Guardian Angel Read Online Free PDF Page A

face, saw the faint bruises on her right cheekbone, the small cut below her full lower lip, and the splotch of dirt marring her forehead.
    If his vision was an angel, she’d just been forced to pay purgatory a visit, Caine decided. Yet even though she looked like she’d just lost the battle with Satan, she was still very appealing, too appealing in fact for his peace of mind. He grew tense as he waited for her to speak.
    She stopped when she reached the other side of the round table. Her gaze was now directed on the rose pinned to his lapel.
    His angel was obviously frightened. Her hands were shaking. She clutched a small white bag to her bodice and he noticed several faded scars on her fingers.
    He didn’t know what to make of her. Caine didn’t want her to be afraid of him, though. That admission made his frown intensify.
    â€œYou’re all alone?” he asked, his tone as brisk as the rising wind.
    â€œI am.”
    â€œAt this time of night, in this section of the city?”
    â€œYes,” she answered. “Are you Pagan?”
    Her voice, he noticed, was husky, whisper soft.
    â€œLook at me when you ask your questions.”
    She wouldn’t comply with his command but stubbornly continued to stare at the rose. “Pray, answer me, sir,” she returned. “Are you Pagan? I have need to speak with the pirate. It is a terribly important matter.”
    â€œI am Pagan,” Caine said.
    She nodded. “It’s said that you’ll do any task if the price be enough. Is that true, sir?”
    â€œIt is,” Caine acknowledged. “What is it you want from me?”
    In answer to his question, she dropped the bag onto the center of the table. The drawstring tore open and several coins spilled out. Monk let out a low whistle.
    â€œThere are thirty pieces in all,” she said, her gaze still downcast.
    Caine raised an eyebrow in reaction to that statement. “Thirty pieces of silver?”
    She timidly nodded. “Is that enough? It’s all I have.”
    â€œWho is it you wish to betray?”
    She looked startled by that assumption. “Oh, no, you misunderstand. I don’t want to betray anyone. I’m not a Judas, sir.”
    He thought she looked insulted by his comment. “It was an honest mistake to make.”
    Her frown indicated she didn’t agree. Caine vowed he wasn’t going to let her get his temper riled. “Then what is it you ask from me?”
    â€œI would like you to kill someone, please.”
    â€œAh,” he drawled out. His disappointment was almost painful. She looked so damned innocent, so pitifully vulnerable, yet sweetly asked him to murder someone for her.
    â€œAnd who is this victim? Your husband, perchance?” The cynicism in his voice was as grating as a nail scraping down a chalkboard.
    She didn’t seem to mind his biting tone. “No,” she answered.
    â€œNo? You’re not married then?”
    â€œDoes it matter?”
    â€œOh, yes,” he countered in a whisper to match hers. “It matters.”
    â€œNo, I’m not married.”
    â€œThen who is it you want killed? Your father? Your brother?”
    She shook her head again.
    Caine slowly leaned forward. His patience was wearing as thin as the ale Monk watered down. “I tire of having to question you. Tell me.”
    He’d forced a belligerent tone, certain he’d intimidate her into blurting out her full explanation. He knew he’d failed in that endeavor, however, when he caught the mutinous expression on her face. If he hadn’t been watching her so intently, he knew he would have missed the flash of anger. The frightened little kitten had a little spirit inside her, after all.
    â€œI would like you to accept this task before I explain,” she said.
    â€œTask? You call hiring me to kill someone a task?” he asked, his voice incredulous.
    â€œI do,” she announced with a nod.
    She