Soul Seducer by Alicia Dean Read Free Book Online Page B

hesitate to call.”
    She swallowed and cleared her throat. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you. There is one thing you could do for me.”
    He leaned slightly forward. “Name it.”
    “Could you keep an eye out for Maria? I mean, I know you can’t put police protection on her or anything, but maybe just be aware. Her husband has a violent temper. He’s hurt her before, and she was meeting with me that night to finally go to the police.”
    “Sure. I’ll check it out. It’s kind of you to be so concerned about her.”
    Audra didn’t tell him that her reasons weren’t totally altruistic. Maria reminded Audra of her mother. Not because they looked alike, but because Audra’s mother had also been the victim of domestic violence. Although she’d died when Audra was very young, the memories of the fear and pain her mother endured would be with her forever.
    By the end of the night, Audra still didn’t know if she and Shane had been on a date. He took her to dinner, then followed her home to make sure she was safe, came in for coffee, and gave her a chaste, friendly peck on the forehead before he left.
    As she dozed off to sleep that night, she thought about their evening and decided she didn’t care what it had been. She’d enjoyed his company, and he’d given her a brief respite from the crazy her life had become. For the time being, that was enough.
    ~*~
    Any doubt that Audra was losing her mind was now totally erased. She was most definitely insane. Otherwise, why on earth would she agree to accompany Jaxon to the mall on a Friday night, two weeks before Halloween?
    He’d convinced her to come with him to help pick out a costume for the hospital Halloween party. After being jostled by more people than even lived in Boon Springs, they’d made it to Spencer’s Gifts and were now sifting through costumes.
    Jaxon turned to her, holding a black-hooded robe in front of his body. In his hand, he held a white mask and a semi lethal-looking scythe. The fact that that the weapon was made of plastic lessened its intimidation factor.
    “What do you think?” he asked.
    She smiled. “The Grim Reaper? I get it. It’s ironic because you actually save lives.”
    “Bingo.”
    He replaced the costume, choosing another and holding it up for her inspection.
    “Elton John?” Audra laughed. “Not quite as ironic.”
    “Guess not,” he said with a rueful grin.
    Jaxon continued to peruse the costumes, intermittently presenting one for her opinion.
    She groaned after what had to be the tenth costume. “Come on. You better pick something quick, or I’ll die of starvation. Don’t forget you promised me a giant pretzel.”
    “Yeah, yeah.” He sighed. “Let’s just go with the gladiator.”
    “Good choice. Makes you look sexy. Tonya will be all over you.”
    She’d tried to say it lightly, but the truth was, it made him look extremely hot. With his sun-tanned surfer-boy handsomeness, the touch of gold in his sandy brown hair and the warm glint in his brown eyes, he was the epitome of a warrior hero come to life.
    He rolled his eyes. “Maybe it’s not the best idea.”
    “Hell, you could wear that.” Audra grinned and pointed at a giant baby costume, complete with over-sized diaper and baby bottle. “And she’d still be all over you.”
    Jaxon grunted and snatched up the gladiator costume, heading to the register.
    Once he made his purchase, he put a hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the throng of people to the food court. The place was a teeming mass of bodies. Nearly every one of the food stands circling the tables had a line as long as a football field.
    “I’ll find us a table.” Audra took the shopping bag from his hand. “You find me a pretzel.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Jaxon saluted and made his way through the crowd toward Sweet Annie’s Pretzels.
    Audra scanned the seating area. At one of the long tables, two sullen teen boys sat at one end, while the remaining chairs were empty.
    She