Dark to Mortal Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page A

His father, Chauncey Addison,had carved this business from the ground; his mother, Virginia, had fought to maintain it; and Marsh had acquired it like a mandate from the grave. Transformed it into a viable business too—with a lot of sweat and panache, thank you very much.
    “I need some time to think,” Kara said. “Without all the trappings.”
    “Whatever works.”
    “Marsh,” she spoke in a quavering voice, “do you suppose there’s a reason they call them
trappings?
” She did an about-face and took one limping step.
    “Wait.” He set a hand on her arm, combed a golden strand from her shoulder. She teetered on high heels and turned back. He touched her teardrop-diamond earrings—another of his gifts. Or didn’t they count for anything? “Kara, I’m not trying to sound harsh. You’re working through a lot of emotions, I know that, but I’m not sure you’ve weighed the consequences. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
    “It’s what she wants, Marshall. It’s what I want.” She brushed the lapel of his jacket. “Please, darling, I can’t turn her down. What kind of mother would that make me? It’s been three weeks since Josee first called … my daughter, my
baby
. Every hour of every day I’ve had her running through my thoughts. She’s gone to the trouble of tracking us down, and as her parents, we at least owe her an explanation.”
    “Her parents?” Marsh huffed as residual doubts gripped him.
    “Darling, when will you believe me that I—”
    “Listen.” He mounted the brick steps. “You just do what you have to do, okay?”
    When she rejoined him at the dining table, neither said a word. Marsh admired the way her disheveled hair framed her petite face and downturned caramel eyes. After all this time, still so attractive. Still so hard to read. True, he knew a few of her secrets, but perhaps his attempts to forget them had blinded him to her current state.
    Of course, his family bore secrets as well.
    Insinuations. Shame. Matters best kept tucked away.
    In light of the vineyard’s recent successes, Marsh marveled that in a lavish home with a desirable wife his future could be so imperiled by one door into the past.

    “I’m all over it, Mr. Steele. I’m there.”
    “That’s good to hear.” Stahlherz removed his clenched fingers, watched Beau flex his wrists. He said, “Go ahead and drink up. We need you fully cognizant. You do understand that if you’re captured, you know nothing about me.”
    Beau sipped from the cup. “Never heard the name Steele in my life.”
    “It’s not an uncommon name. Even if you say something, they may suspect you’ve made it up.”
    “But I already know—”
    “Know what?”
    Beau leaned in. “That it’s not your real name. Gotta protect your own backside.”
    “You, my friend, are one of the sharper tools in the shed,” said Stahlherz. “Don’t be mistaken though. If you do reveal any details of our purposes, I’ll personally drop you where you stand—in a prison cell, a witness stand, wherever. I will not hesitate.”
    “Fair’s fair.” Beau slugged down a mouthful of coffee, and Stahlherz saw a twitch run down the recruit’s arm. “We’re all expendable. You taught me that yourself.”
    Amused, Stahlherz finished the cappuccino and let his gaze drift up the alcove walls. He had difficulty locking eyes with his recruits. Some of them interpreted this as insecurity, yet that wasn’t it at all. Truth be told, he feared they would see his disdain.
    Pawns, that’s all these kids are. To be shifted about, exploited, and sacrificed
.
    “Beau,” he said, “you’re certain that imprisonment will not deter you?”
    “Not even.” Beau’s words became muddled. “This one guy—he and I overhauled an entire engine at a farm in Philomath—he says the slammer’s not bad so long as you keep to yourself. Bring it on. I’ll take the rap.”
    “Have you talked to him about us? We’re resting our hopes on you, my