"I have not come to harm you." His voice was low, almost hypnotic.
That was it. He lured his victims into a trance with his golden eyes and honeyed voice, then before you knew it¡ª she shook her head. No, she could fight this. She would not give in.
He frowned, dark brows drawing closer together. "You are being difficult."
"You better believe it." She fumbled in her purse and whipped out her .32-caliber Beretta Tomcat. "Surprise, sucker."
No shock or fear registered on his rugged face, only a slight hint of irritation. "Madam, the weapon is unnecessary."
Oh, the safety catch. With trembling fingers, she switched it off, then pointed the gun back at his broad chest. Hopefully, he hadn't noticed her lack of expertise. She widened her stance and used both hands like she'd seen on cop shows. "I've got a full clip with your name on it, scumbag. You're going down."
Something sparked in his eyes. It should have been fear, but she could have sworn it was amusement. He stepped toward her. "Drop the gun, please. And the dramatics."
"No!" She gave him her best and meanest glare. "I'll shoot. I'll kill you."
"Easier said than done." He took another step toward her.
She raised the gun an inch. "I mean it. I don't care how incredibly handsome you are. I'll splatter you all over the room."
His dark brows rose. Now he looked surprised. Slowly, he inspected her once more, his eyes darkening to the color of hot, molten gold.
"Stop looking at me like that." Her hands trembled.
He stepped toward her again. "I will not harm you. I need your help." He lowered the handkerchief from his mouth. Red splotches stained the white cotton. Blood.
Shanna gasped. Her hands lowered. Her stomach lurched. "You.. you're bleeding."
"Put the gun down before you shoot yourself in the foot."
"No." She raised the Beretta again, and tried not to think about blood. After all, if she shot him, there'd be plenty more.
"I need your help. I lost a tooth."
"You¡ªyou're a customer?"
"Yes. Can you help me?"
"Oh, Sheesh." She dropped her gun into her purse. "Sorry about this."
"You don't normally greet your customers at gunpoint?" His eyes twinkled with more amusement.
Oh, God, he was gorgeous. Just her luck that the perfect man would waltz into her life two minutes before her death. "Look, they'll be here any second. You'd better get out of here. Fast."
His eyes narrowed. "You're in trouble?"
"Yes. And if they catch you here, they'll kill you, too. Come on." She grabbed her purse. "Let's go out the back."
"You are concerned for me?"
She glanced back. He was still hovering by the desk. "Of course. I hate to see innocent people killed."
"I am not what you would call innocent."
She snorted. "Did you come here to kill me?"
"No."
"Innocent enough for me. Come on." She headed across the examining room.