A Dangerous Arrangement Read Online Free PDF

playboy.’
    Heat surged in Dean’s veins and something tightened inside him. With effort, he pointed to the palace. ‘He’s the only person ever to escape from the prison cell in the basement.’
    Would the parallels he’d drawn make her nervous or uncomfortable? Would she admit to playing the violin herself? If she had nothing to hide, now would be the natural time to do so.
    She tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. ‘Is that folklore?’
    Dean shook his head. ‘It’s a fact.’
    â€˜I’ll check that with the gondolier.’ Her voice was quiet, her lips curved in an amused smile. The only sound was the swish of the oar as it cut through the water. ‘I’m not entirely sure I can trust you, Mr …’
    Rask’s face flashed in his mind like a warning, but Dean ignored it. It wasn’t in his nature to put off what he could do today, and he couldn’t take much more of this. He needed to know right now if this beautiful woman had plans to ruin him.
    â€˜Logan, Dean Logan, Ms Wentworth , and I’m certain I can’t trust you.’
    ***
    The words felt like a punch to her stomach.
    A tremor of fear slipped down her spine, then lower, turning her legs weak. This man had gone from charming to hard in an instant. And why on earth would he accuse her of being untrustworthy?
    Logan? Where had she heard that name?
    Marina stared ahead, heart crashing against her ribs, aware of the people at her back. She wasn’t about to argue with this man now. He could darn well wait until they were back on shore.
    They sat in tense silence for the twenty or so minutes it took for the gondola to reach the dock. For Marina, it could have been two hours.
    Doubts plagued her mind.
    Had she broken the terms of her contract? Her tenure was up for renewal, and the competition was fierce. For six months there’d been rumblings within the orchestra, disquiet among the traditional members that she’d ‘sold out’ and gone commercial. Should those breathing down her neck learn of her RSI, she was all but certain to lose her chair.
    And she could kiss the Stradivarius goodbye.
    â€˜How do you know my name?’ she demanded the instant they were back on the dock.
    He grabbed her arm as if he thought she might flee. ‘I’ll ask the questions.’
    Marina wrenched her arm free. ‘Take your hands off me, you goddamn son of a bitch.’
    He let her go and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. ‘I know you’re staying at the Mercurial. We can talk there.’
    â€˜I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me who you are. Are you a reporter?’
    He stared at her. ‘A reporter ? Don’t insult me.’ Dean Logan reached into his back pocket and pulled out an expensive leather wallet. He flipped it open and showed her an Australian driver’s license.
    Marina peered at the photograph, then up at his face. Despite his current pissed-off expression, the photograph didn’t do him justice.
    â€˜This means nothing to me. What do you want?’
    He leaned in close, his voice low and deep, his anger on a level par with hers. ‘Whatever bullshit story you’re trying to spin, it won’t work, sweetheart.’ He pointed to the Italian poliziotto on duty by the bridge. ‘Want me to call over that police officer, so you can tell him all about your cosy little arrangement with Victor Yu?’
    â€˜Victor?’ Marina’s head whirled. ‘What has Victor got to do with anything?’
    He didn’t elaborate, just watched her, his heated no-holds-barred gaze making her anxious, like he was waiting for her to incriminate herself, or confess.
    â€˜I’m sorry, I don’t understand what’s going on, but you said your name was Logan.’ Marina moistened her dry lips with her tongue. ‘Are you his employer, the guy who builds the boats?’
    Something in his