Arabella Read Online Free PDF

my what-the-hell-were-you-thinking moments.
    “What about Maggie?”
    “What about her?” I asked curiously.
    “You’re crazy if you don’t think she’ll be hounding you for the next couple of months – at least – after this stunt.”
    “It’s not like that, Cole, and you know it.”
    He let out an amused laughed. “It may not be like that for you, but it certainly is for her, Bell.”
    Knowing where he was headed, I decided to change topics. The last thing I wanted to do was receive relationship advice regarding a non-existing relationship, especially from Cole.
    “Do you know what I think is more interesting?” I started, careful not to meet Cole’s stare. “How there are so many hard-drives out in the world with the research from Bilson Corporations.”
    Cole fell back against the wall beside me, the tension in his shoulders seeming to fade away almost immediately.
    Having spent much of my life with Cole by my side, I’d come to know him well enough to tell how he was feeling without him having to say a word. Cole had, other than Gwen, probably been the only person to truly know me and not just the cold-hearted girl I presented to the rest of the world. He was a good guy, and I knew that I gave him far too much shit at times, especially considering he had only done as ordered by my father.
    I knew that I should have been easier on him. But giving him a hard time made it easier for me to maintain some distance between us. Like with Maggie, I’d made it a point to not get too attached because attachment only made it harder to let go. And as a Super, death was a constant companion.
    I knew the pain that loss brought with it, and I knew that it was a distraction I could not afford. Emotions could get someone killed , I reminded myself. All it would take was one moment of weakness, and that would be enough to end it all.
    I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying my best to collect my thoughts. I had a plan, not a very good one, but it was still a plan and that was better than waiting to be tortured by the Horde.
    The plus side to having a sidekick that could read minds? It made it easier to conjure up a plan without my opponent having a clue. Er, at least, I hoped he wouldn’t be able to tell.
    I’m going to try and pry more information out of him, as soon as there’s an opening, I need you to run. Do you understand me?
    “Do you have a damn death wish?” he whispered, leaning in closer towards me. I shrugged him off. I needed to remain calm to ensure the Horde bought my emotionless act. If they knew just how much I cared about Cole and his safety, they would have made it a point to go after him first. “Don’t think I’m not going to use that against you once we get out of here,” he commented.
    I rolled my eyes. “You were only supposed to listen to the first part.”
    A friendly grin spread upon his lips, and he pressed his shoulder against mine gently. “Let’s get this show on the road then, shall we?”
    “Agreed.”
    Using the wall for support, I eased myself back onto my feet and moved to the front of the cage. “Hey, Horde freaks, are you planning on letting us out of here anytime soon?  Believe it or not, I do happen to have a life that I’d like to return to.”
    “I’ve told you already, Arabella, you will not be leaving here.”
    “Except I don’t recall ever agreeing to that,” I responded.
    Cole moved in beside me, his body tense as he fought to keep from taking over. He’d become so used to taking over when I made things worse by opening my mouth, but in this case, he was going to have to remain quiet. I knew what I was doing. I just needed him to trust that.
    “You can fight all you like, but if you do not do as ordered, we will bring in the clones. You will serve your true purpose, Arabella. You will become the face of the Horde.”
    Yeah, that wasn’t creepy or anything , I thought to myself.
    “I don’t follow orders from crazed murderers,” I