Lydia's Secret (The Secret Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

glance at his chest, and the pink flush was back. “I don’t think I have any clothes big enough to fit you.”
    He ignored the way her words suggested others had been there. She has a daughter. There were others.
    Roman accepted the towel and slowly looked her over. “No, I don’t think you’re my size.”
    She rolled her eyes and the nervousness seemed to evaporate.
    Roman’s shoulders relaxed a little. “You really don’t have to worry. I have clothes in the car. I’ll just go grab them before I shower.”
    “You carry extra clothes with you?”
    “I’m always prepared. You never know when you’re going to be stuck out in a blizzard.” He winked at her. “Don’t concern yourself with me. You need to get some rest.”
    “Right.” She gave a slight nod and turned to go.
    Roman ran a palm over his face. There was only so much a man could take, and he was no saint. His gaze zeroed in on her ass as she walked away. Definitely not a saint.
    Tossing the towel onto the bed, he grabbed his jacket and slid his fingers over the cell in his pocket. He needed to check in with his office. His first priority was making sure Lydia was safe. Simon couldn’t touch her with Roman there, but that wouldn’t stop the bastard from trying.
    He strode from the room and ducked into the living room where she stood, donned his jacked, and slipped on his shoes. “I’m going out to grab my clothes.” Flashing her a quick smile, he stepped outside.
    Snow had given way to frigid pebbles of ice that trickled down his collar to his bare skin. It was a welcome distraction. He turned on the cell and called his office.
    Madison picked up on the first ring. “What’s up, boss?”
    “Have you found out any information about the murders?”
    “Not a whole lot more than we already knew. It’s definitely the same MO as the ones in your case file. Did you run into Slutlana tonight?”
    Roman opened the back of the SUV, letting the hatch rise and settle, grateful that it blocked some of the ice and wind. “No, and if Svetlana ever gets wind of that nickname, no place on earth will be safe for you.” He tucked the phone against his shoulder. “Run another trace on Simon.”
    “What’s fang boy up to now?”
    “Madison...”
    “Sure thing, boss. Geesh.” Her fingers were busy typing in the background. “Nothing on the radar since last week. He may have gone underground. Not even a groupie sighting. It’s not like him to lay off the fang bangers.”
    “Seriously. I’m right here. Can you pick another body part besides fangs to joke about?”
    Her laugh was quick and warm. “I make no promises.” She made a noise of frustration. “What am I looking for exactly?”
    “I ran into Simon tonight.”
    “Where?”
    “Here. He accosted Lydia Hughes.”
    “What?” Her voice turned instantly hard. “My city is filling up with undead assholes. No offense.”
    “None taken.”
    “Is she okay?”
    “Yeah. I’m with her now.” He glanced at the cloud-covered sky. “I think this weather is going to keep me snowed in. Get as much information as you can. With Simon in town, you can bet Svetlana’s bloodlust is behind the latest murders throughout the city.”
    Madison cursed. “I’m on it.”
    Roman retrieved the overnight bag and slammed the hatch shut. “And another thing.”
    “Yep?” Her voice sounded distracted, telling him she was busy following his order.
    “Lydia Hughes has a daughter.”
    The line went quiet for a moment. “What? There’s no way we could have missed that.”
    “Look for blood relations, taxes, whatever it takes. I want to know what else we may have missed.” His voice deepened. “And I want the name of the child’s father.”
    She clucked her tongue. “Why do we need this now? Does it affect the case?”
    “Every detail is important when it comes to Lydia.”
    “Uh-huh.” She didn’t say another word.
    “Just do it, Madison.”
    “Gotta go. The mutt just walked in.”
    Roman heard a