Hagen, Lynn - Murphy's Madness [Brac Pack 15] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Lynn Hagen Read Free Book Online

know about Ludo?
    “I am Russian, my name is Ludovic Chernov. I also have ancestors from Cairo. Mixed blood.” Ludo finished tying his boots and stood. He snagged Murphy in for another one of those toe-curling kisses before letting him go. Murphy stood there still puckered up, his mind skipping along in la-la land as his skin buzzed with excitement.
    “Come on, let’s go see what Montana and Dagon have done with your bookstore.” Murphy followed along like a lost puppy, gazing at Ludo’s back as he sighed. At the last second he remembered to lock his door.
    They walked back to his bookstore together, Murphy watching out for Maribel. He wasn’t sure if Ludo would help him. He had just met the guy. What right did he have to expect this hunk to step in and rescue him? He was quite sure Maribel would strike even if Ludo were standing right next to him. The crazy bitch would probably swing her hammer because Ludo was standing right next to him.
    Ludo held the door open as he stepped into his store, looking around to see if his shelves were cleared out. Thankfully, it seemed to be as he had left it. “Hi.” He nodded toward the men standing around his store, looking more like steroid-induced bouncers than book sellers.
    The two men and Oliver smiled at him. “We sold a few books. Was twenty bucks apiece okay?” the bald-headed man asked, looking very proud of himself. His chest was overinflated, and he had a cocky grin on his face.
    “Depends on which books they were.” Murphy prayed it wasn’t any of his rare finds. Please don’t let my luck be that damn bad.
    “Murder Mysteries,” Oliver answered, looking just as pleased.
    “Twenty bucks? That’s a little steep.” He would have to find out who the man sold them to and credit them.
    The bald man’s face fell as he glared over at Oliver. “Sorry, I was going to sell them for four dollars, but Oliver said that was too low.”
    Ludo smiled at Murphy, leaning in as he spoke in his ear. “This is Montana. You can kick his ass if you want.”
    Yeah right. Then right after that he would win the lottery and be rich. That was so not happening. The guy was only an inch shorter than Ludo, and that wasn’t short.
    The dark and lovely man that was stealing his heart had to be about six five, and they both were muscular as hell. Murphy felt like the geek on the beach next to muscleheads.
    Montana shrugged. “I tried. I told you I didn’t know what I was doing.” He stepped from behind the counter with an oh well look on his face.
    “Thank you.” Murphy shook his head as he walked off into his office. He had to check his online orders to see what needed to be done around here. Visions of a dark and rippled body filtered through his mind. He shuddered as he thought of those softly spoken words, and those sexy-ass eyes. Murphy shivered again when he thought of how Ludo was a master of seduction.
    His mind stopped dreaming of the sexy man when he noticed a note taped to the monitor.
    He peeled the tape from the screen and opened the piece of paper.

    Tick tock, tick tock.
    Write it or be written off.

    Murphy’s hands began to tremble. She had been in his office, used his very own computer to type the note, and then printed it. She had been in his office!
    Murphy jumped when arms circled around his waist and a chin rested on his shoulder.
    “What’s wrong, rebenka ?” Ludo grabbed the note from his hand and scanned it. “What is this?” he growled as he looked up at Murphy and waited for an answer.
    “Oh, that.” He chuckled nervously and waved his hand dismissively. “It’s a reminder that I have to write some checks before the due dates.” He bit his lip, hoping Ludo didn’t question him any further. The man would probably drop him like a hot potato if he found out Murphy had issues. Who wanted to date a man with drama in his life? The people on those trashy talk shows never looked like Ludo, and he wasn’t chancing losing the man’s interest.
    Ludo gave