Abducted Heart (Z-Series) Read Online Free Page A

move, right? I totally get that. But I hope you'll trust me anyway. Casey wanted to come, but I told her not to worry. That you'd understand how important this was and willingly talk to me.”
    “What do you need?” The woman watched him like he symbolized a piece of decadent chocolate and she was struggling to stick to her diet.
    He could work with that.
    “Casey mentioned that you'd be the one to come to, to find out if anyone unusual has been hanging around the neighborhood.”
    Her amber eyes grew huge. “Why?”
    “Brent and Casey's home has been broken in to.”
    She snorted. “It's all that Theresa Flynn's fault. She's single, you know. She lets every man she's attracted to inside the gates without checking with us first. I'll be bringing this up at the next charter meeting. She should be sent packing and will be, if I have any say.”
    Lynch knew all too well how the rich treated people who didn't fit into their lifestyle. He'd seen it in his own mother's life. She never did quite measure up, no matter how hard she tried.
    He himself had rebelled against the snobs. Lynch didn't care what anyone thought of him—especially Casey's father. Since the day they'd met, Daniel Wheaton had taken him aside and told him in no uncertain terms to move on. That Lynch wasn't welcome in his home, let alone inside his daughter.
    Marian opened the door wide. “Please, come in and tell me what happened.”
    Lynch walked into the foyer and glanced around. The house was similar to Casey's, down to the decor.
    The woman closed the door, and then led him to the living room. “Take a seat. Could I get you something? Some tea perhaps?”
    “No, thanks.” Lynch sat on an overstuffed beige chair. She took a seat on the matching sofa across from him, her posture rigid.
    “Have you seen anything out of the ordinary in the past few weeks? Anyone you didn't recognize?”
    “Like I said, Theresa has men coming and going at all hours of the night. She should have never been allowed to live here.”
    “Where is her house located?”
    “The third on the left from the gatehouse. She has an ugly topiary in front. Just hideous. The woman has no class.” Marian sniffed loud enough for him to get her point. Clearly, she thought she was better than this woman.
    “And you can see all of this coming and going from here?”
    She shook her head. “Viola tells me. She lives directly across from her.”
    Two women who had nothing better to do than gossip. Lynch forced down his contempt. His mother fell victim to a pair of hags who had it out for her from day one. Cost her her marriage.
    “How come Casey never said anything to me about this home invasion?”
    “She didn't want to worry you.”
    The woman smiled. “Such a sweet girl. Thinking of me at a time like this. What was stolen?”
    “She's still taking inventory.”
    “How did they get in? I told her she needed to get a protective service. I have one, and I haven't had any problems.”
    “I'll talk to her and Brent about that.”
    “Good.”
    “So you or Viola haven't seen anyone near Casey and Brent's house?”
    “I don't believe so. Although, the Neals are renovating their home. They have a construction crew in and out during the day. Maybe it was one of those guys? They are all supposed to be bonded, but you know the type.”
    Yeah, he did. Hard working, blue collar Americans. The people he grew up around. All trying to have a life like everyone else.
    “Where do the Neals live?”
    “A few houses down. You know, I've never seen you at Brent and Casey's. You said you're his brother? Yet the two of you look nothing alike.” Her eyes narrowed, and she twisted her hands in her lap.
    “Sorry, step-brother. My mother married his father.”
    She released a breath. “Oh, but then why haven't I seen you around? You're definitely not a man I'd forget.”
    “I hope that was meant as a compliment. But to answer your question, I don't currently live here in New Orleans. Haven't for ten