Read Make Me Risk It for Free Online

Maybe Jacob knew some roundabout way to get there?
    She rose up the first three steps, getting a better view of the entire lobby. This would be a good pace to wait . . .
    “. . . you promised me, Regina.”
    Harper started. It’d been Jacob’s tense, low voice she heard resounding from the upper part of the stairs.
    “I didn’t promise you that I’d never come back to San Francisco,” a woman exclaimed.
    “You know that’s not what I meant,” Jacob seethed. “
That’s
what I meant.”
    “It’s just champagne!”
    “How did you know I’d be here tonight?”
    “Elizabeth told me she’d gotten two opera tickets for you tonight. Don’t be mad at her. I kind of tricked her into telling me.”
    “You agreed to stay in Napa until you’re more stable,” he continued quietly, but Harper heard the anger in his tone, as if he felt the situation spinning out of control.
    “
You’re
here,” the woman replied bitterly. “You told me that you were
so
busy in Tahoe, and yet you have time for the opera? And I saw that woman you’re with.”
    “I’m not making excuses to you. I’m not the one who broke a promise.”
    “Oh, that’s right,” the woman said sarcastically. “Jacob Latimer, always above reproach. Always so cold.” Her harsh laugh segued into a sob. Harper’s heart lurched uncomfortably.
    “Why don’t you love me the way I do you, Jacob?”
    “Jesus,” Harper thought she heard him mutter before she became aware of rapid movement beside her. A dark-haired man flew up the stairs next to her and paused on the landing, looking upward.
    “Regina?” he called. “What’s going on? Are you all right?”
    “Is this your escort?” Jacob asked.
    “Yes. It’s okay, David,” Regina sniffed.
    Harper started back guiltily when she saw movement and a flash of red. The woman—Regina—put her hand on the dark-haired man’s lapel.
    “What did you do to her?” David demanded accusatorily, looking up the stairs.
    “I didn’t do anything to her.
You
did. She’s drunk,” Jacob snapped. “Are you drunk as well?”
    “
What
? I’m not going to—”
    “It’s okay, David. Jacob and I are old friends,” Regina said.
    “
Friends
?” David asked scathingly.
    Regina turned.
    Harper was suddenly face-to-face with the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. Even with reddened eyes and wet cheeks, she was stunning. Long, shining dark brown hair stood in dramatic contrast to her form-fitting red dress and smooth, golden skin. Dark eyes fastened on Harper. Harper stepped down and clutched at the bannister.
    It’d all happened so quickly. She’d been caught red-handed and flustered in the act of eavesdropping. Jacob suddenly appeared on the landing. He tapped David hard on the chest.
    “She has a history of substance abuse, you idiot. And she’s on medication. Don’t give her any more alcohol.”
    “Listen, you son of a bitch—”
    “Stop it, David. You don’t know what you’re talking about, and neither does Mr. Holier Than Thou here. Just take me back to the hotel,” Regina said, her speech slurred. She grabbed David’s hand and proceeded very unsteadily down the stairs. It was only then that Jacob noticed Harper standing there. His eyes seemed to blaze in his rigid face.
    Regina paused next to her.
    “So you’re the new flavor of the night? Is this some new kink you’ve dreamed up, screwing the girl next door?” she called back to Jacob.
    “Damn it, Regina.” Jacob jogged down the steps and grabbed David’s elbow aggressively. He was so large and intimidating, such an oncoming storm, Harper stepped back instinctively.
    “Get a cab and take her back to the hotel,” Jacob demanded. “I don’t want you or her driving—”
    “
I’m
not drunk. And I’ve had about enough of you,” David blazed, throwing off Jacob’s hold. Harper wondered if what Jacob had insinuated about David being drunk was true. David was clearly the smaller of the two men, but seemed strangely cocky in