go with your gut."
She blinked. "That's it? Go with my gut? My gut is confused and doesn't know what the hell to do."
Daniel tossed her a grin like they were conversing about a ballgame rather than her entire career. "Yes it does. You just need to listen to it."
Selina let out an impatient breath. "What if my gut is wrong, genius?"
His face lit up with an inner knowledge and confidence that touched a chord deep inside. "It's never wrong. It's just a choice. Decide what you can live with. There's no right or wrong path. There usually never is, because life is rarely in black and white. Only gray areas. What choice will keep you up at night, sick, regretful? Once you know that, you pick the other one."
The philosophy struck her with its utter simplicity. Daniel was right. There was no right or wrong choice, only her choice. She hated all of her options, but had learned in life there were no guarantees of any path chosen.
Selina shook her head and laughed. "You're amazing. You work in the frickin' mailroom, and you know more about life than any man I've ever met. Who are you?"
Grief carved out his face as he fought the demons. "Do you really want to know?"
Electricity sizzled and jumped between them. The easy banter changed into something deeper, as his eyes burned with a sensual demand she knew and recognized. So familiar. "Yes."
He nodded, as if he had made his final decision. "Then invite me to dinner."
Heat tingled down her spine. A throbbing ache pulsed between her thighs as she realized he was ready to make a move and deepen their relationship. Was she ready? She was in love with Dante. Had given her body to him completely a few nights ago. But Dante wasn't real. Daniel stood before her, flesh and blood, ready to make a leap into the unknown. He had more courage than her superhero in many ways. Could she take the jump with him?
"Come to dinner." The invitation ripped from her throat in a husky whisper. Her heart pounded so loud she swore he heard, especially when a slight smile curved his lips.
"I'll be there at seven."
He rose from the chair and walked out of her office without a backward glance.
Selina's hands trembled as she grasped the contract. She closed her eyes to steady her breath, then reached for the phone
. "Tom, come into my office. I have news."
She replaced the receiver.
***
It was done.
Selina let herself into her apartment and kicked off her heels, wincing at the pain in her arches. She shrugged out of her jacket and hung it neatly in the closet. Then made her way into the kitchen to pour a much-needed glass of wine.
Tom was now lead and would take care of Forrester. She explained as much as she could to her co-worker, even hinting that Forrester had made inappropriate moves, but closing the deal was paramount to Inferno. Tom had even fought with her on the decision, proving himself a loyal teammate, but she knew she had no other options. She refused to work with Forrester, and stepped off the team.
As the promotion slipped away, the knowledge that she'd chosen correctly settled in her gut. If she was demoted, so be it. She planned on speaking to her boss in the morning and giving him as much information as possible. Maybe he'd understand. Maybe he wouldn't.
She had played her hand the best she could.
Her step lightened as she hummed under her breath and uncorked a bottle of Pinot Grigio. The night of the attack, she believed her life was over. Dante had given her back the freedom to feel safe. Daniel had given her the freedom to choose and be strong enough to deal with the consequences. She shook her head as she thought about the two incredible men who had changed the woman she was.
A noise echoed from the back room.
Selina paused mid-sip and listened. Silence greeted her, but a strange fear prickled her nerve endings. She tried to force herself to relax, but suddenly the apartment felt dangerous. Almost as if she wasn't the only one in her own house.
Feeling ridiculous, she moved towards the living room to pick up her phone. Maybe if she had the receiver in hand ready to dial someone, she'd feel better. Selina scooped it up and carried it back in the kitchen, smirking at her uneasiness. How many times had she watched horror films and yelled for the lead actress to get the phone? Damned if she'd act stupid in her own life. Of course, she still had moments of fear and jumpiness from the attack. Maybe they'd never truly go away.
A squeak. Was that a footstep?
Hell, she'd had enough. Who cares if she lost her pride? She was starting to freak out and her gut squeezed. Selina hit the dial tone and began to press 911, not caring as long as she had the ability to get the police there in an instant.
No dial tone.
Dread slithered and struck. For a moment she froze, unable to move. Her ears drummed with a strange roaring. Her cell phone. In her purse. Move her mind screamed. Move now!
Selina ran toward the door.
Forrester stepped in front of her.
A scream ripped from her mouth. He moved quickly and the trauma of her past attack caused her bones to rattle like a skeleton as terror nailed her to the floor. He spun her around and held a knife to her neck, his breath hot and rancid as it blew across her cheek. "So you wanna play games?" he crooned, tightening his hold. "I like games. Especially the ones we're going to play tonight."
A sob tore out of her throat. A fast whirlwind of images flew past her vision. Men ripping at her clothes. The icy pavement underneath. Dante saving her. Dante promising once marked they can no longer hurt another woman.
"No," she whimpered. The blade near the sensitive skin of her throat kept her still. Her gaze skittered across the kitchen for a weapon. Butcher block too far away. Cell phone tucked in her purse. Dishtowel, spoons, a napkin.
The bottle of wine.
"Thought you could outsmart me by putting Tom in charge? No one says no to me, bitch. I'm gonna show you tonight I'm in control."
"They'll lock you up." Her words squeaked from her mouth. "You'll have nothing. You're too well known to get away with this. Everyone will know."
"Not this time. Have you forgotten what money can buy, little girl? Friends. Witnesses. Your doorman is gone, and the security tape is already being shipped my way. No one will know I was here. Not to mention my buddy who will swear under oath we got drunk over a competitive game of poker." Terror launched through her and a sob escaped her lips. "That's right, this time no asshole is going to show up to stop me. Now be good and I won't hurt you. Too much."
