Passion's Law Read Online Free PDF

a thought occurred. “How about staying for dinner, Thad?”
    â€œSorry. I can’t. I have…commitments.”
    â€œOkay. Maybe another time.”
    â€œSure.” Thad glanced at his watch, then started toward the door. “Sorry. I’ve got to run.”
    â€œThanks for taking care of this, Thad. It’s much appreciated.”
    Thad paused at the door and turned with a grin. “Don’t say that until you get my bill. The Prosperino P.D. only pays me when I’m on duty. What I do for you goes on your tab.”
    Joe threw back his head and roared. “You’re worth twice what you’re charging me.”
    Thad grinned. “Now you tell me.”
    Joe waved a hand. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
    â€œYeah. But be warned. I’m going to be bringing you a list of security measures I think you should add.”
    â€œI’ve told you, Thad. I think the new cameras are enough.”
    â€œAnd I told you, not by a long shot. They’re nothing but a stopgap measure. You ought to employ a security team until the shooter is behind bars.”
    â€œUh-huh.” Joe smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
    â€œYeah.” Thad shot a quick glance at Heather, standing beside her uncle’s desk.
    At once she felt the heat rise to her cheeks.
    As the door closed behind him, she settled down to the computer and began scrolling until she found the figures she was searching for. But as she stared at the screen, the numbers blurred and she found herself replaying in her mind the kiss they’d shared.
    She’d been kissed dozens of times. Hundreds. But she had never in her life felt anything that even came close to what she’d experienced with Thad Law.
    What was happening here? She’d always considered herself a calm, intelligent, sensible woman. And yet, in the space of a single day, she felt as though her life had tilted at some crazy angle. As though she’d been caught up in something completely out of her realm of experience and totally out of her control.
    Maybe it was just because Thad Law was unlike any of the men she’d ever known. Most of them were smooth-as-silk members of her family’s country club, with a string of degrees after their names, eager to marry well and move up the corporate ladder. Most of them saw her as the perfect corporate wife.
    Thad Law was about as far removed from that as a man could be. Tough talking, rough around the edges and completely unconcerned about how he appeared to others. But she had the sense that he was a man who would finish whatever he started, to the best of his ability, come hell or high water. Maybe that was why he so intrigued her. He appeared to be that rarest of all breeds—a man of integrity.
    And though it galled her to admit it, even to herself, she couldn’t wait to see him again.

Three
    T he normally blue sky had turned to dull gunmetal gray. The sun had taken refuge behind dark clouds that gathered and thickened.
    The family began drifting into the dining room. Heather stood with nine-year-old Joe, Jr., and seven-year-old Teddy, teasing them about the gloomy weather.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Heather laughed. “You know what the song says. The sun’ll come out tomorrow.”
    Both boys groaned and gave matching pained expressions before dissolving in laughter.
    Their laughter faded when their mother entered.It was clear to see that she was already well on her way to throwing a full-blown temper tantrum. Her eyes were as stormy as the clouds outside the windows. Her mouth a thin, tight line of anger.
    As always she found fault with the way the table was set, with the flowers that had been carefully arranged as a centerpiece. She even found fault with the way Heather was dressed.
    â€œThis isn’t a barn.” Meredith looked her up and down without bothering to hide her contempt. “Save your denims and boots for the horses. I expect you to dress for