Lovers and Reprisals (Lovers Series) Read Online Free PDF

sharing a bubbly drink with another employee.  They ignored him, returning to their impromptu celebration; welcoming in the New Year.  Joplin strode pass them, exiting the large high rise, using the front entrance.  Noise from the clanging bells filled the air.  It was a celebration of new beginnings. 
    He strolled down the sidewalk, passing a woman whose eyes were filled with tears.  He didn’t stop to ask if she needed his help.  Today there would be many tearful people, mourning the loss of friends and loved ones, but for most the world will reset as if these people never existed.  As for him--he would go home, shower, then change into a fresh set of clothes.  He held no emotions for what he had done and his only regret was that he’d not planned for the deaths of Dash and the woman in Tollin’s apartment.  He disliked loose ends but in this instance, he’d been left with few options, leaving improvisation as his remaining choice.  Regardless of the outcome...or the fallout, he’d done what he’d been paid to do.  As it concerned Tollin Pettier; that kill had been duly served.   And the others--their lives held little value because on one point Dashiell had been correct.  In the end, he would classify them as collateral damage.  In laymen's terms, this amounted to one phrase “wrong place--wrong time”--not his problem.
     
    **********
     
    Chapter 2
     
    11:37 Am
    Morpheus Gustafson’s,
    Annual Celebration
     
    Fawn wobbled down the hallway, and each step looked like a gymnasts endeavoring to master the balancing beam. During one of her steps, she’d misjudged the distance; wedging a tight fit of her stiletto snuggly in the hem of her gown.  She was on the verge of falling face first and from behind, Bolden had noticed her struggle.  He sped up his pace reacting fast, bracing her back to prevent a tumble and she’d wrongly misinterpreted his touch.  Fawn cursed at him.
    “Take your fucking hands off of me.”
    Aggravated by her rant, Bolden shook his head, and he’d decided that he might have been better off had he allowed her to fall.  He considered this when he shot back his response.
    “Fine...next time, I’ll just let you fall...and we’ll see how silly you’ll feel then.”
    Her speech was slurred when she carelessly hurled an accusation.
    “Oh...I bet you’d love that.  Big man like you would love to see his sister fall flat on her ass.”
    She hiccuped, then added...  “Jackass.”
    Bo glowered, because if he was a jackass, then she was a calculating bitch.  As far back as he could recall, Fawn had always schemed to undermine him.  He stalked into the room behind her, slamming the door once he’d been assured that they were indeed alone.
    He spread his feet apart, matching the width of his broad shoulders.  Bolden was annoyed--and every rattled nerve was fast approaching a frenzied rage.  He didn’t hold back when he shouted...  
    “I didn’t come here to get dicked around.  You said that you’d take me to dad.  So...where is he?”
    “What?  Did I say that?”  She was feigning mock surprise.
    “Stop fucking with me Fawn. 
    “Oh...stop being so melodramatic.”
    “Melodramatic!”  Bolden fumed, when he said...
    “Where is our father Fawn?  Where is dad?”
    “Why are you in such a hurry?  Think you’re to good to socialize?”
    From the moment Bolden had arrived at his father’s home, he’d been on edge, mainly because he’d been greeted at the door by his plotting, scheming, good for nothing half-sister.  Her welcome had made him feel like he was the Gustafson’s returning prodigal son.  Then she topped off their reunion by dishing up a heaping load of her usual bullshit.  He didn’t need this; her or any of her snide jealousy crap.  What had he been thinking when he persuaded himself to come.
    The room was silent, except for the other sounds in the house.  A pounding beat played in the background.  Dueling sounds of drums, bass and