Read Online Lie by Night: An Out of Darkness novel (Entangled Ignite) by Cathy Marlowe - Free Book Online Page A
Book: Lie by Night: An Out of Darkness novel (Entangled Ignite) by Cathy Marlowe
Read Free Book Online
Authors: Cathy Marlowe
Ads: Link
using their friendship to gather critical information that would likely be used against Jacob, and that was betrayal enough.
As he reviewed a list of hotels and inns recommended by Weston, familiar guilt over the way Emma had discovered him with Cherise warred with his frustration over her unexpected involvement in this mess. His lips twisted. He wanted her to tell him the truth—all of it, but even if she came clean, he still couldn’t trust her completely because her loyalties lay with Jacob.
He found a couple of places they could stay in France, powered down the tablet, and slid it into a secure pouch in his duffel bag. Unable to relax, he paced, running everything he knew and everything he did not through his mind.
Emma was the unknown. His gut told him she knew more than she’d shared. On whose side of this battle did her withheld information place her?
Duped or duplicitous? Emma held answers. One way or another, he’d discover her truths.
…
Damn! The man raked his hand through his blond hair as he paced. He should never have sent the letter.
He never would have if he’d known Alistair had escaped, was once again free to stalk his prey. It was only a matter of time before the old bastard ruined the life he and his sister had so painstakingly built. Because the old man would find out about the letter, if he didn’t know already, and he’d figure out who sent it. Somehow, Alistair always knew.
Stepping onto the penthouse balcony, he clutched the rail, allowing the cold metal to cool his rampaging emotions. He’d avoided the place for months, but after Zach called, it seemed appropriate to return to the place of their last showdown with Alistair and contemplate his mistakes.
Hell, no one had been to that godforsaken island in more than a month. He’d only been trying to help. He’d never intended to put Emma in danger. But she hadn’t returned home yet, and with Alistair loose, he couldn’t search for her.
By trying to help, he’d not only tossed her straight into the fray, but imperiled himself as well.
Would there ever be a moment in his life when his timing didn’t suck?
Chapter Nine
Emma opened her eyes and blinked at the sunlight streaming through the open blinds. Cole sat at the table, fully dressed in a navy blue, linen shirt and blue jeans, a newspaper laid out before him. To the side sat a plate of half-eaten eggs.
The sun glinted off his auburn hair, intensifying the red highlights. She studied his clean-shaven jaw. In the daylight, and well rested, he looked different than he had last night. Both younger and harder, the line of his jaw more defined than it had been six months ago.
He looked her way. “Good morning.” He offered a smile that failed to reach his eyes.
She brushed a lock of hair from her face. “What time is it?”
“Almost nine. I was just about to wake you.” He gestured toward the closet. “Your clothes are back, clean and pressed and ready to wear. We can pick up something to eat on the way to the airport. We have a one-thirty flight back to Miami.”
She examined the floor, relieved to see the clutter had been removed. Unfolding her legs, she stood. Every muscle in her body protested.
Apparently, she needed to be more direct. “You’ll be here? I mean, you’re not going to just leave while I get ready?” Can I trust you?
His gaze swiveled to hers. She suspected he understood quite well what she was really asking.
They stared at each other as the seconds ticked by.
“No, I won’t leave. I’ll wait for you then we’ll head for the airport.”
“Okay.” Emma hurried into the bathroom where she indulged in a hot shower before slipping into her gloriously clean clothes. She had no makeup, no clothes besides the ones in which she’d fled the island—nothing except the moisturizer, lip balm, tooth brush, and comb Cole had thoughtfully provided last night. Luckily, her money, credit cards, and passport had been safely tucked into an interior coat
As he reviewed a list of hotels and inns recommended by Weston, familiar guilt over the way Emma had discovered him with Cherise warred with his frustration over her unexpected involvement in this mess. His lips twisted. He wanted her to tell him the truth—all of it, but even if she came clean, he still couldn’t trust her completely because her loyalties lay with Jacob.
He found a couple of places they could stay in France, powered down the tablet, and slid it into a secure pouch in his duffel bag. Unable to relax, he paced, running everything he knew and everything he did not through his mind.
Emma was the unknown. His gut told him she knew more than she’d shared. On whose side of this battle did her withheld information place her?
Duped or duplicitous? Emma held answers. One way or another, he’d discover her truths.
…
Damn! The man raked his hand through his blond hair as he paced. He should never have sent the letter.
He never would have if he’d known Alistair had escaped, was once again free to stalk his prey. It was only a matter of time before the old bastard ruined the life he and his sister had so painstakingly built. Because the old man would find out about the letter, if he didn’t know already, and he’d figure out who sent it. Somehow, Alistair always knew.
Stepping onto the penthouse balcony, he clutched the rail, allowing the cold metal to cool his rampaging emotions. He’d avoided the place for months, but after Zach called, it seemed appropriate to return to the place of their last showdown with Alistair and contemplate his mistakes.
Hell, no one had been to that godforsaken island in more than a month. He’d only been trying to help. He’d never intended to put Emma in danger. But she hadn’t returned home yet, and with Alistair loose, he couldn’t search for her.
By trying to help, he’d not only tossed her straight into the fray, but imperiled himself as well.
Would there ever be a moment in his life when his timing didn’t suck?
Chapter Nine
Emma opened her eyes and blinked at the sunlight streaming through the open blinds. Cole sat at the table, fully dressed in a navy blue, linen shirt and blue jeans, a newspaper laid out before him. To the side sat a plate of half-eaten eggs.
The sun glinted off his auburn hair, intensifying the red highlights. She studied his clean-shaven jaw. In the daylight, and well rested, he looked different than he had last night. Both younger and harder, the line of his jaw more defined than it had been six months ago.
He looked her way. “Good morning.” He offered a smile that failed to reach his eyes.
She brushed a lock of hair from her face. “What time is it?”
“Almost nine. I was just about to wake you.” He gestured toward the closet. “Your clothes are back, clean and pressed and ready to wear. We can pick up something to eat on the way to the airport. We have a one-thirty flight back to Miami.”
She examined the floor, relieved to see the clutter had been removed. Unfolding her legs, she stood. Every muscle in her body protested.
Apparently, she needed to be more direct. “You’ll be here? I mean, you’re not going to just leave while I get ready?” Can I trust you?
His gaze swiveled to hers. She suspected he understood quite well what she was really asking.
They stared at each other as the seconds ticked by.
“No, I won’t leave. I’ll wait for you then we’ll head for the airport.”
“Okay.” Emma hurried into the bathroom where she indulged in a hot shower before slipping into her gloriously clean clothes. She had no makeup, no clothes besides the ones in which she’d fled the island—nothing except the moisturizer, lip balm, tooth brush, and comb Cole had thoughtfully provided last night. Luckily, her money, credit cards, and passport had been safely tucked into an interior coat
Similar Books
