Betrayals of the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

permanently engraved there and she couldn’t help but wonder what had caused his pain. Even through his tough exterior, the anguish of his own life was clear. She shivered as her attention rested on the long ragged mark disfiguring the left side of his neck and collarbone. Its broad size and cross ridges betrayed the truth. The wound had been deep and ghastly.
    Scars left permanent damage both inside and out.
    A fact she knew all too well.
    “Why don’t we discuss the details of our arrangement when we get out of this mess?” He shifted the bag to the other shoulder, strategically covering the evidence of his own secrets and stepped forward resting a warm hand on her elbow. His thumb innocently moved back and forth over the inside her arm.
    “I guess that will work.” Makayla felt breathless, from not only his touch, but also the emotion in his voice. His intentions seemed honorable, but in truth this man had just stolen the last car right out from under her nose. Didn’t his callousness make him no different from Steven? She shouldn’t have to share. She was obviously in the right and had been at the rental counter first, but wasn’t even given the chance to say no. It didn’t matter that deep down she knew there was little chance she’d ever make it out in this storm by herself. That she’d been praying for a different way out.
    Why then, did she feel safe with this man? It just didn’t make sense. After all she’d been through. After all the mistakes she’d made, why wasn’t she any smarter? This take charge attitude was what had attracted her to Steven in the beginning. She should be running in the opposite direction so fast no one could even make out her skin color. But no, here she stood. A man twice her size offering to help her when he didn’t even know her name.
    Most people didn’t do that without a motive.
    She had to be crazy. Stupid just wasn’t a strong enough word.
    “Is he okay?”
    Turning her attention to Michael, she stroked his hair as he lay against her chest. “Yeah, he’s just tired.” Her son was all she had now. Really all she’d ever had. And it was a miracle he’d even survived.
    It was touch and go at the hospital the day she’d told Steven she was pregnant and he went ballistic on her. That was when everything really changed for the worse. Steven didn’t want children. He’d made that pretty clear before they married. But she hadn’t planned it like he thought. She’d been on the pill, taken every one faithfully. Even her doctor assured her that these things just happen. Sometimes, things are just meant to be.
    And sometimes, things are not.
    “We should get going then.” The tall stranger’s gruff voice rippled through the half open window of the passenger side door. So deep in thought, she hadn’t even heard him open his door much less realized they’d reached their destination.
    “Yes. Sorry.” Makayla helped Michael into the backseat where he demanded he buckle himself in. She could feel the tension in the air as he struggled with the clasp.
    “You should probably help him out.”
    “He’ll get it.” She forced a smile as she met the man’s gaze over the seat, trying her best to make the situation lighter.
    “Well, if he doesn’t hurry we’re not going anywhere.” The snow was coming down harder, the opening to the garage barely visible now. She clutched her hands together, fighting hard to control the panic from showing on her face.
    “Hurry, Michael. Mommy’s only going to give you one more try.” Finally, the belt clicked into place. Relief rushed over her as her son grinned triumphant.
    She could have helped him, knew she probably should have since time was not on their side, but the ride would have been anything but peaceful from then on out. Michael had to do things his own way no matter the cost. A bad trait he inherited from his father—one she was bound and determined to steer in a better direction.
    Despite Michael’s pleased