Into Temptation (A More Than Men Novella) Read Online Free PDF

times she’d picked up the phone to call, but unerringly he seemed to know the moment her resolve weakened. His heavy-lidded eyes would open and glitter at her through the darkness, reminding her that she’d promised.
    She’d tried to tell him that if it was a matter of money, she’d pay, but he wouldn’t listen to her.
    Now he was sleeping soundly, and she had an appointment. A meeting with Monroe and his lawyers. A last-ditch effort to attempt a plea agreement. She’d requested the meeting, so it would be very bad form to miss it. She wasn’t hopeful that they’d agree to anything she offered — why should they? Her case sucked and they knew it — but she had to at least try.
    Evie stared down at him. She should wake him up and make him leave. Logically she knew it was the right thing to do. But she couldn’t make herself do it. She was reluctant.
    Without realizing what she was doing, Evie reached down and pushed the single lock of stark black hair away from his forehead. Since she was there…she tested for a fever but found none. He shifted in his sleep. Instead of moving away, he scooted closer, as if unconsciously searching for more contact than the brush of her fingers against his skin.
    Making a snap judgment, Evie spun on her heel and walked out. If he stole everything she owned, then that was exactly what she deserved — not just for leaving a stranger alone in her apartment, but for shooting him in the first place.
    Because she was late, Evie flagged down a cab. Fifteen minutes later it let her out in front of the prison. Squaring her shoulders, she walked inside, prepared for the inevitable battle. Through security, she fought the butterflies that fluttered deep in her belly.
    She didn’t like Monroe. Being in the same room bothered her. The man had no conscience, and it was clear the moment you looked into his eyes. He was exactly why she’d gotten into law in the first place. Protecting innocent people from monsters like him.
    If she failed… She couldn’t.
    Putting on her game face, she walked into the room the guard indicated to her. Monroe and his lawyers were already there. No public defenders for him; he had three of the highest paid criminal defense attorneys money could buy.
    Surrounded by men in expensive suits, the orange jumpsuit he wore should have made him look like a clown. Instead Monroe lounged back in the chair, full of confidence and authority. A smirk played around the corners of his mouth, but it was the only indication of the thoughts rolling through his brain.
    Evie settled into the chair opposite the four men and reached down to pull a file out of the bag she’d brought with her.
    The deep timbre of Monroe’s voice stopped her. “Let me save you some time. I’m not interested in anything you could offer me. You see, Ms. Carr, the thing about negotiations is that both parties need to have something valuable. You have nothing to offer me. Your case is weak, and we both know it.”
    Monroe leaned forward, completely uncaring when the chains that bound his hands and feet to the chair rattled.
    “But I am so glad that you took the time to visit me. It’s always a pleasure to speak to a beautiful, intelligent woman.”
    “You haven’t let me say much, so I’d hardly call this a conversation.”
    He laughed. The sound would haunt her for days. There was an edge to it, a manic, maniacal edge that only she seemed to hear.
    “Excellent point, my dear.”
    Leaning to the man sitting closest to him, Monroe whispered into his ear. With a glance and a nod, all three men stood up from the table and filed out as if the move had been coordinated and rehearsed.
    “Do you think it wise to dismiss your council, Mr. Stilton?”
    “Monroe. Please call me Monroe.”
    At first glance Monroe Stilton resembled a sweet, unthreatening, middle-aged man. He was in his early forties. Never married. From all accounts a workaholic who’d fought against a difficult childhood to turn his life