Run the Risk Read Online Free PDF Page A

nothing concrete on Rowdy.”
    It irked him sometimes, that cool confidence, the near disdain.
Others cowered around him. Others understood the threat. But not this one.
“You’ll let me know when there is?”
    “Of course.”
    Truth, or false assurances? Didn’t matter. In his own way, and
in his own time, Morton knew he’d get to the bottom of it. For now, it amused
him to let the illusion of trust exist. “All right, then.” And just to be a
prick, he said, “You can go now.”
    Taking the dismissal with no show of insult, the cop turned and
left.
    Morton shook his head. To his way of thinking, the only good
cop was dirty—or dead. He’d yet to decide the fate of this one. But soon…
    * * *
    F OR THREE DAYS , Logan kept his distance. It wasn’t easy, but
he wanted Pepper to think about him, to anticipate seeing him. Anticipation
could break down her barriers, and that’s what he needed.
    After spending the day working for his brother Dash, he’d
expended a lot of tension. Physical labor always did that for him. Sunshine,
sweat, using his hands, working his shoulders and thighs…he enjoyed it.
    Likely Dash did as well, which would explain why he’d not only
bought the company, but worked alongside the laborers on a regular basis.
    There’d been a lot of concrete work throughout the afternoon.
Sweat flattened his hair to his head and kept his T-shirt glued to his back.
Everywhere he stepped, his dusty boots left footprints. Too much sun made his
face feel tight.
    And still he loved it.
    Dash had the right idea. Make his own way doing good, honest
labor, and build a great reputation at the same time.
    It didn’t hurt that the construction company gave Logan great
cover. No one knew he and Dash were related, so no one paid him any attention.
On the construction site, he was just one more grunt, there to help with the
physical workload.
    Just as he reached his door, Pepper’s opened.
    Satisfaction burned in his gut.
    He glanced up, saw her standing there uncertainly, and smiled.
“Hey, Sue.” He continued to unlock his door, pushed it open. “What’s up?”
    “I, ah…”
    He glanced at her again, a brow raised.
    “I haven’t seen you for a few days.”
    “Been working.” He leaned in the door to drop a thermos and
hard hat. “That’s how construction is. You don’t work for a month, then you’re
nonstop busy for a while.”
    “Construction?” She eased farther into the hallway.
    Seeing this as a prime opportunity, Logan rubbed the back of
his neck tiredly. “Yeah.” He gestured. “You want to come in? I need to shower
and grab some dinner, but then we can visit.”
    “Oh.” Shaking her head, she retreated a step. “No, I—”
    Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he reached for her, caught her
hand, and pulled her forward into the hall and then into his apartment. “I only
need a few minutes. What’d you have planned for dinner? I’m starving.”
    Not the most subtle hint, but maybe she’d be female enough to
pick up on it and take pity on him.
    “I was going to order a pizza.” She looked around his apartment
with interest but jumped when he closed the door. Apprehension welled up. “I
should go.”
    “I’d rather you stay.” He dropped down to his couch but didn’t
lean back into the cushions, not with his shirt damp through and through. He
began unlacing his work boots. “I’d put off the shower, but I’m a sweaty mess.
It’s bad enough that it’s in the nineties, but add in the humidity, and it was
miserable today.”
    “Yes.”
    At that faint agreement, he looked at her, found her staring at
his shoulders, and smiled. “I probably smell like a locker room.”
    Her face again warmed, and she breathed, “No.”
    Logan reveled in her response. Had he reduced her to one word
replies? Just to keep her tongue-tied, he stood and pulled off his shirt.
    Her jaw loosened, and she drew in a shuddering breath.
    Damn, could a woman be more enticing? More in need of a long
hard