Mad, Bad and Blonde by Cathie Linz Read Free Book Online

That’s a mistake he’s going to pay for big time.”
    “And you made me pay big time too by seducing me when you knew I was vulnerable. Yeah, that’s the sign of an honorable man, all right,” she mocked him bitterly. “Honor, courage, commitment—aren’t those the requirements of a Marine? You’re sadly lacking in all three of those traits.”
    “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, lady.” His words hit her like bullets. “I’ve got more honor in my little finger than your entire family has ever had. And my commitment is to my dad, who was falsely accused.”
    “So you say.”
    “So I plan on proving.”
    “That will never happen.”
    “Watch me.” He marched out of her room.
    She slammed the door after him, only to have it bounce open again and for her to find Paco the bellman standing there. “Do you need help, signorina?”
    “Yes, I need to be moved to another room, one with a door that closes properly.” And keeps dangerously seductive men out.

    Faith didn’t start crying until fifteen minutes later in her new room when she called Megan. “I’m sorry to wake you up,” she sobbed. “I know it’s after midnight there. But I had to talk to you.” She bit her lip and attempted to scrub the tears from her cheeks.
    “Are you okay?”
    “No.” She gulped, trying to regain her control. “Not really.”
    “Faith, you’re scaring me. Did you have an accident? Are you in the hospital? Hurt? What happened?”
    “First you have to swear not to tell anyone. Pinkie swear.”
    “Pinkie swear. What happened?”
    “I had sex with the enemy.”
    “What? Were you raped?”
    “No. I had rebound sex with a guy, and I just found out he works for King Investigations.”
    “Uh-oh.”
    “Yeah, that’s putting it mildly. You know this isn’t like me at all. I don’t jump into bed at the drop of a hat.”
    “I know you don’t. So who is this guy?”
    “His name is Caine Hunter.”
    “When did you meet him?”
    “The first day I arrived.”
    “Why didn’t you mention him before now?”
    “Because I was stupid. I wanted to forget the mess my life was in. And he made me feel sexy and attractive. I fell for the act. He totally played me.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “He was specifically sent here to have sex with me.”
    “What? But why? Who would do that?”
    “Vince King.”
    “Why go after you?”
    “For revenge. You know how King hates Dad. And this guy, Caine, hates Dad too. Blames him for his father’s suicide. It’s ridiculous, of course. As if Dad would ever falsely accuse someone of a crime. You know how good my father is at what he does.”
    “I think I remember this case,” Megan said slowly. “It was right before you came back from Las Vegas. I don’t know the details, but it was a very tragic situation. As I recall, the guy’s son was serving in Iraq in the Marine Corps at the time of his father’s death.”
    “Was there any question about it being a suicide?”
    “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. Let’s get back to you and this guy.”
    “He got to me in a vulnerable moment. Normally I’d never have sex with a guy I’d only known for a week. Never in a million years. But after the way Alan dumped me, I was just feeling so terrible. Caine knew that and took advantage.”
    “The bastard.”
    “The rat bastard.” Faith wiped away the remaining dampness on her face and lifted her chin with newfound resolve. “The total rat bastard.”
    “So what are you going to do now?” Megan asked.
    “I don’t know. I’m trying to decide if I should leave today and come home a day early. But then I let him win. What do you think?”
    “I wish I was there to help you.”
    “Yeah, me too.”
    “I should have taken a leave from work and gone with you to Italy. If I’d been there, that scumbag wouldn’t have gotten to you. I’d have had your back.”
    “I know you would.”
    “I feel so guilty—”
    Faith interrupted her. “No, it’s not