[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
but it went to voice-mail.
Had she cut and run again, like she had after the competition? Determination rose
inside him, and he knew he would search the city, the state, the country, even the world,
to find her. It hadn t been easy to locate her the first time, but sometimes being a
Calabrese was an advantage.
He dialed again, this time taking a deep breath and leaving a short message. He
wanted to do his groveling in person, but first he had to find her.
Exhausted, he went home to shower. He fell into bed, and when he struggled out of
black sleep several hours later, she hadn t called him back. He left her another message,
getting closer to begging, then tucked the newspaper article in his pocket just in case and
went to Inferno.
His cooks wouldn t arrive until three, so the only person in the kitchen was Emily. You
look like shit, boss. Party too hard?
He shook his head and sank down on one of the stools in the bakeshop. I spent the
night at the hospital.
How s your dad?
Still sleeping.
She nudged a cookie across the table. I read the paper this morning.
I know I m an idiot. He buried his head in his hands.
When she didn t reply, he looked up and scowled. Thanks a lot. I think you re supposed
to disagree with me or at least try to make me feel better.
Her brown eyes were amused but cautious. I have a feeling I m about to make you
feel worse.
Impossible.
She shrugged as if to say you asked for it. Zane Brampton just called and left a
message for you. He made me write it down. She handed him a piece of paper.
Lila s working for me now. Come and get her, sucker.
No fucking way. Jack stood up so fast he knocked the stool over.
Emily grinned and held up another cookie. One for the road?
Jack shook his head, already moving toward the back door. He ducked into the closest
taxi. Standing Room.
A ten-minute ride in a cab had never felt so long. This time, he didn t hesitate to use
the back door. It was open, so Jack pushed into the kitchen and found himself in the dish
room. Judging from the line out front, and the speed at which the two dishwashers were
moving, it was a busy lunch. He couldn t care less. He was going to drag Zane off the line
and kill him.
He stalked into the kitchen proper, and found service in full swing. Zane was calling off
orders, but he stopped when he saw Jack. I ve been waiting for you. Did you come to
see how good Lila looks working in my restaurant?
Jack swung at him. Zane caught his fist in his palm, something he d had a lot of practice
doing in the past. Don t take it out on me, Jack. You re the one who told her to leave.
How do you know? Jack growled.
Zane smirked. I saw the paper.
His face got hot as Zane continued, Sappiest fucking thing I ve ever read in my life, but
I called you as soon as I finished the article. Zane released his hand. Now, quit being an
asshole and go talk to her. She s tending bar, but I didn t fill out her paperwork. She
doesn t belong here.
Jack s thoughts flashed back to Zane s Good Samaritan-like warning about his father s
health last week. Why are you helping me?
Because I m hoping one of these years you re going to forgive me for being a stupid
kid.
Fat chance. But his voice lacked conviction, and Zane s faint smile told Jack he knew
it.
Or maybe I just want you to owe me one. Zane shoved him toward the dining room.
You re welcome, by the way.
&
Lila was about to pass out. Zane hadn t been joking. They were slammed. She lined up
another half-dozen beer glasses and wiped rum-scented sweat on her sleeve, ignoring
the new customer sliding onto the bar stool in front of her. He was going to have to wait.
Lila?
Her hand jerked, and she poured beer all over the bar. She grabbed a towel and
focused on the spill, afraid she was hallucinating. Jack s voice was soft, almost tentative.
What if she looked up and he was still furious? Or worse, only wanted a drink? Just
because he was here didn t mean he was here for her.
Lila, he called again softly.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze.
Her heart slammed in her chest at the sight of him. He held out a folded newspaper. I
don t suppose you read the paper today?
She took it out of his hand and glanced down. Four stars. Congratulations, she said,
filled with bittersweet happiness. You deserve it. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl chiara76.opx.pl
but it went to voice-mail.
Had she cut and run again, like she had after the competition? Determination rose
inside him, and he knew he would search the city, the state, the country, even the world,
to find her. It hadn t been easy to locate her the first time, but sometimes being a
Calabrese was an advantage.
He dialed again, this time taking a deep breath and leaving a short message. He
wanted to do his groveling in person, but first he had to find her.
Exhausted, he went home to shower. He fell into bed, and when he struggled out of
black sleep several hours later, she hadn t called him back. He left her another message,
getting closer to begging, then tucked the newspaper article in his pocket just in case and
went to Inferno.
His cooks wouldn t arrive until three, so the only person in the kitchen was Emily. You
look like shit, boss. Party too hard?
He shook his head and sank down on one of the stools in the bakeshop. I spent the
night at the hospital.
How s your dad?
Still sleeping.
She nudged a cookie across the table. I read the paper this morning.
I know I m an idiot. He buried his head in his hands.
When she didn t reply, he looked up and scowled. Thanks a lot. I think you re supposed
to disagree with me or at least try to make me feel better.
Her brown eyes were amused but cautious. I have a feeling I m about to make you
feel worse.
Impossible.
She shrugged as if to say you asked for it. Zane Brampton just called and left a
message for you. He made me write it down. She handed him a piece of paper.
Lila s working for me now. Come and get her, sucker.
No fucking way. Jack stood up so fast he knocked the stool over.
Emily grinned and held up another cookie. One for the road?
Jack shook his head, already moving toward the back door. He ducked into the closest
taxi. Standing Room.
A ten-minute ride in a cab had never felt so long. This time, he didn t hesitate to use
the back door. It was open, so Jack pushed into the kitchen and found himself in the dish
room. Judging from the line out front, and the speed at which the two dishwashers were
moving, it was a busy lunch. He couldn t care less. He was going to drag Zane off the line
and kill him.
He stalked into the kitchen proper, and found service in full swing. Zane was calling off
orders, but he stopped when he saw Jack. I ve been waiting for you. Did you come to
see how good Lila looks working in my restaurant?
Jack swung at him. Zane caught his fist in his palm, something he d had a lot of practice
doing in the past. Don t take it out on me, Jack. You re the one who told her to leave.
How do you know? Jack growled.
Zane smirked. I saw the paper.
His face got hot as Zane continued, Sappiest fucking thing I ve ever read in my life, but
I called you as soon as I finished the article. Zane released his hand. Now, quit being an
asshole and go talk to her. She s tending bar, but I didn t fill out her paperwork. She
doesn t belong here.
Jack s thoughts flashed back to Zane s Good Samaritan-like warning about his father s
health last week. Why are you helping me?
Because I m hoping one of these years you re going to forgive me for being a stupid
kid.
Fat chance. But his voice lacked conviction, and Zane s faint smile told Jack he knew
it.
Or maybe I just want you to owe me one. Zane shoved him toward the dining room.
You re welcome, by the way.
&
Lila was about to pass out. Zane hadn t been joking. They were slammed. She lined up
another half-dozen beer glasses and wiped rum-scented sweat on her sleeve, ignoring
the new customer sliding onto the bar stool in front of her. He was going to have to wait.
Lila?
Her hand jerked, and she poured beer all over the bar. She grabbed a towel and
focused on the spill, afraid she was hallucinating. Jack s voice was soft, almost tentative.
What if she looked up and he was still furious? Or worse, only wanted a drink? Just
because he was here didn t mean he was here for her.
Lila, he called again softly.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze.
Her heart slammed in her chest at the sight of him. He held out a folded newspaper. I
don t suppose you read the paper today?
She took it out of his hand and glanced down. Four stars. Congratulations, she said,
filled with bittersweet happiness. You deserve it. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]