Master of Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page A

sighed. Once again, he was going to have to pull Morgan out of the fire. Damn that boy’s Patriot heart. Causes were for fools.
    Heading for Morgan, he went to tell him the wonderful news.
    Morgan was sitting at a table to the right of the bar. He looked up and nodded at Jack’s approach. “There you are.”
    Jack ignored his greeting and slammed his fist straight into the jaw of the spy.
    Morgan arched a curious brow as the man slid slowly to the floor. “What did he do? Wear the wrong color coat? Or is it his stock you find offensive this time?”
    Jack leaned over the table. Resting his fists on the rough top, he narrowed his gaze on Morgan. “I’m assuming he’s the one who told the Regulars we’d be here tonight. Did I hit the wrong man?”
    Morgan’s eyes widened. “What?”
    Satisfied the shock on his friend’s face was sincere, Jack smiled grimly. “We walked into a trap.”
     
    L orelei looked triumphantly at Justin. “See. He’s Black Jack. He just struck a man for no apparent reason.”
    “For all you know, Lori, the man seduced his wife.”
    Lorelei straightened and eyed Justin with malice. “I’m telling you it’s him . Don’t you recognize him from last night? He was playing Count Hapsburg no doubt to gather information about—”
    “Lori, please,” Justin said, his voice laden with stressed patience. “That man doesn’t look anything like the count. He’s obviously just some poor sailor come in to get a drink. The count was a good head taller and fair dripped with princely bearing. That man there is obviously a bluestocking. Besides, use your head, why would Black Jack Rhys come to the aid of a tavern whore?”
    “I beg your pardon,” she ground out. “I’m not a whore.”
    “You know what I mean.”
    She threw her hands up. How could he be so dense?
    Infuriated, Lorelei turned on her heel. “You want proof. I’ll give you proof.” She took three steps toward Jack and shouted. “Hey, Jack Rhys.”
    The man she watched didn’t move.
    “See,” Justin snapped. “He didn’t even flinch. I told you it wasn’t him.”
    Lorelei bit her lip. He hadn’t moved, but everyone else in the tavern had looked. She had her proof.
    She returned to Justin’s side. “Just go arrest him. If I’m wrong you can let him go.”
    “If you’re wrong, I’m a laughingstock.”
     
    W hat are we going to do?” Morgan asked Jack, trying to look nonchalant and failing miserably.
    Unfortunately, Jack was all too used to dealing with these situations to be rattled by this latest bout of treachery. “I want you to walk out of here like nothing’s wrong. No one, other than our unconscious lump on the floor, knows who you are, so you’re safe.” He glanced to the spy on the floor. “At least until he wakes.”
    “What about you?”
    “Don’t worry about me.”
    “Jack…”
    “I may have been spawned in the gutter, Morgan, but I’m not going to die in it. Now go on, get yourself to safety.”
    Reluctantly, Morgan rose from his chair and did as Jack wanted.
    It was only after Morgan had closed the door behind him that Jack dared a look to where Lorelei stood arguing with Justin.
    Now this was amusing.
    The moron had brought her here, no doubt, to listen for word of Jack Rhys, and as soon as she found him, the moron refused to believe it.
    What did she see in that man anyway?
    Women. He’d never understand them.
    Jack knew he should leave before Justin realized who he was. But in truth, he was enjoying this little drama too much to leave. Besides, there was no trap from which he couldn’t escape. No man or woman who could hold him.
    Well, a naked woman in bed could hold him for a little while if she appealed to him.
    And Lorelei Dupree appealed to him greatly.
    He slid his gaze appreciatively over Lorelei’s back. The short skirt fell several inches from the floor, giving him a nice view of her trim ankles. They were shapely and petite, and he wondered if they were covered with freckles