Read Agent M4: Riordan for Free Online

me to work with him.”
    His hazel eyes widened in surprise. “Mitchell? St. James works for D.I.R.E.?”
    Nodding, she crossed her arms over her chest. “He does.”
    Her father grumbled under his breath as he picked up a sofa pillow and squeezed it between his hands. “I’ll put a stop to that.”
    Natalie stilled. “Why? What’s the problem, Dad?”
    He slammed down the pillow on the chair. “He worked for Robert Naylor, Natalie. A world-renowned criminal. What is Mitchell doing hiring someone like him?”
    She studied her father with narrowed eyes. He hid something from her. Something big. Her father had dealt with some of the biggest criminals in the world, having worked in the D.A.’s office and politics for the last thirty years. Why did Riordan cause this kind of reaction?
    “He’s making a new start, Dad. Riordan is one of Mitchell’s top agents.”
    He stopped to stare at her. “ Riordan ?” He shook his head vigorously. “No, Natalie. Do not become involved with him. That would be the biggest mistake you ever made.”
    With that kind of response, Natalie almost wanted to become involved just to see what happened.
    “I don’t think anything could be a bigger mistake than Paul Warner.”
    He stabbed a finger at her. “Paul Warner was a good man.”
    Natalie did a double take. “Really, Dad? He blew himself up at Harold Mills’ campaign fundraiser. You don’t consider that a mistake?”
    Clearing his throat, he looked away. “That was an unfortunate accident.”
    Accident? How could he say that when Paul had been the only person on the scene they’d had to pick up in pieces? And, why was he there in the first place?
    Knowing Harold Mills ran against her father in the next election, she still couldn’t dismiss her father’s involvement. It wouldn’t be the first time her father had been caught on the wrong side of justice. It also wouldn’t surprise her to find the investigation that had cleared him, had been compromised.
    Granted, that didn’t dismiss her own guilt in the entire mess. As Paul’s doctor, she should’ve seen his suicidal tendencies long before the incident.
    She’d never picked up on them. Not once.
    At the time, she’d thought their relationship had given him a drive in life. A reason to move past his abusive childhood and troubling adulthood.
    Obviously, she’d given herself more credit than she deserved.
    Her father stood before her now, hands on hips, wedding band glinting in the sunlight filtering through her window. He’d never lacked for purpose. Her mother, on the other hand, had lost purpose when they’d lost her sister, Keegan. Natalie wondered if he’d ever struggled with her mother’s death.
    “I mean it, Natalie. You are not to go near that man again.”
    Lifting her chin, she matched his stance. “He’s my patient. I’ll help him as long as he needs it. And, don’t you dare interfere and call Mitchell.”
    His voice lowered to a menacing pitch. “Well, well, I’d wondered when my little rebel would show her head again.”
    Taking a step back, she swallowed hard. Yes, her father possessed a severe aversion to Natalie showing anything other than a serene, professional appearance. However, sometimes, she just couldn’t hold back.
    “I’d thought this ridiculous rebellious streak was gone forever. You’d been doing so well the last few years. But, I see it’s still here, trying to buck the system.”
    Dammit, she hated when he spoke to her in a condescending tone. “Who’s system? Yours ? Is the world expected to live by your system, Dad?”
    “No, not the world. But you, yes.” He held out his hand to encompass the office. “You wouldn’t have all of this without my world, Natalie. You seem to forget that rather easily.”
    She waved her hand in the air. “Then take it. Take it all, if it means I have to be stifled by your system. You’re the one that wanted me to have a respectable career - to help your image.” She pointed at her