Aflame (Fall Away #4) Read Online Free Page A

in. “I want all of my kids, Jared. I miss you very much,” she admitted. “Madoc and Fallon are watching over me, since Jason is finishing up a case in the city, and Jax and Juliet are being wonderful, but I want you here. Come home. Please.”
    I cleared my throat.
Home.
    “Mom, my schedule is . . .” I searched for an excuse. “I’ll try, but it’s just—”
    “Tate’s not here,” she cut me off, dropping her gaze. My pulse echoed in my ears.
    “If that’s what you’re worried about,” she explained. “Her father is in Italy for a few months, so she’s spending the summer there.”
    I tipped my chin down, inhaling a hard breath.
    Tate’s not home.
    Good.
My jaw hardened.
That’s good.
I wouldn’t have to deal with it. I could go home and spend time with my family, and it could be done with. I wouldn’t have to see her.
    I hated to admit it, even to myself, but I’d been afraid of running into her. So much so that I hadn’t gone home.
    I ran my palm down my thigh, ridding myself of the sweat that always came when I thought about her. Even though I’d left to make myself whole, there was still a piece of me that seemed forever hollow.
    A piece only she ever filled.
    I couldn’t see her and not want her. Or not want to hate her.
    “Jared?” My mother was talking, and I evened out my expression.
    “Yeah,” I sighed. “I’m here.”
    “Listen to me,” she ordered. “This isn’t about why you’ve been away. This is about your sister. That’s all I want you to think about right now. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I . . .” Her eyes fell, and she looked to be searching for words. “I never know what you’re thinking, Jared. You’re so guarded, and I wanted to have you to myself to tell you this in person. You never find time to come home, however, and I’ve waited as long as I can.”
    I didn’t know why it bugged me that my mom had a hard time talking to me. I guess I’d never really thought about it, but since she’d put it out there, I realized I didn’t like that I made her nervous.
    She took a deep breath and looked at me, her eyes kind but serious. “We need you,” she said softly. “Madoc will be the one playing with all of her toys with her. Jax will be climbing mountains with her on his shoulders. But you’re her shield, Jared. The one who will make sure she is never hurt. I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. Quinn Caruthers needs all of her brothers.”
    I couldn’t help it—I smiled.
    Quinn Caruthers.
My sister.
She had a name already.
    And hell yes I was going to be there for that.
    I nodded, giving her my answer.
    “Good.” A relieved look crossed her face. “Jax emailed you a plane ticket.”
    And then she clicked off.

Chapter 2
    Jared
    Two Years Ago
    I love mornings like this. Mornings when I wake up first, and I can just watch her sleep for a few minutes. The smooth, glowing skin of her chest rises and falls with her shallow breaths, and I know that if I slide my fingers up her back, underneath her tank top, I’ll feel her sweat. She overheats when she sleeps.
    I relax into the chair by her window, watching her soft pink lips purse as she starts to stir. Her long, slender neck calls to me, and I’m desperate.
    Fucking desperate never to leave her. Wanting never to do what I know I have to do right now.
    Tate holds my heart, and I could choke trying to swallow and bury my need for her.
    I try to remember the good things. The things that will keep me alive in her heart while I’m away. The rainy nights in my car. How the skin of her neck tastes different from the skin of her lips. How hot she gets under the sheets.
    How I hate sleeping alone now.
    Her phone starts vibrating on her nightstand, and I tighten my fists, knowing that everything is about to fall apart.
    When she wakes, I have to hurt her.
    Her head turns to the other side, and I see her eyes flutter open, her body coming to life. She inhales a deep breath and slowly pulls