True Control 4.2 Read Online Free PDF Page A

calmer. His breathing is anyway. “I know. I’ve had my whole life to practice hiding how I feel, Lucy…I’ve become pretty good at it.”
    “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have come here…” I start to get up again.
    “I told you to sit, girl.” I stop, my feet on the floor, just staring at him. He’s ordered me around a little before. I always thought he was testing me, to see if I really wanted to be submissive with Max or was only pretending to like it. But this is different. There’s no hint of grin or smile in his voice or eyes. I sit back again.
    “I should’ve told you…that first time I saw you. That first Friday. I should’ve been honest.” He keeps his hands on his head, but he shakes it, shrugging. “I should’ve told you that I was as mad as Max was. That I was as crazy with being jealous and possessive as he was. That I would’ve punished you too for letting that guy touch you.” He looks at me, waiting for my reaction.
    I don’t know what to say. I’m in a mess. Such a big mess. And I can’t think. I’m too busy trying to ignore how he’s making me feel. I’m responding to him…the same way I do Max. This is all wrong!
    I jump up and push him out of my way. Or try to anyway. He’s able to grab my arm easily and push me back down. “I just want to go!”
    “No.” He doesn’t yell it. Doesn’t even raise his voice or lower it. It’s a simple statement that I have no choice but to stay. I look at him and can’t read his face again. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you all this, Lucy. But…” He lets out an angry deep sigh. “But I know that I won’t have another chance. And I meant what I said. You should stop questioning everything.”
    I wait for him to continue, but he only stares at me. “How can I stop?” I put my hands on my stomach without thinking and his hands follow my movement.
    “You just decide. One way or another. You know that Max won’t change.” I nod slightly. I’d convinced myself on the walk over here that I could talk to Max later. That I could get him to see that there needed to be some changes, especially if…if we’re going to have a baby. But I know I was only fooling myself. He nods to my stomach. “If you’re carrying his child now, do you really think there’s any chance that he would?”
    I shake my head and lower my face into my hands, crying again. I know that there’s no chance that things could be any different with Max. It’s his way or no way. And if I’m pregnant…Oh God. I don’t know how I let this happen…I kept hoping… My sobs are loud and uncontrolled, shaking me and the sofa, my face on my knees.

Chapter 7 HIM
    Jeff opens the door for my Dad and he drops his coat and jacket on the bench. Jeff follows as he strides quickly down my hall to where I sit at the table still. “Have you heard anything?” I shake my head and introduce him to Killaney. They shake hands and I nod to Jeff to get a glass for Dad.
    He sits as Jeff pours him a drink. He doesn’t take it though. He’s all business. “So what do we know so far?” I fill him in on what Killaney has told me, what my investigator has learned. So far, not much.
    He shakes his head, taking a first sip. “A robbery makes sense, but then where is she?” I shake my head. He reaches for his phone, glancing at messages. “I’m waiting to hear from a contact I have in the Mayor’s office…see if I can get MPU assigned to this quickly.” He sounds as frustrated as I am.
    He looks around, “Where’s Jake?”
    I can feel my face clouding, but I try to relax. Killaney is still watching me. He’s not even tipsy after all the scotch. “I sent him home. No use having him wait here.” I give Dad a look that he seems to understand. He doesn’t ask more questions anyway.
    But Killaney picked up on the tension. “Who’s Jake?”
    “My brother. I’d asked him to wait here in case Lucy showed up while Jeff I were out looking for her earlier.” I try to sound casual. I