Risking Trust by Adrienne Giordano Read Free Book Online Page A

thing—”
    “Ah, Christ, Mike, give it a rest.”
    Michael held up his hands. “My sister will need help. Not financially. I wouldn’t put that on you. The kids though. Sometimes she needs a man to straighten things out. Mostly Matt. The other two are easy. Can you do that for me?”
    “Yeah, but I’m telling you, it won’t be an issue. Can we get back to my problem with Tiffany-the-hot-salami-slut?”
    Michael busted out a laugh and clicked through his personnel spreadsheet. “Steve’s in L.A. Put him on her. He’s so big and ugly, she won’t look twice.”
    “Gotta love these high maintenance clients.”
    Michael picked up an invoice his assistant had placed on his desk and perused it. “At least she’s moved on from me.”
    “Huh?”
    “Why do you think I moved her to your client roster?” Michael said.
    Vic’s mouth dropped open. “Am I the only one she doesn’t want to get it on with? Did you thrash her?”
    Michael curled his lip. “Please. She’s a client and nothing screws up a business arrangement more than sex. Remember that.”
    He made a mental note to remember his own decree when it came to his dealings with Roxann.
    Good luck there, pal.

Chapter Five
    Stood-up.
    Michael scanned the crowded bar of Cassatta’s. Nope. Not here. Multiple sets of eyes from around the room glared at him—accusers—and he drew air through his nose and slowly let it out his mouth before meeting the stares. The inquisitive patrons flicked their glances away, probably not wanting to enrage the murderer.
    Where the hell was Roxann? Of course, it would have been easy to miss her because the place had been renovated in the years since he’d been here and a wall, probably to cut down on the noise for those wanting a quiet meal, now separated the bar from the dining room. The dark walls had been replaced with a lighter shade of gray and swirly hanging light fixtures offered enough light to accommodate a romantic dinner or a business meeting.
    Michael had brought Roxann here early on in their relationship using borrowed money because his measly construction salary barely bought them a meal at the diner, never mind Cassatta’s.
    After they’d broken up, he’d never come back.
    Alicia had begged him for a meal at Cassatta’s, but he had refused. He suddenly wondered if it had been fair. He thought about it, and decided he’d made the right decision. This was Roxann’s territory and, out of respect for her, he’d stayed clear. Too many memories and regrets. Why torture himself wondering what could have been? Particularly when trying to concentrate on his wife and making their marriage work.
    There was also the fact that Roxann’s best friend’s family owned Cassatta’s and he never wanted to risk running into Janie. He wasn’t afraid of many things, but Janie gave him the willies. That woman, with her acerbic tongue, could make the toughest of men bawl.
    Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t a mystery why Roxann picked this restaurant for dinner. She’d be acquainted with everyone in the place and would feel comfortable.
    Safe.
    That frosted him, but he couldn’t hold it against her. Half the city thought he was a murderer—some of those people were in this room with him. The other half of the city hadn’t seen the news or were members of his family. Either way, he was grateful for that half.
    What if he were found guilty?
    Jesus.
    His intestines were shredding. He couldn’t spend the rest of his life in jail. His family depended on him. And what about someday having kids of his own? If he were locked in a cell, he’d never get the chance to teach his son how to swing a bat or take his daughter to a father-daughter dance. Yep, horrific territory.
    Having a successful business had served him well, but family was what mattered. Too bad it took the death of his brother-in-law to make him realize his marriage was a disaster.
    Rather than ruin his evening, Michael put away thoughts of prison and traitors and