Read Hidden Fire for Free Online

suddenly echoed behind her and she spun to face the entrance. Maybe whoever it was could tell her if there was a bus she could catch to the city. A man stepped into view and Gili’s mouth dropped open in a gasp. He was dressed in a dark business suit, the coat far too heavy for the Australian heat. Sweat ran from the thick head of white hair and trickled down his face, following the map of lines and wrinkles carved by time into the fair skin. His outward appearance gave him the look of a dignified gentleman, but the sneer on his full lips and the malice in his faded blue eyes belied the impression.
    Freakin’ hell, Jeremy Grissom .
    Gili shivered, a feeling of dread overcoming her as she stared at him. Something wasn’t right with him. She narrowed her eyes to block out the surroundings so she could just concentrate on the man.
    It was almost as if his face was blurred, the edges wavy and indistinct. Dark shadows seeped out from his skin, twisting tendrils that seemed to wrap his body in a cloak of darkness. She shook her head and blinked, her brain unable to deal with what she thought she’d seen.
    When she looked again, the image was clear. No distortion at all. The dark overlay covering Jeremy had disappeared. That’s if it had even been there in the first place.
    God help her, she was losing it. Yeah, well, running into this man out here in Australia was enough to make anyone doubt their sanity.
    â€œJeremy? What are you doing here?” She shuffled back a pace.
    â€œIt’s amazing how many people don’t look behind them.” Jeremy shook his head. “I was on the same ferry as you.”
    â€œYou’ve been following me? I thought you were going to wait until I contacted you.” She twisted her hands in the strap of her shoulder bag, not about to let Jeremy see how much his appearance unnerved her.
    â€œWe’ve been trailing you since you left America. Just making certain you’re doing what you’re told.”
    â€œWe? Whitey is here, too?” Gili sucked in a shaky breath. Jeremy frightened her. Whitey terrified the daylights out of her.
    â€œWhitey’s waiting up on the main road.” Jeremy moved closer, and before Gili could shift, whipped out a hand and grabbed her by the arm. With a quick twist, he spun her around and pushed her against the ticket counter.
    â€œSo where is it?” he snarled in her ear.
    His hot breath wafted across the side of her face. Gili shuddered in reaction to the stench of stale cigar smoke. Her heart raced so hard, she was afraid she would pass out. Sweat ran between her breasts, turning to a cold slick on her heated body.
    God damn it, she hadn’t signed on for this. Hell, she hadn’t signed on at all.
    â€œI asked you a question, Gillian. I know you’ve been to see that Hunt fellow. Has he got it?”
    â€œLet me go.” She struggled against his hold, but it was useless. He was too damned strong.
    â€œI don’t work for you any more, Jeremy, so you can shove the orders.”
    He increased the pressure on her arm. “Finding the Dreamtime Fire was your father’s commission, despite the fact he tried to renege on the deal. But if you’re doing the actual work, then you answer to me. Understand? I don’t care what arrangement you have with your father, you’re mine until I decide I don’t need you any longer.”
    Anger burned in Gili’s gut. She was sick to death of playing the victim for the likes of Jeremy Grissom. “Yeah, well, this is called assault and I don’t think the authorities in Australia would view it in any better light than the cops in America. Get your hands off me or I’ll report you.”
    â€œGirlie, you aren’t telling anyone. Not if you want your family to stay safe.”
    He pushed her arm higher up her back. “Now answer the question. Did you ask Hunt where the stone is?”
    She swallowed the moan of pain lodged in