After Midnight: (A Penguin Special from Signet Eclipse) (Killer Instincts) Read Online Free PDF Page A

head. “They struck out too. Your hubby wants us to check out the next site.”
    With a nod, she headed for the door, but Noelle’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
    “Are you cheating on Kane?”
    Shock slammed into her. She spun around to face the other woman, her jaw falling open when she realized Noelle was dead serious. Amused, even. “What? Of course not!”
    The blonde just watched her. And kept watching. Abby knew that piercing, emotionless stare scared the shit out of some people, but it had never scared her. She couldn’t quite explain it, but she understood Noelle. And she’d thought Noelle understood
her
.
    Which was why the question left her genuinely bewildered.
    “Seriously, why the hell would you say that?” she demanded.
    To her surprise, Noelle slunk over to the tattered sofa and lowered her lithe body onto it. She rested her gun on her thigh and looked over with a lazy expression. “Honey, the second I heard your voice I knew something was wrong. And when I asked how your deliciously sexy husband is doing, you got
real
quiet. Sounded to me like you were tiring of him.” She tipped her head pensively. “Though I can’t say I blame you. You know how I feel about happily ever after—it’s a nice fairytale, at least until the evil ogre shows up and slaughters everyone in the story.”
    “Trust me, I’m very familiar with your pessimism,” Abby said darkly. “But I’m not cheating on my husband.” Irritation prickled her spine. “I’m pissed and insulted you could even think that.”
    “Since when do you care what I, or anyone else, think of you?” Noelle smirked in challenge. “Are you on your period or something?”
    Anger bubbled over and came out as a roar. “No, I’m not on my fucking period!”
    “Oh, relax, honey. Fine, you’re not screwing someone on the side. My mistake.”
    Abby scowled, still floored by the accusation that had nonchalantly been tossed her way.
    Noelle rose from the couch and tucked her weapon under her waistband at the small of her back. “Well, I guess I came all this way for nothing. Or maybe not—it’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to toy with Jim. Do you still want me to stick around and help out with this kidnapping thing?”
    Abby nodded tersely.
    “And you’re sure there’s nothing you want to talk to me about?”
    The knowing glimmer in those blue eyes unnerved her, but it was the offer to talk that gave her pause. She didn’t usually confide in anyone other than Kane or Isabel, but . . . about this potential pregnancy? She was reluctant to share her fears with either of them. Isabel would be overjoyed by the prospect of a baby, and she’d encourage Abby to be happy about it too.
    Kane . . . well, he would be equally thrilled. And why shouldn’t he? He came from a perfect family, raised by parents who adored him. His early life hadn’t been tainted by violence the way hers had.
    But Noelle . . . the woman knew all about crappy childhoods. Hell, maybe she was the
perfect
person to discuss this with.
    “Do you want kids?” Abby asked.
    Noelle blinked at the sudden inquiry, then chuckled softly. “You’re pregnant.”
    “No,” she blurted out. “I mean, maybe. I don’t know.”
    Something akin to helplessness tightened her throat. Control was her middle name, and yet right now, she felt like she was freefalling without a parachute. No way of controlling where she’d land.
    “I’m late,” she admitted. “But I haven’t taken the test yet.”
    Noelle raised one light-blond eyebrow. “I’m assuming Mr. Sinclair doesn’t know?”
    “No, I haven’t told him yet. I . . . I’m . . . scared.” Confessing that was the hardest thing she’d ever done, which was damn ironic coming from a woman who could kill at the blink of an eye.
    Noelle’s reaction didn’t ease her nerves, either. The woman actually laughed, as if she found the entire situation comical.
    “Abby Sinclair, scared? Oh, honey, I trained