Wise Moves by Mary Burton Read Free Book Online

beneath the words.
    Elena did not care what Antonio thought anymore. She wore black because she was in mourning for the man she’d loved and lost. “You were responsible for the car accident that killed Carlos.”
    He puffed on his cigar and stared at her through the trail of smoke curling around his face. “He was not suitable.”
    To have her fears confirmed made her sick. “So you did kill him?”
    “Yes.”
    “My God,” she whispered.
    Antonio had forbidden her to see Carlos, which had only solidified her determination to see him. A week ago she and Carlos had planned to run away. A day later his car had plunged off a bridge and he’d been killed.
    “In time you will thank me,” he said. “You are above the rest of the world. You are special. Your place is at my side and when the time is right I will choose a husband for you.”
    Unshed tears burned the back of her throat, but she refused to let them spill.
    As if on cue, the car stopped. “Time for our lesson.”
    Elena could feel her resolve fraying. “Where are we?”
    The door to the limo opened. Antonio got out and then held his hand out to her. His manicured nails caught the moonlight.
    Elena didn’t accept his hand but climbed out of the car unassisted. Anger glimmered in Antonio’s dark eyes but he let the small act of defiance go.
    Elena looked around and realized they were in the warehouse district. Before them stood three of Antonio’s muscled men standing in front of a gray tobacco warehouse. They wore white linen suits, bright shirts and gun holsters they made no move to hide.
    Elena had suspected Antonio was a criminal since she was a teenager, but he’d always kept that part of his life separate from her.
    He guided her to the open warehouse door. She was aware only of the pounding of her heart and the click of her heels against the damp concrete.
    The instant they entered the warehouse, she saw the six men. They kneeled in a neat row, hands tied behind their back. Their weathered faces bruised and tight with fear.
    Antonio snapped his fingers and one of the men handed him a gun. He looked at her, his eyes cold and black. “These men disobeyed me, Elena. And now you will see what happens to people who defy me.”
    Antonio fired his gun and killed the first man.
     

    Kristen jumped, realizing the loud sound she’d heard wasn’t gunfire from the past. Someone was pounding on her front door.
    She glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall across from her. Six-ten. Cambia would not be here for at least another hour. No one should be here.
    Her heart hammering, she rose and moved barefooted to the front door. A fine sheen of sweat dampened her back and she realized her hands were shaking. She shoved out a breath and tried to calm her thoughts.
    Thick blinds covered the glass front door, making it impossible for her to see who was on the other side. Instinct told her not to answer.
    The someone on the other side pounded harder. “Hey, Sheridan, it’s me, Crystal. Let me in.”
    Crystal. The young girl Sheridan head mentioned.
    “Come on, Sheridan, I can hear your yoga tape in there. Please open up. Tony is coming.” Desperation dripped from the last word.
    Kristen peeked around the edge of the curtain. A girl stood there. Shoulder-length black hair accentuated thickly made-up green eyes. She sported three earrings in each ear and a purple bruise on her cheek.
    Kristen smoothed a damp hand down her yoga pants. Crystal was clearly in trouble. There’d been so many times when she’d wished someone would have reached out a hand and saved her.
    Drawing in a deep breath, she turned the deadbolt and opened the door until the chain caught.
    Crystal’s gaze locked with Kristen’s. “Please, lady, let me in.”
    In the distance she heard a squeal of wheels on pavement. Seconds later a red Cutlass Supreme came around the corner.
    Crystal’s face turned pale. “He’s here.”
    Kristen watched as the car skidded to a stop in front of the