Crushed Read Online Free PDF Page A

thief would be like." Sophie replied, trying to cover up her embarrassment.
     
    As soon as they entered the living room, Sophie found herself a seat on his long couch. Robert decided to sit across from her in a recliner that she figured was his usual spot.
     
    "So, just to clarify things, what is your real name?" Sophie crossed her legs and leaned back, trying to feign indifference. She didn't want to seem nervous.
     
    "You can call me Robert." He smiled politely, but Sophie didn't return the gesture. She had a sneaking suspicion that Robert wasn't his real name either.
     
    "Okay, Robert, tell me why I'm here."
     
    He sighed, turning towards the doorway where the three kids stood watching them. "Can I help you?" He asked them, ignoring Sophie's last statement.
     
    "Come on!" Teddy complained.
     
    "I'll fill you in later, I promise." Robert flashed him a stern look, and the three of them reluctantly backed away from the door. "I apologize again." He said as he turned back to her. "They're a handful."
     
    "They're your siblings?" Sophie hoped she didn't sound too curious.
     
    "No… it's actually kind of complicated. Teddy is Gwyn's little brother, and Rylan isn't related to either of them. I'm sort of their caretaker."
     
    "Caretaker?" Sophie was even more lost than she'd been when she'd arrived at his home. Not only was he a thief, but he lived in an upper-scale neighborhood, and took care of three kids who weren't related to him in any way. She felt like she was desperately trying to shove together the puzzle pieces, but they just wouldn't fit.
     
    "It's a long story." He took a deep breath, and crossed his arms. "To be completely honest, you don't need to hear it."
     
    "Why do I keep getting the feeling you want me to leave?" Sophie's voice was level.
     
    "Probably because I do." He didn't sound the least bit phased by his rudeness. "Your grandmother made me promise to take you in after she passed away."
     
    "I don't need anyone to take me in." Sophie was shocked at her grandmother's request. She didn't even know these people.
     
    "Good. That makes my other promise much easier. I gave your parents, or rather your mother, my word that I wouldn't allow you into this place."
     
    "What?" Sophie's heart clenched. She didn't know if she could believe him, but he didn't sound like he was lying. He was being too matter-of-fact.
     
    "All you need to know is that you are not obligated to stay here. I hesitated to tell you who I was because I didn't want you to have to make this choice. When we met again, I felt obligated to give you the chance. Though, I have to admit I'm surprised you were stupid enough to take me up on the offer." He frowned, all traces of his former good nature gone. This man seemed completely opposite of the one she'd met only a few days before. "If you know what's good for you, you'll walk out of the front door and never turn back. I was under the impression you were living a rather successful life back where you belong."
     
    "Why would my grandmother send me here if you were just going to push me away?" Sophie felt like he was trying to dumb down the situation for her, and she was becoming angry at his tone. She wasn't an ignorant child, and she demanded to be treated with some kind of respect.
     
    "Look, Sophie, just listen to me. Don't get wrapped up in all of this. Just leave while you still can." He continued. "This is not a place where you can just blend in. We're not the kind of people you want to be associated with."
     
    "Because you're thieves?" Sophie asked bluntly. She remembered what Gwyn had said about Robert training Teddy. "I'm assuming all of you are?" She didn't understand anything, and she felt like Robert wanted it to be this way. However, Sophie didn't want to settle for that.
     
    "Rob." Gwyn interrupted from the doorway. "You're going to have to tell her."
     
    "Gwyn." Robert said in a warning voice. "I know what I'm doing."
     
    "No, you don't." Another voice broke in.