Acquisition Read Online Free

to bring them down, and I need your cooperation.”
    He put a hand on her shoulder, and she automatically shrugged him off. “I’m not helping you with anything. I don’t believe a word you’re saying.”
    “It’s the truth. You’ve been sleeping with the mafia. The same hands that touch your body at night are covered with the blood of his victims.”
    His words were both nauseating and horribly inappropriate for an FBI agent. She wrinkled her nose at him. “Don’t come near me again unless you have a warrant.”
    “That can be easily arranged, Ms. Collins. I’d hate to arrest a sweet young college student like yourself, but I won’t hesitate if it helps me bring down the Rinaldi crime family.”
    “Do your worst,” she shot back as she turned and rushed away from him, her focus solely on reaching the security gate so she could escape the odious FBI man and his even more disgusting words about Luka.
    Only after the gate closed behind her did she turn to glance at him, finding the man already gone. She rushed through the complex to Luka’s apartment, her heart racing and her hands trembling. They shook so badly she couldn’t even let herself in, opting instead to ring the doorbell and let Gretchen, the housekeeper, open it for her.
    She brushed past the other woman, unable to reply to inquiries about her health and state of mind. Abby knew she was alarming the housekeeper, who had never been anything but warm and friendly to her, but she suddenly felt watchful and suspicious of everyone.
    Making her way to the master bedroom on the second floor, she closed the door and collapsed against it for a moment, heart racing in her ears. After a second, she fumbled her cell phone free from the backpack and dialed her sister’s number. She didn’t bother with pleasantries when Haley answered. “Why are you always suspicious of Luka and insinuating things?”
    Haley hesitated. “I just don’t think he’s good for you.”
    “Bullshit. Tell me the truth, and stop trying to protect me.”
    Her sister let out a long sigh. “Why don’t you come here to the shop, and we’ll have some tea and talk?”
    “Tell me now what your suspicions are, and why you’ve been so hard on him.” When her sister still didn’t speak, she barked, “Now.”
    “Do you remember Mike Hanlon?”
    Abby scrunched her brow, trying to think of the face that matched the name. She knew she’d met him a few times, but it took a moment to remember under what context. “Were you dating him for a while?”
    Haley hesitated before answering. “Dating is a strong word. We were just seeing each other casually, but when he found out you were dating Luka, he warned me at the time that you were in danger. He kind of edged around without making a full confession, but he strongly hinted at the idea that not only was he in the mob, but he reported to the Rinaldi brothers.”
    By itself, the words wouldn’t have held much weight with her, since her sister’s ex hadn’t even admitted he was a mobster, and there could have been any number of reasons for him to imply such a thing. However, when added to the FBI agent’s allegations, it gave the accusation more credence. She let out a small sob and bent forward, unconsciously cupping her stomach as she started to cry.
    “Abby? Talk to me. I’m going to come over there if you don’t answer.”
    “No, don’t do that. I just need time to think. Give me some time, Haley.” She disconnected the call before her sister could reply, hoping that for a change Haley would actually listen to her instead of running roughshod over her opinions and doing what her older sister thought was best. She just needed some time to gather her thoughts and figure out what she was going to do. She couldn’t do that with Abby around.

Chapter Three
    After taking some time to calm down and think rationally, she knew she had to speak to Luka. She couldn’t take anyone else’s word for such a serious allegation. He might