Two-Faced Read Online Free PDF Page A

off her feet by the gallant cowboy who had come to her rescue—a sexy stud who made her feel irresistible. She looked down, her face reddening. "I can’t believe I fell for it.”
    Maddy placed her teacup down on the table. "I'm so sorry, Jess. I feel like it ’s partly my fault. I pushed you to go to the convention. Bought you that teddy…”
    “ No,” Jess shook her head. " I'm a big girl. I make my own decisions." She covered her eyes only to see the images again from the videotape. "What am I going to do?"
    "Look, it was just sex, right? So what if it was kinky? I m ean who doesn’t do kinky stuff these days. You're a grown woman. You're allowed. Even a judge can understand that."
    "No, there's more. He...Zach...he gave me pills.”
    Surprised, Maddy looked at her. "You took drugs?"
    "Zach said it was a vitamin that would help prevent a hangover. But on the tape it looks like they're...who-knows-what."
    Maddy ’s eyes narrowed in rage. "You can’t let that bastard get away with it. You have to do something.” She poured more scotch into her cup and then reached over to add more to Jess’s.
    “ No, I need a clear head.”
    Maddy nodded and put the bottle down. “ Maybe you should go to the police."
    "I can't risk Lars getting hold of the tape. I have to get the money. Eighty thousand dollars. It ’s impossible.”
    "Do you think Mr. Collins w ould front you some of the money?"
    “ Eighty thousand? Are you kidding?” Jess stood up and paced nervously. “Maybe he’d give me an advance on future commissions. But with only two sales pending that wouldn't even cover a third of the amount Zach wants.” She hesitated. “Zach,” she repeated with a shudder.“If that's even his real name."
     
     
     
    First thing the next morning, Jess knocked on Mr. Collins’ door. Her head ached from lack of sleep and too much caffeine but she forced herself to dress with care and apply her makeup as if it were a usual work day.
    "Jessica, come in, come in. What can I do for you?”
    Stepping into his office, she took the seat in front of his desk. "Mr. Collins, I don't know how to ask you this." She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. "I'm having a…well an emergency and I'm in desperate need of money. I was wondering if…maybe you could see your way to giving me an advance on my upcoming sales."
    "Jessica, you know I ’d like to help you out,” he interrupted, “you’re a good worker and I know you’re having a tough time right now with your divorce. Perhaps I could help. Yeah…” he paused. “Yeah. I think I could swing...maybe a thousand dollars. Two at the most. Would that help?"
    Jess felt her face flush.” Yes, of course. That would great. A big help,” she mumbled, relieved that she hadn't embarrassed them both by mentioning the actual sum she needed. "Thank you, Mr. Collins," she said, a smile frozen on her face. "That's very kind."
    "Anything to help, Jess. I hope it ’s nothing serious."
    She shook her head, "Just some extra lawyer fees I hadn't counted on. I'd better get back to work." She rose from her chair and hurried to the door, wanting to get out of the room before she burst into tears.
     
     
    It took a supreme act of will to hold back her tears until she reached the ladies room. Then she couldn’t contain the sobs that wracked her body. After a few moments she dried her eyes and stared at herself in the mirror. She told herself to calm down so she could think more clearly but behind her red swollen eyes she saw only fear and desperation. She had to find a way to get the money. Fast.
    She knew a bank loan was out of the question--she'd tried to get one when she left Lars and had been refused. There was one other way but it was so mething she vowed never to do. Not even in an emergency.
    But this is beyond an emergency. This had to do with keeping her son. She would bite the bullet and do what needed to be done.
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWELVE
     
     
    At promptly