Love or Justice Read Online Free PDF

worked. There was fluidity in his movements as he bent back his elbow. Power surged up his forearm as he flipped an omelet in the pan. Then he reached for the toast with one hand and slid the omelet onto the plate at the same time.
    “Coffee?” He gave her a sidelong glance over his shoulder.
    “Yes, please! Skim milk if we have it. Two sugars.”
    It was one of her few vices.
    Dante turned to the cabinet on his right. He got out a blue porcelain mug and poured her a cup of coffee. Then he turned to pick up her plate, bringing it to the kitchen table.
    Laurie slid off the counter high-top chair. She sat down where he set her food. The table was a long, smooth slab of maple, with seats for eight people. It occurred to her that whole families must be under protective custody from time to time. She felt a little small sitting there. She was used to eating with over forty staff members. It was too quiet for her to eat breakfast.
    “I don’t think we have skim milk, is whole okay?” He ambled over to the fridge.
    “Yes.” Laurie waited for him to join her. “Thank you for making me breakfast.”
    “Whoa. What did you just say?” asked a voice from above them. Laurie looked up to see Cheyn standing at the railing, looking down into the kitchen. He had on a blue button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. His almond shaped eyes were alight. The smooth lilt in his voice was a dead give-away for mischief, and he wore an easy smile to match. Laurie saw Dante grimace as he extracted the milk from the refrigerator.
    “Miz Laurie, did I hear you right? Did the boss make you breakfast?” Cheyn leaned over the railing.
    “Yes.” His grin made her laugh.
    “I’ve never seen him make anyone breakfast before. How come you don’t make me breakfast?” Cheyn nodded at Dante.
    “I thought you were going to bed.” Dante set the milk down in front of Laurie.
    “I’m gettin’ there. I had to come say hello to our lovely lady.” Cheyn turned and came down the stairs.
    He emerged from the doorway to the living room. His grin widened when he saw Dante’s pointed expression.
    Dante sat down with his back toward Cheyn, which put him right at the head of the table, next to Laurie.
    Cheyn walked up to the chair across from Laurie. He extended a hand to her. She clasped it and Cheyn brought her hand up to his lips.
    “Good morning, Miz Laurie.” Cheyn kissed her hand. Laurie laughed.
    “Good morning, Cheyn.” She chuckled.
    “Are you done? She’s trying to eat. She doesn’t want you slobbering all over her breakfast.” Dante glared up at Cheyn.
    “Relax, bossman.” Cheyn released Laurie’s hand. “I won’t spoil your hard work. It’s awful nice of you to make breakfast for her though.”
    Cheyn took the seat in front of Laurie, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
    “He probably feels guilty for yelling at me last night.” Laurie took a bite of her eggs with a wicked grin of her own.
    Dante flicked his newspaper open and buried his nose in it.
    “What? The bossman yelled at you? Why did you yell at the lady, boss?” Cheyn tapped the newspaper.
    “Because I hit one of the guys that broke into my room. Knocked him unconscious.” Laurie glanced at Dante’s motionless form.
    “Wait a minute. You took down one of the attackers? What did you hit him with, your hands?” Cheyn leaned forward onto the table, balancing on his folded arms.
    “No, a porcelain lamp in my closet.” Laurie took another bite of her breakfast.
    Cheyn erupted into laughter.
    “He told us last night he had to fend off the two guys. He never said anything about you taking one on!” Cheyn laughed and pounded his fist on the table.
    Dante crumpled his newspaper as he scowled at them.
    “That’s because it was foolish, and I yelled at you because it was foolish. You could have gotten us both killed.” Dante’s face flushed.
    Cheyn laughed harder.
    “Come on boss, don’t lie. You just hate being the protected instead of the protector!” Cheyn