In His Shadow (Tangled Ivy Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

here? How did you find me?” My grip didn’t loosen on my gun, though my hands shook. I pointed it at Devon, who seemed unconcerned by the threat.
    “You’re not terribly difficult to find,” Devon said evenly. His gaze raked me from my head to my bare toes. “Nice towel.”
    I swallowed, wishing I’d dressed. “What do you want?”
    “It’s a shame,” he mused. “Who would have thought that the one person who knows my name would also be at dinner tonight? And see a rather . . . unfortunate incident outside.”
    I decided to play dumb. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now get out before I put a bullet in you.”
    Devon’s lips twisted at this, as though he found the thought of me shooting him an amusing one. He took a step closer, bringing himself to within point-blank range.
    “We have a problem,” he said, ignoring my command. “By all rights, I should kill you.”
    His words made fear twist in my gut, the way he so casually talked about killing me. “I think you’re confused as to who’s going to kill who,” I snapped. “I’m the one with the gun.”
    Faster than I could react, Devon knocked my arm aside, then snatched the gun from me.
    I gasped in dismay and fear, suddenly weaponless, and scrabbled backward on the bed away from him.
    Devon flipped the chamber open on the gun, emptied the bullets into his palm, then tossed the gun onto the bed. He pocketed the bullets.
    “As I was saying,” he continued as though nothing had happened, “we have a problem.”
    It struck me then. I was alone in my apartment with a man I’d already seen kill someone. He’d disarmed me as easily as if he’d been swatting a fly. I could die tonight, at the hands of a man to whom I’d barely spoken more than a few dozen words.
    My mind was frantic as I tried to think what to do. “Please,” I said, my mouth utterly dry. “I swear. I won’t tell a soul. No one. Just don’t . . . hurt me.”
    Devon frowned. He loomed over me, the planes of his face shadowed in the low light, his eyes hooded. The air crackled between us, his gaze studying me while I fought to draw breath. There was nowhere for me to go. I knew a little self-defense, but considering how quickly he’d taken my gun, I didn’t think I’d be able to inflict much damage on him.
    He took another step toward me and I let out a small cry, jerking back and stumbling from the bed to plaster my back against the wall. I was as far away from Devon as I could get, and there was a sharp tang of fear in my mouth.
    Devon didn’t move, his expression darkening into one that made a mockery of the pleasant façade I’d seen him assume at the bank and during dinner. His square jaw was set in bands of steel as he watched me.
    “I’m not going to hurt you, Ivy,” he said, his voice gentle and a stark contrast to the look on his face.
    I didn’t speak, my eyes wide and watching him for the slightest movement.
    Devon held my gaze and carefully took a step back, then another. My panic eased ever so slightly. My chest was heaving and my palms were sweaty, but I found my terror receding as Devon made no effort to come at me.
    “Better?” he asked.
    I swallowed, pressing my lips together, and jerked a short, quick nod.
    Glancing around the room curiously, he folded his tall frame into a chair in the corner, casually unbuttoning his jacket. Though it was snowing outside, he wore no coat. Lifting his hands to show me they were empty, he said, “Have a seat. I won’t come any closer.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Unless you want me to, of course.”
    Relief flooded me, but I didn’t trust him.
    “Please,” Devon added when I didn’t move. He gestured to the bed.
    Gingerly, I knelt on the bed, my shaking knees threatening to collapse in the wake of the adrenaline rush and fear.
    His gaze calculating, Devon said, “I’m afraid I underestimated the intensity of your dislike of me.”
    “Dislike has nothing to do with it,” I said, glad