Bad Men - Piper Stone Page 0,60
to do.”
“Don’t go. Just stay with me. We can have a good life.”
“They’re counting on me,” I said quietly. There was no right thing to say. “It’s my job.”
“So you’ve said.” She turned away from me, shaking her head. “If you walk out that door now, don’t come back.”
“Teresa. Try and understand.”
“No. You won’t tell me who you are or what you really do. You don’t trust me enough. While I enjoyed what we shared, I never want to see you again.”
“You don’t mean that.”
She turned her head, her eyes cold and black. “Yes, I do. In fact, I hate you.”
I gulped the rest of the tequila, prepared to get another shot. Anger boiled within me, bitter and vile. I’d allowed my guard to fall. I’d cared for someone when we were warned never to get involved. I’d broken my own rules, not those of the Specialists. She hadn’t been a client, but she’d stolen my heart, allowing me to get careless.
Leaning forward, I moved the glass from hand to hand, trying desperately to shove the memory aside. I couldn’t handle the rest of the last words I’d ever heard her speak.
Sighing, I realized I’d been sitting in the same place for an hour. I’d heard nothing from the other rooms, the quiet far too jarring. Placing the glass on the window ledge, I kept the gun in my hand as I moved down the darkened hallway, able to see light from under the bathroom door. I pressed my hand against it, listening for any sounds, my nerves on edge.
There was something wrong.
Hissing, I opened the door, my heart racing. If something had happened to Lindsey, I would never forgive myself. The sight of her naked body in the tub of water, her long red hair splayed out along the back instantly paralyzed me. In my mind, I could see strings of blood flowing in the water, her lifeless body floating.
No. No.
My throat clamping down, I blinked several times in an effort to breathe. When my vision cleared, I took gasping breaths, the sound jarring her.
“Jack. What’s wrong?” Lindsey covered her breasts as she sat up, her eyes wide with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry,” I said, instantly turning away. “I thought I heard something. Are you all right?”
“I’m taking too long.”
“No!” I snapped, still trying to catch my breath. “As long as you’re fine. Enjoy.”
As I walked out the door, I heard her calling my name again. While I wanted so desperately to gather her into my arms, to share a night of passion, I had the final reminder that I’d crossed a line that could never be crossed again.
Because if I did, I knew in my heart she would be murdered.
Chapter 11
Lindsey
Damaged.
There was no longer any doubt that the burly Marine turned mercenary turned… I wasn’t even certain what to call him any longer, had experienced terrible things. I also knew Jack wasn’t the kind of man to share any of his traumas with anyone. He was far too closed off, untrusting.
But I’d seen the look on his face after walking into the bathroom. It was as if he’d seen a ghost. I shuddered as I wrapped the thin towel around me, wanting to say something to calm his nerves or his anger. What the hell was I supposed to say? The truth was I hated him, although there was a fine line between lust and loathing.
Love and hate.
“Get a grip, Doctor. You’re never going to fall in love.” As if saying the words out loud would make certain they occurred. I’d thought of nothing but the caustic words he’d shared, the accusations about my father as well as Michael. A part of me wanted to trust them enough to share the conversation I’d had with the bastard before I left, but what would it matter? Michael had nothing to do with this. That left my father.
Had I suspected he hadn’t been the fastidious and highly respectable man he portrayed himself to be? Absolutely. I’d even known of at least two women he’d been involved with, although the relationships hadn’t been long-lasting. While that made me hate him, that didn’t make him an evil man.
The only thing that bothered me was the questionable late night phone calls and his nervous actions the few times I’d visited them during the past few months before I’d left for Brazil. If only I’d paid more attention. My head ached at the thought.
I rolled my eyes and shifted in front of the