Five Alarm Lust by Elise Whyles Read Free Book Online Page B

her head desperately and pressed a hand to her mouth. Betrayal lashed at her with the cruel intent of a million tiny knives. Even this, a home, a roof over her head, was controlled by the icy touch of her mother’s grasp.
    She crumpled the ball up and tossed it aside, fury rising at the thought of her mother’s continued meddling. Gillian strode to her bedroom, her fingers making short work of the buttons on her blouse. She stripped and with a cold calculation put on sweats, an old stained T-shirt, and a pair of oversized men’s socks. She pulled her hair back from her face and appraised the already spotless apartment. Nausea rocked her stomach. Gillian pushed past it and grabbed the bottle of polish and a soft rag.
    “I hate that bitch!” Fuming, she sprayed, waxed, and polished until a quiet numbness settled over her. The couch groaned when she dropped onto it. She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her forehead against them. “Damn, damn, damn.” Hot, salty tears tracked down her cheeks as the sun faded from the room, leaving her in the dusky light.

Chapter 5
    Barbara tapped her scarlet nails against the steering wheel and stared at the battered old Chevy parked in front of the townhouse. She reached over to grab a cigarette, her eyes narrowing when the front door opened and Gillian appeared. The prim skirt and blouse hid any hint of a curve. Gillian carried her briefcase in one hand, the keys to her car in the other. She watched her daughter pause on the sidewalk, push her glasses higher on her nose, and crawl into her car.
    Barbara glanced idly at the clock on the dash and smirked. Lenny figured she was over visiting for most of the day. She didn’t need to rush through this, and if it paid off in the end, well, all the better. A hand patted her purse, the checkbook peeking out from the top. Oh yes, it would pay handsomely.
    “Where are you off to?” Barbara turned the key, the engine of Lenny’s older car purring. Staying a few meters behind her daughter, she followed her to an upscale neighborhood where she parked at a smaller house. She glanced at her watch and smirked with a hint of glee. Stepping on the gas, she headed north, toward the Drumheller Prison.
    When she arrived, humming a tune, she smoothed her skirt down and flashed a smile at the guard on duty. “Good morning.”
    The guard glanced at her with an icy detachment. “Morning, ma’am. Which inmate are you here to see?” The slightly overweight guard looked at his computer screen with an unreadable expression.
    “I’m here to see Michael Kilpatrick.” Barbara offered her driver’s license and a sweet, seductive smile.
    “He’s in holding now, be about ten minutes. Leave your valuables here, fill out this card, and when you leave you can collect them.” He tossed a small white card on the countertop, along with a pen. “You’ll step through that doorway there, passing by the metal detector. As long as it’s clear, you can proceed. The officer on the other side will escort you to the visitation area.”
    “Thank you.” Barbara sashayed down the corridor, winking at a younger, handsome guard before slipping past the doors and into the common visitor’s lounge. She took a seat at a table and crossed her legs, her skirt riding up a little to reveal muscled calves. She looked up to see Michael strolling in front of two guards toward her.
    “No touching.” The male guard escorting him shot a look between both of them.
    “Barbara, how delightful.” Slick, even, the rich baritone drew shivers down her spine as she rose to greet the man striding toward her. Dark eyes appraised her carefully, a hint of heat flaring before the guard escorting him ushered him none-too-gently into a seat. “What brings you by? I’ve missed our visits. Heard you got married again. Congratulations.”
    “Just came to see how you were doing.” Barbara leaned forward, her blouse gaping enticingly. “Are you still interested in…”
    “The bitch is