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

But fear had reared up as always, pounding in her
chest, driving her away. Franco was dangerous. He made her want
something she’d long ago decided she didn’t need.
    Anita’s soft laugh cut into Jo’s gloomy thoughts.
“You’ll admit soon enough you and Franco have something going on.
Now, let’s wash this hair and I’ll work my magic, although it is a
shame to trim even a little of it.”
    Twenty minutes later a new kind of anxiety wound
through Jo while Anita snipped her hair. As large swatches of her
damp hair fell to the floor, an overwhelming urge to run out of the
shop hit Jo. She gripped the chair arms.
    “You look scared to death,” Anita said. “Trust me.
You’re going to love your hair when I’m finished.”
    Jo forced herself to relax. “It’s just that in the
last sixteen years, since I was seventeen, I’ve only had my hair
trimmed a few times. In the Army I was allowed to keep it long, but
I had to wear it in a tight bun.”
    “You’re not seventeen or in the Army now,
girlfriend. You’re a grown woman. You wouldn’t want to be seventeen
again. It’s not a good age, at least not in my family.” Anita shook
her head. “Doriana got pregnant with Josh when she was seventeen,
and Franco got himself into big trouble when he was that age. Even
Uncle Dan couldn’t get him out of it.”
    Jo’s gaze met Anita’s in the mirror. “What kind of
trouble?”
    “The usual kid stuff, but it wasn’t the first time
he’d gotten into trouble. Uncle Dan’s money and influence got him
out of it the other times. Let Franco tell you if he wants.” She
stopped snipping, a thoughtful look on her face. “Franco was the
sweetest little boy even though Doriana and I teased him
mercilessly. She’s four years older than him and I’m three.
Something changed when he became a teen. Got smartass and arrogant.
Maybe it was because Aunt Lena and Uncle Dan spoiled him. The
Italian-Irish prince. And he stayed arrogant and smartass until
Uncle Dan had the stroke. We’re all shocked at how Franco finally
manned up and put himself on the right track.” She shrugged. “Guess
he had it in him all along.”
    <><><>
    Jo blinked several times and looked into the mirror
again. Yup! That was her staring back. She touched her hair,
running her fingers through the shoulder length cut. The layering
brought out the golden highlights and framed her eyes. And the
makeup Anita had applied made her skin glow and covered up the
sprinkling of freckles on her nose. Her eyes looked wider and
greener now, and the subtle rose-colored blush brought out her high
cheekbones. Never having taken the time to learn to apply makeup,
Jo had eschewed it.
    Anita’s smiling staff gathered around her, oohhing
and aahhing.
    “I can’t believe the change in you,” one of the
shampoo girls said, awe in her voice.
    “You are absolutely beautiful,” one of the stylists
said.
    Jo flushed at their compliments. She must look like
a Christmas bulb with her red face and her red hair.
    Anita studied her. “Jo, you are one of the most
beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
    “You did it, Anita.”
    The other woman shook her head. “I had a lot to work
with.” She nodded toward the small bag resting on the counter. “All
the products you need are in there. You remember how to use the
makeup and style your hair?”
    Jo nodded.
    “Okay, then, but if you ever need help with any of
that, call me.” Anita’s gaze swept Jo. “Time to burn those fatigues
and have you looking like a real girl. Come on, let’s go next
door.”
    Jo groaned, making the women around her laugh.
Mitzi, the owner of the boutique next to the salon was a personal
shopper. She’d offered to outfit Jo in some new clothes now, then
take her shopping tomorrow at Neiman Marcus to choose an entire
wardrobe. Franco had insisted on paying for everything.
Embarrassment at the thought of him buying her clothes, including
lingerie, warred with indignation. The idea of Franco, or any