Unforeseen Danger Read Online Free PDF

  Sister to his idiot here.   She brought those flowers.”
    “Thank you,” Nikki said.   “They’re lovely.”
    “You’re welcome.”  
    Jake pulled out the other chair for Elaine and then sat on the edge of Nikki’s bed.   “So, Eliot, how did Kelly like her birthday present?”
    Eliot’s face flushed red.   “Shut up, man.”
    Elaine shot Jake a puzzled look and Jake said, “Can’t you just see me walking around with this guy in Frederick ’s of Hollywood ?”
    Elaine rolled her eyes.
    “Hey, it fit.   End of discussion.”   Eliot laughed and glanced at his watch.   “Hey, guys, I really gotta go.   Lunch with a Very Important Client.”   He waggled his fingers in emphasis.   He stood to his feet and patted Nikki’s hand.   “My wife, Kelly, is out of town, but she sends her love.   We’re glad you’re okay, Nik .   The rest of this will work out.”
    “Thanks for coming by,” Nikki said.  
    Eliot ruffled his sister’s hair as he went by, earning himself a glare.   Eliot stuck out his tongue at her, and then asked Jake, “Hey, are you going to see Catherine today?”
    “Yeah, she said she was coming back.”
    “I’ve got those papers she needed in my car.   Do you mind giving them to her?”
    “No, I’ll follow you down.”   Jake hesitated in the doorway and turned to look back at them.
    Elaine smiled prettily at Jake and shooed him off with an impatient wave of her hand.   “Oh, go on.   We’ll be fine.”
    As soon as the door shut behind him, her smile vanished.   Elaine leaned back in the chair and stared.   “You manipulative bitch,” she said quietly.   “You’re crazy if you think I’ll allow you to destroy Jake like you did Derek.”
    Stunned, Nikki said, “Elaine, I don’t know what—”
    “Save it!” Elaine snapped.   She picked an imaginary piece of lint off her skirt and smiled.   “You really did it this time.   Jake will never forgive you.   He’s only here because he feels sorry for you.”
    The words stung, but Nikki said nothing, hoping Elaine would supply her with a few more pieces of the puzzle.
    “Jake finally sees you for what you are and this little amnesia act won’t postpone things forever.”   She stood to her feet.   “Watch your back, Nikki.   When you slip up, I’ll be there.   I’ve waited a long time to see you go down.”   Elaine walked to the window and stared outside.   She glanced over her shoulder at Nikki and said, “Oh, by the way – don’t try to force Jake to stay away from me.   It never worked before and it won’t work now.”
    Silently, Nikki watched her, wondering what caused this attack and how to defend herself when she had no idea what Elaine was talking about.   What had happened in her marriage?
    Jake walked back in.   He glanced at her, then at Elaine.   “Is everything okay?” he asked.
    “Yes.”   Nikki pasted on a smile.   “But Elaine was just saying she has to go.”
    For a moment, Elaine looked undecided, but then she smiled and said, “Yes, I really have to get going, but I’ll be back soon.”   She brushed a kiss across Jake’s cheek and waggled her fingers at Nikki.   “Later.”
    Jake looked troubled.   As soon as the door shut behind Elaine he said, “What did you two talk about?”
    Nikki hesitated, but she wasn’t sure she should tell him, not until she knew where she stood with Jake.   Besides, he looked so tired and tense she hated to burden him with anything else.
    “Oh, you know.   This and that.   Nothing important.”
    ***
    A nurse came in and announced it was time to get Nikki out of bed.   She unhooked the monitors and Jake watched Nikki tug at the flimsy hospital gown.   He wished he’d thought to tell his mother to bring some of her gowns from home.
    “Come here, hon.” The nurse motioned for Jake.   “Let her hold on to you for support and she can walk down the hall.”
    Jake hesitated for a moment.   He didn’t want to be that