Read Online Lucky Fall by Mk Schiller - Free Book Online Page A

said, handing me the flashlight. I took it then yelped in surprise when he picked me up and walked me out of the door.
    “Where are you taking me?”
    “To the limo. Your apartment is off limits.”
    I was completely at ease in his arms. He didn’t strain against my weight even when carrying me down the stairs. He walked me straight to the limo, where he set me inside. “Where are you burned?”
    I showed him my forearm then pointed to the space on my back and the one at my neck. He scooted in beside me, taking a first aid kit out of an overhead compartment. He was quiet while he got out the salve and applied it to every area.
    “Stay here, I’ll be right back,” he said when he was done.
    I nodded. He looked at me for a while then crushed his lips against mine. It wasn’t a gesture of passion, but one of need and relief.
    “I don’t have any shoes on.” I said, holding up my naked feet.
    “I’ll take care of it,” he said, before pressing another kiss to my forehead. He turned my face so it met his. “I’ll take care of you, Julianne.” There was something strange in the way he was acting. What happened was so dumb it was funny, but Victor was as pale and upset as if he’d seen a ghost.
    I sat in the limo watching him and Robbins exchange Rusty’s leash while each man went up to the apartment separately. I could hear Victor yelling at someone on the phone—he sounded so enraged I shivered. Once he’d hung up, he opened the limo door to let Rusty inside. The dog jumped on my lap right away and licked my face. I petted him, noticing the other lights in the building were still on. At least I hadn’t caused a major power outage.
    “Rusty’s going to sit up front with Robbins. You don’t mind do you, Robbins?” Victor was already taking Rusty’s leash though.
    “No, sir, Master Rusty and I have become fast friends,” Robbins replied. “As long as I can drive the speed limit this time.”
    “Yes, Robbins, the emergency is over.” Victor slid in next to me then took my hand and kissed every finger. He pressed a button on his side, closing the window between Robbins and Rusty and us.
    “Are we going to the hotel?” I asked as he clasped my waist and placed me on his lap.
    “No, we’re going to my house in Connecticut.”
    “I can’t. I have to work tomorrow.”
    He brought his face close to mine so our mouths were hovering over each other. “I went to Libby’s apartment and explained what happened. She’s going to open the store for you. You and Rusty are coming home with me. No arguments.”
    I couldn’t believe he had thought of that. “Who were you yelling at?”
    He gave me a puzzled stare.
    “I heard you yelling.”
    “Your landlord. Your apartment’s electrical wiring is not up to code. I let him know I will not stand for it. He put you in danger, and he’s lucky that I’m using my financial resources and not my physical ones to make him see the error of his ways. He’s sending out some workmen in the morning, and I’ve already contacted the fire marshal, who will be doing an inspection tomorrow afternoon.”
    My mouth gaped open. “Victor, you didn’t have to go all that trouble.”
    He arched his eyebrows as his face tightened with anger. “Trouble? You think taking care of you is trouble for me? I was going fucking crazy driving to your house.”
    I winced at his response, and he immediately looked contrite, brushing my hair back.
    “Julianne, you have to look at this from my perspective. We were having a normal conversation and then you screamed and the phone went dead. I was imagining every possible scenario and none of them were good. I love Rusty but we both know he’s more lap dog than a protector.”
    That was true. The bloodhound loved me, but he was scared of his own shadow.
    “It was just a silly accident.”
    Victor took a deep breath, and his body started to loosen as his arms tightened around me. “That’s true, but it could have been much worse, although