Seduced by Magic by Stephanie Julian

the owner of BD Enterprises. Actually Justin could only remember meeting the man twice—once at his final employment interview and once more during the briefing he’d received before leaving on this assignment.
    His immediate superior had given him the rundown but Bonnini had been there, sitting at the table in the conference room. He’d smiled, they exchanged pleasantries. It hadn’t struck him as odd at the time because he’d heard around the office that Bonnini had devoted too much money to the research facility to have it fail.
    Justin had never questioned Bonnini’s desire to build near here. Now he had more questions than he could possibly ask and more doubts that threatened to eat a hole in his stomach.
    49

    Stephanie Julian
    Bonnini smiled but it held no warmth. “Hand over the creature, Justin. You’ve done your job. I’ll take it from here.”
    Rage burned in his blood at Bonnini’s condescending tone. Was that bastard actually talking about Scarlata? Had he just called his beautiful Red a creature ?
    How the hell had he even known she would be here?
    To stall, Justin smiled, put on the absentminded professor look that had gotten him out of more than his share of trouble at college. He’d been an A-plus student and he had a near-genius IQ but he could play dumb better than the best actor.
    “Sir, I’m not sure I understand just what creature you’re talking about?”
    Bonnini’s smile disappeared in a blink. “Son, don’t make this any harder than it has to be. You’ve served your purpose to draw her out. The magic you two created was easy enough to detect. This situation no longer needs your involvement. You’re free to go. Just walk away, Justin.”
    And what? Leave her alone with the men with the guns? No way was he leaving her. What the hell did they want with Scarlata anyway?
    Had he actually been used as bait?
    Shit.
    He turned, slamming the door behind him and locking it. Scarlata stood in the hall, her eyes huge and sorrowful. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her along with him to the bedroom.
    “Get out the window and into the forest.” He threw open the window and pushed her toward it. “I’ll delay them here as long as I can.”
    He tried to boost her out but she wouldn’t move.
    Her tone confident, she said, “I’m in no danger from these men, Justin. It’s you they won’t hesitate to kill.”
    “So it’s all right for you to off me but not them.” Sarcasm dripped from his words.
    “That’s kind of a double standard, babe.”
    50

    Seduced by Magic
    “Justin, that’s not—”
    “We don’t have time to argue. Just—”
    Before he could finish, she put her hand over his mouth. “Come with me.”
    He smiled, having gotten exactly what he wanted. “Now that’s a plan. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
    Her glare should have made his balls shrivel. He knew she wouldn’t like being manipulated but he’d wanted her to take him with her. Had wanted her to want to take him with her.
    They were out the window when they heard the cabin door burst open with a bang.
    “Tranq the creature,” Bonnini shouted at his men. “Kill Johannson.”
    “There really is no job security anymore, is there?” He tried to make a joke as they ran for the forest but fear put a bite in his tone. “If we get separated, babe, don’t come back for me,” he said, completely serious now.
    She dragged him along, her legs flying over the ground. “Shut up, Justin, and run faster. If you let anything happen to yourself now, I’ll beat you black and blue.”
    She didn’t sound out of breath at all whereas he couldn’t seem to catch his.
    Something whizzed by his head and he realized someone had just shot at him. Glancing back, he saw the men had chased them into the forest. He tried to put on a little more speed.
    “Nice,” he sucked in air, “to know,” he had to suck in another breath, “you care.”
    He didn’t know how long they ran, could only concentrate on one thing—staying on