Jake (A Redemption Romance #2) Read Online Free PDF

know?” I asked, sharply questioning him. If there was more to his, I needed to know. I couldn’t help her if I didn’t have the entire story.
    With a small shake of his head, he looked down into his beer and I could practically see the wheels turning in his head.
    “Fucking spill it, Luke, I need to know what the fuck is going on.”
    Luke’s gaze shot up to me, his eyes narrowed on my face, assessing me – for what, I wasn’t sure.
    “How well do you know her?” he asked, strangely, I thought.
    “Well enough, I don’t know. Why?” I knew my answer wasn’t going to be enough to elicit more from him. It would only be my concern for her that would win him over, if he felt like telling me was the lesser evil.
    “She’s a quiet person, she doesn’t share freely. Aurora’s told me how she was painfully shy in school, so I think it’s hard for her to truly open up.”
    Nodding my agreement, I tried to find a way to encourage more. “Look, Luke, I’m concerned for her. I am the one who found that shit on her porch Monday morning, I saw her fear. She tried to mask it, but I could see it just under the surface.” I took in a calming breath, trying to steady my words. “I don’t know how to help her without all the details. If there’s something you know, you need to tell me so I can help her. That’s all I’m trying to do, keep her safe.”
    I didn’t think Luke was going to answer me, he stared off for so long, thinking. I could hear the buzz of quiet conversations all around us, but we were sitting close enough that we’d been able to speak so no one else would over-hear our conversation.
    “She’s got a past.” Luke finally replied, cryptically, fucking asshole, I wished he’d just spill it already.
    “Who doesn’t?” I barked back.
    With a raised brow and a glare sent my way, he continued. “She’s been hurt before. I don’t know the details, but Aurora knows enough to be worried about her. I think it could be the same guy bothering her now.”
    My blood actually boiled. I was livid. If she had any idea who this asshole was, she should have fucking told me. She could have given me a clue, instead of worrying about an unknown creeper. 
    Nodding, working to keep my anger masked, I encouraged Luke to go on.
    “I don’t know many details, I know that whatever happened was a few years ago, when she was in Mississippi, but the guy came down here after she’d moved and left her notes and shit. I don’t know any more than that. I don’t feel right telling you her story, but I can’t watch over her, or I don’t think she’d let me, maybe she’ll let you.”
    “As-fucking-if, that woman will barely let me within five feet of her. Thanks though, I’ll do what I can. Maybe I should have her stay with me for a while.” That thought had merit, I decided it would be my best course of action. I did have a guest room, but my bed was so much bigger and more comfortable. That would take care of two problems at once. She would be safe and she’d be in my bed.
    The night passed easily from that point, but Hope was never far from my thoughts. The guys’ good-natured ribbing and adolescent antics lifted my spirits, and I enjoyed the time I spent with them.
    We’d all served together in the Marines. It was strange happenstance that we each ended up in the area. There were a lot of service members here, but the fact that some of us knew each other before and served together, or met in the Corps and ended up in the same general area seemed unusual.
    I for one, hadn’t grown up here. Dylan and I both grew up outside Philadelphia. Growing up the way we did, the military was about the only positive avenue available to us.
    At the age of seven, my mom, two sisters and I moved in across the street from Dylan’s family. We were instant enemies, both trying to be top dog, until the second or third month when the neighborhood bully was picking on my youngest sister, Melissa.
    Dylan saw what was happening and