Revenge Read Online Free Page B

the wet bar and grabbed the crystal decanter. The stopper clinked against the neck as he removed it. He poured another shot and replaced the decanter. As he lifted the glass to his lips, the hollow sound of his ringing cell phone stayed his hand. Lowering the tumbler, he scanned the dim room. The next ring came from his suit jacket. Taking a sip of the whiskey, he went to answer the call.
    He removed the cell from his left breast pocket. The backlit screen revealed a local number. A familiar number. He punched the connect button.
    “What?”
    “Whatever you’re trying to decide about my fate, I’d reconsider.”
    A twisted smile played with his mouth. “What makes you think I haven’t already decided it?”
    “I’m no fool. If you wanted me dead, it would’ve already happened.”
    “You sound so sure of yourself. Perhaps it’s time to change my stance and eliminate you now.”
    A sickening laugh reverberated over the line. “I guessed as much. I know your dirty little secret now, and I’ve got proof.”
    What dirty little secret did this asshole think he found? “We all have skeletons in our lives. Even you.”
    “If this skeleton were to, say, be handed over to the wrong people, you can kiss your empire goodbye. Then everyone would know exactly who you are.”
    The tone in the words stilled his hand as he was about to bring the tumbler to his mouth. Slowly, he lowered the glass and shifted around to face the room. “You would threaten me? You goddamn prick! I
made
you.”
    “I’ll break you. If I suddenly disappear or my body turns up, your precious secret will be released to the world. No one will save you then.” A snarl came through the connection. “Tread carefully.” The connection died.
    Anger roiled through him. He slapped the phone down on the glossed dining room table, doused his mouth with the Scotch, and then hurled the tumbler at the wall as a roar ripped from his throat. The crystal shattered and scattered across the hardwood floor. Breathing hard, he whipped around and snatched the phone off the table. He punched the speed dial and waited.
    “Yes?” His second-in-command answered.
    “Savard has decided to play roulette. I want him eliminated.”
    “Of course, sir.”
    “Find whatever damning evidence he seems to have against me, and destroy it and whoever is helping him hide it. Then I want you to rip his evil, hoodoo-loving heart out of his chest with your bare hands while he’s still alive.”
    His second-in-command’s wicked laugh met his demands. “With pleasure.”

Chapter Five
    Waking in a strange home still set Remy’s teeth on edge. The warmth of the soft bed and the silky feel of the 1,500-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets begged him to stay in bed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept this well and this long without the aid of sleeping pills. Stretching, he rolled onto his stomach and burrowed deeper into the fluffy pillow. Eyes closed, he let the comfort lull him.
    Something about being back in New Orleans eased the tension. Ah, those brief moments of bliss from his past when he lived like a Mardis Gras king. Arms wrapped around the pillow, he inhaled the subtle scent of lavender mingled with his own tangy scent of lime and sage.
    The lavender grew on Remy. Reminded him of Marie—sweet and calming. Still, he was beginning to miss Cody’s spicy feminine scent, reminiscent of cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
    The thought of Cody brought a flash of her riding her horse, her once long, red hair billowing behind her like flames. Remy jerked back from the image. He stared at the white pillowcase and tried to dislodge the picture. Letting thoughts of Cody stay in his head would weaken his will to exact his revenge. She was a crutch he couldn’t afford to keep. Somehow he needed to purge her from his brain.
    He tossed the pillow at the headboard with a grunt and flopped onto his back. Left knee raised, tenting the sheet over his body, he stared at the ceiling.