High-Stakes Affair. Gail Barrett

His sister had claimed the prince was trying to kill her, which would rule out any disease. “But I need to find out. If you help me find out what really killed her, I’ll help you look for what you need.”

      “But if they both had a disease …” Horror filled her eyes. “Oh, God. What if it’s contagious? What if we got exposed?”

      “All the more reason to work together. We both have a stake in this now.” He leaned forward and extended his hand. “So what do you say? Do we have a deal?”

      “I don’t know.” She scrubbed her face with her hands, then sighed. “Yes. All right. It’s a deal.”

      “Good.” His hand closed over hers. The soft feel of her skin jolted through him, electrifying his pulse. And a sudden sliver of warning crept through his mind.

      He had to be careful. Paloma was dangerous. There was something different about this woman, something about her that threatened to creep beneath his defenses….

      No mercy, he reminded himself firmly.

      But he’d better keep his wits about him if he hoped to survive.