Speak of the Devil Read Online Free Page B

paced the curb and considered calling Jack Bailey. Jack had a right to know. But McGee had heard what Jack and Anna were up to tonight. He didn’t want to ruin this night for them.
    He put the picture in his pocket. Let Jack and Anna have one night of happiness and celebration. They deserved it. He’d tell them tomorrow.

7
    Colorful lights danced across Anna’s eyelids: blue, green, yellow, orange, red. She kept her eyes shut. She was warm and comfortable and exactly where she wanted to be. Jack was spooned against her back, both of them naked. She pushed herself backward, snuggling even closer. His lips brushed her ear and his hand cupped her breast. She murmured happily.
    The sound of the doorknob rattling sent a shot of adrenaline coursing through her body. She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass arch above the picture window, throwing a colorful checkerboard onto the bed and wood floor.
    “Daddy, wake up!” called Olivia’s high-pitched voice. The knob rattled again. “Why is the door locked? You’re gonna be late for work!”
    “Okay, honey, I’m coming.” Jack sat up, blinking at his alarm clock. “Ask Luisa to make you some breakfast.”
    “Duh! I already did.” Little footsteps trotted away from the door.
    Anna smiled at him. “Tough crowd.”
    “You think so now? Wait till we tell her we’re getting married.”
    “I know. I’m scared.”
    “Kidding.” He kissed her and climbed out of bed. She let her eyes wander over his long, athletic body. “I think she’s going to be really happy to hear it. She’s been asking about you a lot.”
    “Mm. That seems unlikely.”
    Back when Anna and Jack were just friends, Olivia seemed to like her. But the little girl cooled when she realized Anna was taking an important place in her father’s heart. Anna tried to win her over, and eventually thought she and Olivia were having a breakthrough. That was right before Anna’s big fight with Jack. She hadn’t seen the little girl since.
    Jack and Anna padded to the bathroom. She felt content and pleasantly achy from their exertions the night before. She loved showering with him again, soaping him up, talking about their day as the steam clouded the shower door. My fiancé , she thought, watching him run a razor over his scalp. My future husband. My family. The words sent a bolt of happiness through her.
    She was done showering first. She wrapped one towel around her head and one around her torso and went into the bedroom. Her phone flashed with a new text message.

Jody Curtis: Well?

    Anna called her sister. Jody lived in Michigan, and was all the family Anna had.
    “What happened?” Jody answered breathlessly.
    “He said yes! Actually, he said no, but then he proposed to me.”
    “Congratulations! He’s obviously a very wise man.” Jody made Anna describe the entire night in detail.
    “He’s amazing,” Anna concluded. “Just—the best man I know.”
    “You’re gushing. It’s cracking me up. I love it.”
    “I can’t wait for you to meet him. When can you come to D.C.?”
    “In three weeks?”
    “Great! We can go wedding-dress shopping. You’ll be my maid of honor, right?”
    “I better be. But I’m not sure that title works. Can I be your maid of dishonor?”
    “Perfect.” Anna laughed, then quieted. It felt unfair that she should be so happy when Jody was going through a rough time. “How are things on your end?”
    “Actually,” Jody lowered her voice. “I’m just getting dressed at Brent’s house now.”
    “Jo! I thought you decided no more of his booty calls.”
    “Oh, Annie. One more walk of shame isn’t gonna make a difference.”
    “You deserve better than this.”
    “Not everyone finds Prince Charming. Some of us have to settle for the frogs.”
    “That is so wrong. No one should settle for a frog. Especially not you.”
    Anna could hear a muffled male voice in the background.
    “Gotta go,” Jody said. “Love