Yesterday by Lora Leigh Read Free Book Online

impossible. But it was over. The dirty bastard was dead and Blake should have been able to assure the safety of his family with that death. Which left him to assume his brother s identity in a desperate bid to quickly insinuate himself back into Anna s life.
    An hour later, showered and dressed and after sitting on the bed and calling himself ten different types of a coward, he rose to his feet and moved to the door. Finding the living room was easy enough.
    Anna, are you sure it s safe? He paused just before the living room door as he heard the new voice. Margaret Lawrence, Anna s mother. Her voice was soft, filled with warning as she questioned her daughter.
    He s Blake s brother. I won t turn him away, Anna said firmly, thought without heat.
    Anna, you re holding onto Blake too hard, Margaret said with less than loving emphasis. You barely knew him and you act like you were married to him for years.
    Mother, please. Anna s voice was cool, firm. Not while Mike s in the room.
    Why not? Her mother s voice was confrontational. Do you think he won t know?
    When he gets older Anna, there s no way to hide how easy you were. You barely knew him.
    You need to go home, Mother. Anna s voice was cool, but Blake heard the lingering pain in her tone. Devon should be up soon and I m sure he wants to spend some time with Mike.

    Anna, he shouldn t be staying here. Margaret had lost any attempt at kindness. We both know you played poor Blake somehow and if I suspect you re behaving lewdly with his brother I ll have Mike taken out of this house.
    Silence filled the air now. Blake clenched his fists in fury. He had heard of the less than loving atmosphere Anna had lived in as a young woman but hadn t completely understood the depths it went to.
    You can try again mother, Anna said softly. You can try anything you want to, but I promise you, you won t get Mike. Now I want to you leave and I would prefer not to see you again for a while.
    Oh, I ll be back, Margaret huffed. And don t think I won t be keeping an eye on things
    Mother, leave now. Were those tears he heard in her voice? Fury swept through Blake in that instant.
    Maybe I ll just wait
    Blake moved into the room. He didn t bother to hide the fact that he had been listening to the conversation, nor did he hide his anger. Margaret came swiftly to her feet, her eyes widening in alarm as Blake stared down at her mercilessly.
    No one will take that child out of this house, he kept his voice low, more than aware of the little boy playing silently on the other side of the room. Anna s not alone anymore Mrs. Lawrence, perhaps you think about that before making threats you can t carry through.
    Her eyes narrowed as she came to her feet. Cold green ice in a perfectly sculptured face any Ice Queen would have envied. She was a desolate shell of a woman with no mercy, no warmth for the child she had borne.
    Blake glanced at Anna. He could see the pain in her eyes, but also the strength it had taken for her to stand up to her mother all these years. How it must have infuriated the older woman to know she could no longer control her daughter.
    Devon. Please
    Anna glanced at Mike. Mother is just leaving. Weren t you mother?
    Margaret sniffed angrily. To think how I comforted you when poor Blake died. How I helped you with the lawyer and stood by you. You have no loyalty Anna.
    I have all I need, Anna sighed. Tell daddy I said hello when you see him, but I think it best you stay away for a while.

    Blake s eyes narrowed. A while? The witch would be better off never step across the threshold again. He was about to voice that thought when Anna quickly shook her head, as though well aware of what he would say.
    For now. Margaret drew herself stiffly erect. But you remember what I said Anna. I won t give in to you next time.
    She stomped from the room and seconds later the door slammed behind her.
    Do you want to explain that? Blake asked Anna carefully.
    She sighed wearily, pushing her fingers through