I Will Not Run Read Online Free PDF

I’ll tell you this much for free. Doc, you’ve got your work cut out here. She’s a nutcase and a half, no mistake.”
    I was embarrassed. Of course I was. I hated that Dom got to hear that. It was humiliating but what could I do? I shrugged to show that what my husband said meant nothing to me, that it was okay. I could tell that Dom didn’t think so though. His jaw locked tight.
    Christ, don’t let him take a swing at Bruno. He’ll be booted out of here quick-smart. Out our way, gun instructors aren’t easy to find but nothing’s impossible, not for Bruno and all his money. No one takes a swing at my husband and gets away with it.
    So to defuse the situation, I blurted, “Bruno, honey, your bark is so much worse than your bite.” I glanced at him fondly which made me want to puke. But honestly, I’d have rather been sick on Dom’s shoes than watch him drive off.
    Bruno tilted his head to the side. What I’d said was a blatant lie and we both knew it. My husband’s bite is so much worse than his bark. But, big relief, Dom dropped his shoulders and eased up a bit.
    Eventually, he caught my eye and gave me a lopsided grin. Was that pity I saw? God, I hope not.
    “Coffee?” I offered in a breezy voice, pretending nothing tense had happened and that there was no blackberry bruise on my cheek.
    “Sure. I can’t wait to see inside your beautiful home.”
    I stopped, snap-frozen. Was it beautiful? It might be. But I’d rather live in a packing crate or in the bowels of a toilet block, anywhere other than here. I looked up at my character, three storied sprawling country home, the building that has sat silently and watched on for years.
    Bruno headed for the house, dismissing us both. My husband is like that when he meets new people, as friendly as a flesh eating virus.
    I sneaked a quick peek at Dom and then turned away. We were almost alone now, so why was I feeling so edgy? Meeting him again was not like I’d imagined it would be. My nerve endings were popping and zinging, like I was nothing but skin stretched over an electric wire. I don’t think I’ve ever had so many emotions running amuck before. One moment I felt like a kid at Christmas and the next, I wanted to lash out.
    Dom narrowed his eyes and focused on my face. Of course I recognised that look. He was asking me a question, the same question lots of people silently ask me. Everyone wants to know why I’m putting up with this? That question is quickly followed by the sound of tongues tutting and heads shaking. Translation: You married him, what did you expect? You should have known better.
    Stuff everyone! I have enough to worry about without caring what others think. My life is my business. Maybe this was a mistake after all, Dom turning up here out of the blue.
    We stood together watching Bruno climb the steps then stomp into the house. He slammed the screen door behind him.
    Dom sighed, his face softening at last. “Winter, how are you, babe? It’s been so long.”
    I stared back wide-eyed, like a possum in a torchlight. And then he did what I quickly discovered he does a lot, he searched my face looking for my unspoken answer. Trouble was, no one studies a stranger that intensely, unless he’s the doctor. I wished Dom would be more careful.
    At last he said something else. “You’re even better looking now than you used to be.”
    I smiled a soppy, giant grin because the rush of pleasure was too sudden and too powerful to hide. But I quickly gained composure and wiped the happiness away. Staring at the ground now, we walked inside, single-file, a solemn procession.
    But his flattery had woken the young girl up inside me and she wanted to come out and play. She itched to reach out and touch this strange, new, exciting Dominic, a Dominic that had changed so much over the years.
    Okay, I fancy him already. It didn’t take me long, I know but who wouldn’t fancy him? Remember, I know how smart he is. And this new Dominic looks way more like