Read Online Explosive (The Black Opals) by Tori St. Claire - Free Book Online

in her seat. She tossed it aside with a mutter. Damn that Brice—if he didn’t stop leaving trash in her car when he drove it, she was going to hide her keys. He was lucky the gum hadn’t melted or she hadn’t sat in it.
    “The page of full disclosure, of course,” Bryer continued as if he referenced some world secret.
    “Full disclosure? I don’t follow.”
    “You tell me everything you know, everything you think you know, and every fucking thing you don’t have a clue about. Then we’re going to get together and come up with the correct documents to give the D.A.”
    Stunned, Alyssa dropped into the driver’s seat, eyes wide, jaw slack. She snapped her mouth closed and shook her head to dislodge her stationary thoughts. Oh. Hell. No. James Parker’s freedom wasn’t worth her career. She cleared her throat. “Mr. Bryer, my records are as confidential as yours. Until I have written word from James Parker, granting me permission to share his accounts, I won’t discuss them with you at all.”
    “Parker was worried you might say that. If you’ll drop by my office this afternoon, I’ll supply you with a written statement.”
    Damn. So much for getting out of this easily. She glanced around the surrounding emptiness as another shiver crawled down her spine. “No. It doesn’t work that way.”
    “I’m afraid you aren’t understanding what I’m saying, Alyssa. This isn’t a suggestion.” A hint of malice laced through his words. “My job is to protect my client. I will do so, with or without your help.”
    Her jaw dropped again. This wasn’t happening. She was not sitting in her car listening to her employer’s attorney tell her to alter financial records. Or anything remotely similar. “I will not go to jail for James Parker. Nor will I throw away my career to save his hide.”
    “Be careful, Alyssa. I’d hate to see your sense of moral obligation lead to unfortunate events.”
    The hair on the back of her neck lifted. Possessed by the unexplainable feeling she was being watched, she twisted in her seat to look at the office. Then the long manicured lawn. The thick trees beyond. Anyone could be hiding there. Watching. Waiting for the opportunity to carry out Parker’s commands, and she’d never be the wiser. Her pulse stuttered.
    “Are you threatening me, Harold?”
    He laughed again, a hearty sound that concluded with the same vile chuckling. “I am merely advising that it would be in your best interests to make sure the D.A. doesn’t get his hands on those files.”
    Despite the sudden shaking that invaded her limbs, she managed to keep her voice calm. “Thank you for your advice. I will certainly take it into consideration while I’m writing my letter to the Bar Association.” She keyed the ignition. With courage she didn’t feel, she added, “Don’t threaten me again, Mr. Bryer.”
    Before he could squeak out another slimy protest, Alyssa terminated the call. Her false bravado fled, and she dropped the phone into her lap, her hands now shaking. For the first time all day, she was grateful Brice had the wherewithal to have Jayce analyze their security system. It would make her feel forty times better once she knew, without question, that she and Brice were the only ones aware of the design and access codes.
    As she twisted to reverse out of her parking spot, a muscle cramped in her side. She winced, waited for the pain to pass, and exhaled long and slow. The whole day had her in knots. Wine and her bathtub wouldn’t cut through the tension that invaded her body. She needed a massage. A chance to clear her head completely.
    Alyssa picked up her phone again and dialed Brice. He answered on the second ring, “Hey, gorgeous.”
    “I’m going to the spa. Parker’s asshole attorney just called me.”
    Immediate concern filled his voice. “What happened?”
    “He threatened me, Brice. They want me to fabricate reports that won’t reflect poorly on him and hide the originals.”
    A