Undaunted Love (PART ONE): Banished Saga, Book 3 Read Online Free PDF Page A

BREAK!”
    The harsh voice matched the fierce green eyes, fingers like talons gripping his mouth open as the tube passed his lips into his throat. He arched his back as a fiery agony invaded his belly, swelling it past bearing, in an attempt to garner information he did not have.
    A kick to his side enhanced the agony in his belly, and he writhed in an attempt to escape this torment.
    “Hold on to him, dammit.”
    Strong hands clasped his legs and arms, impeding any further movement. He looked into the merciless green eyes promising only pain—
    Jeremy woke screaming, gasping, his arms flailing in front of him to ward off his imaginary tormentors. One arm connected with someone’s hand and was grasped. “No!” he yelled, writhing to break the contact and restraint.
    “Jeremy,” a familiar voice said. “Jeremy, you’re safe.” Richard released Jeremy, and he fell to the bed to curl onto one side. The dregs of the nightmare faded, and Jeremy could recognize his surroundings.
    “Boston,” he gasped, shaking as he lay on his side.
    “Yes. Home.” Richard reached out to pat Jeremy on the shoulder, but Jeremy cringed from the contact. “Can’t you tell me what torments you?”
    “No, never,” Jeremy said. “I …”
    “Jeremy, I’m your brother. I will stand by you through whatever you’ve done and whatever you imagine you’ve done.”
    “I don’t need to imagine anything. There is no absolution for all I’ve done.”
    Florence’s soothing hands swept the sweaty hair off his brow and cupped his cheek. “We are your family, Jeremy. Never doubt our love for you.”
    Jeremy opened stricken eyes to see Florence crouched over him, mothering him. “Flo.” He inhaled a stuttering breath in an attempt to forestall a torrent of grief.
    She traced his jaw, then moved her hand to his shoulders and massaged them with a gentle pressure. She would not be forestalled and continued her ministrations. After a few moments, she eased onto the bed next to Jeremy and pillowed his head on her lap. She continued her soothing caresses.
    Suddenly Jeremy pushed away. He rose, and Richard gripped his arms. “Jer?”
    Jeremy shook as though suffering a malarial ague and fell into Richard’s arms as he sobbed. Richard clasped Jeremy to him, as Florence rose and left the room.
    After a few moments Jeremy began to calm and backed away from Richard. “Forgive me.”
    “No, Jer.” He gripped Jeremy’s head, cradling it with his large hands. “Let me be your brother. Talk with me. Let me help you.”
    “I don’t want you to despise me,” Jeremy whispered. “I think I could handle anything but that.”
    “I will only ever give thanks you came home to us, Jer. Talk to me and Flo. It can do you no more harm than keeping it all inside.”
    “Florence can’t even stand the sight of me. She left.”
    “No, I know Florence. She’s in the kitchen making us tea.” Richard released Jeremy’s head and gripped his shoulder. He propelled him into movement, having him walk in front of him toward the kitchen.
    Florence stood at the dining room table arranging mugs, a pitcher of milk and sugar, as a pot of tea stood steeping on it. Jeremy glanced at the battered clock on the bookshelf and blanched. “You two should be in bed. Richard, it’s 3:00 a.m. You have work tomorrow.”
    “Nothing is more important than family, Jer.” Richard’s intense blue eyes dared him to argue.
    Jeremy groaned as he collapsed into one of the large chairs Gabriel had built. He covered his face with his hands for a moment before meeting their worried gazes. “I’d enjoy a cup of tea, Flo.”
    She smiled and prepared him a cup with milk only.
    He wrapped his fingers around the mug, staring into its depths.
    “From your recent nightmares, we have a good idea of what happened in the Philippines. Let us help you,” Florence said.
    Jeremy raised his eyes. “I don’t wake you every night, do I?”
    “You thrash and moan and scream most nights, Jer,”