Read Online Front Page Affair by Mira Lyn Kelly - Free Book Online

It didn’t make sense.
    She rounded on him with an open-mouthed expression of disbelief and maybe something worse.
    He didn’t care. “Where’s the security intercom?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s not safe to leave your apartment and come down to check the security door. How do you even know who’s out there? Someone could be waiting in the hall for you to open the door.” She was so slight, so petite, she’d never stand a chance against an attacker. His aggravation flared.
    Crossing to the front windows, he checked the latches and tested the frame. Secure enough, but—
    â€œFor your information, Nate, I like it. It’s affordable, close to the school, the ‘L’ and the lakefront.”
    A glimpse out the window confirmed what he already suspected: a trip to the lakefront entailed taking the pedestrian underpass below Lake Shore Drive. He turned on her. “Tell me you don’t walk over there by yourself.”
    She looked as though he’d slapped her, but if she didn’t have sense enough to look out for herself, then she was going to have to put up with some pointed questions from him.
    â€œDoes Brandt even know about this?” Where the hell was her brother’s protective instinct now? Her father was gone andthat prick Clint had bailed. She needed someone looking out for her now more than ever.
    â€œYes. Brandt knows. I’ve had him to dinner once. Though, like you, he found it lacking and he prefers to take me out.”
    Found it lacking. That was for damn sure. So why hadn’t he set her up somewhere more suitable? He knew for a fact Brandt just bought some office building downtown. There was money, so why was Payton living like a pauper? Maybe dropping in on Brandt at work would shed some light on it. He could put the priority of Payton’s security into perspective for the guy.
    No, forget it. Bad idea. He’d handle the situation himself. He didn’t have time to be worrying about her safety.
    â€œYou can’t live here. We’ll find another apartment this afternoon.”
    Payton’s back stiffened, and those earthy warm eyes that had been looking up at him as if he were the only man in the world mere hours ago took on a glare that said he was just another jerk. “What?”
    The decision made, he pulled his phone from his pocket to call up a realtor he knew. “Don’t worry about the rent.”
    But then Payton was in his face, her finger jabbing into his chest. “Have you lost your mind?” she snapped. “Of all the controlling, overbearing— I’m not moving out. I chose this place so I could have my independence. I love it here. ”
    He stared at her, comprehension dawning, but not quickly enough to stop the next barb. “When did you become such a damn snob, Nate?”
    So she was paying her own way. He knew all too well about independence. The need for it having driven him to finish school early while working a job at the same time. Anything to get far enough ahead he wouldn’t have to go back. But if she wasn’t safe, it wasn’t acceptable. “The intercom—”
    â€œIs being replaced on Monday. And, not that it’s any of yourbusiness, but I jog at the lakefront every morning and always carry pepper spray and an emergency air horn. The crime rate in the neighborhood is particularly low, my landlord’s security precautions are high, and I don’t appreciate your steamrolling one bit.” Her arms were crossed, her breath coming fast with her frustration. But her eyes—beneath that sparking hostility he caught the glimpse of hurt and disappointment.
    What was he doing?
    This place was important to her and he’d stormed in and treated it like garbage. What was the matter with him? He’d taken one look, decided it didn’t fit his idea of what Payton’s life should be like and flown off the handle in what he could only