Shrouded in Darkness (Shrouded Series) by H. D. Thomson Read Free Book Online

perfect and have the money to compete with Midas, but four years with him had cured her of ever wanting him again. Malcolm was incapable of having an intimate relationship with anyone. Female or male. It just wasn’t in him.
    Malcolm cared for Malcolm and only Malcolm, and that about summed it up.
    “You miss me?” Margot lifted her chin. “I find that hard to believe.”
    “Well, believe it.” He shoved passed her and into the foyer, then tossed the flowers on the hall table. “After all, you’re the one who left me.”
    Tension cut along her shoulders and neck, and she curled her fingers into fists at her sides. She hated Malcolm’s head games.
    “As if you gave me an option.”
    He stepped toward her, lifted a hand and rubbed a knuckle against her cheek. Then he dropped his hand to his side, but on the way down his fingers grazed the side of her breast. Margot didn’t flinch, didn’t do anything but stare back. She damned well knew him touching her like that was no accident. Oh, how she wanted to lash out at him, but memories of past encounters stilled the urge.
    Malcolm was strong, vicious, and quick to lose his temper.
    “Don’t you miss me a little?” he asked.
    “No.”
    He pressed forward, giving Margot no choice but to backup. Unless, that is, she wanted him touching her again. She swallowed hard. The last time he’d put a hand on her, he’d hurt her badly. All too clearly, she remembered that day when he’d come home from Miltronics in a near temper. She’d made the mistake of doggedly asking questions about what they were working on after several times he’d told her to stop. He’d flown at her then, rage changing his face to something ugly and frightening. That night her arm had almost snapped as he pulled it behind her back and twisted until the pain forced her to her knees.
    Crossing her arm, she cupped the elbow where she’d been injured. She’d never gone to the hospital. Call it fear or stupidity or just being young and insecure. Even now, when the humidity climbed, twinges of pain would slice through the tendons of her arm.
    Walking further into the hall, Malcolm looked around. “How can you stand it? You’ve become a real hermit.” He shook his head. “Who would have thought? Poor Margot. Has life been that bad that you have to hide out in this hellhole? Or maybe I’ve got it all wrong and you’re getting all nice and cozy with some guy?” His smile looked far more threatening than friendly. “Getting it on the side and not telling anyone about it?”
    For some crazy reason Jake came to mind. “It’s none of your business who I see.”
    “Oh, so you are seeing someone.”
    “I didn’t say that. Why are you so interested in my personal life all of a sudden?”
    Shrugging, he walked past her.
    “Where are you going?” she asked, quickly following him as he strode down the hall.
    He didn’t respond, but peered into the den, then entered the living room. She walked around the tanned leather couch and trailed a hand along its top, all the while controlling her growing anger. Experience had long ago taught her that the only way to win any type of battle with Malcolm was to be cool, rational and above all, fearless.
    “You haven’t had anyone come by from Miltronics, have you?
    Her hand stilled on the leather. She thought of Jake again. “No.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying.”
    “Why in the world would I lie? I’ve nothing to hide. ” She arched her brows in disbelief. “Really, Malcolm. You’re way off base.”
    Margot didn’t know if he’d bought it as he strode from the room. With growing suspicion, she followed him into the hall and watched him glance into the kitchen. Something was going on, something she couldn’t even begin to guess at.
    Suddenly, he rounded on her and smiled. “You’re looking good, Margot.” Slowly, so very slowly, he trailed a finger along her neck. “You know, I think I want you back in my bed. You were always pretty