Vice by Rosanna Leo Read Free Book Online

a pawn and it sickened him, but it didn’t lessen his need to see the little sprite.
    He couldn’t take that chance. I have an opening at 4pm.
    Perfect. We’ll see you then. Good night, Liam. Thank you .
    Liam didn’t reply. He had no words to describe his feelings, just a sick lump of dread in his gut.

Chapter Three
    With barely a slurp of her beloved morning coffee, Kate hurried over to Lisa’s mom’s house. Lisa had had a bad night. After trolling the Strip, looking for her wayward husband to ensure he wasn’t dead in a back alley, she hadn’t gotten much rest. Kate had insisted she stay home and get some sleep.
    Lisa’s mom worked the early shift in a fast-food taco joint just off the Strip, and couldn’t take her grandkids to school that day, so Kate had volunteered to walk them to their bus stop. Luckily, she lived very close to their neighborhood and could powerwalk to the house.
    A bleary-eyed Lisa met her at the door, holding two backpacks. Dark circles set in a wan face rimmed her pretty eyes. She offered Lisa a hug, and couldn’t help but notice how her normally-lush figure seemed more fragile today. “Lisa, please tell me you’re eating.”
    Lisa stared into the distance a moment, as if eating were a novelty. “Uh, yeah. I had a bit of dinner last night.”
    “Which was?”
    She blushed. “Half a Toaster Strudel.”
    Kate wished Donny were there so she could smack him in the head and knock some sense into him. She checked her watch. “How much time before the school bus comes?”
    “Thirty minutes or so.”
    She put her hands on Lisa’s shoulders and marched her back into the house. “All right, young lady.” She guided her to the kitchen and made her sit in one of the chairs at the table. “Have Georgie and Sarah eaten?”
    “I made them their favorite today. They’re just brushing their teeth now.”
    Kate felt the need to stare her pal down. Leave it to Lisa to make sure her kids were washed and well-fed, while neglecting herself in the process. Once again, memories of her mother washed over her. Elspeth Callender had always taken pains to ensure Kate had what she needed growing up, while always denying herself. Kate fingered the pearl choker at her neck and silently vowed she wouldn’t let Lisa go down the same path. She let out a deep breath. “Okay. You sit there and I’ll throw a proper breakfast together for you. And I want you to promise you’ll eat every bite before you go to bed.”
    Lisa managed a small smile. “I promise. Thanks.”
    Kate smiled. “No problemo.”
    The little kitchen was soon humming with the sounds of coffee brewing and toast popping. Keeping an eye on the clock, Kate plated her less-then-gourmet meal of whole-grain toast, poached eggs and apple slices. She poured some coffee into a mug and added an extra teaspoon of sugar, because Lisa deserved a bit of sweetness too.
    “Aren’t you joining me?” asked Lisa.
    “Nah. You go ahead.”
    “Still doing the gluten-free, carb-free, taste-free thing?”
    “Just trying to get healthy. Although, between you and me, I’d trade my arugula salads for a peanut butter milkshake any day.”
    She laid the meal before her friend, but Lisa only picked at the food. “How did it go when you told your dad you weren’t going to support his gambling anymore?” she asked. “I mean, did he say anything at all? Because Donny’s response has me mystified. I need to know exactly what you did so I can do it too.”
    Kate tried not to look like a deer caught in the headlights. “Well…” she began in a tentative voice.
    Luckily the kids chose that moment to descend from the upstairs bathroom. Kate breathed a sigh of relief. Sarah, a willowy eight-year-old, walked over and hugged Kate, saying nothing.
    Kate kissed the top of her head. “Hey, kiddo. Ready for school?”
    Sarah nodded and walked over to her mom, taking advantage of one more morning cuddle.
    As something in her heart pinched, Kate plastered on her