Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 148238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
Did I know them?
Did I love them once?
“No, you don’t. But we know about you. You’re coming to live with us.” Bouncing in place, she snatched my suitcase and enveloped me in a hug. “I’ve always wanted a sister. We’re going to school together and I want to be a vet, too! How awesome is this?”
My heart died all over again. This was my foster family. An unwanted surrogate to a home I couldn’t recall.
When I didn’t reply, the father murmured, “Don’t be afraid. Detective Davidson has cleared it all. You’re already enrolled in the finest school, and we’ll take you down to the station to meet your contact early next week.”
I never took my eyes off my suitcase. I hated strangers touching it. Inside held nothing I remembered, only brand-new clothes purchased for Sarah Jones, not whoever I’d been. But it was the only thing I owned. The only thing I had to be protective of.
“I don’t need a new family.” I needed to be left alone. Alone in the dark so my memories might find me.
Corrine looped her arm through mine. “You’re right, you don’t need help. ’Cause you’ve got me.” Dragging me unwillingly from the terminal and into watery sunshine, she sighed happily. “Welcome to England, Sarah. I have a feeling we’re going to get along stupendously.”
She was right.
After the first few weeks of crying myself to sleep and the uncertainty of learning to live again with a blank mind, I slowly found happiness.
I was able to heal while studying biology and English.
I was able to stop obsessing over a past I might never remember and become healthier in heart and mind.
Corrine became my entire world.
My heart panged to think I’d left her behind so easily.
She’d given me back the will to live; she hugged me when I broke and celebrated with me when I excelled. Yet the moment the letter arrived hinting I might finally, after all this time, find the truth, I left her without a good-bye.
I ignored the voice that said it was stupid to chase after something that should remain buried.
I hadn’t dared tell her why I was going—just in case she told the officers handling my file. I’d left her a cowardly note, given notice at my job at Precious Pets, withdrew my meager savings, and booked a one-way ticket to America.
But of course she’d somehow found out my plan and tracked me down at the airport.
She hadn’t tried to stop me, though.
Out of everyone, she understood the most why I had to leave. Why I had to search for the green-eyed boy I’d never gotten over.
I’d jumped headfirst into danger.
“You ready?” Arthur snapped into my musing.
The residual emotions of being so alone and afraid refused to unclaw themselves from my heart. I ached with lonely emptiness that I’d lived with for eight long years. No matter how many new memories I made, no matter how many experiences I lived, I’d never shed the desolation of not having a past.
My stomach rolled at the thought of living a life without him. Eight years had been interminable—forever would’ve destroyed me.
His eyes blazed into mine, focused on solving the break-in and delivering justice. He was my protector, lover, and best friend. As long as I was with him, everything would work out.
“Yes, I’m ready.” Smoothing down my black blouse and skinny dark jeans, I followed him to the garage and his awaiting motorcycle.
I blinked up at Florida Penitentiary for the second time.
Nerves skittered down my spine. “What are we doing back here?”
Arthur grabbed my hand. Striding toward the imposing correctional facility, he replied, “Going to see him.”
“Him who?”
“You know who. The man who gave me everything when others took it all away.”
My heart skipped a beat at the hatred and guilt in his tone.
I jerked on his hand, pulling him to a stop. “Tell me. Here and now. Tell me what happened to you. Why were you in prison? The truth this time.”
I wished I’d had time and access to the Internet. I would’ve done a search—I would’ve looked up his criminal record to find out just what he continued to hide.
His brow tightened, shadowing his eyes. The soft pads of his fingertips kissed my cheek as he smiled sadly. “Do you trust me?”
I frowned. “As much as I can while I’m blind from things you won’t tell me.”
His shoulders sagged. “Do you love me?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely.”
“Then let that love be enough for now. Be glad that we’ve found each other, because there’s still so much you don’t understand and I don’t—I can’t ruin it yet.”
“Why would it ruin what we have?” I looked deep into his eyes. “Tell me. You’re starting to scare me, Art.”
Cupping my cheek, he kissed me softly. I would’ve loved to see the action from an outsider’s perspective. A scary-looking biker dressed in boots and leather, kissing a girl half his size outside a prison.