If the Broom Fits Read Online Free PDF Page B

things, but I kept them firmly pressed into my leg. “What a waste of time. It was stupid to go to this trouble for a child that would never see it.”
    He shook his head. “They loved you.”
    â€œEnough.” I stomped my foot, tearing my eyes from the wall and letting rage take over. I could trust my anger. It had been with me forever and hadn’t let me down yet, which was more than I could say about anyone else.
    â€œYou can’t rewrite the past. If they loved me, where are they? Where was the plan for my future? I understand I served a purpose for her. Maybe she thought I’d be okay with it and would bring her back, but that isn’t going to happen. She ruined my life and I’m what? Supposed to forgive her because she painted a room pink for me?” My whole body was shaking.
    â€œYou want to get to know me? Let me give you the short version. I was in eight foster homes and six group homes. I accidently killed at least sixteen people before I finally ran away because everyone was safer if I wasn’t in their life. I was twelve years old. I didn’t go to school. I went to the library, mostly because it was warm and dry and easy to hide in it. I scrounged, ate out of dumpsters, and took handouts anywhere I could get them until someone from the Abyss noticed me.”
    Orion cleared his throat and I was vaguely aware of Leslie—eyes wide with a stricken look—but I pushed on.
    â€œThey knew what I could do and introduced me to that world, but more importantly it was the first time anyone had an explanation for what was wrong with me. By that point, I’d lost track of how many people I’d killed accidentally or to protect myself. I became a bounty hunter because it was the only thing I could do. So please keep telling me how much my parents loved me.” I tightened my fingers into fists. “My mother made me this monster. And my father? Well, where has he been all this time? You can try to color them anyway that suits you, but you can’t change the facts because I lived them.”
    I looked back at the walls. “Who cares about stars and paint?”
    Orion ran a hand over his jaw, and his intense eyes followed me as I backed toward the door. “Ask yourself one question, Frost. Does any of this look like they intended to die?”

4
    Jessica
    T he bell jingled over the door.
    I put the book back on the table and headed to the front, wearing what I hoped was a pleasant smile—right until I saw Donavan. “Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”
    He held up his hands. “I come in peace.” He glanced around the shop with a cynical expression.
    Sure the front was a bit touristy, but that’s what people wanted. To the right were homemade candles, soaps, lotions, and beauty products. To the left was the counter and jewelry. The long thin table opposite the checkout held fun things people loved to browse, like tarot cards, rune stones, voodoo dolls, lucky charms, and things like that. It was as you went deeper into the building that the people interested in real magic would find what they were looking for.
    Donavan put my two dollars on the counter. “I was up all night and I took it out on you. It was a dick move. Are we cool?”
    â€œWas that an apology?”
    He gave me a flat look. “Do you need one?”
    I considered it for a moment. “Fine. We’re cool. Now, what do you want?”
    â€œI don’t…you came to me.” He put his hands in his pockets. “You braved a snow storm to ask me about a murder. Call me crazy, but it seems like it was sort of important to you. Why are you busting my balls?”
    I shrugged. “Emaleigh used to come into the store. Her death took me by surprise and the article didn’t make a lot of sense to me. How can you wrap up a murder investigation in a week based on circumstantial evidence? I figured there had to be more to the story and I wanted