Franco's Fortune (Redemption Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mattresses that were cut
open.”
    Despite his nonchalant attitude, she’d seen the
glint of fear in his eyes. “Yet, when I look around, this place is
perfect. The upstairs is perfect. Your house looks like something
out of a magazine.”
    “When you’ve got money, all it takes is a few phone
calls—” he swept a hand out “— to end up with all this. Next
question.”
    “Marissa said something about a lawyer you hired.
She said she’s legal, but was still afraid I was going to send her
back to Mexico. What’s going on, Franco?”
    “Let it go, Josephine. It has nothing to do with
what’s happening now. Marissa’s okay.”
    “I need to know everything about your life, Franco.
You can’t pick and choose what to tell us. Sometimes the smallest
connection can unravel a bigger mystery. What are you into?”
    “Next question.”
    He’d closed down. He was the most stubborn,
hard-headed…
    She sighed, knowing he had her in check. For now.
“Who else has a key to your place?”
    “Just some kids. They come in to water my plants,
take out the garbage, things like that. I told them I don’t need
them for awhile.”
    “Kids? You hire kids to water your plants and take
out your garbage? You can’t even do that for yourself? And you gave
them your key? How many kids? ”
    His lips tilted in one of his sexy smiles. “I can do
a lot for myself. Care to find out?”
    “Stop that. This is serious.”
    “I’m very serious,” he said in a husky voice.
    She ignored him and the warmth flooding her.
Lowering her gaze, she entered her notes, then looked back up at
him. “Who are these kids? I want names.”
    “The kids are okay. You’ll have to trust me. I don’t
want them dragged into this. They won’t come around again until
it’s safe, so don’t worry about them. They’ve had it hard enough as
it is.”
    Jo set the tablet on the table. “Damn it, Franco.
Cooperate.”
    HiHiH
    His jaw set in a stubborn line. “There are parts of
my life that are off-limits to everyone, including you and my
family.”
    Jo rubbed the back of her neck to ease the tension
that had taken root. “All right. I’m letting it go for now, but no
one, and I mean no one—except you, me, and Harris—is to come in
here until the cops find whoever’s after you. And we need to change
your locks.”
    “No need to change the locks. The kids and Marissa
will stay away.”
    She leaned closer. “Locks get changed. And your back
door too. We need a more secure door there.”
    He opened his mouth to say something, then clamped
it shut.
    “What aren’t you telling me? You know I’ll find
out.”
    His eyes darkened and his features relaxed. “You
want to know about me?” He reached for her and gently pulled her
toward him.
    She flattened her palms on his chest. “Of course,
I—”
    He touched the mole on her left cheek. “Your beauty
mark is a real turn-on.”
    “It’s a mole.”
    “On you, it’s sexy as hell.”
    Before she knew it, his lips were over hers, soft at
first, then more demanding. He tasted like brandy and aroused male.
She stiffened even as a low moan escaped from her. Heat centered in
her stomach and flared outward. Anxiety, unwanted but always
present, reared up, diffusing the heat. She couldn’t do this. Not
with this man. She pushed away from him, her breathing ragged.
    Wiping her hand across her mouth, she rasped, “Still
the player, I see.”
    ***

Chapter Four
    F ranco stared at Jo’s
retreating back as she bolted from the room. The woman had him
reeling. She’d wanted him. There’d been no mistaking her response
to his kiss. But when she’d pulled away, her eyes had glittered
with fear, a fear he knew too well. He’d seen that look before,
more times than he’d care to admit. It couldn’t be. Stress must be
playing with his mind. Jo was too tough. His imagination was in
overdrive. And yet…
    He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
    He wanted her. And Franco Callahan always got what
he wanted.