Scorch (Black Inferno Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

last night and can’t get hold of his sister. Frowning, I dial her number and it goes straight to voicemail. Her phone has most likely died, but I still put on my boots and make my way to Tate’s. Deciding to walk because it’s a beautiful day and Tate’s place is only ten minutes away, I think how much Crystal can’t enjoy living with her brother. Seeing him with girls and returning from his late nights of fucking, it’s got to be awkward as hell.
    Maybe she would prefer moving in with me? Or I could, at least, offer her the room for whenever she needs a break from the house. Somehow, I don’t think she’ll take me up on my offer, though.
    I key in the code to Tate’s private gates and knock on the door. There’s no answer, so I knock again, and when Crystal doesn’t open the door, I decide to let myself in. I have my own key, but it’s not needed because the damn door is open.
    “Crystal!” I shout, my voice echoing through the house.
    “Book?” I hear her voice floating down from the top of the stairs. She’s standing in tiny jean shorts and a tight black shirt, her long bright red hair falling down either side of her shoulders. “What are you doing here?”
    Her voice sounds off, and I notice her eyes look a little red. “What’s the matter?”
    Crystal stands stiff. “Nothing.” She begins to walk down the stairs, not giving me any eye contact, but it’s no use because I know she’s been crying. “Why are you here?”
    “I came to see you. Tate can’t get through to your phone and neither can I.”
    Crystal snaps her face toward me. “Tate’s upstairs.” She frowns.
    “No, he’s not,” I correct her. “He’s on his way home, though, but he’s worried he can’t call you.”
    Crystal’s eyes dart around the place. “I thought he was here.”
    “Is everything okay?” I ask, reaching out to touch her arm, but she flinches. “Has something happened?”
    “No…” she shakes her head, “…my cell died, that’s all.”
    The house phone rings, and she physically jumps. Her eyes are wide again, and she’s biting damn hard on her lip. “Crystal?”
    “Can you get the phone?” she asks, sounding a little shaky.
    “Sure.” I nod. I don’t care what she says, there’s something definitely wrong and I don’t like it. Watching her carefully as I walk across the room, Crystal is watching me just as hard. “Hello?” I answer the phone.
    “Booker?” I hear Tate’s voice.
    “Yeah, I’m here,” I answer, and I don’t know if I’m seeing things but I’m pretty sure Crystal looks relieved. “I came to check on her. Seems her cell has died.”
    “The fuck?” he shouts. “I’m fucking panicking and it’s all because she didn’t charge her cell? I’ve been ringing this phone, too. What’s her excuse on that?”
    “She stayed at mine last night,” I admit and there’s a silence.
    “What?” he asks.
    “Don’t worry, bro, nothing happened.”
    There I go, lying to him again.
    Crystal’s eyes widen at my confession. She’s shaking her head and walking around in circles.
    “I’m nearly home,” is all he says before hanging up.
    “Why did you say that?” she asks. “He didn’t know I stayed over, and there was no need to tell him.”
    “I can’t lie about everything, Crys.” I laugh, although I don’t find anything funny.
    Crystal stomps into the kitchen, flicking on the coffee maker and folding her arms as she waits. She looks over at me and frowns. “It’s fine, you can leave now.”
    “What’s the matter?” I ask, stepping closer. “Is this because we kissed?”
    “No,” she whispers.
    “Then what?” I ask.
    “It’s nothing,” she urges, but I’m not buying it.
    “This to do with your ex?” I ask, and as soon as I ask her, I know I have it right. Her body slightly flinches, it’s a small movement but totally caught it.
    “No,” she answers, but her face has paled in the seconds since I asked the question, and this close to her I can see