Space Wrangler by Kate Donovan Read Free Book Online Page B

“Most people would have taken their millions and disappeared. But she never gave up on her brother. I admire the loyalty—”
    â€œAfter five fucking years? That’s not loyalty, it’s obsession.” TJ poured a generous amount of whisky into a crystal glass and handed it to Rick. “My mission in life is to persuade her to give up the search. Any ideas?”
    Rick’s backbone straightened. “Are you so sure he’s dead? Because otherwise, who am I to tell her she’s wrong?”
    â€œGood point. Except Trent himself believed the victims die instantly. Torn apart by cosmic forces right there in the sinkhole. Hopefully without pain, but that’s another issue. Agreed?”
    â€œAgreed.” Rick downed the drink in one gulp. “So? You and Alexia?”
    â€œYou noticed the sexual tension?” TJ chuckled. “It’s legendary.” Settling into a leather armchair next to the fireplace, he motioned for Rick to take the opposite seat. “I became an honorary member of the Montoya family when she was just a kid. I wanted to be a second big brother to her, but by the time she was sixteen, she was openly lusting for me. And trust me, it wasn’t easy to ignore, since that dynamite body was already emerging. But I was Trent’s friend—his brother in a very real sense—so I pretended not to notice.”
    What an a-hole…
    TJ shrugged as though he’d heard Rick’s indictment. “If you could see how she threw herself at me, you wouldn’t judge. Anyway, the family went through a lot after that, and I was there to support them. First the mom ran off with another guy. Then she died. Then Roberto died the next year. So when Trent won the Nobel Prize for discovering how to recycle bio-metal, we were on top of the world. Trent, me and Lexie. She had just started college, but came home for the party. You should have seen her,” he insisted reverently. “Sexy and legal. And all of us were drinking our weight in cocktails. So I danced with her, and it went crazy fast, to the point where she put her hand down the front of my pants—”
    â€œYou know,” Rick interjected, “I don’t actually want to hear this crap.”
    â€œBut it’s relevant,” TJ insisted. “Based on one excellent hand job, Alexia believed we were now a couple. But as soon as I sobered up, I knew it was a mistake and told her so. She was so freaking pissed. Hell hath no fury, right? She ran out of there like her hair was on fire. Trent noticed it and complimented me.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYeah, he figured I had resisted her and thanked me for having such great self-control. Obviously, I couldn’t tell him what actually happened, but I did confess I was beginning to find her attractive. And he surprised me by begging me to marry her. He claimed he and Roberto had always dreamed it would happen, knowing she’d be in good hands with me.”
    Determined to put an end to the subject, Rick glanced toward the hall leading to bedrooms. “I wonder what’s keeping her. Maybe you should check.”
    â€œShe isn’t here. She opted to stay in the other penthouse. I’m sure she’s on her way—”
    â€œAre you saying she’s walking across the platform alone?” Rick stood and moved toward the coat rack. “You saw how those assholes were this morning. And the dome lights are already dimmed for the night.”
    â€œShe’s fine,” TJ assured him. “Let’s check the monitors. And remember, those guys work for me. I gave them strict instructions not to hassle her.”
    â€œThey work for your father, not you,” Rick muttered as he buckled his gun belt.
    TJ activated a monitor on a nearby desk. “See? She’s right downstairs, gabbing with the night watchman.”
    Relieved, Rick joined him and studied the eight-inch display. Her back was to the camera, but