Public Enemies Read Online Free PDF

circles beneath her eyes. Her hands were knobby, raw knuckled, with cuticles ragged from nervous picking. She reminded me of a bird, all hollow bones and ruffled feathers.
    He bent and kissed her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”
    God, it hurt more than I expected, hearing him say it out loud. Even if he rarely saw her, she was alive, and there was a chance she’d beat the odds this time, astonish him with an awesome recovery. An ache tightened my throat.
    â€œYou get more handsome every time I see you,” she said with what looked like a fond, if tired, smile. “Do you have a stylist or something?”
    â€œI got your genes,” he said, which obviously pleased her, based on how she beamed.
    Then Mrs. Riley turned to me. “Who’s this?”
    â€œI’m Edie Kramer. Nice to meet you.”
    For clarity, I presumed, Kian added, “My girlfriend.”
    â€œFinally.” Her eyes took on a teasing light. “You were such a late bloomer. I’m so glad you’re here, Edie. Now you can level with me about how Kian’s really doing. He’s so evasive, especially about his job.”
    Since that was the last thing I could do, I managed a crooked smile. “Actually, he’s taking time off to focus on school.”
    Kian was scowling at me, as if to say, Why the hell did you tell her that? I ignored him.
    â€œAre you okay on money?” she asked, visibly anxious.
    Oh, crap. I forgot he pays for her treatments.
    â€œI’m fine,” he said. “I’ve got a good amount in savings and I’m looking for part-time work, something that leaves me more time to study.”
    And doesn’t come with a lifetime servitude clause.
    â€œOh, that’s good.” Relief relaxed her shoulders. “You always were so frugal. Remember how you’d lend money to your sister when she burned through her allowance? You had a ledger and everything. Such a little loan shark.”
    He shifted, seeming not to know how to respond. During the relatively short time I’d known him, he’d never mentioned his sister. I had the sense it was an unhealed wound, a loss he couldn’t process. Quietly I reached for his hand under the table and his fingers clutched mine as if I were a rope that kept him from falling off a cliff.
    â€œWe brought presents,” I cut in, mostly to change the subject.
    â€œDid you?” Mrs. Riley seemed honestly delighted. “How sweet! And you’re so pretty too. I have a good feeling about you.”
    Despite a rocky few years, her demeanor showed glimpses of the grace she must’ve exuded when she was still a socialite. I could picture her in better clothes with hair and makeup done just so, wearing a designer dress and holding a flute of expensive champagne while gossiping with moneyed guests. In fact, she could still fit in among the Blackbriar parents. I figured a bunch of them had been to rehab.
    â€œThanks.” Producing the gift, I offered it to her with a smile.
    She wasted no time in tearing into her package and she appeared pleased with the lavender slippers I’d bought, just simple ballet-style ones but since I’d never met the woman, I had no idea of her tastes. I’d gotten a medium, hoping for the best. She pulled off the somewhat worn ones she had on and slipped into them right away. Wriggling her toes, she beamed at me.
    â€œWith socks on, they fit beautifully. Thank you, Edie.”
    I took that to mean they were a little big, but she was nice enough not to complain. “You’re welcome.”
    Then she unwrapped Kian’s present. She had tears in her eyes when he fastened the dainty bracelet watch on her wrist. Leaning forward, she pressed a trembling hand to his cheek, and I had to look away. My chest hurts. For multiple reasons, this was turning out to be a lot harder than I anticipated.
    The hour passed quickly, though. Too soon, the other visitors packed up, giving hugs