THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

much. 
    And he couldn’t imagine life without her. Maybe she had a tainted past, but in his heart he wouldn’t accept that she was a criminal. That didn’t change the fact that he had to have answers. Now.
    Angel stepped out of the bathroom smiling, dressed in her jog bra and shorts. “I washed them out last night so I’d have clean clothes.”
    He grinned back at her until he saw the purple and black bruise on her ribcage. “If someone puts another bruise on you I’m going to make sure they don’t see their next birthday.”
    Lowering her eyes, she covered the bruise with her hand. “It’s not so bad.”
    “That’s not your fault so stop looking embarrassed.” 
    The dainty shrug she gave him said she didn’t want to talk about the abuse she’d been through.
    He’d given her all the time he could. Zane crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s time we talked about what’s going on.”
    “Don’t you want to get a shower first? Can’t we talk over breakfast?”
    No. He wanted answers, but she’d probably eaten little in the last twenty-four hours and he did need a shower. “I ordered room service.”  Zane climbed out of bed and walked over to her. “Don’t go anywhere. Promise me.”
    “I promise,” she said. “Go shower. I’ll be here when you come out.”
    Zane cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply then touched a kiss to her forehead. “Last night was terrific. We have something very special and it’s not just for one night. Understand?”
    Tears pooled in her eyes. She turned her face up to him. “ You’re terrific and last night was wonderful, but I have to take it one day at a time.”
    His stomach twisted. She still didn’t believe she would survive her ordeal. He planned to make a believer out of her. “We’ll talk. I’ll be quick so don’t answer the door to anyone. I want whoever comes in here to see me first.”
    She nodded.
    He hated to push her when her world teetered on its edge, but they weren’t leaving this room until he knew who she was, why she had the coins, and who was trying to kill her.
     
    Chapter 52
     
    CK hit the speed dial number on his cell phone, noting the time. Eight o’clock. He had two more hours. When ML answered, CK started reporting. “We found the pilot’s truck. They didn’t go back to his apartment or out to his airplane.”
    “Do you know where they are?” ML asked calmly, but only a fool would believe that Mason Lorde was not seething right now.
    “Not yet. I tagged the truck with a transmitter. We tracked it to an apartment complex, but they were gone by the time my men arrived. Could be anywhere. Hard to pry in this tight little area, but soon, very soon,” CK promised.
    “And she never said a word about the coins while you had her?”
    “No, but I didn’t use my skills since you indicated the condition you wanted to find her in.” CK could have gotten all the information ML needed if ML wasn’t such a control freak. “Got two men following the truck and his apartment is covered.”
    “Don’t take out the pilot until we have her in hand. He may either know where the coins are or we can use him to make her talk. Once I have the coins, I have plans for that pilot.”
    “I understand.”  If CK was capable of sympathy, which he wasn’t, he’d feel sorry for the pilot. ML was a twisted mother with sick ideas. CK would just pop the pilot between the eyes and be done, but that wouldn’t satisfy someone like ML.
     
    Chapter 53
     
    Angel slipped her feet into the garish sneakers the night manager had given her, surprised when they fit. She snagged another apple from the basket and munched on it then strolled over and opened the sliding glass door. Balmy morning air met her on the balcony. The clouds were dissipating, leaving a happy blue sky in their place.
    Fresh air carrying a salty flavor breezed by.
    Even with all the water around Manhattan, it never smelled like this. She didn’t want to leave.
    She didn’t want to see Zane hurt either. 
    What was she going to tell him?
    He deserved the truth after everything he’d done for her. She thought back on last night’s events. The fact that he’d located her in that warehouse was amazing. Then he’d rescued her.
    No simple task there either. He handled a gun proficiently. A lot of guys could handle a weapon, but he’d been in his element.
    She finished her second apple, feeling much improved with the simple nourishment.
    From the bathroom door, Zane