Read The Undead Next Door for Free Online

table. “But I don’t understand what’s going on. What’s the deal with all these swords? And why would anyone want to kill a fashion designer?”
    “It’s a long story.” And a painful one. “I wish you had run like I told you to do.”
    “I meant to, but when I saw him attacking you with that sword, and all you had was a mannequin—I don’t know. I should have been afraid, but I’ve been afraid all my life, and I’m sick and tired of it. Then all this anger came pouring out. Anger at myself for being a wimp. Anger at my ex for being an asshole. I just had to take action. And—and I was good!”
    Jean-Luc took her hand in his. He suspected it was her ex-husband who had left her immersed in self-doubt. But she was fighting back, and his heart swelled with pride for her. “You were very brave. You may have saved my life.”
    Her cheeks turned pink. “I don’t know if I helped that much. You were doing really well. Who was that guy?”
    “I have never known his real name. I call him Lui.”
    “Louie?”
    “Non, Lui.”
    She frowned. “That’s what I said.”
    Jean-Luc sighed. “Lui means ‘him’ en français. He is an assassin of many names. Jacques Clément, Damiens, Ravaillac. He incites murder and delights in death.”
    Her hand trembled. “Why does he want to kill you?”
    “Because I have tried to stop him over the cen—years. I succeeded once, and he has wanted me to suffer ever since.” Jean-Luc squeezed her hand. “Heather, I regret to tell you this, but you are in terrible danger.”
    Her face paled. “I was afraid of that. He thinks I’m…”
    “He believes you are my lover.”
    She pulled her hand from his grasp. “I’d better stay away then. I guess I can’t work here after all.”
    “Au contraire, you should work here. I have security guards who can protect you. In fact, you should live here until we can…take care of Lui.”
    She scoffed. “I can’t live here. I have a house in Schnitzelberg.”
    “You must live here. Lui has killed two women in my past.”
    Heather gulped. “He kills your girlfriends?”
    “Yes. I am sorry this happened to you. I did warn you not to let him see you.”
    She winced. “I should have done what you said.”
    “If you had, I might be dead. Let me protect you, Heather. I owe you that much.”
    “I can’t stay here. My daughter—”
    “Non.” Jean-Luc felt as if he’d been pummeled in the stomach. “You have a daughter?”
    “Yes. Oh my God. Are you saying she’s in danger, too?”
    Jean-Luc swallowed hard. A vision of mutilated bodies flashed through his mind. Yvonne in 1757. Claudine in 1832. He couldn’t bear this pain and guilt again. “Do not be afraid. I will protect you both.”
    Chapter 4
    She should have known he wasn’t perfect. Anyone as gorgeous as Jean-Luc Echarpe had to possess a few serious flaws. Flaw number one: stubborn as a mule. After Heather had recovered from the initial shock, she had refused Echarpe’s offer of protection. He’d looked stunned, but then he’d announced his intent again as if he’d automatically passed a law.
    After she’d lived for six years with a control-freak husband who legislated everything, even down to what kind of underwear she could buy, Heather’s dictator-approved, white cotton panties were in a twist. God help her, she needed to escape domineering men. And she also needed to buy new underwear—something wild that symbolized her newfound courage. Thank goodness there was a giant discount store on the way home. Where else could an independent gal like her purchase lacy underwear and shotgun shells in one convenient stop?
    “Mr. Echarpe, I appreciate your kind offer, but I really don’t need a protector.” She motioned toward the locked door. “If you’ll just let me out—”
    “In a moment.” He frowned at the door. “I don’t think you realize how dangerous Lui is.”
    Grrrr. The man never gave up. “Louie didn’t seem that dangerous to me. He was downright