Choices Read Online Free PDF

middle of the space.  An arched eyebrow was his only response to her shriek. Olive skinned with a muscular yet lean physique, the man had almost blue-black hair that was combed away from an indescribably handsome face. 
    “Who are you?” Rachel asked nearing him instead of the smarter move, which would be to get away.  “You’re one of them aren’t you?”
    Before he could answer Roderick and Cyn burst into the room from opposite directions, both holding swords and neither fully dressed.  In fact, Roderick wore only boxers and Cyn was completely nude.  The men froze at spotting the newcomer. Roderick’s eyes widened when noting her presence.
    Both men dropped their swords to their sides simultaneously.
    “Hello Julian.” Cyn was the first to find his voice.  The man then had the nerve to cross his arms over his chest and lean on the doorjamb, his eyes darting between the other three people in the room.  Rachel tried hard not to stare at his nude physique. 
    Roderick cleared his throat and dropped his gaze to Cyn’s private area.  “Do you mind covering your naked ass?”
    “And miss what’s about to go down?  I don’t think so.”  His Scottish accent seemed heavier in his amusement.
    “Cyn.” Roderick motioned toward Rachel.
    The Scot returned a bland stare, but at least he was decent enough to grab a throw and wrap it around his waist before dropping into the nearest couch.
    This was Julian?  Their leader?  He didn’t seem old enough, perhaps twenty-three, twenty-four at the most.  Yet when she studied him closer, he seemed more ageless than young.
    Julian remained quiet, an aura like that of a panther about to pounce on his prey exuded from him.  He didn’t look directly at anyone in particular yet seemed to take it all in. 
    Roderick moved to Rachel’s side and placed a protective arm around her waist pulling her not just to him, but also slightly behind his side. “I can explain…”
    A muscled twitched on Julian’s jawline and his furious gaze slammed into them.  In the next instant Roderick flew across the room, and crashed into the opposite wall. 
    Rachel shrieked.
    Before he could fall to the floor, he was thrown again, this time bouncing off the fireplace wall before crumpling onto the hearth.  Bricks from the hearth surrounded him as he struggled to his feet only to be flung back against the first wall and held there by some invisible force.  Roderick seemed to struggle to breath and Rachel rushed at Julian.
    “Stop it!” She hit the Roman in the chest.  “Leave him alone.” 
    Julian didn’t even flinch.  Roderick continued to flail and struggle when Julian’s black gaze jerked to her.  “This is Protector business, go wait in another room.”
    “Like hell!” Rachel kneed him in the groin, satisfied when he grunted and doubled over.  At the same time Roderick collapsed to the floor and she raced to him.  His glazed eyes met hers for only a moment before he grabbed her and threw her behind him, his trembling body blocking her view of the asshole Julian.
    “Get her out of the room Cynden.” Julian’s soft Italian-accented command laced with rage gave Rachel goose bumps.
    “I’m not leaving.” She peeked over Roderick’s prone form to glare at the man.  “You are crazy if you think I'm going to wait in the next room while you kill him.” She swung toward Cyn.  “And you, why don’t you do something?”
    Julian didn’t speak instead his gaze met Roderick’s.  They were communicating telepathically, she didn’t know how she knew this, but her suspicions were confirmed when Roderick grunted in response.
    “He’s not going to kill me Rachel.  Go on, wait in the bedroom. I need to talk to him.” 
    Rachel didn’t budge until Roderick stood and pulled her to her feet.  His hand on her elbow, he walked her towards the doorway.  His beautiful silver eyes were clear again when they met hers.  “You’ll only make things worse for me by not doing