The Soldier (Men Who Thrill Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the desktop. As she reached for her briefcase, she bent forward, her position giving me a full view of her mostly bare thighs and ample backside.
    I tried to keep focused on what she was doing, but the flash of skin, which I knew was as soft as it looked was distracting, so much so that I was relieved when she turned and walked back to me, card in her extended hand.
    I took the plastic and then leveled her with a glare.
    “Sorry. It won’t happen again,” she said quietly, almost meekly.
    Her tone enraged me.
    After I’d kissed her, touched her so intimately, how could she continue to pretend?
    “Drop the act, Jordan.”
    My words were harsh, as well they should have been. I was in no mood for games, I didn’t have the time or inclination for Jordan’s denials, and I was, unexpectedly, offended by her behavior.
    “What game—”
    “Enough!” I said firmly, voice low.
    Eyes narrowed, she looked up at me and snapped her mouth closed when she saw what was my unquestionably stormy expression. When I was sure she wouldn’t speak more, I continued.
    “Do you want to explain what’s so important that you’re willing to risk federal prison or worse to get to the fifth floor?”
    “I told you, sir. It was a mistake.”
    The words were mechanical, lacked the conviction and life that they’d had earlier, were just a token nod to the story she’d concocted. I could tell that she could tell she was caught. And in an instant I watched her transform. She slanted her eyes up at me, but this time they glittered with defiance.
    “Who are you?” she asked.
    This was a different voice, not the soft yet challenging faux acquiescence she used at Titan, nor the deep, throaty sound that had come out of her when I’d had her pressed against her front door. This was a new voice, could have been a different woman. Gone was any trace of meekness or softness or innocence, and it occurred to me that I much preferred this version of Jordan Casey.
    “I’m the director of security for Titan Industries,” I said.
    Then she chuckled softly, her mouth lifting in the ghost of a small. “Drop the act,” she said, mimicking my earlier statement.
    “Is this another ploy to get me off your trail, or do you actually doubt my identity?”
    “You’re not a total fucking moron, so you couldn’t possibly be in a position of power at Titan,” she said, tilting her head.
    Unable to stop myself, I twisted my face into what passed for a smile.
    “An honest answer, but you still haven’t responded to my question. What are you looking for?”
    She glanced away and then looked back at me, her eyes alight.
    “I’m investigating Prescott Tillman’s murder.”

Chapter Eight
    My vision narrowed.
    As far as anyone who wasn’t me, the General, two members of my team, and the man who’d killed him, Prescott Tillman had died of a heart attack. Even his widow and children believed that. I had worked very, very hard to make sure of it.
    I kept my trained gaze on Jordan, knowing that she’d pick up on any hesitation, and as she assessed me, I assessed her. And again, I had little clue as to what she was thinking. Maybe she was grasping at straws. When a person of Tillman’s status died, there were always rumors, questions, and given his, and Titan’s prominence, that fact was doubly true.
    But Jordan wasn’t speculating or chasing a wild hair. She was sure; her face told me enough to know that. And I needed to figure out how she knew.
    “Why do you say that?” I asked.
    I thought my voice sounded tight, but if she noticed, she didn’t show it.
    “You have to have a heart to have a heart attack, and if you’d ever met Prescott Tillman, you’d know that he didn’t have one of those.”
    “So what if he didn’t? Why do you care?”
    “It’s a puzzle. And as you can see I don’t have a lot to occupy my time.”
    She kept her eyes on me as she spoke, and it was clear that she was sizing me up, trying to see if I believed her.
    I