Read Online Against The Wall by Dee J. Adams - Free Book Online Page B

sign of his vulnerability came when he’d seen the blood on his side. The surprise in his eyes showed a picture of a man not so full of confidence. He may have thought himself invincible, but obviously he’d learned how wrong he’d been. The more she replayed the night’s events the more convinced she became. His expression when she’d opened her eyes in his room. His consideration of her injury…and the guilt she’d seen in his eyes, when she mentioned it. He’d taken her not because she’d seen him, but because he felt obliged to make sure she was all right. He hadn’t tied her or gagged her. Instead, he’d made a deal with her.
    Fact of the matter was that she would need him when it came to Maurice. Maurice didn’t think she’d do anything further to get the money she needed. He’d blown her off as usual. He didn’t realize how desperate she was. Idiot. But Tanner might be able to scare the money out of him. A gun should make a man do about anything to stay alive and from the way Tanner spoke, he had no qualms about killing Maurice. Which seemed fair since Maurice didn’t show any remorse when it came to “taking care of” Tanner or not helping her family. She wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t heard it for herself. Maurice was Mr. Slick. Had he always been so heartless and she’d just never seen it before? How could a man just order another man’s death?
    How could Facinetti threaten her entire family? Jess wanted to scream thinking about her parents and brothers bound and gagged, waiting to die. It made her angry enough to kill. A shiver raced down her back. Being a party to murder didn’t sit well with her no matter what the circumstances.
    But if they really did trade Maurice for her family, then Tanner wouldn’t have to murder him and what Facinetti did was his problem. At least Tanner would be clear of Maurice’s death and wouldn’t have to go back to prison. Would Tanner care who killed Maurice as long as he died?
    Was she really arguing with herself about who would kill Maurice as opposed to finding a way to keep the man alive?
    Either way, the trick was getting to Maurice. She—they—should do it tonight in case his guys woke up, escaped the wine cellar and gave him the news that Tanner had escaped. Of course, Maurice had no reason to think she and Tanner were allies. Even though she’d quit her job, she still had access to everything. Maurice wouldn’t start changing things until tomorrow at the earliest. No, the trick wasn’t how she’d get into Maurice’s penthouse on Wilshire Boulevard, the trick was getting him out, and she didn’t have much time to work with.
    After a few minutes, Jess peeked over her shoulder and watched Victor work. His body still blocked the wound, but her gaze roamed to Tanner’s very impressive chest and shoulders. She’d never seen a man as cut. Absolutely around her waist and pulluratripped. His biceps curved impressively as he clenched his fists against the pain. A handful of scars marred his chest and arms. Long slices and round puckered nicks. The man had seen pain before tonight. A layer of sweat coated his skin and he gleamed under the bright light.
    “Can’t you give him a local or something?” Jess asked. She hated pain. Hated seeing other people in pain even worse. Maurice had broken his collarbone two months ago and had been in serious pain for weeks because of an infection after surgery. Every grimace had gone straight to her heart and she’d done everything in her power to make him more comfortable. Now she wished she hadn’t been so sympathetic.
    Victor glanced over his shoulder. “I could give him some lidocaine, but I try to discourage action that lands my patients on this gurney. They tend to stay clear of stupid activity if the visit here hurts as bad or worse than the actual injury.”
    “Spoken like a man who’s never had stitches without painkillers,” Tanner muttered.
    The medic finished stitching Tanner’s side