Cold Death Mary Stone (most read books TXT) 📖

who believe that taking care of one another is the key to making the world a better place. Sweet, I suppose, but egregiously misguided because, in fact, the exact opposite is true. The more we give people things for free without forcing them to earn them, the worse the world is for all of us.”

I nudged the plate toward Bethany and smiled benevolently at her dirty blonde head.

Her nostrils twitched, but she didn’t move a muscle.

“You see, in the end, strength is what matters most. Strength and power. If we provide for the weaklings among us, how will they ever learn to grow stronger? There’s a reason that the saying ‘survival of the fittest’ has persisted over the centuries.”

After allowing her a moment to digest that kernel of wisdom, I launched into the current lesson. “As I’m sure you’ve noticed, there are three people at the table this lovely afternoon, but alas, only two halves of a sandwich. Your task is to select who will dine on peanut butter and jelly and who will go to bed with an empty belly.”

Bethany released a tiny, excited squeal. “Really?”

I lifted a finger to caution her. “Now, before you choose, it’s my duty as your teacher to point out that your actions will have consequences. First, I understand how tempting it will be to eat the entire sandwich yourself. I also suspect that, having a sweet heart, you will be tempted to split the sandwich with the pretty woman who tried to come to your rescue at the museum. Before you go with either of those options, though, I urge you to consider the potential repercussions very carefully. I beg you to double and triple check that you aren’t making poor decisions based on hunger, which can lead even the smartest person to act irrationally. One crucial point to keep in mind at all times is…” I lifted a single finger. “Who wields the most power and,” I lifted a second one, “will my choice put me on their good side or bad side?”

Bethany’s hollow eyes skittered from the sandwich to my face and back again. Her teeth ripped at her lower lip until the chapped skin bled as she battled out the options in her head.

She had yet to choose when the doorbell rang. The shrillness whipped my head in that direction, my spine rigid with a combination of annoyance and misgiving. I wasn’t expecting any callers.

“Stay put. I’ll be back in a flash.”

As I passed Ellie’s mother, I patted her head like I would a stray dog and savored the instant mood boost when she tried to jerk away.

Oh, I’ll bring you to heel yet, bitch. Just wait and see.

Apprehension took over as I bent down to peer through the peephole. Once I comprehended the perfectly groomed woman who graced my porch, the only sensation my frozen body experienced was complete and utter shock.

Three sharp, perfect raps on the wood followed, and the racket knocked me from my stupor. Digging the key from my pocket, I unlocked the bolt and pulled the door open. My heart hammered in my chest, though I managed to keep my reaction from my voice. “Well, well, well. I see we’re as demanding as ever, aren’t we, Letitia?”

The icy intensity of Letitia Wiggins’s eyes as they raked over me from head to toe hadn’t thawed a bit in the two-plus decades of our separation, nor had her immaculate appearance. Age had yet to claim her regal bearing or delicate beauty, though her fiery red mane had been swapped for platinum blonde.

Even after so much time had passed, her presence struck a hammer blow to my lungs. I gaped, dizzy as the oxygen rushed free in a startled gasp.

“So, it is you,” she murmured. “When you first opened the door, I wondered.” She nodded to herself, then switched to a snappier tone. “Now, don’t just stand there gawking at me, Mr. Kingsley, invite me in.”

Without giving me a chance to do exactly that, she swept inside, pivoted, and pushed the door shut.

Rattled, it took me three attempts to fit the key into the lock. When I faced her again, her elegant hands were balanced on her still slim hips. One dainty shoe tapped a staccato rhythm on the floor. “I cannot tell you how dreadfully disappointed I am that the first occasion we’ve had to meet since our academy years occurred because I felt compelled to scold you for acting like an absolute fool. Because of whatever antics you’ve gotten up to, a ridiculous policewoman with even more absurd hair showed up and ruined my salon day.”

As surprised as I was, I managed a clever retort. “Not your spa day, how very taxing.”

With a huff, her frosty gaze traveled across the house, scrutinizing the contents of the living room with that critical air that dredged up long dormant memories. When she finished, she granted me an approving nod. “I’m pleased that you haven’t forgotten my lessons about organization and tidiness.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good. You know, I was quite surprised when I received your invitation to visit you in the mail, though it has been such a very long time. But, silly me, now is hardly the right moment to dwell on such things, is it?”

That same siren’s smile I’d spent countless nights dreaming of lit up her face. When her warm palm cupped my cheek, that ancient thrill sizzled beneath my skin.

“My darling boy, have you missed me over the years, the way I’ve missed you?”

I disliked the sudden difficulty I experienced when I swallowed or the clamminess that broke out beneath my shirt. “You know I have. I never wanted us to be separated the way we were.”

“Of course not, although I’m sure you’ve managed perfectly fine without me. I do hope you think back on our time together with fondness every once in a while. All of those afternoons we spent in my office as I helped transform you from a weak, needy boy