Read Online Living on the Edge by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page A

to get back to work. I have a laptop at home.”
    â€œI figured. I’ll have one of my men stop by and pick it up. If you want anything else from the condo, write it down.”
    Madison held in a whoop of delight. When Tanner walked out of the kitchen, she found a pen and paper, then wrote out a quick list. She headed for the control room and hovered outside.
    â€œHere it is,” she said, holding it out for him.
    Tanner put his computer to sleep, grabbed the keys and stepped into the hallway. He took the paper and read it over, then nodded.
    â€œI’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
    He was leaving? She didn’t know if that was good or bad. “Okay.”
    â€œDon’t try to run away. Don’t try to go outside or into the control room. If you do, the alarm will be set off and I’ll be paged. You’re not going to get out of here without me, and if you try, all bets are off. Do I make myself clear?”
    As she had no intention of leaving, it was easy to agree. Five minutes later, he was gone and she was alone.
    When she heard the garage door automatically close, she walked directly to the phone and picked it up. Instead of a dial tone, she heard a computerized voice asking for her access code.
    â€œWhy am I not surprised,” Madison murmured as she made her way into the family room and picked up the remote for the television. She was well and truly Tanner’s prisoner. It seemed like a good time to check out daytime TV.
    Â 
    Tanner typed computer keys while Madison hovered impatiently in the hallway. He couldn’t see her directly, but he caught most of her movements out of the corner of his eye.
    â€œYou’re bugging me,” he told her, not looking up from his work.
    â€œCould you be slower?” she asked with obvious impatience. “How long does it take to copy a stupid disk drive?”
    â€œIt takes longer when you’re distracting me.”
    She pressed her lips together but continued her fidgety, shuffling almost dance.
    â€œI’ll have Internet access, right?” she asked. “You said I would.”
    â€œYes. High-speed and everything. Your e-mail will be monitored.”
    â€œWhatever,” she told him. “It’s just work stuff. You’re not going to find me having cybersex with anyone.”
    â€œGood to know. I was more concerned about you telling a friend you’re in hiding. You’ll have to tell themyou’re recovering from the flu at a friend’s house. Or staying out of town.”
    â€œOh. Right.” She actually stood still for a full five seconds. “You don’t want our position compromised.”
    He looked up and glared at her. “This isn’t a war movie.”
    She gave him a cheeky grin. “Maybe not, but we do have a position to compromise. Don’t worry, Captain. I’ll take the secret information to my death.”
    â€œHow much coffee have you had?”
    â€œWay too much. I was bored. I did lousy on all the game shows I watched while you were gone, but I got some great ideas for a faux finish for the kitchen walls on a decorating show. Want to hear?”
    â€œNo.”
    He stood and carried her laptop to her. She grabbed it and clutched it to her chest.
    â€œThank you, thank you, thank you,” she said happily. “I promise to be a good little computer user.” Her humor faded a little. “Christopher won’t be able to trace me back here, will he? He’s kind of a computer geek. It’s a hobby with him.”
    â€œYou’re untraceable. Even if he figures out a way to know when you’re online, any trace will turn up false addresses. As far as he and the rest of the world are concerned, this place doesn’t exist.”
    â€œGood to know. Seriously, thanks for this. I’m back in business.”
    She twirled in the hallway, then hurried to her room. Tanner watched her go. Her long hair fluttered out behind her