Read Online 9 Hell on Wheels by Sue Ann Jaffarian - Free Book Online Page A

when it’s raining. I’ll put a chair back by the window, under the overhang so I don’t get wet, and sit and listen to the waves and rain together.”
    In spite of the chill in the air, we were having a warm and fuzzy moment—something rare for us. As much as we care for and about each other, both our working relationship and personal friendship are based on a sort of antagonistic banter. Maybe almost getting beaten to death was making Steele reevaluate his life and relationships.
    “So,” he said, without turning to look at me, “did you get anything done today or were you and Jill too busy playing in my absence?” He glanced up at me. “I’ll bet you took a long lunch with Zee and sat on personal calls all day.”
    Then again, maybe the beating didn’t work magic.
    “We got everything done, Steele.” I tapped the thick folder on the table next to him. “Here you go.” I turned to leave. “Later.”
    “What’s your rush?” Swinging his legs off the chaise in a slow and deliberate movement, he grabbed a nearby sweatshirt and slipped it over his head.
    “Greg and I are meeting someone tonight.” I consulted my watch. “And you know how traffic can be this time of day.”
    Steel got to his feet but started to stagger. I dropped my tote bag to the ground and stepped in to help him, but he waved me off. “I’m fine. I just get a little woozy when I first stand.”
    “You need to see a doctor, Steele. I’m worried about that huge bruise.”
    “I have an appointment tomorrow. Besides, it’s just a couple of cracked ribs. Doc at urgent care said they’ll heal on their own if I take care of them.” He gave off a ragged laugh as he hobbled toward the door. “I’ll bet you thought if you ever saw me looking like this, it would have been you who’d inflicted the wounds.”
    “Not that I haven’t thought of it from time to time.”
    He laughed again, then grabbed his left side and went pale. I jumped to his side and helped him move indoors.
    “Actually, I always thought it would be one of the women you wined and dumped, or one of their husbands.” I paused. “It wasn’t, was it?”
    “I assure you, Grey, it wasn’t.” Once inside, I guided Steele to his recliner and helped him ease down into it. He took off his sunglasses and put them on the end table. He looked exhausted from the effort.
    Cruz came in from the kitchen and watched him settle in with a look of worry. “Would you like me to stay tonight, Mr. Steele? Because I can.”
    “No, Cruz, but thanks,” he told her. “I really appreciate you coming in extra this week. Tomorrow I have to see my doctor. Can you take me or should I call a car service?”
    “It’s not a problem,” she told him. “I’ll take you.” She grabbed her purse from the table and slipped into a light jacket. “I made you that albondigas soup you like so much. It’s in the refrigerator in plastic containers. Just microwave whatever you want when you’re ready to eat. And I cut up some fruit into very small pieces. It’s also in the fridge.”
    “Thanks. I appreciate it.” He turned on the TV and flew through the channels until he got to CNN.
    “I’ll head on out with you, Cruz,” I said, then stepped onto the terrace to grab the expanding folder and my purse.
    “Grey, can you stay a minute?” Steele requested when I returned. “I promise I won’t make you late for your appointment.”
    I hesitated, really wanting to get on the road, but he looked so pathetic. “Okay, but I can’t stay for long.”
    Cruz waved goodbye to us both and left.
    Sitting on the sofa next to his chair, where I’d been the day before, I slipped off my sweater and pulled the documents onto my lap. “I guess you want to go over some of these now.” I started pulling a couple of items out of the file.
    “No, I’ll look at those later.” He turned to me, his bruised left eye still looking pretty ugly but not quite as raw as the day before. Considering the injury to his