Black Ops Chronicles: Dead Run Read Online Free PDF Page A

wedding’s been canceled.” His voice held all the warmth of iron wrapped in ice. “Why wasn’t I told about this before? You know how I feel about surprises, Nicholas.”
    Oh, fuck ! When his grandfather used his full, given name it was serious.
    “I—” The saliva in Nick’s mouth had evaporated. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I didn’t want to upset you.”
    “And why did you think it would upset me?”
    Nick fought the urge to squirm as the old man leaned forward. His eyes sharp and piercing, he studied Nick like a hawk about to devour a mouse.
    “Well, I...” Nick stammered
    “You didn’t lose your temper and beat her, like you did that girl a few years ago, did you?” Jonas demanded. “I thought you’d learned your lesson from the incident with what’s-her-name.”
    “Melissa. Yes, sir, having to give up part of my trust fund to pay her a settlement was a hard lesson.” And one that still infuriated him. “But I didn’t beat Tess.”
    It was true. Sort of. A single, hard punch to the stomach—even if it had doubled her over in pain—shouldn’t really count as a beating, especially since the bitch’d had it coming. Hesitating for effect, he went with the easiest lie.
    “The truth is,” he said, careful to make eye contact, “I was, um, unfaithful, and she left me.”
    Jonas sighed and slumped back in his chair. “I’m very disappointed in you, Nick. And not only for the pain you’ve caused Tess, who has trust issues that your actions will only make worse. But—” He paused and shook an admonishing finger. “You know how the Church feels about infidelity.”
    The ruse had worked, but Nick’s initial relief faded as his grandfather’s judgmental tone ignited a spark of defiance he couldn’t hold back. “The Church ? We’re a crime family, for Christ’s sake. Don’t you think it’s a bit hypocritical to chastise me for having an affair when I wasn’t even married yet?”
    Jonas arched an eyebrow. “Our businesses may be a little...less than ethical, but as long as I’m head of this family, there are still some lines we don’t cross.” His voice, quiet and velvet soft, didn’t disguise the hardened steel behind his words. “We don’t deal drugs or hurt innocent people. Or cops,” he added, a touch of reluctance in his tone. “And when we make a promise—such as the one you made to Tess when you got engaged—we keep it.” He sighed. “This shouldn’t be news to you, young man. We’ve certainly discussed it often enough.”
    Jonas paused, studying Nick with pursed lips. “If my code of behavior doesn’t suit you, you’re welcome to go your own way. Of course, this would exclude you from receiving any money from the business end of the family, but you could always live off the income from your trust fund. Even get a job if you want. After all, that shouldn’t be too hard for a healthy, college-educated young man like you.”
    Since his convenient fib had backfired, Nick figured he’d better grovel. And fast. Before the lie caused as much trouble as the truth would.
    “I do accept your code, sir. I only slipped that one time. And I promise it won’t happen again. I’m very sorry for it. I know how much you wanted Tess to marry me and become a part of the family.”
    “She’s blood. Even if it’s distant blood, it still makes her part of this family whether she marries you or not. But I think she’d have been good for you. And besides that, I miss her.”
    Nick forced himself not to flinch as a sickening stab of fresh terror ripped through his gut. He considers her a part of the family ? Christ, this just keeps getting worse . “I miss her, too. More than I can say.” Doing his best to don a lovesick expression, he added, “I didn’t realize what a fool I’d been until she left me.”
    The look his grandfather shot him made it clear the old man considered Nick a fool most of the time.
    “Patch it up with her then,” Jonas ordered.
    “I