The Naughty List by L.A. Kelley Read Free Book Online Page B

a P.S. at the end. What’s your name? With shaking hands she slipped thely slippe notepad back under the counter.
    She didn’t sleep well that night. When morning came, Rosalie darted over to Penrose’s. She was the first employee through the door when security arrived to open up. With mounting anticipation, she scampered over to the customer service counter and peeked underneath. Her note was gone, but in its place was another. Rosalie, thanks for the warning. I left the candy and instead deleted all Stephanie’s emails. She really shouldn’t write her password on the blotter where anyone can see. Her heart skipped a beat when she noted the signature at the bottom. David.
    David? Who was David? She mentally ran through a list of Penrose’s employees and didn’t come up with a single one. A vague unsettled feeling drifted down on her shoulders. Was this guy using an assumed name? Instead of an admirer did she have a stalker?
    The hairs on the back of her neck rose up. She didn’t see or hear anything, but with complete conviction, Rosalie knew someone watched her. She froze in place, not daring to breathe. Without warning, she spun around, dashed to the return rack, and yanked at a handful of hanging clothes. She heard a gasp and felt a sharp tug from a lady’s Christmas sweater. Abruptly, a puff of air hit her face. With an eep! she stepped back. The sweater fell to the floor. Rosalie peered into the shadows.
    Nothing was behind the rack except the empty wall.

Chapter Four
    Grace strode briskly up to the medusa in charge of the maximum security wing of the prison. “I’m here to see my husband.”
    At her side, Sadhri growled. “Don’t give us any attitude, Carlos.”
    “Don’t give me any of yours,” he snapped back. “I don’t like Brian here any better than you do.” The braids on his head quivered.
    Grace stepped between the two. “Carlos, please. Tempers are running a little high right now, but nobody blames you.”
    His stance softened. “I’m sorry, Grace. I’m only doing my job.”
    “I know. May I see him, please, or did the Baal forbid visits?”
    “Dominic can kiss my ass. The Baal may be in charge of the prison, but he still has to follow protocol and protocol says Brian may have family visits until convicted. I’ll see to that.” He led them down a narrow corridor to a small cell. Brian jumped up from the cot at the sight of his wife. He would have rushed the bars, but Carlos cautioned him back. “The manacles don’t allow you to touch. They...well…they’ll really hurt.” He glared at Sadhri before she could say something. “Again, the Baal’s orders, not mine.”
    “Can you give us some privacy?” Grace offered a weak smile. “I promise we’ll be good.”
    Carlos’ eyes softened. “Sure. Screw the Baal and his rules. You have ten minutes.” He turned to Sadhri. “Come on, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee and we’ll discuss your personality disorder.”
    “My disorder,” she sputtered, stomping after him down the corridor, “there’s nothing wrong with me. But while we’re on the subject, let’s discuss the complete lack of social graces in a medusa.”
    “Shivas and medusas,” Brian chuckled, “nice to know some things never change.” He eyed Grace lovingly, “Damn, you look good.”
    Grace wanted to reach out through the bars and pull her husband close, but didn’t dare. While the manacles didn’t affect a human like her, they’d cause Brian agony. Despite his easygoing grin, she knew he suffered. His shoulders sagged with fatigue.
    “You look awful,” she cried out.
    “Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s good to see you, love. You’re my only visitor except for Carlos and Dominic.”
    Grace drew herself up. “What did the almighty Baal, Dominic Schiller, want?”
    “Rules state he may question me once a day. Not that I have squat to tell him. Any news from David?”
    “Nothing.”
    “He knows something or he’d be here.”
    Grace’s eyes flew