Merkaba, a supernatural suspense series (Walk the Right Road, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

chewing a piece of gum and said, “I stopped by to check on you, see how you are.”
    Alecia held open the door and motioned her inside. “I was just going to have a bath, hoping to work out some of the aches.”
    Diane stepped in and closed the door. “Have you eaten?”
    “No. I was going to order a pizza and get it delivered. Couldn’t think of what else, since there’s no restaurants here.”
    “Well, why don’t I wait for you while you have your bath, and I’ll take you out for dinner?”
    Alecia stared at the hard-as-nails woman, who wore no makeup, had short hair, and showed no emotion on her round face. Diane scanned the room, which Alecia realized must have been an instinct, always searching for something out of place. Her stomach rumbled, and she felt an odd sort of comfort come over her. She didn’t want to be alone, and even though she wouldn’t admit it to herself, she was scared to walk out that door.
    “Okay… I won’t be long.” Alecia hurried into the bathroom as fast as her achy body would allow, and she settled into the hot bath, wondering why this cop was giving her the time of day. She meant to find out.
    ***
    The view from the casual oceanside restaurant was breathtaking. Waves crashed against the rocky shore, and dozens of people wandered the shoreline, some couples hand in hand. That was always when her heart sank, feeling the yearning to have that special someone to share life with. She wanted to do those simple things, like walking hand in hand down a beach with the man she loved.
    Diane cleared her throat. “You know, I’ve seen a lot of domestic abuse. Most women end up giving up the fight and going back. I’ve seen stalkers, and it never has a happy ending. Can I ask you something?”
    Alecia was glad she had worn a baseball cap, the brim pulled down, and sunglasses. It helped her hide and not have to explain, even though the waitress had seen her bruises. Her eyes had widened, but, thankfully, she had said nothing. Alecia glanced at Diane and shrugged.
    “How long were you with this guy, Brian, back in Boston?” She stared at Alecia with a mild curiosity that made her seem as though she understood the situation, maybe from her line of work.
    “We lived together about ten months. I loved him. He was so handsome and attentive at the start, when we were dating. Then he’d get these moods. The first time he hit me could have been an accident. He convinced me it was, or I convinced myself. I don’t know which. But … I know everyone has a button, too, and there is such a thing as bad chemistry. You see that in a bar all the time. I was raised in one. So I found myself saying all the wrong things to convince myself we were fine. I’m sure you’ve heard it a thousand times: I goaded him, it was my fault, I should have been more understanding. Stupid, huh?” Alecia was thankful for the glass of wine in front of her and the corner table they shared, well away from the few other patrons in the restaurant.
    “But, honestly, I don’t think anyone has the right to judge,” she continued. “We’ve all been involved in something similar, in one way or another. When you’re in it, it’s easy for everyone else to say they knew, they saw, and they would have done better. I bet if I put your life up for scrutiny, I could probably see half a dozen stupid things and say the same: I saw, I knew, and I could have done better.” Alecia immediately flushed. She couldn’t believe she had said that, and Diane shot her a glance loaded with warning, but, to her credit, she said nothing.
    Diane drummed her fingers on the table, then looped her arm over the back of the chair the way her father would have done, setting her straight without uttering a word. “Don’t start putting words in my mouth, Alecia. I know far more than you think. I don’t remember saying you were stupid. If I recall, did you not end it with this guy? Did you not walk away?”
    Alecia picked up her wine took a heady