Read Online Dante's Marriage Pact by Day Leclaire - Free Book Online Page A

toward the appointed time they’d agreed to meet. He arrived a full fifteen minutes early. Shayla was running late. More than eight months late, as it turned out. But Draco didn’t know that then.
    After a full hour of pulverizing breadsticks, he was forced to face facts. She wasn’t coming. He threw down a wad of cash and headed for the Mark, where the snooty reservationist on duty informed him that there was no Shayla Charleston staying with them. Had never been a Shayla Charleston staying with them. And could he please step aside so that paying customers might be assisted.
    Next, Draco placed a call to Leticia Charleston, who claimed she had no knowledge of her granddaughter’s whereabouts and no, she couldn’t be bothered to pass on a message. She ended the conversation by informing him that any further contact should be through her attorney…unless,of course, the Dantes were no longer interested in leasing her mines.
    Draco’s final call was to Juice, a former associate of his brother, Luc. Juice specialized in background checks, finding what others didn’t want found, and all things stored in cyberspace. “I have a job for you,” Draco informed him the instant the call went through.
    â€œWhat is it with you Dantes?” Juice’s deep bass voice rumbled in his ear. “You don’t know how to say, ‘Hello’? Even a quick, ‘How ya doin’?’ But, no. It’s always, ‘I need some info and I need it yesterday.’ First your brother, Rafe, hits me up last night, now you tonight.”
    Draco fought for patience. “Hello. How ya doin’? I need some info and I need it yesterday. I want you to dig up everything you can on a Shayla Charleston. Then I want you to find her for me.”
    â€œI’m not sure I like the way you say ‘find her,’ my man.”
    It had been an endless night and Draco’s control finally snapped. “What’s the way I said it have to do with anything?” he snarled.
    â€œThat depends. First, you best remember you’re the one asking for a favor.” He let that sink in.
    Draco swore. “I’m sorry, Juice. She’s…” She’s what? His Inferno mate? Apparently not since she’d walked away from what they’d had. “She’s important.”
    â€œInferno, important?”
    Draco didn’t bother to deny it. “Yeah.”
    â€œWell, okay then. That brings us to my second question. What happens to the girl once I track her down?”
    Hell. “Either I put a wedding ring on her finger or she’s going to wish we’d never met.”
    â€œHuh. Sounds to me like you’re tempted to do both.”
    â€œThat’s a distinct possibility,” Draco growled.
    â€œI’ll have her for you within the week,” Juice promised.
    â€œBut if you don’t mind me saying, I suggest you seriously consider pursuing option one, rather than option two.”
    Draco glared down at the phone. “And why is that?”
    â€œBecause you and I would have to have a serious conversation if you decide on option two. And trust me, you don’t want that to happen.”
    With that, the phone went dead. Draco closed his eyes and swore again, more virulently this time. He’d never hurt Shayla, not when he was honor-bound to protect her. She was his mate. He was worried. Concerned. He needed to find her, discover why she’d stood him up. Was it because of her grandmother? Because he was a Dante? Or something else…something worse? Until he found her, he’d never know.
    But all the while, Lazz’s question ran through his mind like a broken recording. How do you know she didn’t seduce you as part of her grandmother’s plan? Draco shook his head. No. It couldn’t have been a setup. She didn’t know who he was when they’d met. The others, sure. But not him. His name hadn’t been on the list.