Bachelor By Design: Bachelor By Design / Too Hot For Comfort. Kay David

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СКАЧАТЬ turned to her. “Exactly how many D’Onofrios are behind bars?”

      She glanced at the ceiling as she mentally calculated the number. “Six, if you count Benson. But he’s not technically behind bars. Juvenile Hall is more of a rehabilitation facility.”

      “Six,” he echoed, sagging onto the sofa.

      “So you see,” she said, joining him there, “I do have some experience with criminal behavior. Ramon just doesn’t have it in him, no matter how much he might wish otherwise.”

      His eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

      “Nothing,” she bit out, wishing she’d bitten her tongue instead. Trace already thought badly enough of her brother without knowing he aspired to become a master jewel thief.

      “Tell me.”

      “It’s not important,” she insisted, wishing he’d drop it, already.

      He just stared at her, waiting. Was that empathy she saw in his blue eyes? Compassion?

      “Fine,” she said at last. “On one condition.”

      “You’re hardly in any position to make conditions. You can either tell me right now or I pick up the telephone and call the police.”

      So much for compassion.

      “Go ahead and call the police,” she bluffed. “I’m not telling you anything.”

      But instead of reaching for the telephone, Trace leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes, his face still unnaturally pale. For a moment she regretted arguing with him in his condition. She knew in her heart Ramon wouldn’t purposely hurt anyone, but someone had definitely hurt Trace. And there was a high probability that someone was a D’Onofrio. Pangs of guilt and regret shot through her.

      “Can I get you something,” she asked, her tone softer now. “An aspirin, or maybe some ice for your head?”

      “No, thank you.”

      “How about some pot roast? It will only take me a few minutes to reheat it in the microwave.”

      He cracked open one eye. “You cook?”

      “Since I was twelve. Someone had to take over the meals after Mom went to prison the first time.”

      “Twelve.” Trace sighed, both eyes open now. “I was seven when my Mom left. Only she never came back.”

      “I’m sorry,” Chloe murmured, knowing firsthand the inadequacy of those words.

      “Don’t be. We had Aunt Sophie, and she couldn’t have loved us more if we were her own sons.” His mouth quirked up in a half smile. “Even when we messed up.”

      “Then you know why I still love my family. They’re a little on the shady side, but they’re all I’ve got.”

      “A little?”

      “All right,” she conceded. “A lot. Except Ramon. He’s simply not a violent person.”

      She waited for Trace to contradict her, but he didn’t say anything. Maybe she’d convinced him. Maybe he’d already changed his mind about calling the police.

      Chloe set her jaw. When she found the D’Onofrio who had attacked Trace, she’d string him, or her, up by his or her toes. On second thought, she’d do something even worse—she’d make the culprit eat her cooking. Trace had asked her if she could cook, not if she was a good cook. In her case, there was a big difference.

      Only she couldn’t do anything until she knew what Trace planned to do. Would he press charges against her brother? Or would he finally believe her assertion that Ramon was innocent?

      “Chloe,” he said at last, with the tone of a man who has come to a decision.

      “Yes, Trace?” She held her breath, awaiting his verdict.

      “There’s something else you should know.”

      4

      TRACE KNEW he shouldn’t tell Chloe D’Onofrio anything but goodbye. Especially since he’d sincerely underestimated the damage she could do to his life. His pounding head was a powerful reminder of that. He needed to concentrate on his pain, rather than the apprehension he saw in her big brown eyes.

      “Something else?” she said, nipping her lower lip between her teeth. “What is it?”

      Leave. The word reverberated in his woozy brain. He could get up right now and leave her behind without a word. It was D’Onofrio family business, after all. No one had asked him to interfere. In fact, he could probably take that blow to the head as a hint to butt out.

      So why wasn’t he moving?

      She reached out, the tips of her fingers lightly brushing his forearm. “Tell me, Trace. What else should I know?”

      She should know that he never would have agreed to date her if he’d been aware of the extent of her felonious family background. She should know that he didn’t interfere in other people’s problems. He’d had enough problems in his own past to deal with. She should know that she wasn’t responsible for the actions of her brother, or her family. That he didn’t really blame her for any of this.

      She should know…the truth.

      “It’s about the staircase,” he began.

      Her brow drew together. “What does the staircase have to do with Ramon?”

      Instead of replying, he stood up, his knees wobbling just a little. Chloe was immediately standing by his side, lightly supporting him with her body. He closed his eyes for a moment just to enjoy the sensation.

      He knew it wouldn’t last long.

      “Trace, I think you should lie down. You took a nasty blow, and you’re not making a lot of sense right now.”

      “You’ll understand soon enough,” he said, walking slowly toward the staircase.

      She walked beside him, still partially supporting him. “Understand what?”

      He could hear the fear mingled with impatience in her voice. Hardly surprising. This woman had obviously endured a lifetime of unpleasant revelations. And he was about to add one more to the list.

      “Lie down,” he said, when they reached the staircase. He placed one hand on the thick newel post to steady himself.

      “As I said before, I think you’re the one who should lie down. But not on the floor.”

      “Just lie down,” he insisted. “Then scoot underneath the staircase. Position yourself just as you found me.”

      With one last look of bewilderment, Chloe acceded to his wishes. She lay down on the hardwood floor and wiggled herself underneath the open staircase.

      Trace СКАЧАТЬ