Sacrificing Sloan (Sloan Series Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

I wait.”
    “Children!” Mr. Lawrence spun around with the bacon plate in his hands and sat it down on the table with a thud. “You two will stay here, and you will not kill each other or beat each other up or even talk to one another. Do I make myself clear?”
    “Like I’d want to talk to him.” Boyd scoffed, but scooted back where he originally sat. I knew he wouldn’t attack me. He was too scared to attack someone he actually had to face. I hated him more than any other person on the planet, and that said a lot, since I knew some colorful people from my mom’s life.
    “That’s not what your mom said.” I grinned. No. It wasn’t a good mama diss or even a so bad it’s good mama diss. It was just all around bad, but it was a mama diss none the less—classic.
    “You little…” Apparently, Boyd didn’t like mama disses. He scooted back across the bench to hunt me down. Like I’d back down from someone like him. I welcomed the distraction.
    “Oh, good glory.” Mr. Lawrence cracked some more eggs in the skillet while Boyd kept trying to scoot in my direction. I knew it would take a while, so I enjoyed the scent of the eggs filtering my direction, and grabbed a piece of bacon to take the edge off. My mind worried about everyone at home. My heart wanted revenge. My stomach just wanted some bacon and eggs. It was very primal.
    “After breakfast, I’m cleaning up, and I’m walking out of here. The dirt road I drove down is only a few miles long. Maybe a little more, but I should be able to bring help to you guys by tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest. Now… Do. Not. Leave. This. Cabin. Before. I. Get. Back. Do you understand?”
    Like we could go anywhere…
    I understood, regretfully so. It wasn’t like I could hike right now. “Fine.” I agreed because what else could I do? Mr. Lawrence was right. The creek was coming, and they had to get out before it was too late.
    And of course God— or fate, or coincidence—or whoever designed things in life, decided it would be the perfect time for a tree to drop on the one thing we could have used to get out of Dodge.
    Well played, universe. Well played.
    “Whatever.” Boyd sighed as he laid his head on the edge of the table. He never made his way to kick my butt. It felt anti-climactic.
    “Good.” Mr. Lawrence finished the rest of breakfast and brought the eggs to the table. He fixed us a plate, and instead of making me scoot over to the table, he handed me mine at my little perch. I asked for more bacon. It was granted.
    When we were finished, and our awkward silence continued, Mr. Lawrence took our plates and washed them in the sink. There were no leftovers to throw out. Nearly dying made me hungry, and I ate my fair share of the bacon.
    After he’d finished, Mr. Lawrence gathered a bag full of things and turned the radio up for us. “Food is in the fridge. I’ve left some snacks on the table for you two, though you probably won’t want to eat. There is some extra wood next to the stove. Don’t let the fire go out no matter what you do. Yeah, it’s May, but it can get pretty cold here in May. I don’t want you to get sicker than you already are. Be safe. Be warm. And please, for the love of God, don’t bicker the entire time.”
    He kissed Boyd on the forehead, causing Boyd to flinch. He hadn’t been expecting that, and I don’t think he knew how to react. I’m sure it had been a while since father had kissed son. As long as Mr. Lawrence didn’t come over and smooch on me, we’d be fine—then again, I was cold and tired and not feeling well. A nice fatherly hug wouldn’t be turned down.
    But I didn’t think I’d get one.
    Mr. Lawrence went to the door and placed his hand on the knob. He hesitated, before turning around and marching in my direction. He didn’t stop until he his arms were wrapped around me.
    “What’s going on?” Boyd asked.
    I had the same question, but I can’t say I tried to push him away. Sometimes, and I’m