Deadly Seduction by Cate Noble

followed by the impression of distrust. The desire to protect Max suddenly swamped her.
    She hesitated. “On or off the record, my answer is the same: incomplete data. We’ll know more when all the test results are in.”
    “A lot of people didn’t think I’d recover. And I did.”
    “You weren’t brought in with a head injury,” she reminded him.
    He narrowed his eyes, his focus suddenly intense. “I sense you’re hiding something.”
    Heat bloomed in Erin’s cheeks. “Why do you say that?”
    “I’m psychic, remember?”

Chapter 8
    Erin did remember. Dante had had several incidents of clairvoyance while hospitalized. Winchette had wanted to study the phenomenon but Dante had refused. He later claimed that seizures had ruined his so-called psychic abilities. She made a mental note to remind Dr. Winchette about that.
    “I was joking about mind reading,” Dante said. “Still, when you saw those photos, I swear you recognized something. I saw a reaction that seemed to rattle you. Was it one of the drug vials? A piece of equipment?”
    Erin struggled to keep her features blank. “You saw a purely visceral reaction. You had just described Max’s scars and then to see that chamber. It looked barbaric. I’m slightly claustrophobic, so the thought of being closed inside a machine like that gave me the creeps.”
    “Yeah. Me, too.”
    “Is that because you had seen it before?” she asked. “When you were held overseas?”
    “Not that I can recall. But there are still gaps I can’t account for. Dreams that make no sense. Part of me hopes Max will remember more. For both of us. Taz, too…whoever he is.”
    “Taz?”
    “That’s what Max called him.” Dante rubbed the back of his neck.
    Erin caught a glimpse of how tense he was. How difficult had it been for Dante to risk his own life to find Max, only to see him get shot?
    “You know I’d be glad to work with you again,” she said. “To work on closing those gaps.” Erin sensed his discomfort in talking about himself, so she changed the subject. “Do you think you’ll find your other partner? Harry? And this Dr. Rufin?”
    “Yes.”
    They grew quiet as the nurse who’d been in Max’s room approached.
    “I’m finished,” the nurse said.
    “Any change with him?” Dante asked.
    “He seems to be resting more comfortably with the new medication,” the nurse said. “And his scalp wound is closing nicely. He must heal fast. You can go back in now.”
    Inside Max’s room, Erin went directly to his bedside. Except for a neater, smaller bandage on his head, Max appeared unchanged. The relief at seeing him was tangible and eased a tension that she hadn’t realized was building in her chest.
    She spoke softly. “Max, it’s Dr. Houston. I’m here with a friend of yours, Dante Johnson. I’d like to check your pulse again.”
    His wrist felt cool beneath her fingers. His pulse wasn’t as strong as before, a reflection of the sedation, no doubt. But with a heartbeat there was hope.
    She watched his face. I’m here, Max. Please wake up.
    He didn’t.
    Come on , she silently urged. Give me a sign.
    His features remained slack.
    “Is anything wrong, Doc?” Dante had moved closer. “His pulse okay?”
    “It’s fine. I just lost count and had to start over.” Oddly she didn’t want to release Max’s arm. As if by touching him, she could make him feel better. She felt the electricity again, subtle, but there, and wondered if Max felt it, too.
    Aware that Dante watched her closely, she tucked Max’s arm beneath the sheets, straightening the blanket before stepping away.
    “His records list no family,” Erin said.
    “He has no blood relatives that I’m aware of. But there are people, friends, who care deeply.”
    She hoped he’d elaborate. Did Max have a girlfriend? Fiancée? Ex-wife? “Am I correct in assuming you and Rocco are two of those friends?”
    “Yeah. And my fiancée, Catalina Dion, is on her way here, too. She and Max