Seducing the Ruthless Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page A

to wane in the sky, causing long shadows to fall.   Halfway to the house, Cassie passed two buildings with a space between them.   Just as she was going past that space, a hand manacled itself about her wrist and pulled her into the shadows.   Her hand was twisted behind her back, forcing her stomach against the brick building.
    “We’ll have none of that fancy stuff you have been practicing in your garden with that China man of yours,” said the unfamiliar voice.
    “What do you want?”
    “No, Mademoiselle Graham, you see, I am going to talk, and you are going to listen.   Understand?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good.   Now, I think you will find it quite interesting to know that I know where your father is.”
    “How?” she asked trying to turn around.   She felt herself slammed back into the wall.   Her cheek scraped against the brick.
    The man made a clicking sound with his tongue.   “Remember, you listen only.   And no peeking.   Oui ?”
    “Yes,” she growled, trying not to squirm away from the feel of stale, heated breath against her ear.  
    “Now, where was I?   Oh, yes, your dear father.   I might be willing to let you know where he is if you can gather me information from a certain director.”
    “He won’t even tell me where my father is.   How am I to get the information you require?”  
    “Ingenuity, my dear mademoiselle .   You see, Director McKenzie has information that we could find very useful for our part of the war.   In fact it could be over in a matter of weeks once we have what we are looking for.”
    “And how does my father fit into this?”
    “You get me the information, and we release your father.”
    “But Papa…”
    “Used to be in the hands of your most excellent government, but we have relieved them of their burden.”   Cassie struggled and attempted to turn around, but the man held her firmly in place.   “Now, now, mademoiselle , just listen and no one will get hurt.   Oui ?   Good,” he said as she settled down.   “We believe Director McKenzie is in possession of highly confidential maps.   These maps are future battle plans.   We want them.”
    Cassie remembered seeing maps in the study when she had entered it.   “It seems you have not heard, monsieur , that Director McKenzie is no longer in the war business.”
    “What?”
    “He has been removed from his position.”
    “Ah, well, that is too bad for your dear Papa.”
    “Wait!” Cassie said as the man started to leave.   “I will do what I can, please, just give me a chance.”   A pregnant pause greeted her.   “Please,” she begged.
    “I will give you a week to find the information I seek.”
    “A week?   How am I supposed to do that?”
    “Again, ingenuity, mademoiselle .”
    “And when I find what you seek?”   He rattled off an address where the information should be sent.  
    “How do I know this particular map from any other?”
    “Now that is an interesting question.   One to which you will have to determine the answer.”
    “I want proof that you truly have my father,” Cassie demanded.
    “Ah, I thought you might.”
    Cassie stiffened as a muffler was wrapped loosely around her neck, before being tightened enough to cause her heart to race in panic.  
    “Are you satisfied now with the proof, mademoiselle ?”  
    Cassie nodded jerkily as the scent of her father’s pipe assailed her.  
    “Excellent.   I am going to leave you now.   Count to one hundred, very slowly before you come out of this nook.   Oui ?”
    “Yes.”
    “Begin.”
    “One, two, three—”
    “Slower.”
    “Four…five…six,” Cassie continued counting, her heart pounding in her ears.   She made it to fifty before she stepped out of the dark chasm.   Looking around, she found the streets to be almost empty.   She made her way back to the house and let herself in before locking the door.   Cassie leaned against the door letting emotion finally overtake her.   She began to