Tormented Read Online Free PDF Page A

with the biker. We were just too fucking different.
    “I turn my back and you become all serious again.” Jade was sharp. As usual, she could read me pretty well. There wasn’t much I could hide from her.
    “We were just discussing something important.”
    “What? Is it about me? I noticed how you both went quiet when I returned to the table. That’s usually a dead giveaway that people were talking about you.”
    Eva quickly spoke up. “Oh no, it’s nothing like that. Harrison just asked my opinion on something and I—”
    God, this woman was more than amazing. She was trying to bail me out, and I loved her for it, but it was time to tell Jade the truth. I cleared my throat before I started. “Sis, I worry about you. I don’t know where to begin to apologize for what happened before.” I choked on the words, so I took both her hands in mine while I composed myself. Rubbing circles on her icy-cold hands, I was aware of her shallow breathing as she sat frozen.
    It was at that moment the waitress brought our coffees and desserts to the table. Dropping Jade’s hand, I sat back and waited for the girl to set it all down in front of us. She must have sensed that something was going on because she didn’t flirt with me like she had done before. I thanked her and gave her a small smile. The tension at our table was thick, and I couldn’t wait for her to leave so I could talk to Jade.
    Why I’d chosen this moment to apologize I wasn’t sure. I only knew I couldn’t let another minute pass without at least trying to fix things between us. Although Jade had always been polite since she’d lost her baby, she was definitely more reserved when she was in my company and certainly a little cautious. It dawned on me that when Ryder was around, she made a point of hiding from me and placing him between us.
    Christ, was I that much of a monster that my own sister was wary of me? How had that happened? Her adoration had turned into fear, and I hadn’t even realized it until this moment because I was too fucking wrapped up in my own head.
    “Jade, I know words are empty and hardly adequate to express how sorry I am for all the pain I caused you.” I caught a glimpse of Eva’s face. She wasn’t happy with me either. Fuck.
    “And?” Eva said, her voice nearly a whisper. At first I didn’t understand what she meant. I stared into her stormy eyes for a long moment.
    I got it. Finally.
    “And for the pain I caused Ryder losing his daughter.”
    Jade’s eyes filled with tears that brimmed on the edges of her lashes. She swallowed hard and blinked a few times, but still didn’t say a word.
    “Can you ever forgive me? I don’t deserve it, but for your own wellbeing, if you could find it in your heart to forgive me . . .”
    Jade sat motionless, hardly breathing. Was I getting through to her? I’d never seen her like this—unresponsive and cold. Panic set in, making my gut roil as my heart sank into my shoes.
    Eva spoke softly, her voice vibrating with emotion. “Jade, honey, I can attest to how much Harrison regrets what happened. It’s eating him alive. But he’s a stubborn asshole and until today he hasn’t been able to admit it out loud. You don’t have to say anything right now. But I can assure you it comes from a good place.”
    Jesus, fuck. Eva cut right to the core of it.
    I nodded. “It’s from the heart, Sis. If I could undo it, trust me I would. I don’t know what else to say other than I’m deeply sorry and regret being so . . . um, such an asshole, as Eva put it.”
    Tears streamed down Jade’s cheeks. Fuck, I hadn’t meant to make her cry. One hand rubbed her stomach and the other the space above her heart. I hated that I was making it worse.
    “I love you so much it hurts. I’m so sorry I’m such a prick.” I swallowed the thick lump in my own throat.
    Through her fresh avalanche of tears, a small smile twisted Jade’s lips. She placed her hand on my arm and studied my face for a long