The Finding Read Online Free PDF

you.”
    “I love you,
too.” Cassie whispered, wondering if the words were even true. It
didn’t matter though; he hadn’t waited to hear her reply. The door
shut quietly and she allowed her shoulders to slump. She leaned her
head against the wall; the smooth, coolness of the painted surface
felt good against her flushed face. A single snort of sardonic
laughter escaped her. The fact that he called her Sandy—a fake name
she’d given him three years ago—epitomized their relationship.
Secrets and deceit were interwoven into their lives; he didn’t even
know her real name was Cassandra or that her family had called her
Cassie.
    Pushing off
from the wall, she crossed the room. She hadn’t really expected to
make him stay, but she’d hoped. Insanely, ridiculously, she hoped
that this time... With a roll of her eyes, she cut off her own
thinking. Who was she trying to fool? The gambling was a sickness
within him. For periods of time, it went into remission, but it
always came back; rearing its ugly head and destroying the
happiness and peace that had developed between them. Sure it was
his pay cheque to waste, but it put an added burden on her to cover
household expenses and she resented the fact.
    Cassie pulled
aside the curtain to stare out the window at the car in the
driveway. Kellen was walking towards it, laughing at something one
of his cronies had called out to him. Even at this distance she
could sense the change in him; there was a bounce in his step; his
voice indistinct yet full of excitement. Energy seemed to radiate
from him as adrenaline pumped through his system.
    He might berate
her for her supposed habit, but gambling was his drug. She’d seen
the effects up close. His eyes dilated and overly bright as he
scanned the gaming table; the trembling of his hands, the way he’d
lick his lips and his breathing would quicken.
    Kellen climbed
in the car, his friend barely giving him time to shut the door
before pulling out of the driveway and speeding down the street.
Letting the curtain fall into place, Cassie turned and wandered
back to the kitchen, her steps echoing in the quiet, lonely house.
The meal she’d prepared earlier no longer seemed appetizing, but
she forced herself to eat a small portion. When she was finished,
she put away the leftovers, dejectedly wondering why she even
bothered. Maybe she should be spiteful and just throw Kellen’s
portion in the garbage... No, this wasn’t a silly childish game and
she wouldn’t stoop to such petty revenge. Besides, she couldn’t
afford to be that wasteful.
    As she prepared
to leave the room, she took a moment to do a quick survey, checking
the stove was off and the tap wasn’t dripping. Her gaze passed over
the table and the small bouquet she’d arranged. It was flanked by
two candles, all ready to celebrate the anniversary of the day
they’d met. Three years ago today, she’d first set eyes on Kellen.
At the time, she’d been scared out of her wits, not knowing which
way to turn and he’d been her knight in shining armour, showing her
how to survive. She sighed. Now... Well, she wasn’t sure what he
was anymore.
    For some reason
she decided to light one of the candles. The flickering flame cast
shadows across the wall and table surface, creating mysterious
images. She squinted trying to determine what the shapes looked
like, but they shifted too quickly. She smiled a little crookedly.
It was a bit like her own life. Mysterious shadows and secrets
seemed to dance around her and she...well...she was the lone
candle; her supposed partner was decidedly absent.
    Reaching out,
she let her hand hover around the warmth of the flame, feeling its
heat, mesmerized by its brightness. Then, firming her chin, she
blew it out and headed to bed.

Chapter 2

    Las Vegas,
Nevada...
    The first
tentative fingers of dawn were streaking the sky as Kellen unlocked
the front door and let himself into the small house he shared with
Sandy. He closed the door as quietly