Dark and Deadly 00 - Secrets Exposed Read Online Free PDF

ever.”
    So much for tact, thought Lindsey. Now he was defensive. “Wouldn’t he be far more qualified than me to fill in for you? I haven’t practiced law in years.”
      He shot her a look that would have most people squirming. For Lindsey it was just another one of his ways of intimidation that no longer affected her. “I refuse to have this conversation. Mark Reeves is out of the picture. Next question.”
      Her response was quick. She wasn’t his little yes-girl any longer. “I want to finish with this subject first. Why not ask Mark Reeves to return?”
      “Is this why you came here, to stir up a subject better left closed?” he demanded.
      “You have a lot of time invested in Mark Reeves,” she said, ignoring his question.
      He snorted. “Wasted time.”
      Lindsey eyed him intently. “He’s a good man. I need to understand what happened.”
      He waved a dismissive hand. “How would you know? You don’t even know the man.”
      She sighed. This wasn’t going to be pretty, but she might as well get all the ugly out in the open and done with at once. “I’ve met him Daddy, and I know people. He is a good guy. Besides, just his reputation alone says he is an honest, hardworking man.”
      His eyes widened. “What do you mean you have met him?”
      She shut her eyes a minute, grasping for patience before continuing, “It really isn’t relevant how I met him.” She gave him a hard stare. “Make me understand why I am here doing what he should be doing.”
      His face was pale, and his breathing rapid. “Lindsey, enough. We concluded our relationship on a sour note—the end. If you’re such a damn good judge of character, stop blaming yourself for Hudson, and do what you’re supposed to do. Run the damn firm.”
    Lindsey flinched. That was a low blow even for him. Anything to get his way. “I’m not taking over the firm, so I suggest you reconsider your position on Mark.”
    He crossed his arms in front of his body. “You belong here. Your home is in Manhattan.”
    She shook her head and pushed to her feet. “My home is in Washington.”
    He pointed at her, anger making his ears redden. His pale face seemed more chalk-like against their brightness. “You have responsibilities here, and you need to live up to them.”
    The nurse appeared at his side. Lindsey hadn’t even noticed her approach. “Mr. Paxton, it’s not good for you to get so upset. I’m afraid we need to break this up. You need your rest.”
      Not wanting to listen to her father chastise the nurse, she spoke before he could. “Fine, I’ll leave.” Lindsey touched his shoulder, guilt over upsetting him twisting in her stomach. “Get some rest. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
    By phone, she thought, and turned and walked away before he could say another word. She couldn’t count on her control any longer. Distance. She needed distance from the suffocating pressure she was feeling.
     

 

     
     

  Chapter Three

 

     
     

     
      Her elbow hit the coffee mug, and it plunged into her lap.
    Lindsey jumped as the hot liquid splashed her skin and seeped into her dress. “Great! Just great.” She reached for a tissue in the top desk drawer. “Figures,” she mumbled grumpily. “Bad day, bad luck, bad everything.”
    She blotted at the moisture on the silky material for a moment and then dropped her elbows to her desk, letting her face fall into her hands. She needed a minute. It had been a long night of no sleep, her thoughts and emotions raw from her argument with her father. Sighing heavily, she yanked more napkins from the drawer and stood up. Tugging at her dress, she lifted the damp cloth away from her skin.
    “Need some help?” A deep, masculine voice came from nowhere, it seemed. Lindsey jumped yet again, one hand flying to her chest.
      She looked up to find Mark Reeves standing in the doorway. Her eyes went wide at the sight he made. Sexy, powerful, and far too attractive for