Read Online Riding Steele #1 by Opal Carew - Free Book Online Page A

here?”
    â€œI don’t understand either,” said Steele. “I got the impression he’s close with Killer, and since Killer vouched for us and the guy has no other options, he was willing to take a chance. Then again, the guy could be stupid and crazy, which is why I don’t want to get too wrapped up in this mess.”
    â€œWell, I think we should do it. I’m all for having another chick around.” Shock stared at the woman’s ass. “Especially one as gorgeous as that.”
    â€œAre you tired of me already, Shock?” Raven asked.
    He grinned. “Never, babe. But access is limited with this possessive man of yours.” He nodded toward Rip.
    Steele laughed. Rip was pretty generous with his woman.
    â€œEven if we did kidnap her, which is
not
going to happen, it wouldn’t be like that,” Steele said. “She’d be under our protection.
My
protection. Right?”
    They all muttered in affirmation, but it was all for show. None of these men would force themselves on a woman. And it was moot anyway.
    He had decided to come here tonight to check out the situation, though. He could at least do that much. And keep an eye on her, from a distance, until her brother Craig got back in town.
    â€œSo, Steele, now that we’ve satisfied Killer’s friend’s request and checked that the sister’s okay,” Shock said, “how about we get on with celebrating your birthday?”
    â€œWe’ve got time for one more beer before we go meet Dom and Magic.” Steele hailed the waitress.
    *  *  *
    Laurie sat on the stool beside Donovan, tugging on the hem of the short black dress. He had sent it to her this afternoon, along with the death-defying heels, insisting she wear the outfit tonight for their six-month anniversary.
    She felt overdressed for this pub, but Donovan liked it here. It had its own microbrewery and Donovan was partial to a black lager they specialized in, as well as a stout with undertones of bitter sweet chocolate. She also suspected he liked being in a place where he and his wealth stood out from the average person.
    Donovan’s friends Joan and Henry sat across the small rectangular bar table from them.
    She hated being on display like this, and she hated feeling outside her depth with a man, but Donovan’s controlling nature kept her off-balance and unsure of herself, even though in all other areas of her life, she’d always been strong and independent.
    That’s why she’d decided that tonight she would end it. Well, she had decided that, but when he’d announced they were celebrating an anniversary, she’d decided she should wait a few days.
    He picked up his glass containing a beer as dark as cola, and finished the last of it, then pushed it aside. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her tight to his body. She tried not to cringe, but he noticed the slight tensing of her body, so he pulled her tighter.
    â€œI know it was a surprise that Joan and Henry are joining us for a drink, love, but I promise it won’t be all evening. They just wanted to toast our anniversary and wish us well. Surely you don’t mind?
    â€œNo, of course not.” She smiled at Joan. Laurie hardly knew either of them, but Henry was an old friend of Donovan’s.
    In fact, she was glad they had joined them. She didn’t really want to be alone with Donovan. Their relationship had been getting more and more out of control, as he became more demanding and … well, almost abusive.
    She knew she had to break it off, but he was … intimidating.
    A waitress arrived at the table and set flute glasses in front of each of them and a barman arrived with a bottle of champagne—Dom Pérignon, no less. He popped the cork, then filled each of their glasses.
    Donovan lifted his glass. “To a wonderful anniversary, and many more.”
    Laurie lifted her glass and clinked it against the others,