Read Online The Fall of Rome by Beth Ciotta - Free Book Online

the pleasures of the flesh. It hadn’t been enough. She was mature enough now to know it would have never been enough.
    After six long, painful years, she could finally chalk Rome Garrett up to her favorite mistake. She could let go of fairy-tale expectations. As long as she kept their physical interaction to a minimum, as long as she retained control of her sexual urges, her heart was safe. All that was left was to banish Brady from her life and the lives of his future victims. Her determination tripled. The sooner they trapped the man, the sooner she could embrace Frankie and a new life. The sooner she could shed the somber persona of Jane Murdock and the baggage of Kat Simmons.
    She curled her fingers into her palms, her pulse skipping with anxious hope. “I’m almost free.”
     
    Kat sat down to dinner with a hopeful heart, a nervous stomach, and three handsome men. In her younger days she’d been wined and dined plenty. Her social-bug daddy had trained her in the art of conversation while teaching her the finer techniques of gambling. As a result, she felt comfortable socializing with two or twenty people. Men or women. Given her daddy’s profession, which eventually became her own, she had generally found herself surrounded by gentlemen--the term in some circumstances applied loosely.
    As far as social gatherings went, tonight was not unlike any of a hundred nights she’d experienced in her twenty-four years. Trouble was, she’d spent every night of the past two years taking dinner dressed down. It had been a long time since she’d gussied up in feminine finery. She felt out of sorts. Not Kat Simmons--cardsharp. Not Jane Murdock--saloon owner. Someone undefined.
    Athens had requested they leave off talk of Brady until Maderia had retired to the caretaker’s adobe with her husband. Presently, the woman shuffled back and forth between the kitchen and dining area, intent on serving her guests an array of dishes. Spicy scents from the ethnic food and the amber lighting from assorted candelabra created a pleasing atmosphere. Athens and Seth accepted glasses of wine while Kat opted for coffee. She was surprised when Rome followed her lead. She easily recollected his fondness for liquor.
    After acknowledging the delicious fare and toasting their absent host’s nuptials, Seth waded into personal waters. “So, Miss Simmons. When did you first meet Golden Boy over there?”
    She imagined the nickname vexed Rome and couldn’t help smiling. “Six years ago.”
    “Five years and ten months,” Rome corrected.
    “Not that you’re counting,” Athens said.
    “Got a mind for dates, is all.”
    His tone was matter-of-fact, but that he’d recalled their acquaintance so accurately troubled Kat.
    “Where’d you meet?” Seth asked, pushing her past the uncomfortable moment.
    “The Gilded Garrett. In addition to featuring premium theatrical performances, I heard some of San Francisco’s finest card players frequented the Gilded.”
    “So you met Rome at the tables?” Seth asked between bites.
    “Under the table,” Rome said.
    “I dropped a coin and it rolled under a faro table,” Kat clarified. “Thinking back, I’m sure I looked the fool scrambling to retrieve it while dressed in layers of fine satin.”
    “Must have been a coin of great value,” Athens said, forking shredded pork and peppers.
    “Only if you’re superstitious.” Kat drank coffee to dissolve the sudden lump in her throat. “My father gave it to me for luck.”
    Seth glanced at Rome, then back to her. “Let me guess. Rome was at that table, and when you crawled under, he was already there, coin in hand.”
    “Always coming to a lady’s aid,” Athens said.
    “A habit I’m trying to break,” Rome said, finishing off his steaming rice and beans. “Tends to end in misery. Mine.”
    Kat waited for a spiteful glare, but instead he smiled into his coffee. Laughing at his own misfortune? A glimpse of his old sense of humor? One of the