The Heart of Lies Read Online Free PDF

hand.”
    “I do know that, but—”
    “No buts.” Emily looked across the patio and watched the couple rejoin their party. “Promise me you’ll be nothing but kind to Lucas, until you have something concrete on him—for Maggie’s sake.” Emily’s gaze returned to her own table and she looked into Isabel’s face for reply.
    “All right, all right.” Isabel raised her hands in surrender, grinning at her friend. “But don’t you ever kick me again. I’m warning you, I have a gun and I’m not afraid to use it.”
    ~*~
    Maggie and Lucas returned to their table, where the mayor and Fiona were thick in conversation.
    “I hope y’all didn’t miss us too much,” Maggie apologized as she sat in the chair Lucas had pulled out for her.
    “No,” her brother replied, “I was just getting to know Lucas’s charming assistant.”
    “Yes, she is terrific, isn’t she?” Lucas said, catching her gaze for a moment before returning his attention to Maggie.
    Their waiter approached the table, asking if they were ready to order and they all made their selections. He wrote them down and nodded. “I’ll have those right out.”
    “You know, I never would have found Fiona if it hadn’t been for Maggie,” Lucas added. “She introduced us.”
    He leaned over and kissed Maggie on the cheek. She lowered her eyes for a moment and her lips curled into a shy smile, a slight giggle escaping. When she raised her eyes, they were sparkling and happy.
    “Mayor, your sister is a remarkable woman. She is capturing my heart like no other woman I have ever met.” Maggie’s beauty and sweetness made it easy to be with her—she was gorgeous with her flowing blonde hair and intense blue eyes. Her deep magenta dress was fitted and accentuated the slender, toned body she had worked so hard to achieve.
    “You seem to make her very happy, Lucas. I wish my Carolyn was here to see you two together.”
    “How is your wife?” Lucas asked.
    “She’s in a lot of pain most days, in and out of the hospital,” Sully replied.
    “Sorry to hear that. I know when my mother was in the hospital with heart problems, the hospital bills were overwhelming,” Lucas said, noting Sully’s financial situation as a possible leverage opportunity.
    “Yes, they’re enormous,” he nodded, “but let’s not talk about that now. Tell me more about this resort you’re building.”
    “Here we are.” The waiter arrived, setting the plates before each person. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
    “No, I think we’re good,” Lucas responded, gazing at each person around the table.
    “Then I’ll be back to check on you in a bit,” the waiter said and stepped to another table.
    Lucas regained Sully’s attention and proceeded to explain the concept and the plan, describing all of the luxurious amenities in animated detail, complete with hand gestures.
    Lucas watched Maggie out of the corner of his eye as he spoke, hoping to draw her in. Fiona stepped in to add details, too, when Lucas appeared to be searching for the words.
    “That sounds like a spectacular resort, Lucas. Sounds like a place I could take Carolyn to get away once in a while. How much are the condos going for?”
    “Depending on the size, from two hundred to five hundred thousand,” Lucas replied, watching Sully’s expression.
    “Geez,” Sully grimaced, “that’s kind of steep for my blood.”
    “If you really want one, we could work something out, you being Maggie’s brother and all. Why don’t we talk about it privately sometime?” Lucas began to salivate, everything was coming together as planned. This was the connection on which their entire project would hinge.
    “I’d like that,” Sully said. “Why don’t you come by my office Monday afternoon and we’ll talk.”
    Yes! Lucas was reeling in the big fish and loving it. He shot a quick glance over at Fiona, who flickered a momentary grin. “Certainly, Mayor. I’d love to stop by.”

 
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