No Chance in Hell Read Online Free PDF

expecting someone?” Marcus asked.
    “No.” She stood and started toward the door. “It’s probably Nate.”
    “We don’t know that for sure.” Marcus reached out and caught her arm. “I’ll get it. You stay behind me.”
    She tilted her head and glanced down at his hand. When she looked up at him, a deep scowl pulled her eyebrows together. “Please don’t treat me like I’m an idiot. I had no intention of blindly opening the door and exposing myself. I fully intended to let you do it.”
    “Sorry. Automatic reaction.”
    “No.” Chris caught his arm as he had hers seconds ago. “I apologize. I’m a little nervous. I thought by using my mother’s maiden name, I’d have more time to figure out who he is.”
    The doorbell rang again, and Marcus let the subject drop. He leaned down and looked through the peephole. Nate towered over a young man whose eyes were wide and mouth was moving rapidly. In the kid’s hand was a large floral arrangement.
    “Delivery boy and Nate,” Marcus said over his shoulder. He opened the door. “Come in.”
    “No, thanks. I’ll just drop these off and be gone.”
    “We insist.” Nate rested his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Who sent the flowers?”
    “How would I know?” The kid pushed his words out with attitude. “I just deliver them. Maybe you should check the card.”
    Nate didn’t release his grip. “Good idea.”
    “Who are you people?” the kid demanded.  
    “Investigators,” Marcus answered, allowing the kid to fill in the rest. “Were you at work when the order came in?”
    “Yeah. My mom took the call this morning.”
    Marcus pulled a pair of rubber gloves from his hip pocket and slipped them on. He took the flowers from the young man, set them on the coffee table, and then unpinned the small envelope. “You want to come look?” he asked Chris.
    She took a step back and shook her head. “You look. I already know who sent them.”
    He opened the flap and slid the card out far enough to read aloud, “Thinking about last night. Can’t wait to see you.”
    “No signature?” Nate asked.
    Marcus shook his head. “Nope.”
    Chris backed even farther away. Her lips were pulled into a thin line.
    “I need to speak with your mom. Where do you work?” Nate asked the young man. “And what’s your name?”
    “My family owns Fergus Florist. Call her. The number’s on the envelope, ask if her son’s name is Derek. She’ll tell you.”
    “This isn’t about you. Give me the address,” Nate said.  
    Nate wrote down the address and then escorted the scared young man out the door. He paused. “Marcus, you good here until I get back?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Wait.” Chris picked up the vase and carried it to Nate. “Toss these in the dumpster or take them to your wife, but please don’t leave them here.”
    “Will do.” The door closed behind Nate.
    Marcus turned just as Chris melted onto the couch. Her eyes had turned a chilling deep blue.
    “I knew it. I felt his eyes on me this morning when I walked to my car.”
    “We need to move you someplace where we can better protect you.”
    “I’m through running. Let him come. If he thinks I won’t kill him, he’s wrong.”
    “I’m not talking about running. It’s being smart. Won’t do you any good if I find him after you’re dead.”
    A soft chuckle escaped from Chris. She studied him for a minute, making him feel like a bug under a microscope. “You don’t sugarcoat anything, do you?”

Chapter 3
          Chris listened to Marcus’s husky voice while he spoke with the security company. He ordered door and window alarms. He insisted a panic button be installed next to her bed. His voice was firm and knowledgeable when he requested an expedited installation.  
    A calm settled in her chest. Not that it meant she could let her guard down, but she was beginning to understand Dalton’s faith in the people at Lost and Found. Something about Marcus gave her a sense of security. She