Crimson Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page B

back in high school, she always thought he’d move on to bigger, better things. So far, he was the home boy who stayed home and used every connection he could to get his story.
    “I could, but I’m not. You know the drill, old pal. Come by after nine and you can pick up a copy of the official release.”
    “You’re sure? Not even for an old and dear friend?”
    “Not even for an old and dear friend. I like my job, Phil, and I’d like to keep it, if you catch my drift.”
    “Well, can’t blame a guy for trying.”
    “Good night, Phil.”
    “Night, beautiful.”

    She hung up the phone, snapped off the light, and headed out the door. It was time to get out of the office before another reporter called. Didn’t anybody sleep anymore?
    Traffic was light and the night clear. Beautiful stars hung golden against the inky black sky. People could pick on Moses Lake all they wanted, but it could be a really lovely place. Especially on nights like tonight. The air was clear, the sky was magical, and, for the moment, things were peaceful.
    As she was crossing the bridge, lights flickered off the lake waters. So postcard-picturesque. The pleasant feeling lasted too, at least until she pulled into her driveway. First another vampire, then Phil, now this. God definitely wasn’t smiling on her today.
    Ivy slammed the door of her car and then stomped toward the shiny black pickup parked at her curb. “I swear to God, Jorge, if I carried a gun I’d shoot your ass right here, right now.”
    Jorge Santos stepped out of the truck and smiled. His wavy black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, the way he was well aware that Ivy liked it best. In black jeans and a white shirt, opened at the neck, he was hot and knew it. On any other woman, his Hollywood good looks would work. Jorge’s problem was, Ivy wasn’t any woman. He was just about the last person on earth she wanted to see.
    “Bonita,”
he drawled. “You would never hurt me.”
    “Try me. I wasn’t kidding the first time I told you to stay away.
    Or the third. Or the fifth.” She put a hand on his chest and pushed him toward the curb.
    Jorge put his hand over hers, his fingers softly stroking her skin. “Feel my heart beat for you, bonita?”
    Ivy snatched her hand away and took a step back. At the same time, she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and held it up for him to see. “I’m giving you exactly thirty seconds to put your ass back in that truck and get out of here. If you don’t, I’ll call the sheriff. Did I ever mention I have him on speed dial?”
    Jorge’s face darkened and his eyes narrowed. “Are you seeing him? Are you sleeping around on me?”
    Ivy struggled to hold back her fury. “Oh, for Christ’s sake, Jorge. I’m not
yours,
and Sheriff Nevell is on my speed dial because he promised to throw your skinny brown butt in jail the next time you harassed me.”
    “Harass you?” Jorge threw his hands wide. “How can your husband harass you?”
    “Ex-husband,” she said, slow and loud.
    Jorge crossed his arms over his chest and stared directly into her eyes. “I do not agree.”
    Ivy pointed a finger in his direction. “You have no choice. The decree has been signed, sealed, and delivered. Now give it up and go back to one of your
putas
.”
    She was surprised how little it hurt these days. Now instead of the stabbing pain in her heart at the mention of the women Jorge slept with, she felt weariness. Jorge was beautiful, and in bed, holy Moses, the man was incredible. Of course, if she’d given it some thought before she married him, she might have realized he was good because he’d had practice. Lots and lots of practice. Both before they were married and after. The after part, not necessarily all with Ivy either.
    Ironically, he could never see the problem. To give Jorge credit, he truly believed in the concepts of love, honor, and cherish.
    Jorge also believed screwing every female on two legs in no way conflicted with his vow to