Viper's Kiss by Shannon Curtis Read Free Book Online Page A

shoot like this, create uncertainty about your identity. Brilliant. Any jury would find it difficult to believe you’re the same woman when you’re wearing that get-up.” He pointed to her clothes and lack of makeup.
    Maggie’s arm dropped to her side, and her shoulders slumped. Luke thought she was about to cry. She took a deep, shuddering breath. His eyes fell to her bosom again. Yep, hell. He forced himself to make eye contact.
    “I need to call my mother,” she said, resigned.
    “Yeah, like I’m going to fall for that one. Let me guess, you call your sidekick, one who still trusts you, and tell him to sell or destroy the prototype?”
    Soulful eyes stared at him. “My mother is very ill. Please, let me…” Her voice trailed off as she looked over his shoulder.
    Luke turned around to see what had caught her attention. One of the news channels had stock photos of the slain detectives on the screen. He grabbed a remote and turned up the volume.
    “…in Seattle’s University District. Traffic was delayed for several hours while police investigated the crime scene.” A female reporter spoke earnestly into the eye of the camera. “Librarian and suspected spy, Margaret Elizabeth Kincaid, escaped custody with the help of three masked men. When informed of her daughter’s situation, Lillian Kincaid collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Police are on the hunt for Margaret Kincaid.”
    A photo of Maggie popped up on the screen. “If anyone has news of Kincaid’s whereabouts, please contact the police. Do not approach, she is considered armed and dangerous. In other news, two bodies were discovered at an abandoned warehouse…”
    Luke pressed the mute button. Dangerous . He had to remind himself of that fact. Maggie was Viper. She’d killed a security guard, and organized the murder of the two detectives, and that was just in the last twenty-four hours.
    “Mom!” Maggie’s hand flew to her mouth, and Luke saw tears welling in her eyes. She turned to Luke, her expression pleading. “I have to go see her. Please.”
    Luke frowned. Her sadness and anxiety were almost palpable. It looked like Viper had a weak spot. Maybe he could use it.
    “Hand over the suit, and I’ll make sure you get to see your mother before you go to jail.”
    Maggie’s bottom lip trembled, and he was surprised by a temptation to bend over and kiss it. She closed her eyes, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
    “I can’t,” she whispered.
    Luke stood for a moment. She couldn’t hide her worry over her mother’s health. How could she still keep the stolen prototype while her mother was sickening in the hospital? How could anyone want to sell out not only their loved ones, but their country as well? He’d seen war. He’d seen death. He planned to settle down and start a family, and he would readily risk his life again to fight for their lives and their freedom. How Maggie could turn her back on all that for money was like walking into a blizzard without a coat—it just didn’t make sense.
    She looked drained, exhausted. And beaten. He sighed. Maybe she needed time to think it over. At the moment, she was a mess, and he wasn’t getting anything out of her. He had her laptop, and it wouldn’t be long before he recovered the stolen research data. But he still needed to find the prototype. This “Visi-suit”. After he’d successfully recovered the data and the prototype, he’d return her to police custody, but his mama always said you’d catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. He prayed Viper had a heart buried beneath all that silicone gel.
    “Come on, you can clean up in here.” He walked down the hall toward a bedroom. She trudged behind him. He crossed to the built-in wardrobe and threw open the doors. Clothes of every size and style were within. Reese had set up a number of safe houses throughout the country and always kept them well-stocked. Luke was grateful for his boss’s foresight. He looked at Maggie and