A Night of Southern Comfort Read Online Free PDF Page A

foolishness. He’d known from the beginning that she was out of his league, and the assumption was now confirmed. She was political royalty in this area of the country and he was the son of a small town sheriff.
    That didn’t seem to matter to his body. One look at her and he’d remembered every detail of their night together and prayed no one noticed the sudden tightness in his jeans.
    Shaking off that thought, he turned to the problem at hand. Michaela was certain her father was behind the photographs, but what if she was wrong? The governor was capable of setting his daughter up—he definitely wasn’t on the short list for father of the year—but to what end?
    He headed toward Director Burris and the governor, but his progress was blocked by Detective David Landon—Lucky, his partner and cousin—pressing a hand to his chest.
    “Where are you going?”
    Annoyed, he tried to dart around Lucky. “I want answers.”
    “Yes. No. To get to the other side.”
    “You’re a jackass.”
    “It’s one of my many charms.” Lucky’s tone was cocky but his expression showed worry. “How’s Dr. Roarke?”
    “How the hell do you think she is?” Jack turned and gripped the back of a chair instead of punching the wall. “She’s angry, embarrassed, and afraid.”
    “That’s understandable.”
    “Yeah, but she’s more afraid of her father than a possible stalker. That’s so twisted.” He hung his head while he struggled to gather his thoughts. Governor Eastland was a bastard and suspect number one on his list.
    Lucky placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice low. “So, about the pictures…”
    “What about them? Typical sicko-type stuff.”
    Raised voices caused them to turn. Director Burris and the governor stood rigid with fury and frustration. The third man, Mitchell, licked his lips in delight over the whole scene and Jack mentally moved him to the number two slot on his list of “pervs most likely.”
    “We need to find the guy in the photos.” Lucky’s voice drew his attention once again. “He might be the one behind the pictures, you know.”
    Jack stared at Lucky. He had some explaining to do. “ I’m the guy.”
    Jack almost laughed at the rare sight of Lucky Landon speechless. He shifted uncomfortably—should he tell Burris?
    “Why didn’t you say anything?” Lucky asked.
    “She told me not to.”
    “When?”
    “Earlier. When they brought out the pictures.” He saw Lucky’s confused expression and tried to put into words what had passed between them. “She told me…it was written all over her face… Shit, it’s hard to explain.” He rubbed his jaw as the uncomfortable silence stretched out.
    Lucky barely concealed his amusement. “Okay. So, now we’re reading her thoughts? What’s going on with this woman?”
    When you figure it out, let me know .
    “Cantrell. Landon. Get over here!”
    The barking voice of his former boss compelled Jack to cross the room. Burris’s face was red, arms crossed over his chest—whatever he had to say to them, he didn’t like it.
    “Cantrell. Governor Eastland still wants you to take the protection detail on Dr. Roarke.” He cleared his throat and rocked back on his heels. “I want you to know that refusing this assignment will not affect the possibility of you getting your job back at the Bureau.”
    His old boss was a terrible liar.
    “Enough of this bullshit!” Eastland slammed his fist down on the table.
    Jack stifled a perverse urge to laugh in his face. Maybe Eastland was suited for Congress; he was a pro at showboating.
    “Cantrell, this has taken too much of my time so I’m going to get to the point. You were booted out of the FBI and I don’t care.”
    His amusement died in his throat as he heard the sound of his career once again going down the toilet.
    “I wasn’t boo—” Jack said.
    “You botched the mission and got your partner killed. They let you resign but it was only to save them the paperwork for firing your