Read Online Trust by Francine Pascal - Free Book Online Page B

there’s anything I could do . . .”
    Gaia suddenly looked up. In that instant she looked so young — so beautiful, deceptively vulnerable, lost. A girl poised on the brink of womanhood. A bud ripe for the picking. This was the most delicate and cherished time of her life. There was no way Loki would allow Ella to destroy it. He knew he had to be the one — the only one — to share it with her.
    â€œActually,” she said slowly, “maybe there is something you could do.”
    His heart leaped. “What?”
    Her clear blue eyes met his, piercing him — right to the core of his soul. “Maybe I could come live with you ,” she said. “You’re my uncle, after all.”

Seduction Spot
    POOR, IGNORANT BOY , ELLA REPEATED to herself over and over as she strode aimlessly through the frozen night. She was beginning to feel better, though. At first she’d been enraged that Sam had run off. Infuriated. But now . . . now she was glad that he knew that Gaia knew the truth about them. He deserved to know. It was only fair. Everything was out in the open. He was distraught — or at least he thought he was — but soon he would come back to her. He would see that a future without Ella meant no future at all. Once he realized that no other woman measured up to her, realized no one could satisfy him the way she did, he would come running.
    In a way she even almost admired him for trying (however futilely) to maintain some semblance of honor. At least for a little while. She would give him a day or two to come to his senses, and then she would be ready to accept his apology. Yes. Everything would work itself out. And now that Gaia had gotten a taste of Ella’s true capabilities . . . Well, there was no longer any need to worry about her .
    Somebody jostled her on the sidewalk. She stopped, scowling — then all at once she paused. Where the hell was she, anyway?
    She glanced up, checking out the street signs, soaking in the crowded and brightly lit surroundings . . . and had to laugh. She’d walked east on Grand Street — east and east, all the way to Little Italy. She hadn’t even realized it. At least she wasn’t all that far from home. George was no doubt still snoring away. God, what a life. But the agony would last for just a little while longer. Just a little while . . .
    Right now, however, she needed cigarettes. On the next corner was a deli — New York was so damn convenient, wasn’t it? She hurried across the street, then paused on the opposite corner. Her eyes narrowed. Funny: She was right across the street from Compagno’s, where she and Loki used to meet years ago. A sad nostalgia rushed over her as she stared at the restaurant, so cozy inside. Maybe her subconscious had driven her here for a taste of romance. She shivered. She hadn’t experienced romance in far too long. She breathed deeply, filling the air with a white cloud. Loki had been so charming at first, so —
    Her eyes instantly zeroed in on the unmistakable outline of a dark head, tucked away behind one of the curtained windows.
    Loki. Yes. He was here . He was with someone, too. A woman. Ella started grinding her teeth. Instinctively she fished in her purse for a tiny pair of binoculars, then ducked into the shadow of a staircase. It was Loki, all right. Her part-time lover, full-time boss. So Ella wasn’t the only one whom he tried to seduce at this place.
    Men were so frighteningly typical, weren’t they?
    She focused the lens and trained the binoculars on his dining companion.
    No. No. No . . .
    Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the cold black metal. This was impossible. Not her. Swallowing hard, Ella gazed at the two figures seated at the intimate table for two — her table, where she used to sit across from Loki . . . marveling at his beauty, his strength, his power.
    Gaia was there.
    A bloodred haze filled Ella’s brain. Without