Serial Bride Read Free

wanted answers, not to listen to her parrot his every word. “He’s a professor in the psychology department.”
    She shook her head. “Diana is earning her Ph.D. in English. I can’t see her finding a lot of twelfth-century poetry in prison. Are you sure it was her?”
    â€œI’m sure.” Her signatures on the sign-in sheets were burned on the inside of his eyelids like a brand. “Your sister is the only Diana Gale at the university. The guards recognized her picture. The only other person it could have been is you.”
    The tiny crease deepened. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
    None of it made sense. Especially not his kid brother’s death. “Of course, your sister might have used her affiliation at the university to gain access, and the visit was personal.”
    â€œPersonal? How?”
    â€œI was hoping you might have some idea.”
    Once again she shook her head. “I don’t.” She sounded certain, but her eyes blinked and shifted.
    â€œI would bet a lot of money you do have ideas. Plenty of them.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” Through the sliver of the opening, he could see her throat move under tender skin. “What prisoner was she visiting?”
    He hesitated. The idea of saying the man’s name to those delicate eyes already filled with fear felt cruel. And although Ty had accused Bryce of being heartless more than a few times when he’d hesitated to take his brother’s charity cases, he was not an abusive man. “My cell phone number is on that card. Have your sister call when she gets home. I’ll be up late.” He turned away from the door.
    Behind him, the door slammed shut followed by the rattle of the security chain. A second later the door flew open and Sylvie Hayes jolted into the hall. “Wait.”
    He turned to face her.
    He could tell she was attractive through the smallspace in the door, but he still wasn’t prepared for the full stunning view. The green dress flowed over smooth curves like water. Cheeks flushed pink under translucent skin. Wide eyes flashed with light-blue fire and more than a little desperation. “You have to tell me who she visited.”
    â€œIt’s confidential.”
    â€œConfidential? I can probably pick up the phone and find out tomorrow.”
    â€œGood luck with that.” At least he wouldn’t be the one to break it to her, to see fear swamp her beautiful eyes. He could keep his focus right where it belonged. On the vow he’d made at Ty’s grave. On justice.
    â€œWho did she visit? Please.”
    He should walk the hell away. He should keep things easy, clear. Yet Sylvie Hayes obviously knew more about her sister than she was letting on. Far more.
    Down the hall, a neighbor’s door creaked open. A young man’s spiked red hair poked out. Narrowing his eyes, he watched them with interest.
    Bryce spared him a quick glance, then stepped toward Sylvie. “Invite me in.”
    â€œTell me his name.”
    Bryce shook his head. He didn’t need the whole building to hear the inmate’s name. Not this inmate. “Invite me in. We’ll talk.”
    She backed into the apartment, pushing the door wide.
    He followed her inside and closed the door behind him.
    Sylvie stood her ground between the living room and a small dining area. “Okay. Tell me.”
    â€œAs long as you tell me everything you know about your sister.”
    She nodded.
    â€œDiana has been visiting Dryden Kane.”
    He’d thought it impossible for her eyes to grow larger. He’d been wrong.
    â€œThe serial killer? The one who hunted women down and gutted them like deer?”
    â€œThat’s the one.”
    She covered her lips with trembling fingers. “Are you sure?”
    He didn’t want to tell her more, but now that she knew, it was only fair. “Your sister visited him once a month, starting seven months