The Heart Has Reasons Read Online Free PDF Page A

bedroom carpet, and a thick layer of dust
blanketed every surface.  Consequently, they spent their time together at
his apartment, where he constantly cleaned up after her.
    According
to his watch, his target should be home shortly.  At the sound of a
vehicle rumbling to a stop in the alley, he peeked over the curtained window
above the sink to see the erstwhile boyfriend climbing down from the black
pickup.  What the fuck was he doing here?  Had his target resumed
their relationship?  Did the two of them have plans for tonight?
    Did
the man have a key to her house?
    This
unexpected development could seriously complicate matters.  The man strode
down the narrow walk but, rather than coming to the back door, skirted the west
side of the house.
    Cursing
under his breath, Chase hurried to the front room and, covertly observing
through one of the front-door sidelights, waited in vain for the man to make an
appearance.  What the fuck was the son-of-a-bitch up to?  He couldn’t
very well go outside and confront the man, so he waited impatiently as the
minutes ticked by.
    After
a seeming eternity, his target finally arrived home.  He watched
appreciatively as she exited her vehicle and headed up the front walk.  A
sleeveless turquoise dress skimmed her figure to mid-thigh, then flared out
into a knee-length, trumpet-shaped hem.  The garment displayed her curves
to full advantage while remaining classy, and the spike-heeled sandals put the
sexiest sway into her walk.  He could almost understand why Keswick was
willing to pay a small fortune for her return.
    Her
pace abruptly faltered as the man rounded the corner of the house.  Chase
could barely make out her, “What the hell are you doing here?”
    The
man spread his hands placatingly.  “Don’t be like that, Larissa.  I
just wanna talk to you.”  Chase couldn’t help but notice that he’d
strategically planted himself directly between her and the house.
    The
woman looked more angry than scared.  “If you don’t leave me alone I’ll
file for an Emergency Protective Order.”
    “That’d
be a big mistake on your part.”  Since he’d have no plausible
excuse for being in her house, Chase fervently hoped he wouldn’t have to
intervene.  However, when the man took a threatening step toward the
woman, he silently disengaged the deadlock, ready to rush to her defense.
    Thrusting
a quick hand into her handbag, his target produced a Browning 9mm — not exactly
the sort of weapon one would expect a trophy wife to own — and leveled it on
her stalker, demonstrating that her self-sufficiency extended beyond changing
flat tires.
    However
much Chase might admire his target’s ability to defend herself, if she actually
pulled the trigger, then all his well-laid plans were for naught, for any
gunfire would ensure the imminent arrival of the police.  For that matter,
if any neighbors were witness to this little drama, someone might already be phoning
the police.
    Faced
with a loaded handgun, any intelligent person would have simply admitted defeat
and been on his way.  This stupid son-of-a-bitch clearly preferred to
tempt fate.  Although his complexion had paled somewhat, he stood his
ground belligerently.  “You won’t kill an unarmed man.”
    “You’re
right, I won’t.”  Thumbing back the hammer, she lowered her aim to his
crotch.  “But I won’t hesitate to deprive you of your principle
shortcoming.”
    Ouch. 
Now that was hitting below the belt.
    The
threat produced the desired result.  Cupping his hands protectively over
his jewels, the man backed toward the corner of the house where he dredged up
enough residual courage to sputter, “Fuck you, you crazy bitch!” before beating
a strategic retreat around the side of the house.
    Chase
hurried back to the kitchen, to watch the man stomp through the backyard and
climb up into his truck.  A moment later, he muttered a silent “ Shit” at the sound of the front door opening.
    He
had planned