Fever by Joan Swan Read Free Book Online Page A

attorney in San Francisco. If you let me go, I know I can convince him to look into your case. I’ll make sure he gets your appeal through the system, and—”
    “A lousy goddamned lawyer is the reason I’m here.” His voice emerged slow and tight as if he were growing close to the end of his patience. “No one can help me. Change your clothes. Now.”
    “Or,” she tried again, “I could make a phone call and have money wired from my credit card to a Western Union. That way you wouldn’t have to depend on that other guy for money. You could break off and go your own way.”
    “Sonofabitch.” Creek stopped pacing, his back toward her. He crossed his arms, pulling the black fabric of the tee across muscular shoulders, and dropped his chin to his chest. He pulled off his cap and rubbed his head with both hands. “How does Luke fucking live with you?”
    Alyssa’s stomach jittered with unease. She was starting to think they existed in parallel universes. “Who?”
    He slid the hat back onto his head and swung around, eyes hot with irritation. “I swear, woman, if you don’t start moving, I’ll strip you myself. Don’t make me do that.”
    His tone made it clear undressing her would be a disgusting chore. Jerk . She pushed the stupid thought aside and focused on her goal.
    “Get me a phone,” she said, “and I’ll make the call right now, while you’re standing here. You can confirm the money is waiting for you before you leave. Then tell that idiot”—she gestured toward the door—“that you killed me and that you two need to get out of here before the police come. I’m nothing but another problem for you to deal with.”
    Creek crossed his arms. His strong jaw jumped beneath tan skin and golden stubble. “Last warning. Don’t make me tell you again.”
    Alyssa had never begged for anything in her life. Demanded, maybe. Asked, okay. Pled, no. This sick feeling of helplessness made her angry and desperate.
    “You’re out now,” she said, imploring. “You don’t need me.”
    One side of his mouth turned up, but the expression was more cunning than humorous, his blue eyes reflecting anger. Maybe resentment. “Girl, you are the only thing I really need.”
    Bang! Bang! Bang!
    Alyssa jumped at the rap on the door. Creek swung that direction.
    “You done with her yet?” Taz yelled. “I’ve got a boner the size of a Louisville Slugger and nowhere to put it.”
    A rush of bile stung Alyssa’s throat. She clutched the clothes to her chest.
    “Jack off in the car,” Creek yelled back. “I’m keeping her.” He met Alyssa’s eyes directly. “It’s him or me, Hannah, and he doesn’t need you. I suggest you do things my way.”
    Hannah? The circuits of her brain sparked, shorted out. “Hann—? Who ... ? What ... ?”
    Holy shit. Hannah. He thought she was Hannah Svelt, the sonographer Alyssa had filled in for. Which meant he’d never met the girl, because she and Alyssa were polar opposites. Hannah was five-foot-ten inches of pure Scandinavian beauty. Tan skin, white-blond hair that reached the middle of her back, model looks. She also had a curvy figure, which explained the clothes, but left Alyssa with a whole host of new questions.
    She opened her mouth to clarify her identity; then another thought dribbled into her brain. If she wasn’t Hannah, then Creek didn’t need her. If she wasn’t Hannah, then Creek had no incentive to keep her safe or alive.
    In that moment Alyssa decided she could damn well be Hannah, at least until she could find a way to escape.
    “I’m changing.” Alyssa slid her pants off without a hint of embarrassment. Dragged on the poorly fitting clothes without a murmur of complaint. She tied her broken bra strap into a knot and kept her tank on beneath the spandex. Then she slid back into her comfy clogs instead of the heels and used a section of her hair to tie a knot around the rest, pulling the unruly strands off her face. And she did all of it while Creek