Justice Burning (Hellfire #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

arms.
    Old Joe rounded the counter and helped pile her dress on top of her. “Good luck, missy. Hope that jerk who stiffed you gets what he deserves.”
    Phoebe shot a wide-eyed glance at Joe and stuttered, “Th-thank you.” She wadded the bills in her hand and turned to Nash. “Ready?”
    He nodded. As he carried her through the door, her scent wafted beneath his nose. Nash nearly groaned out loud. He had to get her situated soon.
    She leaned down and opened the back door of the SUV.
    Nash settled her onto the seat and helped her gather as much of the dress as he could, shoving the folds into the vehicle. Finally, he was able to shut the door, figuring he had maybe five more minutes before Rider arrived with her car in tow. If he could wrap this up quickly, he could have her off his hands sooner rather than later.
    Feeling like a chauffeur to the rich, he drove the SUV to the only shoe store in town. Sighing, he got out, opened the back door and waited while she got out, the ridiculous dress swelling around her. If anything, it appeared to be getting bigger.
    She tiptoed into the store and crossed to the nearest display of sensible shoes.
    Lola, the shoe storeowner, hurried from the back toward Phoebe like a hawk swooping in to claim its prey. When she spotted Nash, she stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening, her dark red lips curling into a smile. “Nash, honey, what can I help you with?” She altered her direction from Phoebe to Nash.
    Nash ground his back teeth together.
    Though nice enough, Lola had made it clear she had her heart set on Chance, Nash’s older brother. Never mind Lola was easily twenty years older than Chance. Her behavior was a constant source of pain for Chance, and he’d told her on more than one occasion he wasn’t interested. Unfortunately, Lola refused to take no for an answer.
    Lola touched Nash’s arm. “Where’s that brother of yours?”
    “I imagine he’s sleeping. He worked last night.”
    “Mmm.” Lola ran her fingers down his chest, tapping the buttons one at a time. “You Grayson men are all so…so…delicious. And men in uniform are so very hard to resist.” Her hand dropped lower, catching on his belt buckle.
    Easing back an inch, he captured her hand before she could get her claws into him. “Lola, could you please help Miss Smith find a pair of shoes? She seems to have left the church without hers.”
    Lola blinked and turned toward the only other person in the store. “Oh, a customer. How nice of you to bring her to me.” She batted her eyelashes up at Nash. “I’m available tonight, if you’d like to show me your…badge.”
    “Not interested, Lola.” He turned her toward Phoebe. “Please, help Miss Smith.”
    Lola pouted, but pasted a smile on her face. “What can I get you, sweetie?”
    Phoebe, her cheeks a rosy shade of pink, pointed at a pair of serviceable boat shoes. “I just need something to wear.”
    “Oh, honey, those won’t go with the dress.” Lola plucked a pair of rhinestone-studded stilettos from a display shelf. “How about these?”
    “I’m not interested in high heels. I need something I can work in. I need to find a job as soon as possible.”
    “Oh, dear heart, you can work in any shoes I sell here. It all depends on what kind of work you’re interested in.”
    Phoebe’s brows furrowed.
    Nash stepped forward. “Lola, she just needs to be able to walk.” He lifted a tennis shoe from a display shelf. “What can she get for twenty-five dollars?”
    Lola blinked. “Nash, you know I can’t discount my inventory that much. I have to pay the rent.”
    “You don’t have anything for under twenty-five?” Nash’s hopes of being home in time for dinner were quickly fizzling.
    “The only shoes I sell for that price are children’s sizes.” She glanced at Phoebe’s feet and tipped her head. “Your feet are small, but I don’t think they’re quite that small.”
    Phoebe held out the bills. “I only have twenty-five dollars.