Chosen at Nightfall (A Shadow Falls Novel) Read Online Free PDF

to let up.”
    “Perhaps, but if he’s already found his way into the camp to get to this girl, why would you have me believe that he couldn’t do it again to get to Kylie?”
    “But—” Kylie spoke up, yet Burnett’s direct glance at her seemed to ask for her to let him deal with this. She clamped her mouth shut, although it irked her to do it.
    “I see your concerns,” Burnett said. “However, the attack didn’t take place on camp grounds.” He gave the glass of tea another twirl in his hands and looked down at the amber-colored liquid as if debating whether to drink it. Then he raised his gaze. “Another factor to consider is that we have more bodies to help fight this rogue and his followers. And while I know the idea probably enrages you, I also have the FRU’s assistance. With the office in Fallen, near the camp, I can have a hundred trained people there in a matter of minutes.”
    Her grandfather frowned. “You are right, it enrages me.” He paused and Kylie saw him grinding his teeth before he spoke again. “I must tell you that the only reason I sit at the table with you is because my granddaughter holds you in such high regard. In the absence of her real father and the situation of her home life, you have in many ways stepped into the role of a father figure for her.”
    Burnett ran his finger over the condensation of his tea, almost as if uncomfortable at hearing how highly Kylie thought of him.
    “I pray you deserve her respect.” Her grandfather breathed in again. “That said, your logic here confuses me. You claim to be keeping my granddaughter from the FRU and yet you would call them to assist in protecting her. How is this feasible?”
    “I’m assisting in preventing them from testing her simply because I’m not sure the tests are one hundred percent without risks. I believe their eagerness to find answers might prevent them from completely considering Kylie’s best interest. But please don’t take this to mean that I think they are capable of doing what they did to others in the past. The FRU isn’t perfect, Mr. Summers, no organization is, or ever will be, but it’s not the same organization that it was back then.”
    Silence filled the room. The tension hung thick in the air.
    “Let me take Kylie back to Shadow Falls where I believe she is the safest,” Burnett continued. “I will have guards waiting and watching for Mario to make his move. When he does, we will be ready. We will catch him and put a stop to this once and for all.”
    “And we can do the same,” her grandfather added, his tone tight again.
    Burnett’s grimace deepened. “Look me in the eyes and tell me honestly that you believe you and your people are capable of handling this.”
    Her grandfather laced his fingers together—tight—and set his gripped hands on the table. Then he stared at his hands as if weighing Burnett’s words.
    When he raised his gaze, he met Kylie’s eyes, and then returned his frown to Burnett. “I do not agree with your plan, nor your assessment of my or my people’s ability to protect one of our own. Albeit I may be holding on to my prejudices of the past. Prejudices I am certain will be a part of me until I take my last breath.”
    He cleared his throat and let go of a sigh. “However, if my granddaughter has told me anything since she’s been here, it’s that she is her own person. So while I hope she will listen to my counsel on this, I’m aware that the decision will be hers. I have lost too much family in this life and I care too much about her to push her away by trying to hold on too tight.”
    Tears stung Kylie’s eyes again. She reached over and touched her grandfather’s hands. He turned his palm over and held her hand. His gaze found hers. “Stay here, Kylie. Stay and continue to learn who you are and where you belong.” His touch, so much like that of her father’s, sent warmth through her.
    And a part of her wanted to give in. But at what cost?

 
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