THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

one shot at beating this problem and remaining free, and it didn’t include local law enforcement.
    Besides, with her luck, Mason would bail her out so that she’d land right back where she’d been up until two days ago.
    Telling Zane anything would put him at risk, as well.
    She gave him the only truth she could. “I can take care of myself. You’re better off not being involved.”
    His black brows furrowed. “Why?” 
    “Even if you knew, you couldn’t help me.”
    He frowned, gears grinding behind those dark eyes. “Look, if this guy chasing you is an obsessive – and abusive – male, there are laws that will protect you.”
    “The police won’t take my side.”
    That made him pause. His expression shuttered.
    She’d made a mistake just then.
    “Why?” he pressed. “If you’ve broken the law, turning yourself in would be better than being caught.”
    She bristled. Had he found the coins?
    No, she didn’t think so. If he had, he’d probably be calling the police right now. Still, he was beginning to remind her of the DA who’d railroaded her into jail seven years ago.
    When she didn’t reply, Zane kept prodding. “How much trouble are you in?”  
    Wasn’t it just like an arrogant man to make assumptions with no possibility for an “in between”?
    Either she was a hunted girlfriend or a criminal.
    Lack of rest and little food fueled her already testy mood and punched her frustration level to its top limit. A wise woman would calm down and sweet talk Zane, but she was sick to death of men either lying to her or assuming she’d committed a crime.
    Snatching her hands away, she shoved them defiantly on her hips and leaned toward him. “If you don’t know my story, that makes me a criminal?”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “What are you saying? I admit I broke the law, but only when I stowed away on your airplane. I’m tired and out of patience. Just tell me. Are you going to have me arrested or not?”
    “Hold it, Angel.”  He lifted his hands in surrender. “I’m just trying to help you. Don’t blow up at me.”
    “Blow up? This is not blowing up. This is me trying to keep you out of harm’s way.” She crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall, muttering, “Raleigh’s my problem, not yours. Can’t you leave it at that?”
    Zane stepped forward and slapped his hands on the wall at each side of her head. He leaned down, eyes sparking with anger simmering just beneath the surface. “No.”
    She lost her ability to think the minute his heat surrounded her. “Why ... not?” came out murmured on a soft exhale.
    He didn’t answer at first, as though struggling to decide something. “Because I’m afraid something will happen to you.”
    “You don’t even know me.”  She hadn’t said that with any conviction.
    “I know enough.”  He lowered a hand to her neck. His fingers gently brushed the sensitive skin.
    She shivered. Licked her lips. And felt her nipples harden.
    He stilled. All sign of anger was gone, shoved aside by something far more dangerous. Desire. His nostrils flared.
    He leaned a little closer, his gaze holding hers as if some invisible power had locked their eyes together. His lips were a breath away, close enough to kiss her.
    Her next breath came out fast and raspy. She must be losing her mind, because she wanted that kiss.
    “Excuse me, Señor.”
    At hearing someone else in the room, she and Zane bumped as they jumped apart to face the open door. One step inside the room stood a handsome Latin man of average height, wearing a smart fawn-colored suit with an eggshell silk shirt open at the collar.
    His eyes twinkled when he smiled at her then he spoke to Zane. “ I am here for my shipment.”
    Zane’s dark mood flipped to jovial. “Mr. Suarez, nice to see you. We were just going over the inventory log.”
    Angel lifted an eyebrow at that blatant lie, but held her peace. She’d stowed away on the man’s plane, left him dealing with Vic, and broken into his storage room. The least she owed him was to play along.
    Lifting his shoulders in a quick shrug, Zane continued in an apologetic tone. “Only one box came through customs before I left Jacksonville.”
    Mr. Suarez’s smile fell. “But why? We discussed this before you left.”  His language switched into a rapid litany of angry Spanish.
    She stood silently while Mr. Suarez ranted that this was the third time Zane had failed to deliver, that Zane was inept and Suarez was ready to