Quarterback Daddy Read Online Free PDF Page A

fun, but he hadn’t complained.
    Alexis stared at the screen for several minutes after the men had disappeared. There was no way Dan Delito had an ounce of alcohol in him today. Not the way he played. Not the way he spoke. And not the way he looked. His eyes had sparkled with humor, he knew exactly what he was doing, and he moved with the smooth grace of the athlete he was.
    Maybe she really had caught him at a bad moment because of his anniversary. One indulgence didn’t mean he was an addict.
    She was going to visit him again.
     
    D AN CALLED HER M ONDAY morning, before she could plan the outing.
    “Did you watch the game?” No hello. No how-are you.
    “How’s the leg?” she asked.
    His chuckle was deep and rich, almost musical, and caused shivers to run through her.
    “Whaddyaknow? She’s a fan.”
    It was her turn to laugh. “Hmm…Not quite. What I understand about football could be be written on the head of a pin. But I saw enough to reconsider a meeting. I—I might have rushed to judgment the other day.”
    “Well, I appreciate that,” he drawled, his voice now laced with a touch of sarcasm. “So tell me why I should care. What’s this ‘business’ all about?”
    Alexis took a deep breath. “I won’t discuss it on thephone. It’s too private and important. But I’d be happy to meet you in the Common at the Frog Pond, or I could come to your place again. Whatever you’d prefer.”
    “My lawyer says to stay away from you. He says he found you mentioned in several news articles and you’re trouble.”
    He worked fast. Did he think he needed protection? “Your lawyer? I’m sure I don’t even know your lawyer. I’m just a little cog in the D.A.’s wheel.”
    “A little cog? Not for long, Alexis Brown, not after graduating law school at the top of the class, not after doing the same in political science at the undergrad level. No, ma’am. I predict you’ll score your own touchdowns one day soon.”
    She hadn’t been expecting an investigation. Or a compliment. “Congratulations. I see you’ve done your homework, Mr. Delito. Or your attorney’s done it.”
    “Same thing. He’s got my back.” His words lingered, before he added, “Understand where I’m coming from?”
    “I sure do,” she replied, trying not to laugh at his implied threat. “You sound like a lousy actor in a bad melodrama. There’s no blackmail here, and if you’re worried about paparazzi, well—they give me hives, too. So, don’t bother calling again unless you want to arrange a meet.”
    She hung up. He could be the answer to all her problems, or he could be a bigger problem. But to find out, he had to commit.
    Her cell rang. “Alexis Brown.”
    “My house. Two o’clock. I never turn down an invitation from a beautiful woman.”
     
    S HE RANG THE BELL at two-fifteen, and the door opened immediately. He must have been watching for her from the window.
    “Sorry we’re late,” she said. “The baby slept longer than usual, and we missed our train by seconds.”
    He stood back, allowing her room to wheel the infant inside. “You dragged that stroller onto the T?” he asked, his voice filled with amazement.
    She inhaled quickly three times and detected no alcohol on his breath—her first item of business. So far, so good. “Sure,” she replied to his question. “We either walk or use public transportation. Last time, we walked here. Today is overcast and colder.”
    “Next time, use a car service.”
    Was he kidding? “I work for Suffolk County, Mr. Delito, not for rich private clients who break the law and want a get-out-of-jail card.”
    His eyes narrowed, his mouth tightened. He seemed to be taking her remark personally, and she hadn’t meant it that way at all. Did he have a guilty conscience? This was no way to begin their conversation.
    She glanced around the entrance foyer and saw elegance everywhere. “You have a beautiful home, Mr. Delito.”
    “All Kim’s doing.”
    Suddenly, she was