Torrid Nights by Lindsay McKenna Read Free Book Online Page B

born an ogre.”
    Sully grunted, frowning. “I know some of the story, Mac. I worked for him way back when he was just starting out. Before Hampton Development became the international corporate giant it is.”
    “What was he like then?”
    Sully shrugged his thin shoulders. “I think he was about twenty-five at the time I was workin’ on one of his road gangs. He was decent then. Had a sense of fairness about him.” His eyes took on a twinkle as he gazed down at her. “In fact, he was a lot like you. Always pitching in and helping the crews. You know, little things. But they were important to us. He didn’t sit back like he does now and shout orders. Used to get in there and work, just like he was one of us.”
    Mackenna chewed on her chapped lower lip. “Then what transformed him?”
    “A woman,” he snorted. “Isn’t it always?” Then he looked apologetic. “You ain’t like that, Mac. So don’t take what I say personal, okay?”
    “Okay.”
    “About ten years ago he married a Eurasian woman. She was quite a beauty. And she came complete with her father’s Hong Kong construction empire as a dowry.” He scratched his head, remembering. “I only met her a couple of times. But she wasn’t someone you’d want to know better. She had no use for hired hands like me. But she sure did run Brock Hampton around. Lots of folks thought poorly of her. Lots of gossip and so on.”
    “Did Brock marry her for business reasons?” Mackenna asked, searching for a reason.
    “Who knows? But I’d swear he had fallen head over heels in love with her. Just by the look on his face. You can tell a lot by the look in a man’s eyes.”
    “And he had that look?”
    “Yup. And you shoulda seen him when he became a father! No one was prouder of any little boy than he was.”
    Mackenna felt a warning chill and pulled the blanket more tightly around her. “Is he still married?”
    Sully gave an explosive laugh. “Gal, that was one of the biggest and messiest divorces in the Far East! She took him right to the cleaners. And worse, she kidnapped the boy. For two years Hampton didn’t know if his son and ex-wife were dead or alive. Of course, that was her way of getting him to fork over half of his money and stocks, the way I heard it. From then on, he took on a hatred for women that’s well-known.” He gave her a worried look. “That’s why I’m scared for you, Mac. He hates deep. And you’re a woman. No doubt he puts you in a category with his ex-wife. He’s not the type of man to make exceptions.”
    Another chill wracked Mackenna’s body, and she trembled visibly. Sully saw it and got to his knees to wrap another blanket around her heavily swathed body. “Well,” she said, gritting her chattering teeth, “he’s going to have to make me the exception.”
    Sully gave her a reluctant smile, sitting back. “My money’s on you, Mac. Listen, Frank is gonna come in and stay with you for a while. I’m hungry, and Kepi’s keeping some chow hot for me over at the cook’s tent.” He gave her a final pat on the shoulder. “Be back in a little while.”
    “Please,” she called as he got to his feet, “I’ll be fine. You need your sleep, Sully and—”
    The mechanic glared down at her. “Now, you look here, gal. You just stay there and get better. I figure one more cycle and that chloroquine will take effect. Just rest!”
    Mackenna stared up at him, realizing his eyes were growing watery like her own. Swallowing the lump in her throat she whispered, “Okay,” feeling like a contrite child.
    Sully roused himself, grunting. “That’s more like it. You Irishwomen are strong and bullheaded, but at least you got about an ounce of sense. No more. Feel like eating something? We gotta keep your strength up, Mac.”
    Suddenly Mackenna felt an overwhelming anger. Why did she have to get sick now, when she could least afford to be disabled? After Ryan’s death, she had had to stand alone. And she was alone now. But