Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne Read Free Book Online Page A

another sip of his beer and stretched his legs out under the table. “What’s the second?”
    Nic admired the view as Lauren crossed her legs. His heart thudded in his chest when he saw her feet again. The thought of Lauren in nothing but those black leather stiletto boots and a smile was enough to kill him.
    “His second favorite is also my favorite.” She raised her eyebrows.
    Still slightly dazed, he mentally shook himself and accepted her challenge. “ Days of Fire .”
    She snorted. “Not even close.” When he frowned, she added, “But I liked that one too.”
    He was very proud of the work he’d done on that film. “Okay, so which one is it?”
    “ Small Town Blues .”
    “Why?” In Small Town Blues , he played a father in a rural town whose farm is bought out by a large dairy corporation, prompting the family to move to the big city to start a new life. It was a musical with lots of singing and dancing, and since he wasn’t particularly talented at either, the movie had bombed in theaters and gone straight to DVD.
    She picked up her napkin and started twisting it between her fingers. “The situation of the family in the film is like ours. They’re starting a new life too, and it brings him hope that someday we’ll be happy.”
    He pulled his feet in and leaned forward to ask in a low voice, “When you lent me the dog tags, yesterday, you mentioned your husband…”
    “…died five years ago,” she finished, lowering her eyes. “Todd worked on a medevac team in Afghanistan, rescuing downed soldiers. Until insurgents with RPGs shot down their helicopter. There were no survivors.”
    Her husband had died a hero, protecting his country, whereas Nic had destroyed his family. She would be disgusted if she ever found out.
    Nic took her hand in his. “I’m sorry. Too many good men are dying in that war. It must have been very difficult.”
    She nodded. “Jason was only three and didn’t really understand. Each time he asked me, ‘When’s Daddy coming home?’ in his little baby voice, my heart broke all over again.” Her expression suddenly brightened, and she looked up, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “But whenever we watch Small Town Blues , he’s happy again.”
    He answered with a smile of his own. It always surprised him how much his movies affected people, people he didn’t even know.
    Mick Jagger’s She’s the Boss blared out, startling both of them. Grinning sheepishly, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “Sorry, it’s Vivian.” He answered the call.
    “Darling. I’m here, in your room, and you are not.”
    Uh-oh . He knew that tone very well. “I went out to get some dinner.”
    “When we spoke this afternoon, I told you I’d see you tonight.”
    “Hey, sorry about the mix-up. I’ll make it up to you.”
    “Never mind, we have something more important to discuss. Fifteen minutes ago, our friend posted another sighting on CelebrityStalker. It says you’re at… what was it? Here it is. Thailand Delight on Stanley Street. Is that where you are?”
    Nic met Lauren’s gaze. “Yes, but I didn’t tell anyone.” A sudden pinch in his palm made him relax his death grip on the phone.
    How did NicsBitch know where he was?
    To protect Lauren from the paparazzi, he’d kept his plans for the evening secret from everyone, including Vivian. The bike belonged to a friend and couldn’t be traced back to him. The clothes he wore were pretty much the opposite of his usual Nic The Lover style. And, with the helmets, he and Lauren should have been incognito. He leaned forward so he could see around Lauren and checked the entrance to the restaurant, including what he could see of the parking lot through the front windows.
    “I’d suggest you get your dinner to go and leave as quickly as possible. Let me know when you’re back in your room.”
    “Thanks for the warning.” He flipped his phone closed and put it back in his pocket. This was bad. If the paparazzi showed