Haunted Read Free

better.” The confidence in his voice made her smile. She wouldn’t have put it past Rex to have planned their time apart, right down to the day, except he couldn’t have planned for his partnership with Michelle to be shattered by Amy.
    She knew he had to be hurting, but he gave no sign of his emotions.
    Maybe they would be making love as friends who understood and respected each other, as well as knew each other’s needs. That would be different from the raging passion that had driven them back to the bedroom over and over again, when they’d first met years before.
    Rafe opened the door and handed Athena out on to the pavement. It was a bit chilly, although the skies were clear, although it had been warm for April earlier in the day. She surveyed the window boxes as she waited for Rex, thinking it was almost time to oust the spring bulbs. She heard Rex inhale, then turned to realize someone was huddled by the door to the townhouse.
    “Don’t say a word,” Rex murmured, his low tone still carrying authority. He nodded to Rafe, who got back into the limo to drive it to the garage.
    So, Rex wasn’t surprised.
    And he wasn’t afraid.
    Who loitered outside The Phoenix?
    The small figure was crouched beside the door, arms wrapped around its body, but stood as Rex approached. Athena felt her lips tighten in dissatisfaction when she realized it was Amy, the little hacker who had wormed her way into The Phoenix, ruined Rex’s partnership with Michelle and then laughed at the desires of their clientele.
    But Rex had said he had a plan of retaliation to get even with Amy. He must have expected her to turn up like this.
    “You must have the wrong address,” he said to Amy. “Leave or I’ll call the police.”
    “I might tell them all about you,” Amy said with defiance. “I might tell them what goes on in this place.”
    “They already know, thanks to you and Steele,” Rex said.
    “But I miss it!”
    “Your mistake,” Rex said. “But then, many people don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone.”
    “How sad to become a cliché,” Athena added, unable to resist. She strode to Rex’s side, ensuring that her heels clicked loudly on the pavement. She put her hand in his, letting her fingertips slide across his palm. Rex smiled, and Amy looked between the two of them, her mouth opening in horror at the implications of the gesture.
    Athena smiled at her. “I don’t blame you for missing this place,” she said as Rex opened the door. “Too bad you fucked it all up.”
    Rick swept open the front door from the inside, granting a disparaging glance at Amy. “Good evening, madam, sir. I do apologize that she is still here.”
    “I have nowhere to go,” Amy protested. “I don’t have any money…”
    “Tactical error,” Rex said, ushering Athena into the foyer. “Thank you, Rick.” He followed Athena and she smiled at the way his eyes were twinkling. He was enjoying this, almost as much as Amy was not. Rick helped her out of her coat as Rex turned to close the front door.
    “But I can’t forget this place,” Amy cried. “I haven’t had enough!”
    Rick smiled, quickly and secretly, his impassive expression restored almost immediately.
    “Nobody who belongs here ever does,” Athena wrapped her arms around Rex’s neck, pulling him into the middle of the foyer.
    “Please! Just give me one more chance,” Amy entreated, her voice carrying through the keyhole. “I’ll do my best.”
    “It wasn’t good enough the last time,” Rex said.
    “I’m not going to leave!” Amy cried in desperation. “I’m going to sit here and beg every time you come in and out. I’m sorry. I made a mistake. I want to fix it!” Her expression turned stubborn. “I’m not going to give up until you let me have another chance.”
    “Really.” Rex nuzzled Athena’s neck and growled a little, bracketing her waist with his hands. He was deliberately ignoring Amy, and Athena knew it would annoy the little