I Will Not Run by Elizabeth Preston Read Free Book Online Page B

thinking you can.”
    He shrugged, like he really believed he could not only take him on but beat him too.
    I sighed and darted out across the grass. I wasn’t leading Dom anywhere in particular, I just needed to move away from the house.
    Dom’s confidence was clouding his judgement. He might be successful and clever but Bruno’s a whole other breed. As appealing as smart, sporty, poster boys are, they’re no match for junkyard dogs.
    “You’re here to teach me to shoot, remember? Don’t go thinking you can take my husband on and win. No one can.”
    He narrowed his eyes, looking almost annoyed. “If you want me to leave now, just say the word and I’ll go.”
    I kicked the ground, digging a small hole in the dirt with the toe of my riding boot.
    “I know I have no right to ask you to stay. Especially considering that it’s dangerous for you here.” I still couldn’t look at him. “But don’t leave. Please.”
    He moved closer, and I’m sure I saw the muscles in his arm tense, like he wanted to reach out and touch me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
    I smiled up at him with all the warmth that relief brings. Then he did it. He slid his arm around my waist. He was way overstepping the mark but right then I didn’t care. I didn’t try to stop him either, didn’t say a word. Reckless as it was, I closed my eyes and wallowed in the moment, in the feeling of being safe and cared for. Deep down, I knew he only meant the gesture as a casual thing, best mates and all that, but it was easy for me to fool myself. I wanted that arm around my middle to mean something. For the first time in ages, I felt woolly and wonderful. Dom couldn’t have missed the effect he had on me but there wasn’t a darn thing I could do about that. Pushing him away wasn’t an option.
    We stood companionably side by side, his arm still around my middle. There was nothing awkward about the silence.
    He gazed out across our land. “Your operation here isn’t exactly legal,” he muttered, facing the hectares that stretched far out into the horizon. “And who said crime doesn’t pay?”
    Then he pulled me towards him so that we were facing each other. He lifted his hand to my cheek and very gently brushed his fingertips across my inky-black bruise. “But Winter my sweet thing, no amount of money is worth this.”
    I jumped back, putting distance between us, shaking him off. “Why are you really here, Dominic? How can I possibly believe that you’re here for the money? I bet forensic psychiatrists earn mega-bucks. Tell me the truth?”
    He gave me a nod. “Maybe I don’t need the cash. And maybe I don’t teach people to shoot anymore. I haven’t taken a job like this since I finished uni.”
    The hairs on my arms bristled.
    “I came because I wanted to see you again, one last time.”

Chapter 7
    Bruno
    I walked into the foyer at Male Form and of course they all yelled out, “How-you-going, Bruno?”
    I’m used to it. Everyone in this town sucks up to me. I wasn’t in the mood to wave back, though, especially not when I spotted the crowd hovering around Hal at the front desk. I’m losing patience with this gym. All they do is sign up more bodies. The bottom line, that’s all they’re about. They’re no better than pigs at a trough. The gym’s full to the gunnels anyway. Why do they need to go crowd the place out with day trippers? These weekend-farmer types should bugger off and find another place to pose in.
    I watched Hal behind the counter mouthing off, spewing sales crap and not stopping long enough to draw breath. I caught his attention. I guess my face said it all because he jumped back like I’d thrown acid in his eye. Quickly, doing what he should have done at the start, he herded his posers to one side. I stormed right through the middle, parting the waters.
    They were a bright-eyed noisy lot, as silly as a flock of galahs. Perhaps they really did need to come here after all. Don’t think I’ve ever seen such