Always Me Read Online Free

was in my yard. Even if it was an animal. Just knowing would make me feel a whole hell of a lot better. “I think something’s in the trees.”
    “It’s probably just a raccoon.”
    I frowned. “But…”
    “What’s going on?” Garrith asked, strolling up beside Brett.
    “She thinks there’s something in the trees,” Brett answered for me.
    “I’m on it.”
    Leave it to Garrith to always believe me. A moment later, two beams of light came around the side of my house. Gordon Cramer and John Lector came into view as they headed to the corner of my backyard with Garrith following behind them. The two FBI agents that Garrith assigned to watch my house used to annoy the hell out of me, but at this point, I was thankful. There was something more important than me to protect now.
    “Tori, you should come inside.” Keisha grabbed my arm.
    “I can’t.” I needed to see what they would find, if anything. Something now told me that it wasn’t an animal ruffling the trees. With Jose still being out there and me getting that note from him, I had to question whether Keisha was right. Maybe I should leave for a couple of days. Who would I stay with? If Jose wanted me, he would find me. Even my friends knew it.
    “Well, then, I’m standing out here with you,” she said, linking her arm in mine.
    Brett came out and joined us, placing an arm around my shoulders. He kissed the top of my head. “You two are way too stubborn for your own good.”
    We watched as the lights bounced around in the trees, searching.
    A moment later, the three men emerged from the woods and strolled to the house.
    “Did you find anything?” Keisha asked as she stepped into Garrith’s arms.
    A twinge of jealousy spread through me, and I looked away, feeling guilty. Would I ever be able to handle seeing my friends happy? They had been through so much. They of all people deserved happiness.
    “Nothing back there,” Garrith answered.
    “I’m sorry for bugging you guys,” I said to Gordon and John.
    “It’s never a bother, ma’am,” Gordon, the older of the two, stated. His dark eyes were warm as they looked down at me.
    John just nodded, his lips turning up a bit at the corners. His piercing green eyes shone with excitement, but other than that, he was a stone. They said good night and headed back to their car.
    “Are you okay?” Keisha asked me.
    “No,” I answered honestly. I walked back to the swing set and sat down. I moved back and forth slowly, resting my chin on my hand as I held onto the swing.
    Brett whispered something to Garrith and Keisha before walking over to me. They headed inside, leaving us alone.
    “How are you doing, baby girl?” Brett sat on the swing beside me.
    I sighed, smiling weakly. “I don’t know. I’m more furious than mad. If Jose actually was here, he’d been in my son’s room, and that pisses me off more than anything. A ruffling shook through the trees behind us, sending shivers up my spine.
    Brett looked past me, frowning.
    “Anyways, I just...it’s been two years, and I want this over.” The same shuffling noise sounded again.
    Brett smiled sympathetically. “I know. I spoke with Garrith. We’re going to get your locks changed.” Looking down at me, his blue eyes heated in the dimness of the patio lighting.
    I nodded. My throat dried up as he leaned down, his lips mere inches from mine. I froze, my heart pounding against my chest.
    “Tori,” he said breathily, gently caressing my cheek. He had kissed me before, but this seemed different. More intense. The air crackled around us. Did I want this? Was I ready? I closed my eyes as warm lips covered mine. Goose bumps rose on my skin. For some reason I was nervous. Nervous that I was kissing another man.
    Brett wrapped a hand around the back of my neck and deepened the kiss. His tongue touched my lips, attempting to push its way inside me. A part of me wanted to kiss him back, but I hesitated. A bang from the shed out back forced us apart.