All Falls Down Read Online Free PDF

alone.
    "You were really good with them today," Jared comments.
    "It was the least I could do." I twist my fingers together, avoiding his gaze. I'm not sure I'm ready to face him yet. "They mean a lot to me."
    Even though I haven't acted like it in the last two years, it's true. Katrina and Madeline have always been dear to me. Lexi, too. I hate myself for not coming back sooner. For not being a real friend. For letting him convince me that I was doing them a favor by staying away. Maybe he wasn't wrong about that part of it, but I'm no longer sure he was right, either.
    Nothing is clear to me anymore.
    "So I see." Jared's quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry if I've been an ass."
    I blink, and this time I do glance up at him.
    He's staring down at Madeline, a sad frown on his face. There's an air about him, as if he's carrying a heavy weight. He's tired, stressed, seemingly in turmoil. And then he lifts his head, his expression severe. "I'm very protective of this family."
    I understand what he's getting at even without him saying it outright. I'm the daughter of their former maid, a nobody in their world. One who's been out of the country for the last two years. I should be used to not being trusted in this world, but hearing it from him in such a way hurts.
    "I'm sure Lexi appreciates that," I manage to say, my tone falsely bright.
    His expression falls. "Savannah, I didn't mean–"
    His eyes are so green, so clear.
    My stomach flutters again.
    "It's fine," I mutter, not wanting him to know that he's affected me, hurt me.
    He opens his mouth to say something else, but doesn't. He simply expels a breath and rips his gaze away from mine. I'm instantly cold.
    "You should eat something," he says as if he knows I've eaten nothing all day.
    "I will," I venture and then, "Can I ask you a question?"
    He nods.
    "Kit says Matthew's death wasn't an accident." It's not really a question, but I can't bring myself to ask outright if someone really killed him. It's just too awful to even consider.
    "It wasn't," Jared says and then looks at me again, his gaze cold this time. "No one outside the immediate family and police know." He nods at Madeline. "She doesn't know. Keep it that way."
    "Oh." I'm at a loss about how to respond to that. "I'm sorry," I finally say though I don't know if I'm apologizing because it happened, because I know, or simply because he makes me feel as if I should.
    At least with Toby, I knew why I was apologizing. Not knowing is worse, I think.
    Jared just stares at me, seeming frustrated.
    I don't have the energy to be here with him anymore. To see him staring at me like that.
    I need out.
    "Can you sit with her?" I blurt as he rakes a hand through his hair and sighs.
    He drops his arm, surprise flickering across his face.
    "I need to get something to eat." I curse myself for giving in to the need to explain to him. I'm allowed to need a minute alone, aren't I?
    The way he looks at me makes me think the answer to that question is an emphatic and resounding no .
    "Of course." He nods again, his expression blank.
    I struggle to my feet, unable to contain the pained hiss that escapes my lips. I've been sitting in an awkward position too long. My back doesn't appreciate it.
    I straighten slowly, biting my lip against the urge to cry out.
    "What's wrong?" Genuine concern swims through Jared's expression, throwing me off-balance all over again.
    "Nothing," I lie, trying to slip past him.
    "Savannah." His hand lands on my arm. "What's wrong?"
    "I said nothing," I snap and pull away from the warmth of his touch. My scars are my own, too fresh and too private to share. And, God help me, I don't want this beautiful man to know what I allowed to happen to me.
    He doesn't try to stop me when I slip past him this time.

Chapter Three: Hurt Me
     
    I make my way down the stairs, and sigh in relief to find that the throng of mourners has thinned considerably. Those who remain are close family friends, board members from T.I., distant