The Sacrificial Lamb by Elle Fiore Read Free Book Online

scent—a mixture of man, sandalwood, and something faintly sweet smelling. It would have been pleasant, if not for the memory associated with it.
    Alex’s insides quailed for a moment, and she reminded herself that it could have been worse. Nothing bad had happened. Since then, he had been careful to keep his distance, which was fine by her. When he’d chosen to sit straddling the high backed chair, it had made her feel more comfortable. Really, he couldn’t make any sudden movements without giving Alex plenty of time to react. Even though he had made it a point to let her know he meant no harm, she didn’t feel she could particularly trust him.
    Their conversation hadn’t done much in the way of giving her the answers she was seeking, but her nagging suspicion had been correct. Her presence here most definitely had something to do with Santino DiRocco and her father.

    John Montgomery had flown in a week earlier to spend some extra time with his daughter. While they were out at a restaurant, Alex noticed he kept looking over at an older gentleman at another table who was sitting with a beautiful flaxen-haired woman and gesturing wildly. The man looked somewhat agitated, and she thought her father’s cop senses had kicked in and he was expecting trouble.
    “Is everything okay, Dad?” she asked under her breath, shooting an anxious glance at the couple.
    “Huh? Oh, yeah,” he replied, brow furrowing. “Sorry, Lexi. I think I know that guy.”
    “Dad, we’re on the other side of the country,” she said, exasperated. Her father always thought he recognized people when he was visiting her in Chicago despite the fact he’d never lived outside of his home state. “I seriously doubt you know that guy.”
    Alex took a better look at the man. He was handsome and well groomed, with dark hair and an olive-colored complexion, and he was wearing a tailored suit she was sure hadn’t come from a department store. He was a complete contrast to her father, who was sandy-haired and blue-eyed, built more like a redneck farmer who’d let himself go a little around the middle. Her father evoked home and safety with his comfortably worn khaki pants, chambray shirt, and bomber jacket. She couldn’t imagine any situation where John Montgomery, a small time sheriff from Boulder, Montana, would ever have the opportunity to be friendly with this mysterious stranger.
    “I’m telling you, I think that’s my old college roommate,” her father said. Now he was squinting his eyes, as if by doing that, he could forcibly remove the last thirty years or so from the man’s face.
    “Dad,” she whispered fiercely, “you’re embarrassing me!” Alex put her hand up against the side of her face, shielding it from the odd glances coming from other patrons of the restaurant. At this point, the gentleman stopped talking to his companion and looked toward them. His brow creased, and he cocked his head to one side. Alex groaned inwardly as her father waved at him. The man’s face cleared, and then he stood up and came to their table, smiling.
    “John? John Montgomery?” he said in a pleased voice. Alex peeked up from behind her hand, feeling relieved the man didn’t accuse her father of some weird inappropriate behavior.
    “Santino!” John said, getting up and offering his hand. “I thought it was you. I was just telling my daughter I was positive you were my old roommate from college.” They shook hands enthusiastically.
    “Your daughter!” Santino said in a smooth voice, turning toward her and flashing a sparkly white smile. Alex blushed to the roots of her hair. He was a very handsome man, and she had a hard time believing he was the same age as her father.
    “Such a beautiful young woman. You should be proud,” he said, clasping her hand in his two warm ones. She giggled involuntarily and had to stop herself from clapping a hand over her mouth in mortification. He dropped her a wink, and she almost giggled again.
    “And what