Free His Desire, Her Surrender by Malia Mallory

turned to the milling crowd. "Did anyone catch the license plate or the make or model of the car?"
    Tabitha shook as reaction set in. Her arm throbbed.
    Marcus took her hand. "We're going back inside. The police can find us there." He guided her toward the building.
    Tabitha touched her arm. Her fingertips came away smeared with blood. "Marcus, I'm bleeding." The quaver in her voice matched her trembling.
    Marcus examined her arm. "Damn. It's all right. You're fine. You'll be fine." Marcus seemed to be reassuring himself as much as her. He massaged her shoulders as they returned inside. They took seats in the lobby and someone brought Tabitha a hot drink and an ice pack for her arm. She nursed the beverage, trying to get warm.
    Everything became a confusing blur. A police officer arrived, and they both gave statements. The officer questioned Marcus extensively. Before she knew it, Marcus bundled Tabitha into the car and they were on their way to his apartment.
    As they rode up in the elevator, Tabitha's mind began to clear. "Marcus…."
    "Yes?"
    "Marcus, the officer asked an awful lot of questions. He didn't sound like he thought it was an accident." Suspicion clouded her mind.
    "Of course it was an accident, Tabitha. Somebody foolishly had too much to drink or lost control of his car."
    Tabitha's eyes narrowed. "Marcus, I'm not an idiot. If that was his working theory, why does he ask all those questions about your business and your associates?"
    Marcus made a dismissive gesture. "It's standard procedure. He has to cover all the bases."
    Tabitha pressed on. "Is there any possibility it was someone you know?"
    Marcus appeared to consider her question. "I have certainly pissed a few people off. However, I don't think any of them want to kill me."
    Tabitha examined Marcus's face and for the first time, she sensed he wasn't being completely truthful with her. "What are you not telling me?"
    Marcus shook his head. "Tabitha…."
    Tabitha held up her hand. "Marcus. Stop right there. What are you not telling me?"
    The elevator doors opened, and Marcus guided her into the apartment. "There've been a few strange phone calls."
    Tabitha turned toward Marcus. "What? Did you tell the officer?"
    "He already knew."
    Tabitha's lips thinned to an unhappy line. "Why didn't you tell me?"
    Marcus shrugged. "It didn't occur to me. It was nothing. Things like that happen all the time. Disgruntled workers. Unhappy competitors."
    Tabitha squeezed his arm. "You have to take that stuff seriously."
    Marcus grasped her hands in his. "We do. Security investigates all of it, and the police notified when necessary. Most of the time, nothing comes of it."
    Tabitha's calm crumbled. "Marcus, someone tried to kill you." Visions of his mangled body crept into her mind and she struggled to push them out.
    Marcus shook his head. "We don't know that. It could've been an accident."
    Her voice rose as her distress increased. "Do you believe that?"
    "In this instance, I'm not sure. If someone meant to scare me, they certainly succeeded." Marcus enfolded Tabitha in his arms. "I was terrified when I thought you might be injured or worse."
    "I know. The thought that something might happen to you…." She buried her face in his chest.
    Marcus stroked her hair. "Shhh. It's okay. We're both okay."
    Tabitha lifted her head. "Marcus, do you think this has anything to do with this merger situation?"
    Marcus shook his head. "I don't see how. Harming me doesn't aid the takeover."
    "Doesn't it? Without you leading the opposition, maybe it would be easier."
    "These guys fight their brawls in the boardroom, not the street."
    Tabitha concurred, but the feeling of unease persisted. There had been such menace in the air. If someone lost control of their car, wouldn't they have been trying to turn away instead of turning toward them? It seemed like they'd been aiming for them. No, I'm just being paranoid . Of course there's menace in the air when someone almost runs you down.
    Marcus