Extreme Measures by Rachel Carrington Read Free Book Online Page B

barely flinched, though he did drop his gaze to her upturned face. “Let go of him, and it’s none of your business who I sleep with.”
    Hal’s eyes got even bigger, and he sucked in a breath that sounded more like a wheeze. “But we’re not. I mean, we don’t. She and I aren’t…” He stabbed his index finger toward his chest. “I’m just…”
    “You don’t have to explain to him.” Erin cut him short. Hal had never worked well under pressure, and the sight of Matt’s gun had already caused his face to break out in hives. “Now, I said let him go.” She tried to pry Matt’s fingers away from Hal’s shirt, but nothing short of dynamite was going to make her ex-husband let go.
    “Not until he tells me what the hell he’s doing here this late.”
    Erin bumped Matt’s side with her own, wishing she had a little more power behind it. “He has a key, and he knows he’s always welcome here. Hal, you were supposed to be out of town. What happened?”
    Matt’s hands fell away. “I don’t care what happened. The next time you decide to pay a late night visit, Hal,” the drawling emphasis made Erin’s blood boil, “you might want to try knocking first, especially if the light’s on.”
    With slight, birdlike movements, Hal clasped his hands together underneath his chin and bobbed his head. “I’m sorry, Erin. I didn’t know you had company.” The words squeaked out.
    Seeking to reassure him, she touched a hand to his shoulder. She didn’t miss the muscle jumping in her ex-husband’s jaw. “It’s all right. What’s wrong?” The pain in her neighbor’s eyes sent her slipping back into the caretaker role she assumed whenever he needed her.
    A quiet, frail man, Hal blinked at her from behind thick-rimmed glasses, his usually wan face even paler. “It’s nothing. Nothing that won’t wait. It’s fine.” His legs jerked out in front of him as though his every movement was controlled by a puppeteer. He fumbled for the doorknob behind him. “G-good-night.” He was gone before Erin could try to stop him.
    “Do all of your neighbors have such liberal access to your house?”
    Erin whipped around, feeling the heat rush to her face. “Get out.” Marching forward, she slapped her hands against his chest. “Get out of my house now, or I swear to God, I’ll call the police.”
    One eyebrow lifted, indicating Matt’s disregard for the threat. “This is a federal matter. The local police department is aware of my presence, and the chief knows I won’t be going anywhere until Stuart has been apprehended.”
    “The hell you won’t.” Scooting past him, she stormed to the front door and yanked it open. “You have until the count of ten to leave.” She had no idea what she would do once she reached ten. Please don’t call my bluff.
    Matt strolled out of the kitchen and over to the sofa, settling himself atop the cushions with one arm flung across the top. “You might want to put some shoes on before you go back into the kitchen. Glass can be a bitch on bare feet.”
    She slammed the door and pressed her back to it. “Why are you doing this? Would it be so difficult to stay in a hotel?” She dragged her hair away from her face, slung it over her shoulder.
    “I can’t protect you if I’m not with you.”
    “I don’t need protection!” She practically screamed the words, but they could have bounced off the walls for all the good they did. “You don’t even know if Stuart is anywhere within a five hundred mile radius of Charleston. You’re here because I’m your only link, and you’re hoping he’ll show up and make your job easy.”
    “So tell me more about Hal.” Completely ignoring her outburst, Matt switched gears, his tone now amiable.
    “He’s a friend.” She bit out each word. God, her head was spinning. Her blood pressure had to be at an all time high. Picturing Hal’s frightened face only added to her fury. Matt had to have seen how scared he’d been. Why had he