What the Lightning Sees: Part One Read Online Free PDF Page B

little crazy in everyone, isn’t there?”
    He chuckled. “In everyone worth knowing.”
    My cheeks heated. Did he pay me a compliment?
    “I’ll make you a deal,” he continued.
    “What kind of deal?”
    “Something to focus your loose lips and to help me to pass the time.”
    That sounded interesting. I looked at him, as his eyes flitted across my face. He didn’t elaborate when I didn’t reply straight away, he just kept his eyes on me. “Okay, what’s the deal?” I asked softly.
    “I’ll help you get what you need from Sandy, but in return, you have to answer any questions I ask you completely honestly.”
    “What sort of questions?” I asked. I was worried he was going to report things back to Robert.
    He shrugged.
    “Personal questions?” I asked.
    “Maybe. Anything I want.”
    “This is just between us? I mean, you’re not going to tell anyone what I say?” My heart had begun to beat rapidly. I was going to accept his deal.
    “Of course,” he said as if he thought I was ridiculous for thinking otherwise.
    “Why?”
    “That’s the deal.”
    “Are you blackmailing me?”
    “Call it what you like. I just want to pass the time, and you want to get access to Sandy. Accept, don’t accept.”
    I was being pulled toward him with each word he spoke to me. What was he trying to do? Keep me quiet? Gain control? A warm sensation passed up my spine and I didn’t know if it was fear or anticipation. Before I knew what I was saying I replied, “Deal.”
     
    Jake
    I grinned but I kept facing forward so she wouldn’t see. A sense of victory washed over me. Despite herself, Haven was fun. You could tell that there was a little more to her than most of the women I came across. She was clearly ambitious and driven, and I admired that about her. I liked that she wanted to do a good job on this article, however vacuous it might be. And she was funny, sometimes not intentionally, but that clueless part of her was kinda endearing.
    There was no particular question I had in mind for her when I suggested our bargain. I wanted to see if she’d take the deal. I was surprised she had. She might lie, but something told me she wouldn’t. Her pride would stop her. She liked rules and she’d stick to them. This might be fun, and it was better than being a victim of her loose lips.
    “So, do you have a question?” she asked.
    “Nope. Not at the moment. I’ll let you know.”
    My mind was full of too much to think about. Hal had asked for some additional information about Elemental Energy, which I’d sent to him. He was asking smart questions, but I took satisfaction in the fact that I’d already asked them of myself. I had a couple of meetings this week with other investors, but I hoped I’d have an answer from Hal before then.
    And then there was Beth. She seemed really happy at the moment. Her studies seemed to be going well. But I wanted her to have a circle of friends—a support system other than me. I couldn’t be there all the time, and she needed to get out more.
    Jesus, I was tense. I should get back into my running, or perhaps I’d call Millie. I wasn’t sure I’d categorize Millie my girlfriend, but she was who I was dating at the moment and I needed a release.
    “So, what can you tell me about Sandy?” Haven asked.
    I sat back down next to her. “Nothing really. I don’t know her that well.”
    “Seems to me you know her pretty well.”
    “She’s just friendly. We have a mutual friend in common, that’s all. Anyway, isn’t that why you’re here? To get to know her?”
    “Don’t tell me her sister is your ex-girlfriend?” she asked.
    “Why is it you think you have me all figured out? You keep making all these comments about me and who you think I am. I thought you were meant to be a journalist. Aren’t you supposed to research, ask questions and look for evidence rather than jump to conclusions?”
    “It was a question,” she replied, trying not to sulk.
    “It was a leading