Read Online Vengeance by JL Wilson - Free Book Online

be good, I promise. Those cookies sure smell good
.
    She rubbed his head with one mittened hand as my phone rang again. "Bring your dog and I'll make a special treat." As she slipped out the door I looked outside. Mr. Taylor, a small, wizened man, stood under the light at the end of my drive. He waved and I waved in return.
    The dog scooted back inside then I closed the door. A soft voice came through my headphones. "Mr. Haidess? Nico?"
    It was Lucinda. I recognized her low, hesitant voice. Now that I had Persa in mind, I could hear the similar pitch and intonation. "Miss Delacroix?"
    Cerberus's focus shifted from the basket to me.
She's calling you? That's interesting
.
    I went to the kitchen and put the basket on the counter. "Stay away from those cookies."
    I'll try, but they smell good. The nose--
    "Cookies?" Lucinda laughed. I remembered Persa's low, chuckling laugh. I shivered at the memory. "You made cookies?"
    "No, my neighbor dropped a basket off. Cerberus is eyeing it like he hasn't had food in a week. How much food can one dog consume?"
    "Cerberus? You named him? Isn't that the dog...oh, of course. Cerberus was Hades' dog. That's perfect." She sounded delighted. "He's in your house? You fed him? That's so sweet of you."
    Ooh, good move. You'll really impress her
. The dog's snout was resting on the counter, just inches away from the basket.
Just one little bite? Please?
His entire body wiggled with his tail, which slapped the cupboards as he shook it back and forth.
    I gestured him away from the temptation and back to the living room. "Lay down on your bed. Stay away from those cookies. They'll make you sick."
    That sounds very good. Keep it up. You sound so caring
. He yawned, turned around three times then flopped down on his mat.
We could use a few more logs. Oh and don't forget to clean up that wine. I'd hate to get glass in my paws
.
    "It seemed the right thing to do," I said with what I hoped sounded like reluctant modesty. "And it's not much trouble. I have the space." I tossed a couple of logs on the fire then went into the laundry room for the dustpan and brush.
    "I called to apologize for bullying you into taking him in," she said.
    I laughed out loud. "Lucinda, I don't think you could bully anyone even if you tried."
    She was silent for a moment and I took advantage of it to sweep up the glass pieces. "Are you saying I'm a wimp?"
    I straightened up. I couldn't interpret her tone of voice. She sounded...hurt? Defensive? "Not at all." I dumped the wineglass in the trash and grabbed a dishtowel. "I'm saying you're too nice to bully someone."
    "Oh." She sighed. "I'm sorry. I had another argument with my sister and I guess that's coloring everything I hear."
    "Do you argue often?" I put the towel over the spill and watched the dark red wine absorb into the pale yellow fabric.
    "All the time."
    She sounded unconcerned by this lack of sibling harmony. "You argue? About what?" I tossed the dishtowel in the kitchen wastebasket and got out a new glass.
    "Everything. We're so different. She cares about money and I don't. She wants to go public with the company and I don't. She doesn't want us to spend time on charitable research projects and I do." Lucinda sighed again. "I suppose that's why my father made her the CEO. The company is doing great. If I were CEO, we'd probably be broke."
    "What do you mean you don't care about money?" I poured another glass of wine and sipped it, staring at the cookies in the pink and purple basket. They were Easter shapes--bunnies, chicks, lambs--and decorated with glittery sprinkles. I broke off one bunny ear outlined with pink icing. The cookie melted on my tongue, the flavors of butter and sugar sending a jolt through me, reminding me of that shock I felt when Lucinda touched my hand.
    Can I have some? You're having some. Can I have some?
    I looked down. The damn dog was right there, sniffing at the counter. "How did you get in here without me hearing you?"
    Lucinda laughed.