Charmed Read Online Free PDF Page B

to upset you, but I have to tell you something.”
    Ella held her breath and closed her eyes.
    Adam continued. “Will you trust me when I tell you that I fear for you? I know that makes no sense, and I’m sorry, so sorry. But I am dealing with the situation here, and it means everything to me that you are safe and you stay safe.”
    What in the world was he talking about?
    After another silence, Adam continued. “I’m taking a chance just calling you. I almost didn’t. I won’t be able to use this phone again. It may not be secure anymore. I’ll get a disposable phone and send it to you, so we will have a secure line.”
    “Adam, don’t go. What are you saying? Are you in trouble? I want to help. Don’t shut me out,” Ella cried.
    “No, never. I would never shut you out. Please understand that the worst thing would be to involve you. As long as you are safe, I know I will be able to come back to you. I’ll try to call again when I can. Don’t worry. I’ll be okay, and I will take care of everything as soon as I can,” he concluded.
    “How can you be safe when you can’t even call me? It’s worse than you are saying, I know it. You are everything to me, Adam. Everything. Maybe I can help,” Ella blurted out before he could hang up.
    “Amore mia, if you want to help, stay safe and wait for me to call. We will be together again.” And with those parting words, Adam hung up.
    Ella stared at the blank screen, shocked. Nothing seemed real. Her shallow breathing was evidence that she was still alive—but she didn’t feel alive. A feeling of complete helplessness came over her. If he wouldn’t tell her what was happening, she couldn’t help. Adam expected her to do nothing and just wait until he came back. If he came back.
    Too numb to even cry, Ella put her hand over her eyes, wishing the whole thing was a bad dream. Aching from the loss of Adam, and fearing the worst, she didn’t seem able to function properly. Willing her mind to clear, she rubbed her forehead. There had to be a way to be of use to the man she loved. He’d saved her, more than once. It was her turn to save him. The trouble was she had no idea how.
    Surfing had always been her escape. In the worst of times, riding the waves brought sanity to an otherwise crazy existence. Quickly she changed into her suit, grabbed her board, and half jogged to the beach. Tossing her towel and sweatshirt to the ground, she plunged into the water and paddled out. In a daze, she let the waves toss her about.
    Unaware of her surroundings, Ella thought only of Adam. Desperate for a solution, she frowned. Nothing came to mind. She could think of no way to help him. Unable to think rationally, she zoned out. As she had so many times, she caught the next wave, not needing to focus. She could almost literally ride the surf in her sleep. It was second nature.
    Flying through the curl, Ella felt a fleeting thrill at the high-speed ride. Still her only thought was of Adam and the life-changing day that she’d fallen off her surfboard. The amazing day she’d met him, the day he’d rescued her. A bizarre thought occurred to her. Sliding down the deep blue wave, she had an idea; a crazy idea at that. Maybe she could change the course of events.
    Maybe she could reel back time to the day she’d caught Adam’s attention, the fateful day when she tumbled into the water and he dove in to rescue her. If it happened all over again, possibly she could change the course of events. Like her own novel, she could change the plot and arrange it so that once she met Adam he wouldn’t have to leave her. He wouldn’t have to go to Brazil without her.
    One minute she was thinking it, and the next minute it happened; she flew off her board and into the water. Struggling against the strength of the ocean, she fought hard, not realizing for a moment what had happened, only vaguely aware that her head hurt. Was she dreaming? Had her imagination run away with her?
    No, in the next