Whistleblower by Alysia S Knight Read Free Book Online Page A

to the fireplace. Zan ignored the leather jacket, going for the shoes. Deciding they were still too wet, he left them there. On his way down the hall, he placed his pack outside Marley’s room.
    He stopped in his room to grab his wallet and then spent the next hour setting up simple traps, mainly to give him warning if anyone came near the house. He figured whoever came after Marley wouldn’t think they’d face much opposition. He planned to use that advantage if needed.
    Back inside, he made one final check of the house. Getting Marley’s shoes, he went to her room. Entering silently, he placed the shoes beside the bed, turned out the light, and settled on the floor.
    He knew he should’ve gone to his room but couldn’t force himself to do it. Besides, the carpet was plush enough, and he was used to sleeping in a whole lot more uncomfortable situations.
    Still, with Marley in such close proximity, his thoughts went to her. He could smell her soft fragrance. He’d noticed it earlier, raspberry and something he didn’t know, but he liked it.
    He closed his eyes and brought up the image of the woman. He liked that too. Trim body but nice curves. He wondered if she liked hiking and backpacking. Being a runner, she might. Her being brilliant didn’t bother him, though he could tell by her reaction it did a lot of other men.
    She didn’t seem like an overindulged woman. That would’ve been a problem. He’d learned fast that high-maintenance women didn’t appeal to him. He wanted a woman who’d try new things and not be squeamish if she messed up her hair or got dirt under her nails.
    Not that he’d mind pampering a woman, he just didn’t really know how. Marley might be his type. She just had to be encouraged, taught. She needed challenging a little. Yes, she’d meet challenges, Zan thought as he eased himself into a light sleep.
    Zan opened his eyes, all his senses on full alert. He could hear Marley’s faint breathing in the bed above him, but that wasn’t what had awakened him. Someone was approaching the house.
    He was on his feet in one fluid motion. Not stopping to notice Marley’s beauty in sleep or contemplate his actions, he dropped his hand over her mouth, pressing down so any sound she made would be trapped.
    Her eyes flew open, she tried to scream. Her arms came up to hit, bouncing off the tensed muscles of his chest. He calmly leaned closer. “It’s Zan,” he hissed in her ear. “Someone’s here.”
    Her struggling continued a second more before her sleep-laden mind wrapped around the words, and she assimilated where she was and what was happening. Her hands stopped against his chest, eyes stayed wide with terror, but she nodded her understanding.
    “Don’t make a sound. Slip off the bed. Your shoes are on the floor below you. Put them on.” He waited for her to nod again before he removed his hand.
    He turned to the hallway and eased his pack into place on his back, strapping it down tight so it wouldn’t hinder any of his movements. When he turned back, Marley waited by the bed. Good girl, he thought. She needed to wait to do as he directed. He motioned to her, and she slid across the floor.
    Even in the darkened room, he could see trust in her eyes. If his gear frightened her, she didn’t let on. She didn’t doubt him that someone was there or that he’d keep her safe.
    He leaned toward her. “I want you to stay low and follow me. If I hold up my hand like this,” he made a fist, “you stop”. “Slow, drop, come.” He went over the series of motions. She nodded. “We’re going to the basement. I’ve an exit there.”
    “I need my jacket,” she whispered, leaning into him.
    “Leave it. I have a raincoat for you.”
    Her head moved negatively. “It’s important.”
    He’d searched it earlier and hadn’t found anything, but her look seemed to say trust me. Well, if she trusted him, he could do no less. He just hoped it wasn’t a fashion thing.
    Raising and lowering his