Chasing Thunder by Ginger Voight Read Free Book Online

chair in the corner. “A girl of your breeding deserves more than hippie beachwear.”
    Her breath caught. “What do you mean?” she stammered.
    He chortled deep in his throat. “You think I don’t know a hothouse orchid when I see one?” He poured himself a glass of champagne. “It’s not my first rodeo, Haley.”
    He remembered my name , she thought with a sinking feeling in her gut. That couldn’t be good.
    “And I detect an accent as well. You’ve run far, far away, haven’t you? From the South. Old money.” He looked her over, taking note of her fair skin and its golden glow. “A beach city. East coast, I’d say.” She gulped, which made him chuckle more. “Don’t worry, fair Haley. I’m not going to send you back. You’re a lot more valuable to me here.”
    He unbuttoned the cuffs on his sleeve and approached the bed. “In fact, I have clients who would pay quite a bit for a little time with someone like you. Not that twenty-dollar blowjob bullshit those swindlers can promise you, that’s for certain.”
    Those ominous dark eyes swallowed her whole as his shirt fell open, revealing the solid muscles of his chest and his abdomen. Her eyes widened in fear, which pleased him, and his mouth curved into an absent smile. “You look like a smart girl. I’m sure you’ve figured out your survival now depends on the people you choose to trust. You’d do well to make a friend like me.” He crawled up the bed, inching over her body, hovering over her. “Are you my friend, Haley?” he asked, his eyes engulfing her vision.
    Tammy’s advice lingered in her ear. Whatever he wants, you give it. Don’t argue. Don’t fight . She offered an imperceptible nod. “Yes, Mr. Isbecky.”
    Apparently it was the wrong thing to say. With a snarl, he grabbed her wrists in his hands and shoved her arms over her head. “You haven’t earned the right to call me by my name,” he told her coldly. “For all I know, you’re some informant trying to get close to me.” He fit his body against hers. “What are you willing to do to prove where your loyalties now lie?”
    There was menace in those dark eyes. He likes fire , Tammy’s voice echoed. Like the devil . Haley willed herself to say, “Whatever you want,” but the moment she opened her mouth her stomach lurched. She turned her face just in time to avoid his kiss and vomit all over his bedcovers.
    “You filthy little pig!” he roared as he tossed her away. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
    She shook her head and scooted off the bed, holding back acidic bile as she sprinted toward the toilet. She didn’t quite make it, which only infuriated him further. He swung his belt free from its loops.
    “Looks like we have to train you how to behave after all,” he growled between gritted teeth. He swung the belt and she barely missed it. She scooted away and curled into a tight little ball on the floor.
    “I’m sorry!” she cried.
    “Not yet,” he promised. “But you will be.”
    He lifted the belt high in the air again, but before he could land it against her vulnerable bare skin the door to his bedroom crashed open. It was Billy, and was Haley ever happy to see him.
    “What the fuck do you want?” Isbecky thundered.
    Tammy rushed in and threw herself between the angry man and the girl she had befriended. “I told you she wasn’t ready,” she said, using her body as a shield. “Take me. I know what you like. I’ll do it all. Just leave her alone.”
    The man grabbed Tammy and wound his belt around her wrists. “As you wish. Let’s go to the Magic Room.” He pulled her to her feet and shoved past Billy. “Clean up this mess.”
    Billy nodded and watched Isbecky lead Tammy away. Isbecky’s silhouette demonstrated how the violent encounter had aroused him, which only made Haley sicker. She leaned over the toilet and retched.
    “Pull it together,” Billy told her through clenched teeth. “Tammy will keep him preoccupied so you can get the hell