The Finding Read Online Free PDF Page A

you
when I’m home; the crying, the thrashing about, babbling to
yourself... And you look like shit afterwards.”
    “It’s not your
concern.” Cassie hugged herself even more tightly, trying to forget
what it was like; how with each month the struggle seemed to grow
harder, how the beast was becoming stronger...
    “Sorry
sweetheart, but it is my concern. I’m the one you call when
you wake up God knows where with no idea of how you even got out of
the house. I’m the one who covers for you at work. I’m the one
risking my neck and possible arrest every time I buy your illegal
drugs.” His face was ruddy with emotion by time he finished
speaking.
    She shifted
uncomfortably, knowing the dicey situation her need placed him in.
“I never said you had to. I can buy them myself.”
    Kellen snorted.
“Yeah. Right. Well, in case you’ve forgotten, the dealers don’t
know you. You don’t know how to talk to them and a pretty, naive
little girl like you wandering the streets is just asking for
trouble.”
    Giving a half
shrug, she knew he was right, but didn’t want to admit the fact.
When she’d first run out of her migraine medication—well by then
she’d known it wasn’t for migraines, but that was what she still
called it—she’d gone to a clinic in the hopes of getting more. Her
request had been met with stunned silence and then a flurry of
activity as the staff had started to make arrangements for blood
work, urine samples, and a plethora of other tests. Realizing that
something she’d said must have made the nurse wary, she’d slipped
out of the small clinic when no one was looking, fearful that her
secret might be discovered.
    Once she was
home, she began researching the medication on-line only to find
that it was a heavy sedative rarely used and only under strict
medical supervision. It had come as a shock to discover what her
uncle had been pumping into her month after month, yet fear of the
consequences, should she not take the drugs, drove her to find
more.
    Her previously
sheltered existence as the ward of a multimillionaire had left her
exceptionally ill-prepared to deal with real life, let alone the
seamier side of it. The first time she’d tried to buy her
medication on the street, Kellen had watched from a distance and
narrowly saved her from approaching an undercover narcotics
officer. After that near debacle, he’d taken over the task.
    “And do you
know how hard it is for me to get that stuff?” He ran his hand
agitatedly through his hair. “The dealers think I’m crazy; no one
takes that junk for fun.”
    “That’s my
business.” The weight of her guilt made her snap at him.
    “Just like the
occasional night of gambling is mine.” Kellen growled back before
striding to the door.
    “Kellen!” His
name ripped from her throat as she called after him, not caring
that her voice betrayed her emotional pain. She hated parting this
way, hated how their relationship was falling apart.
    He grabbed the
handle, but paused before opening the door. Seconds ticked past as
Cassie watched him standing there, his head bowed down. His
shoulders rose and fell once then he turned and looked at her, his
eyes reflecting his internal grief. “Sandy, I...I’m sorry.”
    He half turned
to her and her heart beat faster, hoping he would choose to stay
home, that he’d choose her over the thrill of gaming. She tried to
put her heart in her gaze, begging him wordlessly, promising,
pleading...
    A car horn
sounded from the street. He gave a start and darted a glance out
the window. “That’ll be Greg.” For a moment, he seemed torn and she
thought she might stand a chance, but his friend beeped the horn
again, obviously impatient. His hand flexed on the door knob.
“I...I have to go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Quickly, he pulled
the door open and stepped onto the front porch. There was a
miniscule pause in his stride and he spoke without turning around.
“We’ll talk later. I...I love