Fatal Exchange Read Online Free PDF Page A

elsewhere. Students blurred past as she tried to shake the unease seeping through her. She might not know Eduardo well, but she did know Rafael and how seriously he took his role as the older brother. He’d mentioned more than once that it was his responsibility to not only keep his family together but to keep Eduardo out of trouble.
    Emily paused to pull a flyer off the bulletin board of last week’s senior debate she’d moderated. Nausea spread through her stomach. Whether or not Eduardo was guilty of dealing drugs didn’t matter to the kidnappers anymore. His life hung in the balance, and whatever the outcome, it was going to take Rafael a long time to shake the guilt that he hadn’t been able to stop this from happening in the first place.
    She crumpled the flyer and tossed it into the trash. She was going to have to find a way to focus on the day ahead without obsessing over what was happening with Rafael and his brother. At least she now had Mason’s number. Even if she didn’t see Rafael, she could still call for an update.
    “Aunt Emily?”
    Emily paused beside the drinking fountain. “Morning, Tess.” She glanced at her niece, then at her watch. “It’ll take you a couple of minutes to get all the way to your class. Do I need to write you a pass?”
    “I’ll hurry.” Tess sniffled. “Did you remember to bring myEnglish book? Mrs. Masters isn’t going to be happy if I forget it again.”
    “No worries, it’s on my desk.” They started back down the hall at a quick pace toward her classroom, weaving their way through the sea of high school students. One day, she wanted two or three kids of her own, but in the meantime, being an aunt filled that maternal void. “How’s your cold?”
    “I wanted to stay home, but Mom insisted I was fine.”
    “She knows about your science exam?”
    “Yes, but not how terrified I am to take it.” Tess’s frown deepened. “Mom and I got into a big fight this morning. It was all stupid stuff. She got mad. I got mad. I said things I shouldn’t’ve.”
    “Over what?”
    Tess dropped her gaze. “Jackson mainly.”
    Emily stopped to face Tess, ignoring the slamming locker doors and rowdy voices around her. “I thought you were happy your mom was getting remarried.”
    “I am . . . I was. I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Last night, Mom and I were supposed to go out for dinner. Just the two of us.”
    “And that didn’t happen?”
    “She worked late, then Jackson called and needed to talk about his grandfather. He might have to put him in an old people’s home, or something.”
    “So dinner got canceled.” Emily caught the hurt in Tess’s eyes. After three years of widowhood, her sister had finally found the perfect match. But even a second chance was made complicated when there was a teen involved.
    Tess let out a deep sigh. “I know I shouldn’t feel so angry, and I know he makes my mom happy, but everything’s changing, and sometimes . . . sometimes I hate it. I wish things could go back the way they were with Mom and me. Is that crazy?”
    “No.” Emily put her arm around Tess’s shoulder and startedwalking again toward her classroom. “I know it’s been rough for you, losing your dad, but everything you’re feeling is normal. Jackson’s a good man, and I think he’ll make a great stepfather for you, but it’s going to take time. For all three of you.”
    “That’s what my mom keeps saying. That it’s going to take time for all of us to adjust to being a family. I just . . . I miss my dad.”
    Emily felt her own heart break. Her niece had been ten when her father died. She was old enough to remember holidays spent together, Braves games, and family meals around the dinner table. And she was old enough now to realize that while Jackson might make her mom happy, things were going to be different.
    “Jackson’s not in your life to come between you and your mom. Give both of them time to find that balance.”
    “I’m