Ascending Darkness (Shattering the Darkness) Read Online Free PDF Page A

would ever let him in.
    And, I suppose, he was right. If he had backed off I wouldn’t have felt the way I did. If he had let me, I would have shut him down every time he came near me. Hell, I would’ve moved as far away as I could just to avoid him. But if he had allowed that, I wouldn’t have had that time of pure happiness and bliss.
    Then there’s the fact that my concerns and fears are, apparently, unfounded. There has not even been a ripple in my life to confirm my reasons for ending it. Nikko must have hidden my past really, really well.
    But that was a national magazine that ran the story. How could they not have seen it? And if we got back together, then there would surely just be more photos and there would be no way to avoid it getting out eventually.
    And then there is the fact that Breccan deserves so much more than me. He deserves someone who can proudly walk beside him. Someone that he’s not ashamed of…
    It’s not just about my past catching up with me, because, honestly, I could get protection… or something. There’s no reason why that should stop me from being with Breccan, I suppose. But him finding out that I was a whore? I would never be able to look at him again. There would only ever be disgust in his eyes.
    And who could blame him?
    The things I’ve done to my body, or had done to me, is pretty fucking disgusting. I’m damaged goods… Used up and thrown out.
    I’m trash and he is good … and clean… and right.
    I’m pulled out of my daze when Avery jumps into the conversation, “You mean all of this could have been avoided if Nikko would have just backed off?” His voice is laced with irritation. “Breccan could have just talked some sense into Harper and all this could have been avoided! Why didn’t we interrogate him? What a clusterfuck!”
    “Talked some sense into me?” I ask with a raised brow , my voice laced with attitude.
    They both ignore me as Brynn answers him.
    “Calm down, Nancy. Fuck. Nikko is right. Harper needs to do this on her own. She knows Breccan is right for her; Nikko just wants her to work it out on her own. And apparently so did Breccan at first. But that man is about the most impatient fucking person in the world. He’s driving Rich nuts. So don’t be pissed at Nikko, Harper is the one who needs to get her head out of her ass.” Brynn replies as she digs into her sandwich.
    “Um, you guys do realize I’m right here, right?” I butt into the conversation.
    “Yeah, you’re right here. Not with Breccan,” Avery snaps.
    “What the fuck is the problem with you two ? Who gives a shit if I’m not with Breccan? How is this any of your concern? It’s my fucking life,” I snap right back.
    Brynn lets out an irritated breath. “It is our problem, because you’re our friend and Breccan is a good guy. There is no way your past would put him off you. I know that’s what you’re thinking too, so don’t try to deny it bitch.” She points a fry at me before popping it into her mouth and then continues on berating me, since I’m too shocked of her ability to read my mind to interrupt. “And if someone were to come looking for you, we could deal with that when it happened. But, has anyone shown up? Or have you had any evidence to back up your claim?”
    “All right, counselor. This isn’t The People’s Court. You’ve made your point about no one finding me. But you’re wrong about him being okay with my being,” I lean forward and drop my voice to barely a whisper, “a prostitute.” I sit back up and reach for my sandwich right before saying, “Men want to own their women. A few guys they can usually get past. Hundreds…? That’s a problem. It will always be on his mind. The things I’ve done…” I trail off for a moment and let out a long sigh. “I’ve had more action than LAX,” I say then take a bite of my sandwich and my stomach immediately knots.
    I usually love this place, but clearly this conversation has completely put me off