Choked (Devoured #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

“But if you’re going to make such an
adult decision, you need to be realistic and understand that you can keep the
baby, Julianna, but you can’t keep me.”
    She crossed her arms.
    “I won’t be around to help you if you decide not to
take the easy way out. As a friend, I just want to make sure you don’t have any
confusion about the fact that you’ll be doing this alone.”
    Julianna just stared at him like she was trying to
give him freezer burn.
    “Thanks for letting me get that off my chest,” he
said. “I just want you to be happy.” He put the lid back on his coffee and
pressed all around the edges. “If you decide to keep the baby, I wish you the
best of luck.” He leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. “But if you
decide you’re not quite ready to kiss your ambition and your youth good bye, I
am prepared to help.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “Well, I did some research.” He looked over his
shoulder. It looked like everyone else was having really casual conversations.
He envied them. “And I think five thousand dollars would be more than enough to
cover all your expenses, several holidays, and anything else you need to take
care of yourself at this difficult time.”
    “Wow,” she said. “Thanks.”
    He felt his heart relax in his chest.
    “Knowing how far you’re willing to go to kill your
own child has really shed a lot of light on this issue.” Julianna sat forward
and scratched the back of her head. “I mean, you obviously think I’m more
selfish than I am.” She stood up and grabbed her drink off the table. “Unfortunately,
all I can think about right now is Madeline and the fact that she has a right
to know what kind of person you really are.” Her eyes went narrow like a
snakes’. “After all, if you’re capable of killing your own offspring so
casually, her baby might not be safe either.”
    Julianna walked away before Kirk could grab her
wrist. He wanted to chase after her, but he couldn’t feel his legs. Instead, he
stared at the table for the next ten minutes wondering how she knew about the
baby and whether or not she’d meant the comment as a threat.

Julianna
     
     
    Julianna stopped halfway up the stairs when the
phone rang, reached in her pocket to see who it was, and turned back around.
    “Hi Dad.”
    “How’s my little Jujube?”
    “I’m fine.” She headed for the closest bench. “How
are you?”
    “I heard you turned in your application for a
teaching position next fall.”
    “Yeah.” She sat down. “I figured it would be more
legit if you didn’t drop it in for me.”
    “Good call. Best for everybody.”
    “Any word?”
    “No.”
    “Any other applicants look like competition?”
    “Not for you.”
    “I hope you’re not just saying that,” she said,
crossing her ankles. “I really want the job.”
    “Not at all. Your hard work speaks for itself.”
    “Thanks.”
    “No. It’s me who should be thanking you for making me
such a proud papa in front of the committee.”
    Juliana smiled. “Anytime.”
    “I was just calling to see if you need anything?”
    “No. I’ve got everything under control.”
    “Are you sure? You know there’s nothing I wouldn’t
do for you?”
    “Lie, cheat, and steal?”
    “Anything, Ju, you know that.”
    “Thanks, Dad, but I’m good for now.”
    “Glad to hear it.”
    “Want to get lunch later?”
    “Can’t.”
    “Maybe tomorrow?”
    “I wish I could, honey.”
    “Well it would be good to see you. Even just over a coffee.
Let me know if you get a break?”
    “Will do,” he said. “And just a friendly reminder-
if you get at least a 3.8 in your last semester, the job is probably in the
bag.”
    “That’s great! Consider it done.”
    “You didn’t hear that from me. Get it.”
    “Got it.”
    “Good.”
    “Okay, bye,” she said. “Love you, Dad.” But he had
already hung up.
    Julianna shoved the phone in her pocket and climbed back
up the stairs of the psychology building. She