After the Fall (Broken Angel #2) Read Online Free Page A

for you to decide how long a punishment should be,” she reprimanded. “But I agree. I believe this has continued because it is all tied together with what is happening now, including your current assignment. What Raphael did had a ripple effect not only for you, Lash, and Naomi, but ultimately with...” she paused as Jeremy stared at her with bated breath.
    “Well, I must take my leave. I just wanted to tell you that your assignment will come soon, and I wanted to give you time to prepare yourself.”
    Jeremy let out a breath, disappointed. She wasn’t giving away anything. Regardless, he had to figure out a way to get out of this assignment if he ever wanted to make things right with Lash.
    “Is there any way I can appeal my assignment? Perhaps if I speak to Michael?”
    “You could, but it will only anger him more. I have already spoken to him on your behalf. How do you think you were given permission to leave and place yourself in isolation?”
    “You did that?”
    “Yes. Why do you look so surprised? I’ve been known to do a nice thing or two from time to time,” she said with a twinkle in her green eyes.
    He blinked with shock. She actually looked like she was teasing.
    “Michael wanted you to be in charge of her instruction as well as pair with her on her first assignment. I convinced him to allow me to do the training.”
    “Gabrielle, I don’t know how to thank you.” If only she could be this gracious with Lash, life would be so different for his brother. Although Lash would never admit it, all he ever wanted from her was respect.
    “There you are. I have been searching for you, Jeremiel.” Raphael called from the direction of the gardens. An older replica of himself walked toward them with a large smile on his face. “Welcome back, my son.”
    Jeremy swallowed thickly at those words. Raphael had always felt like a father to him. Although he’d always seemed to lavish his attention on Lash, Raphael managed to spend some of his time with him.
    “Based on the smile on your face, I take it your meeting with Michael went well,” Gabrielle said.
    “Yes. Yes, it did. He agreed it would benefit us all to divulge some information about our past in the hopes of strengthening our connections and promoting healing.” Raphael turned to Jeremy and slapped him on the shoulder. “Come, Jeremiel. We have much to share with your brother.”
    Just before Jeremy turned, he caught Gabrielle looking at Raphael with such longing that he did a double take. Her green eyes narrowed, and her face shifted back into the old Gabrielle, and he wondered if he was imaging things.
    She glanced up at the mountain and back at him, giving him a subtle smile. “Remember what I said, Jeremy. Play your game of poker.”

3
    N aomi placed the dishes in the sink and feverishly cleaned the kitchen, trying to erase the image of a dying Uri out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about the possibility of losing Lash like that.
    “What are you doing?” Lash stood behind her, trailing a finger down her neck.
    “Cleaning.” She swept the beans into a container and placed the bingo cards in a small box.
    “I meant what I said.” He took the box from her hands and placed it back on the table.
    Smoldering hazel eyes locked with hers and slowly drifted down to her mouth. He gently stroked a thumb across her lower lip and stared at it, mesmerized.
    Her breath hitched, and she inhaled his delicious scent, making her forget about Uri, Rachel, Hell, and death. “What did you say?”
    He leaned in closer, his lips hovering above hers, feather light as they brushed against hers, whispering, “You know.”
    He lifted his head and gave her a sexy smirk that never failed to make her body seem like it was on fire. Long fingers wove through her hair. He lifted a thick wavy strand to his nose and inhaled. His chest rumbled with pleasure, making her weak in the knees.
    Gently, he swept her hair to her other shoulder, keeping his eyes locked