Read Online Played by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online Page B

couldn’t figure something or someone out, and Christina fit that bill. She’d told him just enough to tease him into wanting to know more. Her actions over the past eight hours intrigued him. She’d gotten his attention. And he wasn’t just interested; he was attracted to her, a complication he did not need.
    He hadn’t wanted to say good night to her, and if he were honest with himself, he’d wanted to do more than question her; he’d wanted to kiss her, to explore the softness of her mouth with his tongue and trace the lush curves of her body with his hands. He ruthlessly reminded himself that she might be beautiful and smart, but she was also a liar. He should have his head examined for even considering going down that road. He was obviously in desperate need of a social life, something else he’d put on hold the last few years.
    He couldn’t let himself get personally involved with Christina. If he did, he’d no doubt play right into Evan’s game. It would be just like Evan to use a woman, someone who could get to him and distract him. The last thing he needed was a distraction.
    Turning his attention to his computer, he pulled up his old pal Nick’s file. He’d compiled a chronological record of events since Evan had taken over Nick’s identity several months earlier, keeping a thorough, detailed account of everything that had transpired. As he reviewed his notes, he strained to see some clue he was missing, to find a pattern or a loophole. Nothing seemed to be related to or connected between what Evan had been doing with Nick and Kayla and what he was doing now. Yet, J.T. felt certain there was some link between that job and this one. Evan’s usual mode of operation was to disappear after a con. He never stayed in the same city. It was too risky, and probably too boring, J.T. suspected. So Evan moved on—but not this time. This time he had left behind a clue—deliberately. He’d wanted J.T. to stay close on the trail. So what was he up to now?
    The question ran around and around in J.T.’s brain, making him crazy. What was the connection?
    His gaze fixed on one word that continued to pop up in his notes— Italian. Evan’s last job had focused on several Italian families, the Riccis, the Carmellos, the Damons, and the Blandinos. Now Evan was interested in an auction featuring a diamond from yet another Italian family—the Benedettis. The Benedettis lived in Florence, as far as J.T. knew, and it was certainly a leap to think there was any connection among the families, but he hated to discount the possibility. His instincts told him there was something there, but what exactly he couldn’t say.
    His nerves tightened at the sound of someone coming down the hall. The heavy footsteps paused outside his door. He swung his legs off the bed, grabbed his gun, and got to his feet. He saw a piece of paper lying on the floor. Obviously someone had slipped it under the door. Ignoring that for the moment, he looked through the peephole. The hall was empty. He opened the door to check. No one was there. Closing the door, he picked up the paper and turned it over. There was a color photograph of Christina from the party, posed at the entrance to the gallery in her black dress, the yellow diamond gleaming against her skin. The caption read, She’s pretty, and she’s mine. You know you can’t stop me. Why do you even try?
    J.T. blew out a breath of frustration. He’d seen enough notes from Evan to recognize his handwriting and his taunts. Evan loved to make sure J.T. was paying attention. And it was clear Evan intended to use Christina. Did she know it? Was she a willing partner? Was she working to set him up? Anger raced through J.T.’s body. If she was involved, she was going to be very, very sorry.
    Debating for one long minute whether he wanted to get Christina on the phone, he decided to go another route. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the home number of his assistant, Tracy Delgado. Tracy had