Red Handed by Shelly Bell Read Free Book Online

around the back of Danielle’s nape. “Only one way to find out.” She leaned in and pressed her soft lips against Danielle’s, giving her a moment to process before intensifying the kiss. Danielle found herself responding, parting her lips and sighing into Gracie’s open mouth. She tasted like banana. And chocolate. Milk chocolate if she wasn’t mistaken. Danielle wondered where she could find some more of that chocolate in this place, because the apple had done nothing to diminish her appetite.
    Gracie abruptly ended the kiss. “Anything?”
    No racing heart. No throb between her thighs. No desire to do it again. Kissing a woman hadn’t nauseated her, but it did nothing for her other than make her crave a candy bar. “Not really. I mean, it’s not that you’re not attractive—”
    â€œIf your Master wanted you to do it, would you?” Still smiling, Gracie didn’t seem to take offense. “I can’t tell you how to answer, but it’s something to think about as you complete your questionnaire. Remember, it’s our role to serve our Master, but not at our own expense. It’s like a mirror. Our happiness reflects on him, and his on us.”
    Danielle felt as though Gracie was talking in riddles. If kissing a woman didn’t excite her sexually, why would she do it for her Master? “I don’t understand.”
    â€œDon’t worry. By the time you finish your training, you won’t remember a time you didn’t understand. Just keep an open mind and an open heart, and you’ll find answers to questions you didn’t even know you sought.” Gracie hopped up from the bed. “I’ll let you get settled, and then I’ll come by later so we can have dinner together. If you need anything, press one on the phone to call my cell, two for Adrian, or zero for Master Cole.” She threw her arms around Danielle and hugged her tight. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been waiting to meet you—I mean, someone like you—for a long time. I have a feeling we’re going to be good friends.”
    After Gracie left the room, Danielle removed her coat, lay back, and stared at the chandelier. Everything here was so confusing. She rubbed her temples. Her vision blurred from exhaustion, and her head ached slightly from lack of sleep, food, and the stress of knowing her stepmother’s life was at risk.
    In her purse, her cell phone rang. With dread, she retrieved it, then answered the unlisted number. Her stomach plummeted, and her pulse went into overdrive. “Hello?”
    â€œYou’ve been a good girl and followed my directions,” said a voice she recognized as the man who’d been in her bedroom last night. “I can’t wait to reward you. But first things first. You need to get into DeMarco’s private residence. The only way to get to it is through a secret room, which is behind the bookcase in his office. The password to enter that room is ‘benediction.’ From there you’ll need a key to get upstairs to his residence, and DeMarco is the only one who has it. Once you get in, you’ll need to find a jewelry box. Your locket will open that box, and inside you’ll find a trust document in your name, along with information on an offshore bank account. When you get it, you’ll call me at 313-555-2468, and I’ll give you further instructions. So far, Tasha is safe. It’s up to you to keep her that way. Tick-tock , Danielle.”

Chapter Five
    S HE SHOT FROM the bed, her gaze darting around the room and the nape of her neck prickling. Despite Cole’s assertion there were no cameras in the bedrooms, Danielle couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.
    Nothing made sense. Why was there a trust in her name hidden in Cole’s residence in a box that only her locket could open?
    Danielle had very few items of her mother’s, which was why the