Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) by Maeve Christopher Read Free Book Online Page A

my own problems. Plus, the whole show with the Aldridges drew me in like a soap opera.
    In spite of her parents’ horror over the incident, Debbie’s health was improving. Because of David, she focused all her efforts on getting well, and fantasized with us about that wonderful “date” they’d have. We heard the “sweetheart” story about a thousand times.
    “Oh Cindy, isn’t it beautiful!” Debbie would stare for hours at the huge diamond loosely encircling her left ring finger. None of us had ever seen anything like it.
    “Yes, honey, it’s an amazing ring. It must be an heirloom or something. The setting is so unusual. I wish I could make out the inscription on the inside.” Cindy was fascinated.
    “Yeah, that looks like it was worn off centuries ago. Looks like a royal logo or something.”
    “Logo? Glori, where do you come up with these things?” Cindy laughed.
    “Well, George was right. It does look like it was stolen from a museum.”
    “David would never steal anything!” Debbie felt it was important to defend her newfound boyfriend.
    I lost patience and scorned her. “How would you know? You don’t know a thing about him, do you?”
    “Glori!” Cindy would never let anyone hurt Debbie, and she was afraid of this line of conversation.
    I dug my heels in and defended my mean streak. “Well, she doesn’t. I guess no one really does.”
    Two weeks later, Debbie was well enough to go home. Thrilled as her parents were with her incredible recovery, the issue of David Henning hung over them like a dark cloud. George hired more private investigators. They all came back with the same information — he was somehow deeply involved in the drug world. That was all anyone could find out about this mystery man. The best news was that no one knew where he was, and maybe, hopefully, he wouldn’t be coming back.
    Oblivious to all the turmoil, Debbie settled in her fantasy world waiting for David’s return. She began painting.
     
    David
     
    There was an uneasy truce between Juan Rodriguez and Alfonso Pizarro. Business was excellent for both men. Their legions of workers and their armies were roughly equivalent. Although they each coveted the other’s wealth and power, the time was not right to begin a war.
    Both men profited from their association with United States Senator Joe Everett. Both men had political aspirations of their own. Senator Everett was concerned with politics and power – but most of all – money. The almighty dollar was his god. He really didn’t care who was in power in South America – or anywhere for that matter – as long as he could make money somehow. Until the Senator’s untimely death, Rodriguez was his man.
    General Pearson’s superiors wanted to retain President Hernandez, as he was a stabilizing force in South America and had worked with the allies to diminish the drug trade.
    Now that David had removed Senator Everett from the picture, there was a disruption in business and an opportunity for the Organization. Sixteen men were sent to South America to eliminate Rodriguez and Pizarro and their operations.
    And so Alfonso Pizarro was stunned and enraged when his efficient and most lucrative cocaine operation was blown high into the air, rocking and leveling much of the surrounding jungle. He did not have long to ponder his revenge. Pearson’s men had followed the lone survivor of the blast, an unfortunate man who delivered the bad news to his boss. They heard gunfire emanate from the extravagant villa. Pizarro had executed the messenger in one of his legendary fits of temper.
    There was only a slight sliver of a moon to light the way, as the men stole into the compound. Silently, surreptitiously, skillfully, they positioned themselves to remove all resistance, and protect their own.
    David was the one to confront Alfonso Pizarro. He was pleased Pizarro decided to resist. He really did not want to have to take him prisoner. As Pizarro reached for his gun, he shot once,