The Devil To Pay Read Online Free PDF Page A

up the jacket as he came down the steps. “I’ve seen you. I’ve been looking
    for an excuse to invite myself along, and this morning I have one, don’t I?“
    Emelina’s eyes narrowed as she regarded him resentfully. “What excuse?“ she challenged.
    “Why, that we’re more or less conspirators,“ he replied ingenuously, dark eyes laughing down at her as he fell into
    step beside her. “After finding you down on the beach last night trying to search that house I feel involved.“
    She shot him a skeptical glance. “You’re not involved and you know it. You’re just bored and looking for a way to
    amuse yourself. You said as much last night!“
    “Lucky for me you came along, hmmm? This morning I think I would like to hear the rest of the story, Emmy.“
    “What do you mean, the rest of the story? I told you what you wanted to know last night!“ she protested. Angrily
    she glared straight ahead as they walked along me edge of the road into the quiet village. How was she going to get
    free of this dangerous man? Why on earth had he latched onto her like this?
    “There are one or two details still missing,“ he explained easily.
    “Such as?“
    “Such as why your brother is being blackmailed.“
    Emelina’s expressive mouth firmed. “That’s none of your business.“
    He slanted her a cool glance. “Convince me,“ he ordered succinctly.
    Her eyes widened in renewed nervousness. “I told you last night this has nothing to do with you,“ she whispered.
    Was he still thinking that somehow she was a threat to him? A Syndicate chief biding out was bound to be more than
    normally suspicious, she realized unhappily.
    “Like I said, convince me.“ Julian pushed open the door of the coffee shop and ushered her into the pleasant,
    bustling warmth.
    As he guided her toward a vacant booth Emelina felt the curious looks of die other patrons, most of them locals. A
    wave of new uneasiness assailed her as she slid reluctantly into the booth. There was no doubt but that the village
    folk would begin speculating at once on the fact that the single lady vacationer in town was having coffee with the
    mysterious Mob boss. Damn! Things were going from bad to worse in a hurry.
    Julian seemed oblivious to the stares and muttered comments, but as she eyed him while he quietly ordered coffee,
    it occurred to Emelina that he undoubtedly knew very well what was being said around him. He was simply too
    arrogant to give a damn. Mafia types were undoubtedly very arrogant Emelina winced at the thought and tried to tell
    herself that someday this would all make a really great manuscript “So let’s hear it Emmy. Why is your brother being
    blackmailed?“
    She drew in her breath as the coffee arrived, poured a great deal of cream into her cup and decided the only chance
    of escape with a man like this was the truth. People like him would know at once if one were lying. She shivered.
    “My brother is a very brilliant, very fast-rising executive with a large multinational conglomerate,“ she began in a
    tight voice. “He is in line for a vice-presidency and an important transfer to San Francisco.“
    Julian nodded, saying nothing as he sipped the steaming brew. His dark gaze never left her face.
    “Eric Leighton appeared out of nowhere about a month ago. He had once been a…a close friend of my brother’s.“
    “Some friend,“ Julian observed mildly, “to resort to blackmail.“
    “Yes.“ The single word of agreement was dragged from Emelina.
    “But that’s the thing about close friends and… others,“ Julian went on thoughtfully, “tiiey often can’t be trusted.
    Loyalty is a very rare commodity in this world.“
    “You ought to know,“ Emelina retorted without pausing to think.
    He arched one brow.
    “I mean, in your line of work and all. You’ve probably learned the hard way that you can’t trust everyone,“ Emelina
    explained hurriedly, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut.
    “About your brother,“ he