Retribution by Gemma James Read Free Book Online Page A

like that.
    That had been two weeks ago.
    He’d transferred me to another department the week following our trip, and there’d been no phone calls or demands. He hadn’t sought me out once, other than to send a copy of our voided contract. Now I was a bewildered mess because his actions disappointed me. I couldn’t explain it—this hollow in my chest he’d left behind. I wanted my freedom, and I still despised him for the way he’d hurt me, but . . .
    I missed him. I missed the way he consumed me, missed the way he sent me crashing into deep space. I thought about scheduling an appointment with a shrink, but the thought of divulging the cause of my stress humiliated me too much. He’d used and abused me, and now that he’d let me go, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
    And all the while, Ian stood by, kind, understanding, and displaying the patience of a saint. He’d stopped by every day to see me—at the hospital, at home, even after work. But we didn’t talk about it. Gage sat between us, an unspoken entity. My horror at what I’d done—at how easily I’d succumbed to my desire for Gage—made me keep Ian at arm’s length.
    I wiped the unsettling thoughts from my mind as the elevator approached the fifth floor. The doors slid open, and as a tall brunette entered, I let the tension slowly seep from my body. The doors narrowed toward the center, but a black dress shoe stopped them from completing their slide. Gage's eyes met mine. I sought the farthest corner and tried to fold myself into it—obviously my body understood the threat he represented, even if my heart didn’t, and my heart was beating like a caffeinated little drummer boy.
    The elevator stopped at the third floor where the woman got off and left Gage and me alone. The air was instantly stifling, heavy with fear and the undeniable spark of sexual tension. I jumped when he moved and studied my shoes upon the funny look he gave me.
    “How's Eve?”
    “She's good. They’re letting her come home tomorrow.”
    A smile broke out on his face—one so rare I wanted to snap a picture just to have proof that Gage Channing was capable of such a grin. “I’m glad.” The doors opened into the parking garage, and without another word, he exited.
    I puzzled over the strange encounter as I approached my car, heels tapping an echo through the deserted garage. Gage backed out of his spot and disappeared through the exit, and as I opened my car door, a voice from behind stopped me cold. I jumped and whirled.
    Jody stood there, sporting two black eyes and a busted lip.
    “Rick’s been drinking again.” Her mouth trembled, and like a scared child, she folded her arms around herself. “He really had changed, Kayla. He was doing so good.” She dropped her arms to her sides and formed two tight fists. “But you kept him away from Eve, and now he’s going crazy. Why’d you have to be such a bitch?”
    I slammed my door. “Don’t you dare put this on me. He’s dangerous.” I shook my head. “I thought we were friends, Jody. Let me help you.”
    Her bitter laughter bounced off the walls of the garage. “Friends? We haven’t been friends in a long time. Why, Kayla?”
    “I-I don’t know. Eve got sick . . .” And I’d checked out on life for a while. I’d lost touch with everyone. “I’m worried about you.”
    “Well don’t. Just quit provoking him already.” She took off toward a bright red Honda parked nearby. The tires screeched as she slammed on the gas and raced through the exit.
    Her words percolated in my head all evening, an unwanted distraction that intruded on my time with Eve. I tossed and turned next to her for hours after she fell asleep, unable to stop thinking about my encounters with both Gage and Jody.
    It was past midnight when I found myself in his driveway. I needed to figure out why he drew me to him like a magnet, regardless of how much he hurt me . . . would always hurt me. People didn’t change, and I wasn’t about