Reluctant Storm Read Online Free PDF Page B

brings me back into focus. I’ve never gone back to Johannesburg since that day. My life is here, and I’m just waiting until the opportunity arises so I can claim my bond mate.
    Augustine has me playing the field with everyone. Everyone thinks she’s dead, but trust me, she’s far from it. She knows exactly what’s going on with Antony and Griffin. Why she lets it continue is beyond me, something about starting a huge war if she interferes, or so she says. Thinking back a few weeks ago when she called me into her office, I slip on my watch, thinking back to the day when she informed me of all this.
    I had just gotten back to the palace from practicing at the shooting range. I grab more blood and supplies so I could get back to the college to watch Claire. Something’s been bothering me lately, and I feel another presence surrounds her, one I don’t trust, so I told her I wanted more bodyguards on Claire. She knows I watch Claire twenty-four/ seven for my sanity, and she didn’t exactly appreciate my rage when she said I had to buddy up with Griffin and Antony to find out what they’re planning. Grabbing a shot of vodka, I toss it back, licking a small drop from my lip with my tongue. Protecting Claire is my life, I can’t fail her now.
    “I’ll do it, but if anything happens to Claire you’re not going to like the consequences. If you think I’m crazy now watch what happens if something happens to Claire.”
    A car door slamming in the parking spot next to me brings me again back to the present. I shake my head and take another swallow of the blood, finishing it off and tossing it on the floor. I‘m loyal to the Vampire Royalty for reasons that have been known to me since I first met Claire, one day she’ll be my bond mate. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t join the evil bastards that are trying to kill her so I can stop them, because I did that, just as Augustine suggested.
    It’s really been an eye opener finding out who’s hired me to kill her. Griffin was too expected, but her own father that was surprising. And the fact that Antony has Jason, Griffin’s estranged son working for him almost blew my top. There isn’t much in life that I haven’t seen or done, but when it affects someone close to me, they are going to wish they’d never met me. When I filled Augustine in on that little tidbit, she was infuriated. I’m one of the very few people she trusts. So far everything’s going well and nothing out of the ordinary except seeing Jason Dumont here, of all people. That bastard is getting on my fucking nerves. He’s compelled the people here to think he’s the shit, and all the girls want him. Not going to lie, had a good laugh when I found out about that.
    Leaning down, I grab the file Augustine thrust at me before leaving with all the information I’m going to need. I shake my head as I flip through it. He’s been working for Antony for awhile, which is a whole different set of issues. So immersed in reading, I almost miss Claire leaving her dorm and walking quickly with her head down, carrying her books. It’s a usual look for her, and it’s nice to see that hasn’t changed. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen her and nothing has changed, except for the fact that pesky Jason is following her at a discreet distance.
    Did I forget to mention Augustine refused to let me leave the palace for two long weeks while she had me train with a specially brought in instructor? The entire time I was training with the best of the best, I couldn’t help but wonder just what the hell Augustine was preparing me for. Running my hands over my tattooed arms, I glance in the mirror and lift my finger, pressing it on top of the number twenty-one next to my eye. That number has great significance. It’s when I’m finally able to reveal my true self to Claire; I turn twenty-one in a few weeks.
    Sitting up straighter, I check the mirror and run my hand over my shaved head. I open the car door and hop