Read Online Devil's Gold by Julie Korzenko - Free Book Online

out of her face, her hands shaking from the force of her attack against the punching bag.
    A towel flew through the air, falling against the back of her neck and draping over her left shoulder. Gripping the edge of the rough cotton she wiped it against her face, inhaling the familiar scent of detergent and antiseptic.
    â€œNice workout, Cass. What crime did that poor bag commit?”
    Cassidy struggled for air. Lifting her chin, she gazed to the side and grinned at the man standing beside her. He lounged against the wall, arms crossed over his chest as if he didn’t have a care in the world. She narrowed her eyes and focused, reading him like only a best friend could. His wild mop of brown hair fringed light green eyes that were clouded with concern and his rakish smile that never failed to make her grin wasn’t as wide or lighthearted as usual.
    Steve Pullen unfolded his arms and held them open. She didn’t hesitate and flung herself at him, needing the embrace of the only person on the planet who loved her. “Hey, stranger. It’s nice to see your ugly face.” Cassidy rested her head against his chest and allowed herself a brief second of feeling safe.
    Steve kissed her forehead and patted her back. “Right back atcha, kiddo. What’s cooking?”
    She stepped back and allowed Steve to guide her off the mats and toward the doors that led into the changing rooms. Cassidy scanned the room, searching… dissecting. The walls flickered with the shimmering reflection of the lap pool that spanned the entire back of the athletic center. Was it possible that the hulk-like man eating up the water with long, steady strokes was Black Stripe? A pounding noise echoed from above, and her gaze traveled upward. Three women ran around the suspended track, their steps in unison, their breathing unchallenged.
What about them?
    â€œEarth to Cassidy.”
    She felt Steve’s elbow nudge her stomach and snapped out of her scrutiny. “Just releasing some pent up anger.”
    Steve punched her shoulder, then pulled her tight against his chest. “Missed ya. I can make it to the top of mini-Everest in less than sixty seconds.” He motioned to the tallest and most vertically challenging of the four climbing walls that jutted out from the far left wall.
    â€œYeah? Prove it.”
    He sighed and cocked his head. “Not this time, sugar. God would like a moment of your time.”
    â€œIs it Friday already?” Cassidy asked, allowing a playful pout to mar her face.
    Steve grinned and shoved her toward the door marked for women. “No. But I think the circumstances surrounding your hasty retreat from Africa moved your briefing up just a tad.”
    Anger flushed her face. “If you only knew…” Her voice caught, and she swallowed. Her emotions were still too raw and unstable. “Any contact from Charles and David?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    Cassidy narrowed her eyes, a flash of uncertainty triggering distrust in her friend.
Could Steve be Black Stripe?
She sighed and moved past the unaccustomed emotion but not before Steve noted the expression on her face.
    He reached out a hand and rubbed her shoulder. “I’m on your side, remember?”
    She tipped her head back and closed her eyes tightly. When she refocused on Steve, she smiled, trying to alleviate the concern from his face. “I’m okay. Just tired. So tired.”
    â€œRun away with me, then.”
    Cassidy winked, enjoying the familiarity of their old game. “To where?”
    Steve frowned, pretending to think hard on his answer. “Iowa.”
    Laughter bubbled up and burst from her lips, freeing her mind temporarily of the burden of memory. “Now that’s a new one. And what will we do in Iowa?”
    â€œFarm and raise a family.”
    Cassidy snickered. “The family thing might be a bit hard seeing as there’s not an ounce of attraction between us. But I’m game