Stronger Than Sin Read Online Free Page A

Rubbing at the
     similar patch on his ribs, he wondered how long it would be before the rest of him became as dead and hardened.
    But the pain in the center of his chest told him there was still something human left. Something that he might be able to
     salvage with the bargain he had struck with the scientists and Whittaker, their new partner: his cooperation in exchange for
     help in controlling the bone disease that was threatening his sister’s life. Or at least that they
said
was hurting her, not that he trusted them. But if what they said was true, he couldn’t allow his doubt to jeopardize his
     sister Jackie’s health.
    The doorbell rang, pulling him from the playroom and back out into the lavishly appointed living area.
    Weird, he thought. Whittaker had at least two men positioned on the grounds to ensure Jesse followed their rules. He hadn’t
     expected any of them to be ringing the bell if they needed to enter.
    Throwing open the door, he was surprised to find a petite young woman there, looking rather prim and proper in a sedate navy
     suit but impossibly high heels. Fuck-me heels, he thought, thinking them out of sync with the rest of her businesslike attire.
    Her irritated sigh dragged his attention back up to her face. A very attractive face, although he had to revise his estimate
     of her age. Maybe thirty, he guessed. Her petite stature was responsible for that initial appearance of youth.
    “Jesse Bradford,” she stated, nervously swinging the black bag she held in her hands. A doctor’s bag. As he examined her features
     more carefully, he realized there was something familiar about her.
    “Do we know each other?” he asked, narrowing his gaze.
    She released her death grip on the bag and pointed to his left eyebrow. “Patched you up after a bar brawl while I was on call
     in the ER.”
    He rubbed at the barely noticeable scar and nodded. “Thought you looked familiar. Whittaker sent you.”
    She dipped her head to confirm his statement. “I’m here to do an initial exam so we can decide how to treat you.”
    He stepped aside to let her enter, but as he did so, he looked around outside.
    Stationed at the far end of the large wraparound porch was one of Whittaker’s men. He was dressed casually and sitting in
     a chair reading a paper, despite the chill in the air. A wire ran from one ear down to what he assumed was a radio. The man
     had been there all morning. Jesse had been warned that someone would be in close range at all times and that any and all communications
     would be monitored. Protection against his telling anyone the truth about Whittaker’s operation.
    Not that he would.
    Without some kind of miracle from Whittaker’s medical team, his sister Jackie’s illness—supposedly a more severe form of his
     own—might not be cured. Plus, Whittaker had threatened to kill Jackie if Jesse attempted to speak to her or failed to cooperate
     with them.
    Which made him wonder about the young doctor who had just walked into his home. How had she become a part of the illegal activities?
     Or maybe she didn’t know the truth about the group?
    He shut the door and walked to the living room where she stood, once again gripping the little black bag as she waited.
    “Nice digs,” she said, perusing the large open space and windows that faced the ocean. Then, “Who’s he?” she asked and motioned
     to the man on the porch, visible through a far window.
    “FBI,” Jesse lied, unsure of just what she knew. “They said they would keep an eye on me 24/7 until they were able to track
     down Edwards and Morales.”
    Her full lips tightened with displeasure at the mention of the names of the fugitive scientists.
    “Do you know them? The Wardwell guys?” he asked.
    “My new sister-in-law was one of their patients,” Liliana replied, omitting her own kidnapping by the two criminals. With
     what she knew of Jesse Bradford, he wouldn’t much care about anything that didn’t involve him, so her