Marisela Morales 03 - Dirty Little Christmas - Julie Leto Read Online Free PDF Page B

took her right back. You were both lucky. Her family is here if you want to see them.”
    Marisela snagged her jacket from the floor. She was grateful Lia was going to recover, but wasn’t anxious to wait around while she did so—especially not with her family. Ever since elementary school, Lia’s parents and brothers had worried about Marisela’s influence. They’d never out-and-out banned them from hanging out together—well, not until Marisela had started running around with Las Reinas— but they’d voiced their displeasure over Marisela’s less-than-legal activities with impressive Italian verve and volume.
    They loved her, but hated the way she lived. After the beat-out from the gang that had left Marisela nearly dead in this exact hospital, Lia had insisted on remaining by her side twenty-four, seven. Only then had Lia’s family realized that the bond between the two different personalities would bend, but would never break.
    Still, they hadn’t been happy when Lia had given up her job with the mayor to run the Titan office with her reckless best friend. Despite Marisela’s assurances that she’d protect Lia at all costs, she’d failed. On an innocent trip to the airport, she’d nearly gotten her blown up.
    “Has anyone else come looking for me?”
    Dr. McFuego grinned. He had a dimple, not unlike the man she was waiting to get her out of this house of horror.
    “A man. Dark skin, dark hair, scar under his lip. Skillfully avoided catching the attention of the police, I noticed.”
    Marisela tried to temper her smile, but the observant doctor wasn’t fooled.
    “Boyfriend?” he asked, having the manners to sound disappointed.
    “Not exactly.”
    “Sounds like an interesting story. I half-wish you were going to stick around and tell me all about it.”
    Marisela raised her eyebrows. “Trust me, it’s a sad story and you probably get your fill of those around this place. Think you can get me clear of having to answer uncomfortable questions?”
    The doctor’s mouth bent into a frown, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Did you do anything illegal?”
    She raised her hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m the victim here.”
    “Do you know who blew up your car?”
    She shook her head. “No, but if you help me slip away, I’ll probably find out long before any cops do.”
    “And then what?”
    She slinked across the room to where he blocked the door—her one and only way out. “I won’t take the law into my own hands if that’s what you’re worried about,” she lied, sliding her hand up his chest and twisting her fingers around his stethoscope.
    “Why don’t I believe you?”
    She feigned surprise. “Do I look dangerous?”
    “Very.”
    She dropped the innocent act and patted him forcefully on the chest. “You’re a smart man. But I’m dangerous not only by birth, but by trade. I’m a security specialist. I work for one of the best firms in the country. Let me find out who tried to kill me and my best friend, okay? I won’t avoid the police forever.”
    Though she would certainly try.
    The doctor thought hard for a minute, then held up his hand to tell her to stay put. He pushed on the swinging doors, took a long look out and around, then waved her over.
    “Last time I saw him, your swarthy friend was flirting with the nurses at admitting.” He pointed. “If you head that way, you should run into him.”
    “And the Amazonian detective?”
    He smirked. “I’m a doctor, not a lookout.”
    Marisela quirked an eyebrow. “You’re also a red-blooded, heterosexual male. Which way did she go?”
    After grinding his teeth, he admitted, “She hit the elevators right before you miraculously woke up.”
    Marisela lightly slapped his cheek. “ Gracias .”
    After double checking for any signs of police, either uniformed or standing tall in platform pumps, Marisela tugged her jacket closed and slipped from the exam room.
    Not surprisingly, there were two uniforms standing sentry by the main