Shadow of My Heart - By Caryn Moya-Block Page 0,17

with it. This was her secret fantasy, a man who would know her, see her, and crave her. How could she resist him?

There is no need to resist, my love. Just enjoy the pleasure I bring you.

§

Raven could still taste Cara’s sweet lips as he entered his office at Isanti, Inc., on Monday morning. The weekend had been perfect. Leaving Cara at her apartment was one of the hardest things he had ever done. He wanted her here with him where he could touch her at any time.

Sitting at his desk, his mind was full of her. How she smiled, how soft her skin was, her sweet taste. Raven groaned as his body responded to his memories. He shifted and squirmed in his chair. He was never going to get anything done this way. Knowing she was in California while he sat in New Mexico only added to his frustration. At least, he could walk through Shadow and get to her almost instantly.

Needing to touch her, he reached for her thoughts. She was teaching multiplication tables to her class. She felt him brush her mind.

Miss me already? Her amusement was easily read through the mind link.

Always.

I’m a little busy now. Come back later.

Raven sent a wave of affection and desire flooding into her mind and felt Cara’s instant response.

Not fair, I have work to do. Go away.

Raven smiled at her gruff tone, knowing it hid a wealth of emotion behind it. His heart warmed. Cara meant everything to him. How was he going to get anything done today?

The intercom beeped, and he gratefully flipped the switch.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Darkwood, Mr. Running Bear and your brother are here to see you. May I send them in?”

“Please do, Mrs. Sloane,” he answered.

Raven looked at the door expectantly. What was up now that required a meeting? The door opened, and they walked in. Derek rubbed his hand through his dark hair and looked pensive. Raven recognized the nervous gesture. He quirked his eyebrow in question, as he looked from his brother to his best friend.

“Don’t freak out on us,” Derek began. “But, Cara is in danger.”

Chapter Five

“Explain to me how a terrorist cell has information on Cara,” Raven said, looking at Joe and Derek, sitting across from his desk. Derek sat, his head down, fiddling with the large silver hawk ring he always wore on his right index finger, while Joe looked worriedly at Derek, then at Raven.

Raven couldn’t lose Cara now. They were bonded. The Shadow Dimension had accepted her as his true mate.

“Well, from what I have been able to piece together so far, the cell bought the information from David Lear,” Joe began. “He is a nasty fellow who would sell his own grandmother. David Lear got it from Amanda Patterson. She works in accounting, the woman with the platinum hair. She occasionally stays late to sleep with Derek. I gave Derek the file on Cara's apartment to check the security for her building, like you requested. Amanda must have helped herself to the information while visiting with Derek.

Fred Black, you remember him from night security? Anyway, he thought Amanda was acting strangely and followed her into Santa Fe to a bar. He saw her sell Cara’s picture to David Lear. Fred came and told me, which got the ball rolling. Thank goodness he followed his instincts and trailed Amanda.”

“Why would she do this? Wasn't she screened before she was hired?” Raven asked.

“I just had a conversation with her,” Joe explained. “I used telepathy to read her mind. She believes she’s in love with Derek and that he was going to dump her for Cara. She sold the name to get back at him and remove the competition. That agent in Iran, turned traitor, had our brochure in his briefcase. He must know the company is somehow connected to the shutting down of the uranium flow. Faheed Adar is looking for revenge. Derek is the one in the media. His picture is flashed all the time. That’s probably how they picked him out. Cara was linked to Derek in the tabloids at the annual awards banquet.”

“Put Amanda and David Lear under surveillance. Put a security detail on Cara. Immediately,” Raven said, running his hand through his hair. This was too much. Cara was finally ready to accept his proposal and now this. She was leery of the spying his team did. She had mentioned that she didn’t want to constantly be worrying about whether he was out endangering his life. He promised