Read Online Veiled Threat by Alice Loweecey - Free Book Online Page A

hates me. Both sides of it want me to give in to Frank.
    “You almost done?” Frank’s voice, right outside the door.
    She opened it. “Polite humans give each other privacy in the bathroom.”
    “I wanted to apologize for not coming clean to you about the realities of kidnappings.”
    “Accepted. I will expect another apology when Katie gets home.”
    Frank made a frustrated noise, but cut it off. “If it happens, I’ll apologize. Look, will you come to my folks’ for dinner tonight?”
    “I—uh—I’ll have to make sure there’s coverage at the soup kitchen.”
    Frank made that same noise.
    “I’m not going to leave them hanging so I can go out to dinner. Let me call someone.”
    “Fine.” He loomed over her. “You’re right about one thing: I’ve been treating you like furniture. I’m … well … an a madán . Sorry. That means ‘idiot.’ I’ll work on it. Deal?”
    “Deal. Let me fix your tie. We don’t want to scandalize Sidney.”
    He raised his chin. “When she’s on her honeymoon we should do this more often.”
    She smiled. “What will the boss say?”
    “I’ll keep him out of the way.”
    Sidney returned half an hour later.
    “It’s perfect! Wait till you see it. Mom says I look just like my grandmother in it—and my grandmother was so beautiful and happy in her wedding pictures.” She tossed her coat at the coat rack and unlocked her screen. “I’m starving. Everyone talks about brides dieting for the wedding, but that’s nuts. Sure, I’m in shape, but the stress’ll make you lose three or four pounds at least. I can’t wait till it’s all over.”
    “I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful day,” Giulia said, not smiling even though she wanted to.
    “Oh, I guess, if I can remember to enjoy it instead of worrying that I’ll drop the flowers or trip over my shoes—if it were summer I swear I’d wear white flip-flops.” She unwrapped a wheat bagel and nibbled the scrambled egg and tomato sticking out of the front. “Mingmei downstairs says she has a Christmas present for you, and when can you get together?”
    “I’ll stop by tomorrow morning.” Giulia dialed another phone number and held up a “wait a sec” finger toward Sidney when it rang. “Audrey? It’s Giulia. I have a huge favor. Can you take my turn tonight? … You’re the best … Let me know when you want me to fill in … New Year’s Day? Of course I’ll take it for you … He is? That’s great … He is? Are you sure? … I’ll stop by the day after to admire the ring. Congratulations in advance …Bye. Thanks again.”
    Sidney gave Giulia a “dish it” look.
    “Frank asked me to dinner at his parents’ house tonight. I work at the Stage Door Kitchen on Tuesdays, so I had to get a sub.”
    Sidney shook a finger at her. “Dinner with the folks is one of the Three Big Signs, you know.”
    Giulia’s cheeks heated up. “I don’t know.”
    “Trust me. My aunt is like the world’s biggest matchmaker. She’s always giving us tips and rules and signs.” She drank from her spring-water bottle. “It’s about time, too. You’ve been sort of dating for what? Four months?”
    “Stop it.”
    “You’re blushing. I can see it. Hah! You think it’s about time too. Maybe Mr. D. will propose to you for Christmas.”
    “What?” Giulia stopped halfway to Frank’s door. “We aren’t anywhere near that stage, if we’ll ever be.”
    “Uh-huh.” Sidney turned her concentration to her lunch.
    Giulia knocked on Frank’s door.
    “Yeah?”
    She went in, leaving the door open. “I switched nights, so I’ll be happy to come to your parents’ house for dinner.”
    Frank grinned. “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
    “Good. I’ll have time to take out all of today’s frustrations at the gym.”
    The phone rang.
    Frank said in a low voice, “So why’d you leave the door open?”
    Giulia stuck out the tip of her tongue.
    Sidney rolled into the doorway. “Captain Reilly on line one, Mr.