Vengeful Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

she’d given up. She’d have to bring the notes down to the station and hope someone would be there to file her complaint.
    In the meanwhile, she studied the message. Who the hell was it? Someone she’d come into contact with at the shelter or the library seemed most likely, but she couldn’t think of anyone in particular. She ran through a mental list of people who were aware of the showing and her friendship with Annie. The list was alarmingly short. Her co-workers, Annie’s family, her and Annie’s friend Cat, Aidan, the date who’d stood her up and, of course, Zander.
    She shook her head, annoyed at the direction her paranoia had taken. Like so many of the girls she mentored, she’d learned that trusting the wrong people could leave lifelong scars. Despite his appearance on her mental list, she knew Zander well enough to know he wasn’t a closet psychopath. She trusted him without reservation—a conviction she couldn’t explain, much less understand. She couldn’t rationalize the sense of security she felt when she was with him. Since the assault, no other man had ever warranted that level of certainty. Today, the feeling was stronger than ever.
    She grimaced. Only she would get warm-fuzzies about a guy who was so categorically wrong for her.
    Tessa glanced at the sheet of paper in her hand. It was possible, she supposed, that someone could have overheard her talking about the gallery opening. She couldn’t think of a time she’d discussed it when she hadn’t been in her empty office or her equally empty apartment, but it wasn’t impossible. She considered calling Annie to cancel, but she refused to let a stalker dictate to her. She’d go, but she wasn’t going alone. Normally, attending a function by herself wouldn’t be a problem, but the last note spooked her.
    She placed it in her satchel with the other one and checked the time. Zander ought to have dinner ready by now, and she could find out about his puzzling request. She smiled to herself. He didn’t know it, but he was going to an art show tonight.
    * * * *
    Zander opened his door and froze, shocked into momentary silence at the sight of Tessa. Waiting in the hallway, she still wore the simple, cream-colored dress she’d had on that morning but now, her hair fell around her shoulders in loose waves. He wanted to tangle his hands in the thick silk. The setting sun streamed through the cracked, stained glass window in the corridor and bathed her in its glow. Gold and green light suffused her, and she looked more angelic than ever. Radiant. Pure. Untouchable.
    “Hey,” the vision said.
    He had to clear his throat in order to speak. “Hey, yourself.”
    His gaze slid over her. The fading daylight outlined her figure through the fabric of her dress. Long and lithe, her body tantalized him with hints of shadowed lines and graceful curves. Teased him with glimpses of heaven he’d never experience.
    Frustration tugged at him. Maybe the theory that men and women could never be just friends was true. Sexual chemistry was always there to screw things up. He had no doubt that if he and Tessa acted on the attraction between them the sex would be phenomenal. Better than phenomenal. It would also end their friendship. At least, that’s what he told himself. Having a woman in his life whose companionship was more important than sex was confusing to say the least.
    She studied him silently for a moment. “So are we dining in the hall tonight?”
    He shook himself and stepped aside. “Sorry. I’m a little spaced out—work stress.” Technically, it was true. Only now, the situation had become much more complicated with her in the equation.
    “Is that what your Captain Cryptic routine was all about?” she asked as she walked past him and into the dining room. She surveyed the table before turning toward him, her hands on her hips and eyes narrowed. “Okay, Zander. Spill it. What do you want?”
    “Who says I want anything? Can’t a guy make dinner