Crime and Punishment 4: Burning Submission by Trista Ann Michaels Read Free Book Online

Josh asked.
    Nathan sighed. “I’m not sure. For all I know, moving is what will draw them to you. That much I can tell. It’s them …multiple threats. For now, stay put. I’m going to call Linda and see what I can get out of her.”
    “Let me know what you find out. In the meantime, I’m going to see if I can get Jenn to open up.”
    Josh ended the call and frowned toward the house. What the hell had Jenn gotten herself into?

Chapter Eight
    Jennifer watched with curiosity as Josh jumped from a lower tree limb and began walking toward the house. What on earth had he been doing in the tree?
    As he stepped onto the porch, she turned and leaned against the counter and waited for him to enter the kitchen. The sound of his boots on the wooden porch sent an odd ache of longing through her chest. Images of a normal life and a man to fix breakfast for filled her mind. As he walked across the porch and through the back door, a lump formed in her throat. She took a sip of coffee to try and force it down.
    If she started crying, Josh would want to know why, and she wasn’t ready to explain. She wasn’t sure she would ever be ready. Look what happened the last time she trusted a man with her secret.
    She blinked back tears just as Josh stepped through the back door. He stopped and stared at her, his eyes seeing much deeper into her soul than she felt comfortable with.
    Linda had said he was FBI. She should be able to trust them, right? No. They could use her just like that organization had tried to use her. She refused to be anyone’s weapon. Not now, not ever. She’d die first.
    Josh’s eyes narrowed. “You okay?” he asked.
    She pushed away from the counter and turned to grab more coffee. “Yeah. I’m fine. Want to tell me what you were doing in that tree?”
    “I set up a few motion cameras.”
    She handed him a cup of coffee. “Motion cameras?”
    “They were in the backseat of my truck, left over from a case a few weeks ago. I thought after last night it might not be a bad idea to have some up. I have an app on my phone, so if it detects motion, it will notify me.”
    “That’s interesting. Did you just put them in the back?”
    “No, they’re in the front too.”
    “That’s probably a good idea. At least that way, if the car alarm goes off again, we’ll know what caused it.” Jennifer moved to pull a skillet from the cabinet next to the stove. “Want some breakfast?”
    “Sure. Need any help?”
    “No. I like to cook. It’s calming.”
    She continued to keep her gaze on the skillet and the potatoes she began to cut. All she could seem to think about was that kiss last night and how much she wanted it again. It was too dangerous. That spark had been unexpected and added a complication she didn’t want to have to explain. That had never happened before, and she had no idea if she could control it.
    “Now that I told you why I was in the tree…” Josh began. “Do you want to explain to me why you got so scared last night?”
    She took a slow breath and licked her lips as she dropped the potatoes in the heated skillet. “The noise just startled me. That’s all.”
    “Bullshit. I’ve been doing witness protection for a long time. I know flat-out fear when I see it.”
    Jennifer sighed. “Did Linda tell you about my ex?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then you should understand.” Jennifer turned down the heat and spun around to face him. Might as well deal with this head-on. “Having you here was Linda’s idea. I didn’t want it. I don’t need protection.”
    Josh’s steady stare didn’t change. “What did he do to you, Jennifer?”
    “It doesn’t matter,” she said haughtily before turning away.
    Josh set his phone on the counter. A picture of her at one of her father’s charity events was on the screen. Her whole world spun, and her knees felt weak. He knew she wasn’t who she said she was.
    “It does matter,” he said.
    The soft tone of his voice made her want to fall into his arms and tell