Driven Read Online Free PDF

uncramps. I move my free hand back to Ophelia’s waist, gentle this time.
    She allows it, saying, “You always were a fast learner, baby.”
    Mayer’s gaze travels up her body and caresses her face. He’s fully feeling the buzz now, and it’s obvious he wants her alone. I can too easily imagine why. Ophelia gently pulls my hand from Mayer’s head. The transfer cuts off as soon as we lose contact, but I’m not ready to leave her alone with him.
    “Lesson’s over,” she says. “I’ll come find you when we’re done.”
    I really don’t like the sound of that. “I can stay. In case you need me.”
    She twists and puts her hands on my shoulders. I think she’s going to kiss me, but she sweeps past my lips to plant a chaste peck on my cheek. “I’ll be fine, baby,” she says softly. “Tell Valac I won’t be long.”
    She’s reminding me that Valac doesn’t want me to stay. She’s also toying with me the same way she’s playing Mayer, which reminds me that I’m actually still not happy with her. But she’s right. Valac’s planned this out a certain way, and I better not screw it up.
    “Fine,” I say. “Call if you need me.”
    I step back, but Mayer’s already forgotten I was there. I turn away, but not before he puts both hands on her hips and pulls her into his lap.
    I wish I had left sooner.

 
     

    My fists clench and unclench as I stalk from the congressman’s bedroom. I’m not sure if I’m more bothered by his hands on Ophelia’s hips or the way she seems to think she can play me with an almost kiss. I’m most bothered by the fact that it bothers me.
     The light of the living room blinds me, and I stumble over something on the floor. I catch myself before I fall.
    “Everything all right?” Valac asks from somewhere ahead of me. I shield my eyes and see him at the edge of a darkened hallway near the entrance. Katy hovers next to him, on high alert for my answer.
    “Ophelia says she won’t be long.” I seriously consider waiting two minutes then going in to check on them. Then again, I’m not sure I want to see what’s happening. “Can I have a word with you?” I ask Valac.
    He frowns but tilts his head back, then disappears into the dark. I follow after him, brushing past Katy’s wide-eyed look. She seems lost as to whether she should let us drift off into the dark corners of the house by ourselves, but elects to stay by Nico and two-pints in the living room. At the end of the hall is a small bedroom with the drapes drawn. From the fluffy white comforter, pink surfboard in the corner, and the heart-shaped picture screens, I’m guessing the room belongs to Katy.
    I close the door behind us. “You should send me back in there,” I say to Valac. “I don’t like the way he’s looking at Ophelia, and I can do the payout. She can supervise, if you’re worried.” What I really need to do is get Ophelia out of the mob altogether. No matter what sexy kitten moves she has, surviving this way isn’t any good for her. Or me.
    “Don’t worry about Ophelia,” Valac says, but he looks more tense than I would like to hear with those words. “She’s not doing anything she doesn’t want to.”
    Which is of course a complete lie. “Oh, c’mon! You know she doesn’t enjoy curling up to that asshole.” Ophelia’s doing what she has to. Kolek won’t tolerate her shirking her duties. I cringe inside as I realize she’s been pulling extra collections—and payouts—while I’ve been recovering in my room. How many more death make-out sessions has she already done? Or will she have to do in the future? I can’t believe Kolek would let that asset go to waste.
    “She was your mentor,” I say. “You can’t tell me you don’t care.”
    “I don’t care.”
    I can’t tell if he’s lying or not. Agitation makes me curl up a fist and press it against the wall by the door. I want to put my fist through it, but that won’t help anything.
    “Let’s give them five minutes,” I