28 Seconds: A House of Valentine Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

His hands slipped back under my shirt, interlinking at my navel.
    “You still don’t remember Marco?”
    I shook my head. “I don’t think I want to either.”
    “He certainly knows you. I’ve sent him away.”
    “Because that worked so well last time?” I mumbled and could feel him tense.
    “I am sorry about that. I underestimated the situation. It won’t happen again. I’ve sent him on assignment out of state.”
    “I didn’t know, so how could you have possibly known?” I said, squeezing his hand. “I’m just still trying to shake it off. I didn’t mean to attack you.”
    “You didn’t attack me, Ariana. You said the truth. I’m just pissed at myself for it,” he grumbled.
    “What did he mean ‘littlest Valentine’?”
    “You are the youngest, I suppose.”
    A knock interrupted us but Cole made no attempt to move. He called over his shoulder, directing them to put the trays down on the table. “Food,” he explained. “You still haven’t eaten. Will you try and eat something?”
    His concern made me smile. It was something my mother would have done...although the warmth and comfort I felt in his arms was anything but motherly.
    “Is this concern for my well-being or you trying to get in my pants?”
    “Both,” he winked, “always both.”
    I moved to sit on the sofa, checking over the choices. Light things - fruit, cheese, crackers - appetizer fair. It all made my stomach wrench. I grabbed a slice of apple to nibble just to keep him from glowering at me. “I don’t have siblings, right? So it’s a weird phrase.”
    “True. Why do you ask?”
    “It felt…” I trailed off, uncertain.
    “Threatening?”
    “No...dirty.”
    “Dirty?” Cole sank into the chair beside me. “Ariana-”
    “Sorry, that sounded inane, didn’t it?”
    “No.” He shook his head, his eyes flashing. “It sounded really fucking disturbing.”
    “So what were you whispering about with those men when we got back to the house?”
    “That was a pathetic attempt to deflect.”
    “Agreed, but you are going to let me get away with it because you have something more important to talk to me about.”
    “First, I’d let you get away with almost anything. Second, it’s unnerving that you somehow know I have another topic to discuss. And third-”
    “You are afraid that Marco just became more important than you ever considered.” I tapped my head. “Observant. Is that a Valentine trait? Because my mother was totally not observant.”
    “Yes, it is. Nothing gets by your father. Ever . Are you going to eat that or simply chew on it until I leave?”
    “Neither,” I grumbled and tossed it back on the tray. “So what do you need to tell me?”
    He settled back in the chair. “As a biochem major, you know about Valentine Pharmaceuticals. I’ll guess you also know the rumors about the darker side of the company as well.”
    “I think we’ve established the rumors to be true.”
    “Not where I was headed with this conversation but yes, I suppose we have confirmed that for you as well.”
    “So where are we headed with this conversation?”
    “Tony, the big guy? He’s a former marine. He was stationed overseas during the Gulf War, serving more tours than any man should and his demons followed him home. He became addicted to a wide variety of substances. Except alcohol. No idea why that escaped his resume.”
    “Even the president drinks. Alcohol allows the illusion of control and stability...two things no true addict cares about.”
    “That is an excellent theory. Brilliant actually.” He frowned as if it hadn’t occurred to him. “Whatever the case, he’s clean now and one of our top employees.”
    “Yes, I noticed you keep him close. I’m still not following.”
    “His specialty, so to speak, is drug interactions. How they combine and cause either positive or negative affects to the user and...I’d like him to take a look at you.”
    “Pardon?”
    “Your reaction isn’t normal. It’s