Bent (The Gifted Series) Read Free Page A

were going after some little lass in England.  She was hidden in Suffolk County near Dunwich.” He scoffed. “What a blasted barren place … maybe a hundred people tops.  This lass must have been a strong thing because they sent five of us to retain her—claimed she’s telekinetic.” He snorted at the notion.  “Not saying I don’t believe it, but I’ve certainly never seen the likes of it.”
                  At this comment Leah’s back straightened and she glanced toward Declan.  He, too, stood rigid.  Her memory of their private conversation flashed.  He’d mentioned a relative, a woman, who could move things with her mind.  This relative was supposedly in hiding.
                  Declan quickly asked, “Did they find her?”
                  Bo shook his head. “Don’t know, but my guess is yes. They’d given us motorcycles to ride.  She and a few family members were supposedly living along the coast in a remote location.  I knew once I took off on the motorcycle that this was my opportunity, so I bolted.  The moment I reached twenty miles distance from the hypnotics, I was free from their hold.  I then locked down my gifts and pick pocketed my way to London.  Once there, I bummed cash and necessities from the Cossingtons—”
                  “Richard and Bev?” Reagan asked expectantly.
                  “Aye,” Bo nodded, adding a grin. “They’re doing well.  Their boy, Drew, is with the agency and proving himself worthy.  Anyhow, they got me squared away with an ID and a passport and Russ Harrison was born.”
                  “So this lass,” Declan asked, “do you recall her name?”
                  Bo eyed Declan suspiciously, then nodded slowly. “Hmm … I think she went by Katherine or Kathleen Sotton, but I overheard one of Patrice’s right hands, Stephan, refer to her as … Jocelyn, I believe.”
                  Declan released a notable gasp.
                  Leah stepped forward, questioning Declan, “Is that her?”
                  “Who?” Tiago and Smits barked in unison.
                  Declan ignored; his focus on Bo. “Did you catch her last name?”
                  Puzzled, Bo shook his head. “Nah, I don’t recall, but I take it by your reaction that she’s possibly friend or family."
      Declan thrust a hand through his hair and muttered, “Aye, it’s a definite possibility.   One that scares the hell out of me.”

    Chapter 2

    “Ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine … one-hundred.”  Panting lightly, Joss’ hands dropped from behind her head and landed on the floor.  That was only two hundred sit ups for the day, but knowing she had countless hours to kill in her twelve by ten plexiglass palace, she opted to live on the edge and finish her workout later. 
                  Opening her eyes, she squinted at the florescent light that hung above; she then shot her lithe body to her feet.  She was given twelve hours of light per day, estimating that they clicked on around seven am, but again, it might be noon for all she knew.  She glanced around the see-through cell, looking out into the dank basement.  Her eyes roamed the dark emptiness that surrounded her.  All the other captives were kept in traditional holding cells in a different wing of the basement, but with her interesting gift, they couldn’t place her in normal holding quarters.  They learned that lesson the hard way.  A slow smile crept along her cheeks at the sweet memory.
                  She then scowled.  The bastards deserved worse for what she suspected they had done to her kin.
                  Shaking the thought, she began to hum a little tune, nothing recognizable but something to fill the silence. Sometimes she liked the distance and quiet but found that after one year and nine months, the