Absolution Read Online Free PDF Page B

removed them and inhaled his scent—even
though any trace of him had disappeared long ago.
    He took the container, shooting her a curious
look. The bin was clear plastic, so he could see what she’d chosen
to keep. And he seemed to know why, too.
    “Thank you, Eva.”
    His voice cracked, bringing tears to her
eyes. Damn it, why did it have to be so hard to forget the feelings
she’d had for him?
    Because they’d never went away.
    Not meeting his gaze, she waved a hand in
front of her face. “I’ll get the stuff I need from the bathroom
while you finish up in here.”
    “Eva, please. Listen to something before we
go.”
    “No, we better hurry. I don’t want to get
shot at again. Talk later.” She chose to call her exit a nicely
timed retreat, but in all reality, calling it a coward’s run would
have been more accurate.

Chapter Four
     
     
    As Eva walked away, Joseph locked his gaze on
her swinging ass, enjoying the sight for a moment before he kicked
the bedpost. Why wouldn’t she let him explain? He’d been trying to
get through to her for six weeks, only to be detoured at every
attempt.
    Once he got her to safety, he would tell her
everything. What had happened the day he’d broken her heart. She
might not want to hear it, but she would damn well listen, even if
he had to tie her up to accomplish it. But she had been right in
one aspect. He needed to get her somewhere safe. Then, all bets
were off.
    He put the container on the bed and ripped
off the lid. His breath caught at what she’d chosen to keep. The
shirt she’d always stolen to sleep in because she liked how it
smelled like him. The jeans he’d worn every Saturday for walking
through the local farmer’s market. The sweatshirt she’d bought him
on their first vacation. The list went on and on, each item more
sentimental than the last. How had she managed to keep anything if
she’d thrown of his stuff out the window?
    Dare he hope she still had feelings for him?
She’d kicked him out and refused his calls. He hadn’t seen her
since the day he had stumbled away from her, broken and confused.
Now, he came to find she hadn’t banished him quite as completely as
she would like him to think.
    And if he stood even a one in a million
chance of having her allow him back in, he wouldn’t rest until she
damn well let him explain the truth behind what she had seen that
day. One way or the other, he would make her see reason even if he
had to tie her up to force her to listen to him.
    What the hell did he have to lose?
    Slamming the lid back on the container, he
tucked it under his arm and exited her room. After one last look at
her bed, he shut the door. He didn’t dare to retrieve the ring with
her so close. Maybe someday, if she ever let him talk, he would
return, get the diamond, and propose. If not, he could always leave
it there to rot in hell. Like him.
    Eva exited the bathroom with an overnight
bag, and when she saw him standing guard outside, she grimaced.
“Your charge is ready to leave.”
    He groaned. “I think we both know you’re more
than a mere assignment to me, Eva. So cut the drama.”
    She blushed and charged for the door, but he
caught her elbow before she could make it out. Redirecting her
behind him, he drew his gun and turned his head from left to right,
checking for any unwanted visitors lurking. Two uniformed officers
stood at the end of the hallway, and Joseph nodded at them. They
approached, and he returned his pistol to the holster on his lower
back.
    He seized Eva’s fingers. “Stay close to me,
no matter what.”
    “Okay,” she murmured.
    Her petite hand clutched his, and his heart
did an odd little flip-flop. Using his body to shield her, he
stepped out into the hallway. The hair on the back of his neck
tingled, and he threw Eva to the ground along with his belongings
and drew his gun. The officer on the right pulled his gun, aiming
at where Eva had stood mere seconds before. Rage pumped through
Joseph’s veins. The