Edge of Obsession (SKALS #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the back of the house, chasing away both shadows and early morning chill. Tiny buds were already starting to speckle the trees and infuse the grounds with vibrant hints of green. Her smile faltered as she remembered Henderson standing over her, his watch both vigilant and kind, while she’d spent hours cleaning out the flowerbeds and getting the yard ready for spring. Neither of them had any idea that a few short hours later, she’d be lying paralyzed in the back of a van as he bled out beside her.
    He’d saved her life that night, and in the end, he’d given his. Tears threatened as she remembered the sincerity in the head of security ’s voice while he’d whispered his strained apologies in the dark.
    “Baby?”
    Concern lined Sebastian’s face. Unaware that he’d been studying her, her cheeks flushed with shame. She forced a grin for his benefit, but he knew better. Frowning, he set the spatula down and opened his arms. Taylor abandoned her post in front of the toaster oven and surged into the comforting reassurance of his embrace.
    “What is it? What upset you?”
    She buried her face against the side of his neck. “I was just thinking about Henderson…about all the men that died that night trying to protect us.”
    “Shh,” Sebastian soothed, stroking her hair. “It’s done, baby,” he said, rocking her gently in his arms. “I promise you, I will do everything in my power to assure nothing like that ever happens again. I know it was horrible, but those men died trying to do their job. Henderson gave his life to save yours. It’s an honorable way to go, and it’s what he would have wanted.”
    She searched his eyes. “Do you really think so?”
    “I know so, sweetheart.”
    Scenting the air, she cast her attention to the stove. Thin tendrils of darkening smoke rose from the smoldering skillet. Her eyes darted back to his in panic. “The bacon is burning!”
    Sebastian cupped her face in his hands . Leaning down, he rested his forehead against hers. “I don’t give a damn about the bacon, or anything else for that matter, Taylor. All I care about is you.”
    “Well, maybe you don’t give a damn about breakfast, Baas, but I do.”
    They both turned at the husky intrusion of Josh’s voice. Still finger combing his disheveled raven hair, he leveled them with a reproachful look and hurried over to cut the heat down. The sharp sizzling sound echoed through the kitchen as he quickly scraped the meat out of the skillet. His soft curse filled the air.
    “What the hell is wrong with you, anyway?” Josh muttered, shaking the hot grease splatters from his hand. “Not giving a damn about bacon is a lynchable offense to some people.”
    Sebastian rolled his eyes and turned back to Taylor. “Do you see what I have to put up with?”
    She grinned, plying him with a look of mock empathy. “I do,” she said, nodding.
    “ You? ” Josh asked with a snort. “That’s laughable, Sebastian. Don’t let him fool you, kid. Hell, I got sympathy cards when people found out I was going to be his partner.”
    Sebastian’s head fell back with his quiet bark of laughter. “Did you now?” he asked folding his arms. “And just who sent you those?”
    “Oh no, Baas,” Josh said. “I ain’t saying shit. We’re running low enough on personnel lately as it is.”
    Taylor smothered a laugh behind her hand, her gaze darting between the two men. Sebastian grabbed her chin, forcing her attention back to him.
    “You’re supposed to be on my side here, traitor.”
    She traced the hard line s of his chest as she pressed closer. “I’m always on your side, Sebby.”
    “ Is that so?”
    “Of course.”
    “That’s not what your actions say. It’s too late now, darling. Now you are going to have to prove it.”
    “Oh come on,” Josh grumbled, turning back toward the stove. “I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet and the two of you are already starting to make my stomach churn.”
    “It sounds to me like someone