Her Man Flint by Jerri Drennen Read Free Book Online Page B

pushed him away and rushed to grab the gun from the kitchen counter.
    Ryan reached it first.
    He narrowed his eyes at her. “Were you going to shoot me, Lindsey?” His temper flared. “Now what kind of girlfriend are you? Trying to shoot your devoted lover.” He shook his head in disgust as he placed the gun to her temple and cocked the trigger.
    “I loved you. Did you know that? We could have gone places together, baby.” He hooked his nimble fingers into curly red hair and yanked.
    “Now, I’m going to let you please me one last time. And, if you do a really good job, then maybe, just maybe, I’ll let you live. So your life is completely in your hands and mouth.” He laughed and shoved her onto her knees.
    “I’m ready when you are.”

    * * *

    Flint scanned the street, the last twenty-five minutes spent trying to find Adriana. She couldn’t have gotten too far.
    Why had she chosen that exact moment to show up at his apartment, and to apologize to him, no less?
    Everything he’d planned for them had flown right out the window.
    Flint shook his head in frustration.
    When he found her, what would he say? It’s not what it looks like. Oh yeah, he’d tried that. What else could it look like? Lindsey kissed him. That much was obvious, but could he convince Dray he hadn’t wanted the kiss?
    God, he had to somehow. If he couldn’t, then Adriana would be lost to him forever, and that was not an option. He wanted Dray. He needed her in his life. He’d realized that the six months they’d been apart. She brought out the best in him, made him see there was more to life than the DNS, and all that entailed.
    Taking a deep breath, he headed back to his apartment. He’d get Lindsey, drop her off at a battered woman’s shelter, then drive over to Adriana’s and beg her forgiveness if he had to.
    Lindsey definitely needed to get away from Hartford. What kind of man hit a woman? It just added another offense to Hartford’s long list of criminal activities. What was next for the guy?
    He shook his head, turned the corner and headed up the street to his apartment.
    On the ride up in the elevator, he thought about how he’d break the news to Lindsey about the shelter. If she were smart, she’d get as far away from Ryan Hartford as she could.
    He unlocked his apartment door, half expecting Lindsey to pounce as soon as he came in.
    “Lindsey, I’m back.” Flint looked around. Where was she? He headed for his bedroom door and knocked. “I need to discuss something with you. Are you decent?” The last thing he wanted was to catch her half-naked.
    “Lindsey, where are you?”
    He eased the door open and saw her lying on the bed with his pillow covering her head. So she’d fallen asleep. He’d just have to wake her. The longer he waited with Adriana, the more time she’d have to stew, and he knew from experience that wasn’t good.
    “Lindsey, you need to wake up.” He placed his hand on her arm.
    Nothing.
    “Lindsey.” He took the pillow off her head and stared at the red spatters on it.
    Aw fuck! His heart pounded out of control. He carefully rolled her over and found what he expected. A neat little hole in the center of her forehead.
    “Shit.” He backed away from the bed.
    He pulled his gun from its holster in his nightstand and bolted to the bathroom, pushing open the door to look inside. Empty.
    He walked through his apartment, but found nothing out of place. He should call someone, but who? If he contacted the police, they’d think he killed Lindsey. He’d bet money she was shot with the gun he’d given her, and he had no alibi for the last half-hour.
    Even if he could convince them he had nothing to do with her murder, he’d still lose his DNS cover.
    What the hell was he going to do?
    He ran his hands through his hair, nervously mussing it, then looked back at Lindsey.
    Why? Why would Hartford kill her? It had to be him. Hell, it couldn’t have been anyone else. After all, he’d been the one to