Black Opal Read Free Page A

me.”
    “I’m glad to hear that Uncle Johnny.” He winked at his uncle. “Actually, what I was thinking was that I’m the muscle you use these days.”
    “Yes but of the legal variety. You’ve earned every penny of that fancy Princeton law degree I paid for. Not that you can’t hold your own against any of the muscle. I hear you can be pretty persuasive in that area as well.”
    Adam studied his manicured hands. No one would ever guess beneath the yuppie exterior was a street-smart brat. “I don’t fight unless it’s absolutely necessary. Ruins the image,” he said lightly and took a sip of his scotch letting the golden beverage roll down his throat and ease any lingering tension.
    “Or when someone maligns your uncle,” Johnny said shrewdly.
    Adam looked at his uncle. “We’re family.” And no one—but no one—messes with my family. His mother had died when he was ten years old. He’d roamed the streets for two years before his uncle tracked him down and took him in. He owed Johnny pure and simple.
    Going back to their original conversation he said, “I intend to find out who’s responsible for fraying that overhead light.” His hand tightened on his glass. Anger, as wild as a storm, surged through him as he thought of Sabina’s near escape. He forced himself to relax. His uncle missed very little and he was unsure how much he wanted to tell him.
    As if he read his thoughts, Johnny leaned forward in his chair. “I’m sure you will. Have you bedded her yet?”
    Adam tamped down a spurt of annoyance. “And who might that be, Uncle?”
    “Always the gentleman. That’s good,” Johnny nodded his approval. “The singer. Who else?”
    “Any number of women I would think,” Adam drawled, arching an eyebrow.
    Johnny burst out laughing, his voice filled with approval. “Spoken like a true Morelly.”
    “I am a Morelly.”
    His uncle nodded, his expression sobering. “Yes, you are. I couldn’t be prouder of you if you were my own son. You know I plan to leave you the business when I’m gone.”
    Adam bit back a sigh. “Uncle Johnny, we’ve been over this. Leave the business to Gina. She’s your daughter. Not that I’m not honored but I like what I do.”
    “Women have no place in business. They should be home making babies or in a smoke-filled lounge singing.” His uncle grinned lasciviously then gave a dismissive wave of his hand, the diamond, just like Adam’s, catching the light and sparkling from his pinkie finger. “We’ll talk about this another time. Now tell me about the singer. Is she as beautiful as everyone says?”
    More so. “She’s attractive enough in an unassuming way.” If you discount the power glowing on her skin. The thought startled him. Power did radiate from her. She was quiet yes but she carried herself with confidence, even authority.
    His uncle studied him. “Have you met this woman before?”
    “Why would you ask that?” he evaded.
    “Answering a question with a question, you’re a good attorney.”
    “It’s what you pay me so handsomely for.”
    “You earn every penny. You’ve saved the business millions.” Johnny stroked his chin, already darkening with a five o’clock shadow though it was early afternoon. “Now why is it, I wonder that you wouldn’t want me to know that you’ve met this woman before. Perhaps on one of your trips to Italy?”
    Adam ran his fingers restlessly through his hair. “It’s not a big deal. I met her at Maureen Wolfe’s wedding last year.”
    Johnny straightened and his dark eyes, so like Adam’s, sharpened. “You met this woman at Maureen Wolfe’s wedding and you didn’t see fit to tell me?”
    “I hardly mention every woman I meet to you, Uncle,” Adam said his voice dry, his expression bored.
    “Too bad. In my old age I must live vicariously through younger, more hot-blooded men.”
    Adam smiled dutifully. Johnny had a wife and three mistresses—his voracious sex drive was legend. “You’ll still be