Read Online Bad by Francine Pascal - Free Book Online

heart stirred. There was something about her that reminded him of Katia ... probably her dark hair and chocolate eyes.
    He swallowed. There were moments when he could conjure his late wife in his mind so clearly that he could smell her perfume and taste her lips. But he had to ignore those feelings. They interfered with his objective. If he let emotion and anger cloud his decisionmaking, he would go the path of Loki. He would let darkness and evil rule his life. None of Loki’s sick obsessions would ever control Tom....
    He tore his eyes from the nurse and stared down at the cold tile floor. He had to get out of this place. He had to protect Gaia from whatever atrocity Loki had in store. The bullet wound to his shoulder had kept him out of commission for long enough.
    â€œStay safe,” the nurse said as she turned to leave the room.
    Tom nodded gravely. “I will.”
    The moment she left, a doctor in a lab coat appeared—one Tom hadn’t seen before. He was short and thin, like all his other doctors. Pale, too. They all looked vaguely like moles. But in a way, that made sense. This facility was several floors underground.
    â€œI’m getting out of here today,” Tom announced before the man could speak. It was a statement, not a question.
    The doctor nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m releasing you. But you have to rest—”
    â€œI understand,” Tom interrupted, but his tone was soft.
    The doctor managed a half smile. “Your wound has healed relatively quickly. But I’m worried about your blood pressure. It’s getting up there.”
    Tom bit his lip. As much as he wanted to ignore the warning, he knew he had to be careful. His droppingdead wouldn’t do Gaia any good. He took a bottle of blood pressure medication from the doctor as he slipped off the gurney.
One pill. Twice daily.
    â€œBe careful out there, Tom. I mean it.”
    â€œI will,” Tom murmured. He didn’t
feel
very bad. In fact, he felt heathy. It was good to stand. He’d been sedentary for far too long. He shoved the pills into his pocket, then extended a hand toward the doctor. But the cell phone in his other pocket rang before the man could shake it.
    The two exchanged an understanding smile.
    â€œDuty calls—if you’ll excuse me,” Tom said.
    The doctor left the room without a word, closing the door behind him.
    Tom pushed the talk button on his cell phone. “Yes.”
    â€œHow are you feeling, Tom?” The voice was familiar. Tom wasn’t surprised the call was coming now. The higher-ups had probably known the instant his release form had been signed.
    â€œI’m fine.” Tom knew better than to request a few more days off. Agents didn’t ask favors—they obeyed orders.
    â€œGood. You’ll prepare to leave the country. Something has developed—something of a very serious nature. We can’t discuss it any further at this time.”
    â€œYes, sir.” For the first time in his career Tom felt like making an obscene gesture at the telephone. Onlythe fact that he was positive a dozen hidden cameras were watching his every move kept him from doing so. These people had no compassion. No core of understanding. Tom had served his country for over thirty years. He was at the top of his field. He was “Enigma,” the world’s leading antiterrorist operative. He had sacrificed everything for them. His family. His
life.
His daughter was in danger, and Loki was going to—
    â€œThis situation is going to require your full attention. You do understand that?”
    Tom’s jaw tightened. “Yes, sir.”
    â€œYou have been shirking your duties for months now, Tom. Don’t let us down again.”
    There was a click, and the line went dead. Strangely he felt no fear, even though his life had plainly been threatened. He was beyond fear. He’d accomplish their mission, whatever it was. But his priority was