With a sickening motion, his other hand ripped at her shirt. Buttons flew. The delicate fabric ripped and the sound echoed in her ears with memory. His big hand grabbed at her breast as the world began to spin in terror.
Suddenly, he screamed.
The knife dropped. Selina didn't hesitate. She whirled and grabbed the bottle by the neck, then swung it around in a slashing arc.
The bottle hit him hard against the temple and he fell down.
As the screams echoed, Selina turned to run, then caught the burning smell of flesh.
Flames lit the mark on his arm. His shirt caught on fire. As blood trickled from his head, he shook his arm frantically, but the symbol heated in perfect scrawls and lines.
Selina watched, transfixed, unable to move as she watched Forrester burn.
The scene unfolded as if in a dream. The door crashed open, and Daniel ran into her apartment. He turned his head and screamed in the hallway, "Call 911!" Then rushed over to her, his hands frantically checking her for blood, his eyes forcing her to meet his and break her spell.
"Selina? Can you hear me? Are you okay?"
She nodded and pointed to Forrester. "He hid in my apartment." Her body shook. "He's burning."
On another level, she wondered why Daniel didn't seem shocked at the sight of Forrester and his arm in flames. With calm motions, he moved to the kitchen, filled a glass of water, and dumped it on top of Forrester. The fire died, but the scent of cooked flesh rose to her nostrils. The man writhed and moaned with agony.
The next hour played out in slow motion. The police. Questions. Her neighbors poking their heads nosily through her door. Removing Forrester in handcuffs. Daniel calmly answering the police and explaining he came to pick her up for dinner, walked in the door, and found Forrester on the ground with a knife at his side. The police concluded there must have been some kind of substance on his arm that caused the alcohol to burn his arm.
Finally, the crowds were gone, and she was left with Daniel alone in her apartment.
He tucked her on the couch and covered her with a blanket. Made her some hot tea. Then sat beside her and held her close.
His arms and body caused a familiar ache and memory to pound. She knew his scent. The feel of his arms. The muscled chest and strong legs.
And thought of Dante.
Why hadn't he appeared? This time Daniel had saved her, but the betrayal of her midnight lover cut deep with agony. Hadn't he sensed the danger?
"Selina, look at me."
He tipped her chin up. As she looked deep into his eyes, another image burst forward, until they twisted together in a mark of fire and rattled her soul. The final puzzle piece clicked into place.
Her finger came up to trace the jagged scar on his cheek.
Both men had been marked.
Both men had the same seething gaze that shred past the surface and bared her essence.
Both men's touch made her ache with desire.
Dante.
Daniel.
Suddenly, Selina knew. Her heart stopped, then sped up so fast she felt as if she were choking at the sudden rush of blood. "Who are you?" she asked.
"I'm the man who loves you."
She stared at his beloved face, reflecting the two men she'd fallen in love with, and pressed trembling fingers to her mouth. "H-h-how is this possible?"
Half of her wanted to jump into his arms. The other half was still in shock from the attack, and the knowledge she'd been lied to. As if he sensed her conflict, he gently framed her face between his hands and gazed into her eyes.
"My real name is Dante Stark. Everything I've told you has been the truth. After my mother was attacked, I came into my true powers and went to live with my aunt. She helped train me and taught me to control the call of fire
. Shortly afterward, I began being pulled into scenes of assaults. It was a difficult gift for me to handle, requiring secrecy. My aunt held a huge trust fund from my parents and when I turned twenty-one, I inherited it. I invested in a few companies, learned everything about property and real estate, and then decided to start my own company. Inferno Enterprises."
Selina gasped. She felt his body tighten in a muscle lock, but he continued.
"I realized I couldn't keep a low profile. I'd be required to do social networking and become well known. It began to conflict with my real gift - to help women. I realized I needed secrecy, so I decided to put my friend and business partner, Chase King, in charge of Inferno. I wanted to be a part of the day-to-day operations in a manner that would allow me to keep a low profile. I began working in the mailroom, which was a perfect cover."
"My God, this whole time you were the owner of Inferno?"
He nodded. "When you came to me with the Forrester problem, I was sick. One call would've gotten you the promotion. But I knew you needed to solve it and make your decisions on your own."
He knew her. Knew how her heart and her mind worked, and respected her enough to accept it instead of changing it. Still, her mind spun, and she pulled slightly away from him, needing some distance. "Did you know that Forrester had attacked before?"
His face darkened in self-disgust. "No. When I mark the men, I don't know their names. I only know once they're marked, if they ever try to touch a woman with any violence, the symbol will burn. If I had known or you'd shared the knowledge, I would have stepped in sooner. I would've never let you get near the scumbag. I'm so sorry, Selina. Can you forgive me?"
Her world tilted on its axis. Joy fought with confusion and a sense of betrayal. While she fought her growing feelings for both men, struggled with accepting each of them on their own terms, Dante had known the truth. Or Daniel. Who was he really?
A chill skated down her spine. He looked at her with so much love and devotion, yet he allowed her to suffer. He never trusted her with the truth. And all the time Daniel came into her office, offering friendship and support, he'd known everything about her. Had the power to promote her. Had she fought this hard to achieve partnership for nothing? Was he always going to promote her no matter what choices she made, because he had strong feelings? Her brain ached and she desperately tried to sift through her thoughts.