Her Love Ran Crimson (Crimson Series) Read Free Page B

than him and his life. Jase obviously noticed my change in demeanor.
    “Did I say something wrong?”
    I just flat out tell him, “I’m not beautiful. Please don’t call me that. You can’t help me. It’s too late. What’s done is done. I don’t want to be saved. This is my punishment.” It comes out in a rush and probably more rudely than I want it to. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves.
    “Please don’t say that about yourself. I don’t know what is going on, but I would really like to help you. I won’t stand listening to you tear yourself apart.”
    I flinch at that one. He doesn’t understand and I know I am not making this any easier for him. I’m leaving him in the dark. I know I can’t trust anybody, but he is wearing me down with his concern and unconditional kindness. At some point I am going to have to put some distance between us, so this doesn’t become an even bigger mess than it already is. He starts up the car and turns to me.
    “So where am I going? What’s your address so I can put it in the navigation?”
    I give him the major cross streets. I don’t want him to see where I live, but I also don’t want Frank to see me being dropped off. If he sees this car he will begin to draw up some sort of plan knowing Jase obviously has money. I will not drag another innocent person down. That is how my mom was killed. She was planning on leaving my stepfather. She had a marvelous plan and was just about to execute it and take us into hiding to break free, but somebody had found out and word got out. I was used as a pawn in the sick game. I broke free of my thoughts just as we are arriving at my cross streets.
    “Thank you for taking me home. You really didn’t have to do this.”
    “What are you going to do about your car?”
    “My stepfather will go for it and file the report,” Of course I know he won’t. I hop out of the car and wave to Jase as he drives away.
    He calls out the window, “See you tomorrow.”
    I start my short walk home thinking only of Jase. He seems different than anybody else in that school. I wonder why he came here halfway through the year and what this is, going on between us. I know I will have to say good bye to him soon, so I let the thought and image of him linger in my head. As I approach my house, I stop abruptly. I see Dixon’s car parked outside. I look to the porch and see him talking to Frank. I want to turn and run away, but I know I can’t.
    As I stand there staring up at the porch, I try to build up some sort of confidence to move forward. I brush off the non-existent lint from my shirt and try to stand tall because I know he came here to scare me, to intimidate me, to send me a warning.. I have to act strong even if I wasn’t...yet. He knows he gets whatever he wants, which he made very clear the day my mother was killed. He also proved that coming back here, showing he didn’t care about anything other than what he wants. I walk up to the porch, putting on the bravest face I can manage “What are you doing here?” I stood straighter trying to show some sort of strength, or back bone that I surely don’t have. The devilish chuckle that came out of him made me want to run and hide, but I stand my ground because I know there isn’t any other way.
    “Sweet Maddison, are you always so rude to your guests?”
    “Seeing as you are not welcome here, you are not a guest. I was just coming home to tell Frank what you have done and how much money you have cost him.” Finally I look over to Frank. He is gritting his teeth at me. I am scared for a moment as I watch anger enrage his eyes.
    “Maddie dear…”
    I cringe at the false endearment.
    “I told you that we are back in business together. I will not have you doing anything to mess that up for me. You did enough damage the last time you tried to meddle in my personal business.”
    Feeling complete defeat, I shut my mouth and walk into the house. As I pass Frank, I ask him, “How much do you